“Then I will do whatever you tell me to do.”
“You are a brave lass.”
Her smile was back, however weak. “Not really,” she said. “I only know that I do what needs to be done. My mother died when I was young, leaving me with her responsibilities. I simply did what needed to be done, because if I did not do her tasks, then they would not get done. I had a father and brother to take care of. I had a castle to take care of. When this battle with Winterhold started, I did what I must to ensure our home and our men were taken care of. I was in the hall tending the wounded yesterday when Winterhold finally broke through. I was trying to stitch up the gut of a man who had been hit by an arrow. It was unpleasant, but it had to be done. I would not call it bravery, simply duty.”
Caius realized he liked listening to her speak. She had a soft, sultry voice that did something to his senses. Like the rest of her, it was mesmerizing.
“There are women who do not have that strength or that focus, and it is admirable,” he said. “I am going to ask you to be brave just a little while longer, at least until we get toHawkstone. I must speak with your brother and I will need your help for that, I am certain.”
Emelisse nodded, taking a deep breath before rising to her feet. “I will do what I can,” she said. Then, she paused, putting a hand on his arm. “But whatever happens, my lord, I want you to know how much I appreciate your help. Truly, when I was brought here yesterday, I thought there was no one to help me in my hour of need. But you came… you have done so very much for a woman you do not even know. If I am brave, you are compassionate. Quite compassionate, and you have my gratitude.”
He gave her a quirky smile. “Do not let my enemies hear that,” he said. “And you are welcome. Shall we go? I have men waiting in the bailey.”
“I could see an army beyond the walls this morning. Is that our escort?”
He shook his head. “Nay,” he said. “Wolverhampton is taking his army home and de Lohr’s army is also returning home.”
She looked at him curiously. “I thought you said they had come to support Winterhold?”
“Those plans have since changed.”
They were nearly to the door when she paused. “May I ask what you mean by plans having changed?”
Caius debated how much to tell her. But looking into that sweet face, it was as if he had no restraint on his words when it came to her.
“It is what I told you last night,” he said. “We know de Wrenville has concocted this story of your family’s loyalty to France. The armies came here in good faith, certain that an ally needed assistance, but it was not the truth. We will not help de Wrenville steal another family’s lands. At least, de Wolfe and de Lohr will not. Until I receive further instructions from The Marshal, the army I brought with me will remain neutral.”
Emelisse looked as if she were about to cry, so great her relief. “I see,” she said hoarsely. “I… I do not know what to say. To thank you does not seem enough.”
He could see that she was emotional and, for some odd reason, that made him emotional, too. “It is more than enough,” he said. “But do not become too grateful. I still have an army here. The Marshal could very well tell me to use it.”
“Will you?”
That was a difficult question for him, especially since he could not envision himself commanding an attack on Hawkstone. Not with everything he’d been told. But the unfortunate fact was that he was simply one piece of a larger puzzle.
He did what he was told.
“I am a knight,” he said. “I do not disobey orders unless I want to destroy everything I have worked for, reputation included.”
Emelisse didn’t argue with him. She didn’t recoil or curse him. She simply looked at him as if accepting his perspective, yet sad for it. Her expression squeezed his heart, something he’d once thought to be made of stone.
“I understand,” she said quietly. “Please know that I would never expect you to go against your oath or your beliefs. You have been more than kind already and, for that, you will always have my respect and gratitude. But I would like to ask one more question, if I may.”
“Of course.”
“My father… were you able to discover what has become of him?”
Caius really didn’t want to answer her, especially not after what Covington had said, but he knew he couldn’t keep it from her. She had a right to know.
“Not yet,” he said. “But de Wrenville wants both you and your brother to know that if you surrender Hawkstone, you shall have your father’s body returned to you.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “That is a condition of surrender?”
Caius reached out and took her by the arm, pulling her towards the door. “Call it a reward,” he said. “He is trying to make this difficult, my lady. Do not let him know how much this upsets you. He likes to see that, so do not give him the pleasure. Understood?”
Emelisse was prepared to get worked up about it, but Caius’ words had her calming. Or, at the very least, reconsidering an emotional display.
She didn’t want to give de Wrenville the satisfaction.
