“It was your fault,” Beatrice corrected. “Had you stayed in your room and obeyed me, it never would have happened.”
Marguerite was so stunned by her aunt’s self-righteous attitude, she could make no reply. There was no sign of remorse upon Beatrice’s face.
“It would not be wise to make an enemy of me, Marguerite,” she said quietly. “I’ll expect to see you in your chamber within the hour.”
She stared at the woman, her shoulders squared. Beatrice turned and left her there, and Marguerite wondered exactly how much damage the woman had done in the Duc’s absence. She’d been so concerned with Callum, not once had she paid heed to the castle inhabitants.
Behind her, two guards shadowed her, as if she were about to run away again.
“Come.” She beckoned to them. They were different from the first two men who had guarded her, but she suspected they would have the answers she needed. “I would like to know what happened to the two men who guarded me in my room.”
The taller guard was bearded, his brown hair cropped short. “They were whipped, my lady.”
“Did they survive?”
The second man nodded. “Barely. Thomas has been abed since it happened. He was too old to receive fifty lashes. John took twenty more of them, on his behalf.”
Marguerite shuddered at the thought. She took a breath, and asked, “Do they blame me for it?”
The bearded guard shook his head. “They know it was the fault of that peau de vache.”
Marguerite knew she ought to chastise him for comparing Beatrice to a cow, but she let the insult go. “I would like to see the guards who were injured, if I may.”
“She will not allow it,” the first man protested.
“Do you not believe those men deserve compensation for what they have suffered?” She fingered the pearls upon her bodice, as if to remind them of her wealth.
They exchanged a wary glance, and she pressed further. “My father would never allow food to be denied me, nor innocent men be punished. Beatrice has stepped beyond her authority, and I intend to see it stopped.” She held out her palm. “Give me your knife.”
The bearded guard obeyed, and Marguerite cut off four pearls from her bodice. Giving two to each of them, she added, “Your loyalty belongs to me. Not to her.”
The two men were listening now, and she continued, “In front of my aunt, you may accompany me at all times. But when she is gone . . .” She cut off two more pearls and handed one to each. “Allow me my freedom to go or stay as it pleases me.”
The guarded bowed his head in obedience. “Oui, my lady. And if you so desire, we can take you to the two wounded guards so that you may speak to them.”
She nodded her agreement and began walking back toward the tower with the guards following behind. When she crossed by the stables, she saw Callum standing against the far wall, holding the reins of her father’s destrier. She sensed him watching her, though he kept his head averted. His silent rebellion unnerved her, for she remembered the strength of his arms and the conquering touch of his mouth upon hers.
As she moved past him, her body grew sensitive, remembering how he’d awakened her with his touch.
And something within her snapped. What good was it to push away the man she wanted, behaving like a coward? She had precious time before the others arrived. Was it not better to steal whatever moments she could?
As she followed the guards to go and tend to the wounded soldiers, her mind raced with ideas on how to seize what she wanted.
At dawn, Callum heard Marguerite enter the stables. She ordered the stable master, “Prepare my horse. I am going riding this morn.”
“But Lady Marguerite, what will your aunt say?” Jean protested. “I thought your orders were not to leave the castle grounds while your father was away.”
Marguerite smiled. “The guards are outside my bedroom door. According to them, I am still inside, sewing.” She nodded toward Callum. “I will take one of your men with me, as an escort. That one will do.”
That one? Callum sent her a sidelong glance, wondering what she was up to. She was behaving as if she’d never seen him before, and his suspicions deepened.
Marguerite didn’t spare him a glance, but when the stable master began to argue again, she pressed something into his hand. “I’ve been held prisoner for nearly nine days now. If I am gone for a few hours, no one will know. And you will be rewarded for your silence.”
The stable master inclined his head. “As you say, my lady.”
Callum finished saddling Marguerite’s horse and his own mount, leading both outside the stables. He assisted Marguerite on to the animal, and she rode forth from the gates with him behind her. He let her take the lead, and instead of going through the forest, she rode west, toward the sea. He hadn’t realized they were so close, within only a few miles.
Marguerite stopped by a stream to let the horses drink before continuing toward the coast. Not once did she speak to him, and he couldn’t guess at her reasons for bringing him here. Whatever the reason, she hadn’t wanted anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation.
