Her eyes sparkled with laughter. He grinned.
"Cheeky wench."
Before she responded, he took her mouth, wrapping his arms tight around her and lowering her to the bed once again.
Chapter Twenty
When the litter finally came to a stop in the bailey, Gillian gave thanks. Her stomach rolled from the constant uneven motion, and her head pounded. She longed for nothing more than her soft bed.
The door opened and her husband held out a hand to aid her down. He frowned.
"Are you ill?"
"'Tis the third time today you've asked. Nay, I am not ill. I am merely tired from the last days."
"You are home now, and you can rest again."
He still eyed her curiously as they walked toward the steps. Residents of the manor all clamored forward to welcome them back. Joy at being home, among her people again, pushed back the queasiness.
Simon pushed through the crowd, bowing with respect. Gillian smiled, her delight at seeing her brother dampened by the sight of Burke coming up immediately behind. Despite Royce's dismissal of her suspicions, his captain's presence still left her uneasy, as if waiting for a sword to swing at her head. She thought of her husband's words the first night he arrived. Her gaze settled on him as he greeted Burke. Jesu, she hated admitting he was right. A bow would do her no good in close quarter.
Simon pulled her close for a hug. "I've missed you. How did you fare through...?"
Gillian shuddered at the recollection. "'Twas awful. But it's over, and my loyalty has been proven for the entire realm to see."
Simon chuckled. "You sound displeased."
She let out a heavy sigh. "'Tis frustrating that some would take the word of an outlaw over my own."
"You've been publicly accepted by the king."
"Until someone else decides my loyalty isquestionable." Her gaze slid toward Burke, deep in conversation with her husband. "Simon, did you notice anything amiss?"
"There are some things we must discuss. In private."
While she understood Simon's reasoning, she did not wish to do anything that might raise Royce's suspicions again. Secrecy always roused problems. Still, there wasn't much choice. She needed to be sure before she brought any of her misgivings about Burke to Royce's attention. She must have some sort of proof and hoped Simon had obtained it.
"I will send for you once I have unpacked. Apprise my husband of the normal activities, but say nothing of anything else. I want us both to speak to him together."
"Very well. I am glad you are home."
She smiled. "As am I."
The heat of her husband's hand on her shoulder chased the chill of her worries. She turned and allowed him to escort her up the stairs and into the hall.
Seeing the festive mood in her home, Gillian's heart swelled. How long had it been since Lyndon had been filled with laughter? She felt the joy was a good omen.
The next hours passed quickly. Edith quickly settled Gillian's belongings, and while Simon and Burke updated Royce on the issues of security and the rebels, Thomas assured Gillian the autumn crops had been gathered and tallied. The season had been successful, so much that there was more than enough to last the winter.
Alone, she took a seat before the hearth. How odd that after weeks of turmoil and despair, all now seemed calm. But she couldn't shake the sense more doom lay ahead. Tomorrow, the king arrived and Royce would join him on the journey to London. For a moment, she wanted to ask her husband to take her along. Nay, she must remain and oversee the manor. Besides, the illness on just a short trip to Shrewsbury had been bad enough. The thought of a fortnight's worth of travel left her queasy once more.
A tap on the door drew her attention. She stood and hurried to open it. Simon pushed in and quickly closed the door behind him.
"How goes it with my husband?"
"He and Burke are inspecting the barracks. He wants to expand them and permanently place some of his men in Lyndon's garrison."
She nodded. "I expected that. What of Burke?"
