“No, but you were there because of me. You were fighting that man for me.”
“Are you certain of that?”
“Why else would you have been there?”
“We don't know, do we?”
“We went over this yesterday. You must've seen them take me and came to my rescue.” Kneeling, she could see his mouth. His smile fell away.
“That's what we assumed, but what if we’re wrong?”
“You're not a bandit,” she assured him.
“Maybe not, but I don't know who I am and it… It scares me. Maybe that makes me a coward.”
“It doesn't. Any person of sound mind would be frightened in your position. I would expect nothing less. I'm just glad you're alive. It could be so much worse,” she said, her heart throbbing at the mere thought he could've died that first night or the next. “You are incredibly lucky. We both are. I am lucky you came along.”
“And I'm lucky you didn't leave me in the field, though, you should have.”
“Where would I be now if I had left you? Lost in the woods at the mercy of someone else? I had no money, I had nothing, and I had no idea where I was.”
“It's hard for me to feel like I can protect you like this.”
“But you already are. Even if we must lie and say you're my husband. I am under your protection. Imagine if I had walked here alone with nothing. Do you think they would've helped me?”
“I hope they would have.”
“So do I, but one thing I've learned from this trip is even a kind face can be a mask.”
“I'm wearing a mask,” he said.
“You’re the first truly kind person I've met on this journey.”
He remained silent after that. She wondered if she’d revealed too much of her inner feelings, specifically her growing infatuation.
They returned the room key to the innkeeper and greeted Farmer Tinley in the taproom. They bought hot scones to take along with them on their journey and each downed a cup of tea. Lord Knightly accepted another glass of whatever the innkeeper had given him yesterday but to a weaker extent. Willa folded his jacket to make a pillow for his head in the back of the farmer's cart. He didn't seem pleased to be treated like an invalid, but he lay down with minimal fuss, and she sat beside him between crates of turnips.
He fell asleep quickly, and she took his hand. The farmer slapped the reins, and his horse took off with a jolt. It was still early in the morning, but the sun had risen, and it was growing rather warm. It took them two hours to reach Swinton. They drove into a busy market, and the farmer announced they’d arrived at their destination.
Willa roused Lord Knightly easily enough and helped him out of the cart. He moved stiffly, but otherwise he didn't grab his head like it pained him. She hoped it was a sign he was getting better.
“Whatever that witch’s brew is that the innkeeper gave you,” he said, “it works. What was that place called again?”
“Quailfield. Now we’re in Swinton.” She’d mentioned it at least three times during their journey and yesterday. She hoped they had a surgeon or doctor available here.
“I think we ought to get on the next stage,” he said.
“Stages only stop here in the morning and at night,” Mr. Tinley interjected.
Willa handed him some coins. “We thank you ever so much for your kindness.”
He wrapped his weathered hands around hers and bowed over them. “’Twas a pleasure, my lady,” he said.
Willa smiled. “Thank you, again.” She turned to find Lord Knightly watching them, and though she couldn't see it. She thought he might be smiling. The light was just perfect, and she could see his eyes—brown, with streaks of amber that glowed like sun shone through them. Her breath caught, and her heart leapt to her throat. There was something so familiar about them, an intimate comfort she couldn’t explain as she looked into them. She shook her head. His voice had a quality she found familiar too, but it happened sporadically. The helmet gave his voice an echoing hollow sound most of the time. She was eager to see more, to see the expression on his face. She couldn't wait until the helmet could be removed.
They went inside the Star Court Inn and caused quite a stir.
Willa managed to convince the innkeeper not to kick them out. She got the name of the doctor and paid for their room. She turned to Lord Knightly in dismay.
