“Ye made the wise choice,” Nigel said as he tugged Gisele to his side.
“I do not believe I was given much of a choice at all,” David replied, fixing his gaze on Gisele after one brief glare toward Nigel. “I hope you do not regret this, cousin.” He bowed and strode away.
Gisele sighed, suddenly unsure of herself, but she repressed the urge to call her cousin back. She could not let herself waver simply because she missed her family. Although she was ready to forgive them, she could not really ignore the fact that Nigel had been more steadfast than they had. David had assured her that they had joined her cause now, but a lingering hurt and an all too clear memory of their betrayal kept her from fully believing him. She was fighting for her life. She could not afford to gamble on anyone or anything.
She looked up at Nigel, who was watching her closely, and decided that she had indulged in all the gambling she dared to for now, and that was putting her trust in him. David’s complaint that she was hurting her reputation by traveling with Nigel was foolish, but he had been right about one thing. No one really knew Nigel Murray. He was a Scot who sold his sword to the French and, amongst his fellow soldiers there were few who spoke ill of him. It really was not much to bet one’s life on.
“Are ye regretting your decision, lass?” Nigel asked, fighting to hide the unease he felt. Her gaze was intent, considering, and he feared she was about to change her mind. “We could easily call your cousin back,” he said, hoping she would never know how hard it was for him to choke out those words.
“Non.” She frowned, then shook her head. “This is best. I but faltered for a moment.”
“It is nay an easy choice to make.”
“Non, it is not. I have missed my family. As I told you, I dearly want to go home. Not yet. And not with him.”
“Ye dinnae think he spoke the truth?”
“Oh, he spoke the truth as he sees it. It is not him I doubt. In truth, I do not wish to doubt the others, but I cannot stop myself.”
He gently tucked a stray curl back up under her cap. “They turned their backs on ye when ye most needed them. ’Tis a hard betrayal, one not easily set aside just because they say they are sorry for it.”
She smiled at him, touched by his understanding. “Non, it is not. I was torn, wanted to believe in him, to trust in my family again, and then felt like the basest of traitors because I could not, not with a whole heart.”
“Ye dinnae need to don the hair shirt o’er it, Gisele. They may be kinsmen, but they betrayed you, and they must earn your trust again.”
“And now, in the midst of fleeing for my life, is not the time to play out that game.”
She stared in the direction David had gone and fought a sudden urge to cry. She could see her home, the mossy stone walls and high towers. She could almost smell the roses her grandmother had taken such care of, of which she had taken charge when the old woman had died. The urge to return home and curl up in her soft bed was so strong she ached with it, but she had to fight it. At home there was no safety for her, and she could easily bring danger to those she loved.
Gisele smoothed her hand over Nigel’s sleeve, then crossed her arms over her chest to stop herself from clinging to him for the strength she lacked. She had refused David’s offer—in part, because it would put her family in peril—yet she chose to put Nigel there. It made no sense, and she was suddenly ashamed of herself. He had willingly offered to be her protector and take her to safety in Scotland, but he had not truly known how much trouble that would bring down on his head. Since she had just been given a choice it was past time she gave him one, she decided, and she took a deep breath and looked at him.
“I was just thinking,” she began.
“Ah, and why do I get the feeling that I willnae like it?”
She just frowned at him and doggedly continued, “I speak of not wishing to endanger my family, that I think of their safety, too, when I refuse to rejoin them. I also think of your safety, Sir Nigel.”
“Now I amsureI willnae like this.”
“May I be allowed to finish?” When he feigned a bow she said, “I was just blessed with a choice, and I believe it is past time I offered you one. When you first offered to help me you may not have realized how large and deep a quagmire you were stepping into. You now have a better idea of the trouble I bring. I will understand if you wish to leave.”
“Ye might, but I wouldnae think many others would,” he murmured, smiling faintly, for her taut stance told him she was finding it hard to offer him this chance to step down as her protector. “I gave my word of honor, lass.”
“To me, so you can lose none if I say I release you.”
“Many might think so, but nay I. I will stay. I said I would get ye to Scotland where ye can safely work to clear your name, and that is what I mean to do.”
She was weak with relief, but struggled not to show it. “You are a very stubborn man, Sir Murray.”
“That I am.” He took her by the arm and led her out of the alley. “I am also most thoughtful, kind, and generous.”
“And vain.”
“I prefer to think of it as having a simple knowledge of my strengths.”
Gisele giggled and shook her head. “A blithe and interesting explanation, but what prompts you to boast so?”
“I have planned a wee surprise for you, lass, and I may be vain but I do think ye will like it.”
