“I do not understand,” she said as she began to remove the apron. “He just said this to you?”
“Aye.”
“But nothing more?”
Ashton shook his head. “He had that look in his eyes that your father used to get when he was verging on tearing someone’s head off,” he said. “You know that look. I did not want to press him. But you can.”
Addington pulled the apron off, tossing it aside as she headed out of the hall with Ashton on her heels.
“In the stables, you say?” she said.
Ashton was right behind her. “That is my assumption,” he said. “Unless he is already gone. Julian moves like the wind when the mood strikes him. I would not be surprised if…”
“My lady!”
They were just at the stairwell, the spiral steps built into Felkington’s thick walls when a shout caught their attention. Addington had her foot on the top step but paused to see Louis heading in their direction.
He seemed distressed.
“Sir Louis?” Addington said. “Is something amiss?”
Louis nodded. “I just brought Lady Lista inside,” he said. “She has hurt her ankle. Will you see to her?”
Addington frowned. “How did she hurt her ankle?”
Louis threw a thumb in the direction of the vineyard. “We were near the ruined vineyard and she slipped in the mud,” he said. “I picked her up and carried her inside because she could not walk. Will you come?”
Addington wanted to but she had more pressing things with Julian. “I will, but in a moment,” she said. “You can help me in the meanwhile.”
“Tell me what to do, my lady.”
“Get a basin of cold water and some rags,” Addington said. “Put the rags in the cold water and put them on her ankle. I will come as soon as I can.”
Louis took the orders like a good knight and rushed off to carry them out. Addington continued down the stairs with Ashton still behind her, perhaps even hiding behind her because of Julian’s mood. Given that he’d told Addington what had occurred, Julian might even be angry at him for it.
As he’d told her, he’d seen Julian like that before.
It never ended well.
They came off the stairs and headed out into the courtyard, which was crisp and cold at that hour with the sun’s rays angled so that the courtyard was mostly in shadow. The ground was a little slick, a little wet, as Addington held her skirts up and quickly walked towards the stables, which was through a large, arched entry on the opposite side of the courtyard.
At that point, Ashton held back and waited just outside the entry as Addington went in. He didn’t want Julian to see him, knowing he’d summoned Addington. He did, however, eavesdrop. His ears were open, listening for the conversation that was sure to come.
It didn’t take long.
Addington spied Julian as he slung his saddlebags over the back of his saddle. He was securing them as she approached.
“Julian?” Addington said, sounding both concerned and curious. “Where are you going?”
Julian was strapping the saddlebags to the saddle with leather strips. He glanced at her when he heard her voice.
“Ashton ran to you, did he?” he said.
Addington hesitated before shaking her head. “I saw you through the window,” she lied, not wanting to get Ashton into any trouble. “Why are you leaving?”
Julian finished with one strap and started on the other. “I told Ashton to bring you home tomorrow,” he said, avoiding her question. “Thank Lady Lista for a nice visit and come home.”
Addington shook her head. “I do not want to go home yet,” she said. “I did not think you did, either, so what has happened? Why are you leaving?”
