She moved toward him, closer each time he moved away. “He has been crying often. I have lost some good maids because of it. The men seem to like him though. He seems to only like Julianna.”
Berengaria smiled and stepped out of the cell.
“Come, Mother, we must hurry.” He handed her off to Margaret and he started putting her things into a riding bag.
She stopped him and shook her head. Then pushed him forward and out into the cold air. He tossed the heavy wool cloak he’d snatched up just before leaving around her shoulders and pulled her under his arm.
They met the mercenaries and prepared their horses to leave. Nicholas felt hopeful, joyful, for the first time in years. There were so many things that could happen on this trip. If it was a trap, he, Simon, Margaret, and Berengaria would likely not make it out alive. He would be responsible. If he lived. But if it wasn’t a trap, if Julianna was at Edlingham…
Chapter Twenty
Julianna went tothe window in her chamber and looked out, ignoring the cold.
The viscount was awake and doing quite well. Mr. Lawson spent much time with him or guarding the castle. She was glad for her chamber, and to be alone. She needed time to think clearly. Time to think about her beloved returning to her and her husband in the dungeon below.
If Phillip lived through this, he would likely try to have her hanged. Or, knowing him, he would rather let her liveapartfrom Nicholas, under the watchful eye of the church.
She knew one thing. She would never live with Phillip again. She’d rather be hanged. She could always bring him back to the abbess.
What about Berengaria? Would she return with Nicholas? Had it all been a grand tale to make Julianna do what she was told? No. She believed Phillip.
Oh, her dearest Berengaria. How Julianna had missed her. How many nights had she cried in Nicholas’ arms for her? She prayed to have her back soon.
What about Elias and Agnes? She wished she had news of them. Would Nicholas forgive her for sending Elias off with Agnes?
And Rauf. Was he alive or lying dead and unburied in Lismoor’s yard?
Oh, she missed them all. If she didn’t hear something soon, she would go mad!
Finally, she heard the sound of horses in the distance. It had to be Nicholas!
She bolted from the chambers and ran in her men’s clothes to the doors leading outside. She didn’t see anything at first, so she waited. Soon, Mr. Lawson appeared at her side. His men stood ready to fight behind him.
She heard the horses again. Closer.
“I see my standard bearer,” Mr. Lawson said. “They are my men.”
Julianna was sure he could hear her heart thudding in her chest. She saw about ten men riding toward her, and then she saw Simon and Margaret. Margaret! Her heart rejoiced. The woman he had been with was her seamstress. She smiled, not really knowing why. She brought her fingers to her lips and searched for his face until she found him. She thanked God for bringing him back to her yet again and took off running. She wouldn’t let him go again.
His eyes were fastened on her as he slowed his horse and leaped out of the saddle.
She almost dove into his arms but skidded to a halt when her gaze fell upon another woman. An older woman.
Berengaria.
Her Berengaria…and seeing her again was like waking from a dream into a wonderful truth. Berengaria was alive, and she was here, and it didn’t matter why she had gone away.
Julianna turned her direction and ran to her instead. When she reached the woman she loved even more than her mother, she flung her arms around her and wept.
“Julianna,” Nicholas’ wonderful voice sounded near her ear. “My love, she does not know us.”
What? What was he saying? Julianna turned to him and almost forgot what she was going to say. “I’m so happy to see you well,” she told him. She had to. She wanted to kiss him, but she would wait until they were alone. She had to tell him about Elias and Agnes, and Berengaria and Phillip. But…she turned to Berengaria and was stunned to find her looking rather terrified, especially when Julianna set her eyes on her.
What…?
“Berengaria?” she asked in a soft voice.
No reaction.
