He started to laugh, but choked it off when it hurt. “Nay, you have done more than I could have hoped for.”
“Good.” She smiled at him, unlocking his wrist manacles. “Now let us be gone from here, milord.”
But Royce sagged to his knees when he was completely freed. Seeing how weak he was, Kristen quickly ripped off the hem of her gown. Dividing it in two, she stuffed it inside his tunic, front and back. They would have to ride hard, and he could not afford to lose any more blood. But she could not bandage him properly now, either. She could only pray that he could ride.
It was slow going to the stable, with her having to support Royce. As heavy as he was, it was not easy even for her. And then she had to let go of him to take care of the guard in the stable.
Royce was stretched out on the ground when she came back to him. She felt like crying then, but forced him back to consciousness, forced him back to his feet, and forced him to garner the last of his strength to mount his horse.
“How do you propose—to get through the gate?”
“Let me worry about it,” she answered.
Worried she was. She led his horse and her own, walking the distance across the quiet yard. The gate was high and wooden, with a long, heavy bar across it. There was a narrow platform above, off to the side, with a guard there, sitting with his back to the wall. He was asleep. Kristen carefully mounted the ladder to him and saw that he remained asleep, then hurried down and threw her weight into lifting off the heavy bar.
It was indeed heavy. She could not manage to lower it gently to the ground, but had to drop it. The noise slammed through her.
She looked about, expecting to see a legion of armed men running toward them. Her heart nearly stopped when she did see one man, a serf, step out from the stable. He yawned and went back inside. There was another, in the doorway of another building. He just stood there watching them.
Relief soared as she realized they were not going to sound any alarm. They were apathetic, uncaring, and not willing to stir themselves for their lord. It was fortuitous for her and Royce that Lord Eldred had such loyalty in his household.
Kristen nearly laughed at the thought as she pushed the gate open and then grabbed up the reins of Royce’s horse before she leaped onto her own. They rode swiftly through what remained of the night.
Chapter Forty-one
Kristen was exhausted and beside herself with worry. Royce was using the last of his strength just to stay on his horse. She had stopped once to pad his shoulder again, but he had lost so much blood, too much. He slumped over his horse now, barely conscious.
Not even sight of the walls of Wyndhurst could abate her worry. Dawn streaked the sky and they had been seen approaching. The gate was being opened; men were rushing out. Another group on horseback had spotted them and came from the woods. Soon Royce could rest and be tended properly. Yet the nagging fear would not let go that it might not do any good, that she had helped him so inadequately that he was going to die anyway.
She cried out when he fell from his horse. She leaped from her own mount and ran to him, lifting his head from the ground. His eyes were open, but he seemed dazed.
“Must have—fallen asleep.”
Oh, God, he did not even know what he was saying. Her heart cried, seeing him this weak and helpless. She was not aware that tears streamed from her eyes.
“Be quiet, Royce. Be still. They will be here in a moment to help you.”
His eyes found her face. “Will you at last admit you want me, Kristen?”
God’s teeth! How could he think of that now, when his life’s blood was draining out of him?
“Kristen?”
“Aye, I want you. I swear I do.”
“Have you come to love me—a little?”
She did not hesitate. “Aye, that too.”
One hand rose to slip behind her neck and pull her face down to his. His lips were warm and dry on hers, gentle, but only at first. Out of her misery came the realization that there was too much strength in the hand holding her, too much passion in this kiss.
She pulled back, her eyes narrowing as she saw him grin at her. “You are not dying!”
“Did you think I was?”
“Oh, unfair!”
She nearly hit him, especially when he began to chuckle. Instead she got up and stalked away.
