“Rest? That’s all?”
“Aye, laddie. Rest. Now see to it I am returned to my home and in a more peaceful manner. My old bones can’t take being bounced around like they used to,” she said with a wink.
“Thank you,” he said. “You’ll find Neville in the hall. He will provide you with your payment and will arrange to get you home. I still think it is time you moved within these walls.”
“I am not about to give up my home yet. I thank ye for yer offer and bid thee good day, laddie.”
William had known her his whole life and considered her family. He’d been trying for years to build her a home within the castle walls, but she refused. He understood the need for control over one’s life and so he left the choice up to her for whenever she might be ready.
He turned to the closed door and lingered for a moment. Drawing in a deep breath he opened it to find her lying on her side with the covers up to her neck.
“How do you feel?” he asked as he crossed the room and sat on the side of the bed.
Agnes sat up and wrapped her arms around her legs. “I am well.”
“You gave me quite the fright.”
When she didn’t say anything, he realized his mother was right. She was upset, and he wasn’t sure how to broach the topic.
“Agnes,” he said and faltered. He wasn’t quite sure how to put his question into words.
“Were you tasked with becoming close with me to gain intelligence for the king?”
Her question was so abrupt and so harsh when put like that, for a moment or two he could only gaze at her.
“Agnes, it was not like that.”
Her gaze locked with his then and she raised her chin. “Then how was it? Fin brought me right to you on that first day in the great hall at Stirling. Right to you,” she said and pointed a fingerat him. “You cannot convince me that you were unaware of who I was and who my relations were when we first met.”
William raked his hands through his hair. She was right. In everything she said. But none of that mattered once he did meet her.
“Very well,” he said and stood. “Once I learned of your uncle’s possible involvement, I agreed to help discover any person who would pose a threat to the king or the queen. I am loyal to my crown, and I am not ashamed of it.”
Agnes turned her head away.
“But all of that was secondary the moment I met you.”
Agnes turned back to him but would not meet his gaze.
“Agnes, look at me.”
Her gaze slowly lifted to his. He saw sadness and misery behind her eyes. His mother had said there would be a good reason for a person to be this upset over something that no longer mattered between them.
“I remember the moment you walked into the hall with Fin. For a few minutes you did not see me, but I saw you. I watched as this enchanting woman made her way toward me and with each step you took, I fell deeper under your spell. If you were a rebel, I would have been useless to turn you over.”
William took her hands into his and squeezed. He was thrilled when she did not pull away.
“I deemed quickly that you were not part of this scheme and that was confirmed when I saw you with your uncle. I believe I fell in love you in that moment, you know?”
Agnes gasped.
“Oh, you didn’t know that I am deeply in love with you?” he asked as he tugged her to come closer. “Every moment from the first time I laid eyes on you to now, I have been struck by your honesty, your bravery, your wit, and your charm. I love you, Agnes,” he said and softly kissed her lips.
“I love you too,” she said and his heart leapt with joy. “But I am hurt that you never told me sooner just how much I was suspected. I am hurt because I thought our first meeting was special and pure and now I don’t know how I feel. It’s like it’s been tainted somehow.”
He understood why she felt that way and wasn’t sure he could ever change that.
“Agnes, do you know that even if the king had not asked me to meet you and glean what I might know, we would still be right here?”
