Philip only tightened his grip. "Guy admitted tome that he feared you might still nurture that same vain hope, but he wantedwith all his heart to believe you had forsaken it." He lowered his faceclose to hers. "Tell me, Lady Leila. Is it possible you still harbor adesire to see Damascus again?"
Taken completely by surprise, she could only stammer, "Wh-why do you ask me such a question?"
"Because I would like nothing more than to be ridof you! You've been a curse to Guy since the day he married you and a plagueupon this household since the moment you arrived here. You have caused greatdissension where there was none before, and now you have brought this terriblemisfortune down upon us."
Philip glanced at Guy as if checking to see that hisbrother was still unconscious,thenhe met her eyesagain. "LeaveWarenneCastle. Tonight, this veryhour. LordGervais'sattacks will cease only when youare gone from here. I'll give you as much money as you need to return to Syria,and I will arrange an escort to see you safely as far as Marseilles. I know youcame to this land and this marriage unwillingly, and I am offering you a chanceto leave it all behind you. What do you say, my lady?"
Leila's thoughts spun wildly. Dear God, if Philip'soffer had come earlier that day she would surely have accepted it. Now the goalthat had consumed her heart and mind for so long meant nothing to her. Nothingat all.
She didn't want to leave Guy! She had thought of littleelse since she had been left alone with him. She loved him. He was the fatherof her child. She wanted to stay with him. She wanted to try and make thingswork no matter what obstacles they faced. Even if it meant giving up herhospital. For Guy, she would do anything.
Leila was jolted by that sudden realization. Was thatwhy another part of her was urging her to scream out yes, she would go back toDamascus? If there was the slightest chance that her leaving would protect Guyfrom any more of Roger's vengeful attacks, she would gladly go.
Yet she wasn't convinced that was the case. Maybe Rogerwould be so incensed to learn that she had gotten away from him that he wouldcontinue his bloodthirsty quest for revenge. And even if she was sure, shecouldn't leave Guy tonight. His life was still in danger. He might die if leftin Philip's care.
"No! You are mistaken," she said vehemently,this last terrible thought fueling her reply. "I have no wish to return toDamascus. Not now. My husband needs me. I have no intention of leaving him."
Yet even as she spoke the words, Leila knew she had notfully made up her mind. She could not bear the thought that Guy might sufferanother attack because of her. Sick at heart, she glanced from Philip's face,mottled with rage, to Guy's. She was so lost in her private agony she did notsee Philip raise his hand against her. Nor did she hear the door opening orHenry's incredulous cry just as she was struck hard across the face.
"Good God, man, have you lost your senses?"
Pressing the back of her hand to her stinging cheek,Leila watched wide-eyed as Henry rushed across the room with his sword drawn.Outraged, the blond knight pointed the blade at the startled priest's throat.
"Move away from the lady, Father D'Arcy. Now!"
Philip did so, bumping into beds as he inched his waybackward to the door. "How dare you raise a weapon against me, Langton,"he muttered. "I am the steward of this castle—"
"I daresay not for long," Henry interruptedhim, his face reddened with anger. "Not when Lord deWarennelearns of what you have just done. He already knows how you've turned his tenantsagainst Lady Leila with your ridiculous warnings. He was going to confront youwhen he returned . . ." He swallowed hard, unable to finish. Instead, heglanced at Leila. "Are you all right, my lady?"
"Yes," she murmured, though her ears stillrang from the blow.
Henry shifted his gaze back to Philip. "Get out,"he ordered. "If I see you near this hospital again, I'll have you thrownin the castle dungeon. Is that clear?"
Philip said nothing as he stormed from the room, hisblack robes fading quickly into the night.
Slamming the door behind him, Henry shook his head ashe walked back to the bench. "I should never have left you alone in here,"he berated himself as he sat down next to Leila. "I should have known hewould try to harass you further."
Leila heaved a ragged sigh, compassion for themisguided priest welling inside her. She knew therewaspain, frustration, and worry behind his anger.
"Philip was only trying to protect his brotherfrom what he doesn't understand," she said quietly. "A brother heloves."
Henry looked bewildered. "You defend him afterwhat he just did to you?"
"I would probably react much the same if Ibelieved someone I loved was being threatened. I, too, would try to stop it."
Pondering the words that had come from some deep partofherself, Leila rose and gently placed the bandagesback over Guy's plastered wound. As she covered him with the blanket, she notedthat his color was somewhat better, and she pressed her fingers to the base ofhis throat to check his pulse. It was much stronger.
Relief swept through her. That last dose of medicinemust have helped.
"How is he, my lady?"
Leila's hand was shaking as she swept the hair backfrom Guy's forehead. Her reply was hardly more than a whisper. "Improving."
"Thank God."
Yes, she thought, murmuring a fervent prayer. ThankGod.
***
