“Spied what?”
“If I had not bribed the guard to open the Middle Tower gate, I fear something horrible might have happened.”
“Gilby, you are not making any sense. What are you talking about?”
Gilby crooked his finger at Sean. The massive knight did as he was asked and made his way over to the old man. Gilby pointed out into the yard. Puzzled, Sean looked into the dusk only to see a small figure standing several feet away by the massive tree that stood between the chapel and the White Tower.
“Who is that?” he asked.
Gilby’s old eyes twinkled. “A very foolish young lady.”
It took several long moments but the color eventually drained from Sean’s face as he stared at the lone figure. The old man took pity on him and called out softly.
“Lady Sheridan?”
Sheridan’s head snapped in his direction, so sharply that the hood of her cloak came off. Her glorious hair spilled free, covering a shoulder and draping across her mouth. Expecting to see only the priest, it took her a moment to realize that she was gazing at Sean.
Sheridan began running towards Sean and he towards her. Suddenly, she was in his powerful arms and he lifted her up, holding her so tightly that his embrace threatened to crush her. The soft sounds of joyful weeping filled the air as Sean kissed every inch of flesh he could manage to come into contact with;her eyes, forehead, cheeks, ears and mouth were open territory for his passionate, and surprised, delight.
“My God,” Sheridan sobbed softly, trying to catch her breath between heated kisses. “You are alive. I hardly dared to hope.”
He held her as if to never let her go. “And you…,” he could hardly form a coherent thought. “I was told you were at Watford House. How is it that you are here?”
She pulled back then, gazing into his clear blue eyes and feeling more emotion than she could sufficiently express. Her hands gripped him tightly, even as he set her on her feet.
“I ran away,” she told him breathlessly. “They could not keep me from you, Sean. They tried but I would not let them. I had to find you.”
He touched her face, not understanding what she apparently meant. “Who brought you?”
“No one.”
Then it began to register. “Are you telling me that you rode all the way from Eastbury alone?”
She sniffled, wiping at her nose. “Aye.”
He just looked at her. So that was what Gilby meant when he called her a very foolish young lady. His joy was tempered with horror for all of the things that could have befallen her on her determined quest and he pulled her into his arms once again, holding her closer. Momentary anger gave way to extremely relief.
“Sweet Jesus,” he breathed. “You would risk yourself like that for me?”
She clung to him, a mountain of strength. “I would do anything for you,” she murmured. “I love you.”
It was difficult for him to keep his balance. Sean bobbled, ending up on one knee. On the ground, he was almost eye to eye with her, his clear blue eyes piercing deep into her soul.
“Are you all right?” she asked softly. “What is wrong?”
He snorted with the irony of the question. His mailed gloves came up, clasping her sweet face between them. “Tell me again.”
“Tell you what?”
“That you love me.”
Her tears were nearly gone, replaced by a delicious smile that spread across her face. “I love you.”
His expression took on the most amazing glow. “Do you really?”
“Aye.”
He took her in his arms, then, still on one knee, his face buried in the valley between her breasts. She held him tightly. “Does this displease you?”
