“Of course he did. But the last of our bread ran out this morning.”
“I hope he was chivalrous. He didn’t eat everything, did he?”
“He ate hardly a thing. He let me have most of it.”
“As well he should.” He kissed her again, just because he wanted to. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you again. Although I hoped for the best, I wasn’t sure if the best would come.”
She smiled and grasped his hand, tightly. He took her into a small corridor and into the second chamber on the right; it was empty but for a cot, a small table and two chairs. It was dark, and somewhat creepy.
“I shall see if the nuns have something you can wear while your gown dries,” he said. “Sit down and rest a moment, sweetheart. I shall return shortly.”
She sat down, but she continued holding his hand as if she was fearful to let him out of her sight. He knelt down beside her and kissed her hand gently.
“I promise, I shan’t be long,” he kissed her lips. “Everything will be all right, Derica. I swear it.”
Their gazes locked and she smiled, putting her hands around his neck affectionately. “I know it will,” she said. “Do you remember when we were up on the battlements of Framlingham, right after we’d first met, how you told me that we would be in for a good deal of trouble were my father to find us alone and unescorted?”
He grinned. “I do.”
“I think this is a bit more serious than that.”
“Agreed.”
“But even if they were to break the door down this moment, for the feeling that I have right now when I look at you, it would be well worth the price.”
He was deeply touched. “I can tell you now that I intend there should be many more moments like this one,” he whispered. “You shall never be out of my sight, ever.”
Derica knew he meant every word of it. “But what about Fergus? Aren’t you going to help him?”
“Fergus can take care of himself. To go chasing after him right now would only ruin what he is trying to accomplish.”
She understood, but still, she worried for him. “He is a good friend to you.”
“The very best. I am concerned for him, of course, but I would do more harm than good in my attempt to help him right now.”
Derica smiled sadly and let go of his hand so he could search for something dry for her to wear. With a wink, Garren left her in the cold, silent room.
She must have been more exhausted than she’d realized. She was aware that she was on her back, still in that dark little room, with soft voices around her. She stirred a bit before sitting up, groggily.
Garren was sitting across from her on a small chair. There was a tiny figure swathed in brown and white beside him, and the two of them were talking softly. Garren caught sight of her and smiled.
“I am sorry, sweetheart,” he stood up and went to her. “Did we wake you?”
She shook her head. “No,” she rubbed her head. “How long have I been asleep?”
“A few hours,” Garren sat down next to her and put his arm around her. “I came back with something dry for you to wear and you were asleep sitting up. So I laid you down on the bed. You never woke up.”
Derica yawned delicately, trying not to be rude. “I did not realize I was so exhausted, but this is the first bed I have slept onin days. Fergus was afraid to put us up at an inn for fear we’d be discovered, so we slept in the woods.”
Garren hugged her gently. “You have had a rough time of it.”
She grinned, rubbing the sleep from her eye. “Not really. It is all been rather adventurous.”
The tiny figure in brown and white twitched, reminding them that it was still there. Garren looked over at the silhouette.
“I would like you to meet someone,” he said to Derica. “This is Sister Mary Felicitas.”
Derica stood up; she did not want to be rude and greet the woman on her backside. “Sister, it is an honor to meet you.”
