Chapter 5
They took their time to eata trencher bowl of bread filled with pork and apples, which of course, was delicious. Gawyn had never encountered a cook like Joy. No matter how much the old cook protested the late comers, she lived for the praise, which Gawyn was only too happy to heap on her. After a quick wave of dismissal from Joy, Gawyn led Justina and Adam into the corridor.
Torches flickered on the walls, casting light over the entire corridor.
“That was amazing!” Adam exclaimed, rubbing his stomach. “What were those crunchy things?”
“Apples,” Gawyn said with a grin. He remembered well his first taste of fruit. It was here at Acquitaine. He was overcome at the taste of the moist delicious treat, just as Adam was. “If you are tired, I can show you to your rooms.” He knew full well that Adam was not close to being tired.
Adam looked askance at Justina.
“We hate to burden to you,” Justina said.
“You are never a burden,” Gawyn admitted. He couldn’t look away from her large brown eyes. He liked the way the blush crept over the gentle curve of her cheeks.
“Can we see the pups again?” Adam asked.
“He’s always wanted one,” Justina explained.
Gawyn nodded. “Of course.” He led the way down the corridor and out the iron-bound wooden doors into the night. The darkness was all consuming now, the slitted moon the only source of light.
Justina tripped over a rise in the road and Gawyn caught her arm to steady her.
Adam raced ahead of them.
“Are you all right?” Gawyn asked softly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see –”
“It’s very dark back here.” He kept his hand beneath her arm for support. She didn’t object. Gawyn felt a strange flutter in his chest. He mentally shook his head. Yes, he enjoyed her company, but he had to keep in mind why she was here. “You live with your Uncle. Where is your father?”
“He died.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “I was fifteen. It was long ago.”
“How did he die?”
She turned to look at him with a questioning and suspicious slant to her eyes. “Why are you so interested in my father?”
Gawyn shrugged. “I want to get to know you. Adam is important to you, so I want to learn more about your family.”
This seemed to pacify her. She looked after Adam who had run ahead. “Adam is important. He and Uncle Bruce are the only family I have left. If something happened to them…” She looked down.
Gawyn felt a deep urge to comfort her. Not for information, not for selfish reasons, but to ease her fear. He took her hand and squeezed it. “Adam is safe in Acquitaine.”
She looked at their mingled hands but made no move to pull away. Her brow furrowed, and she looked toward Adam again. “I will keep him safe.”
“As will I,” Gawyn vowed. And he meant it.
She looked up at him. The sliver of moon reflected in her dark eyes. Gratitude glimmered in her orbs. Suddenly, she lifted up on the tips of her toes to press a kiss to Gawyn’s cheek.
The world stopped for just that moment when her soft lips touched his grizzled cheek. His heart skipped a beat; his breath hitched. She pulled back and lifted her hand to his cheek. “Thank you.”
Every instinct he had wanted to pull her against him and kiss her lips. Every instinct wanted to feel her body along the length of his. Instead, he nodded like a dim-witted young page.
She turned away and the moment was lost. He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, wondering how brainless he would have been if she had kissed him on the lips.
