Gawyn smiled at him.
Justina’s heart melted. She knew this, but she had never been able to sleep in a strange place the first night. And this luxury was the strangest of all.
Gawyn looked at her with a sincere gaze. “I am glad you came.”
Warmth blossomed inside of Justina. She grinned back at him. She was glad she came, too.
Early the next morning, Gawyn approached Justina’s room. He was surprised at how excited he was to see her. It was strange. He never felt this way about anyone. She was a farm girl! He knew there was more to her. Besides the way she watched over her brother, she was hiding a secret. Damien had told him she had said ‘I know you.’ It didn’t matter. Damien had asked him to find out how she knew him. His brother had not said he couldn’t enjoy his time with her.
As he approached the room, he heard loud shouts and quickened his step to the door. He paused, listening. It didn’t sound like they were shouts for help. No. Giggles were laced between the shouts.
Gawyn knocked on the door.
Silence.
A tremor of unease snaked up his spine. Were they in trouble? “Justina? I’m coming in.”
Scurrying sounded from the other side of the door.
Apprehensive, Gawyn eased the door open. Justina sat in a chair with her back to him near the hearth. Adam was at her side, holding a tray of grapes. His eyes were wide, and his lips pressed tightly together. Linda, the dark-haired servant, was on her hands and knees beside Justina, frozen. Gawyn’s gaze swept the room quickly for other threats, but there were none. He scowled as he stepped in, closing the door slowly behind him.
Adam giggled.
Linda reached for something on the floor and captured it in her hand.
Gawyn scanned the ground. Grapes spread across the floor around Justina’s chair. “Good morn,” Gawyn greeted. He was certain there was no threat, but he was very curious as to what they were doing.
Linda sat up, her brown skirt cupped with a heaping number of grapes in it. “Good morn, Captain.”
“Good morn,” Adam chorused in.
Justina mumbled something.
Gawyn took a step toward them. “Is the food to your liking?”
Adam fought a grin. “Very much.”
Justina nodded, but still would not turn to him.
Linda picked up another grape and deposited it in her skirt.
“Was there an accident?”
Adam laughed, but cut his guffaw short as Justina looked at him.
“No, sir,” Linda said. “Just some…spilled grapes.”
Gawyn looked from Linda on her knees picking up grapes, to Adam holding the tray, to the back of Justina’s head. He crossed the room and bent to help Linda pick up the grapes.
“That’s not necessary, sir,” Linda said softly.
Gawyn smiled at her. He looked up at Justina who had turned away from him to Adam and was gesturing subtly. Gawyn placed the last grape into Linda’s cupped skirt and rose, his curious gaze on Justina. He could only see the side of her face, but her cheek looked swollen and distended. “Justina…?”
She turned toward him, keeping her chin lowered so her dark hair fell forward to hide her face.
Gawyn stepped before her. He cupped her chin with his finger and lifted it.
Justina’s entire mouth and cheeks were engorged like a squirrel preparing for hibernation. Her eyes met his and her cheeks flamed red.
