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A dismissal. De Lanceau intended to leave them behind.

Sliding her arm from around Ada, Gisela darted in front of him to block the doorway out into the shop. Determination blazed in her veins with the scorching heat of a summer day.

He leveled her with a cool glare. The torch in his hand crackled.

Gisela shivered at the intensity of his stare. She had no right to stand in his way. If she had any sense, she would humbly apologize and step aside, before she added to her list of offenses for which he would punish her. However, the nagging sense of rightness inside her wouldn’t be quelled. Until Dominic was safe—until she embraced him, kissed him, and told him how much she loved him—’twould never be silenced.

“Stand aside, Gisela.”

His tone warned her not to disobey. Yet, if she did as he bade, she forfeited her own promise to help Dominic. A betrayal she couldn’t abide.

Folding her arms across her bosom, she did not move. “Will Dominic be at the dock, milord?” How she despised the way her voice wavered, making her sound consumed with worry rather than a fearless, determined woman. Yet, she could no more control the tremor rippling through her than she could stop her heart from beating.

De Lanceau’s mouth tightened, but she saw a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes. “I expect so.”

“We must hurry. We have to find him, before…” he is murdered, her mind finished for her. Before Ryle reaches him and takes out his anger with me upon Dominic. She couldn’t say those terrible words.

Flexing his fingers on the torch handle, de Lanceau said, “You will stay here. I will assign men-at-arms to wait with you.”

“Milord, I have to go with you.”

“Nay.”

Fighting a growing sense of despair, she said, “When I asked to ride with you, I meant every league of the journey to save Dominic.”

De Lanceau’s steely gaze did not waver. “When I agreed to your request, I was not aware of Ryle’s temperament. You saw what he did to your home. ’Tis impossible to know what he”—de Lanceau paused—“might be capable of doing.”

Committing murder. The killings he vowed months ago. That is what he is capable of.

How chivalrous of his lordship to try to protect her sensibilities. But, the ache in her disfigured breast couldn’t be more poignant, or more compelling. “I know exactly what he is capable of, milord. He is not a man, but a vicious monster. That is why I do not consider him my husband—and why I must come with you.”

De Lanceau’s eyes narrowed. She sensed his unspoken question: What did he do to you, Gisela? What did you not tell me before, because Ewan was close by?

Before he could speak, she said, “You have my son, milord—my most cherished possession—within your keep’s walls. ’Twas a very difficult decision, to leave him behind. I would not have done so, unless I felt ’twas the only choice for him.”

De Lanceau growled. “Gisela.”

“I will not try to flee. I will not deceive you. I give you my word, as a woman who accepts full responsibility for her misdeeds. And, milord, as a mother. Please. Do not make my decision to leave Ewan be one made in vain.”

Looking away, he cursed under his breath. “You are willing to risk your life? What if you are wounded or even killed? Your son needs his mother.”

She could not resist a faint smile. “Ewan also needs his father.”

“His… father?” Shaking his head, de Lanceau said, “You mean Ryle?”

“Nay, milord. I could not tell you earlier because Ewan was with me. He does not yet know.”

De Lanceau’s eyes widened. “Dominic⁠—”

She nodded. “—is Ewan’s father.”

“God’s teeth!” Glancing at the scratched table, de Lanceau asked quietly, “Does Ryle know?”

“He does.” Her voice trembled. “He promised to kill Dominic if he ever met him. ’Tis why he insisted upon directions to the dock. He plans to murder Dominic.”

“If Crenardieu does not kill him first,” de Lanceau muttered. “Gisela, my patience has ended. Step aside. Now!”

“Forgive me, milord, but I cannot. Not until you agree that I can ride with you.”