He glanced down at her, his hair falling forward. “Says a girl who took me down to the ground the first time we met.”
“I...” she stuttered for a moment before clamping her lips closed. Her father had taught her the move. It was for defense. She shrugged. “I didn’t know you. You could have been a robber.”
He jumped down to her side. “How did you do it?”
Justina rolled her eyes. “I put my leg behind yours and pushed. It really wasn’t that hard.”
“How did you learn to do that?”
She couldn’t look him in the eye. She shouldn’t have been able to push over the captain of the guard. “I was the daughter of a rather overprotective father who worried about me wandering around the countryside. He wanted me to be able to take care of myself.”
Gawyn leaned back against the wall of the castle. “What else did he teach you?”
Justina inhaled, thinking about all her father had taught her. “How to survive in the forest by eating what nature offered. How to hide in the forest. How to cover my tracks.” She shrugged.
Gawyn laughed aloud. “That’s not typical training for a young farm woman.”
“I suppose not.”
“Have you ever had to use any of your training?”
Justina cocked an eyebrow at him. “You mean beside against you?”
Gawyn smiled full out.
Justina’s heart did a small leap. He was gorgeous. She loved the sound of his laughter; she loved the way the sun shone onto his brown hair creating gold highlights. “I suppose not.” She lifted her chin. “But I’m glad I had the training.”
Gawyn’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I’d like to see what you know. Perhaps I can add to your training.”
“Why?”
“I’d like to know that you are protected, that you can defend yourself. I know what’s out there. I know that not all of it is good.”
Her smile slowly faded. Like an assassin. She realized he was not speaking about the monster living in the castle, but about the barbarians bordering Acquitaine. “Like the Hungars.” Justina considered his offer. She could learn more defensive moves, maybe even teach them to Adam. But strangely, it wasn’t learning that was so appealing to her, it was the chance to be alone with Gawyn. She found it strangely thrilling. She agreed with a nod.
Gawyn’s gaze swept her face slowly like a gentle caress.
Justina felt a strange heat blossoming over her cheeks and she looked away at the view again.
“We’ve missed the evening meal, but I’m certain we can find food in the kitchens, not that Joy will be happy to see us, but she will make sure you have something to fill your stomach.”
Justina turned to him, opening her mouth to object, but he continued.
“I’d like to escort you around the castle, if you’d like. Unless you are too exhausted from the ride.”
Justina grinned. “I’m not sure Adam will sleep the entire time he is here.”
Gawyn nodded in understanding. His gaze lingered for a long moment on her lips.
Maybe too long. Justina’s lips felt fat and tingled. Warmth spread through her until all she could think about was what his kiss would feel like.
Gawyn swallowed and turned away from her, breaking the spell. “I’d best do that now. I will introduce you to Lord Damien and Lady Aurora on the morrow.”
Chapter 5
They took their time to eat a 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.
It was very late when Gawyn led them up a spiral set of stone stairs. The castle was quiet; they only saw one servant moving through the corridors.
Justina glanced at Adam. He stifled a yawn. It had been a long day for him, but he would never admit he was tired. Not here.
“Where are we going?” Adam asked.
“To your chambers,” Gawyn said. “They are on the second floor.”
Justina almost missed a step. “Here?” she asked. “In the castle?”
Gawyn glanced over his shoulder. “Where else would guests stay?”
Justina thought they would stay in an inn or perhaps with the servants, but never in the castle. “We shouldn’t be sleeping in the castle. That is for the nobility.”
Gawyn stopped and turned to her.
Justina almost collided into him.
“You are guests of Lord Damien and Lady Aurora. They would have my head if I didn’t see to your accommodations.” He continued up the stone stairs.
>
Justina scowled and followed. She shouldn’t be here as an esteemed guest. She was only a farmer, certainly not worthy of staying in the castle. And why was she here? To thank Lady Aurora for the horse and the protection. Her scowl deepened. Because Gawyn had told Lady Aurora of their plight. Because he had followed her and Adam from Acquitaine. Because the monster had told him to. Yes. This all came about because of the man who had killed her father. She couldn’t forget that.
Even when Gawyn led them down a corridor and stopped before a door, she told herself that she must remember. But it was difficult because her mind continued to return to the way his cheek felt beneath her kiss. Gawyn had been so kind to them, and Adam adored him.
“You are guests here,” he repeated softly, his hand on the iron handle of the door.
And then Gawyn swung the door open. Justina’s mouth dropped open in surprise. The room was as big as two of their entire crucks. Against the far wall, two windows were curtained with rich red draperies bordered in gold; between them an elaborate tapestry hung depicting a hunting scene. A small fire burned in a hearth near a massive bed. Surely, five people could sleep in the bed comfortably! Perhaps she would have to share the room and the bed with others. Across from the hearth, to her right, an ornate wooden garde robe stood. The ceiling stretched high over their head.
Adam rushed past her into the room. “Gah!” He looked up at the ceiling, spinning.
“I will have Linda come up and bring a bath if you would like to use it. She will see to any of your needs,” Gawyn said.
Adam stopped spinning. “Who’s Linda?”
Gawyn grinned. “One of the servants here at Acquitaine.”
“No. We don’t need servants,” Justina objected quickly.
“It’s difficult to carry up the pails of water to heat your bath by yourself,” Gawyn said.
“Bath?” Adam gawked. “I don’t want a bath.”
“All guests in the castle bathe. You have to look your best when I present you to the Lord and Lady of Acquitaine.”
“Maybe you just stink,” Justina said and laughed. Her worry evaporated beneath the opulence of the room.
Adam lifted his arm and inhaled deeply.
Gawyn’s look softened as he turned to Justina. “Will this room do for the two of you?”
Justina could only stare. It was more than enough for the two of them! She nodded because she could do nothing else.
“Very well. I will find Linda.” He turned to depart the room.
“You’re leaving?” Justina asked and was surprised at the disappointment in her voice.
“I will return in the morning to present you to Aurora and Damien.”
Adam thumped her shoulder. “He is the captain of the guard. He has to train the men and make sure that the castle is protected.”
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.
“How many?” Gawyn asked.
Justina cocked her head to the side in confusion.
“How many grapes?”
Justina groaned, and her shoulder slouched.
“We were going for ten!” Adam exclaimed. “She almost did it!”
Gawyn glanced at Linda to find her head bowed, but a grin on her lips.
Gawyn cupped his hand near Justina’s chin. “So, you must have been able to hold nine,” he said to Adam.
Adam nodded, beaming with pride.
One grape slid from Justina’s mouth, then another and another, until they were in a wet pile in Gawyn’s hand. Gawyn deposited them in Linda’s skirt.
“Nine was the most I’ve ever done!” Adam said, handing the tray to Linda.
Gawyn wiped his hand on his sleeve. He patted Adam on the head. “Well done.”
Justina stood. “I’m so sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” Gawyn admitted. “But I have to admit, when I entered the room, this was one of the last things I expected to find.”
Justina nodded guiltily.
“He dared you, didn’t he?” Gawyn wondered.
Justina grinned. “I just couldn’t let him get away with being the reigning grape champion.”
“Plus, I dared her.” Adam smiled.
Gawyn nodded in understanding. He and Damien had played few games when they were young, but they were close. As close as Adam and Justina. “We shouldn’t keep the lord and lady waiting.”
Gawyn led them through the hallways toward the Great Hall. Adam regaled him of everything that happened the night before. Justina was silent, letting her brother talk. But she watched, her gaze scanning the hallway, the people they passed.
They entered the ba
ck of the room quietly. They were late and had to stand at the back of the line, which was near the large double doors. It looked like Aurora had made progress in hearing the petitions and arguments, but Gawyn wasn’t sure if they would make it to the front of the line before the day’s hours were up. That was one thing Damien had insisted on. That Aurora keep reasonable hours for hearing her people’s troubles. It took a lot out of her and he didn’t like to see her so tired.
Villagers, freemen, and merchants packed the room, standing in small clusters near the tall stone walls.
Gawyn liked to sit in during the judgements and listen. He heard a lot of what was going on in the city. Many times, the troubles stemmed from arguments between neighbors. But there were other times when there were security issues that directly involved him. He stood in the line, his hand resting over the pommel of his sword.
Aurora sat in a chair at the front of the hall, on a small platform three stairs above the main floor. Damien stood beside her. It wasn’t long before Damien locked gazes with Gawyn. Gawyn nodded slightly to him, almost imperceptibly. Damien’s gaze moved away, sweeping the crowd. His brother was always searching the crowd, watching, to protect his lady.
They moved forward. Gawyn glanced at Justina. He still wondered how she knew Damien. He hoped for her sake that it wasn’t his past. That she hadn’t seen something she shouldn’t have. She was straining to see the front of the room where Damien and Aurora were. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Is this what you expected?” Gawyn asked softly.
Justina glanced at him. “Nothing is what I expected.”
“Acquitaine can be overwhelming. But I am here to help you,” Gawyn reassured with a grin.
Her return smile lit her face, making her eyes shine with an inner light, making her entire face beam like some sort of beacon.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. He had never met a woman like her, a woman that could sneak up on him, a woman that could pin him to the ground. A woman so full of life and conviction and surprises.
She turned back to the front of the room.
Gawyn followed her gaze. Near the platform where Aurora sat, Gawyn spotted a colorful garment. He stepped away from Justina to get a better view.
Beloved in His Eyes (Angel's Assassin Book 3) Page 4
