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.”
