Avalyn’s eyes widened and she looked up at him. “Are you serious? What kind of demonstration?”
William knew before he even said it that she was not going to like it. “He goes against St. John this afternoon. An exhibition of skill for the baron’s review.”
She came to an unsteady halt. “What?” she hissed. “Brogan does not have that kind of experience, William. He’s a soldier. You must not allow this!”
He lifted an eyebrow at her. “What did I tell you inside? You must never mention that name. I meant it.”
She ignored him. “Did you hear me? This cannot happen.”
“He must if he is to stay. There is no choice.”
Her cheeks were flushed with concern, with anger. William gave her hand a tug and they continued on their way. “He’s not a knight, William,” she muttered as they walked. “St. John will destroy him.”
William almost laughed. “You forget, my lady; I have seen your soldier in battle. What he lacks in skill or tactics he makes up for in strength. St. John is the one you should be worried for.”
Avalyn drew in a deep, calming breath, struggling to recover some of her composure. Her nerves were on edge with excitement and apprehension. They were entering into the stable yard now and her eyes were beginning to search for the familiar figure in the area.
“I do not wish ill on St. John,” she said softly. “He has proven himself to be a thoughtful, obedient knight over the past few weeks.”
William nodded. “Do you feel safe enough with him now?”
“I do. He has been considerate around me. I do believe his actions on the night he interrogated me were purely at my uncle’s bequest. He was following orders.”
“Aubrey told you that.”
“I know, but I did not believe him at first.”
“Then I will make a request of you, my lady.”
“What’s that?
“Do not tell the baron that you feel comfortable around St. John. Your aversion to him is the only thing keeping him fromsending me back to your uncle. He does not want me here as it is.”
She looked up at him, then. “I know,” she said quietly. “Trust me; I’ll say nothing of my growing trust for St. John.”
As they stood in the center of the yard, the emergence of several figures from the charger stalls suddenly caught their attention. Both William and Avalyn turned to see Barton St. John emerging into the sunlight with Charles and Brogan beside him; Charles was speaking with animation and Brogan was listening intently. William could feel Avalyn start; he hoped she could hold herself in check. He began to wonder if it had been entirely wise to bring her out here. As if he could have kept her away.
Charles immediately caught sight of Avalyn, waving eagerly to her and heading in her direction. But Avalyn couldn’t even look at him; her gaze was fixed on Brogan as if she was incapable of seeing anything else. A glance from William showed tears forming in her eyes. William patted her hand and encouraged her to move forward to meet her betrothed.
“Avalyn,” he snapped softly. “No tears. You must control yourself or you will give us all away.”
She nodded swiftly, looking at the ground and struggling to compose herself. No sooner did she raise her face than Charles and the two men were upon her. She did not look at Brogan; she kept her eyes fixed on Charles, praying that she could keep herself in check when she and Brogan were introduced. It was the hardest thing she had ever had to do in her life.
Charles smiled happily at her, blissfully ignorant to the treachery going on around him.
“Lady Avalyn,” Charles took her hand from William in a possessive gesture. “I would like to introduce you to Sir Tygor Gervaise. Sir Tygor, this is my fiancée, the Lady Avalyn du Brant.”
Avalyn summoned the courage to look at Brogan, trying to remain as emotionless as possible. But the moment she gazed into his dark blue eyes, she felt her knees buckle. Had she seen him under different circumstances, she would hardly have recognized him; dressed in worn armor and mail, he looked every inch the massive, experienced knight. She thought she might collapse, for she had experienced nothing in her life as powerful as the emotions currently surging through her veins. She almost lost her control. But in the very last second before the implosion she was able to recover and dipped her head towards him in an acknowledging gesture. She was so jittery that she thought she might fall on her face.
“Sir Tygor,” she hoped her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt. “Welcome to Guerdley Cross. Are you passing through on your travels?”
Brogan shook his head, the dark blue eyes liquid and soft on her. “Nay, my lady. I have offered my services to the baron. I would hope to settle here.”
“I see,” Avalyn was in imminent danger of dissolving. “You look capable enough. But you are not from England. Where were you born?”
“Saxony, my lady,” he replied steadily. “I have been in the service of the Earl of Hesse.”
She simply nodded, unable to continue the conversation. She was afraid that if any more words were exchanged, she would burst into tears. “We are honored that you have come.”
