Page 71 of Castle of Refuge

“Audrey.” He said her name as if he was enjoying the way it sounded.

“I am sorry. The noise startled me and I...” She pulled away to look into his face.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. Her breath went out of her at the tender look in his eyes and the way he kissed her, letting his lips linger. The emotions going through her were nearly overwhelming. He did feel for her the way she did for him! He was kissing her forehead even though she was a mess. Her hair was tangled, her clothes were dirty and wrinkled, and she probably did not smell very good after running around, terrified, through the woods for almost a day and a night.

She wrapped her arms around him tighter and buried her face in his shirt. For some reason he did not smell bad at all, eventhough he’d been running around the same as she had. In fact, she liked the way he smelled—warm and masculine.

She squeezed her eyes closed even as she tightened her arms around him. Was she in love with Lord Dericott? Was he falling in love with her? Would he try to kiss her mouth if she pulled away again? Her heart stammered and stuttered. What had she done by simply grabbing his arm?

But she wasn’t sorry. No, she did not regret it. His arm felt perfect around her. How could she ever want another man? She would never, could never.

She pulled back, stood on the tips of her toes, and pressed her lips to his.

***

Edwin must be dreaming. The most beautiful, most good-hearted woman he had ever met, the woman he’d been admiring for the past two months, was kissing him. Ophelia had rejected him, and he was suddenly very, very glad she had.

He held her as tightly as she was holding him as they kissed. He’d been kissed by girls before, though only a few, and he’d tried to extricate himself from them before anything else could happen. He knew he would need to marry someone his father approved of, and it would be wrong to dally with a woman’s affection or take advantage of her. He’d thought he was in love with Lady Ophelia and was looking forward to making her his wife. But then his father had died, and Edwin had been entangled in the web his stepmother had woven for him and his brothersand sister. He had wondered if any young woman, beautiful or otherwise, would ever want to kiss him again after he lost his arm.

These thoughts passed quickly through his mind. He needed all his senses to revel in this kiss, this wonderful moment with this amazing woman.

When their kiss ended, her eyes were still closed, her face still tilted up toward his, her lips slightly parted. She took his breath away.

Her eyes fluttered open. She looked slightly embarrassed, so he bent and kissed her again, but briefly. He took her hand in his, squeezing slightly, and said, “We should go.”

She nodded.

Just then he heard a crashing sound. Edwin spun around and held out his arm to make sure Audrey was behind him. Umfrey ran, lunging at him.

Edwin reached for his knife. Too late.

Eighteen

Umfrey slammed into Edwin, knocking him to the ground, his meaty hands wrapping around Edwin’s throat.

Edwin fought to stay conscious, as his head slammed into the ground. His vision went dark for a moment. He was aware of Audrey screaming very close by. He wanted to tell her to run, but the giant’s hand blocked his airway. He couldn’t take in a breath.

He could see now. Audrey had a stick in her hands and was beating the man’s bald head. Blood was running down onto his neck.

Umfrey roared, letting go of Edwin’s throat. The large man stood up and reached for Audrey.

“Run, Audrey!” Edwin pushed himself up, sucking in air and coughing. His vision was narrowing, but as he breathed in more air, his vision cleared.

Someone held Audrey from behind. A knife was pointed at her neck and her arms were being twisted up behind her, forcing her onto her toes.

Umfrey grabbed the back of Edwin’s neck and squeezed hard, while the giant’s other hand was holding Edwin’s knife, pointing it at Edwin’s nose. He must have taken it when Edwin was gasping for air. But it was the knife sticking into Audrey’s pale skin, the sensitive spot below her ear, that made him mad to reach her and protect her. Umfrey’s huge hand held Edwin’s neck with an iron grip, his other arm wrapped around Edwin’s shoulder, his elbow digging into Edwin’s chest while he held the knife in his face.

God, give me the strength of Samson.But even without his hair, Samson at least had two good arms.

Audrey was still while her sister pressed the knife point into her neck. Her eyes were wide, and she looked afraid but calm. And maybe a little angry.

What kind of man was he—what kind of knight—to let one man capture him? A year ago it would have taken at least two or three men to subdue Edwin, more if he had a weapon.

Oh God, if I can’t save Audrey, how could I ever forgive myself? She doesn’t deserve to die this way. Let me give my life for hers. She can marry someone else and be happy, but I... I could not live if she dies.

He felt a strange quietness in his spirit, an assurance that God had heard him.

“Look what you did!” Maris fairly screamed. Her hand holding the knife shook. “Umfrey is bleeding. And we had to chase you last night. Did you know that wolves attacked us? We had to kill one of them just to get away. And it’s all your fault!”