Page 80 of Castle of Refuge

“Of course, but our feet will get wet. Should we take off our shoes?”

“Just trust me.”

When he got to the river’s edge, he reached for a piece of wood, which had been sawed lengthwise to form a flat surface. It was tucked against the side of the bank. When he laid it across the water, it reached from one side to the other.

He held out his hand to her and they crossed slowly, he slightly ahead of her, on the piece of wood. They only had to step off on the other side and climb another little path up the other bank.

At the top of the bank, Audrey gasped. All around her, in a meadow of green grass, were hundreds of wildflowers in every shade of blue and pink and purple.

“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.” She couldn’t take her eyes off of it.

“I thought you would enjoy it.”

“I do! I’ve never seen so many beautiful flowers. So many colors.” Audrey bent and started picking the flowers. Mistress Wattlesbrook and the other servants, even though they never seemed to adore the flowers she picked as much as she did, would have to admit that these were beautiful.

Lord Dericott had grown quiet. The last time she’d seen him, he was behind her. With her flowers gathered to her chest, she turned and saw that he was down on one knee just behind her. And he was holding out something in his hand—a ring.

“Audrey, you have made me glad to be alive. I have admired your spirit and your sweet temper ever since you came to Dericott Castle. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you beside me, waking up with me to watch the sunrise, picking wildflowers, or whatever we choose to do. Will you marry me, Audrey?”

Audrey started to sob. Still holding the flowers to her chest, she raised her hands to her face as the tears leaked from her eyes. “You don’t mind my scars?” she asked in a shaky, tear-filled voice. Her heart was soaring out of her chest, but she had to ask.

His shook his head, his own eyes looking a bit misty. “Your scars are what make you beautiful, the things you have overcome, the way you have stayed gentle and kind and compassionate in spite of what has been done to you. Do you not mind my missing arm?”

“No, of course not. You are the best man I know—good and strong and courageous. I could never want anyone but you.”

“Then you will marry me? Are you saying yes?”

“Yes, yes, I’m saying yes.”

He stood to his feet. They were both smiling as Edwin brushed the tears from her cheeks with his fingers, caressing her jawline. Audrey let him slide the ring onto her finger, unable to tear her gaze from his blue eyes. How good it felt to be looked at with so much openness and tenderness, to see the emotion there.

He took her face in his hand and kissed her, a sweet, gentle touching of lips that made her forget where she was, even made her forget the flowers she was holding. They all spilled onto the ground as she put her arms around him and they kissedagain and again. How beautiful his face was, so infinitely dear. And the way he kissed her made her stomach flip.

Edwin kissed her one last time before pulling away. His eyes gazing into hers told her everything she wanted to know. She was loved.

Twenty

Later the same day, Audrey hurried down the stairs where Edwin was waiting for her.

“Is she here?”

“Just dismounting from her horse.” He was smiling, amused at her excitement, no doubt.

She took his hand and squeezed it and forced herself to walk, not run, through the castle to the door and across the bailey.

Sybil stood talking to the groom, who was taking a large bundle off the back of a horse.

“Sybil!” Audrey called.

Sybil turned to her and covered her mouth. Her face was crumpling up like it did when she was about to cry. She met Audrey halfway, and they wrapped their arms around each other.

“Why did you have to go and leave me like that? I didn’t know where you were or if you were alive or dead.” Sybil’s voice was high pitched while tears continued to fall from her eyes.She put her hand up to her face to wipe them away. “But you are well, I see, thanks to God watching over you.” She raised her brows at Audrey with a questioning look.

“I am very well. But I am so sorry Maris had you sent away. How did you fare?”

“I was with my sister in London, and I must say, I despise the place. A body can hardly stir around in there. So many horses and carts and men yelling and women pouring out pots from their windows right into the street. The smoke from the chimneys and the stench from the excrement... But you don’t want to hear... I am so grateful for being able to get out of that place. Thank you, my sweet Audrey, and to you, Lord Dericott. I am most grateful to you, my lord.” She stepped back and bowed to Lord Dericott.

“You are very welcome here.”