Page 92 of Castle of Refuge

“Perhaps it was foolish, certainly impulsive, and I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing, but I just wanted to stop Maris from hurting her.” She put her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.

“The important thing is that you’re safe.” He wrapped his arm around her and she could feel his breath in her hair. He took another deep breath and let it out, holding her even tighter.

“Tell me everything that happened,” he said.

At least he seemed calmer.

They sat on the bench and he watched her face while she talked. Her heart beat fast and her breath shallowed as she recounted the events and thought about how much danger she had put herself in, and no one even knew where she was.

When she finished, he squeezed her shoulder and said, “You were very brave. And I am thankful God watched over you. But don’t put yourself in danger like that for someone else. Your life is just as important as anyone’s, and it’s time you learned that.”

“You are angry with me.”

“No, I am trying to make you understand that you arevaluable. For too long you have believed you were damaged and didn’t deserve loving care, and that is not true. Your sister is mad and malicious, and she has not treated you well. It would be good if we could help her, but I will not allow her to hurt you again. She’s out there terrifying children, for heaven’s sake.” He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

“But that’s not what I wanted to discuss. What I wanted to say is that you matter just as much as she does. And to me, you matter more than anyone else.” He looked intently into her eyes. “Your father didn’t protect you as he should have. He even pretended not to believe you when you told him about her. I want to protect you, but I need you to cooperate with me and not leave the castle without me and at least two guards. It does not matter what Maris does or says or what messages she writes to you.”

Audrey gazed into his blue eyes, her heart fluttering. She leaned forward and their lips met in a long kiss, as intense as the look he had been giving her. When the kiss was over, it took her a moment to collect her thoughts and be able to speak.

“I promise not to leave the castle without you and two guards.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you.”

Though his kisses were exciting, he made her feel content and peaceful at the same time. She had never felt so loved.

But that made her wonder... Did she make him feel loved?

“Do you forgive me for running off and not telling you?” She laid her head against his shoulder and let her hand rest on his chest.

“I forgive you, darling. It was a moment of crisis and you did what you thought was best.”

“But I won’t do that again. I love you, and I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I know. All is well.”

She looked up at him and he was giving her his gentlest smile. And somehow it felt so good to know they’d had their first almost-fight, and they’d resolved it peacefully. He wasn’t angry with her, he wasn’t ignoring her, and he had forgiven her.

She let out a long breath. She was so fortunate to be marrying this man.

***

Audrey sat in the Great Hall at the end of the table with Edwin at the head and Delia, his sister, on her other side. Sybil and Helena were sitting farther down the table. She had met all of Edwin’s brothers and they were all polite and kind. Even the youngest brothers were able to come for the wedding. But it was Edwin’s sister, Delia, whom Audrey was most hoping would like her.

“I always wished for a sister,” Delia said. “Can you imagine having seven brothers? But they were not so bad. They were only home until they were six or seven, and then they were sent away. I suppose if they’d been home all the time I would have fought with them more.”

“Seeing you interact with your brothers makes me wish I had one,” Audrey said shyly.

“I hope it is not wrong for me to mention it, but Edwin told me about your sister. I am so sorry she has given you so much grief and hardship. She sounds perfectly terrifying. I hope I am not offending.”

“Not at all. Terrifying is a good description of my sister.”

“I think Edwin minimized the danger he was in when Gerard and your father’s men found you. Gerard told me your sister’s man was about to kill Edwin.”

“It is so.”

“But all is well now? She has been captured?”

“No. Not yet.”