Page 7 of A Knight for Gwenllian

Chapter Three

Audley Castle, which Gwenllian had heard about from Siân and Christopher, was as welcoming as they had described it. However, as she was not supposed to remember who she was, she made a point of not giving the impression that she had heard of it before. This might be more difficult than she had anticipated, she realized belatedly. She would have to guard her tongue very closely, something she wasn’t sure she would be able to do.

She waited by the barbican while Alexander—somehow, during their ride, Gwenllian had dropped the “Sir” in her mind—answered his squire’s questions. The man thought that his master might have been attacked, an understandable assumption given the state of his clothes.

“My lord, who dared⁠—”

“Fret not, Edward,” he soothed the young man. “Nothing happened. Only a pup in need of rescue.”

She noticed that he didn’t mention the men who had attacked her. Nor did he introduce her, which made sense, since he didn’t know who she was. Heat invaded her cheeks when her gaze met Edward’s, and the youth promptly looked away. Did he think her his master’s latest conquest, brought in for the night? Well, if that were the case, she had only herself to blame. She had decided not to give her name, she would now have to deal with the consequences.

The sun had disappeared behind the horizon, and a steady rain had started to fall when they entered the main hall. It was a spacious room made cozy by the addition of colorful tapestries hung on every wall. A lively fire was roaring in the hearth, and a selection of cold meats and cheese had been placed on a trestle table in the corner. The smell reaching all the way to the door was wonderful, but when Alexander turned to her, he looked slightly apologetic.

“I tend to have only a light supper in the evening. Not knowing we would have a guest, my people prepared the usual. Had I known⁠—”

“’Tis not a problem.”

The food, however simple, was a very welcome sight and made her realize that she was famished. She always was in times of crisis, and her ordeal at the hands of the ruffians certainly qualified as a crisis, even if, thanks to Alexander, nothing irreparable had happened.

Her hunger must have shown on her face because he gave a slanted smile. “If you will excuse my current state, we can eat immediately.”

“Yes, please.”

His current state was far from a problem, as it allowed her to enjoy his advantageous physique to the full. He looked even more rugged and appealing than before.

They washed their hands in the bowl of scented water and settled on the folding chairs opposite one another. Outside, the rain could be heard hammering down in the courtyard. Gwenllian shivered and wished she had brought her cloak with her. But, of course, when she had set off, it had been sunny, and she had not imagined that she would be gone for so long.

Alexander excused himself and walked out of the room. Gwenllian took the opportunity to move her chair closer to the fire. The door opened behind her and, a moment later, she felt a piece of fur wrapping around her shoulders. She turned around, amazed.

“You seemed cold,” Alexander said by way of an explanation.

“I was.” It struck her that this was precisely the sort of thing her father would have done for her mother. But they had been married for more than two decades and knew one another as well as they knew themselves. How had this man she had just met and who didn’t even know who she was guessed that she needed warmth? “Thank you.”

With a nod, he took his place opposite her and resumed eating.

“I have a room you can use for the night,” Alexander told her once they had finished their simple but delicious supper. The venison haunch had been roasted to perfection, and the cheese full of flavor. Just like everything else at Audley, the meal had been tasteful without being ostentatious. It reminded her of her own home. “Fourth door along the gallery above the main hall. I will ask for a bath to be prepared and fresh clothes to be found for you.”

He gestured to her muddy clothes. Indeed, she could not go to bed in those.

“Thank you.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, as we established earlier, I, too, need a bath. I will go speak to my people and get everything settled. I also need to speak to my steward about your horse, so he can send people out early tomorrow.”

Gwenllian smiled. She had not dared ask if he remembered his promise to look for her mare, but it warmed her to see that he had not forgotten.

“Please,” she said as they both stood up. “Can I ask… What will you tell your people about me?”

“The truth.” He appeared surprised at her question. “That I was of assistance to you while I was out riding, and so I brought you back here for the night, your place of residence being too far for this late hour. I think we will keep to ourselves the fact that you cannot remember your name for now. Not that anyone would ever dare make you feel uncomfortable in any way.”

“Yes, ’tis for the best.” She had to admit that she was relieved the people of Audley would not think her his conquest.

“Besides, after a night’s rest, you might start remembering details that will help us find out who you are. No need to worry for now. A temporary lapse of memory is surely to be expected after the shock you suffered.”

His concern for her brought Gwenllian back to the reality of the situation. How long would she keep pretending? What for? What did she hope to gain from the subterfuge? She was set to go to Scotland, but even if she weren’t, she could not remain here indefinitely. She’d had what she wanted, a night with her dashing knight. Well, a night under his roof at least, but people would worry about her if she didn’t return soon. Her uncle and aunt were not home at present, which was fortunate, but her cousins would worry about her unexplained absence.

“Yes, you’re right,” she whispered. “Good night.”

Once Alexander was gone, Gwenllian walked over to the crackling fire and took a moment to put her thoughts in order.