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“Aye.” Sabine sat up then, and Guy tried not to peer down the wide opening in the front of her shift. “I often wonder what they’d think of the choices I’ve made thus far.”
Though she shrugged, Guy sensed there was nothing casual about her words.
“Though my upbringing was not as conventional as most, my father would have seen me married long ago. Thankfully, my mother had much to say on the matter and believed in my abilities.”
“Can you not be both capable and married?”
He could tell from her expression she doubted such a thing were possible.
“Wouldn’t your mother be an example of someone who did both?”
“Aye. And I understand your meaning. My father was not a typical man. But for all of his protectiveness, I was left alone and sold to an abbey. So I would sooner depend on myself than rely on others.”
Others. Meaning him.
Guy stood. “I would imagine he was anything but typical.”
Strapping his sword to his belt, Guy refrained from clarifying his statement. The parents of extraordinary children often had much to recommend them too, and Sabine was nothing if not extraordinary. But he left that part unsaid.
“I will be just below. Join me when you’re willing.”
With that, he left, lest he say too much to his wife.
* * *
Sabine woke for a second time. When she opened the shutters, the sunlight beamed through them, although she could tell it had newly risen.
When the door opened, she’d just finished dressing in her one and only gown. At home, she had worn a different one each day. And although not elaborate, they’d been made from the finest fabric and adorned with belts she made herself, or ones given to her by her mother. With such a beautiful piece draped across her hips, Sabine never desired to wear additional baubles.
“We leave immediately for Noreham Castle.”
Guy had returned looking every bit the part of a dangerous, handsome mercenary. The look on his face confirmed that trouble was afoot.
“Noreham Castle? You wish to visit the very lord who is hosting the company of mercenaries you hope to send home. Is that wise?”
Guy did not leave his position near the door.
“Nay, likely not. But neither do I wish for you to remain here, unprotected.”
“I meant is it wise for you?”
Guy seemed to consider the question for a moment. “Again, likely not. But de Chabannes sent word that we are to join him at the midday meal as guests of the baron.”
No mention of the previous night. Or of the blood on the sheets that she’d rolled up and left at the foot of the bed. Or of anything other than their next venture.
If he could play that game, so could she.
“Do you find it unusual, such a request?”
Guy shut the door finally, making her jump at the sound.
“I do. Though we’ve no choice but to accept.”
She opened her mouth to ask a question, but Guy answered her before she could ask it.
“But nay, I do not believe de Chabannes has told the lord of our betrayal. I suspect he means to remind me that he can do so at any time. A fact I don’t believe we’ll be forgetting.”
Neither of them said anything after that. Guy looked as if he wanted to speak, but when he remained silent, Sabine did the same. It was only when she finished preparing and strode toward him that Guy reacted at all. He opened the door, as if eager to escape, and stood far away from it to let her pass.
