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Gareth did not seem pleased by the order, but nodded anyway.

“The three of you will go.” Eamon then spoke to Amalia. “I would also request you accompany them, Amalia.”

Her eyes widened. “Me?”

“Your deeds as a healer these past days have not gone unnoticed. It could be dangerous, so I will leave the decision to you. But if we’ve lacked anything on previous missions, it was our own healer if anything were to go amiss. Perhaps if we had someone like you . . . ”

“She could not have saved him,” Gareth said. “None could have.”

They spoke of Sir Adrian Fitzwilliam, the previous horsemanship instructor.

Silence filled the chamber.

“I will go,” Amalia said suddenly.

“Amalia.” Evelina seemed as if she would dissuade her. “They will be installing a new queen to the throne of England. Stephen’s supporters surely will not let such a thing occur without resistance.”

“These past days,” Amalia said, “I have served a purpose. And while I am honored to be your maid—the decision is as much yours as my own—it would bring me great pleasure to aid a worthy cause in this way.”

Evelina did not hesitate. “The choice is yours, Amalia. Are you certain?”

Pride swelled within Roland as Amalia nodded.

Pride and . . . something else.

Fear for her safety.

Trepidation of having her so close.

Amalia looked at him. She was thinking the same.