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He pressed his lips very gently between her brows. He was warm all around her, and she felt very safe.
A male voice said, “You can kiss me if you’d like.”
Elizabeth tried to break away, but John continued to hold her as he said, “And why would I kiss you, Philip?”
“Because I’ve solved today’s problem.”
John allowed her to turn about in his embrace, but kept an arm about her waist from behind. Philip seemed to think nothing of this, so gradually she relaxed.
“You found the soldier?” she asked.
“Nay, but I discovered that he’s simply gone.”
“What?” John said.
“It seems our captor has not been seen since last night. When he didn’t appear for guard duty this morning, the others went searching for him. His possessions are gone, as is a horse.”
“He just…left?” she asked in surprise.
“That makes no sense,” John said.
“Unless he was forcibly removed,” Philip offered, smiling. “I told you that the League has decided to help you now.”
“If that’s true, then they could help more.”
“Maybe they are,” Philip said.
Elizabeth said, “But how do we know this soldier didn’t tell someone about who he had in the dungeon?”
“He didn’t want to share the glory,” Philip answered. “And also, I walked about in plain sight, even through the great hall, where Bannaster himself was conversing with Milburn, and no one said a word.”
In a low voice, John said, “That could have been dangerous.”
“But don’t we live for the thrill of it?”
The two men grinned at each other, and Elizabeth felt…left out, even uneasy.
“Well I’m hungry,” she said, and they both looked at her. “I’m certain Adalia saved us some food. And I have yet to go to Anne this morn.”
John sighed, and his arm fell away from her waist. “By all means, you must have food. Allow us to escort you.”
She handed him his crutch, and he sighed as he put it under his arm. “I’m sore from this thing.”
In the kitchens, instead of smiling, Adalia greeted them with a worried frown. She opened her mouth to speak, then glanced at the two men.
“We’ll wait near the great hall,” John said.
When he and Philip were far enough away, Adalia said, “Bannaster received a messenger this morn, and immediately he doubled the guards on the tower.”
“And you don’t know why?” Elizabeth asked, as all the worry that had eased with John’s playing came rushing back.
“Nay. He said not to prepare a tray for her ladyship. And worst of all, he wants to see ye.”
“Where is he?”
“In the great hall. His scowl is terrible to behold. He was out on the tiltyard training with his men when he received the mysterious news. So he’s still in there in training armor, his sword in its scabbard.”
“At least he’s not waving it around.”
