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She grimaced. “Are you saying spies have no honor?”
“Indeed not.” Bertram mentally flailed, not at all sure what hewassaying. All he knew was that he did not like to see her shoulders slumped in such a manner, her hair hanging down her back in defeated tendrils, the light dimmed in her eyes. He felt compelled to help, to offer solutions, even if those went against his mandate as her gaoler.
She got to her feet, taking the two steps that brought her flush against the balustrade and looked down into the courtyard. “I wanted to tell you, Your Grace, that your hospitality has been much appreciated. While I am well compensated for my work, I often find myself living in squalid and miserable places. This assignment has been a pleasure to carry out because your home has been welcoming and kind to me.”
For some reason, Bertram’s heart broke for her. While he occasionally felt the loss of companionship occasioned by his wife’s death, he had the friendship of his fellow soldiers and the love of his son to console him. Letty did not seem to have any of that.
“You’re welcome.”
She turned and met his eyes, considering him for a long moment before she smiled. “Could you not sleep either?”
He huffed, turning away from her as he shrugged. “I am at a loss as to what to do about a certain situation I find myself in.”
“Would you like to tell me about it?”
He narrowed his eyes at her and she grinned back at him.
“What could it hurt?” she cajoled playfully.
He leaned his elbow against the balustrade, legs crossed at the ankle as he considered her. “All right then, I shall explain.”
She nodded eagerly, eyes shining in the moonlight as she gazed attentively at him. He snorted in a very ungentlemanly manner before turning to face the balustrade again, hands flat against the stone. “I have a prisoner, you see, a woman sent to spy on me by the French. An enemy…” he trailed off, staring into the distance.
“But…?” Letty asked.
“But she saved my life. My son, he is in love with her. She behaves as if she has some regard for both me and my son.” He hesitated, not knowing how to continue.
“And you don’t know what to believe?” She said it with resignation, as if she’d heard it all before.
“Yes. Exactly.”
“What does your heart tell you?”
He laughed quietly. “My heart is confused. That is why I am here, hoping to clear my mind.”
“Perhaps you’re thinking too much. Close your eyes,” she said.
Bertram was surprised to find himself obeying her.
“Now I want you to breathe in as deep as you can…and then breath out.” Her voice was low and soothing. He did as she said with no hesitation.
“Again. Breathe in…and out.”
Soon, he could feel the slowing of his heart, his whole body relaxing. The sound of the waves breaking on shore seemed to get louder as the wind sang in his ears. He was one with everything around him.
“Now do not think. Just feel. The cold stone beneath your fingers, the solid ground beneath your feet, the tickle of your hair as the wind picks it up and blows it gently against your skin. Do you feel it?”
“Yes,” he whispered, almost reluctant to speak lest he break the spell.
“Now, tell me, about this girl, what does your heart tell you about her?”
Bertram opened his mouth and the words spilled out. “She means us no harm.”
“Good.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “What else?”
“She is just as imprisoned in this quagmire as the rest of us. She is as much at a loss as I am.”
She gave a little gasp and he felt rather than saw her tense beside him. Still, he did not open his eyes. He realized that he trusted her to alert him should there be danger. “And now that you know that, what will you do?”
