The Robber Knight's Love (The Robber Knight Saga #2)(85)

“Yes?” Reuben hardly dared to breathe. “Could what?”

She bit her lip. “Nothing.”

For a moment, Reuben thought about persisting, but then she swayed again, and he reprimanded himself for being so selfish. But then, it was hardly surprising. Being selfish was his favorite pastime, and it would take some effort on his part to break the habit where Ayla was concerned.

After only a few more minutes, they had reached the steps of the keep. At the door, Ayla hesitated, looking up at Reuben again and smiling weakly.

“I hope you don't mind what I said.”

“What you said? I don't understand?” Reuben shook his head in confusion. “Do you mean your speech to the villagers? But Ayla, you were magnificent.”

“I meant that thing… That thing about Isenbard being a knight the like of which we shall never see again. I didn't mean to belittle you or anything. It just seemed appropriate.”

Of all the things she could be worrying about, she was concerned about offending him! He returned her smile and pressed her hand.

“Don't worry. You said it yourself—Sir Isenbard was an honorable knight. So he was definitely better than me, because I am not.”

A noise came out of her throat. He wasn't exactly sure whether it was a little laugh or a sob. Maybe both. Or maybe neither.

“Let's get you inside. You look exhausted.” Reuben reached out and held the door open for her. Then, as she started to move, he gently shouldered her aside and marched into the hallway before she could.

“That's not very courtly of you,” Ayla muttered.

“So?” he replied with a smirk.

“So you’ve proven your point. Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For the attempt to cheer me up.”

He smirked at her. “Did it work?”

In return, she gave him her best attempt at a smile. “Not really. But it's nice to know that somebody cares enough to try.”

“I care.” Taking her hand again, he pressed it gently. “I care very much.”

One of her eyebrows rose enquiringly. “Enough to be a courtly knight and let the lady through the door first the next time?”

“Hmmm…” With his free hand, Reuben scratched his chin. “Let me think…no. Not that much.”

“I thought so.” She returned his gentle squeeze. “You are a scoundrel.”

“An abominable one.”

In companionable silence, they walked up the stairs together, holding hands. Then, in front of Reuben's room, they halted.

“Well…I suppose…” Ayla hesitated for a moment. “I suppose you'll stay here? The racket is over, I have well-rested guards in front of my chambers again. So I don't need your protection around the clock anymore.”

She didn't seem all that pleased about it. At any other time, Reuben would have smiled, pleased as the devil on holiday in Babylon by the fact that she didn't want to let him go. But now—now he actually wanted to go, to escape before he had to tell her the painful truth. But it was impossible. It had to be now. He could not delay any longer.

“Come in for a moment, will you?” he asked. “There's something I have to talk to you about.”

He could see that he had taken her slightly off guard with that. So he just entered his room and held the door open for her to follow. She did so eventually, a puzzled expression on her face.

“All right.” Reuben firmly closed the door behind her, then went to the window to pull close the wooden shutters that normally were used to keep the cold night wind out. In this case, they would be used to keep prying ears from overhearing what he had to say. This information was too dangerous to be spread around. If just one other person besides Ayla got wind of it, the rumors would spread like a wildfire and do untold damage.

“Reuben?” Ayla's look of bewilderment had increased. Reuben could see that even in the near total darkness that now filled the room. With two flints, he lit a candle on the table and, as its light cut through the darkness, sat down on one of the chairs.

“Reuben? What are you doing?”

Without answering, he motioned for Ayla to take the other one. She did so, looking at him intently, trying to read his face.

“You remember the night you were almost abducted?” he asked. “The first night mercenaries intruded into the castle?”

Her lips twitched. “I'm not likely to forget it, am I? You saved my life that night.”

Reuben shrugged. He wasn't looking for praise. Not right now, anyway.

“Do you remember how the mercenaries managed to get into the castle?”

“Some kind of large metal hook, wasn't it?” Ayla asked, frowning slightly. “They had a rope attached to it.”

“Exactly.” Reuben gave a nod. “A grappling hook. We thought they had thrown it over the wall to get in.”

“We thought?” Ah. She had picked up on the emphasis in his words right away. Even in the dark, Reuben could see the frown forming on her face. “That's what happened, isn't it?”

“I went down into the dungeon…examined the grappling hook.”

“Yes, and?”

Reuben took a deep breath, remembering her oration earlier tonight, remembering her extolling the loyalty and bravery of her people. He couldn't do this, couldn't tell her! But he had to. There was no other choice.