Beloved in His Eyes (Angel's Assassin #2)(12)

Even when Gawyn led them down a corridor and stopped before a door, she told herself that she must remember. But it was difficult because her mind continued to return to the way his cheek felt beneath her kiss. Gawyn had been so kind to them, and Adam adored him.

“You are guests here,” he repeated softly, his hand on the iron handle of the door.

And then Gawyn swung the door open. Justina’s mouth dropped open in surprise. The room was as big as two of their entire crucks. Against the far wall, two windows were curtained with rich red draperies bordered in gold; between them an elaborate tapestry hung depicting a hunting scene. A small fire burned in a hearth near a massive bed. Surely, five people could sleep in the bed comfortably! Perhaps she would have to share the room and the bed with others. Across from the hearth, to her right, an ornate wooden garde robe stood. The ceiling stretched high over their head.

Adam rushed past her into the room. “Gah!” He looked up at the ceiling, spinning.

“I will have Linda come up and bring a bath if you would like to use it. She will see to any of your needs,” Gawyn said.

Adam stopped spinning. “Who’s Linda?”

Gawyn grinned. “One of the servants here at Acquitaine.”

“No. We don’t need servants,” Justina objected quickly.

“It’s difficult to carry up the pails of water to heat your bath by yourself,” Gawyn said.

“Bath?” Adam gawked. “I don’t want a bath.”

“All guests in the castle bathe. You have to look your best when I present you to the Lord and Lady of Acquitaine.”

“Maybe you just stink,” Justina said and laughed. Her worry evaporated beneath the opulence of the room.

Adam lifted his arm and inhaled deeply.

Gawyn’s look softened as he turned to Justina. “Will this room do for the two of you?”

Justina could only stare. It was more than enough for the two of them! She nodded because she could do nothing else.

“Very well. I will find Linda.” He turned to depart the room.

“You’re leaving?” Justina asked and was surprised at the disappointment in her voice.

“I will return in the morning to present you to Aurora and Damien.”

Adam thumped her shoulder. “He is the captain of the guard. He has to train the men and make sure that the castle is protected.”

Gawyn smiled at him.

Justina’s heart melted. She knew this, but she had never been able to sleep in a strange place the first night. And this luxury was the strangest of all.

Gawyn looked at her with a sincere gaze. “I am glad you came.”

Warmth blossomed inside of Justina. She grinned back at him. She was glad she came, too.



Early the next morning, Gawyn approached Justina’s room. He was surprised at how excited he was to see her. It was strange. He never felt this way about anyone. She was a farm girl! He knew there was more to her. Besides the way she watched over her brother, she was hiding a secret. Damien had told him she had said ‘I know you.’ It didn’t matter. Damien had asked him to find out how she knew him. His brother had not said he couldn’t enjoy his time with her.

As he approached the room, he heard loud shouts and quickened his step to the door. He paused, listening. It didn’t sound like they were shouts for help. No. Giggles were laced between the shouts.

Gawyn knocked on the door.

Silence.

A tremor of unease snaked up his spine. Were they in trouble? “Justina? I’m coming in.”

Scurrying sounded from the other side of the door.

Apprehensive, Gawyn eased the door open. Justina sat in a chair with her back to him near the hearth. Adam was at her side, holding a tray of grapes. His eyes were wide, and his lips pressed tightly together. Linda, the dark-haired servant, was on her hands and knees beside Justina, frozen. Gawyn’s gaze swept the room quickly for other threats, but there were none. He scowled as he stepped in, closing the door slowly behind him.

Adam giggled.

Linda reached for something on the floor and captured it in her hand.

Gawyn scanned the ground. Grapes spread across the floor around Justina’s chair. “Good morn,” Gawyn greeted. He was certain there was no threat, but he was very curious as to what they were doing.

Linda sat up, her brown skirt cupped with a heaping number of grapes in it. “Good morn, Captain.”

“Good morn,” Adam chorused in.

Justina mumbled something.

Gawyn took a step toward them. “Is the food to your liking?”

Adam fought a grin. “Very much.”

Justina nodded, but still would not turn to him.

Linda picked up another grape and deposited it in her skirt.

“Was there an accident?”

Adam laughed, but cut his guffaw short as Justina looked at him.

“No, sir,” Linda said. “Just some…spilled grapes.”

Gawyn looked from Linda on her knees picking up grapes, to Adam holding the tray, to the back of Justina’s head. He crossed the room and bent to help Linda pick up the grapes.

“That’s not necessary, sir,” Linda said softly.

Gawyn smiled at her. He looked up at Justina who had turned away from him to Adam and was gesturing subtly. Gawyn placed the last grape into Linda’s cupped skirt and rose, his curious gaze on Justina. He could only see the side of her face, but her cheek looked swollen and distended. “Justina…?”