Joan Wolf - No Dark Place

“I am only a woman, Hugh,” she protested. “And I would be in the convent.”

“Don’t go, Mama,” he said sharply. “It isn’t safe.”

He heard his own words and his frown deepened.

After a moment she said mildly, “All right, Hugh. If it will make you feel easier, I will remain at Evesham for a while.”

His eyes were as stormy as the gray clouds overhead. “Good,” he said.

“I will see that the Lady Isabel is safely delivered to her brother,” Philip assured him.

Hugh put his helmet back on. The noseguard effectively concealed him from the eyes of the other two.

“God go with you,” he said with invincible courtesy.

“God go with you, my son,” Isabel returned. Then she lifted her reins, clucked to her mare, and moved away from him.

Her back was very straight.

Hugh had a horrible feeling that she was crying.

There’s nothing I can do about it , he thought desperately.

He turned Rufus and cantered away down the other road.

The closer he got to Somerford, the lighter his heart grew.

Soon. He would see her soon.

A few flakes of snow drifted out of the gray sky, and Hugh took off his helmet and held his face upward to feel their cold, feathery kiss on his bare skin. He smiled.

It never even crossed his mind that snow would be a hindrance for Philip and Isabel. All his thoughts were centered on one thing only.

Cristen.

He wanted her to be in the herb shed. He wanted her to be alone. He didn’t want to have to meet her in a room full of people, or in front of her father.

He wanted to be able to hold her.

He sent her a message with his mind. Go to the shed, Cristen. Go to the shed and wait for me .

He realized what he was doing, and he laughed at himself.

It doesn’t matter where I see her , he thought. Tonight we will be alone .

At long last the forest fell away and the outer walls of Somerford came into view. He remembered how big he had thought the castle when first he had come here.

Compared to Keal, Somerford had been enormous; compared to Chippenham, it was small.

The two guards at the gate shouted a welcome as Hugh rode up. They had recognized Rufus as soon as horse and rider had come into their view.

Hugh stayed at the gate for a few moments, answering questions about Thomas and the other two knights he had left behind in Winchester.

Brian came running. “I’ll take care of Rufus for you, Hugh!”

Hugh dismounted and gave the stallion into the care of the boy. Then he began to walk across the bailey under the lightly falling snow. The men at the gate watched him. His mail coat swung to his knees as he walked and his spurs jingled. He was carrying his helmet under his arm.

As they watched, Hugh veered away from the inner walls and crossed the bailey toward the herb garden. He passed through the fence and out of their view.

The guards turned back to the gate and Brian began to walk Rufus to the stable.

Hugh stared at the shed. The door was partly open and he could see the glow of the charcoal brazier inside.

She was here.

His heart began to hammer in his chest.

He pulled his mail coif away from his head and walked along the path to the shed.

He opened the door.

She was standing close to the brazier, waiting for him.

Her brown eyes searched his face.

“Is everything all right, Hugh?”

He took two steps, and she was in his arms. He could feel the small, delicate bones of her back beneath his fingers, but his mail coat kept him from feeling her softness pressed against him.

No matter. Tonight there would be nothing between them.

“Aye,” he said huskily. “Everything is all right, now that I am with you.”