Lady of Steel by Mary Gillgannon

Author:Mary Gillgannon [Gillgannon, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, medieval, historical, crusades
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2017-11-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Nicola woke to a tapping at the door. Daylight oozed through the window. She gently removed Fawkes’s arm that was draped over her and slipped out of bed. After pulling the shift over her head, she went to the door.

“I’m going back to the cottage,” Glennyth said.

“Why?”

“Many reasons. I want to see what I can salvage. I feel trapped and closed in here at the castle. And then there’s Tom. He can’t roam free the way he’s used to doing. There are other cats here and I don’t want there to be a fight.”

Nicola realized Gimlyn might not be pleased to have another male cat in his territory.

“I’m taking your basket.” Glennyth held it up. “I left the medicines that were in it in the solar.”

“How is Reynard?”

“He’s quite sore. I think perhaps he’s regretting his noble gesture. He needs to avoid using his hands, so they will heal. I’m worried the smoke has also injured his lungs. He seems short of breath.”

That wouldn’t please Fawkes. Although what did it matter if Reynard did nothing for a few days?

Fawkes called, “Who is it?”

Nicola turned. “Glennyth. She’s going back to her cottage to see what can be saved from the fire.”

Fawkes appeared beside Nicola, still fastening his chausses. “You must be careful,” he told the wise woman. “Whoever set the fire might be lurking around, waiting for you.”

“I don’t think whoever did this is bold enough to confront me,” Glennyth said. “The way they tried to burn me out seems like the work of a coward.”

“I think Glennyth is right,” Nicola said. “She’s not in danger now that it’s clear she’s under our protection.”

“Unless part of their reason for attacking Glennyth was to undermine my authority,” Fawkes said.

“Or mine,” Nicola retorted. “They might have meant to strike at me.”

“That’s true,” Glennyth said. “The person who did this might resent both of us, women who have too much power. But no matter their motivation, I’m certain this person is not bold enough to attack me in broad daylight.”

“You’re likely right. Go then. But don’t stay away too long. You must see to Reynard until he is healed.”

“Of course I will,” Glennyth replied, hazel eyes flashing. “I’m well aware I owe him a debt.”

Fawkes bristled at the woman’s tone, and Nicola realized what she’d been doing wrong. If someone appeared to defy him, Fawkes grew angry. She must stop being so defensive and resentful. As Old Emma had once told her, she had all the weapons she needed to prevail in this battle between her and Fawkes. But she must stop thinking of it as battle. Fawkes was not her adversary. They had the same goals. They simply differed in how to reach those goals.

The thought eased some of her tension and when Glennyth left and Fawkes turned to her with a gleam in his eyes, she responded eagerly as he took her in his arms.

“I’m certain you are sore. But if I promise to be very gentle, do you think we might go back to bed and…” He nibbled on her neck.

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