Page 9 of The Bodyguard Who Came in from the Cold
Gareth’s voice startled her, and Margery looked over her shoulder. She had forgotten he knew nothing of her predicament, and she wanted to keep it that way. He was sitting uncomfortably close to her, considering the table was only half full. He could hardly think she was in danger in her own home. But his elbow brushed against hers.
“I have been receiving so many kind gifts,” she said, trying hard not to sound distracted. “Regretfully, I cannot make use of them all.”
Anne and Cicely, twin sisters alike in looks but not in temperament, hid their smiles. Her two young suitors slumped in their chairs, and Margery leaned towards them.
“Please, sirs, I appreciate your gifts, too. Understand that I am grateful to be able to help those less fortunate than I. I use the gifts where they are most needed, whether in the castle or in the countryside. Your generosity is helping others.”
She didn’t look at Gareth. He must wonder why so many men were vying for her hand, but he would just have to remain curious. She would only feed him and house him and send him on his way—she didn’t need anyone to solve her problems for her.
~oOo~
After the meal, Gareth spotted Wallace Desmond sitting alone at a table near the fire. When Gareth sat down opposite him, Wallace looked over the rim of his tankard, and slowly set it down.
“Am I allowed to speak with you now?” Wallace asked dryly.
“I do not understand your meaning.” Gareth nodded at a maidservant who blushed and bobbed a curtsy as she handed him a tankard. He waited while she backed away, giggling. He sighed. It had begun already.
Wallace leaned forward. “What is going on? I have not met Mistress Margery yet, but I can tell she is not all that comfortable with your presence. Does she need our help or not? I could be visiting my family right now.”
Gareth sat back on his bench. “There is something wrong, but she is not forthcoming. I’ll persuade her to reveal everything soon. Regardless of her wishes, I must protect her. Did you have any problems entering the castle?”
Wallace fixed him with a bland stare. “‘Regardless of her wishes’? It must be wonderful to know what’s best for everyone.”
“Did you have any problems entering the castle?” Gareth repeated sternly.
Wallace frowned. “None. My name helps.” He glanced at Margery, who was smiling as she watched the jugglers. “She doesn’t look like someone in trouble. She has beauty, wealth—and I assume intelligence?”
“Not today,” Gareth said dryly. “I stopped a suitor from attacking her in the woods. It might have something to do with this danger she’s in.”
“I wish you had let me see the missive you received.”
Wallace studied him with a directness he found disconcerting. Gareth had had to come up with some reason he’d known Margery was in danger.
“I shall tell you but once more,” Gareth said. “I don’t know who sent the letter.”
Wallace gave a mock frown. “How unusual! So, one of her retainers or family members sent a request for help to a man no one has seen in twelve years. Why you and not Margery’s brothers? And how did they know where you were? This is a puzzle.”
Gareth shot him a dark look and Wallace raised a hand. “Forgive me. I know ’tis none of my business, but you’ve dragged me back to England. I can’t help but be curious.”
It was so hard to keep anything from Wallace, but Gareth wasn’t about to reveal the visions he’d had all his life. He had learned not to trust anyone with that secret.
“How did you know she’d be in the woods?” Wallace asked.
Gareth took another sip of ale. “I accidentally stumbled on her.”
“Did you now?”
There was a speculative look in his eye, so a distraction was called for. “How were the defenses when you arrived?”
“Careless. I rode up just as the guards were changing, and there was a good amount of time when no one was watching the road.”
“What did you find out?”
“Well, since you insisted Margery was in danger, I did manage to speak with a few soldiers. They have a new captain of the guard. The last choked to death on a fishbone.”
Gareth raised an eyebrow.
“Unpleasant, but not murder. The second in command took over but he’s barely out of boyhood. Though he’s doing his best, he has a lot to learn.”
