Page 2 of The Bodyguard Who Came in from the Cold
“Gareth, what are you looking for? A hidden treasure?”
“A secret tunnel.” Above them, he suddenly heard the pounding of many booted feet and a distant scream. He threw himself at the next barrel. Where was the tunnel?
He glanced at Margery. He could see tears glistening in her eyes but still she held the torch high.
As he dragged a fifth barrel aside, Gareth heard the clash of steel over their heads. By the saints, was the entire castle overrun? In despair, he realized he wouldn’t be able to rescue the other women. If he tried he would most certainly be captured, and Margery would be alone.
Lord Welles’s words echoed through his mind.You must protect her.
Gareth would prove himself worthy of his lord’s trust. He would never let any harm come to Margery.
Feeling a sudden draft of cold air at his feet, he shoved the last barrel aside and saw the outline of a trap door. When he lifted it, dust and dirt billowed through the air.
He quickly took the torch and led her down a short staircase. The tunnel was made of earth and damp rock, carved out of the ground, braced with rotting wood. When they’d walked at least a hundred paces, tree roots began to poke through the ceiling. Soon all he had to do was push past the roots of a tree, and they were in the forest.
He knew they were only a few hundred yards from the castle. He could hear shouts, weapons clashing, and the hissing roar of fire. He put his arms around Margery and led her back into the tunnel.
He used the sputtering torch to light a small fire near the entrance. Still kneeling, he turned and saw her gazing bleakly back down the tunnel.
Gareth didn’t know the first thing about comforting a little girl. Feeling awkward, he held out his hand and she took it, crouching beside him. She stared into the fire as one tear slid down her cheek. Swept by a feeling of tenderness, he put his arm around her. She leaned into him.
“What else did Father tell you?” she murmured.
“He told me to keep you safe, and that he would send for you as soon as he could.”
“You won’t leave me?” She turned teary, pleading eyes up to him. “You’re always trying to get away from me.”
He hugged her closer and pushed the tangle of hair from her eyes. “This isn’t like our games,” he said, feeling a stab of guilt. “I promise I won’t leave you.”
~oOo~
Gareth awoke to the chirping of birds outside in the forest as the sun rose.
With a gasp, Margery sat up straight. “Father?”
“Not yet,” he said reluctantly. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head.
“Of course you’re hungry. Do you know how to fish?”
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, and he saw some of her liveliness return. “I tried to follow you the last time, but you sent me home.”
He sighed, feeling another ache of guilt. “Your voice scared away the fish. I’ll wager youstillcan’t be quiet.”
She gave him a teasing glare and shoved him aside. “You just show me how to fish, Gareth Beaumont.”
He dug his fishing hooks and string from the pouch at his belt, and soon they were lying side by side on the embankment of a small creek, dangling their hooks in the water.
Gareth pulled in a small, wriggling trout.
Margery lifted her chin. “I shall get a bigger one.”
He barely kept from smiling. “I’d like to see you try.”
And try she did. He was impressed, even as he cooked his own fish. She perched on the embankment, fishing mightily, ignoring him as he smacked his lips and ate his trout. He saved half for her.
He needn’t have. Soon she caught her own fish, and it was bigger, just as she promised. She took it off the hook, learned how to remove the bones, and even cooked it herself, though she burned her fingers before she was through.
