Page 77 of While Angels Slept
Gillywiss couldn’t argue that point. It was the truth. But he wasn’t finished yet. “Because of you, my family and I had to flee. Now we live here and you have torn this up as well.”
Tevin’s eyes drifted over the settlement, now quieting that his men had ceased their raid. People were walking around, picking up the pieces.
“I was looking for Cantia,” he said, his dark gaze fixing on Gillywiss. “I would stop at nothing to find her. Surely you can understand that.”
“Will you not apologize?”
“No.”
Gillywiss contemplated his reply. “Then we will require restitution, Lord Earl.”
“You shall have it. Consider it a reward.”
Gillywiss was rather surprised by the answer. There had been no hesitation. It wasn’t an apology, but he really didn’t care. More and more, he was coming to see that the warrior felt the same for the lady as she did for him because a lesser man would not have agreed so readily. The man had the only thing he cared about and was showing his thanks.
“If she means so much to you, why do you not marry her?” he wanted to know. He was, in truth, a nosy man. “Why have you not searched for the wife that ran off on you years ago? Is this lady, this lady who was the very reason you tore up my camp, not worth it?”
Tevin was rather taken aback by the fact that this stranger, thisoutlaw, knew intimate details about his personal life. He looked at Cantia who was, by this time, looking at Gillywiss. She still had Hunt in her arms, all wrapped up around her torso.
“I told you why,” she said before Tevin could reply. “You will not question him. It is none of your affair.”
Gillywiss’ brow furrowed, like a scolded child. He finally made a face at her and kicked at the dirt, having a hard time looking her in the eye.
“I do not suppose he would let his daughter take up with a married man, no matter how much they loved each other,” he muttered. “Yet he sees nothing wrong with taking up with you.”
Cantia looked at Tevin, somewhat apologetically, and was surprised to see that Tevin was actually listening to the man. Finally, he just shook his head.
“I am not entirely sure what you have been told, or why you have been told.” He was scolding Cantia and she knew it. “However, I will tell you this since you seem so concerned, I have every intention of seeking out the woman who abandoned me and my daughter those years ago, but the days have been rather busy for me lately. Times are dark and difficult, especially with those in a position of power. There has been much sacrifice all the way around.”
Gillywiss shook his head faintly. “’Tis not only with those in power,” he gestured to his encampment. “Those who have nothing suffer worst of all. It is as if the land itself is undone and darkened with such evil, as if Christ and his angels are sleeping and demons are let loose upon us all.”
Tevin lingered on his words. “For an outlaw, you are particularly insightful,” he said. “You understand the wickedness and lawlessness of this time.”
Gillywiss seemed rather pensive, glancing at Cantia. “And happiness in and of itself is rare,” he said quietly. “Perhaps… perhaps that is why I asked of your intentions towards the lady. Happiness these days is difficult to come by and should not be treated casually.”
Tevin wasn’t going to get into an in-depth discussion about his feelings for Cantia with the man so he turned to see who was still lingering nearby. Spying Myles astride his big charger, he motioned the man forward.
“Round up those who have stolen from these people and have them deposit whatever they have taken here in this clearing,” he said, his voice low. “We shall return what hasn’t already been eaten or otherwise disposed of. Are you carrying any coinage?”
Myles dug around in his saddle, into a hidden compartment where he usually stored coin or valuables. He pulled out a small leather pouch and tossed it to Tevin, who opened it up and counted what was inside. Then he closed it back up and made his way back over to Gillywiss.
“Here,” he said, tossing the man the pouch. “This should be sufficient for the moment, but I will send more at a later time.”
Gillywiss deftly caught the sack, opening it and peering inside. When he saw all of the coins, his eyes widened and he looked at Tevin with that crazed, wild-eyed look that Cantia was familiar with.
“This is better than robbery,” he announced, turning to those people hovering behind him. “It seems to be more lucrative to save the nobility than steal from it.”
His followers laughed and he tossed the purse to one of the women, watching her and a few others excitedly count the coins. Then he returned his attention to Tevin.
“The lady said you were generous, Lord Earl,” he announced. “It would seem she was correct.”
Tevin gave him a faint grin in reply, thinking it was time to return to Rochester as the hour grew late and the darkness grew damp. He was particularly concerned for Arabel’s health, so he turned to Myles.
“If you will take Cantia and Hunt with you, I will take Arabel with me,” he said, motioning towards the general direction of the main road that lead to Rochester. “Gather the men. We return.”
Cantia heard his order, disappointed that she would not be riding with Tevin but understanding. Arabel didn’t really know Myles and would be much more comfortable with her father. Tevin must havebeen reading her mind because when he was done peeling Hunt off of her and handing him up to Myles, he took her sweetly in his arms and hugged her. Then he kissed her forehead and both hands, preparing to lift her up to Myles when Gillywiss stopped him.
“My lady,” he said, his focus on Cantia. “Do you remember what I told you earlier about my relatives in Paris?”
