Page 88 of While Angels Slept
He was pointing in the cart and by this time, Tevin had pulled away enough of the material so he could look at the face. Heart pounding, he had Myles hold the torch close so he could see the pale features. And what he saw shocked him to the bone.
“My… God,” he breathed.
Myles was crowded beside him, equally electrified by the very pivotal moment. “Is it her, Tevin?”
Tevin just stared, unwilling or unable to reply for a moment. He just stared. Finally, he tilted the dirty face upward so he could see it from another angle. Then, he hissed.
“Louisa?” he shook the face gently. “Louisa, can you hear me?”
Gillywiss was watching the scene, rather proud of himself for doing what he set out to do. “She is a prostitute,” he said as he watched Tevin try to rouse the woman. “I found her in a hovel of other prostitutes because I had been told a woman calling herself Princess Louisa lived there. When I told her I was looking for du Reims’ wife, she wanted to know how Arabel was faring. She asked me to take a message to her daughter.”
Tevin’s head came up, his dark eyes intense in his pale face. “What was the message?”
“That she was sorry. And then she wept.”
Tevin’s gaze lingered on the man before returning it to the frail woman upon the straw. She was struggling to open her eyes.
“What is wrong with her?” Tevin asked. “Why is she collapsed like this?”
Gillywiss’ gaze moved to the small figure. “She has the French disease,” he said, his tone less grandiose. “Many prostitutes have it. It will destroy her mind and eventually kill her. She is not long for this world.”
Tevin immediately removed his hands from the woman, as he certainly did not want to contract anything she might have. He pulled his gloves off as he looked at Gillywiss.
“Then why did you bring her here?” he hissed. “I do not want her infecting my entire castle.”
Gillywiss shook his head. “You cannot catch her disease unless you bed her,” he said. “That is why they call it the French disease.”
“Nonetheless, I do not want her here. Cantia is pregnant and I do not want to risk her or the baby.”
Gillywiss shrugged. “Can you tell for certain it is your wife?”
Tevin’s gaze moved back to the lump on the straw. “I… I cannot say for certain,” he said, sounding hesitant and strained. “It may be… but I cannot say for certain.”
Gillywiss motioned to the men who were controlling the cart. Tevin and his men stood back as the cart began to move as if to turn around.
“I have done what I set out to do,” Gillywiss said. “Your lady saved my sister’s life, so I promised her that I would find the person that stood between her and her happiness, and I have done that. I have paid my debt. What you do with this woman is your own business.”
Tevin’s attention was divided between the cart and Gillywiss. It was clear he was still very shocked. He was also confused.
“Why would you do this?” He had to ask because he never believed the man had been sincere in his declaration to find Louisa. “Cantia is nothing to you, nor am I. I do not understand why you would do this.”
Gillywiss’ expression seemed to harden. He, too, was torn and attempting not to show it. “Because,” he said, almost defiantly, “perhaps you will remember this day and you will be owing to me, and I can come to you when I need something and you will provide it.”
“So you did it so I would be obliging to you?”
Gillywiss waved his arms at his men, who began to disband and move away. He followed them somewhat, like a shepherd moving sheep, waving his arms and casting Tevin and his men defiant yet triumphant expressions. The wild eyes were working steadily. But when the group moved a nominal distance down the road, Gillywiss suddenly rushed back in Tevin’s direction with a finger thrust forward.
“I did it because your lady was kind to us,” he was nearly whispering but the finger was shaking threateningly. “I did it because she and I have something in common, wanting things we can never have. I did it because she saved my sister’s life. There are many reasons why I did this and you will not question me again.”
Tevin gazed back at him steadily. He could tell the man was posturing for the sake of his comrades for his words did not match the angry actions.
“Not only do you seem to have a deep understanding of these dark times,” he said quietly, “but it also appears that you are indeed a man of your word.”
“I am.”
“Come to see me again. We will discuss what I may do for you in return.”
Gillywiss’ gaze lingered on him as if trying to determine how serious he was. Then, the toothy grin made a bright return.
