happiness that I never believed could be. You need to open your heart to the possibilities that surround you.”
“You mean Synclair? Oh, yes, that is the worst kept secret at Amber Hill.”
“Must it remain a secret?”
Justina shook off her hand and folded her hands in front of her. It was a perfect pose, one that could have been an oil portrait instead of a living person. Justina reminded her too often of a painting with her delicate motions and polished manners. It was impossible to see into her feelings because she hid them behind a serene expression that never betrayed what she was truly thinking.
“My son enjoys a simple life now. On his father’s estate because I obey Chancellor Wriothesley. If I do not, my son will be brought to court.” Justina’s face drained of color. “With its poisons and lusts. Such a fate would destroy everything good inside him.”
Jemma felt her heart ache. Curan had refused to allow Justina to depart from Amber Hill, hoping to draw out the man who had sent her to betray him. Her brother was a man of strategy, but at the moment, Jemma discovered that she felt more kinship with Justina because they were women who sought to survive in a male-dominated world.
“I need to return to court, Jemma. Curan is married with a child on the way. He cannot shelter me, and I do not want him to. Can you understand that?” She looked out the window again. “Winter is creeping down from the north and I feel like it is strangling my ability to protect Brandon.”
“I am not sure I can understand it.”
Justina drew in a stiff breath, but Jemma continued. “You told me not to pity you, Justina, but it is a truth that when I do, I notice how unfair it is for you to be kept here.”
Justina stood silent for a long moment, her gaze returning to the windows.
“Then pity me, but force your brother to give me my freedom.”
Her voice was low and rough, betraying how little liking she had for the manner in which she might gain what she desired.
“That would achieve naught.”
Justina turned an angry look toward her. “Are you playing with me?”
“Nay, merely stating what we both know, even if you are asking for me to try reasoning with my brother because you are desperate.”
“I am desperate.” Justina sounded hollow now, and she laid a hand on the glass, looking as though she might actually will herself to where her son was.
“I only know of one way to offer you something different from what Curan plans for you, but you would have to be desperate to attempt it.”
Justina turned to stare at her. The look was full of longing and need so strong, Jemma felt it. Jemma cast a look toward the doors of the chamber to ensure that no one was there but them.
“If you still have the boy clothing that you came here in, my mare is in the back of the stable. My brother would never listen to me when it comes to something he considers a point of honor, and I doubt my husband will allow you to risk yourself on the road with the English knights, but I will give my mare to you, Justina.”
Justina’s eyes lit with joy. She clasped her hands together and pressed them against her lips to remain silent. For a moment she appeared as though she might burst with her happiness.
“It is more risk than any person should take.”
“But I will and gladly so.” She reached out and clasped one of Jemma’s hands. “Never regret what you do for me, for I consider it the finest of gifts, no matter what befalls me.”
“Are you certain, Justina? Life is a precious thing as I have learned recently.”
Justina shook her head. “But you have also noticed that being without a place is no true life.”
Jemma nodded for it was a truth if ever she had heard one. “I will pray for you.”
And herself because her husband was very much like her brother when it came to his honor. However, she would not take back the gift of the mare for one simple reason. She trusted Gordon to understand why she did it and not hate her for it.
Jemma awoke early, and her husband was already gone. She rubbed her eyes and sought out her clothing. Dawn was turning the edge of the horizon pink when she made her way down the steps to discover her brother and her husband frowning. Kerry stood with one hand stroking his chin, but Synclair offered the most fierce expression. The knight looked ready to kill, with his bare hands, no less.
They all turned when she came into sight. Her brother looked pensive, and she knew what that meant.
He knew. It was as simple as that. Justina must have taken her chance immediately.
“You are correct, Brother. Lady Justina did leave on my mare.”
Curan drew in a stiff breath, but it was Synclair who scowled at her. Jemma leveled a firm look back at the knight.
“She asked for my help in convincing you to release her, but I knew that would not happen, so I gave her the only thing I had. My mare.”
“She needed protection.” Synclair growled out the words before lowering his head in apology for the outburst. “I feel that she still needs it.”
“Well I can nae hold with any woman riding out at night. ’Twas foolish when ye did it, my wife, and it is still so.” There was hard reprimand in her husband’s voice, some of it deserved, but Jemma kept her chin steady.
“There is no member of your household here, so I shall speak my mind.”
Gordon stiffened, his expression becoming tight.
