Groggy, Isabel tried to crawl away from her attacker, who suddenly cursed. She thought his words were for her, but she heard a different voice shout, “Get away from her!”
“She bit me,” her attacker whined.
“You’ll get more than a bite if you’re here when Malorvic arrives. You’re supposed to be scouting the area.”
Isabel heard horses riding away. She rolled to her back to see if she was alone. Although her hair, as well as something warm and sticky, was blurring her vision, she felt a presence nearby. Blinking, she tried to sit up, hoping her rescuer was someone she knew.
“Just lie still while I see how badly you’re hurt.” His voice was kind, but unfamiliar. “You took a hard blow to your head,” he said as he leaned close and arranged her torn dress to cover her.
His touch was gentle and Isabel did as he asked. She felt him moving her hair. “His wrist leather broke the skin, and you’re bleeding. Can you see me, little one?”
Struggling to see his face, all Isabel could make out was a golden light. She kept blinking and trying to focus.
“There’s a bright light,” she whispered.
“Sorry, little one. It’s the sun that’s blinding you. Is that better?”
He must have moved his head between her and the sun, as she could now see the dark outline of his face surrounded by a golden light. Isabel smiled up at him. “You’re an angel. I can see your golden halo.” Relieved by what she saw, she gave in to her need for release.
CHETWYND LEANED OVER TO MAKE SURE THE GIRL WAS still breathing.
“Is she dead?”
He turned to stare at another young girl standing above them. She looked much like the injured girl, but her dark hair hung down in neat braids. He almost laughed at her blunt words, but managed to answer seriously, “No, she just fainted. Are you her friend?”
“Yes. You saved Lady Isabel from the soldiers. I saw you chase them away.”
“This is Lady Isabel?” Chetwynd was stunned to realize that the slip of a girl lying on the ground was the daughter of Lord Theodoric and sister of his friend Justin. “What was she doing out here?”
“Isabel and I were picking flowers. I ran when the soldiers came, but Isabel loves horses. She wasn’t afraid.”
“Well, she should have been. What’s your name, girl?”
“Emma.”
“I need your help, Emma. I know the manor is some distance away. Is there a cottage nearby where I can take Lady Isabel?”
“Our cottage is not far. I’ll show you. My mother has healing skills.”
By this time, there was a large troop of soldiers in the meadow. A few slowed and made smutty remarks when they saw Chetwynd carrying the young girl. Lord Malorvic, recognizing one of his most trustworthy warriors, stopped and listened to Chetwynd’s explanation.
“Damn. I had hoped to spend the night at the manor, but I don’t want any trouble. It’s best that we move on. Are you sure she’s Lady Isabel?”
“I don’t doubt the word of her friend. Besides, she showed a spirit that reminds me of her brother. I’d like to stay and make sure her wound is tended, my lord.”
Malorvic nodded. “Catch up with us when you’re done,” he said, clearly eager to be off.
At the cottage, Chetwynd sat crossed-legged by Isabel’s pallet and watched as Emma’s mother stitched the long cut above the unconscious girl’s left eye. He had often observed wounds being repaired, and had even done some of that duty himself. But the young age of the patient troubled him. He prayed she wouldn’t wake up until the woman was done, and his prayer was answered.
After Emma’s mother had secured the last stitch, she turned to Chetwynd. “Saints preserve us. It’s fortunate you came along when you did. From what Emma told me, you saved Lady Isabel from ruin.”
Chetwynd stared down at the small face that appeared pale despite her sun-darkened complexion. “Will she have a scar?” he asked.
“No doubt. But she has enough hair to cover it. Perhaps the mark will remind Lady Isabel to be more cautious in the future,” she said, although Chetwynd could tell by her smile that she was fond of Isabel and meant her remark only as a mild rebuke.
“I promise you the men responsible will be punished.”
She shrugged, clearly not confident he spoke the truth. “You said your troop has already left. It’s best that news of what happened not get back to the manor. I will keep Lady Isabel here.”
“Won’t someone be looking for her?” Chetwynd asked.
“It’s not unusual for her to stay with us a few days. There is no reason to upset her father or her betrothed.”
Chetwynd understood that, despite Lady Isabel’s innocence, such an incident might cause gossip and ruin her reputation. Since her father held a large and valuable property, he wasn’t surprised that she was already betrothed. Still, looking down at her small form, she seemed too young for marriage.
As though responding to his thought, Emma’s mother said, “Lady Isabel is already twelve and will be married this summer. She hasn’t met her betrothed yet, but I’ve heard he has grandchildren.”
Chetwynd couldn’t help grimacing at the thought of the young girl married to a man old enough to be her grandfather. It happened all the time, he reminded himself as he started to rise.
Suddenly Lady Isabel moved restlessly on the pallet and murmured, “I saw an angel, Emma.”
Chetwynd grinned. If only she knew, he thought. Then he took his leave before Lady Isabel became fully conscious.
CHAPTER ONE
Narbonne, 825
AT THE SOUND OF POUNDING HOOVES, Isabel fell to her knees and crawled behind the nearest thicket. She made it a habit to walk at the edge of this particular meadow where there was plenty of brush to hide her from view. Cautiously she raised her
