She smiled through her tears, running a finger over his delicious lips. “I could not believe it when Fergus came for me,” she murmured. “He said that you wanted to marry me.”
He kissed her furiously, again, because he could not get enough of her. “If you will have me.”
“I will have none other.”
He squeezed the breath out of her. For an eternity of sweet moments, they said nothing. Their words were in their kisses, in their touch. Garren was so delirious that it took him some time to realize the entire back of her dress was damp and cold. Like a man waking from a dream, he struggled to get a grip on reality. And the reality was that she was cold and wet. He let her go long enough to turn her around to see just how bad off she really was.
“Why are you all wet?” he asked.
Derica was swooning with happiness and exhaustion. “I fell into the creek when Fergus…,” her eyes suddenly grew wide with fear. “Garren, Fergus is in trouble.”
“What trouble?”
“My family has been chasing us since we left Framlingham, three days ago,” she said. “They almost caught up to us earlier today. Fergus sent me on to the abbey while he went to lead them off our trail.”
Reality settled more firmly on Garren; were they to leave the safety of the abbey while the de Rosa patrols were still in the area, they risked running into them. However, as the only abbey in the area and place of safe haven, it would be inevitable that, at some point, the de Rosa band would come knocking at the door. Even though Derica could claim sanctuary, still, it would make for an ugly situation, especially if they knew that Garren was with her. He couldn’t risk being discovered.
“He is buying us time to get away,” Garren took her gently by the arm. “We must get out of here. Did you bring anything with you?”
“No, nothing. We left hastily to avoid being followed, but we were followed anyway.”
Garren didn’t say anything to that; he simply patted her hand. Derica followed him across the ward and into the abbey. It was cool and dark, the smells of cooking wafting on the air. Her damp dress was causing her a chill and she shivered. Garren could feel her twitch.
“First things first,” he said. “We must get you into something dry and get you something to eat.”
“It has been a while since I last ate.”
“Didn’t Fergus feed you?”
“Of course he did. But the last of our bread ran out this morning.”
“I hope he was chivalrous. He didn’t eat everything, did he?”
“He ate hardly a thing. He let me have most of it.”
“As well he should.” He kissed her again, just because he wanted to. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you again. Although I hoped for the best, I wasn’t sure if the best would come.”
She smiled and grasped his hand, tightly. He took her into a small corridor and into the second chamber on the right; it was empty but for a cot, a small table and two chairs. It was dark, and somewhat creepy.
“I shall see if the nuns have something you can wear while your gown dries,” he said. “Sit down and rest a moment, sweetheart. I shall return shortly.”
She sat down, but she continued holding his hand as if she was fearful to let him out of her sight. He knelt down beside her and kissed her hand gently.
“I promise, I shan’t be long,” he kissed her lips. “Everything will be all right, Derica. I swear it.”
Their gazes locked and she smiled, putting her hands around his neck affectionately. “I know it will,” she said. “Do you remember when we were up on the battlements of Framlingham, right after we’d first met, how you told me that we would be in for a good deal of trouble were my father to find us alone and unescorted?”
He grinned. “I do.”
“I think this is a bit more serious than that.”
“Agreed.”
“But even if they were to break the door down this moment, for the feeling that I have right now when I look at you, it would be well worth the price.”
He was deeply touched. “I can tell you now that I intend there should be many more moments like this one,” he whispered. “You shall never be out of my sight, ever.”
Derica knew he meant every word of it. “But what about Fergus? Aren’t you going to help him?”
“Fergus can take care of himself. To go chasing after him right now would only ruin what he is trying to accomplish.”
She understood, but still, she worried for him. “He is a good friend to you.”
“The very best. I am concerned for him, of course, but I would do more harm than good in my attempt to help him right now.”