And he wasn’t afraid of holding her hand in front of her father, which showed his courage even more than the sword and the armor.
When she was near him, she not only trusted him as a good and noble friend. Her heart also leapt and skipped inside her. Now, feeling the taut strength in his fingers, a tingling warmth spread through her hand and up her arm. Since she could see nothing in the pitch-black tunnel, she thought about how his eyes sometimes seemed to be searching hers, the blue depths speaking to her in a way no one else ever had.
When he left to go back to England, never to return, would her heart break into a hundred pieces? Just thinking about it now made the tears come into her eyes and her chest hurt. How could she let him leave . . . without her?
She heard the rustling of the men in front of her and behind, but no one spoke. Finally, the sound of stone scraping stone came from far ahead. Valten, who had gone in first, must have reached the special door that led into the dungeon.
Colin slowed, then came to a stop. Margaretha waited just behind him, since the tunnel was so narrow.
“I need to speak with you later,” Colin whispered. She could tell by the sound of his voice that he had turned to face her, and that he was very near. She strained her eyes in the darkness but could make out nothing of his face or even his silhouette.
Margaretha whispered back, “Since we’re speaking English, probably no one here can understand us anyway — unless Thaddeus and Thomas are nearby. But I saw them near the front, so I don’t think they can hear us.”
Colin’s breath brushed her cheek as he whispered, “I’m sorry I let you get captured by Claybrook’s men.”
“That was not your fault. It was mine, for getting lost in the woods. I hope God forgives me for telling them you died.”
“I’m sure God forgives you.”
He pressed his hand against her cheek. She reached up and touched his face. He had apparently shaved when he was in Marienberg, but not since, so he had a few days’ growth of stubble on his jawline where her fingers touched. “I missed you.” The darkness surrounded them, and the feeling that they were invisible to the other men before and behind must have been affecting them both, for when she stood on tiptoe to get closer, his hand slid under her chin and lifted her face. His lips touched hers.
Colin, Colin, Colin. It was the only thought she could manage as he tenderly caressed her lips.
His hand sank into her hair behind her neck. She cupped his face in her hands and her fingertips touched his chain mail. She could hardly breathe, but she didn’t mind. She kissed him back, because she was in love with Colin le Wyse from England.
“I love you,” he whispered, as soon as he pulled away.
“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” She still held his face in her hands. He didn’t pull away.
“Yes, but there is more.”
“Good. I like more.”
She was about to kiss him again when her father’s voice boomed, “Men, we are going in. You know what to do.”
“Give me your hand.” Colin grasped her hand firmly, and they started walking again, a new excitement in the air as the men prepared to fight for Hagenheim.
Margaretha was still trying to get her breathing back to normal after Colin’s kiss. She never imagined she would get her first true kiss in the secret tunnel, surrounded by strange men. At least it was memorable.
But she shouldn’t be dwelling on Colin’s kiss. Even though it was a heavenly kiss. Blissful, even. She needed to remember where she was, and that all these men — possibly including Colin — were about to risk their lives fighting Claybrook to save her family, the castle, and the entire town.
She could think about the kiss later.
They emerged into the dungeon and followed the corridor to the steps that led to the first floor of the castle. Already Margaretha could hear fighting — yells, sword blades striking metal, shouts of rage, a woman’s scream.
Chapter
32
Colin gripped her hand tighter. He had the old intense look on his face. She imagined he was thinking how he might best protect her, how he would do anything to keep her safe, would risk his life and defeat any foe —
Her father shouted at the men coming up behind them. “Get to the gate! Make sure it stays open for the ones who are coming from town!” He looked at Colin and motioned with his sword. “Come with me to the solar. Bring Margaretha.”
As they hurried down the corridor, her father stepped over the body of one of Claybrook’s men lying facedown on the floor. Colin helped Margaretha over the large soldier, and she held her breath, terrified he was only pretending to be dead and would grab her by the leg as she stepped over. But he did not move, and she was soon safely over him.