A chill passed over her shoulders and she shuddered. What could she have done if they had seized her, intending to take her back to Berkhamsted Castle? There was nothing she could have done. Even the tall, strong Westley could not have stopped them, and he would not have wanted to defy the king for a mute maiden he had just met.
Clouds overshadowed the road, but she hardly noticed until drops of rain began to fall. The group ran toward a thick stand of trees just off the road. Muriel took her arm and pulled her along.
As they all stood under the trees, which only provided minimal protection from the hard rain, Evangeline and Muriel huddled under the blanket she had just bought at the market.
“I’m going for some privacy,” Muriel whispered to her.
Evangeline watched to see which direction she took, then put the blanket over her head again.
She had felt so merry and so free just a few hours before. She had hardly stopped smiling as the warm sun shone on her face. A beautiful blue butterfly unlike anything she’d ever seen before had flitted in front of her, lighting on a flower, mesmerizing and lovely. Trees and grass and fresh air surrounded her and lifted her until she felt as light as one of those butterflies. No one was telling her what to do or think or whom to marry. Life had seemed so full of promise. She was in the company of men who treated her like an equal, one of whom was handsome and smiled more than anyone she had ever met. He made her heart swell when he looked at her. But now . . .
She should have known Richard would chase after her, that Lord Shiveley would not simply let her disappear and not search for her. Of course they would send men after her to bring her back and force her to marry Shiveley. Still, she had not expected them to catch up to her so soon.
Westley’s expression told her he did not believe Muriel’s blatant lies. But Evangeline’s ruse of pretending to be mute had actually worked, and he and his men had not turned them in to the king’s and Lord Shiveley’s guards. But was it only a matter of time before she was caught?
“Eva?”
She felt a slight touch to her shoulder and jerked the blanket off her face. Westley was standing beside her.
“Why were you so afraid of those men?”
His brows were drawn together, and his gaze delved into hers.
She simply shook her head.
“Is someone looking for you?”
Evangeline could no longer look him in the eye. She had to tell him the lie, or he might tell them they could not travel with him and his group. She did not know much about the world, but she did know that people did not take it lightly when a villein ran away from his or her lord. A villein would be severely punished for running away. So she shook her head no.
Someone cleared their throat behind Westley. He stepped aside, revealing Muriel standing there.
“Do you need something?” Muriel glowered at him.
“Only inquiring after Eva.”
Evangeline frowned at Muriel and gave a slight shake of her head. You’re not under the king’s protection anymore, Muriel. They had to pretend to be humble and respectful. After all, they were supposed to be poor servants.
Westley gave Evangeline a questioning but kind look, then he left.
Evangeline scowled at Muriel, who huddled with her under the blanket.
“I don’t want that man getting too close to you.”
Evangeline dared to whisper back, “Why?”
“We don’t want him discovering your secrets.”
Westley had been nothing but gracious. And he had risked his life to save a little girl. But if Evangeline knew Muriel, the reason she didn’t want him getting too close to her was due to his status as a peasant.
Evangeline and Muriel walked until dark, slept on the ground again, then walked all the next day. Evangeline had never walked so much in her entire life. By the time they reached Glynval, it was dark and they were all weary and footsore.
She and Muriel were taken inside the bottom floor of a building where beds were lined up and nearly all occupied. A servant showed them two empty beds against the wall. Evangeline did not even take the time to get undressed but lay down and fell instantly to sleep.
She awoke to find herself in a large rectangular room. Light streamed in through the small windows. Several rows of beds, now empty, met her curious glance around the room.
“Are you finally awake?” Muriel bustled toward her. “Get up and get ready. Mistress Alice is deciding where we shall work today.”
Evangeline sat up and rubbed her face.
“Most of the servant girls have gone out to the fields to cut the wheat. Here is your breakfast.” Muriel handed her a cloth bundle.
Evangeline unwrapped it and found a bread roll and a piece of cheese. She ate it quickly. Since she had slept in her overdress, she was ready to go as soon as she put on her shoes.