Page 35 of Retribution

“Shall I stand with you?”

Cleodora shook her head. “Wait for me at the bottom of the stairs,” she said. “I just need a moment to myself, please.”

“Very well,” Filly said, hesitantly moving to the stairs. “Are you well?”

“I am well.”

“You seem… sad.”

Cleodora gazed at the glistening river, thinking on that comment. “Not sad,” she said. “But not happy. This is my life and I am resigned to it. Leave me alone, please.”

Filly didn’t say anything more. She simply went down the stairs to wait for her mistress at the bottom. Cleodora leaned against the stone window, looking over the river, but also looking down to see how far up she was. It was about a three-story drop to the bottom and the river came right up to the building. She began to wonder if she would survive a jump. That was what this night had come to—jumping from windows to end her suffering. The fact that Sir Aidric hadn’t even looked in her direction all night was sure to enrage Cambridge, who had told her to pursue a friendship with the man.

Seduce him.

Kill the king!

Dear God, what had her life come to?

“Where I was born, there is a moment at dawn when the sun rises over the sea and local legend says that angels can pass from their world and into ours,” came a low voice. “Then, in the evening, at the same moment when the sun is setting, the angels cross back into their realm.”

The tone was so soft, so gentle, that it didn’t startle Cleodora. By the time she turned around to face the voice, Aidric was coming out of the shadows, his gaze riveted to her. When their eyes met, he smiled.

“I was going to ask you if you had missed your chance to cross back over into your realm,” he said, indicating the magnificent dress. “Surely, you look like an angel this night, my lady. There has never been anyone more glorious in Westminster Hall.”

Cleodora’s heart began to beat a little faster, a giddy feeling filling her veins. “I did not know if you realized I was here,” she said. “You have been very busy tonight.”

He nodded, coming a little closer. “It is an important evening for Edward,” he said. “Everything must be perfect. But I have indeed noticed you. You outshine every woman in the room.”

A modest smile creased her lips. “That is kind of you, my lord.”

“It is the truth,” he said. “Can I speak freely of kindnesses?”

“Of course, my lord.”

He indicated the garment he was wearing. “I assume I have you to thank for these tunics?”

Her smile grew. “You said that you needed them for this evening,” she said. “With everything that happened at Adelie’s, I was fairly confident you did not have them made.”

“And you did it?”

She nodded. “I wanted to thank you for saving my life,” she said. “Words are so often empty. I thought an action such as this would convey my gratitude better than words could.”

He looked down at it, touching the crimson fabric. “This is the kermes, isn’t it?” he said. “I am wearing insects.”

She giggled, revealing deep dimples in both cheeks. “Very special insects,” she insisted. “I hope the design is to your liking. I tried to remember what you’d told me.”

“It is perfect,” he said. “In fact, the entire tunic is perfect. However did you do it so quickly, though? Did you even sleep last night?”

She shrugged. “A little,” she said. “I have several maids who are skilled seamstresses. Each lady sewed a tunic, so it really wasn’t too difficult.”

He looked at her. “It was the nicest thing you could have done,” he said. “I am in your debt, my lady, truly.”

She shook her head. “As I said, it was to convey my gratitude,” she said. “And the gratitude of the archbishop.”

Aidric’s smile faded somewhat. “I am certain he was deeply concerned for your safety when he heard the news,” he said. “If he instructed you to sew the tunics, then I will thank him personally.”

“Nay,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “He does not know that I did it and it would probably be best if we kept it that way. Cambridge can be… unpredictable sometimes. Although he is grateful for what you did, I do not know how he would react if he knew I gave you a gift. It is best not to tempt fate.”