He had not tried to read aloud since he returned. He had tried to read, for he had once enjoyed it greatly, but as much as he wished to concentrate, his memories would steal their way into his thoughts. Even the driest volume of Greek philosophy would trigger recollections of blood.

Reading aloud to Gemma Oakes had been as effortless as breathing. The words had come from behind his memories of battle, from so far back that they carried with them hints of the carefree joy of his youth.

He hadn't thought of his childhood in so long. When he turned to look behind him, he only saw the catastrophic defeat at Burgos Castle. He saw the muddy medical tents that leaked the rain until the floor ran with rivulets tinted red by dying men.

Bad Pony nodded his head and the reins jerked in Lysander's loosened fingers. He tightened his hands quickly and the pony settled once more into his plodding walk. The stalking wolf of memory tried to howl again, even here in this peaceful quiet, with the golden lantern-light shimmering upon the sweetly weary features of the woman beside him.

She was silent now. He saw that her eyes were closed and her head nodded in exhaustion. Her left hand cradled her bandaged wrist to her bosom. She was injured at his hand. She was astonishing. She was important. She was needed.

How could he make it right? How could he stay to help until Gemma healed, when his mother lay ill and his family remained spread far and wide?

AT YEW MANOR, MR. Worthington took on the task of bedding down Bad Pony while Mr. Bing helped Gemma carry her medical case back into the house. While he was setting it carefully on her worktable in the stillroom, Gemma positioned herself to barricade the only exit. She had something she wanted to discuss with dear Mr. Bing.

"Mr. Bing, I noticed that Mr. Worthington became rather muddy in the river."

Mr. Bing grunted and answered without turning his head. "Aye, t' fool lad went in after that useless dog of yours. Silly creature got herself into deep water."

"Yes, he mentioned that. What he didn't mention was the precise reason why he did not clean up in the nice warm privacy of the stable." She saw Mr. Bing's shoulder twitch slightly.

Mr. Bing lifted his chin and dusted his hands as if he had done something far more laborious than carry a medical case that she'd been toting by herself for years. Then he turned to look her straight in the eye. "Saw that, did you?"