Isabelle and Lady Madelyn left the chamber and then Gavin addressed her again. “Lady Gwendolyn?”

Gwen gave him her full attention now. She couldn’t help it. The man was handsome. Well over six feet tall, with thick, dark hair cut just below his ears. He wore a beige linen shirt tucked into black trousers and tall black leather boots polished to a high shine. And he had penetrating blue eyes. A second later, Gwen shook her head. “Is that a sword, Gavin?” Why in the hell did he have a sword strapped to his back?

“Aye, my lady,” he answered. “I’m never without it.”

“Why in God’s name would you carry a sword?” Gwen asked, completely stupefied. Though she had to admit, she enjoyed the slight irritation her question caused.

“For protection, Lady Gwendolyn. My duty is to see you’re unharmed. How else am I to accomplish this?”

Gwen gave him her best were-you-born-on-another-planet look. “Don’t you believe in using your words, Gavin?” she asked and then laughed at his expression.

Oh yeah, he was fun to irritate. She liked him.

Gavin ignored her question. “I’ve a letter from Greylen, Lady Gwendolyn. He bid me to see you had it the moment you awoke this morn,” he explained, holding it out to her.

Gwen gasped, grabbing the letter from his outstretched hand. “Thank you, Gavin. And please stay close by. I might get a paper cut and you can stab the offending paper for me.” She scrunched one eye, giving him her best perturbed look before turning to Anna. “Anna, could you show me to the bathroom, please? I can’t seem to remember which direction we went yesterday.”

“’Tis the door across the chamber, my lady,” she said, motioning with her hand. “May I help?”

Gwen politely declined, then walked to the far end of Greylen’s chamber. She was not only shocked by the enormity of the room but taken with it as well.

The appointments were unlike any she’d ever seen. All of the furnishings were made from dark polished wood and the oversize chairs were covered with a rich, dark tapestry. There was a sitting area in front of the window and two stately armoires situated along the far wall. They stood on either side of the bathroom door, a door with ornate brass fittings that had been made from the same wood as the trim.

She had to push it with both hands before it finally gave, and she stepped inside, grateful to be alone. She leaned against the frame, sank to the floor, and cried. Despair so deep it stunned her.

It took a good five minutes before her control returned. She remained on the floor, looking at the letter in her hand. It was written on a deep-colored parchment. The initials “gMa” were pressed into the burgundy wax seal. It was a beautiful monogram, and Gwen felt tears again as she ran her fingers over the letters. Call her a fool, but she couldn’t help wondering what Greylen’s middle name was.