She shook her head, willing the doubts from her mind. There was nothing she could do about it anyway, and if there was, she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out. She stroked the medallion once more, then left the chamber and her insecurities behind.

She waited as usual in the great hall with Kevin or Hugh until Lady Madelyn and Isabelle joined them to break their fast. She sat before the fire and enjoyed the coffee Cook always had ready atop the buffet. She’d already had a cup with Gavin earlier, but Cook knew she could drink the stuff all day.

Since Gwen was still in the habit of waking early, Cook left the canister of coffee beans and mugs on the island. She also left a pot for boiling water on the stove.

Every morning when she was just beginning to awake, Gavin would stoke the fire and light the wicks throughout the room. They’d say “good morn” at the same time as Gwen put on Greylen’s robe. Then they’d race downstairs to the kitchen.

She and Gavin would work quietly at first. Gwen always filled the pot with water while Gavin lit the fire beneath the burner. Then they’d fight over who could better crush the beans. When the water finally boiled, they’d add the coarse grounds and wait anxiously for the delicious brew. They took their filled cups upstairs until Gavin’s replacement came.

Sometimes they’d talk by the fire or stand in front of the window to watch the sunrise. Kevin or Hugh would arrive just after and knock gently on the door, then Gavin would relieve himself of her guard.

Gwen missed him during the day. She’d truly come to depend on him. And she knew he liked having her around too. She could tell he waited for her to come into the study in the afternoons, and it wasn’t until she’d settled herself on the settee that he’d immerse himself in the ledgers he continually pored over. They seemed to have an unspoken understanding, a need of each other with Greylen’s continued absence. She wondered if Greylen knew how lucky he was to have someone like Gavin in his life for so long. Somehow, she sensed that he did.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Isabelle and Lady Madelyn finally came downstairs. They had a wonderful breakfast and Gwen was surprised when they both excused themselves afterward.

“Isabelle, won’t you take a walk with me this morning?” Gwen asked.

“Oh how I wish I could, Gwendolyn. But my tutor’s coming early. He insisted I read the latest volume he gave me.”

“Very well.” Gwen sighed. She kissed Lady Madelyn on the cheek, then whispered to Isabelle, “Come find me later,” kissing her as well.