Chapter twenty five

She laughed and smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "Rory is Maya's age, Tristan. Do I have to make you promise me that you will not punch him?"

"I'll try to control myself," he said with a small grin.

"Good. The Bartons seem nice. Lady Barton was very kind to me earlier."

He didn't reply and she hurried on. "Rory told me that his father was keen on taking me in to

help his wife around the house. He said that his father was going to speak with you about me leaving with them tomorrow."

When Tristan remained silent, she squeezed his shoulder gently. "Did he speak with you, my lord?"

"Aye." He pulled her closer, resting the side of his head against hers.

"Will you let me go with them, Tristan?" she whispered.

She tensed against him when he shook his head. "Not tomorrow. You're still needed here.

But I will take you there myself in a few weeks."

"Thank you, Tristan. I can't tell you how much I -"

"Enough," he said curtly. "I do not want to speak tonight of you leaving. Can we not just

dance?"

"Aye, we can," she said.

He closed his eyes, lowering his hand until it was resting on her hip and holding her hand

tightly in his other.

** *

Avery smiled happily as she walked down the darkened hallway. Mrs. Lanning, drunk on too much wine, had informed them that they could clean up in the morning and she was anxious to get back to her small room. She wouldn't take the dress off, not yet, but she would lie in her bed and relive the evening.

She was nearly to the kitchen when Hendrick stepped in front of her. "Good evening, Avery."

She groaned inwardly but smiled at him. "Good evening, Hendrick."

"Did you have fun this evening?"

"I did." She gave him another polite smile. "And you?"

"Very much so." He stepped closer and stroked her arm. "You are looking very lovely

tonight."

"Thank you." She stepped back, frowning when he followed her.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Come back to my room with me tonight, Red." She shook her head and he scowled as he wrapped his hand around her arm. "It is not a

request."

"I will not," she said. "Let me go, Hendrick."

He squeezed her arm. "You would be wise not to defy me, Red. My sister will soon be

married to your master and it would be prudent of you to be friendly to me."

"Let me go," she repeated.

"And if I don't?" he sneered at her. "What will a little girl like you do if I don't?" Avery slapped him as hard as she could across the cheek. The sound echoed through the

quiet hallway and he stared at her in disbelief.

"You will pay for that, you stupid little fool," he gritted out.

He raised his hand to hit her as a hard voice spoke. "Let her go, Hendrick."

Hendrick turned to see Marshall with Maya at his side, standing behind him. "Good evening, Marshall."

"Let her go," Marshall repeated.

Hendrick dropped Avery's arm and she brushed past him and stood next to Marshall. He put his arm around her and glared at Hendrick. "Go to bed, Hendrick. You're drunk and embarrassing yourself."

Hendrick paused, gave them a sarcastic salute, and then sauntered down the hallway and into the darkness. Avery let her breath out in a trembling rush and leaned against Marshall. Maya reached across him and squeezed her arm. "Avery, are you all right?"

"Fine." She smiled shakily at her and then squeezed Marshall's waist. "Thank you." He nodded. "I'm going to speak to Tristan about this right now."

"No, do not, Marshall. I beg you," Avery said.

He frowned. "He needs to know about this."

"No, he does not." She gave him a pleading look. "Please, Marshall. Do not say a word to him about this. It will not end well - you know it will not."

He glanced at Maya who gave him a small nod. He grimaced. "I do not like this."

Avery squeezed his waist again. "Hendrick was drunk and being stupid. I will avoid him until he leaves Tristan's home. There is no need for Tristan to hear of this."