Kitabı oku: «Her Knight Protector», sayfa 3
‘But we cannot trouble you…’ Celestine began, faltering as she saw his frown. His manner told her that he would brook no interference with his plans. ‘Surely you will travel on the English ship once it is repaired?’
‘Yes, that is our plan,’ Alain told her. ‘Had a French ship been the only one available, we should have taken that and found an English berth when we reached Marseilles. The voyage to England will be longer and perhaps less comfortable without a sojourn in France to break the tedium, but we shall take passage. I think it might be best for you to accompany us, Katherine. The Lady Celestine also, if she wishes?’ He raised his brows to her and she smiled at him, her long lashes fluttering against her cheeks.
‘Thank you. May I have time to consider?’
‘I have taken the liberty of booking passage for all of us,’ Alain told her. ‘If you would prefer to remain here, that is your privilege, but I fear it might be months before you could be sure of finding a ship that can carry you home. You would find it much easier to purchase a passage from England—and the expense of travelling to England will not fall on you as I have contracted with the English captain for our whole party.’
‘You are very kind,’ Katherine said, and then, taking a deep breath, ‘But I had hoped I might gain an audience with the Holy Father while we are in Rome.’
‘An audience with his Holiness!’ Celestine exclaimed. ‘My dearest Katherine, what reason can you possibly have for making such a request? It is certain to be refused. Pope Innocent III is a busy man and hardly likely to give his time to a young girl.’
‘I dare say his Holiness might find time to see you, Katherine,’ Alain said, seeing her expression, which was a mixture of distress and embarrassment. ‘However, I happen to know that he is not in Rome at this time.’
‘Oh…then I shall not…’ Katherine sighed. ‘I had hoped, but it is obviously not meant to be.’ She looked at him. ‘Then I think I shall accept your invitation to accompany you to England, sir. I do not see what else I can do.’
‘Is there something I may help you with, my lady?’ Alain asked, sensing that she was deeply worried. ‘Anything I might do that you cannot do yourself?’
Katherine hesitated. It would be so good to share her burden with someone she could trust. Her instincts told her that Sir Alain de Banewulf was an honourable man, but still she did not dare to share her secret with him.
‘I thank you, but, no, there is nothing, sir. It was merely that my father had spoken of a meeting with his Holiness, and I would have liked to give him…something.’
‘Could you not leave it with one of his cardinals?’ Alain asked. ‘I am sure I could arrange that for you if you wished, for I had an audience with his Holiness when I was first in Rome on my return from the Holy Land.’
‘You are very kind, but, no, I shall not trouble you,’ Katherine replied, though she did not know why. It would have been easy to hand over both the treasure and the provenance that her father had documented so faithfully. Or what was left of it, for so many of her father’s notes had been lost with his baggage.
She turned away from Sir Alain’s penetrating gaze to find that Celestine was looking at her with barely concealed eagerness. Katherine felt annoyed with herself for saying so much. If Celestine had somehow learned of the treasure Katherine carried, she might try to steal it, either for herself or for the Lord Hubert, with whom she professed to have quarrelled.
Was it unkind of her to suspect her erstwhile friend? Katherine felt that it was unworthy to be so suspicious, yet she could not help it. She almost wished that she had confided the whole to Sir Alain and left it to him to solve her dilemma.
But he was telling his men to mount up and the moment had passed. Perhaps, after all, it was best to keep the secret a little longer. Soon she would be in England and from there she could find a ship to take her to France and her uncle’s home.
Until then, she would just have to carry her burden alone.
‘Is this not a beautiful villa?’ Celestine asked as Katherine met her after having been able to indulge in the luxury of a proper bath in scented water, something she had not done since leaving Cyprus. ‘My room is next to yours, and charming. I think Sir Bryne’s friend must be very wealthy to own something like this, Katherine.’
‘Yes, I believe you are right, for I understand that he owns several homes, both here and in the wine country to the north and in Salerno. It was from one of his estates that Sir Alain and Sir Bryne were coming when they met us.’
‘My home in France would seem dark and bleak compared to this,’ Celestine told her. ‘Sometimes I wonder if I truly wish to return—and yet I might if I had a companion to make me smile.’
‘I dare say you will marry again.’
Katherine felt uncomfortable; she knew that Celestine was trying to coax an answer from her and she did not wish to give it, though she did not know why. A return to her own home was not appealing. In truth, the more she thought about returning to Grunwald, the less appealing it became. She had grown used to living and sleeping in her pavilion, though that had been lost with her father’s baggage, and she had been forced to sleep under the stars until they met Sir Alain and were given shelter in his own camp.
Like Celestine, she was impressed by the villa, which had many light and airy rooms and was very beautiful with marble mosaics on the floor and white pillars to support the arches that led from one part of the villa to another. There were statues of women clothed in flowing drapes, couches with soft cushions where one might sit or lie to take one’s ease and a bathhouse with a bathing pool filled with cool scented water.
Katherine had never experienced such luxury, and knew that it was unlikely she would again. She made up her mind to thank Sir Alain for bringing her here when she saw him next, and perhaps to confide in him at least a little of her secret.
‘Shall we walk in the garden for a little before we dine?’ Celestine asked her. ‘It is very beautiful and I think there is a wonderful view out over the sea.’
‘Yes, why not?’ Katherine asked. She felt relaxed by the peace and serenity of her surroundings, and a little guilty for having suspected Celestine of wanting to rob her. ‘It is such a lovely night and we shall not see its like when we reach England, for I know it will be cold there.’
‘I have never been to England,’ Celestine confided, taking her arm and smiling. ‘Have you, Katherine?’
‘No, but I know something about it—my mother was an Englishwoman.’
‘Ah…’ Celestine nodded wisely. ‘Baron Grunwald told me that she was very beautiful, and ought to have been an heiress through her own mother—but her brother withheld the dowry because he did not wish her to marry.’
‘She fell in love with my father and the match was made with the help of King Henry II, but my mother’s brother did not approve and he would not pay her dowry. Even when she died he refused to pay what was due to her from an inheritance.’
‘That was not kind of him, for I believe your father was not a wealthy man?’
‘No, indeed. His estate is poor and the castle of Grunwald in bad repair. He had hoped he might find riches on his travels…’ Katherine sighed and stopped, for she had almost been led into giving too much away.
‘And did he find nothing?’ Celestine was struggling to hide her eagerness.
‘No, nothing that he might sell,’ Katherine said and looked at Celestine. ‘Have you heard otherwise?’
‘I know nothing of your father’s affairs,’ Celestine replied. ‘Though I did hear the Lord Hubert speak of some treasure…’ She waited for Katherine to reply. ‘But perhaps it was stolen?’
‘If there had been a treasure, it would have been taken when his baggage was stolen,’ Katherine said. ‘But my father had nothing he might sell.’ She sensed Celestine’s disbelief and was almost certain that she had been the one who had discovered Baron Grunwald’s secret and spoken to Ravenshurst of it.
‘Then you have no choice but to throw yourself on the mercy of your uncle—unless you come to me. Have you given some thought to the matter, Katherine?’
Was she genuine, or did she still believe that Katherine carried a precious treasure? Katherine wished that she could be sure.
They were standing now on a hill, gazing out at the city below and beyond it the sparkle of a blue sea. A sob rose to Katherine’s throat as she wished that her father might have lived to stand by her side and see this wonderful vista. How she missed him, and how alone she felt!
‘Do not cry, sweet Kate,’ Celestine said and reached out to take her into her arms. ‘You have friends. You are not alone.’
‘Thank you, but I was not going to cry,’ Katherine said and avoided her embrace. ‘Excuse me, the evening grows chilly. I think a storm is brewing. I shall return to my room and find a mantle to wear for supper.’
‘No—’ Celestine stopped, her cheeks flushing as Katherine looked at her. ‘I mean, let me come with you.’
‘Thank you, I shall go alone.’
Katherine turned and ran from her, feeling close to the tears that might shame her. She did not know why she should feel so distressed. After all, she had always known that she would have to return to Grunwald one day, and it had not upset her before. Perhaps it was this beautiful place, making her aware of the changes in her life? The years of travelling had been hard in many ways, but they had also been glorious.
Her feet carried her swiftly towards her room, but as she approached she heard a cry of surprise and anger, swiftly followed by a scream and then the sight of two men running away. They saw her, but turned aside and sped through the garden, obviously in a hurry to escape. As she entered the room that had been loaned to her and Maria for the next few days, she saw that her baggage had been opened and her things strewn all over the floor. Maria was lying on the floor, and Sir Alain was kneeling beside her, helping her to rise.
‘What has happened here?’ Katherine asked. ‘Maria—are you hurt?’
‘No, I am not harmed, though those rogues did their best to render me an injury,’ Maria muttered. ‘I discovered them ransacking your things, my lady, and they attacked me. Had this knight not come to my rescue, I might have been murdered.’
‘You were taken by surprise, Maria,’ Alain told her. Having ascertained that she was no more than bruised and shocked, he had a merry twinkle in his eyes. ‘I dare say your trusty weapon was not to hand.’
‘You should not mock her, sir,’ Katherine said as Maria scowled at him. ‘She has had a fright.’
‘I do not think they took anything, my lady—nothing important,’ Maria said as she sat up and was helped to her feet by Sir Alain. ‘I disturbed them before they had time to do more than begin their search.’
‘Do not fret, dearest,’ Katherine told her. ‘You are more important to me than anything they might have taken here.’
‘But your father…’ Maria began and was quelled by a warning look from her mistress. ‘Forgive me…’
‘May I ask what they were looking for?’ Alain asked, glancing from one to the other. ‘It is clear they think you have something important, Katherine. They took a risk in coming here—this place belongs to one of Rome’s foremost citizens and they could face execution for what they have done this evening.’
‘My—my father gave me something to look after the morning he died,’ Katherine said. ‘Until that time he had carried it within his own baggage, but because he suspected that he might be robbed, he gave the trust to me.’
‘My lady… Katherine,’ Maria warned, ‘be careful of whom you trust…’ This knight seemed to be all that he should, and she was grateful for his help, but, when it came to her darling’s safety, she trusted no one!
‘I think we have no choice,’ Katherine said. ‘My father discovered something, sir—something that hath no intrinsic value of its own, but which is valuable because it was once used by our Lord himself. It is something that is important to Christendom and ought to be placed in the care of the church.’
‘So that is why you sought an audience with his Holiness?’ Alain frowned as Katherine nodded. ‘And you are not willing to entrust it to any other than the Pope himself?’
‘I— I do not know,’ Katherine admitted. ‘My father believed there was much corruption in high places, amongst both kings and churchmen. He wanted it to be placed where all can see and perhaps be healed by the experience of having seen such a relic.’
‘What exactly is it that he discovered?’ Alain saw her quick frown and shook his head. ‘Nay, do not tell me if you prefer to keep your secret, though I vow it would be safe with me. Like your father, I would never seek to gain personal gain from something so valuable to Christendom.’
‘Then you are rare amongst men,’ Maria muttered and glared at him. ‘Not all Christian knights have your scruples, sir. I vow there are those only too keen to steal it for themselves.’
‘What mean you?’ Alain’s eyes narrowed as he looked from her to Katherine. ‘Has this something to do with the Lord Hubert of Ravenshurst? Was it his men who came here? I recall that you spoke of him when the Lady Celestine joined us.’
‘Yes, I spoke of him,’ Katherine said as she realised that she could no longer hold back such important information. ‘Somehow he learned of my father’s discovery. You must know that my father wrote down the provenance of…his discovery, for without it he could not prove that the treasure is what he believes it to be. There are many holy relics for sale in Palestine, and indeed in Rome itself, but my father’s discovery was made by painstaking research over many months and years.’
‘There are always holy relics wherever you travel,’ Alain agreed, ‘and many of them are false. I dare say that some, which have been made into shrines, have no true provenance, but something of the importance that your sacred trust entails would need proof if it were to be accepted as the true—’ He broke off and looked at her, and she saw a gleam of excitement begin in his eyes. ‘If it is what I think…men have been searching for it from the time of the crucifixion.’
Katherine felt a quiver of alarm. She had known that even the most trustworthy of men might be tempted by her treasure, perhaps not for greed, but for the glory that such a find could bring them.
‘I have not told you what it is, sir,’ she reminded him. ‘It may be that my father was mistaken…’
‘Would you let me read his writings?’ Alain asked. His eyes were steady on her face but held warmth, a concern that made her heart race. For a moment she thought that his feelings towards her were more than mere courtesy. ‘If I gave you my solemn word that I will return them to you when we reach England, would you trust me?’
Katherine hesitated, and then nodded. Instinct told her that if she could not trust this man, then she could trust no one. She crossed the room to where a plant in a great earthenware pot stood in an alcove and lifted it, revealing a flat leather pouch. Hesitating but a moment, she picked up the pouch and handed it to Alain.
‘You will find my father’s writing hard to decipher, sir, for he had a small neat hand, and in places he has used his own code. From these you will not learn the nature of his treasure, only the details of his research. There were fuller descriptions of his work, but they were lost with his baggage. I believe there is enough left to give credence to his discovery, but you may study these and give me your opinion.’
‘I thank you for your trust in me, Katherine,’ Alain said and hesitated, then reached out to touch her cheek. It was the merest graze of his fingers, but it sent tremors running through her, and his smile made her blush. ‘You may be certain that I shall keep the nature of your secret to myself—though I am bound by friendship to tell Bryne that the Lord of Ravenshurst is your enemy.’
‘I dare say Sir Bryne is a man you can trust,’ Katherine replied, for, if he was Alain’s friend, how could he be otherwise? ‘You may tell him as much as I have told you should you think it right.’
Alain inclined his head. ‘In future I believe you should take care in walking alone, Katherine. At least until we are in England.’
‘I am grateful for your kindness, sir, and for the opportunity to confide in you. It is a heavy burden I carry, and I confess that I do not know what to do for the best.’
‘Will you allow me to help you once I have read and thought about your father’s work? If I am convinced that his discovery is truly important, I would count it an honour to see it placed where it might be of benefit to all of our faith.’ His eyes met hers in a gaze that held her fast. ‘The question is—will you trust me, lady?’
Chapter Three
‘I t seems that I already have, sir,’ Katherine replied and her heart skipped a beat as his look seemed to caress her. There was something about the curve of his mouth and the expression in his eyes then that made her feel that she might trust him with more than her secret. When he looked at her in that way she was ready to swoon. She could almost believe that he might feel more than friendship towards her. No, that was mere wishful thinking on her part and foolish. ‘In truth I believe I have no choice.’
Alain reached out to take her hand, holding it for a moment as he gazed into her face. ‘I thank you for that trust, Katherine, and do swear to assist you in your task to find the right home for your father’s treasure.’
‘But where should that be?’ Katherine asked. The question had exercised her mind all too often. ‘In a great church or in the house of some powerful king?’
‘That is a weighty question and not one that can be answered immediately,’ he replied. ‘And now, my lady, may I take you to supper? It was for this purpose that I came, fortunately in time to hear Maria’s screams.’
‘Yes, I thank you,’ she replied and laid her hand on the arm he offered. She could see from Maria’s expression that she believed she had spoken too freely to Sir Alain—but what else could she do? She must trust someone, for it seemed that the Lord of Ravenshurst was determined to steal her treasure no matter what.
She had told Sir Alain nothing of her suspicions of Celestine, Katherine realised, as they went into the banqueting hall and discovered that Celestine was already there, sharing a glass of wine with Sir Bryne and a tall, handsome gentleman. Celestine was smiling invitingly up at the newcomer, seeming to enjoy his attention. Observing his manner for a moment, Katherine guessed that he was the owner of the villa.
Marcus Aurelius Calabria had returned to Rome from his travels and was delighted to find he had unexpected guests. Especially one as beautiful as the Lady de Charlemagne.
He turned as Alain approached, greeting him with evident pleasure, his eyes moving over Katherine without registering interest and returning to Celestine almost immediately.
‘It was the most delightful surprise to discover that we had company,’ he murmured. ‘I do trust that you are to remain with me for some time?’
‘For a few days only,’ Sir Bryne replied as Celestine merely fluttered her long lashes at him. ‘The ship we travel on is making repairs and should be ready to sail within the week—but, for myself, I intend to return to Rome often. With the opportunities for trade that have opened to us, I think I may make a home in Venice one day. I would see England and my family, but I think the climate there too dark and dank to hold me forever.’
‘It is often the case with those who have seen other lands,’ Marcus replied with a smile. ‘I have visited your country, Bryne, as you know, and formed friendships with your father and others—but I would not care to live there. It is a dark, gloomy place, too full of mists and frosts for my liking.’
‘Indeed, I wonder if I shall find my home too gloomy,’ Celestine said and fluttered her long lashes at him. ‘Especially after seeing your beautiful home, sir. I had not known such places existed.’
‘I thank you for your compliment,’ he said and inclined his head to her. ‘We live much as our ancestors in ancient Rome, lady, for my family have a long tradition. In the north we have a castle as dark and cavernous as any you might have encountered, for my uncle is Duke of Ferencia and guards his lands as best he may. I have been visiting with him for a time, but here in my summer home I enjoy the simple life. In Rome we have no enemies and may walk freely as we will.’ He saw Alain’s frown and raised his brow. ‘Something troubles you, my friend?’
‘I would have a few private words with you, Marcus,’ Alain replied and drew him away from the Lady Celestine. In a moment Marcus was heard to exclaim and look angry and then he and Alain left the room together, deep in conversation.
‘What has happened?’ Celestine asked, startled by such a change in her host’s behaviour. She was slightly annoyed, for she had felt that she was making a favourable impression upon their host.
‘Sir Alain drove off two men who were searching my room,’ Katherine told her. ‘They had knocked Maria down and might have killed her had he not arrived in time.’
‘God have mercy!’ Celestine had gone pale and crossed herself. ‘Thank goodness you were in the garden with me, otherwise you might have been hurt, Katherine.’
Katherine frowned. The older woman seemed concerned for her and it would be churlish to suspect her of having asked her to walk in the gardens merely to get her away from her room. She noticed that Bryne’s eyes had narrowed, that he was looking very thoughtful. What could have brought that expression to his face?
‘Yes, I was fortunate,’ she said. ‘But my poor Maria might not have been had Sir Alain not chanced to hear her cry.’
‘Maria is a servant—’ Celestine began and then realised her mistake. ‘But of course I know that she is dear to you. Yet I cannot help be thankful that it was she who discovered the villains and not you, Kate.’
Katherine gave her a cold look. ‘Maria is my friend, not a servant. Please remember that—and I would prefer that you call me Katherine. Only my father called me Kate.’
‘Forgive me. I did not mean to offend.’
‘It is merely a preference…’
Katherine was ashamed of the coldness in her voice, but she could not help it. Deep down inside her, there was something telling her that Celestine’s friendship was false and she could not dismiss the warning.
Sir Alain and Marcus had returned to the company now. They spoke briefly to Bryne, and then Marcus clapped his hands and the servants began to serve supper.
As in ancient times, when the Romans held their great banquets, the company sat on benches or silken cushions piled on the floor and ate with their fingers from low tables. Finger-bowls of silver and gold had been provided for washing the hands, and music was played to entertain them while they ate and talked.
This was not a great banquet, merely a gathering of a few friends, but the food served was rich and there was what seemed to Katherine to be an endless stream of exotic dishes. She ate sparingly, enjoying most the fruits and dates. Occasionally, she dipped her fingers in the scented water and wiped them on a soft cloth to dry them. The wine was heavy and potent. She drank, as sparingly as she ate, from a wine cup, which was fashioned of silver and studded with precious jewels on the foot. Through the open arches that led out to the gardens floated the scent of night-flowering blooms. The sky was dark, but the stars were sprinkled generously across the velvet blackness.
‘It is the stuff of dreams, do you not think so, lady?’ Sir Bryne asked as he leaned towards Katherine. Celestine was laughing with their host and Alain seemed to be lost in thought. ‘Marcus and his family know how to enjoy life, do they not?’
‘It is certainly most pleasant,’ Katherine replied. ‘Do you truly intend to make your home in Venice one day, sir?’
‘It is the greatest trading nation on earth,’ Bryne replied, looking thoughtful. ‘A man of enterprise might become wealthy there beyond his dreams, and powerful—especially when he has good friends. I have certainly considered it, but I must see my home and family once more before I decide.’
‘Have you a large family?’
‘My father was elderly when I left England and may not be still living, but I have elder brothers and they have wives and children. I hope to find some of them alive and well on my return.’
‘You have no wife, sir?’
‘No.’ Bryne frowned. ‘There was a lady once…but she married another, richer man and I put all thoughts of marriage aside and determined to make my fortune. Yet I suppose I may marry one day, if only in the hope of a son to follow me.’
‘And Sir Alain…?’ Katherine asked and then blushed as his brows rose. ‘Forgive me. I ask too many questions.’
‘I believe he has not thought of marriage as yet, lady.’ Sir Bryne smiled at her and Katherine lowered her eyes. She must be more careful of her words or she would give herself away, and that would be embarrassing. ‘Though with such a man it is not always easy to know what is in his mind.’
Sir Alain seemed to have shrugged off his reflective mood and was now laughing and talking to Celestine, apparently enjoying the pleasure of her company. It was clear that he found her attractive, which was natural, for she was very beautiful. Feeling a tiny pang of disappointment, Katherine scolded herself for allowing the green-eyed monster of jealousy into her heart. She could not blame Sir Alain for finding Celestine fascinating. The older woman was both beautiful and charming…even if Katherine did suspect her of being false.
But perhaps she was letting her emotions blind her. She had no right or cause to be jealous. She must put aside these foolish ideas and thoughts that had begun to creep into her mind, plaguing her whenever she was unwary enough to let them.
Sir Alain had turned his head and was looking at her now. Katherine glanced quickly away, for she could not meet his gaze, which was concerned and thoughtful, but not the kind of look he bestowed on the lovely Celestine.
She knew he thought her a mere child, and perhaps she was compared to Celestine. Yet she felt like a woman, and her heart ached for the tenderness she was developing towards this man, foolish as it might be.
‘Our host was telling me of a shrine in his garden,’ Alain said now. ‘This villa was built on the site of others that had been here since the great days of Rome. There was once a temple to the goddess of love here, and a shrine still remains.’
‘How very pagan,’ Celestine said, ‘and rather exciting. I should love to see this shrine—would not you, Katherine?’
‘Yes, perhaps,’ answered Katherine a little uncertainly.
‘The time to see it is at night when the moon shines, for the goddess loved the moon,’ Marcus Aurelius told them. ‘If it pleases you, I shall show you now, for the moon hath come out from the shadows and will light our way. It is said that, if you please the goddess, your heart’s wish will come true.’
‘Oh, we must see this shrine,’ Celestine exclaimed. ‘Do say you want to see it, Katherine!’
‘Very well, if you wish it.’
Katherine rose reluctantly, but it was clear that Celestine was eager to see the shrine of the goddess of love. She was walking with her hand upon her host’s arm, teasing him with smiles and words as they walked just ahead of the others.
‘Are you offended by the thought of a pagan goddess?’ Alain asked Katherine. She gazed up at him for a moment, her eyes wide and serious, before shaking her head. ‘Then is it the Lady Celestine that offends you?’
‘Neither,’ Katherine replied. ‘I am a Christian by faith, sir, but my father was a great scholar, as I have told you, and we discussed other forms of religion. I dare say there is merit in many of them, but I would not put my faith in anything a pagan goddess might reveal to me.’
‘Would you not?’ Alain gave her a wicked smile, which made her catch her breath. Something inside her made her feel as if she would melt in his warmth. How handsome he was when he smiled like that! And how foolish she was to let it affect her this way. ‘Not even if you might gain knowledge of your heart’s desire?’
‘I have no desires, sir,’ Katherine replied with commendable dignity in the face of his provocation. Her heart was racing like the wind, but she would give him no indication of the confusion his teasing aroused in her. What was this strange feeling inside her—was it what they called desire? If so, she had no right to feel it for a man who had no such feelings towards her. ‘I am not like to find a lover nor yet a husband, for I have no fortune and my face is unremarkable.’
‘You are not a beauty,’ Alain said, looking at her seriously now. ‘But you have something about you, lady, that many would find attractive.’
Katherine laughed merrily. ‘You are kinder than my father, sir, for though he loved me dearly he never thought me other than plain. He told me that I was unlikely to wed without a large dowry and I have no thought of it.’
‘Are men such fools that they must have either a pretty face or a sack of gold?’ His brows rose, but the expression in his eyes puzzled her since she did not know what lay behind it.
‘I do not believe that all men are fools, sir. Indeed, I would not think either you or Sir Bryne a fool—but still I do not believe that I am likely to find many suitors…and perhaps no one I would care to accept. I would prefer to remain unwed rather than make an unhappy marriage.’
‘That is your choice, of course.’ He hesitated, his eyes making her heart thud in her breast as she felt something stir inside her—a feeling so sweet, like warm honey—and was almost breathless. ‘But what of love and the fulfilment of your destiny?’ His brows rose as he teased her and her foolish heart leaped. Why did she feel so light-headed—almost as if she could walk on air?
