“She seems quite fond of you, Captain,” she pointed out.
“Everyone is fond of the captain,” Matilda told her.
Aye, it certainly seemed that way, Silene thought, remembering how the people had gathered around him, eager to share a word or a smile with him. He was not just the captain of the steward’s guard, he was their friend, perhaps even the one they considered their leader.
So, it wasn’t just her who thought he was an exceptional man. She felt better knowing it. She’d fallen under his spell just as the rest of them had.
“Captain, I asked Sister Silene how long she was stayin’. She doesna know. Do ye?”
His verdant gaze fell on her. “Ye werena told?”
“Nay,” Silene answered.
He bit down hard enough to make the muscles in his jaw tighten. “Ye are to stay fer a fortnight. I thought ye knew.”
Her eyes widened a little. She thought she was staying for a few days. Whether or not she believed she’d ever go back, a fortnight was a long time. She was surprised Mother Mary Joseph hadn’t told her.
She blinked her gaze to Matilda. “You may put me to work where you need me. I will not be a burden to you for a fortnight.”
“Dinna think of it,” her uncle’s wife told her. “Ye are kin, also our guest.”
A fortnight. Silene’s eyes drifted to him again. She was going to live here for fourteen days, seeing him. She felt like weeping. How could she resist him?
“I…I think I should freshen up.” She needed to be away from him. To pray. To think.
“Of course, Silene.” Matilda took her hand when she came near. “Thank ye fer comin’ here first. Louise brought yer things to yer room.” She turned to look around, likely for Louise, but she hadn’t told the servant to return. “Oh, dear. Ye dinna know where ’tis, do ye?”
“I could escort her,” the captain offered.
No.
“Nay, Captain,” Matilda refused. “While ye traveled, she had no escort, which I intend to speak to Mother Mary Joseph aboot. Now, she is in my home and will have an escort.”
“My lady, ye insult me.” He truly sounded offended, Silene thought. “I am her escort. I wouldna—”
“Her reputation—”
“Will remain intact. Anyone who suspects otherwise can speak directly to me. Now,” he turned to Silene as he leashed his control. “Would ye please come with me?”
“Truly, Captain. I can find the room myself. I would not be a burden. Please remain here.” Her reasoning for not wanting to be alone with him was different from Matilda’s. Silene was terrified. Why? She’d been alone with him before. What had changed—or was changing?
Her feelings toward him. They were growing stronger, side by side with her guilt. She had to pray. Ten Hail Marys was obviously not enough.
“My dear Silene,” Matilda’s smile softened on her. “I was wrong to worry aboot yer reputation with the captain.” Her blue eyes deepened on him. “He has supreme control over his body and remains chaste. Is that not so, Captain?”
Silene looked at him. Was she bold enough to ask him why he and his men had made their vows? Not now. The less interest she showed in him, the better where Matilda was concerned.
“’Tis so, my lady,” he answered.
“Ye see?” Matilda laughed. “There is nothing to worry aboot with him.”
Silene’s gaze remained on his. Matilda was wrong—but Silene wasn’t worried.
She crooked her arm in the elbow he offered. Could he feel her trembling?
“Which is her room, my lady?”
“Down the right hall. Third door on the left,” she told them.