Eadwyn makes a move

King Sigefrith said that when a man saved another’s life, it was often the man who had done the saving who formed a stronger attachment to the other than the man who had been saved.

Eadwyn chose not to believe that he had prevented a murder by showing up at Sir Leofwine’s manor the day before – though he had nearly committed one when he had returned later that evening – but he thought he must have averted something.

Even if he had not, even if Ana would have found her own way to the safety of Nothelm, his arrival had at least put an end to that episode for her. She had not needed to ride the seven or eight miles to Nothelm to find safety. She had found it in him.

In any case, it was certain that an attachment had been formed. It was not an attachment of affection, or it did not seem so to him. It was something deeper – something chaster and yet more intimate. It almost seemed that she had become a part of him, and he was as aware of her presence as he was of his own hand, even when she was not in his sight.

Nevertheless, she very often was.

And sometimes she would look at him, but it was not so much looking at him as it was looking for him: she was looking to reassure herself that he was still there. Then she was at ease again; then she could turn back to whomever was speaking to her, but it seemed she had to take a moment from time to time to find him again.

And it was the same with him – except that he had to look for her so much more often.

But when he next looked for her, he saw that she was speaking to no one. Stein, who had been hovering about her all evening, was dancing with Lady Lili, and the Princess had gone off to dance with the Duke.

She was standing tall and smiling, but she seemed worn. He did not think she particularly cared to talk with the shy, plain brother of her uncle’s wife, but he thought she might like to spend a few moments in the company of someone who understood what courage and strength were required to allow her to attend this party and stand and smile. Perhaps not so much courage and strength would be required if she were with him.

“I can’t help but notice we’re not dancing, neither you nor I,” he smiled.