CHAPTER 25

Edward woke to a heavy pounding on his chamber door. Before he could rouse himself enough to answer the summons, the door burst open. He was out of bed in the next instant, his hand on the floor and around the hilt of his sword.

“Jesu, Edward, ’tis just me,” Caleb said. “You were sleeping the sleep of the dead.”

Edward sat back on the bed and first pulled the furs up to shield Mary’s nudity and then to shield his own. “Get the hell out of here,” he said irritably.

“If my presence offends your maidenly modesty, I’ll turn my back until you dress,” Caleb said.

“ ’Tis not mine I’m worried over,” Edward snarled.

“Well, hell, Edward, I can’t see the lass, nor am I looking. ’Tis important or I wouldn’t have breached your chamber.”

“Edward?”

Mary’s sleepy voice rose from the covers, and her head poked out. Her hair was all rumpled, her eyes droopy, and yet somehow she still managed to look adorable. Even though Caleb claimed not to be looking, Edward caught his brother glancing Mary’s way.

Ed