Lady Sylvia sat beside Gyla and brushed a soft hand through her hair. Lady Cur played a lap harp by the window. A soft lullaby filled the air. 

“I am surprised by His Grace’s reaction,” Sylvia finally spoke. They’d been told the tale earlier that morning and neither lady had any idea how to respond to the out of character Dominis from the day before. 

“As am I.” Lady Cur’s melody peddled out. “It seemed a bit odd at such a time to be so angry.” 

“I think,” Glya murmured then cleared her throat to speak up, “I think he did not wish me to go to the site at all.”

“Then why would he tell you yes?” Sylvia frowned at her. 

“Because he felt he had to.”

“And got upset that you were nearly hurt which would have been bad on him,” Lady Cur nodded along. “Perhaps, without the pressure of Her Majesty being here, he would be kinder to your pursuit.”

“I think he would not have bothered with me at all.” Gyla stood from the couch and walked to the window beside Lady Cur. “Her Majesty mentioned all types of entertainment to be exploited while we were here.” 

“Her Majesty mentioned Lindsor Patch this morning,” Syliva reclined into the cushions and spoke to the ceiling. “It will be a long trip there and back in time for the festival.” 

“No doubt, this trip is an inspection on Hermilant.” Cur set aside the harp and turned to gaze with Gyla. 

Her Majesty strolled the battlements with Captain Colt in serious discussion. 

“Her Majesty would not support Gyla’s hunt if she thought ill of the house,” Sylvia pointed out. 

“Or she hoped I could reign in whatever disaster is lurking beneath,” Gyla argued and then returned to an armchair across from Sylvia. 

A sharp knock on the door interrupted their musings. Duke Dominis. 

Lady Syliva shot up from her seat and fumbled into a curtsey. Cur and Gyla followed with a bit more grace. 

“Lady Gyla.” Ocean eyes focused on her with steadfast determination. “May we take a walk?” 

“I am not sure, Your Grace.” Gyla caught the glares of the other two ladies in the corner of her eyes. “Where are we going?”

“The gardens,” he said after a moment of hesitation. 

“Excuse me, Lady Sylvia, Lady Cur.” Gyla granted them a shallow curtsey and headed past the duke with her head high. 

He offered his arm as soon as the door closed and she accepted. 

“What shall we speak of, Your Grace?” She swore to not pursue him any further and if she said his name, she might change her mind. 

“Yesterday, I…” He paused as a few servants scattered, bowing as they did so. “I was harsh and unseemly towards you. My words have caused a hurt, do not deny it.” 

“I do not deny it.” 

Duke Dominis audibly gulped as they reached the ground floor and guided her outside. 

“I should have never said that to you.”

“No, you should not have. Your ire, misplaced,” Gyla would not grant him mercy just because he gave a quiet apology. 

“It was. I would never deny it.” Finally, they entered the little garden of the castle. 

Much like Blackvern, this garden was not grand. It only contained a fence of bushes, two benches, and an old tree in the middle. Not much of a garden, but Gyla would not complain. 

The duke pulled away and gestured for her to sit. 

“I sincerely hope you understand yesterday was an accident and no one is to blame.” Gyla hoped no one had been punished for the incident. 

“Of course. I know it was an accident,” he took the seat beside her, “and I would not dare to blame the workers. They were very worried when you left like that.” 

“I did not wish to be more of a hindrance in their work.” A noblewoman had all the time she pleased when all she had to do was catch a suitor. The hard working men and women of the fields did not. 

“You weren’t,” he assured her. 

Gyla looked up at him, his scarred side facing away from her. Her fingers still itched to touch him but she mentally berated herself. Her pursuit died yesterday. There would be no more of this attention-seeking. 

“Does it hurt?” She blurted out. 

“What?” Soft eyes turned to her, that cute wrinkle of his brow reappearing. 

“Your scar. The burn. Does it hurt?”

“No.” At her disbelief, he added, “It can be uncomfortable and dry out.” 

“Do you use coconut oil?” 

“It makes it worse.” She could tell by his clipped tone the conversation irked him. 

“A honey paste would be useful.” Dominis narrowed his eyes at her. “I am only curious, Your Grace.” Gyla stood and curtsied to him. “Since we seemed to have amended yesterday, I shall return to the other ladies.”

“Wait,” he stood as well and one hand grasped gently on her elbow. “Yesterday, I know I was rough with you.” A pain flared in his eyes and she found herself frozen by it. “Did I leave a mark?” 

He did indeed leave her upper arms bruised and her wrist held a slight pain at the joint. 

“No. I’m fine.” Gyla forced a smile to her lips and turned to leave.

The duke blocked her path. 

“Do not lie to me, Gyla. Your guards have been huffy at my presence and I know the quiet lad-”

“Phlad,” she corrected with force. 

“Phlad,” he nodded, “is standing outside the entrance waiting for you.” 

Gyla glanced to where they had entered and sure enough, she saw the back of Phlad’s head over the bushes. 

“They are protective and you hurt my feelings,” she reminded him, coolly. “That is all.” 

“Let my physician look at you,” he persisted. 

“You are being autocratic, Your Grace,” Gyla hissed between clenched teeth. 

“Forgive me.” At last, Dominis stepped away. “I know I have caused more pain than just with my words.” 

“Amended already,” she reminded him and hiked up the shawl on her arms. “I will return to the ladies. You are taking us to Lindsor Patch tomorrow, are you not?”

“I am.”

“Then, I shall see you then.” Gyla fled from the garden. She grabbed Phlad and shoved him into a desolate corridor, out of sight. “Did Ajax or Naomi speak of the bruises?”

Phlad furiously shook his head. 

“They better not have. I am returning to the ladies. Go on now.” Phlad did as she commanded. Gyla returned to two curious ladies who shoved her into the sofa and bombarded her with questions. 

“No! I told you, the pursuit is over!” Neither lady believed her though.