(Isabel's POV)

Isabel woke up the next morning with an unsettled feeling in her stomach. But surely it was only because she was leaving today. Leaving Gynval and moving to another village was what she wanted, wasn't it? Besides, there was no one here who cared about her, not even her own family. And what friends did she have? Even her friendship with Henry felt different after everything that happened. Maybe he would marry Naomi and have a family. He would have no time for her.

The only other friend she would be leaving behind would be Miss Elizabeth.

And Lord Goodwin.

She couldn't bear the thought of never talking to him again. Would he be alright? Who would take care of him if ever hurt himself again.

He was the lord. He had servants to take care of him. Why was she having these thoughts? Maybe she was only afraid of leaving home and going somewhere new and having to live with strangers. She couldn't change her mind now, could she?

How would he feel if she told him she didn't want to leave, that she would miss him and would worry about him too much, that he made her feel safe?

She couldn't say that.

She pulled out her belongings from under her bed when the door opened and Miss Elizabeth stepped into the room, holding a candle that lighted up her face. She made her way to Isabel, being careful not to wake up the other girls.

"Time to go, child. Ready to go?"

"Yes." Together, they made their way out of the door.

Dustin jumped down from his horse and helped tie down Isabel's bag on her horse. Then he helped the women mount their horses, and they were off.

No one spoke as they began their journey through the village. The sun was just rising as villagers came out of their houses and got ready for the new day.

Isabel noticed a group of people surrounding Richard, whispering to each other. The sight made her heart drop to her stomach. Miss Elizabeth had her head down and didn't notice anything, but Dustin's face showed confusion. He slowed down his horse and dismounted. 

Isabel got off her horse and joined him. His eyes were focused on the group as he took a step forward.

"Wait." She grabbed his arm, stopping him. "If you walk up to them, they'll recognize you, and they'll stop talking. Let's hide our horses and sneak up behind them."

He nodded.

They started walking their horses towards the trees on the side of the road.

"What's wrong?" asked Miss Elizabeth.

"Dustin and I are going to find out what those people are saying."

Just as they reached the trees, Anastasia came running down the road. Isabel waved her hands and caught her attention, and Anastasia ran over.

"Something is happening."

"What is happening?" Isabel demanded.

"Richard is stirring up the people against Lord Goodwin. They're planning on attacking his house this morning."

"Why?"

"He says that Lord Goodwin is cursed and that it will get worse. He also said Lord Goodwin is to be blamed for what happened to him. He told the villagers to get rid of Lord Goodwin."

She turned around and started walking in the woods, the group following her. She turned her attention to the group. Richard raised his voice and soon the villagers were pumping their fists in the air. She made out the words "curse" and "put an end to" and "Lord Goodwin."

Then, the group all went their separate ways.

A woman and her son walked by and were stopped by another woman in front of where Isabel was hiding. Isabel asked, "What's happening?"

"Bailiff Richard and the men are going to burn the house down with Lord Goodwin in it."

"Burn the lord's house?"

"Yes. Richard stirred them all up. The men have all gone home to gather weapons and torches. Today is the day the lord dies. If he isn't killed, they'll run him back to where he came from. I suppose he deserves it..."

Isabel didn't hear the rest. She turned back to the group. "We must go back to the house. Lord Goodwin is in danger."

"What did they say?" Miss Elizabeth asked.

"The people want to kill Lord Goodwin. They're going now to burn down his house with him inside." As she said those words, a fire rose up inside of her. They will NOT hurt Lord Goodwin!

"How could anyone...?" Miss Elizabeth looked pale as sweat broke out on her forehead.

The determined look on Dustin's face told Isabel he was with her. 

"Let's go!"

Slowly, Dustin shook his head. "I will go, but you and Miss Elizabeth should stay here. I promised Lord Goodwin that I would keep you safe. Besides, there is nothing you can do against an angry mob."

She turned away from him. Miss Elizabeth wouldn't be any help. She looked like she was having a mini panic attack. Isabel leapt on her horse and started riding her horse back to the house. Instead of going to the house, she went around the house to the building where the men workers slept. She slid off her horse and banged on the door. She yelled, "Lord Goodwin is in danger! Please help!"

She continued to pound on the door until one of the men opened the door.

"What's going on?"

"The villagers are trying to kill Lord Goodwin," Isabel said loudly enough for the men inside to hear.

A few shouts broke up as she backed away from the door as the men came out carrying weapons as if they were prepared.

She mounted her horse again and urged the horse across the clearing behind the lord's house. Her heart pounded with the beat of the horses hooves. I have to save him.

Why? the voice in her head asked. Why do you have to save him? 

The voice answered itself. Because you love him.

I do! I do love him!

She had loved him for a while now, and she suddenly wanted to tell him. But first she had to get to him before it was too late.

She held on tighter to the reins as the horse went up the hill towards the house.

What would she say to Lord Goodwin? I love you? I've wanted to kiss you for weeks? She almost laughed. Obviously she was delusional.

As she got to the top of the hill, the thoughts left her. Standing on the lawn were villagers. Not only men but women also. Every one of them held a weapon and several of them carried torches. 

To her right, a man stood holding a bow with arrows ready to be released. Then she saw who he was aiming at. Lord Goodwin stood in the doorway with the door opened behind him.

The man let the arrow fly and her heart stopped beating. The arrow sliced through the air and struck Lord Goodwin in the leg, propelling him through the door.

From where she was at the bottom of the hill, Isabel could see the bright red blood on his leg.

She screamed and Lord Goodwin looked away from the mob.

"Isabel!" he yelled. "Get away from here!"

She ignored his command and urged her horse forward, ignoring the shouts from the villagers. When she got to the front door, she jumped down from the horse's back. Lord Goodwin's pants were torn towards the bottom of his leg. Blood trickled out of the tear. She grabbed his arms and tugged him inside. She kicked the door shut behind them.

Dropping to her knees besides his injured leg, she inspected his injury. "Oh, thank goodness." It was only a nick, not very deep.

"Isabel, get out of here." He grabbed her by her elbows and pulled her to her feet. "Get away from her before you get hurt." 

"No. I won't let them hurt you."

"You will because it doesn't matter." He let go of her and took a step back and ran a hand through his hair. "You should be on your way to Rosings right now. I don't want you to get hurt because of me." He grabbed her shoulders. "Don't you understand? They came here to kill me. There is nothing you can do."

"Your men are coming. I told them to come with their weapons-"

"I'll stop them." He took a step towards the door and started to open it.

"No! They'll kill you!" She grabbed his hand to stop him.

"They'll kill my men! I can't let them do that."

Without any plan, Isabel opened her door and stepped out.

"Stop! Isabel!"

She ignored Lord Goodwin. Isabel stood with one hand on her hip as Lord Goodwin came to stand beside her with his hand on her arm, ready to yank her back inside at any moment.

The villager's faces were filled with hate and anger. They shouted stuff towards her and Lord Goodwin while they were raising their weapons over their heads. 

Isabel yelled in her loudest voice. "Stop! I have something to say!"

The shouting quieted but the looks of anger stayed.

"What are you doing here with your torches and weapons?"

Richard stepped forward. "We are here to right the wrongs made against us by this man, John Goodwin. He deserves to die!"

The men shouted behind them as they all raised their weapons.

In a strong and steady voice, she yelled, "Your lord has done nothing worthy of death."

A few men shouted and cursed back at her, Richard being the loudest.

God, help me. What should I say now?

"Will you kill your own lord for crimes he never committed? Will you kill a man who has been nothing but kind to you?"

They lowered their weapons and torches. Some of the men's faces softened.

"Would a man who had burned your grain buy new grain so you wouldn't starve? Lord Goodwin has helped you!"

"Are you going to listen to this- this little girl?" Richard yelled, facing the crowd. "What has Lord Goodwin done for you? For any of you?"

"Let her speak!" a man from the crowd shouted.

"Richard has said nothing but lies about your lord. If you were injured and scarred, would you want someone saying you were cursed?"

A few murmurs went through the crowd. "Don't listen to her!" Richard yelled at the crowd.

The workers shouted at Richard, stepping closer to him. Lord Goodwin pulled on her arm. "Let's get inside now."

Miss Elizabeth and Dustin had arrived on their horses and started making their way towards them. She ignored Lord Goodwin and motioned for them to stop and stay where they were. 

Isabel went on. "Richard has lied to each and every one of you, and he's lying right now. Lord Goodwin is an honorable man. He wants you to think that Lord Goodwin doesn't care about you, but that isn't true. Lord Goodwin isn't trying to kill you or trick you."

Slowly, one by one, the men lowered their heads. No one except Richard would meet her eye.

"Don't listen to her! She's lying! Do you believe Lord Goodwin cares about you? You're fools." Richard's face was turning red.

The men turned around and started walking back to the village. That's when she saw her brother, Thomas walking with them, looking sheepish as he tried to hide his weapon and torch.

Richard waved his arms. "Where are you going? Be men! Are you going to listen to this girl? You're all fools! Fools!"

The entire mob left and eventually, Richard followed them. Isabel stepped inside and Lord Goodwin followed her, closing the door.

She threw her arms around him. Then she remembered that he was bleeding. "Let me take care of your leg." She took his hand and led him to a chair and knelt beside him.

He focused his gaze on her face. "You shouldn't have come."

She glared at him. "A nice thing to say to me when I just saved your life."

"I didn't want you to come back. I didn't want you to get hurt."

"I'm not hurt."

"You were amazing out there." A smile started to form on his lips.

"Does your leg hurt?" Isabel examined his leg. The bleeding seemed to have stopped. "Should I bandage it?"

"No. You should go now. Go to Rosings. Your work here is done."

"I don't want to go."

"Don't want to go? Why?"

She shook her head. This was harder than she thought. She wouldn't go without telling him she loved him. 

"Why don't you want to go?" He repeated.

She swallowed nervously. "I-I don't want to leave you."

"Don't want to leave me? Why not?" He leaned closer. "Tell me the truth, Isabel. Do you want to go to Rosings."

She didn't even have to think about it. She shook her head. "No, I don't. Please don't send me away, my lord."

He sat back in his chair and looked away. "Sir Neville said truth and justice were the most important things. But we both realized it isn't. Love and mercy are much greater."

The look on Lord Goodwin's face revived her hope. He did love her. Why else did he look at her that way? 

She grabbed his hand and spoke quickly. "I love you. I'm so sorry I didn't realize it sooner. Please don't send me away."

His shoulders straightened. "You love me? How...?"

"I do love you." 

"What about this?" He said, pointing at his scars.

She leaned closer and kissed the scars on his cheek.

"Isabel."

"Your scars only make me love you more. They remind me that you are a hero. I love you. Please say you love me too." She bit her lip and held her breath as she waited for his reply.

He leaned closer. "If you love me, kiss me."

Her stomach flipped, but she didn't hesitate. If he wanted proof, she would gladly give him proof. She pressed her lips against his.

His arms went around her and pulled her against his chest as he kissed her back.