A great cheer rang through the guardroom at Adrien’s entrance and meaty hands clapped her on the back until her shoulders began to feel quite sore. “Enough!” she cried. “For I’ve a suit of wedding clothes to find and a ring for my bride, and a thousand other preparations to make!”
“If the captain gives us leave—which I’m sure he must—I’ll muster a few of the lads to form an honour guard for you,” Ned promised.
“I cannot ask that favour of you, good Ned!” Adrien protested.
But Ned took her hand and looked her in the eye, and with an unwonted solemnity to his gruff voice, said, “You saved the life of my dearest friend, and so there’ll be no more talk of favours asked or offered, Adrien Weaver.” And then he tipped her a wink, at which Felix smiled in a fashion most unsubtle, and she saw to
