(Isabel's POV)

Isabel tried to avoid Lord Goodwin's gaze at dinner, but she knew that she would have to change his bandage after the meal. Once dinner was finished, she got some bandages and sat on a stool near his seat.

She concentrated on unwrapping the bandage while Lord Goodwin listened to Sir Neville and Dustin talk about how the house was coming along. Isabel cleaned his arm as quickly as possible. She saw the scar from the wolf attack several years ago. How brave he was...

She saw Lord Goodwin looking at her. Sir Neville stood up, "Dustin could you take me to see the house?"

Dustin followed him out. Lord Goodwin didn't say anything, but she felt him watching her.

(John's POV)

John's heart seemed to beat faster as he stared at Isabel's face. He knew he needed to tell her about his plans to send her away to Rosings. Neville left them alone so she could reveal who hit the bailiff., but he couldn't do it. He would do it tomorrow, but right now... he just needed to be near her.

In the morning, he would find a way to get her to tell him who threw the rock. Once he has the information, he will send her away. 

His chest ached at the thought of sending her away, but he wouldn't think about that tonight. Besides, she wanted to go. He would grant her this wish.

"Isabel? What are you thinking?"

"I was just thinking about all of the things that have been happening lately and wondering how God could work them out for good. Like you didn't deserve to have your arm burned. How could that be a good thing? Or the crops getting burned, or Sir Neville's questions. How can all of that be good?"

"The Bible doesn't say that all these will be good. It also says that God works all things for good to those who love Him."

She seemed to think for a moment. "Do you love God?"

"Yes."

"Then I guess we should believe that all of this will be worked out for good."

"Yes, we should." She seemed to be afraid to look at him tonight. Did he scare her this morning when he hugged her? She didn't seem disgusted by him, she laid her cheek against his chest. But then she realized what she was doing and ran away. "I promise. It will be okay." He reached our and grabbed her hand.

Staring down at his hand, she nodded. After another minute or so, she continued to work on his bandage.

The next morning, John found Isabel in the kitchen. It has to be done. "Will you take a walk with me?

She nodded and put aside the bread dough that she was working on. Elizabeth gave her a look that made him wonder what they were talking about.

She followed him to where his house was being built. After a few moments, she asked, "How's the construction of your castle coming along?"

"Castle? Is that what you call it? I guess it looks a little like a castle. We just finished the foundation. I hope that I can move in before Christmas."

For a couple minutes, they watched the men work. 

"What do you think of my castle?"

"I can't believe how much has been done. They've been working quickly."

They watched the workers for a little bit more before John led her to a fallen tree where they could watch the workers without being seen.

He took a deep breath and began to speak, "We are friends, right?"

"Yes, my lord."

"You are not an ordinary servant. You're the daughter of a wealthy merchant."

"Maybe at one time, but my father died and his ships were lost. He died as a poor man."

"You still grew up in a wealthy home, you're educated, you know how to read and write, you've traveled to large cities. None of the other villagers have done that. What I'm trying to say is that there's no one here for you to marry." Except me. "And you told me once that you didn't want to marry. You want to move to another village. Is that still your plan?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Then I'll send you to Rosings. I know the lord and his wife. In fact, she's my aunt. I've already written to her and requested that you could work as one of her servants. I expect a reply soon. Are you okay with this?" He hid the emotions on his face as he stared at hers.

Her face showed joy. "Oh yes, my lord. I'm more than okay with this. But are you sure you want to send me away? I'm supposed to work for you for three years. I've barely begun."

"I don't want to send you away, but I want you to be safe. I will be sending you away in secret. Not even Miss Elizabeth knows. If Sir Neville finds out you are going away before his investigation is over, he will stop you. I want to help you escape before the people of Glynval find out you know who hit the bailiff."

"Won't Sir Neville come to the village and force me to tell him what I know?"

"No. You will be safe as long as you stay in their house." He took a deep breath. He wanted to tell her that she made him realize that there were good people in the world. How he enjoyed being with her and talking with her. 

Maybe he should tell her this, but it would only hurt their friendship. She would be afraid of him if she knew how he felt.

He sighed. He told her about his plans now he has to fulfill his promise to Neville and try to get the information from her.

"Isabel."

"Yes, my lord."

"Sir Neville and I know you saw who hit the bailiff. From what you said, he didn't intend to kill him, but the bailiff is still unconscious. I need you to tell me who was with you that night."

"How can I hurt him like this?" She turned to him with pleading eyes. "I know I shouldn't keep the information from you, but how can I betray a friend who was only trying to defend me from Bailiff Richard?"

John felt hot. Once again, he wished he had been the one who helped her.

"Isabel, if you tell me now, I will tell Sir Neville after you leave. And I will make sure the village knows that this person was only defending you from the bailiff." She seemed to be considering it. "I promise I'll do anything I can to keep this person safe. No one can blame him when they find out what the bailiff was doing to you."

"I don't want you to get blamed either." Tears swam in her eyes, but she blinked the tears away. "I'll tell you, but please promise me that you won't tell anyone unless you have to."

"I promise, but I also need you to tell me everything that happened. Don't leave anything out. Then when all of this is over, if the bailiff wakes up, he could be punished."

She stared down at the ground. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he held back.

She took a deep breath and began telling him about her walking through the woods to the outhouse. While she talked, she stared at the ground instead of him.

"He grabbed me. I tried to scream, but he put his hand over my mouth. I bit him on the hand, but he just held onto me tighter. He dragged me into the woods. He managed to take my knife, but I got away from him before he could really hurt me. I tripped and fell. I was so terrified. Then someone came and helped me up."

"Who was it? Was it Dustin?"

She shook her head.

"Was it Henry Stickmin?"

She bit her lip and nodded. "He heard my scream. I told him to run, but instead, he picked up a rock to defend us from the bailiff. If Henry hadn't been there, the bailiff might have... he would have..." She shook her head and wiped her face with her hands as tears began to fall down her face.

"So it was Henry."

She nodded.

He finally knew who protected Isabel, but seeing Isabel in tears made him feel sorry for forcing her to relive that night.

She looked at him and grabbed his wrist. "Please don't tell anyone. He begged me not to tell. He begged me. Please don't tell."