Wylyam noticed immediately that Elisabeth had became unsteady on her feet. When her arms reached out he instantly dropped the candle and reached out to meet her, allowing her hands to fall on his forearms. He, in turn gently took hold of her elbows to provide some additional support. His reaction was an instinctual response to help a woman about to collapse and not a conscious attempt to touch her in any way. While she did not immediately give way, nonetheless her tears and lack of color hinted that she may still be danger. As such, All Wil could think to do was continue to hold on to her as he tried to soften the blow his words had landed. It was ironic that he wanted to speak to her in order to lessen the burden he and Sir Philip had placed upon her family – and yet in that moment he felt he had accomplished the opposite.<br/><br/>The candle landed on a flagstone below them but did not extinguish itself. It continued to burn, perhaps even more brightly as the tallow flowed freely away from the wick. The light cast odd shadows across their faces as they continued their conversation. Wil’s expression of sincere concern was clear even in the dim light of small chamber.<br/><br/>“M’lady, Ah believe in my heart tha’ yer brother will be found innacent. Ah am tellin’ ye all this to try an’ help ease your woes; I beg ye to believe me.” His concerned expression fell into a friendly smile. “Please too – donna tell anyone that we spoke. Ah would draw the ire of th’ King for certain.”<br/><br/>In that moment it occurred to him that she was not going to collapse and yet they were still holding onto one another, however innocent that contact was. He looked down on her delicate fingers as they wrapped around his forearms and a dizzy feeling started to come over him. His cheeks blushed and his pupils dilated as he looked up at the beauty standing before him. He found it difficult to think or even breathe in her presence.