“He has to marry ye,” Jezebel insisted. “He has a contract with yer uncle. To break that contract would be to bring about your uncle’s wrath.”
“I understand that. But he does not want to marry right now.”
“Demand yer rights, m’lady. Don’t let him put you off like this.”
“I will not force him.”
Jezebel watched her lady slump in her chair, like a silken dove whose wings had just been clipped. It was only a matterof moments before the tears came. The mood of the room was heavy with sorrow and disappointment, so thick that it was palpable. It was suffocating. The little maid turned to the door.
“I shall go get ye a good draught of ale,” she said firmly. “Ye need something stronger than wine.”
Alixandrea did not even have the strength to respond. She continued to sit in the chair, wiping the tears that streamed down her cheeks, wondering if she would ever be able to right what she had apparently wronged.
*
Matthew and Markwere in their father’s chamber, just off the third floor landing. Adam sat in the corner, silently, watching his two sons as they peered from the cracked door. It was like watching two cats lie in wait for a mouse.
After several long minutes of watching and waiting, Matthew apparently saw something. He sank back against the wall nearest the door, his massive frame hidden by the shadows of the dark room. Mark was peering through the crack between the doorframe and the joints that held the door. They all heard shuffling on the third floor landing, a wisp of a shadow that passed through the light and was just as quickly gone. After what seemed like an eternity, Matthew finally moved out of the shadows.
“There she goes,” he whispered to Mark. “Luke and John will catch her downstairs and follow her to see where she goes.”
“She’s going right for that manservant to tell him that the wedding is off,” Mark said quietly. “You can bet on it.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“What do we do in the interim?”
“We wait. Our commanders know what is going on. They’ll keep an eye on the Whitewell troops. The next few hours shouldbe very confusing for them when the church bells don’t peal.” Matthew pushed the door open wider, eyeing the stairwell to make sure the maid was gone. “I want you out on the wall to keep an eye on what is going on in the ward. I will join you shortly. But right now, I do believe I have some explaining to do.”
They both knew what he meant. Mark wriggled his eyebrows. “Best of luck.”
“I may need it.”
Matthew mounted the stairs to the fourth floor two at a time until he reached the top floor. Softly, he rapped on Alixandrea’s door. He waited a nominal amount of time for her to answer and when she did not, he carefully pushed the door open.
The small room was warm and cozy. His blue eyes found Alixandrea seated in front of the hearth, her head in her hand. Gazing at her, he felt extremely guilty for what he had done. But it had been necessary. There was a spy in their midst, something he did not quite understand yet but soon would, and he had to deal with it on a moment-by-moment basis. Until he had a better grasp, there was no other choice. He only hoped that the lady could forgive him.
“My lady,” he said softly.
Alixandrea nearly jumped from her seat. The sight of her red-rimmed eyes nearly drove a knife through his heart. She was on edge, her bronze eyes eager, anxious, and sad.
“My lord,” she said quickly. “I thought it was the maid. I apologize for not answering the door.”
He put up his hands. “No apologizes, please,” he said. “For ’tis I who must apologize to you. What I said earlier… I am very sorry if I upset you. But if you will allow me to explain, you will see that it was necessary.”
He could read the emotions rolling across her face. Shock, surprise, relief… and finally curiosity. She shook her head, puzzled.
“I… I do not understand, my lord.”
“Matthew.”
Her expression folded into one of extreme confusion and a little frustration. “Matthew?”
His easy smile sparked. “Aye,” he said softly. “Would you sit down? I should like to speak with you.”
Woodenly, she obeyed. He pulled up the small three legged stool that lay propped against the hearth, settling his massive body atop it. As he looked at her, they were eye level and he could read the distress in her face. With regret for having caused it, he reached out and took her soft, warm hand in his great palm. Alixandrea watched him warily.
“I must ask you something,” he said quietly. “I would appreciate an honest answer.”
