Be condemned to wed him despite hiscurse.
And let the one in whom heconfides,
Lead a killer to hisside.”
Annelise gasped. “Akiller?”
Rolfe onlynodded.
She raised a hand to her lips, thinking furiously. “Surely, he wouldnot...”
“I think he is precisely the manner of man who might think it a good plan to see you widowed. Why, you could be married again before reaching Beauvoir to consult with your overlord,Tulley.”
While Rolfe was calm, Annelise was outraged. “The fiend! If he believes that I would accept him under any circumstances, let alone after he did such a feat, then he is afool...”
Rolfe’s finger landed upon her lips, silencing her. “I do not mean to die, my Annelise.” He spoke with complete conviction, but Annelise was afraid forhim.
“I do not doubt that you could defend yourself well in this form, sir, but what about during theday?”
“I confess that is why I was reluctant to confide inyou.”
“That is only half the tale,” Annelise guessed, and his gaze flicked to hers so quickly that she knew she was right. “What did Rosalinde do toyou?”
Rolfe shook his head. “Why should we taint a fine night abed with such discussion? We have already talked about Enguerrand for longer than he deserves. I would hear you make that cry, my Annelise...” He pulled her down for a kiss, but Annelise only brushed her lips across his, bracing her hands on hischest.
“You evade my question again,” she charged and he smiledslowly.
“And I am caught again.” He lifted a brow, looking mischievous, wicked and utterly alluring. “What price will you demand of me, mylady?”
“Thetruth.”
He made a face and sat up, lifting her into his lap again. “Make a less predictable choice, Annelise,” hesaid.
“Tell me about Rosalinde and then I will,” shecountered.
He laughed. “Make it worth my while,Annelise.”
“I will.” Their gazes held for a charged moment and Annelise’s heart squeezed tightly at even the possibility of her losing this man from her side. She realized in that moment that she had utterly lost her heart to him, that with his trust, her capitulation was complete. Would that break the curse and ensure that he was a man from this night forth? Annelise ardently hoped asmuch.
He pressed a kiss to her temple, tangling them together, and she knew he was choosing his words. She had complete faith that he would confide in her and waitedpatiently.
“Rosalinde was a beauty beyond compare,” he said finally. “I met her at the home of my maternal uncle, where I trained for my spurs, near Vézelay. She was a cousin of his wife, so I saw her first at the Yule. She had hair of brightest gold, a lovely sweet face, and eyes as blue as the midsummer sky.” The admiration in Rolfe’s voice as he recalled this woman made Annelise’s mouth go dry. “I had never seen a maiden who was so very beautiful and I was lost with but aglimpse.”
Annelise leaned her face against his chest to hide her expression. She reminded herself that she had demanded this tale, and that she doubted it would endwell.
“I was astonished when she smiled at me. I thought she was merely polite, but over the following year—at Easter, at St. John’s Day, at the feast of the local saint in the parish church—each time I saw her, she granted me encouragement. She gave me a ribbon from her hair the next Yule and I was overwhelmed. At Epiphany, she gave me a kiss upon mycheek.”
His hand rose to tangle in Annelise’s loose hair. “I was young. I was seduced by a pretty face and a charming smile. I knew nothing of her nature or her heart, but desire burned within me. In hindsight, I am certain she knew it and tempted me apurpose, though at the time, I thought our pairing might be destined tobe.”
A cup of wine appeared beside the bed and Rolfe took it in his hand, offering Annelise a sip before he drank some himself. “It was Midsummer when we rode to her family abode for her older brother’s wedding. I had earned my spurs and would be returning to Viandin after this journey—my uncle had invited me to linger to add another knight to the splendor of their party. Of course, once I saw Rosalinde, all the rest was as dust to me. She sought me out over those three days, time and again. She admired the sword my father had sent for my knighting. She confessed herself to be impressed by the destrier my uncle had bestowed upon me as a gift. There was a tournament to celebrate the wedding, and she tied her ribbon to my spear, cheering for me as Icompeted.”
“Did you win?” Annelise dared to ask. She felt himnod.
“I did. And she claimed a token of my affection as her reward. She led me to the garden where she granted me a kiss that set my very soulaflame.”
Annelise blinked, but Rolfe chuckled and tightened his grip upon her. “It was a chaste kiss, Annelise, but my first from a beauty. It was novelty that made it potent, I fear, not the lady’s allure or even her amorous skills. I dared to ask for her hand in marriage in itswake.”
He fell silent then and Annelise wondered why. She eased back and looked up at him, seeing that he was lost in thememory.
