“She changed,” he said softly, then shook his head. “The sweet maiden I had seen was banished and in her place was a clerk of stern visage. She demanded to know the precise amount of my wealth and my prospects. I admitted that I was a younger son and landless, that I would have to seek my fortune. I dared to take her hand and confess myself glad that we would have affection between us and that love might light ourfuture.”
Again he fell silent. Annelise put her hand over his. “She did not agree?” sheprompted.
Rolfe shook his head. “She laughed. She mocked me for such folly. I persisted, despite the change in her manner which worried memightily.”
“You are not a man to readily abandon your path,” Annelise saidquietly.
Rolfe chuckled. “Not me. I said I would ask my father to entrust a small holding to my care. I said I would ride to the tournaments and seek my fortune. I said I would do whatever was necessary to see her happiness complete.” He shook his head. “She told me I was not worthy of cleaning her shoes, that she saw sufficient poverty amongst the villeins of her father’s estate and that she would never wed a man who was not rich beyondall.”
He grimaced. “I did not believe her. She told me she would wed an elderly neighbor of her father, a baron who had more wealth than he could count. This was a change from what I knew of her, though indeed, I knew little. I confess I remained incredulous that the beauty I so adored could possess such avarice. I saw her eyes glint with malice, though I did not immediately guesswhy.”
“What did shedo?”
“She screamed and tore her own kirtle before my eyes. She cried that I attacked her, that my lust had made me indecent. She roused her father’s guards and they set upon me, like a common thief.” Rolfe’s gaze chilled as he looked down at Annelise. “I was humiliated before my uncle and patron, because our host believed hisdaughter.”
“You were not the sole one deceived, then,” Annelisewhispered.
“I was not, but I never forgot that day, and how my trust of a beauteous maiden led mefalse.”
“Do you fear that will happen again?” Annelise had to ask and her heart pounded as her husband smiled down ather.
“Not with you, Annelise, for your beauty goes to your very marrow.” He spoke with conviction and awe, his fingertips trailing over her cheek as he surveyed her. His voice was husky. “You are a marvel, my Annelise, for you have taught me the merit of trust onceagain.”
“Perhaps you were simply waiting for me,” she dared to say and he laughedaloud.
“Tell me of destiny, my lady. Tell me our match was fated to be.” He lifted his brows. “I do come to consider as much myself.” He kissed her so thoroughly that she could have no doubt of his sincerity. It was on the tip of her tongue to confess her love, but Annelise feared he might not be ready to respond in kind—and she knew it would devastate her if he could not do asmuch.
“And now, Annelise,” he murmured against her throat. “I believe we have a task that needs to be done. I would hear you call my name in your pleasure.” His eyes gleamed with sensual intent as he looked down upon her and she felt a quiver of anticipation. “Where would you have mebegin?”
