The men stumbled to their feet, their eyes bleary from their indulgence in thewine.
“Boys!” Rolfe roared. “See to your knights, and makehaste.”
“There is no need to do as much,” Enguerrand protested, sensing his host’s urgency to see them gone. But the squires scampered this way and that, packing saddlebags and gathering armor, following Rolfe’s command instead ofEnguerrand’s.
“The horses must be tended,” Enguerrandprotested.
Rolfe smiled but there was no warmth in his expression. “You will find them saddled and stamping to leave by the time you reach the stables,” he saidsmoothly.
What secret did he want to keep fromEnguerrand?
It did not matter in the end, for all objections were dismissed. The rest of Enguerrand’s company seemed to take on their host’s urgency and it was not long before they were riding toward the gates under Rolfe’s watchful gaze. Enguerrand tried to delay their departure with fulsome thanks, but Rolfe gruffly interrupted him and bade him makehaste.
Their host eyed the sky. “Yes, the blizzard will return threefold by midday. Ride! Ride now for Beauvoir while you may!” He slapped the rump of one destrier as the gates opened and the knights lunged through the open portal. The palfreys followed the stallions, prancing in their desire torun.
Enguerrand reined in his steed with difficulty and eyed Rolfe. “I thank you for your hospitality,” he said, his tone acid. “No doubt we shall meetagain.”
His host smiled. There was something hungry about Rolfe’s expression, something that made Enguerrandshiver.
“No doubt,” that man said. “But know this, Enguerrand de Roussineau, you will never threaten my lady wife again and survive to see the nextdawn.”
“I have never threatenedAnnelise!”
“Have you not?” Rolfe stepped closer to the gates. “She was fearful when I returned and uncertain of your intent. That is a poor reward for her grace in inviting you to take refuge from thesnow.”
“I cannot imagine why she should have been concerned,” Enguerrand said. “We are old friends, Annelise andI...”
“You are a declined suitor, one whose offer was found inadequate,” Rolfe said, interrupting Enguerrand with resolve. Enguerrand did not appreciate the reminder of hisfailure.
“And what of you?” he challenged. “You keep her imprisoned here, far from society, beyond the reach of her overlord, hidden from her family. Only a dishonest man would do as much.” He dropped his voice low. “Or a man with a fearsomesecret.”
Rolfe laughed. “You are a fool, Enguerrand, to put such faith in the tales of bards. Any man of sense would know that such fables are entertainmentalone.”
“Any man of sense would know there is something amiss with thispalace.”
Rolfe stepped closer. “Any man of sense would know when he had exceeded his welcome.” The gates began to close and Enguerrand’s destrier moved toward the forest of its ownvolition.
“I will tell Tulley of this!” Enguerrandcried.
“I invite you to do so,” Rolfe said. He pointed. “Beauvoir and Tulley lie thatway.”
He stood there, indomitable and determined as the gates closed. Enguerrand eyed the smooth expanse of pale stone and his conviction that there was more to this situation grew. A few snowflakes fell and he spurred his horse, riding after his party. They were already a good distanceaway.
But it did not take long for Enguerrand to decide that there might be an easy way to discover why Rolfe wished him to leave before thedawn.
He would linger andwatch.
* * *
The cursed manhad an ability to delay matters beyond expectation. It was close to the dawn by the time the sound of the party’s horses faded. Rolfe could not wish Enguerrand far enough away. He paced in the garden, unwilling to awaken Annelise but wanting to talk to her as well. He had never been so conflicted in the past, so caught between his desire and his knowledge of the rationalchoice.
He sighed and turned, only to find his lady in the portal in her chemise. “I said it,” she whispered. “And you aredispleased.”
Rolfe strode to her side and smiled. “On the contrary, I am delighted by yourconfession.”
She studied him, those wondrous eyes almost glowing. “But you do not respond in kind. Do you not wish to break thecurse?”
“I do not believe matters to be sosimple.”
