Her heart swelled with love for him and she admired the proud line of his profile, the purpose in his grip on the reins. He was the kind of man she had always hoped to marry, yet she feared their union might soon be compelled toend.
There were no witnesses to their exchange of vows, and she knew her overlord was an ambitious man. Would he choose to ignore her marriage to Rolfe, because Rolfe had no wealth or land? Would Tulley care that their match wasconsummated?
Or would that simply diminish her ownprospects?
The silhouette of Beauvoir became clear, feeding Annelise’s doubts. Rolfe pushed onward, urging the horses forward when they might have faltered. There was no ready way to Viandin without passing through Tulley’s holding and Annelise knew they could not transverse the breadth of that holding withoutrest.
She did not trust the Lord de Tulley not to turn her presence into anasset.
“Do you intend to spend another night in the cold?” Rolfe asked, his tone teasing as he glanced toward her. “Truly, my Annelise, you slow your palfrey more andmore.”
“I would prefer we never arrive at Beauvoir keep,” sheadmitted.
“I would welcome shelter this night,” her spouse replied. “A place by the fire, a bite of stew, and my lady’s smile is all I need to becontent.”
Annelise could not summon the smile she knew he wished to see. “Beauvoir keep is Tulley’s abode, on the border of hislands.”
“So you have said before. Perhaps they will have word of your brother,Yves.”
“It was here that Tulley tried to compel me to wedEnguerrand.”
Rolfe granted her a look. “But he cannot do as muchnow.”
“He could accuse you of foulplay.”
“Nay.” Rolfe shook his head, his manner adamant. “Enguerrand was a villain and he threatened my lady wife with violence. He endeavored to kill me. I merely defended usboth.”
Annelise bit her lip. Rolfe did not know how demanding Tulley couldbe.
She jumped when his gloved hand fell over her own. He had slowed the destrier to ride beside her and leaned closer as he tightened his grip over her fingers. “Tell me what you fear, Annelise,” he invited, his gaze searchinghers.
“That Tulley will not acknowledge our match, for he did not arrangeit.”
“But we have consummated ourmarriage.”
“I fear that might only diminish my futureprospects.”
“Nay,” Rolfe said with conviction. “You are my wife and will remain so. I will fight every authority, from here to Rome and back again, to see that you remainso.”
“If Tulley believes Quinn to be dead, he might send me back to Sayerne, to be itslady.”
Rolfe nodded, untroubled by this prospect. “Then we shall govern it together and be good vassals to him.” He smiled at her. “We would have a holdingthen.”
Annelise winced. “I should hate to return there at all.” Sayerne was too filled with dark memories for her to find any happiness there and she knew itwell.
And she did not trustTulley.
Rolfe raised his gloved hand to her cheek. “All will be well, my Annelise,” he said softly. “I promise you asmuch.”
“The choice might not be yours to make,” she whispered, but he winked at her with a confidence that could only feed herown.
“Do you know something I donot?”
“Only that Quinn de Sayerne is notdead.”
“You know mybrother?”
“I fought with him in Outremer.” Rolfe lifted a finger when she might have protested. “And contrary to all that you have been told, he is a fine and honorable knight. I would trust him with my life.” Rolfe smiled. “It seems that you siblings have much in common, more even than the hue of youreyes.”
