“But that prospect is not before you. I have had word that Quinn will shortly return home to claim his legacy.” The overlord fixed his gaze upon Annelise. “Which leaves the issue of what to do with you. Perhaps Quinn had best resolve thematter.”
“I will not wait for my brother, regardless of what you deem his character to be,” Annelise said. “I have made my ownchoice...”
“I would never have permitted you to wed Enguerrand de Roussineau, regardless of how appealing his entreaties might have been!” Tulley jabbed his finger through the air at an astonished Annelise. “I was absent for but a month and all nearly came awry. I would have seen that match annulled, if I had to ride to Rome myself to make itso.”
“Truly?”
“Truly.” Tulley spoke with vigor. “The line of Roussineau is so badly tainted that the only sensible course is to let its seed die out.” He inhaled. “I should not say it aloud, but praise be that fool rode to hunt. The wolves have saved me a great deal oftrouble.”
“I never wanted to wed Enguerrand,” Anneliseadmitted.
“Truly?”
“Truly.” Annelise smiled as her overlord consideredher.
He frowned. “Perhaps you should return to the convent. Although, I would be more inclined to spend coin upon a dowry than a convent donation.” His gaze flicked to hers. “At least then your allegiance could yield tangiblebenefits.”
At that meager encouragement, Annelise took a deep breath and unclasped her hands. Tulley, who missed very little, immediately spied Rolfe’s ring upon her left hand. He rose to his feet again, his eyes flashing. “Tell me you did not wed without mypermission.”
“I did, sir.” Annelise swallowed. “It seemed only fitting, sir, especially as the knight and I were sequestered alone together at night, and he had saved mylife.”
Tulley exhaled, his gaze falling to the ring again. “And who performed the nuptialmass?”
“We exchanged a pledge with each other,” Annelise replied. “I have heard that such vows holdweight.”
“Yes,” Tulley admitted to her relief. “Among villeins, that practice is prevalent enough. Who might this knight be? Is the matchfitting?”
“He returns from Outremer where he has been oncrusade.”
Tulley’s eyes gleamed. “I find these credentials promising, but has he aholding?”
“No, my lord,” Annelise was compelled to admit. “He is a youngerson.”
Tulley frowned at her in disapproval. “Impetuous,” he muttered. “And what is hisname?”
“Rolfe deViandin.”
“Rolfe de Viandin! Let me see thatring.”
Annelise showed it to the older man, who threw back his head and laughed. “Annelise! This was the knight yourefused!”
Annelise blinked. “I do not believe as much,sir...”
“Yes, you did. Bertrand said that when he presented Hildegarde’s offer for your hand in marriage to her son, you declined and chose the convent instead. Hildegarde’s son is Rolfe deViandin.”
Annelise wasastonished.
“And he is a younger son without a holding no more, Annelise,” Tulley continued. “His brother hasdied.”
“How terrible. He will be disappointed by theloss.”
“But not by the gain, if he is a man of good sense.” Tulley fixed her with a look. “Ishe?”
“Yes,sir.”
“That is good news indeed.” Tulley’s eyes gleamed with amusement and satisfaction. “To think that I feared I might not be able to encourage you to make this match. It is a good one, Annelise, and an alliance I deem most fitting foryou.”
Annelise raised her hands to her mouth, not daring to laugh in her delight. Then Tulley grinned and Annelise could not help but smile in return. She sobered then, recalling her manners. “I am sorry to hear of Rolfe’s brother’sdemise...”
