His gaze locked with hers, and Annelise found herself staring into eyes that were familiar, yet not. Quinn’s amber eyes were so like her son’s, so like her father’s, yet filled with a compassion unknown to Jerome deSayerne.
That gave Annelise the confidence to approach him. Rolfe waited behind as she crossed the garden one step at a time. Annelise had never met a man who could keep his true feelings from reflecting in his eyes, and Quinn’s were so warm that she felt her doubts meltingaway.
He smiled a slow and encouraging smile, one that reminded her of her mother. It was a marvel to her to see the echo of both father and mother in his features, as well as a faint reminder of her own son’sface.
“Blood of my blood,” he whispered, as though he could not believe she was before him. He dropped to one knee before her and took her hand in his. “Annelise de Sayerne, I am most pleased to finally make your acquaintance,” he said, and brushed a kiss across herknuckles.
“As am I to meet you, Quinn deSayerne.”
Quinn smiled up at her, his gaze dancing over her features. “You look so much like her,” hewhispered.
Annelise’s heart skipped a beat. “Who?” she asked, knowing all the while who he mustmean.
“Our mother, of course.” Quinn shook his head as he studied her. “But there is a strength about you that she never had. I can see it in your eyes, feel it in your grip.” His fingers tightened on Annelise’s hand before he rose. “I am sorry that you were forced to learn that strength so early and while soalone.”
“Why did you leave her?” The question fell from Annelise’s lips with less grace than might have been ideal. She hoped her question did not sound like an accusation. “How could you have abandoned her? You had to know that he would strike heragain.”
Pain filled Quinn’s eyes and he looked away. His voice, when he spoke, was strained. “She would not come.” He cleared his throat and looked back at Annelise with new intensity. “She refused to leave him. We argued long over the matter, but she insisted that I was only a child and could not understand. I believe now that she feared no other man would have her, that Jerome alone could see her sheltered andfed.”
“She was wrong,” Annelise whispered. “You should have forced her toleave!”
Quinn’s expression turned sad. “She refused, Annelise. And Jerome swore before Tulley that the beatings would stop. Tulley insisted that I leave immediately, that I accompany him that very moment.” He shook his head. “There was nothing I could do but hope for the best.” His voice faded. “I was only aboy.”
With that heartfelt confession, Annelise knew her fears had beenunfounded.
Quinn intended her no harm. He, she could already see, was the complete opposite of their father. He was so still, so thoughtful, so resolute. There was not a line of cruelty in his features or demeanor. Her overwhelming sense was that he was kind and just. That Rolfe thought highly of him could only mean that Quinn shared her husband’s honorablenature.
Annelise claimed his hand, seeing how he blamed himself and how the responsibility was not his to bear. Her vision blurred with unexpected tears. “You could not haveknown.”
Quinn frowned. “I could have known, if Tulley had sent word. For whatever reason, he told me nothing of what happened at Sayerne, though he kept a close eye on my whereabouts.” His gaze bored into Annelise’s own. “Perhaps he feared that if I had known the truth, I would have challenged my father moreseriously.”
“And what would have been the harm inthat?”
Quinn grimaced. “I was too young to rule Sayerne well, especially after our father’s lax administration. Even now, if I did not have Melissande at my side, the task would beinsurmountable.”
Annelise must have looked puzzled, for Quinn smiled slightly. “My wife, Melissande d’Annossy. Tulley did us the great favor of insisting we wed. She awaits in the hall, for she tires easily now that she is with child.” His eyes twinkled. “I think you might have much in common withher.”
Annelise recognized the name of Sayerne’s highborn and reputedly beautiful neighbor. But because of Annelise’s years in the convent, the two women had nevermet.
“What would I have in common with your wife?” Annelise asked with a smile, for she knew he teasedher.
“Your doubt of my character,” Quinn replied with a smile of his own. “It took me many months to convince her that I was as different from our father as could be. He left a long shadow, did Jerome deSayerne.”
Blood of her blood, as he had said. She and Quinn shared a legacy—one that had had its pain, to be sure, but the bond between them would be greater forit.
Annelise did not relinquish her grip on his hand. “Then we shall create a new legacy,” she said with conviction. “One so bright and noble that Jerome’s shadow will be eclipsed, perhaps evenforgotten.”
Quinn smiled slowly. “Yes. Yes, Annelise, let us do that.” He kissed her fingers again and bowed to her, then turned and escorted her to Rolfe’s side. Quinn shook Rolfe’s hand with hearty vigor. “I thank you, Rolfe. Who would have thought the company of rogues and angels would have brought me a sister sofine?”
They laughed together at what was obviously a familiarjest.
Rolfe’s gaze landed upon Annelise. “Yes, fine she undoubtedly is.” He extended a hand to her and she moved to his side, her heart swelling withjoy.
She had another brother, a family both past and present. This was more, so much more, than she had ever dreamed she might call herown.
And she had Rolfe to thank for itall.
“If you will forgive me,” Quinn said. “I would see that Melissande is at ease.” He bowed again then strode to the hall, his concern for his wife clear. Annelise smiled at the sight, very glad that both she and her brother had made matches oflove.
