Enguerrand straightened and brushed off his cloak as if unconcerned. Annelise was not fooled. She could fairly smell the anger in him and it terrifiedher.
“Do not concern yourselves,” he said in a low voice, his gaze rising to fix on Annelise. “I have always enjoyed women of spirit. I am certain the lady can be convinced of my...ardor.”
Annelise swallowed but did notflinch.
“Perhaps you will have no such opportunity,” Bertrandsaid.
Enguerrand tossed the weight of his cloak over his shoulder as he turned to Bertrand. “What do youmean?”
“Hildegarde de Viandin seeks a wife for her son. Yves and I were discussing the terms of our agreement that Annelise should be thatbride.”
Already he spoke of it as an agreement! Annelise kept silent, though, wondering if it would be better to wed a stranger thanEnguerrand.
“Who is this son?” Enguerrand asked, his mannerhaughty.
Bertrand consulted the missive, though surely he knew the answer. “A knight who has taken up the cross—the younger son, name ofRolfe.”
“So, he is in Outremer?” Enguerrand scoffed. “This lady has no need of a spouse far away in the HolyLand.”
Annelise arched a brow that this knight was so convinced of her needs, without knowing any detail of her beyond her name andorigin.
“He is expected home soon,” Bertrand said. “He sent word to his mother from Outremer that he rode forhome.”
Enguerrand threw out his hands. “But if this Rolfe never returns, then where would our fair Annelise be? Do you imagine Hildegarde would show compassion for a mere fiancé? Their match would not even beconsummated!”
Bertrand bristled. “How dare you imply that Rolfe will not arrive home?” he demanded. “How dare you imply that Hildegarde’s intent is less thanhonorable?”
“Admit the truth, Bertrand,” Enguerrand replied. “You do not even know whether this knight still draws breath. There have been many casualties in the East, and this man might well have been amongthem.”
“Rolfe is bold in battle!” Bertrand insisted. “He is the son of a noble and esteemed family who will treat his intended bride well. He is on the route forhome!”
But he would marry the bride his mother had chosen for him, without a word of protest. Annelise did not make the protest. She realized that she wanted to wed for love and to wed a man who could make a decision forhimself.
She would have a husband who believed in the merit oflove.
Her father might have told her that she wished for too much and she guessed that Bertrand wouldagree.
“Enguerrand’s concern is not unfounded,” Yves said to Bertrand. Enguerrand smiled. “My only goal is to see Annelise safe in my absence. Perhaps it would be best to await this Rolfe’s return before committing to the match. She could remain here, at Beauvoir, under yourprotection.”
Bertrand shook his head. “What if your brother Quinn returns home first? We have all heard the horrible tales of his cruelty. Surely you cannot imagine that he will have any concern for your welfare or that of your sister? She would be a pawn to him and no one would be able to protest his legal right to do with her as he chose.” Annelise locked her hands together, thinking of this prospect. Bertrand was firm. “The lady’s future must be assuredimmediately.”
“In contrast to this possibly deceased man,” Enguerrand said, “I am here this very day, bearing gifts for the delightful Annelise. Surely, Yves, my offer bodes better for the future of your lovelysister.”
“We all know the handicap of Roussineau,” Bertrand noted. “Even the second son of Viandin would be better situated than the heir ofRoussineau.”
Enguerrand flushed, which told Annelise that Bertrand was too close to the truth forcomfort.
“Roussineau is a holding of much potential,” Enguerrandargued.
Particularly, Annelise concluded, if he could marry into a larger and better-situated holding. Sayerne had been badly abused in the last years of her father’s life, and certainly had been poorly managed, but at least the fields werefertile.
Unlike Roussineau. Annelise had heard about its setting in the foothills, rife with boulders and stones. There was precious little soil between the rocks, and even less sun, with mountains surrounding Roussineau to the west and south. She knew that the vein of silver mined there in the past had beendepleted.
“Have the tithes improved at Roussineau of late, Enguerrand?” Yvesasked.
Annelise cast a glance across the hall that her brother chose toignore.
Enguerrand smiled. “Roussineau may be a small holding, but it is adequate to see to your sister’s needs and safety. I am not without ambition, though, and imagine that your charming sister will be more finely housed within shortorder.”
