Annelise saw no reason to be shy. She curtseyed before him. “Good evening. I trust that you are the lord of thisestate?”
“Indeed, I am,” he responded. His voice was deep, and Annelise thought she could hear a smile in his tone. “And you are the lady who sought refuge here thisday?”
“Iam.”
“And yourname?”
“Annelise. Annelise deSayerne.”
He moved as if startled by the confession, although Annelise could not imagine why. “I am most pleased to make your acquaintance.” He bowed slightly, but contributed no additionalinformation.
“I apologize, but I did not note your name,sir.”
“That was because I did not mentionit.”
“And youare?”
“A man with no name, as far as you areconcerned.”
Annelise caught her breath in surprise and he chuckled at herresponse.
“You laugh at me,” she charged and he did laughthen.
“I am delighted by you. It isdifferent.”
Annelise found herself blushing, because she could not forget that he had looked upon her in her bath. “I fail to see any source of amusement in oursituation...”
“I am not amused, Annelise. I merely enjoy your company.” He reached out and touched her chin with a gentle fingertip. Annelise hated that even his hand was gloved, though the leather was soft upon her skin. “Your spirit is beguiling, myAnnelise.”
Her mouth went dry. Her name sounded like a caress on his tongue. “I am not your Annelise,sir.”
“But you soon willbe.”
Annelise shook her head. “No, I willnot.”
His tone hardened. “But youpromised...”
“Anyone would have agreed to any term to escape the wolves!” she protested. “But the condition is absurd. You cannot intend that we should marry, simply because I came to your gates in search ofaid...”
“But Ido.”
“That makes little sense, sir. I would choose to wed a sensibleman.”
“Do you not believe in destiny, my Annelise? Perhaps the Fates brought you to my palace, because our futures areentwined.”
She eyed him, sensing that he did not believe his own words. “I do believe in destiny, sir, and in love, but I think you donot.”
He laughed again. “And what need have you to see my face, my Annelise, when you can see my heart so easily? You are right about myskepticism.”
“Then why would you make such ademand?”
“Perhaps I have no choice.” He leaned closer and she could almost discern the gleam of his eyes in theshadows.
“Whynot?”
“I cannot confide that in you, notnow.”
“Notever?”
