Annelise felt that she was being overwhelmed by his surety. He had a reply for every objection and, worse, she found her wish to deny him fading quickly. “I am certain, sir, that the novelty would fade. Marriage to me would suit you less well than youbelieve.”
He laughed then. “Do not have such little confidence in your charms, Annelise. I am convinced otherwise, that further acquaintance would only add to yourallure.”
Annelise flushed then, because he had to be mocking her. No man had ever spoken to her thus. “I fear you mock me,sir.”
“I know you aremistaken.”
“All the same, I would abandon your hospitality, sir. I thank you for offering me a haven, but would prefer toleave.”
“You choose the wolves over marriage tome?”
Annelise nodded. “Certainly,” she said, although she did not feel so resolute. “I shall leave first thing in themorning.”
He did not reply, but she felt his gaze uponher.
“With my horse.” Annelise swallowed. “Thank you again, sir, for your hospitality. Perhaps the next maiden will welcome youroffer.”
Still he did notspeak.
She held out the ring again, but he did not move to acceptit.
Had she injured his feelings? She felt a twinge of guilt then. He must truly be a fearsome sight. He must be lonely. While Annelise could feel compassion for him, she would not wed a man who refused to even show himself to her. She placed the ring on the flagstones between them rather than approach him again, then turned toleave.
Why had her heart clenched sotightly?
Why did she fear that she erred? Annelise knew she wasright.
* * *
She was Quinn’s sister.
Rolfe was well aware of his comrade’s demand that Rolfe and Niall keep away from his sister. It had become a jest, but also was about seduction and not marriage. Rolfe had been resolved to abandon his ways with the exchange of marriage vows, but knowing that Quinn would take poorly to any slight suffered by his sister only redoubled his determination to court the affection of his lady wifealone.
Annelise was even more lovely when awake and Rolfe found her unspeakably alluring. Though he could see the resemblance, she was vivacious while her brother was more somber. She had amber eyes like Quinn’s, but while the knight’s often glowed with deadly intent, the lady’s eyes flashed with a fire that heated Rolfe’s blood. He had no doubt that her passion would extend to all facets of life and that she would embrace every pleasure. He had vastly enjoyed their conversation and the speed of her wit, and already anticipated a merryunion.
But she meant toleave.
She would depart the palace and abandon its comforts rather than marry him. Perhaps she shared her brother’s skepticism of hisintentions.
Perhaps Rolfe’s charm hadfaded.
It was clear he needed to be more persuasive with Annelise. She must agree to wed him on this verynight.
He let her take a dozen steps before he spoke. “Not in the morning,” hedecreed.
Annelise glanced over her shoulder and Rolfe shook his head. “If you leave, my Annelise, you will leavenow.”
Her dismay was clear. “It is the darkest hour of the night!” she protested, turning to appeal to him. “You could not be socruel!”
“I fear I must be firm, Annelise,” Rolfe insisted. “You gave your word that you would wed me in exchange for being granted admission to my palace. Is that nottrue?”
Annelise exhaled and her lips set. “It is,sir.”
“And now you would rescind yourpledge.”
Annelise flushed. “You cannot wish to wed me, either, sir, not on so littleacquaintance...”
“But I do.” He shook a finger at her. “I would excuse you from your vow, but only if you left this very moment.” It was a risk, but he doubted she would takeit.
