The sound did not improve his temper. It was clear to Rolfe that Annelise both knew and disliked the one man who spoke the most. Rolfe himself heard how provocative that man was, and disliked him as well, without even the benefit of having methim.
Enguerrand, she calledhim.
Rolfe wished he knew what lies she had been compelled to tell on his behalf and the earlier part of their conversation filled his thoughts like a memory. So, he was at hunt. That was a clever notion on her part. And she had invited them into the palace out of compassion, though he heard the uncertainty of the wisdom of her choice in hertone.
He wished for heavy garb, such as a man would wear to hunt, and found it at his fingertips. He tugged on the heavy boots and the leather jerkin, then pulled his mail hauberk over it. He pulled on heavy gloves and a thick cloak lined with fur. A small bow hung from his side and there was a quiver upon his back. He donned his belt, with his quillon dagger in its sheath. With a look and a thought, there was blood on the blade. Rolfe raised the hood, thinking he should be embellished with snow if he had just arrived, and found that he was so. He wished for more horses, and a kill for hisfist.
As he was walking to the palace with his burden of hares and partridges, he had a thought that might have come to him earlier. He wished for a bevy of servants, eager boys who had accompanied him to hunt, a captain-at-arms, an ostler, and a steward. His wish filled the stables with their horses and trap, and their noise echoed through the courtyard. He wished for two of them to be carrying a dead boar, its feet bound to a pole, to give him a tale for his latearrival.
He strode to the palace, well pleased with his scheme even as he heard this Enguerrand imply that some bard’s tale was the truth of Rolfe’s palace. It was the truth, but Enguerrand had no right to knowit.
He certainly had no right to worryAnnelise.
“Annelise!” Rolfe roared, like a man coming home. “What a day! We return in triumph, lady mine.” He had a moment to note that the board was loaded with food and wine, and to take satisfaction in the bounty of his hospitality. He noted the three knights, two of which were nearly besotted, and easily identified the one who made trouble forAnnelise.
Rolfe decided to let the cur wait. He would ignore him for as long aspossible.
“Sir!” Annelise cried, her relief more than clear. She ran to Rolfe, her eyes alight, and he caught her close, swinging her around with satisfaction. She was trembling ever so slightly and he yearned to shred the man responsible for his lady’s concern. She reached up and kissed him, then leaned her cheek against his own. “I feared for you in the storm,” she confessed, though he knew there was more at root thanthat.
“Ah,” he said heartily. “I forgot myself. I owe you an apology,Annelise.”
“But you had a successful day, itappears.”
“It was a charmed hunt, to be sure. Look at that boar!” He chuckled. “But you know how I can never leave a matter be. Even the boar was not sufficient to satisfy me.” Annelise smiled up at him, apparently also content to let Enguerrand wait. “There was a buck of such majesty that I felt compelled to pursue it. He was clever, though, andwily.”
“Even more wily than the boar?” Anneliseasked.
Rolfe nodded. “Even so.” He sighed and touched her cheek with his fingertip. “I confess I failed to bring you more venison in the end, myAnnelise.”
“It is sufficient for me to have you home and hale,” she said softly, her eyesshining.
Rolfe kissed her again, well aware that their guests watched him with interest. He lifted his fistful of game and called to one of the boys. Annelise’s eyes widened ever so slightly as the company of his servants came into view. “Boy! Take these to the kitchens, then all of you, come and restore yourselves. We have had a long day of riding.” The servants surged forth, taking their seats at the board, and the hall filled with the sound of their chatter. “But tell me, Annelise, who owns the six steeds new to thestables?”
“We have guests, my lord,” she said and gestured to the men. Rolfe pretended to have just noticed them. “This is Enguerrand de Roussineau and hiscompanions.”
“Guests on such a night as this,” Rolfe exclaimed. “Who would have anticipated as much?” He shed his gloves and shook the hands of the knights, showing no expectation of a reply. He noted that Enguerrand was a little discomfited and was glad of it. “Welcome. I trust you have refreshedyourselves?”
Enguerrand did not move. “I did not catch your name,sir.”
Rolfe met the other man’s gaze, ensuring that his own was steely. “Rolfe deViandin.”
“Viandin?” Enguerrand raised a brow. “Is that the name of thispalace?”
“No, no,” Rolfe said easily, distrusting the other knight’s interest. “Viandin is the inheritance of my brother, Adalbert, who administers it. It is to the north and west, in Burgundy, near Cluny.” He was well aware that this was news to Annelise, but would never have guessed as much from herexpression.
“The land is said to be richthere.”
“It is a well-established holding,” Rolfe acknowledged. “And Roussineau? Forgive me but I am not familiar withit.”
“Sworn to the Lord de Tulley, on the other side of the Beauvoir Pass. We minesilver.”
Annelise’s eyes widened ever so slightly and Rolfe did not miss this hint from his lady wife. “Indeed? How fortunate to have a holding with such wealth to call its own.” He moved to sit at the board, nodding to the other knights. Annelise brought him a cup of wine, but Enguerrand was not prepared to abandon theirconversation.
“But why do you have a palace here?” that knight asked. “So far from the main road and your homeestate?”
“Who would abide beside the main road, given a choice?” Rolfe asked, then turned to Annelise. “Do not tell me that we have civet of hare thisnight?”
“We do, my lord,” she said with a smile. She fetched the dish for him, acting as his squire. He was glad to have her close by his side, for this Enguerrand struck him as a serpent. “It is most fine, but I confess I am glad that you brought morehares.”
