“Do you have a taste of it yourself, my lady? I know how you like to ensure that your guests are sated first, but it smells wondrous. Did you give the cook access to the spices again?” Rolfe smiled at her and she sat at his left, letting him put stew on her side of thetrencher.
“I did, mylord.”
Rolfe fed her a morsel, enjoying Enguerrand’s growing impatience. He stole a quick kiss, making the excuse that there was sauce upon her lip, and she flushedprettily.
“But your name is Rolfe,” a squire said and Rolfe did not have to feign astonishment that the boy was so outspoken. “And you have a palace in the forest, one that appears to be magical, just like the one in the tale. Were you cursed by a djinn? Did you win this palace fromher?”
Rolfe stared coldly at the boy, who flushed and dropped his gaze, then sat down as if he wished he could shrink to invisibility. “What is this?” he demanded, letting anger touch histone.
Enguerrand was either an audacious man or a fool, for he did not retreat. “I heard a tale at Beauvoir of a knight cursed by a djinn, given her palace but compelled to be a wolf. That knight was said to be named Rolfe and was returning fromcrusade.”
“Do I look like a wolf?” Rolfe asked, biting off thewords.
“No, but you must admit that it is an extraordinary coincidence...” Enguerrandprotested.
“I feel compelled to admit no suchthing.”
“Sir, you would deceive us all!” the other knight cried. “Explain to us how this palace can be, why it is located in this place, and why the weather is so fine within its walls. Annelise refuses to explain any ofit.”
Rolfe let there be a long moment of silence. He washed his hands and wiped them with care, then stood, liking that he was taller and broader than his guest. “And so my wife has shown more discretion than you.” Enguerrand would have protested, but Rolfe continued, easily speaking over the other man’s objections. “You are a guest in my abode, and unless the world has changed a great deal while I was on crusade, that situation calls you to a measure of polite behavior.” He gestured to the board. “You have eaten your fill; your companions have drunk a considerable measure of wine, unless I miss my guess; you are warm and sheltered from the storm and your horses are so, as well. Yet you harass my wife with your demands for more. You insult me with your insinuations. And you violate your responsibility to these boys entrusted to your care for training by filling their thoughts with whimsy andfoolery.”
“I did not harass yourwife!”
“You most certainly did. I knew the moment I laid eyes upon her this night that she was upset, and I see no other cause for such a situation than you, sir, and your impertinent questions.” Rolfe swept to his feet and took Annelise’s hand in his. “You are fortunate, Enguerrand de Roussineau, that I am a temperate man. You may have abused your welcome here, but I will not cast you into the forest in the night. You will, however, leave before thedawn.”
“You cannot do this!” Enguerrandprotested.
“I most certainly can. This is my abode and you would do well to recall that you are my guest. I feel no compunction in ending my hospitality to you, given the treatment of my lady wife in her ownabode.”
“But we cannot be turned into the forest in the night! There arewolves...”
Rolfe leaned closer to the other man. “When did you arrive at mygates?”
“Just before the sun set,” Enguerrandadmitted.
“And as you have noted, this palace is distant from the road. What was your plan for accommodations this night, sir? Did you plan to force yourself into my palace? Did you know of its location?” Rolfe watched Enguerrand flush a dull red. “Or did you, perhaps, mean to seek sanctuary with the Sisters of Ste. Radegund? That is the sole other establishment that I know within anyproximity.”
Their gazes locked and held, then Enguerrand took a step back and bowed stiffly. “I apologize, sir, if my questions have given offense, either to you or your ladywife.”
To Rolfe’s thinking, the apology was late and insincere, but he inclined his head. “I accept your apology,” he said though. “My palace is distinct and I suppose it is no surprise that its very essence promptsquestions.”
Enguerrand smiled. “Then we canstay?”
“Oh no,” Rolfe said easily. “I am a man of my word, sir.” He let his voice harden. “You will be gone by dawn, Enguerrand, or you may never leave this palace alive.” He smiled coolly. “Perhaps I do have a trait in common with the wolves, for I do like to hunt.” Rolfe’s gaze did not waver and he did not blink. He watched Enguerrand consider the merit of defying him, of saying more in his own defense, of protesting anew or of asking more questions. The knight had the wits to abandon all those courses of action and beg leave toretire.
“There is a chamber near the stables that you can use this night,” he said, his tone resolute. “The accommodations are simple but fighting men such as yourselves will require nothing more. When I rise on the morrow, sir, I expect you to begone.”
He stood with Annelise, waiting and watching while they left the hall, then wished that the door to those chambers would be barred behind theirguests.
Once they were out of sight, Annelise exhaled and leaned against him, her relief evident. “Will they come in the night?” shewhispered.
Rolfe shook his head. “The door to the chamber will be barred behindthem.”
“Good!” She smiled at him, her eyes glowing with such relief that his heart skipped a beat. “I was never so glad to see another living soul,” she murmured as he gathered herclose.
“Tell me everything about him,” Rolfe said. “Every detail you know and every possibility yoususpect.”
“Of course, my lord.” She smiled shyly and met his gaze. “Rolfe.”
