“I cannot accept this,” she said, shoving the girdle back into Jordan’s hands.
“I would ask you why,” he demanded.
Alienor was too distraught to take note of the anger in his tone.
“’Tis inappropriate,” she argued, backing across the room to put some distance between them.She had been a fool to forget that the time would come when Jordan would demand compensation.To think that she had been addle-pated enough to trust this man who had attacked her in her own chambers.Had he not declared his desire to lie with her when he had won her release?
The way Jordan’s gaze hardened told Alienor that she had made a mistake but ’twas too late to recall her words.
“They will not come, you know,” he declared, propping his hands on his hips.She stared at him.“From Montsalvat.They will not come.”
Alienor turned away, which only irked him further.
He crossed the room in two strides and lifted her to her toes, his hands locked on her upper arms.Alienor tried to retreat but his grip only tightened as he leaned closer.
“Only an idiot could miss your survey of the crowds in the market,” he informed her.Alienor’s heart sank that she had been so transparent.“’Tis clear you expect someone from Montsalvat to ride to your husband’s rescue, but you deceive yourself, my lady.”
“What do you mean?”Alienor managed to ask, her voice a mere whisper.
“They cannot come, even should they be willing,” Jordan declared and she suddenly dreaded his next words.“Montsalvat has been under siege since the first week of May.”
“Nay, it cannot be!”Alienor pulled away so savagely that she managed to break free of his grip.
“’Tis so,” he confirmed.
Alienor still shook her head.It was impossible, unthinkable for anyone to attack that fortress.“Why attack Montsalvat?”she demanded.“It has no wealth that another might covet.”
“But its inhabitants have value.”
It took a moment for Jordan’s meaning to become clear to Alienor.The first of May, had he said?Only a week after she and Dagobert had ridden out of the courtyard?A chill stole around her heart.
“’Twas Dagobert they sought,” she breathed.The steadiness of her companion’s regard was the sole confirmation she needed.“But he is here,” Alienor argued.“Will they not retreat?”
“Too many men are assembled there.”
She saw that he was unable to meet her gaze.
How many men?She wanted to ask, but Jordan’s grim expression made her suspect that she would not like his response.
“Too much gold has been expended for them to turn back so soon,” he added.
Alienor’s heart sank.A considerable force would be needed to encircle that fortress on its lonely mountain.And even with Dagobert gone, Montsalvat remained under siege.Did the attackers not believe the truth when they were told that Dagobert was gone?
“Even if they receive word that Dagobert is captured, they will ensure the destruction of Montsalvat so that this threat cannot rise again,” Jordan said.
Had Dagobert anticipated the attack?Was that why he had taken to the road?But if he had known, why would he leave his friends and family to face the king’s army without the assistance of his blade and leadership?
These tidings gave a chilling warning about her child’s future.Alienor could guess the fate of her child, should the king learn of its existence.She stared out the window, struggling with what she had just learned.How had the king known to send his forces to Montsalvat?Her anger rose and she turned furiously to confront Jordan.The blame for Dagobert’s fate belonged at this man’s door.
“’Twas you who sent them,” she accused.
Jordan’s lips tightened.“I had a task and ’twas fulfilled honorably.”
“Honorably?”Alienor echoed, hearing her voice rise.“What honor is it to betray a noble knight’s hospitality?You stayed more than a fortnight at our board, with your squires and knights alongside and your steeds stabled comfortably, then you betrayed my lord husband.’Tis clear that those of the north have a differing notion of honor, for I see no honor in your deed.”
“What honor is there in exploiting the folktales of the people for one’s own end?”Jordan replied.“Explain to me the honor that prompts a lord to urge simple people to throw themselves to their death defending his fictitious claim to the throne.”
Anger rose in Alienor’s chest at Jordan’s suggestion that Dagobert lied about his heritage, but she bit her tongue.Should there be others who thought Dagobert’s claim was merely ambition, not divine birthright, he might survive this ordeal.
