She nodded and parted her lips to speak again.
“At what price, Alienor?At what price?”He watched her frown and had to turn away.“I heard you call himchériwith my own ears!Chéri!”He clenched his fists in frustration and prowled the perimeter of the cell like a caged beast.
She had never called him by any term of endearment and Dagobert knew it well.
How he hated the prospect that Jordan had won her love while he had not.
“You must listen to me,” Alienor urged.
“Do you love him?”He pivoted and caught her chin in one hand, then stared into her eyes.She held his gaze without flinching and he wondered if he had matters aright.Curse Eustache for filling his thoughts with suspicions for so long!
“Vexing man,” she whispered with heat.Those amber eyes flashed as they had the day that Dagobert found her launching shoes across their chamber in Montsalvat.“Jordan and I came this night to free you.”
“He would never aid in my escape, especially if that meant you had a defender,” Dagobert argued.
Alienor shook her head wildly, holding her finger to his lips.“They will hear!”she hissed and he dropped his tone to a harsh whisper.
“He can have no intent of saving my hide, unless he means to profit by hunting me anew.If he claims as much, he has lied to you, Alienor.He means to trick us both, ’tis clear.Though he might savor the sport, I will forgo that dubious pleasure and remain here.”
“You are wrong, sir,” she whispered.“We come together to your aid.”
“You cannot have expected me to believe as much.”
She smiled, just a little, and her eyes shone.“I did anticipate an argument, to be sure, but there is no time, Dagobert.You must do as I say.”
“So, he can deceive us both?Nay, Alienor, nay.”He shook his head.“Go with the cur and see yourself out of this place, at least.Then flee, flee back south.They will shelter you at Montsalvat, in memory of me.”
“You must come with us!”
Her faith in Jordan was undeserved, but he admired that she could believe the best of even such a man.Dagobert’s heart clenched and he looked down at her, wishing it was not a ruse.He kissed her forehead, feeling his tears rise.“Be well, my lady.’Twas a gift unexpected to look upon you once more.”
“Dagobert!You do not listen!”Rosy color blossomed in her cheeks as she chided him and Dagobert knew no woman could compare with the charms of his wife.
One last time.Her lips parted to make some additional argument but he would hear none of it.There was naught to be gained by dissent at this point.They had wasted too much precious time already.
He should be taking advantage of this unexpected opportunity.
Dagobert caught Alienor close, savoring the feel of her in his embrace.He smiled down at her and watched her eyes light with pleasure, then bent to close his lips over hers.So sweet.So yielding and so passionate.She had always welcomed him and she did as much again, despite his state.His kiss grew more demanding as she melted against him and for a glorious moment, he forgot his situation.There was only his lady wife.The taste and smell of Alienor filled his senses, her curves filled his hands and he marveled that he had been able to survive a day without her.
“God’s blood,” roared a man outside the door.“I had no intention that he should take her before my very eyes!”
Jordan’s cry of indignation prompted Dagobert to break his kiss.The key turned in the lock and door opened once more.Alienor looked as if she would speak, but Dagobert silenced her with a shake of his head.
It would not be all bad to give Jordan one last message before he died.
“I will handle this myself,” that treacherous knight informed the jailer.
The door closed behind Jordan, that man holding up one hand before he spoke.
He had not the time to form his words before Dagobert landed a solid punch to his jaw.Jordan groaned as he fell back against the wall and panicked footsteps echoed in the hall.
“Sir?Is all well?”
Alienor muttered a curse under her breath and her irritation surprised Dagobert.Did she truly care for this man?He watched her hasty gestures and understood her intent, if not her reason.Unconvinced, he tugged Jordan’s fallen form out of view all the same.
The jailer tapped his keys against the door.“Is all well, sir?”
Before Dagobert could answer, Alienor had clapped one hand over his mouth, her gaze locked with his as she answered.
