Though it seemedan enormous amount of time had passed, the moon had not risen much higher in the sky when they approached a low-slung building near the southern wall of the city.Alienor’s agitated manner did naught to ease Dagobert’s fears and he silently drew Jordan’s knife.
A cloaked figure stepped from the shadows and he lunged forward with the blade, intent upon defending her.Alienor cried out at the same moment as a familiar whisper brought him up short.
“Imprisonment truly has addled your wits,” Iolande said in a whisper.
Dagobert fairly collapsed with relief.He embraced her, not resisting his mother’s examination when she drew back to examine his eyes and teeth as if he were some livestock she proposed to buy.She would never lose her practicality, and he would not have it otherwise.
“You have need of a bath,” she said.
“Aye.”He grinned.
“And you must be hungry.”
“Aye.”Dagobert nodded, feeling exhaustion sweep through him after their flight through the streets.Given how little he had eaten in the past month, he was surprised he had managed to keep up with Alienor as well as he had.
Iolande’s eyes narrowed and she gripped his chin, compelling him to meet her gaze.“Abused?”she demanded.
Dagobert shrugged.“No more than would be expected,” he conceded, turning to smile at the silent Alienor in an attempt to lighten the mood.“In truth, ’tis my own wife who has abused me most this night.”
Iolande snorted with laughter as the lady in question flushed.
“Had I known you would be so ungrateful, I would have left you there,” Alienor replied, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
Dagobert chuckled.“Perhaps you wished to be rid of me, after all,” he teased.“That flight through the streets nigh finished me.”Instead of smiling at his jest, Alienor inhaled sharply and turned away.
Dagobert would have pursued her and conferred with her, but his mother cleared her throat.“You must eat as we ride, for time is of the essence,” the older woman said, urging them both into the dark stables.“You might ride together should you so wish to argue.”
The very idea of holding Alienor so close lightened Dagobert’s step but he quickly saw that his wife was having none of that suggestion.
“’Twill slow our flight overmuch,” she said, with a practicality that Dagobert regretted he could not dispute.
“Where is Eustache?”he asked his mother and she shook her head.
“I will tell you as we ride.”
Alienor pulled herself into her saddle without his aid and urged her horse out of the stables, leaving Dagobert to ride alone.Now that they were away from the palace, she seemed to wish to put distance between them.Was it because of the babe?Or had his errors finally exceeded her patience?Dagobert could not say, though he yearned to know.
Iolande watched them without comment and he vowed to make amends with Alienor with all haste, so soon as he was able.
What if she had come to love Jordan?The notion was troubling.
Once they were all mounted, Dagobert spurred his own horse to a trot, knowing they would need a tale for the keeper of the city gates.
His wife had fared well without him, which only made Dagobert more keenly aware of how badly he had failed her.He had tried to balance his obligation to his lineage and his vow to his father with his responsibility to his wife.No longer.He sensed that his marriage was fragile as a result and was resolved to win Alienor’s trust, perhaps even her affection, no matter the cost.She had given him freedom and the opportunity to live beyond the next sunrise.He would ensure that she never regretted their match.
This lady deserved no less than his all.
Chapter 11
When had she come to love her lord husband?
Alienor did not know the moment, but the sight of him had removed any doubt that her heart was lost.And his kiss!It had fairly seared her soul and she had dared to hope that they were finally as one—but when she was reeling from her reaction, he was in sufficient possession of his wits to strike Jordan down.Had his kiss been only a possessive claim?Was she no better than his chattel—or was his relief about his son?
She could not evade his warning about Jordan’s motives, but dared not make overmuch of it.Was he concerned for her or for his child?
Ah, but his hesitation in taking the other knight’s armor, despite Jordan’s deception, could only remind her of Dagobert’s respect of justice.Just as he had not struck down an unarmed villain, he had not been quick to avail himself of Jordan’s offer.She was glad that Jordan had awakened at the end, the better that man could convince her husband that the scheme was his own, but Dagobert’s nobility of purpose only made her admire him all the more.
Yet he jested that she would be rid of him!They could have been caught—they could still be captured—and they both would be executed then as a result of her rescue.Did he see no merit in the risk she had taken?Alienor blinked back her tears as she dug her heels into the horse’s sides once they had passed through the gates of the city, not trusting herself to speak.
