He pushed to his feet. “I think that our pretending to be a wedded couple might serve our needs well.”
“Which needs?” Anna demanded with obvious suspicion.
What had happened to her? Bartholomew might have guessed that she had been used by a knight for his pleasure, given her hostility toward his kind.
He spoke reasonably. “You do not trust me. I do not trust you. I can see no other way for us to be sure of each other’s actions at all times than to be pose as a wedded couple.”
“Your arguments would give the tale credence,” commented the Templar Enguerrand and his companion laughed.
“And visiting as guests will give us the opportunity to learn more of the keep and how well it is armed,” Fergus noted, to general agreement.
“There is another option, lass,” Duncan said. “You could remain bound and be taken as our prisoner. Doubtless the baron has a dungeon for villains.”
Bartholomew nodded approval, even as Anna looked daggers at Duncan. “A fine notion. I should know the precise location of our thief then.” He smiled at Anna, savoring her vexation a little more than he knew she appreciated. Aye, it was amusing to tease her, when her eyes made her thoughts so clear. “Perhaps you would find your brother there.”
Duncan grimaced. “Although it is likely the pair would be compelled to face the baron’s justice.”
“It might be a fitting solution,” Bartholomew mused. “Plus I could keep this crossbow,” he added, purely to annoy Anna.
It worked perfectly. Her eyes flashed and she struggled with new vigor.
“You are an irksome man, even for a French knight,” Anna growled, wriggling in her bonds. Aye, there was no hiding the ripe curves of her breasts and hips. Was she older than Leila?
She had kissed like a frightened maiden, though. Bartholomew found his interest growing.
“I shall take that as a compliment,” he said, as if disinterested in her fate. In truth, he was quite certain she would cede to his suggestion. “To the baron’s keep and his dungeons then at first light.” Bartholomew strode to the fire, intending to stir it up, even as his fellows began to prepare themselves to depart. “Even better, Fergus has no need to be generous with the gifts intended for his lady.”
“I cede!” Anna cried, and Bartholomew ignored her for a moment. “I said I cede, sir!”
“Did you hear something?” Bartholomew asked Duncan, who chuckled.
“I addressed you and you know it well,” Anna said with that same fury.
He looked upward. “The wind in the trees, perhaps.” The other knights chuckled then, and Anna fumed.
“You heard me well, you cursedly confident man!”
Bartholomew turned to face her, placing his hands on his hips. “Fear not, Anna. I will make as much haste as possible to see you reunited with Percy in the baron’s stronghold.”
He thought he heard her swear under her breath and fought the urge to laugh.
“We have a wager, sir.” Anna caught her breath and corrected herself. “Bartholomew,” she said through gritted teeth. “And I will not be the one to break it first.”
“So, we do have a wager.”
“We do.” She glared at him. “Sealed even with a kiss.”
He rubbed his brow. “But you are of these parts. What if you are recognized? We could all be cast in peril, then.”
“I daresay a wash will remove any chance of that,” Duncan said grimly. The men in the party laughed, and Anna fumed visibly.
“Surely your friend has a veil for his lady?” she suggested with hope.
“Surely he does,” he agreed. He reached for the knot of the rope. “We have a wager and now you must be made presentable.”
“I can garb myself.”
“But Duncan’s argument is a fair one. You are filthy and likely infested with vermin.” He made an elaborate grimace, just to see her eyes flash.
