Her eyes scanned the darkened courtyard. Where might Rafe have gone? Back up to the king’s quarters, or down to the river to take a barge to Durham House? It was more likely that he was lurking close by somewhere, perhaps even hoping to speak with her.
In her heart, Thomasin knew why she still clung to him. She had let down her defences and was prepared to commit herself to him. After all her doubts and his many wrong turns, she had finally thought that Rafe had mellowed, matured, and become the man who she could be happy with. She had decided to trust him. To have this happen now, after she had chosen him, was disappointing and exhausting.
Surely he would not have gone far? He must be wanting to speak with her, to sort out this quarrel, rather than running away. That was not in his nature, so far as she had understood it.
Something stirred in the darkness ahead. And as if she had called him, Rafe stepped out of the shadows and onto the path. Her fears were mingled with a twinge of relief. She hadn’t misjudged him so much, then.
“Tired of dancing already?”
His tone was bitter, mocking — not the Rafe she had hoped to encounter. More like the old Rafe.
Thomasin took a deep breath. She must approach this carefully, sensibly, with love. “I was dancing; there is nothing more to it. I went with Ellen while the queen sleeps; please don’t make something of it.”
“With him again?”
“With Giles? He is my distant cousin. It is the first time we have danced together since he returned to court. Surely I am permitted to dance?”
“Oh, but it is how you dance, Thomasin. Laughing and casting eyes at him, as if you would throw yourself at his feet.”
She was taken aback by this. “No, that is not true at all. I was simply dancing, along with Ellen. There was none of what you describe.”
“I saw you laughing.”
“I may have laughed. That is not a crime.”
“There, so you admit it.”
“I admit nothing. There is nothing to admit.” She took a step towards him. “Rafe, what is this? Suddenly you don’t trust me?”
“I saw you.”
“Dancing. That is all you saw. Openly and publicly. There are no secrets. I thought we had moved past this? Why have you decided not to trust me all of a sudden? How have we moved so far away from that night, just last week, when we were to announce our engagement?”
“I know what men are like. I saw the way he looked at you.”
“Nonsense. He is my cousin.”
“He is in love with you. I saw it.”
“He has just returned to court, after having been away for more than a year.”
“He is in love with you and now you have given him encouragement.”
Was he? Was Rafe correct and Giles was in love with her?
“I merely danced with my cousin. Rafe, this is unreasonable.”
“You should not have!”
“Not danced? Am I never to dance again, or only to dance with those partners you approve? And what about when you’re not there?”
“He will appear soon, you wait and see. He will come out looking for you, hoping to take you into the bushes.”
“Rafe! This is nonsense.”
He stepped closer and made a little growling noise in his throat. That was when she realised he had been drinking too much again.
“You can’t believe this. I do not believe this is you,” she said, drawing herself up to her full height and looking him in the eye. “You should reflect upon your words. You will regret speaking to me this way in the morning.”
