That Warrick was counting the days to know them exactly elicited a chuckle from Sheldon, which brought Anne’s eyes to him. She blinked to see that he was not as old as he had seemed at first glance. When he smiled at her, she blushed, for she did not find him unattractive. Nay, just the opposite.
Warrick scowled at both of them for their sudden distraction with each other that was not getting him answers. “Do youmind, Sheldon?”
“Actually, I think the Lady Anne should be made dry ere you continue—”
“There is no time for that,” Anne interrupted. “The malaise that has struck so many of the garrison will not last beyond the emptying of their bellies. We did but add fouled meat to their dinner, which all have not eaten yet.”
“You still have not said why you would do this now,” Warrick pointed out.
“If you are Lord of Fulkhurst…?” She waited for him to confirm it, which he did with a curt nod, then she explained. “I was told horrible tales about you, so that I would add my prayers to others that you would not be successful here. But when I saw you had my daughter in your camp, and she appeared well and healthy, I realized I had been lied to.”
“Daughter?” He snorted. “You think you have a daughter inmycamp, lady? Well, you are welcome to look for her, but ’tis doubtful my men will want to give her up if you think to take her away.”
What he was implying had her blushing furiously. “My daughter isnotone of your camp followers. I know not how she came to be no longer in Gilbert’s foul care and with you instead, for he made no mention that he had lost her. Nay, he took pleasure in telling me she had done everything that he—”
“Is d’Ambray in the castle, then?” Warrick cut in impatiently, not interested in her family woes.
She shook her head, bringing a foul curse from him and the gentle query from Sheldon: “Did he escape?”
“Nay. He had come here in the most horrid rage. I thought surely he must have lost another castle, to put him in so dark a mood. But he stayed here less than a sennight, and in fact, left the day before you arrived.”
That brought another foul curse from Warrick. “Know you where he has gone?”
“To court. His resources are so depleted, he cannot continue this war with you without aid from Stephen. But that has been tried before and is not like to do him any more good now than then, for the d’Ambrays have not been on the king’s list of favorites since Hugh sided against Stephen on some matter several years ago. Verily, in rescuing my daughter from Gilbert’s clutches, you have wrested her remaining properties from his control. Do you take Ambray, all Gilbert will have left is one small keep in—”
“Lady, I donothave your daughter,” Warrick interrupted in exasperation. “Think you I would not make good use of Lord Belleme’s only heir if I had gained such a prize? As you say, control of her would deplete d’Ambray’s last resources.”
“I do not know why you insist—” Anne began, only to frown. “Can it be you do not know who she is?”
“God’s blood, I have heard enough of this!” Warrick exploded. “Sheldon,youdeal with her.”
“That will be my pleasure,” Sheldon said, starting to laugh. “But before you stomp away, why do you not ask her for her daughter’s name—or has it not occurred to you yet who this lady so closely resembles?”
Warrick looked hard at his friend, then at the lady. Then he became very still. He did not curse again as he saw why she was familiar to him, but his voice was as coldly chilling as it could get.
“So tell me, Lady Anne, what is your daughter’s name?”
She was not at all sure she wanted to answer him now. She had never seen anyone change so suddenly in appearance, to where he now looked—cruel. She took a step back. Sheldon put his arm around her shoulder, which was a great comfort, but still…
“Mayhap I am mistaken—”
“Nay, you were not, but I was, to think I could trust that deceitful witch!”
“Why is he so angry?” Anne asked Sheldon as Warrick walked away from them. “ItwasRowena I saw, was it not?”
“Aye, and you were correct also in thinking she did not tell him who she was.”
“If she did not, she must have had good reason.”
“I doubt my friend will think so,” Sheldon replied, but when he saw Anne’s anxious expression, he assured her, “He will not harm her. And he is sure to rid himself of his anger he is like to get rid of immediately by entering the castle now, whether he still thinks a trap is waiting for him or not. He is that angry.”
“But I did not lie. The postern gate is open and unguarded.”
“Then come, I will take you to my tent, where you can wait until this is over.”
Chapter 45
Rowena saw the two guards walking so determinedly toward her that she knew. Before they opened their mouths, she knew. They did not have to tell her. But they did.
