“But if there were only a few men to throw off the ladders?”
“A fool question, madame,” he replied curtly. “The risk would be less, naturally.”
“Could one man manage to get inside Wroth undetected?”
“That has been considered, but it would take more than one man just to open the gates, and the likelihood—”
“Not to reach the gates, my lord, to reach the water supply.”
Rolfe swung around, his face contorted with amazement. “You would poison them all? Even the servants! Damn me, I did not think you were cold-blooded!”
“Not poison!” she hissed indignantly. “You are surely quick to condemn me! I suggest that you put hazelwort in the water. It is a strong purgative. It will kill no one.”
Rolfe’s laughter began slowly and turned into loud guffaws. “It would have them fighting each other to get into the garderobes.”
“And those without relief, overcome by strong cramps and vomiting, will be a good deal less vigilant on the walls,” she added.
“Damn me! I would never have thought of such a wicked ploy.” Rolfe was astonished.
“Not wicked if it saves lives, my lord,” she said sharply.
“Agreed. Where can I get hazelwort?”
“I—I have some in my medicine basket, but not nearly enough.”
“You keep a medicine basket?” He seemed truly surprised. “You really are learned in the healing arts?”
His tone implied that he had heard as much, but hadn’t believed it. “There is much of me you do not know, my lord,” she answered honestly. He nodded, but did not want to stray from the subject.
“How is this done?”
“It takes the juice of five to seven leaves to mix in just one drink, but the result is not a gentle purgative, so less might do per portion. You will need many plants, at any rate, and we can surely find them in the woods. I have done so easily. Another way is to steep both leaves and roots in wine. This you should do as well, for if a man can reach the water supply, he can probably also get to the wine vats and contaminate them. It would be safer to dose both wine and water.”
“How long will the preparations take?”
“It is not an easy process.”
“You will have all of tomorrow, and you can make use of every servant here if need be. Will that do?”
His autocratic manner grated on her and she nodded without speaking.
He approached the bed and took hold of her hand. “If this works, Leonie, I will be much in your debt.” He smiled. “After all the trouble you caused me in the past, I am glad to have you on my side. You are not an easy enemy.”
Just when she had begun to warm to him, he had to bring up the past. Still, this was her chance to explain everything to him, and she knew she ought to take it. But his superior manner had caused her to retreat again, and she decided to leave well enough alone. There would be time to explain later, wouldn’t there?
Chapter 22
ROLFE woke Leonie with a long kiss, then inadvertently spoiled the moment by reminding her to begin the work of gathering hazelwort. He failed to note her stiffly set features as he left their room.
After spending such a lovely night, he was in a magnanimous mood. He doubted he could find fault with anything today, he was so happy. Leonie was no longer sulking, and had accepted his apology. The proof of her forgiveness was the offer of help, and he was delighted by her idea.
Help was far from what he’d expected from Leonie. Had their marriage made such a difference to her then? He regretted having married her for the reasons he’d had, because the truth was that if he’d met her before the wedding, he would have wanted her for the right reasons.
He sighed. Could Leonie be feeling the same happiness he felt?
On his way to the chapel, Rolfe stopped and took a good look at the hall. The whole look of the place surprised him, but there was even more.
“Damn me, this room actually smells…pleasant,” he muttered.
