“I told you what I saw.”
“Yes, and that was damning—but not conclusive,” Thorpe told him obstinately.
“You defend her now? You wouldn’t trust her at all before this. I don’twantto believe her capable of this, Thorpe. I believed I was making progress with her, and now this.”
Thorpe shook his head. “You haven’t had time to consider what happened without the pain of your wound clouding your thoughts. Think well before you place the blame on her, because anyone could have fired that arrow. It could have been a man turned out from one of the keeps we won, or even someone from here for that matter. Did Pershwick ever attack with weapons before? Then would they do so now, when you have their lady firmly in your power?” He moved away a bit and eyed Rolfe carefully. “Do you know why she was against you before? Did you ever ask her about it?”
“What difference would it make?”
“Didyou, Rolfe?”
“No,” he said curtly, “but I suppose you have learned why. Else why would you be badgering me like this?”
Thorpe grinned. “I see your mood is improving.”
“Do you have something to tell me or not?”
Thorpe shook his head. “We were wrong about her, you know. And she has been misled about you. It is up to the two of you to work together to clear things up, Rolfe.”
“Riddles, when I am lying here suffering.” Rolfe sighed. “Where is that cursed leech anyway? My hip feels as though there’s a fire in there.”
“No doubt, after all you’ve been through. As to Odo, he left two nights ago, fearful of losing his thumbs.”
“More riddles?” Rolfe said, exasperated.
“Your wife was very clear about what she would do to Odo if he caused you harm, and as it was Odo’s incompetence that nearly killed you…”
“You keep telling me I was at death’s door. With the leech gone, I suppose I have you to thank?” Thorpe was shaking his head emphatically. Rolfe’s eyes widened with sudden understanding. “She used her knowledge to make me well? To help me again? Why did you not tell me that before? Why, Thorpe, I do believe the lady is beginning to care for me.”
“I would not make too much of this,” Thorpe said hastily. “She may have saved your miserable life, but I believe it is simply her way to help others if she can. Don’t see more in it than you should. It will only cause you trouble later.”
But Rolfe was not listening. He was delighted. Hewas ecstatic. She had come to care for him. Did that mean he would soon be able to make her love him?
That question occupied Rolfe completely, until he fell into an exhausted sleep.
Chapter 26
LEONIE saw Erneis sneak out of the hall just as she entered it. For a long time she had tried to corner the Crewel steward, to talk with him about the accounts, but he was always in a rush to be somewhere, or else he could not be found. Why was he avoiding her?
She followed the little man outside the hall, stopping him just before he could disappear into the stable. “A moment of your time, Master Erneis.” He stopped, turning around as slowly as he could, making no effort to hide his reluctance to speak with her.
“Master Erneis, you were steward for Sir Edmond, were you not?”
“For several years, my lady,” he said, a little surprised by the question.
“Do you find the new lord of Crewel a hard master in comparison?” Leonie asked agreeably.
“No, indeed, my lady. Of course, Sir Edmond was much more…my lord Rolfe is very seldom here…”
He was becoming quite flustered, and Leonie took quick advantage of his confusion.
“I want you to give me the Crewel accounts, Master Erneis.”
“You?” His eyes narrowed. “What can you want with them?”
“My husband wants to see them.” The lie slipped out easily.
“But he cannot read either.” The man was no longer simply flustered, but alarmed.
