She said tonelessly, “I have had your ward on my mind since I saw her this morning, because I wondered why you did not include her on this trip. I thought perhaps you were angry with her.”
He came and stood in front of her, his body tense.
“I am not angry with her. There was no reason to bring her with us. She does not like court.”
“Ido not like court, but you dragged me with you.”
“You are my wife!”
Leonie whirled around, her back to him. It would serve no purpose to let her own anger loose, but she was barely able to hold it in check.
“I thought you got along well with Amelia,” he said, and she turned around slowly.
“Of course I do,” she replied sharply. “Why ever should I not?” She was close to tears.
“Damn me, Leonie! What is this about? Have you had words with Amelia?”
She shook her head. “I would not hurt her, if that is what you fear.”
“Hurt her? Why are we even speaking of her?” Rolfe’s frustration was mounting rapidly. What was this all about?
“You want her sent away, is that it?”
“I did not say so. I asked if you would, and you said you would not, so that is that.”
She tried to turn away again, but Rolfe’s hands fastened tightly on her shoulders. He gazed into her eyes so intently that she couldn’t look away. “You know!Thatis what this is about! Who told you?”
“My lord?” Leonie asked, then burst into tears. Shocked, he gathered her in his arms, holding her gently. “I swear you will drive me mad, Leonie. Why can you never speak plainly to me?”
She continued to sob. Let him think whatever he liked. She should not have said anything, and she refused to say any more. No one was going to accuse her of being a jealous wife.
He picked her up, carried her to the bed, and cradled her, rocking her gently until her tears subsided. His hand moved soothingly over her hair and back, lulling her. And then suddenly he was kissing her, but she managed to break the spell and push him back from her, denying her own needs as well as his.
“My lord, no, not now—please,” she beseeched, bracing herself for his anger.
But he surprised her. “Just let me hold you then, dearling. I will do no more than that.”
She very nearly cried again, he was being so kind. She bowed her head, and after he stretched out under the covers, he pulled her to him. It was a long time before she slept, but eventually she drifted into a dream-plagued sleep, pressed firmly against her husband.
Chapter 30
AFLUTTERING of movement woke Rolfe and he opened his eyes to see Leonie slipping out of bed. Their argument had caused him to lie awake half the night trying to piece together what had happened.
It was possible that she might learn what Amelia had been to him, but he didn’t even want to think about that possibility. If Leonie insisted Amelia leave, how could he explain to her that Amelia must stay? He could not tell Leonie the other woman was to bear him a child. He had told her Amelia was his ward. If she learned about Amelia’s child, he would lose any further chance to win her love.
He watched Leonie as she slipped into her blue linen robe and moved over to the small hearth. She sat down on a stool there to begin combing the tangles from her hair. The light from the window made her silken silver tresses shine. How lovely she was!
And she was considerate, a truly kind woman. She would not call for her maid as long as he was asleep. And she was as kind to the servants as she was to him.
What was it about this woman that turned him inside out? She caused him sleepless nights, made his temper run riot, caused him endless confusion, endless worry. Caused his hopes to rise, then to crumble. Would he ever be at ease with her?
Thorpe suggested he talk with her frankly, but Rolfewasn’t willing to take that risk. In truth, he feared that the real reason she had been against him from the start was that she loved that craven knight, Alain Montigny. The sole reason for her hatred of him was that he now owned Montigny’s land. Was that the truth? The last thing he wanted was to force such a confession from her. It would end his hopes.
Leonie felt him staring at her. She rose and went to him, looking worried.
“It is no wonder you slept so long. You have tried to do too much too soon, my lord,” she scolded gently. “Let me see your wound now, will you?”
He nodded. Her silver-gray eyes met his. “My lord, I beg you to forget last night. I was overly tired and—and I am never myself when I am nervous. If I angered you, I am sorry.”
