“Three?” William deflated. “Where has—the time gone?”
“Do you remember the wedding?” Rolfe’s voice was coldly menacing now.
“Well, most of it.”
“And before?”
“You signed the contract.”
“Before that,” Rolfe hissed, leaning across the table. “Before you came to Crewel.”
“Now, see here.” William sighed, exasperated. “If you have something you want to say, then say it. Do not keep prompting me. I am very tired.”
“I want to know exactly what you remember doing to your daughter!”
Confused, William rubbed his temples, trying to think. What could he have done to so incense his son-in-law?
“Ah, yes, I do recall she was very upset with me, and with reason,” William admitted frankly.
“Upset?” Rolfe growled. “What you did merely upset her?”
“I make no excuse for myself,” William said contritely. “I gave her no warning about the wedding because I did not remember it myself. In truth, I still have no memory of receiving the king’s order that insisted she marry you.”
“Damn me!” Rolfe shouted furiously. “You speak of trifles after the brutal beating you gave her!”
William came slowly to his feet, his fact mottled with rage. “What knavery is this? How dare you suggest—”
“Shewasbeaten, my lord, forced to marry me, as she has finally admitted to me. I did not know it myself, but God knows everyone else did.”
The crimson turned to pallor. “It is impossible.”
“Impossible that you do not remember, or that you did the despicable deed?”
William shook his head. “I tell you, whether I could remember or not, I would never hurt that child. She is all I have left of my Elisabeth. I could not hurt her. I love her too dearly.”
“Love her?” Rolfe was truly astonished. “You love her so much you banished her from here and forsook her for years?”
“What lies are these?” William demanded. “I…sent her away for a time, in the agony of my grief, yes, I remember that. But not for long. I could never be long away from my only child. She was—” He pressed his palms to his temples, trying to remember. “Judith swore…Leonie was busy…I…Judith swore I…God in heaven!” He moaned. “I did not recognize her that day at Pershwick!I cannot rememberseeing my Leonie grow up!” He looked at Rolfe,stupefied, as though expecting some clarification from him.
Rolfe frowned. Something was not right. The man’s anguish was genuine.
“What are you saying, Sir William?” Rolfe asked carefully. “That in your drunkenness, you thought Leonie was still here with you?”
“She was.” The voice had weakened to a whisper.
Rolfe sighed, disgusted. “If you had been sober when I came in here, I would have killed you for the pain you have caused your daughter. Now I can feel only pity for you.” He turned slowly and moved toward the door.
“Wait! I do not know who has told you these lies about my Leonie, but Judith can tell you—”
Rolfe swung back around, eyes flashing. “Fool! It is Leonie who told me.”
“No! God’s mercy, no! May my hand be struck off if I ever hurt her. I swear—”
“Let me think!” Rolfe bellowed, and William subsided.
“Who else was with you when you told Leonie she must marry me?” Rolfe asked.
“I can barely remember being there, and you expect—”
