Maude's heavy sigh and the subsequent silence toldLeila even more. Roger didn't care in the least that he had not pleased her; hehad probably quelled her outburst with a dark and threatening look. Leilalistened as he rose to his feet and adjusted his clothing, then hoisted up hiswife.
"If Leila wakes while I'm gone, see that she staysin bed. I'll speak with her when I get back.
"She'll probably protest—"
"I expect it. My answer will be the same as itwould have been in Wales. When she hears what I have in store for her if sherefuses, she'll give her consent to the marriage readily enough. To be lockedin a convent cell is a sorry fate for any beautiful young woman, even more sowhen she can expect to be flogged twice daily for her sins."
As they stepped away, Leila heard Maude's tone brightensickeningly. "Oooh, you know how much I enjoy agood paddling, my lord, and giving one as well. Perhaps tonight we might celebrateour good fortune by . . ."
Leila was glad the rest of her sister-in-law's wordswere lost to her as they moved outside the tent. She shuddered as she raisedherself on one elbow, her gaze flitting around the shadowed interior for anymeans of escape.
In the harem she had heard of men like Roger, mencapable of only cruel, depraved relationships with women because of someromantic slight suffered in the past. At that moment she almost pitied Maude,because for whatever reason her sister-in-law had obviously chosen to acceptit. Who knew? Maybe Maude even loved Roger.
Leila barely lay down in time when Maude suddenly threwaside the flap and stepped back into the tent. Roger must have said somethingto appease her for she was humming, her dissatisfaction clearly vanished.
How was she ever going to get out of here? Leila wondereddesperately, listening as Maude poured water into a basin and began to washherself.
She couldn't dash out the only entrance to the tent.Several ofGervais'smen-at-arms were standing guardright outside. And the tent had appeared to be securely staked down on allsides. Maybe there was the slightest chance she could squeeze under one of thetent walls, but Maude would surely sound an alarm and send Roger's men chasingafter her. Yet she couldn't just lie here and wait helplessly for Roger toreturn with the priest and that accursed merchant.
Leila opened one eye slightly and discovered that hersister-in-law was standing about twenty feet away with her back turned. Maybe,just maybe, if she was quiet enough . . .
As Maude's singing grew louder, Leila slipped from thecot, yanking her silver tunic andchainseup aroundher thighs, and crawled on hands and knees to the tent wall. Glancingconstantly over her shoulder, she groped along the ground, trying to find aplace where she could lift the tent enough to slide beneath it. She was almostready to give up and opt for a mad dash through the front entrance when herforearm disappeared easily under a loose section of canvas.
Holding her breath, she began to lift the tent walljust as she heard Maude gasp in surprise. She turned to find her sister-in-lawhurrying toward her with pure fury on her face.
"You little bitch! Stop, I tell you!"
Her heart thumping furiously, Leila dove under the tentwall, but to her dismay, she felt Maude catch her ankle. Her sister-in-law'senraged screams filled the air.
"She's escaping! Guards! Quick, go around to theother side. Catch her! I don't think I can hold her—"
"Let go of me!" Leila shouted, giving Maude asharp kick.
In the next instant she was free and scrambling to herfeet, except now she couldn't see a thing. Her hair had fallen over her face.Swiping it away, she lunged forward and broke into a run . . . and slammedright into something very hard.
"No! Let go! Let go!" she screamed, punchingher captor in the stomach with her balled fists. Her teeth fairly rattled inher jaw as she was shaken roughly, her head jerking back. She found herselfstaring into a pair of familiar blue eyes. Such relief swamped her that shealmost collapsed. Guy!
"Stand behind me. Now!" he commanded, shovingher back several feet as five men-at-arms came tearing around the tent,brandishing their swords.
Shaking her head in horror, Leila kept backing awayuntil she hit the taut wall of another tent and almost fell. She watched as Guydrew his sword and faced his opponents, who had stopped short and were eyeinghim warily.
"Come on if you dare," he taunted harshly,shifting his feet to better his stance. The gleaming blade whistled as hesliced the air.
"We have no quarrel with you, deWarenne," spoke up one of the men. "We only wantthe woman."
"And I say you shall not have her. Allow us toretreat in peace or I shall strike down every last one of you."
The men-at-arms glanced at each other, clearlyuncertain. Matters were not improved when Maude limped around the corner on aswollen ankle, her face twisted in anger as she shouted out shrill orders.
"Cut him down! He's only one to your five. Whatare you? Cowards?"
Capitalizing on their indecision, Guy stepped backward,keeping his eyes on the men-at-arms while he held out his free hand to Leila.
"Take my hand. Walk quickly and be ready to moveout of the way if I tell you to. Is that understood?"
"Y-yes."
"Good." He spoke again to the five men, whowere venturing a few hesitant steps closer. "Follow us and I swear youwill die."
