Denis grimaced. “It has become his habit in these times, and not without cause.”
That at least was the truth.
Isabella watched Amaury study her brother, and found herself unable to guess his thoughts. He seemed to be toying with a small object in one hand, but she had no notion what it was. Then he glanced up at her and her heart stopped cold. “Is this true, Lady Isabella?”
She was shocked to be acknowledged, and even more astonished that he remembered her name. “It is the tale I have been told,” she admitted, then heard her brother’s muttered curse. She raised her chin. “I cannot vow to it, Denis, as I was not here to see with my own eyes.” She looked at Amaury again. “I did not see your father before he was laid to his final rest, sir. The recounting of events, however, has been consistent from the outset, and my father, you should know, was grieved by the passing of your father. They might have been often at odds, but I believe they admired each other.” She permitted herself a final comment. “Life pales without a suitable opponent, they say.”
“Isabella,” Denis hissed. “Must you say somuch?”
“My observations were invited, dear brother, and I would not be suspected of withholding any detail of import.”
Amaury’s eyes glinted as he surveyed her and she thought he might have smiled a little. God in Heaven, but his eyes were more blue than any she had ever seen.
Denis’s next words banished any hint of amusement from the knight’s countenance. “I suppose you dared not take such a risk, Isabella,” he said, sounding snide as he could. “Not with the man father intends for you to wed.”
“What is this?” Amaury asked with care. His gaze flicked between Isabella and her brother.
Isabella felt cold. Denis wouldnot.
“It is my father’s plan for the future,” Denis said, his tone challenging. “He said that if you returned, you might regain command of your family holding by performing three tasks.”
“And you are his messenger now?”
“I am always at my father’s command,” Denis declared with pride. “You are welcome to journey to Château Marnis to hear his order yourself. My father has taken to his bed of late, and seldom rides abroad, even to indulge the son of his former foe.”
Amaury’s features might have been set in stone, a poor sign to Isabella’s thinking. “What are these tasks?” he asked, no hint of emotion in his tone. There was something in his manner that warned his fellows, however, for Isabella noted that the other knights had gathered behind him. Each had his hand on the pommel of his sword and arrayed behind the knights were four squires, each looking as belligerent as the knights. The other squires remained in the distance with the horses.
“You would know before arriving at Marnis?” Denis asked, his tone mocking.
“I would know now, unless you lack the authority to share these details with me.”
Denis bristled at the implication. Isabella sensed his mood and shook her head minutely. The man was insufferable in his pride and they were outnumbered – by men far moreaccustomed to warfare. She cleared her throat slightly and to her relief, Denis took a warning.
His next words were more temperate. “First, you will willingly wed my sister, a noblewoman worthy of the union, despite her age and her lack of beauty.”
Isabella blushed a little at her brother’s blunt speech and lowered her gaze in embarrassment. If she had seen the flash of Amaury’s eyes, that might have encouraged her greatly, but she did not.
“Lady Isabella is but a few years younger than me, if I recall correctly, and I do not consider myself to be so aged as that.”
“But she is ancient for a maiden,” Denis said sadly. “Nonetheless, you have little choice. You may get a son or two upon her, if you act swiftly.”
Had there ever been a man more vulgar than Denis? Isabella was certain there was not – until she recalled the man who had taught Denis all he knew.
“The other conditions?” Amaury demanded.
“Secondly, you must restore justice in Montvieux’s lands.”
“They are abandoned.”
“They are not. The woods abound with brigands and thieves. There can be no mercy for the fiends who have taken up residence here.”
“Yet you ride to hunt here, with your sister, in an undefended party.”
Denis’ color rose. “They are less bold in daylight, and I am accomplished with my weapons.”
“Ah,” Amaury said, a wealth of skepticism in that single utterance. “And you said there was a third edict.”
“The delivery of a healthy male heir, of course. Stability is what is needed in these lands.”
