If he believed in such things.
“Any idea who this man might be?”
Ariel shook her head. “I can only catch a glimpse of him and then he’s gone.”
“Then how do I remind you of him?”
She let out a small huff. “It’s hard to explain. I just…” Her eyes were awash with grief.
Maybe I’m wrong.Her plight seemed so genuine. Perhaps she wasn’t what he thought.
Don’t be stupid. The history of man was written by the hands of the women who’d betrayed them. The hands of friends who’d plunged a dagger in the back the moment someone let down their guard.
All of this could be an act.
What if it isn’t?
He didn’t dare take that chance. “I hope you remember something soon.”
She nodded. “What of you, milord? You never speak of your past. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d forgotten it.”
He laughed bitterly. “I wish,” he mumbled under his breath. With a sigh, he did his best to blot the pain of memories he really didn’t want—he would give anything to have her memory lapse. “I survived it. There’s nothing more to say.”
“But what of your parents? Brothers and sisters. I know the king is your brother. Do you have any others?”
He scoffed at the thought. “Not that I claim. Odo came to England with us to conquer this land. Pity that bastard didn’t fall into the Channel on our crossing.”
Ariel arched a brow at his acrimony. “Why do you hate him so?”
“He’s a bishop and an ass. Not even Will really likes him.” Valteri took a sip of wine as he remembered some of his brother’s insults that had forced Will to separate them before he throttled the little weasel. “As for the others,I don’t really know them at all. Robert is the Count of Mortain. My sister Emma is the Viscountess of Avranches, and Arletta is the Lady de la Ferté-Macé. But as I said, they are strangers to me.”
“Do they know you at all?”
“Only by name and reputation. I met Robert one time at a tournament when I knocked him off his horse.” He gave her an unrepentant smile. “After that humiliation, he had no use for me, but several choice words. As for my sisters, I wouldn’t know them if they were standing in front of me.”
“I’m sorry.” Ariel felt his pain at their neglect even though he spoke in a deadpan tone.
“I’m not. Given the drama I’ve suffered by allowing Will into my life, I’m glad to know nothing of theirs.”
She laughed. “You’re terrible!”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “I only speak the truth.”
“And your parents? Where are they?”
“My mother married the Viscount of Conteville, who died a few months back.”
She scowled at that. “I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but don’t waste it. My mother has been celebrating his death since it happened. I’m told she married him for his title alone, and is now happy to be a widow, especially given that her eldest son has become the king of England.”
That made sense, she supposed. “So you stay in contact with her?”
“Nay. She’s never so much as visited me since I was whelped from her loins. I only know what Will tells me.”
“And your father?”
A sinister darkness came over him. “The devil? I know nothing of him.”
