“I should like to talk to you in private,” he said again.
She stood up, preparing to walk away. He blocked her.
“Don’t worry,Monsieur,” she said, adjusting the lace around her waist. “I shall cause you no grief on the road,” she replied, her eyes cast down. “I will be supportive as your guide.” She began to move around him.
“I still need to speak with you,” he said, blocking her path.
“I have no interest in talking.”
He reached forward and grabbed her arm. “Sorry to do it this way, but you are as stubborn as an ox. I shall not begin this journey with you until you hear me out.”
Holding onto her arm, he moved her to the balcony doors and pulled her outside. He released her and for the first time since he had kissed her, she looked directly at him, but this time with an anger in her eyes that could have stopped the crusades. It shot an arrow straight through him.
“Whatever you wish to tell me, I don’t wish to hear it,” she spat.
He took a step towards her, but she backed away. He took another step and she backed away again. Exasperated, he struck like a snake and grabbed her hand. She tried to jerk it away, but he held on.
They stood staring at each other for a moment, Alex glowering and Philippe feeling a heady rush at seeing that fury in her eyes again. He took a deep breath and lowered himself to a bow.
He touched his forehead to the back of her hand. After a moment, he spoke. “I wish to apologize for the wrongs I have done unto you.” He paused. “All of them.”
“You’ve apologized to me already.”
“Not really,” he said. He raised his head and looked up at her. “You never deserved any of that treatment, and I am sorry.”
She glared at him and then turned towards the sky, starlight falling across her face. Then she sighed and brought her eyes to meet his. She nodded but said nothing more.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness at this moment,” he continued. “I do hope to have it one day. But for now, I promise you will see a different side of me on this journey. I won’t make you uncomfortable.” He paused. “I would like us to become friends again.”
“It would make everything much easier,” she sighed.
“We must be able to work together.”
She nodded. “Okay,” she conceded.
Philippe stood up and smiled at her. “Come now. Enjoy the rest of your evening. That is all I wished to say.” He held his arm out back towards the party.
Across the great hall, the Duke and the Duchess sat in rapt attention watching the door to the balcony as Alex and Philippe reentered the ballroom. Upon returning, Alex went in one direction and Philippe the other. But this time, Philippe wore a small, private smile as he worked his way back through the crowd.
“Have I made a mistake in putting them together for this task,Bleu?” asked Guillaume.
“I’m done trying to protect Alex from him. They are adults. They have to figure it out for themselves,” replied Laure.
“Protect Alex? Look at that fool,” he said. “Smiling like a dope. I hope he can keep his head on straight. This is important business they set out for in the morning.”
“You have chosen your soldiers well,monamour. Don’t worry about it now. ‘Tis up to Lady Fate to decide what happens on their journey. Let’s just hopesheprotects them.”
Philippe approached them. “Goodnight Mother, Father. I will retire now. We must be up before the sun.” Then, with the same quiet grin, he left the great hall.
Guillaume breathed heavily. “That’s the first time he’s left a ball alone.”
“It’s about time,” said Laure.
Chapter Seven
SIX YEARS EARLIER
Ayoung Alexandra De Foix wanted to be the best swordsman in all of France.
