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.He had slept only lightly before Rosamunde had come and had stayed awake many hours crouched by the door hoping that she might come back.What little sleep he had managed to get had not refreshed him and he stretched to try and get his body to work properly.His leg ached; he must have slept with it beneath him when he had slept.Determined not to limp into the duke’s presence, he began to massage it as Margaret had taught him.It was painful, but not as painful as losing Rosamunde.She must have told the duke what had happened by now.The duke loved his daughter and Richard’s punishment would undoubtedly be more severe than being locked in a reasonably comfortable dungeon overnight.He had little time to ponder his fate, however, as the duke called for him almost immediately.Richard was not surprised when Guy came for him.The duke probably did not appreciate the humiliation he was heaping on his prisoner by sending his friend to act as his guard.Guy had given up his suspicions of the Frenchman the day Richard had returned with Rosamunde from Sir Walter’s manor.While Rosamunde and Thomas had recovered the two of them had run the castle, although it had seemed to other eyes that Guy had done it alone.Richard would have preferred the opportunity to make himself more presentable, but followed Guy obediently to the duke’s solar.Guy said nothing, telling Richard how angry the younger man must be.“I love her,” Richard said as they started to cross the hall.Guy sighed and stopped.“That has been obvious for a long time.I did not take you for a fool.The duke loves Rosamunde above all else.Did you think he would give her to a stranger for the sake of asking?”Richard was taken aback.Could Guy still be on his side? He obviously did not know what Richard had done last night.“He trusted me with her life; he can trust me with her happiness.”“You are a fool after all.He didn’t trust you with her life.You were to delay her death.You were one more body between her and Sir Walter.That’s all.Your life was forfeit from the moment you gave yourself up to him.” Guy’s disappointment showed in his face.Richard thought again how wrong he had been not to trust this man from the beginning.He had underestimated Guy.The man might not be cunning, but he knew his lord.Guy grinned.“Do not fear.You are stupid, but my lady is not.She will talk him round.” Guy at least did not know what happened.“No, she will not.I am stupid and Rosamunde will not have a stupid man.”Guy said nothing and the encouraging smile slipped from his face and they continued on to the duke’s solar.Richard knew that Guy was wondering what the Frenchman had done to make Rosamunde think him stupid.Let him wonder.Guy opened the door to the solar and they entered.The duke was sitting and Thomas stood behind him.Richard did not know whether to be alarmed or relieved that Rosamunde was not present.The duke’s expression was unreadable.Richard crossed the room until he stood before the duke, then knelt.He was this man’s vassal, even if it was temporary.He kept his eyes lowered.He did not want to seem to be challenging his lord.The silence in the room was almost unbearable.Richard had avoided catching Thomas’ eye, so did not know what expression was on his face.It might be encouraging or condemning.He did not want to know.The only thing that was important was whether or not the duke knew about what had happened last night.“Father!” The sound of the door opening followed Rosamunde’s cry.Richard did not dare move a muscle.He had broken Rosamunde’s heart, now it seemed that she must break his.“Rosamunde, you do not need to be here.You have already made your feelings clear.” The duke’s voice was gentle.He did not know what his prisoner had done either.Why had Rosamunde told no one? Had no one seen her distress last night?“No, father, I want you to understand that I am your obedient daughter.I do not wish to marry Sir Richard.I will marry the man of your choice.”“No!” Richard could not stop the protest and jumped to his feet, only to be struck down by one of the guards he had not noticed.Wounded, he lay curled on the floor in pain, dragging in halting breaths.He had landed badly on his leg, which had given way beneath him.“Step away from him,” ordered the duke.“That was not necessary.I doubt he intended to hurt Lady Rosamunde.”“Here, let me help you.” Guy was beside Richard and helped him to stand.“I apologise, my lord,” gasped Richard when he could speak.“I did not mean any harm to you or my lady.”Now he dared to look at Rosamunde [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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