left the castle they might make trouble amongst the lawless bands that roamed the countryside.
Raphael had wondered at the attack on Rosamunde as she had journeyed here. It was true that she had but three escorts and yet he could not help wondering if it was mere chance that had brought her so close to disaster. Sir Edmund knew of the demands to her uncle and he’d also known that Count Torrs had been given his freedom. Had he seen a chance to take the woman and the ransom for himself?
Had Raphael not chanced to ride that way with his men she might never have reached the castle. She could simply have disappeared, the money stolen and…A shiver went down his spine as he thought of Rosamunde’s probable fate. He clenched his hands, a surge of anger making him curse as he realised that he might never have seen her face to face, never have heard hervoice. It would have been a loss to him, though he might never have known of it.
He had for years forgotten the incident at her father’s castle. Yet somewhere at the back of his mind, the picture of a young girl’s terrified face, and her smile when he’d rescued her and her kitten from the dog, had lingered, tucked away with other memories of childhood. When he thought of sunlit days in the meadows with his mother, the picture of a young girl clutching a kitten to her breast might flit through his mind.
He had remembered the child with amusement, but the girl had become a woman, and a very beautiful, special woman. Her beauty appealed to his sensual nature, but there was also something in her nature that he found attractive. She thought of herself as a hostage, and in a way she was, because he could not let her return to her home until he was certain it was safe. She was under his protection and he could not allow her freedom when it might mean her death. Prince John might suspect that he’d lied and he might send men to take her hostage for real.
The thought of her confined to one of the prince’s prisons horrified Raphael. No; she was vulnerable and far too lovely to surrender to the mercy of a man known for his selfish cruelty. Much better that she remain under Raphael’s protection!
He had enjoyed observing her as she had watched the hawks fly. Her excitement and pleasure had reflected in her face and the fresh air had brought roses to her cheeks. For the first time in many months, Raphael had felt the shadows lift from his heart.
‘My lord.’ Raphael’s thoughts were suspended as his steward entered.
‘Yes, Mellors?’
‘There is a messenger come from Baron Sigmund of the Dark Towers. He says his master is on his way to visit you and will arrive before nightfall.’
‘Sigmund of the Dark Towers?’ Raphael frowned for the name struck terror into most of his neighbours. The baron was the leader of many of the lawless bands who robbed and murdered unwary travellers. ‘Tell me, was my father in the habit of entertaining such a rogue?’
‘Your father would have none of him, my lord. As bitter as he had become, his quarrels were personal or at the prince’s bidding. Baron Sigmund is a veritable devil and even those who serve him fear him,’ Mellors said.
‘We should close our gates,’ Raphael said. ‘Tell the men to be alert for signs of an attack. If Sigmund comes in peace we shall admit him and five of his men, but no more. If he has brought an army we shall resist him.’
‘Yes, my lord. I shall alert the men.’
‘I shall come with you. I do not know if we could withstand a long siege, but we shall not give in easily.’
* * *
Rosamunde glanced up from her sewing as Maire entered. It was obvious that the elderly woman was anxious and she rose to greet her.
‘Come, sit by the fire, my friend. What is it that upsets you?’ Rosamunde said gently.
‘Have you not heard the commotion outside?’ Maireasked and her hands trembled as she held them to the flames. ‘They have closed the gates and the men are ready to defend the castle from
Raphael had wondered at the attack on Rosamunde as she had journeyed here. It was true that she had but three escorts and yet he could not help wondering if it was mere chance that had brought her so close to disaster. Sir Edmund knew of the demands to her uncle and he’d also known that Count Torrs had been given his freedom. Had he seen a chance to take the woman and the ransom for himself?
Had Raphael not chanced to ride that way with his men she might never have reached the castle. She could simply have disappeared, the money stolen and…A shiver went down his spine as he thought of Rosamunde’s probable fate. He clenched his hands, a surge of anger making him curse as he realised that he might never have seen her face to face, never have heard hervoice. It would have been a loss to him, though he might never have known of it.
He had for years forgotten the incident at her father’s castle. Yet somewhere at the back of his mind, the picture of a young girl’s terrified face, and her smile when he’d rescued her and her kitten from the dog, had lingered, tucked away with other memories of childhood. When he thought of sunlit days in the meadows with his mother, the picture of a young girl clutching a kitten to her breast might flit through his mind.
He had remembered the child with amusement, but the girl had become a woman, and a very beautiful, special woman. Her beauty appealed to his sensual nature, but there was also something in her nature that he found attractive. She thought of herself as a hostage, and in a way she was, because he could not let her return to her home until he was certain it was safe. She was under his protection and he could not allow her freedom when it might mean her death. Prince John might suspect that he’d lied and he might send men to take her hostage for real.
The thought of her confined to one of the prince’s prisons horrified Raphael. No; she was vulnerable and far too lovely to surrender to the mercy of a man known for his selfish cruelty. Much better that she remain under Raphael’s protection!
He had enjoyed observing her as she had watched the hawks fly. Her excitement and pleasure had reflected in her face and the fresh air had brought roses to her cheeks. For the first time in many months, Raphael had felt the shadows lift from his heart.
‘My lord.’ Raphael’s thoughts were suspended as his steward entered.
‘Yes, Mellors?’
‘There is a messenger come from Baron Sigmund of the Dark Towers. He says his master is on his way to visit you and will arrive before nightfall.’
‘Sigmund of the Dark Towers?’ Raphael frowned for the name struck terror into most of his neighbours. The baron was the leader of many of the lawless bands who robbed and murdered unwary travellers. ‘Tell me, was my father in the habit of entertaining such a rogue?’
‘Your father would have none of him, my lord. As bitter as he had become, his quarrels were personal or at the prince’s bidding. Baron Sigmund is a veritable devil and even those who serve him fear him,’ Mellors said.
‘We should close our gates,’ Raphael said. ‘Tell the men to be alert for signs of an attack. If Sigmund comes in peace we shall admit him and five of his men, but no more. If he has brought an army we shall resist him.’
‘Yes, my lord. I shall alert the men.’
‘I shall come with you. I do not know if we could withstand a long siege, but we shall not give in easily.’
* * *
Rosamunde glanced up from her sewing as Maire entered. It was obvious that the elderly woman was anxious and she rose to greet her.
‘Come, sit by the fire, my friend. What is it that upsets you?’ Rosamunde said gently.
‘Have you not heard the commotion outside?’ Maireasked and her hands trembled as she held them to the flames. ‘They have closed the gates and the men are ready to defend the castle from
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