Lorelei.
âMadness.â
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âSir Argus rather thinks so. But that does not stop the man from being a danger to Sir Argus. Still, it might be best if you discuss all that with him.â
Within moments, Lorelei found herself escorting Argusâs family to the gatehouse. She had thought to introduce them to her father, but he and the youngest boys had not returned from their foray to the pond. A coldness was settling deep into her soul as she realized that these people could be here to take Sir Argus away. Every instinct she had told her that, if Argus left Sundunmoor, she would never see him again. Lorelei was just not sure if there was any way she could prevent that. These four people were his family and this problem was a family one, while she was simply the woman who had pulled him out of his prison and nursed his wounds.
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When they stepped into the bedchamber, they found Argus struggling to tug on his boots, wincing all the while. The way his relatives hurried to his side made Lorelei suddenly feel like the odd man out. She told herself it was foolish, but the longer they all talked amongst themselves, the more de trop she began to feel. Finally she decided it might be best if she just quietly slipped away and waited at home to hear what would happen next. She was just stepping out the door when a hand clasped her by the wrist and she looked to find Lady Olympia at her side.
âWhere are you going?â asked Lady Olympia.
âI thought I should leave you alone so that you could make your plans,â Lorelei replied, but she did not stop the woman from dragging her over to where the men were talking. âYou know best what you are capable of and what resources you can bring to this battle.â
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âYou and this place are an intricate part of all the planning that must be done. Is this place not close to where he was held prisoner?â
That remark implied that at least Lady Olympia thought Argus should stay where he was, but Lorelei smothered the sudden hope that rose within her. âAbout a half dayâs ride if one does not have to go very slowly.â
âThen this is the area where his enemies will be. They are surely searching for him all around here and Dunn Manor. Well, if they realize that Dunn Manor is where he had to have been taken at least at the start. Once they figure that out, the connection to you, to the Sunduns can easily be made.â
âIt is possible, although we have had no word of anyone looking for him.â
Lady Olympia stared at one of the windows, but a quick glance at her face was enough to tell Lorelei that the woman was not admiring the view. There was a faraway look in those lovely eyes she suspected men had written odes to. She wondered what gift Lady Olympia could lay claim to.
âYou will,â Lady Olympia said in a voice very close to a whisper. âSoon.â She frowned and then nodded as if confirming her own words.
âHow could that be?â Lorelei asked. âThere can be no connection between me and Sir Argus. Our families have never even met. So this Cornick thinks Sir Argus was taken to Dunn Manor. It matters not for no one but me, my maid, and my cousins knew he was there and we moved him as quickly as possible.â
âYou were seen,â Lady Olympia said, giving Lorelei a look that dared her to deny it.
âWhat?â Argus turned away from his cousins to stare at Olympia and Lorelei, revealing that he had been listening closely to what she and his sister had been talking about. âYou did not tell me about that, Lady Lorelei. When were you seen? By whom?â
It was not something she had ever intended to tell him, and Lorelei cast Lady Olympia a cross look only to earn a sweet smile from the woman. âIt was when we were getting you away from that place. When the men rode up just as we reached the top of the hill, I think one of them caught a very brief glimpse of me. May have even
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