Unfortunately, and despite the look she gave him that would have told a less selfish, more perceptive man that she wished to be alone, he opened the gate and sauntered into the garden.
“I’ve come to talk to you about Merrick,” he said.
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him to leave, but she reconsidered. Merrick was still very much a mystery to her. Surely Henry could provide some answers.
“I assume you quarreled, and you took the garrison commander’s part,” he continued, studying her.
“With just cause,” she replied, her anger again rising as she thought of Merrick’s harsh decision. “Talek’s been a loyal soldier here for twenty years. Merrick has no reason to think he would deliberately harm him.”
Henry regarded her gravely, and for once, there was no hint of merriment in his eyes. “I fear, my lady, that your betrothed has a suspicious nature. I’m not sure he even trusts Ranulf and me, although we’ve been friends for fifteen years and sworn an oath of loyalty to each other.”
She sat on the edge of the stone bench and gestured for him to join her. “Fifteen years? You must have met him at Sir Leonard’s castle shortly after his cortege was attacked.”
Henry nodded. “I had just arrived myself.”
“Sir Leonard wrote to tell us what had happened and to assure us that Merrick was in no danger of dying. Then he wrote asking why Lord William didn’t come. Lord William said his son was no baby to need coddling. Let Sir Leonard take care of him, as was his duty.”
How hard-hearted Lord William had been. How selfish. How cruel. Even though his son had nearly been killed, he wouldn’t bestir himself a step.
“Perhaps because Merrick had no life-threateningwounds,” Henry suggested. “Even so, he didn’t talk to anyone, including Sir Leonard, for weeks. There was some fear his wits had been damaged since there was no wound to his throat. The physician thought it might be a result of the panic and fear from the attack. He had seen such things before in children. They didn’t find Merrick until the day after the attack, you see. He spent hours alone in the dark hiding from the men who’d slaughtered his uncle and the escort.”
“I didn’t know that,” she confessed. He must have been terrified, all alone and lost in the dark, with the bodies of those sent to protect him nearby. Was it any wonder, then, that he feared assassination?
“What made him finally speak?” she asked after a moment.
“Me,” Henry replied with a sheepish grin. “He told me to shut my mouth.”
In spite of her distress, Constance had to smile as she imagined a young and annoyed Merrick losing his patience with an equally young and lively Henry.
“After he was well enough to train with the other fostered boys I pestered him unmercifully. I kept asking him to help me.” Henry’s grin became a wistful smile. “It was obvious even then that he was the best of us all.”
That came as no surprise. Yet when Henry’s admission was accompanied by a sigh, she realized how distressing it must have been to always be surpassed by Merrick. “I’m sure you’re an excellent knight, too,” she said, using the same tone of voice with which she comforted Beatrice.
Henry’s eyes lit with pleasure. “How delightful of you to say so, my lady.” His expression softened. “But then, you are ever kindhearted and generous.”
She suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. Henry hadn’t said or done anything to make her fear that his motives were anything but genial and honorable, and yet…
“Ah, here you are, Henry,” Ranulf declared as he sauntered along the path toward them.
Constance shot to her feet. She could guess how this might look, especially to the cynical Ranulf.
Henry likewise scrambled to his feet, while Constance attempted to regain her composure. After all, she had done nothing wrong and she shouldn’t act as if she had.
“There’s no need to worry, my lady,” Henry said with a smile that was no doubt intended to be comforting. “Ranulf knows I have no seductive designs on you.”
She was not a young girl in need of reassurance. “That is well, sir,” she said sharply. “For if you did, you would be wasting your time.”
Ranulf’s brows rose. She didn’t see Henry’s reaction, because she didn’t look at him.
“You see, Ranulf?” Henry replied, sounding as merry as ever. “Even if I were the most practiced seducer in England, I stand no chance with her.”
She glanced at him and he laid his hand over his heart. “Although it wounds my pride to hear such a denunciation from those lovely lips.”
Constance frowned. Had the man no sense at all? “Sir, I’m in no humor for your jests.”
“Alas!” he cried in mock anguish. “A blow from your slender hands would pain me less!”
Constance had had quite enough of Henry. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I have duties that require my supervision,” she said, and she headed for the gate.
