On a rough sigh, he kissed her brow, damning his decision. “On the morrow I shall go.”
She gasped. “Why? For your bravery, my father has invited you to remain a fortnight.”
“And if I stayed, what? Can you guarantee we would nae meet again where none can see us? That we would nae make love?” He released her, paced to a nearby stall then returned. “I swore to myself nae to touch you. Yet, here, where any could come upon us, we risk the greatest sin. For if I believed ’twas safe, I would make love with you. You are a temptation I canna resist.”
A gust of wind spiraled wisps of hay across the courtyard as thecry of a baby echoed somewhere in the night, mingling with the distant laughter of guards on the wall walk. Marie remained silent, but the flicker of torchlights in the bailey exposed the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I have confidence your father will find those responsible for your abduction,” Colyne said, needing to change the subject.
“I cannot lose you,” she whispered.
A muscle worked in his jaw. “ ’Tis nae a choice.”
Silence fell between them, cold, hard with the pain of truth.
She sniffed. “I hate this.”
“As do I.”
“If Renard is still in France,” she said with vengeance, “he will regret that he did not flee to England when he had the opportunity.”
“Aye,” Colyne replied, through sheer will bringing his emotions under control. “But his involvement far from explains how he was able to bypass your guards and abduct you.”
“A puzzle my father said he and Gaston have discussed at length.”
At her familiar use of her betrothed’s name, Colyne flinched, again damned that he could nae sway the king to end the betrothal.
“’Twas daring of the English duke to request an audience with my father to plant false accusations against the Scottish rebels.”
“Aye, a brazen act that convinced King Philip of a lie.”
“And one that persuaded Gaston as well.” She paused. “Neither can I forget how Gaston reminded my father of the Duke of Renard’s warning.”
His jaw tightened as he recalled her betrothed’s caution to the king. “I find it interesting that your betrothed was so adamant in giving an Englishman’s word credence, more so with King Philip’s support of Scotland.”
“Mayhap,” Marie said, “his claim was more out of his dislike for you than his belief in your reasons for coming to France.”
Colyne grimaced, far from appeased. “Mayhap.”
Her eyes widened.“Mon Dieu!”
He stilled. “What is it?”
What if,” she whispered, “Gaston helped in planning my abduction?”
Tension thrummed through him. “Why would he, with your hand already promised to him? There was naught for him to gain by becoming involved.”
She nodded. “My ramblings were those of a dreamer. If he had indeed conspired with Renard, my father would not hesitate to sever the betrothal.”
As absurd as the idea of her betrothed involved in a treasonous plot against his sovereign seemed, Colyne couldna dismiss the thought. “His involvement would explain how your abduction transpired without event.”
She grimaced. “It would, but it does not answer why Gaston would take such a risk. Even if he was involved, how could we find proof?”
“We?” Anger slammed him hard and quick. “I will nae allow you to endanger your life. If he conspired with Renard, I will find out.”
“How?” she demanded. “You have no reason to be near my betrothed. As his intended, my presence beside him is expected.”
“A sword’s wrath! You will do naught to bring suspicion upon yourself.” The stubbornness in her eyes assured Colyne that she’d nae heed his warning. He shot her a cool look. “I have decided to accept your father’s offer to remain here for a fortnight. If your betrothed was involved, I will find proof.”
