Page 52 of A Knight’s Vengeance

A coy giggle drew her gaze to the dais. De Lanceau stood with his hands braced on the marred oak, speaking to Veronique who had claimed Elizabeth’s place. The courtesan smiled and offered him a goblet of wine. He took it and drank.

Elizabeth tore her gaze away and wiped her damp hands on her bliaut. She fought a ridiculous pang of jealousy. She did not care what the rogue did with his lover. The fresh air and emotion-laden talk had addled her senses.

Mildred waved from the trestle table. She looked worried. “Milady.”

Moving away from her guards, Elizabeth started toward her lady-in-waiting.

Dominic intercepted her and matched her strides. “You are well? You suffered no punishment at milord’s hand?”

“None.”

He grinned. “Good.”

A smile tugged at Elizabeth’s mouth. She might have grinned back, if de Lanceau had not straightened and looked at her.

His lazy grin faded. His gaze shifted to Dominic. “’Tis done?”

“Aye.” Dominic withdrew a rolled parchment from under his belt, strode to de Lanceau, and handed it over. “I included all of your demands.”

Elizabeth halted. “Demands?”

“Your ransom,” de Lanceau muttered.

Veronique laughed.

The air seemed to thicken. Elizabeth dragged in a breath, and the tang of burning pitch, drifting from the hearth, burned her nostrils. “Why did you not send it long ago?”

De Lanceau eased the parchment’s edges apart and unrolled the skin. “I wanted to be sure your father missed you, though mayhap he enjoyed relief from your bold tongue.”

She ignored the taunt. “What do you demand of him?”

“’Tis not a matter for your concern.”

“He is my father.”

Geoffrey smoothed a ragged corner with his finger. “You wish to know how I will destroy the great Lord Arthur Brackendale?” His ruthless gaze locked with hers. “I demand all that should have been mine. Every plot of land, title, and fortune that I should have inherited from my father, right down to the last bit of silver.”

Elizabeth’s outrage burned like dry kindling. “He will not agree.”

“In exchange for your safe return? Do you not think your father will yield?”

She forced a painful swallow which tasted of bitter resentment and fear. “Is that the sum of your demands, or will you kill him too?”

“You will learn that answer soon enough.”

“Tell me now.”

His gaze clashed with hers. Beyond the furious glitter, she saw resolve not to tell her more than he deemed necessary. “I suggest you and Mildred spend a few quiet moments by the fire.” He looked to the end of the table, where Mildred stood arguing with one of the guards. Geoffrey flicked his hand, and the man stepped aside and let the matron pass.

Desperation clawed up inside Elizabeth. “Tell me!”

His mouth thinned. “This is your last warning. Leave us.” He pointed to the hearth. “Go, before I decide to lock you back in your chamber.”

Elizabeth gnawed her lip. She must know her father’s fate… yet at the same time, she feared de Lanceau’s answer. Imprisoned within Branton’s walls, she could not stop his terrible plot for revenge.

Unless she escaped.

Unless he no longer had a pawn with which to barter.