Page 59 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“Sir Hugue, the Norman mercenary,” said Serena, shooting aglance at the Red Wolf.

“There will be time later to hear the full tale,” said theRed Wolf. “We must get your handmaiden back to Talisand.”

“First, let me try and stop the bleeding,” pleaded Serena.Asking the men to turn their backs, Serena stripped the top of Cassie’s tunicand undertunic from her, and with the water Sir Niel handed her, cleaned thewound.

Cassie moaned.

Rhodri spoke from where he was rising. “Serena, Cassie hadsome herbs with her. Agrimony was one of them. It will stop the bleeding.”

“I’ll get it,” said Sir Maurin. He rose from Cassie’s sideand hurried to the horse Rhodri directed him to.

When the knight returned, Serena lifted the cloth she hadused to cover Cassie’s chest and sprinkled the dried herb over the wound.

Still conscious, Cassie winced.

To Sir Maurin, who stood looking grief-stricken, Serenasaid, “’Tis not good, Sir Maurin, but hopefully not so grievous as to take herlife.”

Cassie’s eyes fluttered and then closed.

Sir Maurin stared fixedly at the redhead, then dropped toher side to hold her hand once again. The Red Wolf hovered above them like adark threatening angel.

When the flow of blood slowed, at Serena’s signal, Sir Nieland Sir Geoffroi gently lifted Cassie into the arms of Sir Maurin where he satupon his horse. The knight balanced her on his lap, one arm around hershoulders and the other on the reins, allowing her body to rest against hischest.

Watching Sir Maurin’s embrace of the handmaiden, the RedWolf said, “We’ll have to travel more slowly.” Then looking at Serena andRhodri, “There will be time for the tale.”

They mounted their horses, Sir Niel leading, followed by SirMaurin holding Cassie. Next came Serena and the Red Wolf riding abreast. SirGeoffroi and Rhodri brought up the rear.

Aware of the Red Wolf’s anger, she managed to say, “I amglad to see you safely returned, my lord.”

“Are you, indeed, my lady?” The tone of his voice told herhe was unconvinced. “As you must have discerned, I came from Talisand where Ifound you missing once again. It seems you have a penchant for stealing away.”He did not hide his displeasure.

“I only escaped this morning,” she explained.

“Escaped? I was told you left Talisand days ago.”

“I was abducted days ago. Surely you do not think Ileft on my own?”

She could plainly see that is just what he thought.

“Abducted? Do you expect me to believe such a storywhen Sir Niel was given a sleeping potion? Surely it was your doing, my lady,or someone aiding you, mayhap the Welshman.”

Serena knew he had not trusted her, and with good reason. Hecould not know her heart had changed. Before the abduction, she had decided toaccept her duty and take her place at his side as the Lady of Talisand, but nowit was more. It had taken an English earl to show her she wanted only theNorman knight.

His jaw flexed, as if barely suppressing his wrath. Shedesperately wanted to make him understand. “I, too, must have been given apotion, my lord.”

“By Sir Hugue? What was his role in all of this?”

“He was working for my abductor. I thank you for sparing usthe mercenary’s wrath. Cassie threw her knife into his shoulder, but he pulledit out and sent it into Cassie’s flesh. He was very angry when he fled athearing your horses.”

“What about your handmaiden and the bard? Were they a partof this?”

“Nay. They went in search of me and only crossed my path ashort while before you did.”

“Surely they aided your escape.”

“They did not. Ask Rhodri for yourself.”

The Red Wolf turned in his saddle to glance back at theWelshman. “She speaks the truth, my lord,” said Rhodri. “Cassie was eager to goin search of Lady Serena and I insisted on joining in the hunt.”