A Knight in Central Park(74)
“The innkeeper insisted the king’s men be well refreshed before they ride off to do the king’s bidding.” Sebastiano’s eyes sparkled. “And I do believe,” he said close to George’s ear, “that the woman has taken a fancy to you both, for she asked me to bring you food for your journey home.” He handed George the bag of scones.
“Before you go, we must make a toast,” Sebastiano said.
When neither man went to take a wine cup, Sebastiano added, “You wouldn’t want to be hurting the innkeeper’s feelings, now would you?”
George took a cup. The other man let out a sigh as he, too, came forward to take hold of a goblet, leaving one cup left for Sebastiano.
Sebastiano set the tray on the ground and held his cup high. “To a safe ride home.”
All three of them took drinks.
Alexandra noticed Sir Joe standing in the shadow of the inn. Her chest ached at the idea of him doing naught to stop these men from taking her and Garrett. And yet, this scene taking place with Sebastiano seemed odd. Where was Susan and why hadn’t she run out to say goodbye as Alexandra was sure she would do? Something was amiss.
The two men had hardly sipped their wine and were about to set their cups down when Sebastiano raised his cup again. “For protecting the king’s people,” he cried, “we are eternally grateful.” With that said, Sebastiano drank in big gulps, until red wine ran down his chin.
Joe could see Alexandra from where he stood. Her face had paled and her shoulders slunk in despair. It sickened him to think that even for a moment she would believe he would casually hand her over to these men. But he could see it in her eyes and there was nothing he could do about it. If he ran out there now, there would be no one left to help Alexandra and her brother. He had to keep a level head, form a plan, then wait until the time was right.
One man was about to pour his wine out when George raised his glass to the air and said, “To women and their rambling tongues, spiteful tempers, and sweet tasting lips.”
“Here, here,” Sebastiano said, taking a long gulp from his cup, both men following suit.
Susan ran outside with more wine, filled Sebastiano’s cup and said loudly, “And to men! And to St. Valentine, first kisses, and true love.” Her cheeks turned a crimson hue and both men laughed, but George drank to her ridiculous toast. Sebastiano took another gulp, then smiled at Susan before placing his arm around her shoulder.
Alexandra, Joe noticed, was ready to hogtie the lot of them. Clearly she had no idea what they were up to. The man in charge had yet to finish his drink. Unlike George, he was not a pleasant sort. He was more than perturbed by the interruption, especially when Sebastiano staggered forth and shouted, “Wait! One more toast. The most important one of all!”
The angry man pulled his sword from its holding and put it to Sebastiano’s chest. “Why do you wish to detain us? Are you up to no good?”
Joe could see the sharpness of the blade cutting through the boy’s shirt. His heart pounded as he moved closer to the door, ready to intercede.
“Of course not,” Sebastiano answered calmly, “but I have heard if the cup is not empty of every drop after the toasts are made, then bad luck will come to thee whose cup is not fully drained.”
“For the love of God,” the man said before he put his cup to his lips and finished it in one gulp. “There, ’Tis done.” He turned the cup upside down to show that it was empty, then threw it to the ground.
George too finished his cup, tossing it aside when he was done.
Joe wondered how long before the pills would take effect. He’d put half a bottle of sleeping pills into their cups for God’s sake. He glanced over his shoulder. Rebecca stood near the hearth and stared at him with wide, frightful eyes. His gut wrenched, and then again as he watched the men set off, taking Alexandra and Garrett hostage. Alexandra looked back toward the inn, giving him one last look of mute appeal.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, praying he was doing the right thing. “I won’t let you down.”
Sebastiano stumbled back inside, thoroughly intoxicated by one drink.
“Sebastiano,” Joe said, shaking the young man’s shoulders. “Which cup did you drink from?”
Sebastiano shrugged, his eyelids half shut.
Joe looked at Susan. “I think we’ve got a problem.”
A loud thunk confirmed his suspicions. Sebastiano fell to the ground. He was out cold.