An Uncertain Choice(39)

I’d overheard Sir Bennet’s confession that he’d accidentally picked up the wrong goblet, that the poison had been intended for him.

If only I’d never agreed to the dance. If only I’d refused to have the guests. If only I’d decided against the duke’s plans in the first place . . . then the nobleman wouldn’t be lying on his bed in agony and gasping his last breath.

“There you are, dear one,” came the duke’s voice from behind me. The flicker of torchlight illuminated the nook of my garden. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere and was beginning to get worried that someone had kidnapped you.”

At the duke’s presence, I raised my head and straightened my shoulders, hoping I appeared more controlled than I felt.

“How’s Baron York?” I asked of the duke, only to find that his three knights stood behind him along with the sheriff and bailiff.

“He’s still alive.” The duke drew closer, the torchlight causing my red dress to shimmer like dancing flames of fire.

I breathed in the night air, praying as I had for the past hour that God would spare the man’s life. “Have we discovered any clues as to who might be responsible for these murder attempts?”

My gaze flitted over Sir Bennet, with his dark, chiseled handsomeness, and Sir Collin, with his carefree, windswept attractiveness. Both of their faces were hard, all traces of the usual flattery and humor gone. I was sure they were both thinking just as I was how close they’d come to losing their lives. And even though I didn’t want Baron York to lose his life, I would have been inconsolable had the murderer hit his target with either of the knights. I’d only known them two weeks, but it was long enough that I’d grown to care about them. Maybe I hadn’t fallen in love with them, but I couldn’t bear to think of either one dying.

Sir Derrick stepped out of the shadows, and my attention flew to him like a moth to light. My pulse ceased to beat. What if the murderer struck again? Would Sir Derrick be the next target?

The very thought pierced my heart.

“We’ve already scoured the kitchen,” the sheriff said, stepping forward. “But I’m planning to search each of the guest rooms tonight.”

“Surely we don’t suspect any of the nobles?”

“I’m not ruling out any possibilities.” The sheriff glanced with narrowed eyes at Sir Derrick.

“Then, until we can locate the murderer,” I said, “I think we should cancel the festivities.”

“But we’re running out of time,” the duke said. “After the other delays, we have only two weeks left until your eighteenth birthday.”

In the darkness of the garden with the expanse of stars overhead, I glanced up at the abbot. I’d expected him to readily agree with my assessment to cancel the activities. But instead of acquiescence, he shook his head. “I may not agree with the worldliness of these affairs, but now that you’re almost halfway through the month, I don’t want to encourage you to stop. If by some chance love has blossomed inside you already, I would not want to be the one to pluck the bloom.”

Was two additional weeks enough? The very thought of so little time left was disheartening.

“I wouldn’t want you to resent me for the rest of your life,” he continued, “for stopping you from at least seeing what might happen.”

If I ceased now, would I always wonder what might have happened?

My attention flickered to Derrick. His face was taut, his expression unreadable.

If I was completely honest with myself, I knew I didn’t want to stop. Not yet. Not until I’d had the chance to explore the strange feelings I’d felt lately.

“But what of the safety of the knights and my guests? What if the murderer strikes again? What if next time he succeeds?”

The abbot glanced at the young knights with narrowed brow. “If these men are the three strongest and most valiant knights in the land, then they’ll be able to protect themselves now that the threat is known.”

“What of my guests?”

“We shall post extra guards,” the duke suggested. “And for the remainder of the festivities we’ll use extra caution and vigilance, especially for Lady Rosemarie.”

I wanted to contradict both men. If the murderer had struck twice with such ease, what would prevent him from doing so again?

Through the flickering torchlight, I met Sir Derrick’s gaze. I studied the clouded depths of his eyes, surprised that I wished for his advice in the matter. I could count on him to be honest with me. He spoke what was on his mind without thought of flattery. And I valued that quality.

What do you think I should do?

As if sensing my question, he lifted his chin, his hard expression admonishing me to be brave and face the danger.

“Very well,” I said slowly. “We shall continue with our plans.”

I’d pray for courage to keep going in spite of the threats that hung over us. But perhaps I’d also pray that somehow I could convince Sir Derrick to fight to win my heart.





Chapter

15




“All three knights are incredibly handsome,” said one of the young ladies near me.

I sat at the center of the ladies in my grand chair, which had been placed under the shade of the splendid tent along the side of the field. We’d gathered to watch the jousting tournament, all dressed in beautiful gowns with flowing headpieces.