Page 65 of Veil of Winter

“You are welcome, and now, I am sure you have things toattend to, as do I.” Count Eberhard nodded to the guard, who started toward them.

Princess Elyce gave him a blank stare just before she bowed a farewell, which the count did not even see, as he had already turned to leave through a back door.

Gerard and Elyce followed the guard out.

The guard left them a few feet beyond the throne room. As soon as he was out of earshot, the princess said, “He is rude, but at least he is going to help us.”

“I still don’t trust him. Why decide to give us fifty of his men when he seemed unlikely to give us anything just two hours ago?”

“Perhaps he realized it would please King Wenceslaus.”

“I get the impression he does not care about pleasing King Wenceslaus. If he has attacked neighboring cities in order to take them over, he cares only for his own interests.”

Footsteps were getting closer. They waited as a servant passed by them and kept walking.

“We should talk in my room.” The princess led the way.

“I don’t like it.” Gerard closed the door behind them.

Gerard caught sight of Ysabeau slipping out of the room through a side door that must connect to her own room.

“It is strange.” The princess had lost her smile.

“And why is he making us wait three days for the men? Fighting men don’t need that much time to ready themselves.”

“Perhaps he wants to make sure we are who we say we are.”

“And how will he discover that? Three days is enough time to send word to your father, is it not? And to King Claude?”

Her forehead wrinkled and she pursed her lips. “But why would he do that?”

“Many reasons. An alliance with Claude. A dislike of independent women. Perhaps he’s hoping for a reward or ransom for you.”

Princess Elyce rubbed her temple.

“He has not invited you to dine at his table or given you a feast of welcome as King Wenceslaus did. He has been arrogant and disrespectful of you.”

“It’s true, but what should I do? I’m trying to do the right thing, to go where King Wenceslaus told me to. I don’t know who to trust. Should I ask to speak to him and tell him my concerns, to try to discover his intentions?”

“I am upsetting you with my suspicions.”

“No, no. Well... yes, I am upset, but you are raising good questions that I need to consider.” She rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache.

“How about we take the rest of the day to pray. Perhaps God will give us insight and wisdom as to what to do.”

“That is a good idea.” Her shoulders slumped a bit and she smiled. “You always know what to do.”

“Hardly. That was actually your idea.” But her praise washed over him like a warm fire on a winter day. Would she let him embrace her again? His mind went to their last kiss. Ysa was in the next room. She would not come in to disturb them, would she?

She lifted her hand and touched his arm. “I’m very grateful to have your help.”

Her gentle touch and her words of gratitude seemed to wringthe breath from his lungs. He took her hand and kissed it, then gently pulled her closer.

A knock came at the door. A servant entered with a tray of food. She set it on a small table, then scurried out, closing the door.

Princess Elyce’s cheeks were pink. “Ysa ordered food for us.”

“Is that our food?” Ysa called from the adjoining door.