Page 74 of The Mercenary

He promised with a look, and she smiled back at him.

“He will blame Noreham. Which is why he’ll not find him easily.”

Neither Conrad nor Sabine asked where Noreham was headed, nor would Guy have answered in such a setting. They were far enough away from the closest table not to be overheard, but still. Uttering such a thing aloud in mixed company would serve no purpose.

Noreham was safe, for now.

But he’d also be branded a traitor. A moniker his new friend was willing to accept, for a time.

“We’re not safe anywhere,” Guy said, speaking a truth they all knew. None of them had forgotten the missing courier. “He will make the connection, if he has not already. Me. Both of you. All of us. The order is no longer a secret.”

Conrad sighed. “We never expected it to remain so.”

All three of them remained silent for a time. They ate, Guy unable to resist glaring at a young knight who seemed much too curious about his wife.

“We’ve enough men to fight, Guy.”

He didn’t realize the earl had been watching him.

Giving his attention to his ale, Guy finished the meal. As the tables were cleared, he asked after Sabine’s shoulder.

“’Tis painful, aye,” she admitted. “But much less so than waiting for your return.”

“I am sorry for it,” he said sincerely. “None of this will be easy.”

The mood had shifted, the reality of what they’d done—and were prepared to do—settling over them like an unwanted blanket on a hot day. But they could not kick it off. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“A toast.” Conrad stood, his voice booming. “A toast,” he called even louder, quieting the crowd. “To my friend, Sir Guy Lavallais, and his wife, the beautiful Lady Sabine. And to Licheford. May we enjoy this night for what it offers. Life.”

Some appeared slightly confused by the toast. They likely had no notion of what was coming. But they would soon enough.

Others, Conrad’s captains and the men privy to his private dealings, lifted their mugs with more gusto. If called upon to do so, they would fight for Conrad. Or prepare for a siege against their own king.

They knew not what tomorrow would bring. Nor did Guy.

But he would take his friend’s advice. They would concern themselves tomorrow with tomorrow. For tonight was his.

He looked at Sabine.

Tonight was theirs.

And he’d not waste a moment of it.

Chapter 36

She’d lain awake in this chamber night after night, thinking of him. Worrying for him. Wondering if he were alive or dead.

Now, she was filled with eagerness—and impatience—as she waited for him to join her. When he’d attempted to retire with her, she’d encouraged him to stay belowstairs for a few moments longer so that she might prepare for him.

The maid Conrad had sent to her on that first day had retired after helping her disrobe. The fire had already been stoked, the candles lit. Sabine had nothing to do now but wait.

Wait and think.

She’d known for some time she did not wish to part with her husband, but she’d been prepared to do just that. Although it was highly unusual for a woman of noble birth to make her way alone, she felt confident she could have managed it.

Which didn’t mean she truly wanted to.

There would be challenges ahead, but they would face them together. Presently, though, her greatest challenge was calming her racing heart.