“I agree,” he answered. By his slightly narrowed eyes, lowered brow, and hard set of his jaw, she could almost read his thoughts.
A moment later a woman came hurrying toward them. She sank into a curtsying bow and said, “Please follow me to your rooms. We will bring food and drink, and if there is anything else you require, please tell me or one of the servants.”
“Thank you. Will you have our two companions, Ysabeau and Sir Oswalt, shown to our rooms?”
“It would be my pleasure.” The woman bowed and hurried away.
At least this woman seemed well-mannered, not condescending like her master.
As soon as the woman was out of sight, Sir Gerard came into Elyce’s room with her and shut the door.
“What do you know about this man, Count Eberhard? I don’t trust him.”
“I had never met him before, but as you know, King Wenceslaus recommended we come to him for help.”
“How do you know he has not already formed an alliance with King Claude?”
Elyce felt the blood drain from her face, and her stomach sank. Her thoughts raced through everything she knew of Count Eberhard.
“I know that he is very warlike. He has attacked and conquered several cities and claimed them for himself, including Böblingen and Calw. But if he has allied himself with King Claude . . .” They were doomed.
“It seems likely he is only interested in helping himself. And if he has no quarrel with Claude, he is just as likely to side with Valkenfeld as with you and the people of Montciel.”
“Why would King Wenceslaus tell us to go to him?”
“Let us hope he knows something we don’t about Count Eberhard.” He was staring hard at the wall. “But I don’t like it. I don’t like waiting to see if he’s going to help us, especially when he was so disrespectful toward you. I wanted to punch him in the face.”
Elyce laughed, a quick sound, before covering her mouth. “I was surprised at his rudeness and suspicion. Why do you think he behaved that way?”
Sir Gerard shook his head. “There are many reasons he might.” He folded his arms across his chest. “If you want, we can leave tonight and go elsewhere for support. Although, now that he knows our plans, he could inform King Claude.”
“Are we just being mistrustful? After all, he hasn’t done anything to threaten us. He was only rude and suspicious. I think we should stay and see what he will do for us.”
Sir Gerard was still scowling. “Very well. But I don’t trust him. Say the word and we will leave this place at once.”
“I don’t know what to do. What do you think?”
Sir Gerard’s chest rose as he took in a long, noisy breath, then blew it out. He finally looked her in the eye. “I have learned that people often have secret intentions, and when someone seems unkind, then they are unkind. Unless he has a selfish reason for assisting us, more than just not wanting to anger King Wenceslaus, he will not help us.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
She suddenly wished he would put his arms around her. Part of her wanted to run away with him, to live an ordinary life with this English knight with the handsome face and kind eyes that made her melt inside.
Not only was he not asking her to run away with him, but she could never leave her people knowing they were being treated cruelly, their freedoms taken from them. They would hate her, and she would hate herself.
With an internal sigh, she said, “Let’s just stay here tonight and pray and then decide what to do in the morning. Does that sound good to you?”
“We’ll do whatever you say.”
“I am thankful for your help and your opinion. I don’t know how I would have done this without you.” Tears pricked her eyes as the depth of her gratitude washed over her.
Sir Gerard pulled her into his chest, his arms encircling her.
How good it felt to be held in his strong arms, to feel his warm chest against her cheek. If she were allowed to have what she wanted, this was it—the love and affection of this good, strong, brave man.
There was a soft knock on the door, and it immediately opened.
Elyce and Sir Gerard stepped back, out of each other’s embrace. Ysa and Sir Oswalt were standing in the doorway, and Elyce imagined she could see the judgment in their expressions.
Let them judge. She might never get what she truly wanted, but she could have a simple embrace, something to remember, could she not? She would not apologize for seeking comfort from a friend, and Sir Gerard was indeed her friend. Perhaps the best one she’d ever had.
* * *
After making sure King Wenceslaus’s men were taken care of, Gerard went back to his room to talk to Sir Oswalt and get his opinion of the situation. But when he reached his room, a guard was there.
“Sir Gerard?”
“Yes?”
“Count Eberhard will see you.”
The hair on the back of his neck prickled. So soon? Princess Elyce was standing ahead of him. They fell in step together.
He wanted to ask her what this was about, but she probably knew no more than he did.
“Are the men settled?” she asked.
“Yes. And your horse is also well.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
And he knew she was, but her expression was tense.
They reached the same throne room where they had seen Count Eberhard earlier that day. And as he’d done before, he stood and walked toward them, and again, he failed to bow to Princess Elyce.
“I trust all is well with your accommodations.” He did not ask. It was a statement.
“All is well,” the princess told him. “Do you have news for us?” To her credit, she was very sober and held her head high, staring straight into the count’s eyes, as he might expect a princess to do.
The count said nothing for a moment, then, “I will send men with you to protect Montciel. They will be ready to go with you in three days.”
“How many men?” Gerard studied the man’s eyes. They were small and black.
Again, the count did not answer right away, a control tactic meant to make them feel as if the count held their fate in his hands. He was not the first person Gerard had encountered who liked to make other people wait. None of them were good people.
“I have not decided. Probably fifty or so. I don’t like fighting battles and not winning, and neither do my men.”
“Of course.” Princess Elyce sounded very sure of herself. “We have every intention of winning against King Clau—”
“You may make yourselves comfortable here,” the count interrupted. “Ask for anything you wish from the servants, and they will get it for you.”
“I thank you for your graciousness and your help. On behalf of my people—”
“You are welcome, and now, I am sure you have things to attend 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?”