Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Raleigh Park Castle

"W hat should we do?"

Robert de Norbury was looking at the missive in his hand, the one from his brother-in-law, Adriano. The question from his wife was one he'd been asking himself for the better part of the day, ever since a messenger arrived from Fremington Castle informing him that his niece, Elisiana, had been recovered and was currently back home.

What should we do?

Frankly, he had no bloody idea.

What he should have done was tell Adriano the very moment it happened. He should have been forthright and simply told the man, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Even now, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

But he had to.

"They brought her home," he muttered, still looking at the carefully written message. "He says that Elisiana has been recovered."

His wife was looking between him and the missive nervously. "Does he say where she was found?"

"He does not."

"Nothing about where she was and what she was doing?"

"Nay."

Helena, Lady de Norbury, was as nervous as a cat. "This is terrible," she said, wandering away and wringing her hands. "But this may also be our salvation."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because she may have been with a man for all we know," she said, whirling to face her husband. "She may have returned to them impure. Can they prove that she isn't? We can break the betrothal based on that."

Robert cocked his head thoughtfully. "It is possible," he said. "But you forget that Elisiana is my payment for the money I loaned her father, and I do not want to discount her value so easily. I can sell the betrothal for more than enough money to settle the debt, you know. A rich Frenchman. A titled lord from Saxony. You can write to Adolph's grandfather and tell him of the situation. Mayhap he can find me a buyer."

Helena nodded, though she was still twisting her hands. That was a bad habit she had, one she'd tried to keep from Robert when they were courting because a relatively unattractive widow with bad habits and tics wasn't exactly a desirable marriage prospect. The only thing she had that was worth pursing was her dead husband's fortune—a fortune that was now Robert's, large enough that he could loan money to his brother-in-law.

But that brother-in-law might not be so understanding of the bind they now found themselves in.

"I will try," she said. Then she tugged at her hands, harder, and began to pace. "Oh, Adolph! Why did you have to marry the merchant's daughter? Do you not know what we have to face now with your Uncle Adriano?"

Robert put the missive on the table. "He married her just to spite us," he said. "He says it was love, but it was spite. I know it was spite. Your son is going to cause me a great deal of trouble, Helena. This is trouble I do not need."

Helena cowered because she was used to cowering from husbands. The last one she had liked to let his open palm fly into her face on occasion. Sometimes he didn't even need a reason. He simply struck her. Robert hadn't yet, but the marriage was relatively new. There was always a first time. Therefore, she stayed clear of Robert as he voiced his displeasure.

"I understand," she said evenly. "Adolph knows that what he did was wrong, but when it involves love, what's a man to do?"

Robert looked at her, frowning. "He does not marry another when he is already betrothed— that is what he is to do," he said. "Now I must explain all of this to Adriano and pray he does not become too enraged. But I will assure him that a fine husband will be found for Elisiana. It simply will not be Adolph."

"I hope he is not too disappointed."

Robert sighed, returning his attention to the missive. "He will be," he said. "She is rather old to be a new bride, but I will find her a husband. I want my money."

"Will you tell him this?"

Robert nodded. "This is something I must tell him in person," he said. "I will go. In fact, I will go to Fremington and tell him what I am going to do. I will not argue with him or bargain with him. Elisiana's contract belongs to me and Adriano will know that I hold the power now. Not him."

Helena hesitated. "He may not appreciate it if you are too forceful."

"I do not care," Robert said. "He owes me money and I have every right to sell what belongs to me to regain it."

"Even his daughter?"

"Especially his daughter."

Helena wasn't sure she liked the sound of that, but she didn't argue. "Do as you must," she said reluctantly. "But make sure to bring Francois. If Adriano becomes angry, you will need protection."

She was speaking of the very expensive French knight that Robert insisted on having. He'd purchased the man's fealty last year on a trip to Paris—a knight who used to be an expert executioner, but Robert wanted him as a sort of bodyguard and protector.

He got what he wanted with Sir Francois de Argentan.

"Good idea," he said. "I do not wish to hurt my sister's husband, but if he becomes enraged over Adolph, I will make sure to have Francois in place. You see? He is worth the money, after all."

Helena had her doubts about that but didn't say so. The knight that Robert had purchased with her dead husband's money. In any case, she quit the chamber without another word as Robert sat down at his desk, preparing to send Adriano a missive.

Coming to Fremington shortly.

Short and to the point. Most importantly, it didn't tip Adriano off. For all he knew, Robert was coming to discuss the betrothal. And that was exactly what he wanted Adriano to think because, in a sense, he was going to discuss the betrothal.

And he was fairly certain Adriano wasn't going to like it.

Robert, the French swordsman, and ten men-at-arms departed Raleigh Park at dawn the next day.