Read The Rose at Twilight for Free Online

are well placed.”
    A chill raced up her spine, and she realized she had been a fool not to think of sentries. “Do you fear we shall try to run away?” she asked, trying to keep her tone light, even teasing, but certain he would hear the rasping catch in her voice. “I have not got so much courage as that, sir, I swear to you.”
    If he heard the odd note in her voice, he attributed it to simple fear, for all he said was, “’Tis not to keep you in, mi geneth, but to keep others out. I am commanded to keep you safe, and my men as well, so I have posted guards. I should be a fool not to do so, since we are the enemy to many in these parts. My men will keep a good lookout, however, so you need have no fear.”
    She said nothing more, and gathering her skirts with one hand, allowed him to place her other upon his forearm to take her back to her tent. The ground beneath their feet was not smooth, and she had no objection to letting him think her dependent upon his strong arm for her footing. Jonet followed, and if she was surprised by her mistress’s meekness, she said nothing about it.
    Inside the tent again, Alys discovered that a second pallet had been brought in and that both had been piled high with furs. She thanked Sir Nicholas for his thoughtfulness but was careful to give him no excuse to linger once he had said good night.
    Alone with Jonet, she turned the lantern up and looked at her thoughtfully.
    “I know that look,” Jonet said warily. “Prithee, what mischief can you be brewing up for yourself now?”
    For a moment Alys toyed with the notion of lying to her, of telling her she had no thought of mischief. She could play the indignant innocent with the best of deceivers, she knew, but she knew also that Jonet would always see through such an act, and in a twinkling. Hearing a muffled footstep outside the tent, she held a finger to her lips, then turned toward her pallet, saying, “Just fetch me that small coffer near the prie-dieu, will you? I want to say my prayers before my eyes refuse to stay open.”
    Rifling the contents of the coffer, Alys found her rosary and knelt at the prie-dieu. Instead of praying, however, she motioned Jonet closer and murmured, “I must go and see my father, despite the Welshman’s orders. There is mystery afoot, Jonet. You heard what Sir Nicholas said. My brother Robert dead and my brother Paul gone to his fostering but a fortnight past.”
    “Aye, and the poor lambs cold in their graves these eight years and more. What be the meaning of such, my lady?”
    “I do not know, but I mean to find out. I never take sickness easily, as you know, so I have little to fear by being inside the castle walls. In faith, I have more fear of what demons may lie between this tent and the castle, but I warrant I can get inside without mishap.”
    “I shall go with you.”
    “That you will not,” Alys said, raising her voice in her dismay. Lowering it again, she hissed, “I need you safe within this tent to deter any who attempt to enter. I have already made great play of my need for privacy, and though I confess I had not realized how useful that would be, I do not think anyone will disturb us. Still, if they do, I depend upon you to protect me. Tell them I visited the necessary or anything else you can think to tell them. Only do not mention the castle.”
    “When will you go?” Jonet asked, capitulating much more easily than Alys had expected.
    “As soon as the camp is at rest. The difficulty between now and then will be to stay awake. That ale nearly finished me, and I am nigh to sleeping here on my knees.”
    “Then sleep, mistress. I will waken you.”
    Alys regarded her doubtfully. “How do I know that you will not let me sleep till dawn?”
    Jonet said with dignity, “You may trust me as you have always done, Miss Alys. I have looked after you since you were a child, and I have not betrayed you yet. Moreover,” she added with a crooked smile, “I have as much wish now as