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you a good night and a speedy recovery. And I still can’t believe I’m talking to a falcon. Or rather, that a falcon is talking to me!”
    “I’ve told you, I’m not really a falcon, I’m a fairy, a good one, named Thomasina.”
    Marina grinned. “Well, you know the old saying, if it looks like a falcon, talks like a falcon, and soforth. You are a beautiful creature! And whatever you are, don’t worry, I swear I will see you completely healed! But now I must run!”
    She blew the bird a kiss, and hurried back the way she had come, collecting the cloak she had doffed earlier and whistling for her mare. Luckily, the horse had not wandered far, and Marina started back far ahead of the coming dusk.
    She reached the courtyard, however, to find the hunting party had returned before she did. The men had dismounted, and several were still speaking as their horses slaked their thirst at the watering trough. Hoping she still might not run into Carlo, she rode Arabella through to the stables, and there, dismounted quickly, softly calling her cousin’s name.
    “Armand?”
    “Armand is busy.”
    Carlo stepped from the stall where his huge charger was kept. “Just returning? You’re dedicated to your mourning. I hope you find such zeal for other pursuits, as well.”
    She ignored his words.
    “Were you able to kill the wolf?” she asked politely.
    “We never found the wolf.”
    “Oh, well, I’m sure you gravely injured the beast.”
    “Did you find the wolf, Marina?”
    “No.”
    “Are you lying?”
    She laughed. “I can swear by all the saints, I saw no wolf after you departed to chase such a beast!” She wondered what he would say if she told him she’d spent the latter part of the day tending to the wound of a falcon—that talked.
    “You would try,” he said, “to heal a wolf, no matter how dangerous. Indeed, it seems you are determined to save any bedraggled creature.”
    “I’m sorry, I’m lost—to what ‘creature’ do you refer now?”
    “That crazy old hermit.”
    She leaned against Arabella, a slow smile curving her lips. “Radifini? He is a friend.”
    “Quite insane, I believe.”
    “Oh, I don’t think so. He claims to have been a great wizard, in my father’s day.”
    “Rubbish!” Carlo said, and nearly spit out the words. “Great wizard?”
    “Well, if not, then he is a harmless old man. And a friend.”
    He started toward her. “You’ll have to learn that there isn’t really enough time in the day to spend so many hours with old madmen who have delusions of grandeur.”
    “The old madman was dear to my parents, and I’ll not forget him.”
    He was coming too close; she moved to the other side of Arabella, hoping he wouldn’t pen her in the animal’s stall as she removed her mare’s saddle and bridle.
    For the second time that day, Armand came to the rescue, striding into the stables. “Marina, you’re back. I’ll see to Arabella for you, since your stepfather expects you to join the company at supper.”
    “Thank you, Armand.” He took the reins, winking. She mouthed, “Bless you.” She wanted to say so much more to him! Even if he didn’t believe she’d rescued a talking falcon that claimed to be a fairy, he’d laugh with her about her escape into a fantasy world.
    But not now. Now was the time to escape.
    She strode quickly across the stables, and winced when she heard the footsteps following in her wake.
    “Marina!”
    She pretended not to hear.
    “Marina!”
    She had reached the watering trough, and there were still too many men and horses surrounding it. She paused, turning.
    He came to her and took her hand. “Your stepfather and my mother intend to discuss the wedding plans tonight. It will be something of a celebration. We’ll drink to one another this evening, my dear.”
    She managed not to wrench her hand away; far too many of his men were looking on.
    “Drinking tonight sounds good,” she said sweetly.
    She turned again. She had no idea he meant to