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“You take care, Arianne. Take very good care. Stay with the duchess’s ladies and avoid the duke at all costs.”
Was that something more than ordinary concern in his voice? Arianne wondered in amazement, lifting her gaze to his intent face. With great gentleness he traced a finger along her cheek. “Don’t try to find me or Sir Castor’s men,” he warned. “When it’s time to act, I’ll come to you.”
His expression changed, softened, as he stared down at her.He’s going to kiss me, she thought on a rush of wild joy, certain that she had not misread the expression in his eyes. But abruptly, almost savagely, he pushed her away.
“Go. Now, Ari. Don’t pause and don’t look back.”
The next thing she knew, he had pushed her out into the corridor and she was hurrying along, glancing neither to the left nor to the right.
She reached the apartment where the duchess and her ladies resided. There was only one woman inside when she slipped through the door—a small, slim figure standing at the window, her light brown hair coiled in a braid so tight that not even a wisp escaped.
The figure stiffened as Arianne shut the door behind her. “I asked you to please wait in the garden. I wish to be alone—“
The small, weary voice broke off when the young woman saw Arianne swiftly crossing the room toward her.
“You…You’re not one of my…who…Lady Arianne?”
“You remember.” Arianne beamed hopefully at her and took her hands. “Oh, Katerine, I beg of you—do not give me away.”
5
Incredulity and shockmingled on the young duchess’s heart-shaped face. Then bone-thin fingers clenched Arianne’s with surprising strength.
“You’re here for Marcus,” she whispered. “I’m so glad!”
She cares for him still,Adrianne thought on a breath of hope. Despite the richness of her sky-blue gown and the jewels at her throat and upon her fingers, the Duchess of Dinadan looked poorly indeed—pale, thin, and drawn, with obvious shadows beneath her soft brown eyes.
“Yes,” Arianne replied, squeezing her hands. “That’s exactly why I’m here. Tell me, have you seen Marcus? Is he all right? Have they hurt him?”
“He’s weak, and Julian had him beaten by that dreadful Baylor only a few days ago—but he has been brave, so brave. Oh, Arianne, it is terrible. Julian is a monster!”
Beaten!Arianne choked back her rage. “It’s clear you’re not happy in your marriage, Katerine—“
“I hate it—and Julian!” Katerine shuddered. “Arianne, being married to Julian is a nightmare.”
“Will you help me rescue Marcus?”
The girl’s eyes shone. She spoke simply. “I’ll do anything to help him.”
“It’s dangerous,” Arianne warned. “If you were to be caught, Julian would be furious.”
“He would not hesitate to have me put to death. I am sure of it,” the duchess whispered. “As for the treaty with my father, he would forgo it and invade Ruanwald in a twinkling.” She took a deep breath, her shoulders trembling. “But I have to risk it—I can’t let him murder Marcus.”
“Don’t worry. If we’re careful, you won’t be caught and neither will I,” Arianne said, turning on her heel and beginning to pace around the pretty chamber with its tapestries and rush-strewn floor. “It is Julian who’s going to suffer, Katerine, not you, not Marcus. Not any longer.”
“I have been smuggling food to him when I go for my daily visits,” Katerine said brokenly. “Some bread and cheese. One of the guards looks the other way—I think he believes it cannot do any harm.”
“Daily visits?”
“Yes. Julian comes to my chamber each afternoon and insists that I accompany him and whatever visitors are in the castle on a tour of the dungeon. He is no doubt on his way here at this very moment, Arianne. By all that is holy, you must hide…”
“No—take me with you.”
“But none of my ladies has ever come. They hate going there. They have begged me not to force them. Julian will notice if one of them changes her custom.”
“We’ll have to risk it,” Arianne decided, biting her lip. “I must see Marcus so he will know that rescue is at hand.”
She had only just finished speaking when they heard the sound of heavy footsteps in the hall. A knot tightened in her stomach. She had not seen Julian since she was a child. On his last visits to Castle Dinadan, her father had not brought Arianne along, and when Julian had accompanied Duke Armand on a royal visit to Galeron a few years ago, Arianne had been away, visiting at the court of Count Paxton. So Julian ought not to recognize her. Especially if…