"I find it more preferable than praying for salvation."
"Again, we all have our ways of coping." Anna breathed a sigh. "Now, I don't know about you, but I am tired of talking about feeling miserable and wretched. I suggest we find something to enliven our spirits."
"I have no objection." Mr. Danbury raised a sinful brow as he moistened his lips. "What did you have in mind?"
She could tell from his tone that his thoughts were licentious. In a bid to help ease his air of discontent, Anna decided, from now on, she would always be open and honest with him.
"Nothing amorous," she said, threading her arm through his and directing him along the path. "There are other ways to entertain oneself."
"Are there? I have yet to find anything as stimulating."
Oh, he had not lied. He did have a consummate skill for seduction. The smooth tone of his voice caused her breath to come a little quicker. The glint in his eye caused her heart to skip a beat.
"Then we must attempt to find something to satisfy you," she said as they passed a stall selling carved figures. "What about shaping wood? I'm sure it is an extremely relaxing pursuit."
"Possibly," he nodded, tucking her hand more securely into the crook of his arm. "I do enjoy running my hands over smooth surfaces."
Anna pursed her lips to prevent a chuckle from escaping. "What about composing songs or poetry based on myths and legends?" she said as they passed a minstrel singing a ballad.
"I'm certain I could make you sing a merry tune." His heated gaze penetrated her clothing, seeped into her skin to warm her blood. "I suppose I could compose a song detailing my valiance."
"And what courageous deed have you performed to boast of such things?"
"I have suffered a torturous trip to the fair just to please a maiden."
Anna did chuckle. "Perhaps you could add a verse about how you saved me from a terrible afternoon of chores."
For the first time since meeting him, his eyes glistened with genuine amusement and she found she rather liked seeing him so relaxed and carefree.
As though drawn to the sound of their laughter, she heard Tristan call out to them. She spotted him waving as he pushed through the crowd in a bid to reach them before they were lost in a bustling wave of eager revellers.
"Guess who won the archery contest?" Tristan's smile stretched so wide he flashed a full set of teeth.
"That's wonderful," she replied. "Isn't that wonderful, Mr. Danbury?"
"I doubt you had much competition," Mr. Danbury scoffed, although there was no hint of malice in his tone. "They should have blindfolded you to even the odds."
Tristan smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Have you seen Selene and Andre?" she asked. Hopefully, if Selene saw Mr. Danbury in a jovial mood, it might ease her fears.
"They were listening to the musicians when I last saw them." Tristan exhaled. "I'm going to head back as I need to catch a few hours sleep. Are you coming?"
"In a little while," Mr. Danbury glanced at her. "But I won't need your company tonight. I'll be going out on my own."
Tristan's eyes widened as his gaze shot to Anna. She felt her heart race at the thought of Mr. Danbury riding alone in the dark. Heaven only knows what was waiting for him in the dead of night.
"Miss Sinclair is aware of our nightly excursions," Mr. Danbury said. "So far, that is the extent of her knowledge. I'll need you to stay with her tonight. I need to be certain she is safe."
Anna had the sudden urge to protest, an urge to ride out with him and confront whatever evil lurked in the darkness.
Tristan shook his head. "But I don't understand. She won't come to any harm in the monastery."
"I can't explain it all now," he said, no doubt referring to what she had told him about Victor.
There was a sudden flurry behind her: shouting and jeering. She clutched her chest fearing the man in question had risen from an earthy grave to seek his revenge. Anna breathed a sigh as a group of dancers pushed past them, waving their handkerchiefs and jingling their bells.
"Perhaps we should all head home," Mr. Danbury suggested, his tone revealing a hint of apprehension.