“But Fabien will follow.”
“He’ll undoubtedly try to, but he’ll send to Saint-Malo or Calais. He’ll search to the north, expecting us to run that way. Instead, we came south and away from the coast.”
“But . . . how will we return to England?” She wriggled higher against the pillows, ignored the stabbing pain. “You must get back for Christmas—for your family gathering. And if Fabien is searching, we cannot stay here. We must—”
“Mignonne, be quiet.”
When she fell silent, unsure, he continued, “All is arranged. My yacht will be waiting at Saint-Nazaire when we’re ready to depart. We’ll be home in good time for Christmas.” His eyes, very blue, held hers. “There is nothing for you to do but recuperate. Once you’re well enough to travel, we’ll leave. Is there anything more you need to know?”
She looked at him, considered the asperity coloring his tone. Treasured it. She sighed and squeezed his hand. “I am a sad trial, am I not?”
He snorted. “You took years off my life. And Fabien’s.”
She frowned, recalling. “He did not wish to injure me, did he?”
“No—he was horrified. As was I.” Sebastian considered her, then added, “He never intended to harm you. Or Ariele.”
“Ariele? But—” She broke off, searching his face, then her eyes cleared. “It was a ruse?”
“A heartless one perhaps, but yes—it was the surest way to get you to do as he wished.”
He could see her thinking back, remembering, reassessing. She shook her head. “He is a strange man.”
“He’s an unfulfilled man.” Looking down at her lying in the bed, Sebastian knew that was true. Understood what it took for men like him and Fabien to be fulfilled. Accepted it.
Helena stirred, glanced at him. “There is one thing I do not yet know—tell me how you got this dagger of his.”
He smiled. Looked down at her hand lying between his. Twining his fingers with hers, he lifted them to his lips, brushed a lingering kiss across them. “I won the dagger”—he lifted his gaze to her eyes—“on the night we first met.”
Her eyes widened. “Vraiment? That was the reason you were after Collette’s earring?”
“Oui. I won a large amount from Fabien’s younger brother, so Fabien sought me out, to put me in my place. We English were widely known for our wild wagers. Fabien manipulated the scene so I could not refuse—not without losing face. He didn’t, however, expect me to turn the tables and ask for the dagger to balance the scales. He’d brought half the glory of France with him—before them, he had to agree.”
“But he sent word to the convent.”
“Naturally. I knew he would. I pretended I was drunk and rolled off to my hotel—and from there straight to the convent.” He looked into her eyes. “To meet you in the moonlight.”
She smiled, not just with her lips but with her peridot eyes, now clear of all clouds and worries. There was more color in her cheeks than there had been when she woke. He squeezed her hand, then released it and stood. “B
on. So if you are now awake and reassured, I’ll fetch Ariele and tell the innkeeper’s wife you’re ready to eat.”
Her smile was all he’d hoped for. “Please.” She eased up to sit; he helped her. “I will eat, and then we can leave.”
“Tomorrow.”
She looked at him, looked at the window. “But—”
“You will eat and rest and gather your strength, and if you’re well in the morning, we’ll leave.”
She met his gaze, read his determination, then sighed and sank back on her pillows. “As you will, Your Grace.”
“Indeed, mignonne—it will be precisely as I will.”
Naturally, it was. Helena wondered if she would ever get used to the sensation of being swept up and along by a will more powerful than hers.
The rest of that day passed peacefully. In the afternoon she left her bed and dressed and ventured downstairs to view the tiny, family-run inn Sebastian had found tucked away in the valley of the Sarthe. There was no main road near; the family was truly grateful for their custom. She was sure they had no idea they were playing host to an English duke and a French comtesse.
They had the inn to themselves; a fresh snowfall had reduced all outdoor activities to the strictly necessary. The inn parlor was warm and cozy; it was pleasant to sit by the fire beside Sebastian and watch as he played chess with Phillipe.