Every muscle in his body went rigid. Why the hell would she venture outside in the middle of the night? Something definitely wasn't right.
Rushing over to investigate, he collided with the figure tearing through the door. Golden locks whipped his face as they both struggled to keep their balance.
"Anna?"
"Marcus?" Her eyes were wide, her gaze wild. One hand patted his chest roughly as though she feared he might be a figment of her imagination. "Quick, Marcus. Close the door. Quick. Hurry."
She placed the candle lamp on the floor and tugged at his arm.
"I'm closing it," he reassured, and as soon as the wooden bar was firmly in place she flew into his arms.
"I have never been more pleased to see you," she panted as she wrapped her arms aroun
d his waist. "Tell me you're real. Tell me I am not imagining it."
He lifted her chin and forced her to look at him. "What were you doing out there? What if Lenard's men had followed us home and were waiting for one of us to leave?" It was highly improbable but just saying the words caused panic to flare. "What if you'd tripped and hurt yourself and were lying on the cobblestones until morning?"
Marcus knew he sounded dramatic but the thought of her being out alone at night terrified him.
"I … I heard someone crying." She tried to calm her ragged breathing. "I heard footsteps outside your chamber. I saw someone in the nave, watched them race into the darkness."
Marcus frowned. "It was probably one of the servants. Why didn't you wake me?"
She shook her head vigorously. "It wasn't. Victor's man has come for me." She turned and stabbed her finger at the closed door. "He was out there, Marcus, waiting for me in the stables. I spoke to him."
Marcus felt the blood drain from his face.
"Why the bloody hell didn't you say so before?" Fear often manifested as anger. He threw the bar up as though it was as light as a twig.
Anna grabbed his arm. "Stay here. Don't go out there."
"If someone has been in this house, Anna, I want to know who it is. Stay here. Do not come out under any circumstances. If I fail to return within a few minutes, I want you to bar the door and fetch Andre."
"Wait."
Ignoring her plea, he tore across the courtyard, bursting into the stable. The horses snorted in response, their heads held high as they shuffled in their stalls. Marcus tried to keep calm. The last thing he needed was a kick from an irate stallion.
Hearing someone creeping behind him, he swung around violently, clenched his fist ready to knock the man to the floor.
"It's me. It's me," Anna cried, holding her hands out in front of her as she shuffled back.
Marcus sighed and lowered his fist. "I told you to remain inside."
"I couldn't. I won't let you get hurt because of me."
Marcus didn't know whether to be flattered or offended. "I'm more than capable of handling myself."
"I know, I just …" She gave a little shrug as her luscious lips formed a pout.
"Come." He took her hand, and they scoured the stables. "We'll check all the outbuildings and then make a thorough search of the monastery."
Once they were certain no one lurked in the shadows ready to pounce, they made their way inside.
"You said you spoke to him." Marcus bolted the door, replaced the heavy bar and turned to face her. "What did he say? Did he say he knew Victor?"
"No. But he called me Marie … he said … he said that everyone knows I am a whore."
Marcus gave a contemptuous snort as he brushed a tendril of hair from her face. "Then the man clearly doesn't know you at all."