Page 56 of Wolf's Keep

The chevalier snorted. “Your plan?”

Renaud tilted his head to the side, assessing his accomplice. “Our plan,” he said, conceding the chevalier his point. Separating Lothair from d’Louncrais’ influence was essential to his plan. Using d’Louncrais to enact his own, and the comte’s, downfall—that was ingenious, and he had the chevalier to thank for that.

“How did d’Louncrais react to my meeting with Comte Lothair?”

He had gone to great lengths to set their trap, while leaving enough of a trail for d’Louncrais’ young minion to follow.

The chevalier shrugged. “Predictably.”

“I assume Lothair gave him full disclosure after I left?”

“Of course. I told you he would.”

Renaud arched an eyebrow. “And?” he asked, careful to keep his face a mask of mild interest. It would not do for the chevalier to suspect how much he needed his information, his assistance. He refused to give away such an advantage.

“D’Louncrais is certain Lothair believes you. He is concerned, very concerned.”

Renaud released a chuckle he could not contain. “He should be.”

The chevalier looked down his nose at him, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth. “Your overconfidence will get you killed. Lothair does not trust your motives. Neither does d’Louncrais.”

Renaud grunted. Comte Lothair was not an easy man to outmaneuver. D’Louncrais even less so. “But does he still trust d’Louncrais? That is the real question.”

“Lothair made the connection.” The chevalier tugged at his beard. “He suspects d’Louncrais.”

“Excellent.”

The chevalier shook his head. “D’Louncrais will not sit idle. He still has more influence over Lothair than anyone else.”

“That may be, but perhaps d’Louncrais himself has given us a way. I wonder what he would do if we threatened his woman.”

A flicker of confusion crossed the chevalier’s face, and Renaud nearly chortled his delight. The chevalier did not know.

“You have not heard of d’Louncrais announcement of his betrothal?”

The slight widening of the chevalier's eyes told him he had read the situation correctly. D’Louncrais had yet to inform his vassals of his bride to be.How interesting.

For a moment, neither man spoke, but whatever thoughts rolled through the chevalier’s mind, they were not pleasant. His knuckles turned white around the grip of his sword, and he glared at the forest beyond the clearing, his expression sour as though tasting something unpalatable.Well, well, well.The chevalier’s loathing of d’Louncrais ran deeper than he thought. He resisted rubbing his hands together, reveling in the possibilities.

“Yes, word is all over the keep,” he said, observing the chevalier’s reactions. “D’Louncrais is rather enamored with her charms, or so the gossip goes.” Renaud had not counted on d’Louncrais bringing a woman with him to the keep. Far from disrupting their plans, it worked in rather well. He could use this woman. His mouth twitched. D’Louncrais had made a serious miscalculation, bringing her to Langeais.

The chevalier took a step toward him, eyes narrowed. “Did you have something to do with this woman, Renaud? Did yousend her to d’Louncrais?”

The question surprised him, and Renaud’s mind raced at its implications. Whowasthis Erin of the family Richardson? Did she, too, have ulterior motives? He gave the chevalier an enigmatic smile and a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder, neither confirming nor denying the accusation. He had it on good authority Lothair had sent messengers to find out all he could about the woman. Renaud would send his own men. He would not allow an unknown entity to ruin his plans. Not when they were so close to coming to fruition.

The chevalier rubbed his chin, silent for a moment, lost in thought. “This new turn of events could work in our favor.”

“Mmm?” Renaud already had a few ideas, but it would not hurt to listen.

“There was an incident—”

Renaud stepped closer, licking his lips.

“The particulars are of no concern to you, but d’Louncrais will fight for her. He has already proven that.”

Has he, indeed?“We threaten her, force him to make a choice.”

The chevalier tapped his finger against his lips. “It could work.” He took a few steps away before turning and pinning Renaud with his stare. “Once this is over, once you’ve dealt with d’Louncrais and you have Lothair, what are your plans for the woman?”

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