Page 58 of The Herald's Heart
She forced herself to continue smiling. Was rivalry the only reason for Sir Amis’s thinly veiled insults?
Sir Amis reached for her hand.
She placed both in her lap carefully under the table. “I am happy to relay your message.”
The knight lifted his gaze to hers. His eyes were limpid and his mouth pursed to suggest kissing. Any other woman might swoon at his feet. She frowned.
“Tell me how you and Talon met,” asked Amis.
She forced a laugh. “Oh, that’s much too long a story, and telling it without Talon present would be unfair.”
Her guest raised his brows. “Unfair? That implies some complexity to your relationship, yet I understand you are neither wed, betrothed, nor lovers. How comes a young unmarried woman to stay in a bachelor keep?”
“I ... I ...” she floundered. “That is a very personal question.”
“Yes. I would have you know that if Sir Talon coerces you, you may count me friend.”
Why would Sir Amis think that? “There is no coercion. I am here because I believe the earl had a valuable box that belonged to me. As Talon’s stepmother, I have every right to reside here while I search for it.”
“Hmm. I’d forgotten you were wed to the earl.” Amis’s eyes lit up. “Sounds like a treasure hunt. I would love to help.”
“’Tis not necessary.”
“Necessity has nothing to do with it.” He leaned forward, close enough for his breath to brush her cheek. Her face heated, and her skin crawled. “One of the reasons I became a herald is because I enjoy solving puzzles,” Amis continued. “Heralds are often called to do so in the cause of verifying a noble’s identity.”
She wanted help very much, but this man’s aid could be dangerous. Clearly he had impure intentions. Yet perhaps there was a way. “The box is very old; you must promise not to touch it and call me immediately if you find it. I would not want you to be responsible for any damage.”
“Nor would I, Lady Larkin. We will not be searching together?” His shoulders slumped.
“I will search nearby, close enough to hear you call.” And far enough to run should that be necessary. She led him to the last unexamined room on the third level of the keep and explained the method she used to search the walls as well as any objects. They worked well together, talking as they labored. Amis behaved like a perfect gentleman. As dusk approached, Amis excused himself, begging the privilege of visiting her again when he next reported to Talon.
Larkin couldn’t recall what she’d answered other than that she agreed, praying Talon would be present when next the other herald chose to visit Hawksedge.
Talon claimed to worry for her safety enough to remain by her side and help her searchings. But he left her alone long enough for a very uncomfortable interlude with a rival. He had not even bothered to tell Cleve to remain nearby when a stranger was present. Yes, she was certain her life was in no danger from Sir Amis and that Talon’s reasons for his absence were legitimate. If he had insisted on a man guarding her at all times, she would have objected. However, none of that stopped her from wreaking her frustration on the plasterwork that covered the stones of the room’s walls, scraping her hands and breaking her nails.
She’d made a complete circuit of the room and found nothing. Out of patience with the fruitless search, she kicked a nearby stool, as she would like to kick a certain knight’s head.
• • •
Cleve greeted Talon in the baily with the announcement that the guard captain did not care much for Sir Amis. “He was here for most of the afternoon trying to weasel his way into Lady Larkin’s favor. He’ll cut you out there, for sure Sir Talon, if ye don’t do something to gain the lady for yerself.”
Amis would not abuse their friendship just for a tumble with a beautiful woman, would he? Talon hurried to the room where he’d been told Larkin now worked. He opened the door, and a stool hit him in the shin.
“St. Swithun’s shroud, woman,” he shouted, hopping about on one foot. “Are you determined to do me injury?” He righted the stool and sat, rubbing his maltreated shank.
“Hmph.” She muttered something unintelligible and turned away. She opened a chest that stood against the wall and began to lift out the contents.
“I heard you met Sir Amis today and he helped you search. I am sorry I missed him. Did the two of you meet with any success?” He doubted that Amis had done much searching, unless it was beneath Larkin’s skirts. The thought was unfair to his friend, given their plan.
She rose and looked at him, twisting her hands. A frown worried her face. “Nay. We scoured the entire upper level.”
Talon lowered his foot to the floor, suddenly contrite for his ill thoughts. If the two had accomplished so much, they’d have had little time for fornication. And Amis had assured him that he had no designs upon Larkin. Of course that had been before he’d met her and discovered how alluring she was. “I am sorry, Larkin.” He held out his hand to her.
She took it. “Truly, I do not know what to do. I searched the cellar and most of the rooms on the main floor before you arrived at Hawksedge. You and I gave the counting room a thorough examination. If the earl had the box, he hid it very well.”
“From the difficulties we’ve had cleaning this keep, I’d say the earl never got rid of anything.”
“Even something as damning as this box?”
