Page 98 of Arrows and Gems
The thought made Helena smile a little. Forget throwing a fit to leave a performance early –thiswas the ideal method for getting Luther and Tobias off her back.
“I don’t know what that line about a shield meant,” Clara huffed as she stomped up behind them. “But Lady Jocelyn said she’ll take a few moments of air before dinner. Over there.”
“Thank you, Clara,” Cap politely replied. He gestured to the buckets. “Your water, as promised.”
She snatched up the handles and marched into the kitchen without another word or a backward glance. “Such friendly types at the Leau estate,” Helena quipped. “I’ll be sure to visit the servant hall when we are no longer outlaws.”
Cap twitched as they walked to the door Clara had pointed out. His eyes slid toward her, hard to distinguish in the gathering dark. “Ihavemade you an outlaw, haven’t I?” he murmured. “You are no longer guilty of only sheltering in my camp.”
Shrugging, she charged ahead. “I insisted. Besides, no one knows that I’ve been helping you. I could return to a normal life without consequences if I wanted to.” Her mouth twisted. “Except for having to marry Tobias.”
Such a thought had always rubbed her the wrong way, but the idea had become unbearable in the last few weeks.
She could spend the rest of her life as Margit, couldn’t she? The council would never look for her in the home of a guard. Even one that watched over the royal family of Amitié.
“’Tis a dreadful thing, believing one’s sister to be forever lost.”
Her conscience twinged. The rest of her life? Could she really do that to her family?
Cap’s irresistible pull drew her eyes to him. The council couldn’t bind her to Tobias if she was already bound in marriage. But what consequences would there be for her family if she did that?
What consequences had they already faced for her failure to meet the council’s demand? The deadline had passed more than a month ago.
Forcing her unpleasant thoughts aside, Helena settled next to Cap to wait.
Half an hour, and still no sign of Lady Jocelyn. But no sign of guards, either.
Finally, a beam of light split the darkness. A petite woman in an elegant dress stepped through the door. Her soft black hair was piled neatly on her head, and her hands were folded in front of her.
Cap stepped forward, dropping his head in a shallow bow. “Good evening, Lady Jocelyn. You are looking well.”
He spoke with his Le Capuchon voice, but the young lady tilted her head and examined him with something like recognition.
“With whom have I the pleasure of speaking?” she asked in a smooth, cultured tone. “Clara said you spoke of the shield of Amitié?”
“A friend, my lady,” Cap replied steadily.
Her eyes continued to trace his outline, then turned toward Helena, who lingered in the shadows. “Two cloaked and hooded strangers, both wearing bows and carrying themselveswith the confidence of fighters. I have heard that Le Capuchon sometimes fights with a woman by his side, but I never expected him to show up on my doorstep with her.”
Stiffening, Cap said, “There are many men who carry bows on their backs.”
“Oh, pish posh,” she replied with an airy wave. “No need to deny it. The number of your exploits has been increasing the last couple of months, and while some are what I would expect of a bandit, others match what I would expect from someone with your history.”
“My history?” His voice was tight.
“Your actions in the year prior,” she answered. Taking a step closer, she added, “Unless we’ve met before?”
The question hung in the air for a moment. Gesturing Helena forward, Cap said, “My friend and I bring a warning. General Valentin is persecuting nobles who are sympathetic to Prince Raphael. If our information is correct, a squad of guards will search your home tomorrow.”
“And what are they searching for?”
Helena shrugged. “Prince Raphael? Evidence of where he’s hiding? Who knows?”
“We believe it is an intimidation tactic,” Cap added, shooting Helena a look she couldn’t see. “But they have been destructive in some of their searches, and it will not surprise me if they escalate to arrest should they find anything to justify it.”
The lady looked away. “I have heard of this,” she quietly said. “As I have heard of the shadowy bandit who tries to help.” She turned back to him. “But no one can tell me why he does.”
“Because we are allies,” he firmly replied. “I wish to see General Valentin removed from power and Prince Raphael back where he belongs.”
