Page 116 of Arrows and Gems
“I see,” he said again, studying the ground in front of them. As they stopped next to her horse, he met her eyes. “Would you be willing to accept my help?” His smile turned self-deprecating. “I know an old man isn’t every young woman’s dream, but it might discourage Lord Luther. If you don’t mind the arrogance of the suggestion or the subterfuge of the pretense.”
She choked. “You wish to pretend that there is something between us? But who would believe that?” Never mind the way she’d been acting the last few days.
“Anyone who heard,” he breathed softly, leaning closer. Helena leaned back a bit, her eyes darting nervously to the guards surrounding them. “After all, you’re a beautiful young woman. And you displayed great bravery when Le Capuchon and his band kidnapped you. No one would doubt that a man such as myself had fallen in love with you. The only question would be whether you cared for me as well.”
Itwoulddissuade Luther. And even if the General knew it was only an act, it might give her the access she needed for both of her motives in visiting Laurier.
Steeling herself, she lifted a hand and ran her fingers lightly down his arm. It was incredibly awkward. Perhaps if she pretended Cap...
Except that Cap didn’t really want her. He was using her position, just like everyone else.
Unwanted. Abandoned—
No. Something inside her stiffened. Cap might not want her, but her time in the forest had fixed her perspective. Her family loved her. They hadnotabandoned her. And she had the chance to free Prince Raphael from his exile in whichever estate or kingdom he had taken refuge. She could help Cap, Jean-haut, Rouge, and the others from their band of outlaws return home.
That was worth a little more effort on her part.
Straightening, she forced a coy smile onto her face and made her fingers lightly grip the General’s hand, just as she would have if he were Cap. Tilting her head, she replied, “You sell yourself short when you call yourself old.”
“As do you, when you let one man’s rejection make you believe you are unlovable.” He brushed some loose hairs behind her ear, pulling that side of her hood back.
“Margit?”
The startled exclamation made her freeze. She closed her eyes, wondering if she could simply climb on her horse and pretend to be someone else. But a struggle broke out, and then one of the guards uttered a threat.
She spun around before things got out of hand. “Tucker, be still.”
The teenager’s jaw dropped. “Itisyou! But what are you...” His voice trailed off, his face scrunching in confusion. “Why is the General treating you like his lady? And why are you letting him?”
She took a step closer, holding her palms out. “Tucker, this isn’t—”
“What about Cap?” he asked, his wounded eyes looking more betrayed than she had felt when the General told her that Cap knew her secret. “Was that all a game to you? Because it wasn’t one to him! Cap never—”
“Tucker, hush!” Helena hissed. It would be harder to free them if General Valentin knew how attached she was. It might cause him to doubt her loyalties.
Worse, if he believed Tucker, he might try to set a trap for the notorious bandit. And she didn’t want to be his bait.
She was the cat.
A hand settled on her waist. “I see one of your friends has taken offense to us, Darling,” the General said as he smoothly tucked her into his side. She wanted to shove him away, but she resisted. Tucker was hurt now, but he would understand once she managed to set him free.
“Are you the reason we’re here?” Tucker accused. The muscles around his jaw stood out. “Did you tell the General how to find us, Margit?”
Helena opened her mouth to refute it, but the General spoke first. “It’s all right, young man; you needn’t call her by that name any longer. She is aware that you and your cowardly leader know her true identity.”
“What?” The teenager’s head jerked back, and his eyes darted between Helena and the General. “Mari—but Jean-haut said—”
The General’s eyebrows pulled down. “Le Capuchon left you in the dark?” Brightening, he gestured to Helena. “Then allow me to introduce you to Princess Helena of Ralnor, my lovely bride-to-be.”
Her head slowly pivoted toward the General. “Excuse me?” she managed. He was taking things a little too far. And in front of Tucker and her other friends, no less!
He gave her an apologetic smile. “I know we planned tohold off on the announcement, but I thought your friends would like to know so they may wish you well. You don’t mind, do you? I’m sure Le Capuchon won’t.”
She doubted that was his true motive.
“Are you really a princess?” Tucker asked in a hushed voice. He didn’t look awed. More incensed. “Is that why you’re working with the General? Is that why you tried to shoot Cap?”
“I wasn’t trying to hit him,” Helena protested in exasperation. She thought they were past that misunderstanding. “I was only trying to see his face.”
