Page 36 of One Knight
Rolf was at his side as Henry pressed his destrier ahead of the rest of the men.
“I don’t see anyone … wait.” Rolf stood in his stirrups. “Blonde hair!”
“Elisande!” Henry shouted her name into the wind.
The blonde head popped up from against the horse’s neck. “Henry!”
He scanned the landscape for any other riders, but saw none. He knew it could be a trap, but he would risk it. He would risk anything for her.
The strides separating them felt like miles.
“Elisande! Are you all right?”
“Henry!”
As soon as her horse was within reach, he grabbed for her reins, only to realize they were tied to her bound hands.
Murderous rage tore through his body at the sight.
“Are you okay? Where are they?”
“Gone. Long gone. I’m fine now that you’re here. Thank God.”
Henry didn’t understand what she meant or how she had escaped them, but his first order of business was clear. He immediately set to work on untangling the reins and untying her wrists.
He had William’s answer: she had not left willingly—not that he’d ever believed she would.
“Who did this?”
“Alger. And my brother and his men.”
“They took you from the manor? And killed Sayer?”
“They killed Sayer?” Her shock told him she hadn’t known. “No!”
“Where are those cowards? I told him I would kill him if he came near you again.”
“Alger is at the bottom of the ravine. The horse reared … he fell …”
As soon as she was free, Henry pulled her from her saddle and onto his lap. “Thank God you’re okay. How did you escape your brother and his knights?”
She laughed softly into his chest as she leaned against him. “They never looked back.”
Henry’s men surrounded them.
“I’ll check the ravine, my lord,” Rolf said. “Just to make sure.”
“He looked … odd at the bottom,” Elisande said quietly. “I waited for him to move, but …”
Henry pressed her head lightly against his chest. “It’s okay. I’m taking you home.”
“My brother—what if they turn around and find Rolf? Please, don’t let him go alone.”
“How many men?”
“Four now. The rest were waiting at the river mouth with the boats.”
Reality hit Henry hard. If they had gotten her onto one of those boats, he could have lost her … permanently.
