took another step forward as if to ignore the earl, snapped to a halt, and pivoted. “My lord, De Warenne?”
It had to cost her much not to match her derision to his, that which seeped into her tone likely heard only by those well-acquainted with her.
Vitalis frowned at the realization he knew her well enough to catch it, which he should not for how recent their true acquaintance. Though he did not want to believe Nicola moved in his heart, this was more than attraction.
“It sounded you wished to advise me on my wardship of Prince Richard,” De Warenne said, “and as you have much experience with men, I am eager to learn from you.”
Now he baited.
“Earl De Warenne,” Guarin sought to intercede before his sister bit down on another hook. “Be assured—”
The man raised a hand. “I do not address you, Baron Wulfrith,” he emphasized Hawisa’s name by which Guarin was known since forced to renounce his family’s name to take her to wife. A great humiliation he bore for the woman he loved, which had made it easier for Vitalis to accept that Guarin had gained what he could not.
“I wait, Lady Nicola!”
She clasped her hands before her. “That is my folly, Earl De Warenne—believing because I was born under the name D’Argent and have watched warriors train and myself become fairly proficient at wielding weapons, I must know as well as the men of my family how to grow a boy into a warrior.” An exaggerated sigh of remorse. “So much hubris. For that, it may be best I enter the convent to learn my place in the world of men. I hope you can forgive me for thoughtless words that may have sounded disrespectful.” She looked around. “As I hope these fine knights will forgive me for behaving a…termagant.” She dipped, started to turn away.
“And Sir Daryl?” De Warenne said. “You seek his forgiveness as well?”
Certain Nicola’s menfolk held their breath the same as their captive, Vitalis felt her struggle. It did not last long.
“Given time and prayer, anything is possible, is it not, Earl De Warenne?” She nodded. “Oui, if the Lord finds me in the wrong for what I spoke against Daryl after what he spoke against me—and for frightening me with imaginings of the desecration of the honorable Saxon who freed me from Danish captivity—He will Himself take me to task.”
She turned her face to Daryl. Switching to Anglo-Saxon as if it were the only way he might understand, she said, “Does the Lord open wide my eyes, I vow to search you out, drop to my knees—” She sucked breath between her teeth. “Best not to make promises exceedingly hard to keep lest they turn good intentions into sins.” She waved a hand. “Whether on my knees or standing, my apology will be given, and I will take comfort that after time and prayer, the Lord will persuade you to forgive me.”
Were Daryl of a greater age, it was possible an attack of apoplexy would have dropped him. Others might believe her speech that of a flighty, repentant young woman, but he did not. And when Prince Richard laughed, the traitor’s face that had gone red began to purple.
Whether or not De Warenne would himself have laughed without the youth’s prompting it could not be known, but his mirth followed so soon it was possible Nicola had provided exactly what he needed.
“Oh, Lady!” Richard clapped his hands. “You must not enter the convent. Could it even hold you, it would be wrong to deny those heavy of heart the lightness of yours.” The stretch of his lips so broad it showed the absence of an upper tooth near the right corner of his smile, he continued, “No matter your indiscretions, I am certain my sire, the king, will make a good match for you to ensure you grace his court.” He looked to De Warenne. “Do you not agree, my lord?”
The earl had quieted, but he retained a smile, and it grew when Daryl turned and commanded his men to gain their mounts.
De Warenne did the same, then said, “You may be right, my prince. Though, of course, the lady must rid herself of men’s garments. Regardless of her wit, beauty, and the silver about her, she must dress the woman again.”
Staring at the two noblemen who stood unmoving among the many preparing to ride, Nicola ground her teeth to keep from protesting the plans made for her. This was not what