his hand, she quickly related what had transpired at Sandhurst Manor, from the almond soup to the fire and the death of Patience Topping. "Your sister saved my life, and the manor as well, Andrew. She was extremely brave."
"It sounds as if you two are truly sisters now as well," he said softly while his mind sorted out all that Micheline had told him. "How is Cicely?"
"I saw to her burns as best I could and sent a page to the village to bring a physician. I also left instructions that Patience's body should be buried in the village churchyard. It was uncharitable of me, perhaps, but I didn't want her grave at Sandhurst Manor—reminding us..."
Rather distractedly Andrew pressed a kiss to her hand and answered, "No, you were quite right. Too bad Yorkshire is so far away and it's so hot. I'd have preferred that she was returned to her family's village of Bubwith."
Micheline hurried on to more pertinent conversation. "You see how it was, though, don't you? I mean, the connection—"
"With Rupert? Oh, yes, I see," said Sandhurst thoughtfully. "It's perfectly clear now. I only wonder I didn't suspect him before. Remembering his unexplained absences from Aylesbury Castle these past months, a great deal becomes plain. Not just the incidents at Hampton Court and Aylesbury Castle, but also your riding accident and strange illness while we were still in France."
Micheline was rather taken aback by these deductions Tiny hairs stood up on the back of her neck as the true extent of Rupert's villainy became apparent. "I was so obtuse! I completely misjudged him!"
"Not completely." Sandhurst gave her a grim smile. "He really is a bumbling fool, lucky for us, or he'd have succeeded in doing away with both of us long ago."
"He must be behind your arrest, though! How can we ever convince the king of your innocence, Andrew?"
"Rupert certainly aimed straight for Henry's weak spot... his jealous possessiveness of Anne. No doubt the king's rage has blinded him to other considerations." Sandhurst stared in the distance for a long minute, his eyes hard. Micheline could feel him thinking. Nearly overcome with anxiety, she reached out to caress his sleeve and felt the tensile strength of Andrew's shoulder and arm, betraying his own state of mind. Still, when he spoke again, his tone was almost jaunty "There's only one thing for it, I suppose. We shall have to maneuver Rupert into giving himself away in front of King Henry."
"We?" she echoed.
"I ought to be present, I think. I've a few questions of my own for that reptile who calls himself my brother."
A smile flickered over his mouth, setting off a wave of elation inside of Micheline. "But how?"
He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her deeply. "Are you up to participating in an escape from the Tower of London?"
Micheline blinked in the face of his amused nonchalance, then slowly a radiant smile lit her countenance. "I shall cancel my other social engagements on your behalf, my lord."
Sandhurst's brown eyes gleamed as he chuckled, "I rather thought you might."
* * *
"I do not believe I am doing this!" Sir Jeremy Culpepper muttered under his breath, glaring at Micheline as they approached the Tower of London's barbican.
She nearly giggled, as much from nerves as amusement. "I know you don't mean that, Jeremy!"
"You do?" Pausing in the moonlight, he scratched the false white beard wrapped around his double chin. "Sandhurst has coerced me into taking part in some bizarre adventures in the past—one of which involved you, my lady—but this is unquestionably the topper!"
"It was I who coerced you, not Andrew," Micheline corrected him. "Stop complaining! Past experience should have convinced you to trust his plans."
"You're as mad as he is. Two of a kind!"
"Such lavish flattery!" She laughed, then whispered soberly, "You're certain the message was sent to Rupert?"
"Finchley took care of it this afternoon. He bribed a royal page to deliver the note personally."
"Good." They were outside the barbican. "Here we are. Behave yourself now."
At the sound of their voices a guard appeared. "Who comes there?"
"Oh, good eventide, Sergeant!" Micheline greeted the man as if they were old friends. "It's nice to see you again!"
"Lady Sandhurst?" he wondered doubtfully. The woman really was too beautiful; Sergeant Pease ached just looking at her. Her hair flowed loose, like liquid silk, and there were rosebuds pinned in it that matched her low-necked gown. The sight of the upper portion of her ladyship's delicious-looking breasts made him salivate.
"You remember me!