“Very much.”
“I’m told I’m an excellent dancer.”
“I would have to agree.”
“Which dances were your favorites?” He leaned even closer and his gaze settled on her lips.
Rose cleared her throat and glanced down at her plate. “The Carolingian Pavane and the Maltese Branle.”
“And you danced those with me, if I recall correctly.”
But tonight she had enjoyed the almain and the carol even more.
He looked away long enough to pick up his silver tankard and take another long drink. He set it back in its place and turned to her again. “I saw you dancing with my brother. He’s quite taken with you.”
His comment made her thoughts race. Taken with her? “That is an unfortunate thing for you to say.” She looked away, pretending to ignore him.
“Now don’t take that tone. I know you like me best.” He grinned.
She didn’t like the way he was behaving or this conversation. He’d obviously had too much to drink.
“Go riding with me tomorrow.”
Affecting the same cool tone she’d used earlier, she said, “I cannot. It would be improper.” Not to mention unwise. “Besides, I don’t know how. I’ve never ridden a horse.”
“I’ll teach you.”
“Not without a chaperone.”
“Then I’ll get a chaperone. One of Osanna’s ladies will go with us.”
The prospect left her feeling anxious, but what other excuse could she give? “Frau Geruscha may have something for me to do tomorrow. I would have to ask her first. I work for her, you know.”
“And she works for my family, and therefore you must do as I say.” His eyes teased her.
“As I said, I will ask Frau Geruscha tomorrow.”
“Then I shall come for you in the morning, before the sun gets high.”
Rose merely shook her head. Her mind was sluggish and she wasn’t sure what to say. She would discuss it with Frau Geruscha. Her mistress should be able to provide her a good reason not to go.
After the fifth course, Rose saw a few people leave. Men began shouting crude jokes and dallying with the maidens who were helping serve the food and wine. Rose turned to Lady Osanna and whispered, “Would it be rude if I left now?”
“No, most of the ladies will leave soon. I enjoyed our conversation. I hope my brother wasn’t too trying.”
“Oh, no, it was a wonderful night.” Rose glanced up to see Frau Geruscha standing just behind her.
“Let us go, Rose.”
“You’re not departing so soon, are you?” Lord Rupert grabbed Rose’s hand as she stood. He affected a crestfallen expression.
“I’m afraid I must. I thank you for favoring me tonight.” She extracted her hand from his.
He waved and called after her, “Farewell until tomorrow.”
She cringed, wishing he had not said that so loudly. Lord Hamlin was getting to his feet at that moment, and his eye caught hers. With a serious expression, he nodded. She nodded back. What could he be thinking about her sitting with his brother?
And why did she care so much?
Chapter 7
Wilhelm headed out of his bedchamber and down the corridor. As he passed Rupert’s chamber, the door burst open and Rupert bumped into him.
Just the person he wanted to see. Wilhelm refused to move out of his brother’s way, forcing him to look him in the eye. “I saw you dancing with Rose last night, making her sit beside you at the feast. What are your intentions toward her?”
The lighted candle on the wall sconce illuminated Rupert’s face. “Intentions?” Rupert squinted at him.
“You had better not try anything dishonorable with her, Rupert. She’s not—she’s not the kind of maiden that—”
“Save your sermon, big brother.” Rupert’s teeth glowed in the dim corridor. “I’m not as big a louse as you think I am. I like Rose. In fact, I think she’s just the maiden I’ve been looking for.”
Wilhelm eyed his brother, his stomach tightening. “What do you mean by that?”
“I said what I meant.”
“You know Rose has no wealth, no property.” Wilhelm couldn’t imagine his brother giving up the prospect of finding a rich heiress to make his fortune. And he knew Rupert’s desire to become the bishop was connected to the clergyman’s opulence.
“Why don’t you go find your conjurer and stop trying to be my conscience?”
A prickly heat crept up Wilhelm’s neck. If Rupert dared to hurt Rose…“Just don’t try what you did with the maid at the inn in Heidelberg.”
Rupert’s reply was strained. “Your advice is duly noted. I thank you.” He turned his back on Wilhelm and strode down the hall.
Wilhelm resisted the urge to go after him, to spin him around and make him swear never to try any of his disarming tricks on Rose.