Lord Rupert turned and walked over to his sister, and Rose started to breathe again. He placed the flowers Rose had picked into his sister’s basket, then strode straight back to Rose and reached out his hand. Before Rose knew what he was about to do, he pulled out a single red poppy from the bunch he had given her.
“May I?” His voice was low and gentle. He didn’t wait for her answer, but placed the flower in her hair next to her temple. “Now it is even more beautiful.”
Rose looked away from him. “I’d better go see if Lady Osanna has enough flowers.”
“Wait.” The smile left his face. “I know you don’t trust me, Rose. I suppose that’s wise of you.” He looked at her with a pained expression, his brows creasing his forehead. “You aren’t like other maidens, Rose. You’re enchanting, clever, confident. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
Me? Confident? Rose considered him with raised eyebrows.
“And you’re the most beautiful—”
“Rose!” Lady Osanna called.
She jumped. “Yes?” Stepping around Rupert, she walked toward Lady Osanna.
“Oh, I didn’t see you on the other side of my ox of a brother. Aren’t those poppies lovely?”
Rose looked down at the bunch of flowers in her hand.
“Rupert picked those for you, didn’t he?” Lady Osanna half frowned, half smiled, and shook her head. “He’s such a trifler. Pay no heed to him.”
Rose glanced up at Lord Rupert, who had walked up beside her. His expression turned dark at his sister’s words.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Osanna cocked her head and thrust her hand onto her hip.
With visible effort, he lightened his expression and turned his gaze on Rose. “My sister likes to malign me unfairly. It’s her way of jesting. Humorous, isn’t it?”
Lady Osanna shook her head. She hung the basket full of flowers over one arm and slipped her other hand through Rose’s arm. “Shall we go?” They started back toward the castle, its five cylindrical towers of grey stone the only things visible above the surrounding wall.
“What about the blanket and food?”
“Oh, I’ll send a servant to retrieve them.”
Rose glanced over her shoulder and saw Lord Rupert still standing in the same spot, staring after them.
Wilhelm enlisted the help of Lukas to saddle Shadow. The boy was eager to learn all the steps to grooming and saddling a horse. Rose would be pleased at how happy the child seemed. He wished she could see the smile on his face now as Wilhelm praised him, how the boy’s cheeks had filled out now that he was eating regularly. He would love to see the look on her face when she realized Wilhelm was taking good care of him.
But what was he doing, thinking about Rose, desiring her approval? He was treading on dangerous ground.
His father was conducting a large hunt to entertain himself and an earl who had come for a visit. As usual, it was a massive event. A crew of dog handlers, falconers, archers, and assistant huntsmen moved to and fro about the stable and courtyard. Rupert was striding toward them as well. His brother had always enjoyed the hunt as much as anyone. Rupert had felled many a stag, decorating the wall of the Great Hall with several big racks of antlers. A buck was a great prize, but Wilhelm usually let someone else do the killing. He didn’t especially like destroying the noble creatures.
Someone was approaching him from behind and Wilhelm turned around as Rupert clapped him on the shoulder. “Ready for the chase?”
Rupert was smiling and friendly. He must want something.
“Georg, Christoff, and I are going wolf hunting and leaving you and Father to the deer.” Wilhelm knew how much Rupert loved stag hunting—and despised hunting wolves. Wolf hunting was much less exciting, and usually less fruitful.
“Some sheep have gone missing.” Wilhelm turned back to his horse, yanking the saddle’s girth. “We’ve heard reports of a wolf in the area, killing lambs and pigs.”
After a short pause, Rupert said, “I’ll go with you.”
Wilhelm stopped and turned to study his brother. Rupert looked strangely earnest. What was he up to? “As you wish.”
Duke Nicolaus entered the yard, followed by a servant carrying his bow and arrow. His presence infused the scene with instant energy as all the men scurried about, making sure they were ready the moment the duke mounted his horse.
A servant had prepared Gregor for Rupert, and he swung into the saddle. He hung back with Wilhelm and the two knights.
Two huntsmen on foot with several of the dogs were first to enter the forest. The duke and the other stag hunters started after them.
Remaining behind with Wilhelm and Rupert, Jakob, the assistant huntsman, held the leashes of a greyhound and two white alaunts—thin hunting dogs as tall as ponies—who would help them track the wolves. After the stag hunters and their dogs were almost out of earshot, Wilhelm and his party started off toward the east and the Harz Mountains.