smile, his best feature. Boyish and vulnerable, his smile told her, for all that he was a knight, this man was malleable. He would never bend her to his will.
In that instant Aude recognised that if she and Sir Olivier were to make a match of it, he would defer to her. Thoughtfully, she looked at him. She might not warm to him, she might never yearn for him, but it seemed he was a rarity among the knightly class. He would not forget that the lands that came with the marriage belonged to her.
‘Oh, your veil! I am sorry, my lady, I wouldn’t have had that happen for the world, except…’
‘Yes?’ Aude felt as though she were not really here in the orchard, she was watching Sir Olivier from many miles away. This Abbot’s knight, this landless knight wanted her dowry. Her hair had come loose, a strand was gleaming in a patch of dappled sunlight; when he reached to caress it and sighed, laughter formed inside her.
‘Your hair, it is so beautiful, I had no idea,’ he murmured. ‘You are a goddess, a golden goddess of beauty.’
Yes, a giggle was definitely rising, Aude sank her teeth into her lips to keep it in. Sir Olivier had a fine opinion of himself, but she could not take him seriously. And as for his touch, his kiss…
What would Hugh’s kiss be like?
Unhooking her hair from his fingers, Aude turned away and set about straightening her veil. Stop thinking about Hugh! Give this knight your full attention. If he is indeed malleable, he might be useful.
When Aude had set her appearance to rights, Sir Olivier was leaning against the tree, biting into an apple.
‘My lady, it is your brother’s wish that we marry.’
‘Yes, I know, but—’
Sir Olivier tossed the apple aside and reached her in two strides. ‘It is my wish also.’
‘Sir, my dowry is not large, but nevertheless I think you are more interested in my lands than my person.’
‘Not so!’ He took her hands, kissing each in turn. ‘I admit that was the case before I met you, but now that I have met you…’
Aude pulled free. ‘You are very glib, sir. You know I have a manor near Crèvecoeur?’
‘Yes.’
‘And my grandfather left a chest of money with the Abbot here. That is my dowry.’
‘I know about that, but—’
‘I also,’ Aude swept on, ‘have been gifted a small estate in Wessex. Did you know of that?’
Sir Olivier’s handsome face crinkled into a frown. ‘Where the devil is Wessex?’
‘It is in England, sir.’
‘Your brother gave you this estate?’
‘No, my fiancé gave it to me.’
‘Count Martin? I was not aware he had lands in England.’
‘No, Sir Olivier, it is Count Richard I am referring to.’
The Abbot’s knight tipped his head to one side. ‘The man who stepped into Martin’s shoes? I never realised you were promised to him too.’
‘Only briefly. We soon agreed that we should not suit, and as a parting gift Count Richard granted me this estate in England.’
Sir Olivier looked puzzled. ‘Well, that is all to the good, my lady, but I meant it when I said I wished to marry you and not your lands.’
‘I am telling you this,’ Aude softened her voice, ‘because I want you to understand my intentions. I am currently on my way to Wessex.’
His eyes widened. ‘I see.’
‘I hope that you do. I wish to tour my estate there and ensure that it is in good order. And whatever my brother may say, I am not going to make any decisions regarding my future until my return.’
‘And when might that be?’
Aude shrugged. ‘That will largely depend on what I find in England.’ She gave him a straight look. ‘My brother thinks to sway me, Sir Olivier, but—’
‘You cannot be swayed.’ He grinned.
Not by you, Aude thought, which, oddly, was the very reason she might consider marrying him in the future. If she had to…‘No, sir. I shall tour my estate; there are matters there that need my attention. With luck I will be back at Crèvecoeur by Advent.’
‘You will risk a winter crossing? Is that wise?’
Aude made an impatient movement. ‘I will not travel if the weather is inclement. What I am saying, Sir Olivier, is—’
‘No. You are saying no. You will not have me.’
Aude was startled to see disappointment written so clearly on the handsome face. And she would swear it was more than the loss of her dowry; this man appeared to genuinely want her for his wife. Malleable indeed.
‘Yes, Sir Olivier,’ she spoke gently but firmly. ‘I am afraid that I am.’
His nostrils flared and she found herself at the receiving end of another of those charming smiles. ‘When do you leave?’ he asked, politely offering her his arm.
As they started walking back to the church, tension seeped out of her, and Aude realised she had been braced for a churlish reaction. Her heart warmed to him. There were not many knights who would accept her decision so well. Charmer he might be, but Sir Olivier was genuinely likeable, which was all to the good. Particularly since Edouard would be more agreeable about her visiting England if she went in the company of the knight he had chosen for her husband…
‘I had planned to take a barge to Honfleur this afternoon, but another passenger took my place and had my baggage thrown off the ship.’
He missed a step. ‘Surely not?’
‘Really.’ They resumed their slow progress towards St Peter’s church where Edouard was waiting for them.
‘What will you do, my lady?’
‘Find another ship.’
‘Does Lord Edouard know what you have in mind?’
‘Yes, but I fear he may try to delay my departure.’ Aude gave him a straight look. ‘I should like to trust you, sir. May I?’
Brown eyes looked earnestly into hers. ‘It would be my honour to assist you, my lady.’
‘There is no need to feel compelled.’
‘Lady Aude, it will be no trouble.’ His smile broadened. ‘I want to help. You see, I hope to prove myself worthy of you.’
Firmly, Aude shook her head. ‘My mind is made up, Sir Olivier. I will not marry you.’ Unless I have to…
