Knight Errant by Rue Allyn Page A

refusals. He marched down the passageway to stand before the door to the women’s quarters. Berthild said Juliana needed time to contemplate. But for three days? He had begun to wonder if Juliana was a woman or a saint. Luigi had informed him that they should make port in less than two days, and Robert still had not settled with her exactly when they would start back to England. He wanted to see her smiling face, not simply because of the pleasure it gave him, but because of the great many details to be discussed.
    He chafed at the delay, but he could not force her out. He would never lay violent hands on any woman. ’Twas why he had not simply tossed her across his saddle and ridden to England. He spied Gretle walking toward the room where Juliana kept to her meditations. The older woman carried a bowl of stew in her hands.
    He intercepted her. “I see that Juliana can take time to eat. Why can she not take time to speak with me?”
    “Indeed, Sir Robert, I know not. This is the first food she has asked for. Had she not asked, Berthild and I were prepared to take drastic action. Contemplation is all well and good, but fasting this much is not healthy.”
    “What! You tell me she has not eaten for three days? Why did you not tell me?” Saint Swithan’s shroud, women were all fools. “Give me that bowl. I will see that she breaks her fast.”
    “What will you do? Force her to eat?” The Beguine arched a brow at him, handed him the bowl, and walked away.
    Robert clenched his jaw. “Nay,” he said to the empty air. “I would have sent Luigi to pester her into ceasing this nonsense.”
    “And you would have failed,” Juliana said from behind him.
    He shifted around.
    She stood in the open doorway of the women’s chamber.
    “I do not fail.” He uttered the lie without flinching. He had failed greatly, and that failure troubled his conscience daily. However, he refused to let this woman see his weakness. He frowned. Let her see his displeasure, instead. Mayhap she would start to realize he could not be blinded by her smiles.
    “Perhaps. However, I take my devotions most seriously. Even Luigi’s nonsensical request for my hand in marriage would not deter me.” She smiled and folded her hands together at her waist.
    Luigi?
“What nonsense is this? Has that Saracen offended you?” A red haze filled Robert’s vision. His fists clenched. “I will kill him.”
    “Sir Robert, calm yourself.” She removed the bowl of stew from his hands and placed it on a nearby shelf.
    He followed her into the room and forced his hands to relax. “Please explain.”
    “Luigi offered no insult.”
    “Tell me you do not favor this proposal.”
    “Of course I don’t favor his suit. I do not want to marry anyone. Besides, I think our captain was caught in the moment of our dancing and didn’t really mean to propose.”
    Robert cast a glance through the open door, through the passageway, across the deck to where Luigi stood beside the helm. Was his earlier warning to the Saracen sufficient? “I doubt his intention is as innocent as you think, Lady Juliana. Promise that you will never be alone with him.”
    “Our journey with him is nearly done. But if it will make you feel better, I have no plan to be alone with any man.” She gave Robert a pointed look that suggested he should leave.
    Without thinking, he closed the door. “I mislike our captain’s intentions and order you to stay away from him.”
    “You should leave. ’Tis not seemly for me to be alone here with you.”
    “I have waited three unending days to settle matters concerning our return to England. You will speak with me now, and you will allow me to be the best judge of who may or may not be a danger to you.”
    She folded her hands at her waist. “Truly it is kind of you to be so concerned, but you are overreacting, and I cannot accept your authority in these matters.”
    “We have already discussed my authority over you in all matters. Whether you desire