“It’s all right, Max,” Bennett said softly. “Like your friend said, it has to be worth his while.” Bennett turned her attention to Simeon. “If you win, you get me for as long as you’re here and in any way you’d like. I believe your plans were to stay for a fortnight, so is a fortnight of me being your slave a wager you’d care to take?”

***

Bennett stood on the walkway of the curtain wall under a sky glittering with stars. Now, free to roam the castle grounds, there was rarely a night when she didn’t end up here, her eyes continuously panning the landscape to the south. Tonight, the moon was full, and Bennett could see quite far, yet it was never far enough.

The spring air was crisp, and she was thankful Max hadn’t insisted on her wearing one of the two lace and linen dresses he’d given her. She much preferred the warmth of her black woolen skirt and simple tunic, and with the help of the chemise underneath and a shawl, Bennett barely felt the coolness against her skin.

A noise broke the stillness of the night, and turning toward it, Bennett saw Angelique step through the tower door. The woman sauntered her way to Bennett, her smile growing with every step she took.

“Good evening,” Angelique purred. “You’re a hard person to find.”

“I wasn’t aware I was lost.”

“You’re not. Simeon, however, has not only lost some houses and horses, I truly think he’s losing his mind. He’s still sitting in the study, staring daggers at his tipped-over king on the chessboard.”

“He’ll get over it.”

Angelique’s mirth rang out, and more than one bird in the forest took flight. “Well, all I can say is thank God he’s immortal because it’s going to take a few hundred years.”

“You think so?”

Angelique gazed at Bennett and then held out her hand. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. Angelique Chevalier.”

“Bennett Archer,” Bennett said, shaking the woman’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, the pleasure’s all mine. I assure you. I’ve waited quite some time for someone, anyone, to take Simeon down a peg. I can’t tell you how pleased I am it was a woman.”

“Why do you say that? I mean, since you’re the only woman with him, I thought you and he were—”