“What do you want?” Marcus asked her harshly. “Money?”

“I want your love, Your Highness,” Evelina replied, sniveling. “And a father for my child. If there is a child. And, somehow, I’m sure there will be. Last night was so wonderful. . .”

“I’ll do what is right.” Marcus drew his shirt over his head. “Ami not because of your threats.”

“I know you will, Marcus,” said Evelina contritely. “I’m sorry I said those things. I didn’t mean them. I was afraid of losing you. I do truly love you. And I know you love me. You said so many times last night.”

Marcus sighed deeply and walked out the door, carefully shutting it behind him.

Two knights of the Prince’s Own arrived in the village that afternoon Marcus’s personal escort had been leading the search for him,and they were overjoyed to find their charge safe and sound. The knights were introduced to “Mistress Evelina,” and they treated her with grave courtesy, at least while Prince Marcus was present, for he said she was coming back to the palace with them. When he left to go bid farewell to his host, the two men exchanged rolling-eyed glances.

“Like father, like son,” muttered Sir Ranulf.

“At least the king had brains enough not to bring his trollop home to meet mommy!” grumbled Sir Troeven. “Look at the strumpet. Preening herself like she is a fine lady.”

“She’s proof that the lad has something between his legs,” said his friend. “There were those of us who were starting to wonder. The question is—what do we do with her?”

“Bring her along,” said Troeven, the commander of the Prince’s Own. “Nothing else we can do. His Highness’s orders.”

“Speaking of His Highness, I don’t think the lad looks well. He’s pale and too thin, by half. He won’t say where he’s been or what happened to him. He claims he’s not hurt, but . . .” The knight shook his head.

“He was always a strange lad,” his companion reflected. “Or so I’ve heard for it has been years since I have seen him.” A veteran soldier, Sir Troeven had been abroad for fifteen years, fighting wars for other kings, since his own kingdom was at peace. “We’ll get him home and let his parents deal with him.”

Prince Marcus graciously thanked his host and his wife. At his request, Sir Troeven gave them a bag full of silver coins, more than the village earned in a year’s fishing. The prince rode off, accompanied by cheers and blessings. There being no spare horse for Evelina, she rode pillion with one of the knight’s servants.