What You Propose (Anything for Love #2) by Adele Clee Page B

I could compose a song detailing my valiance."
    "And what courageous deed have you performed to boast of such things?"
    "I have suffered a torturous trip to the fair just to please a maiden."
    Anna did chuckle. "Perhaps you could add a verse about how you saved me from a terrible afternoon of chores."
    For the first time since meeting him, his eyes glistened with genuine amusement and she found she rather liked seeing him so relaxed and carefree.
    As though drawn to the sound of their laughter, she heard Tristan call out to them. She spotted him waving as he pushed through the crowd in a bid to reach them before they were lost in a bustling wave of eager revellers.
    "Guess who won the archery contest?" Tristan's smile stretched so wide he flashed a full set of teeth.
    "That's wonderful," she replied. "Isn't that wonderful, Mr. Danbury?"
    "I doubt you had much competition," Mr. Danbury scoffed, although there was no hint of malice in his tone. "They should have blindfolded you to even the odds."
    Tristan smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
    "Have you seen Selene and Andre?" she asked. Hopefully, if Selene saw Mr. Danbury in a jovial mood, it might ease her fears.
    "They were listening to the musicians when I last saw them." Tristan exhaled. "I'm going to head back as I need to catch a few hours sleep. Are you coming?"
    "In a little while," Mr. Danbury glanced at her. "But I won't need your company tonight. I'll be going out on my own."
    Tristan's eyes widened as his gaze shot to Anna. She felt her heart race at the thought of Mr. Danbury riding alone in the dark. Heaven only knows what was waiting for him in the dead of night.
    "Miss Sinclair is aware of our nightly excursions," Mr. Danbury said. "So far, that is the extent of her knowledge. I'll need you to stay with her tonight. I need to be certain she is safe."
    Anna had the sudden urge to protest, an urge to ride out with him and confront whatever evil lurked in the darkness.
    Tristan shook his head. "But I don't understand. She won't come to any harm in the monastery."
    "I can't explain it all now," he said, no doubt referring to what she had told him about Victor.
    There was a sudden flurry behind her: shouting and jeering. She clutched her chest fearing the man in question had risen from an earthy grave to seek his revenge. Anna breathed a sigh as a group of dancers pushed past them, waving their handkerchiefs and jingling their bells.
    "Perhaps we should all head home," Mr. Danbury suggested, his tone revealing a hint of apprehension.
    Tristan nodded. "There's nothing of any interest here. Lenard has spent the afternoon serving ale. With so many people coming into the village, it's hard to pick out strangers from abroad."
    Strangers from abroad!
    Anna's heart lurched, and she grabbed Mr. Danbury's arm as her frantic gaze met his. "I knew it. You really do think Victor's accomplice has come looking for me. You think he's here. Watching. Waiting. That's who you're searching for at night."
    Mr. Danbury leaned forward until his soft breath breezed across her cheek. "When I go out each night, I am not looking for Victor's accomplice," he whispered against her ear. "I am looking for criminals. I'm looking for smugglers."

 
     
    Chapter 7
     
     
     
    "Smugglers?" Miss Sinclair gasped as Marcus took her by the arm and escorted her towards the stables. It was not wise to discuss their assignment anywhere other than in the privacy of the chapter house. "You mean there really is no one lurking outside the monastery ready to exact their revenge for Victor's death?"
    "Not that I'm aware of," Marcus replied. "And I scour the area nightly searching for anything suspicious."
    "Forgive me for sounding obtuse," Tristan said, striding along with them. "But who in blazes is Victor? And I thought you said it was better for Anna if she knew nothing of our assignment."
    He had said that.
    But the look of fear in her eyes when she thought Victor's man had come looking for her,