Chapter 18
“Danielle,� Henry cried, as he turned with everyone. Rene had her by the neck, a knife pressed against her throat. “Rene, let her go. She is of no use to you now. Take me instead.�
The Guardsman with Henry, the one he hadn’t recognized turned to the one who had saved the Baron de Barbarac. “Get him out of here as fast as you can. I will follow directly. Now.�
“Too late for that, Highness,� he said, “she belongs to me.� He turned to the first Guardsman. “I know you not, although your face seems familiar to me.� He squeezed her neck a little tighter. “Please introduce yourself.�
“Names are of no consequence at this moment in time, monsieur,� the first Guardsman said, “but you will refer to me as Captain Alexandre de Monde at your service.� The Guardsman bowed and stood up. It was then that Henry noticed how short he was and how beautiful his skin looked. His eyes were wide and bright, the same colors as the eyes of his wife….
“No,� he whispered, shaking his head, still staring at the Guardsman. “Then who’s….�
He looked up and found his cousin, Francois, the second Guardsman, staring at him from his horse. Auguste was behind him on the horse, fast asleep
“Go,� Alexandre called out and slapped the horse.
The horse galloped away, Henry still staring after them. When he could no longer see them, he turned to face Rene who was still holding Danielle.
“I repeat, Rene, let her go.�
“This is not Danielle,� Rodmilla said, as she joined Rene in the doorway. “Let her go, Rene. I am surprised you haven’t noticed the difference, knowing her as long as you have. You’ve been tricked, Rene.�
“Have I now?� Rene said, taking his knife away from Adrienne’s neck and turned toward Rodmilla, threatening her with it. “Now why do you say that?�
Adrienne looked toward Alex who was waving her towards him. Henry was still looking at Alex. “Danielle?� he asked, smiling slightly.
“Not so quickly, my girl,� Rene said, grabbing Adrienne by the hand. He pulled her back and examined her closely.
“You might be right, my love,� Rene said, looking into Adrienne’s eye’s, studying them.
“Let me go,� Adrienne struggled, “let me go,�
Rene shook his head, frowning. “Not until you tell me what is going on here and who you really are?�
“Let her go, le Fleur and I’ll explain everything,�
Chapter 19
Explain, Henry thought, as he turned to look at the young guardsman. What on earth was there to explain?
“Danielle?� he whispered, looking into her eyes.
Danielle looked back at Henry, but there was no time for an answer.
“Danielle?� Rene asked, taking his eyes away from Adrienne, looking at the Guardsmen. He narrowed his eyes and took a step towards the two of them.
Danielle had drawn her sword, as did Henry.
Rene stopped and looked at the two of them. “Danielle?� he repeated.
“Leave him alone, Rene,� Henry said. “This is not Danielle. I have seen this young one before. He is but a mere fifteen summers and is training to be a Guardsman. He wears someone else’s clothes, I know not whose. Let him go, Rene, take me instead.�
With Rene’s attention diverted, Adrienne broke free from his grasp. She was about to run when Rodmilla grabbed her. She held Rene’s knife in her hand. “And where you do you think you are going, you little imposter.�
“Stand aside, Highness,� Rene said, walking up to the Guardsman and pulled his sword from his scabbard. “Let’s see how well he wields that sword now, shall we?�
“Danielle,� Adrienne called out, forgetting where she was. Rodmilla grabbed her and pulled her closer. Adrienne bit her finger and Rodmilla recoiled, dropping the knife. Again, Adrienne broke free, but this time she was able to bend down and quickly picked up the knife before Rodmilla grabbed her again, this time by her hair. “It’s not that easy, is it?�
Rene smiled and stretched out his arm. “Engarde,� he said.
Danielle gave a quick, nervous glance to Henry, but Henry looked back and nodded.
“Very well then, monsieur, you shall have your wish.� She pulled out her sword and raised it to meet Rene’s. “Engarde,� she said and the sword fight began.
Danielle had the advantage at first, then lost to Rene when he caught her looking elsewhere. However, it didn’t take long for Danielle to regain her advantage and soon knocked the sword from Rene’s hand.
Rene was close enough to grab it, but Henry stepped on his hand and placed his sword under his throat. “Not so fast, le Fleur,� he said, smiling.
“There’s just two of us, Rene,� Danielle’s voice called out behind them. She had taken off her beret and her long brown hair tumbled out. She smiled as she stood above him and bent down to remove the sword from his grasp. “Next time you refer to someone as Highness, please remember to include me.�
“Easier than you think, Baroness,� Adrienne said, threatening her with the knife. “Now, let me go.�
“I believe that you should heed her words,� a voice behind her whispered. Rodmilla felt cold steel press into her back. “Let her go or I’ll run you through.�