Chapter 32

SO I TOLD HER. Everything.

Of Sophie, and our village. Of my journey to the Holy Land, the terrible fighting there. Of my moment with the Turk... how I was saved, freed, to come back, to see Sophie again.

Then I told Emilie of the horrible truth that I'd found upon my return.

My voice cracked and my eyes filled with tears as I spoke¹. It was why I had been wandering the woods like a madman before they had come upon me.WhyI had to get to Treille...

All the while, Emilie seemed riveted² by my tale, never once interrupting. I knew that much of what I said must have brushed against the fantasies of her upbringing. Yet never once did she react as a spoiled noble. She did not question my desertion from the army, nor take offense³ at my ire toward Norcross and Baldwin. And when I came to why I so desperately⁴ needed to get to Treille, her eyes glistened⁵. Indeed, I understand, Hugh.

She leaned forward, placing a hand upon mine. I see that you have been truly wronged. You must go to Treille and find your wife. But what do you intend to do, go there as one man? Without arms or access to the duke's circle? Baldwin is well-known here for what he is: a self-serving goat who sucks his own duchy dry. But what will you do, call him out on the field of battle? Challenge him? You will only get yourself tossed in a cell, or killed..

You speak like Sophie would have, I said. But even if it seems crazy, I have to try. I have no choice in this.

Then I will help you, Hugh, Emilie whispered, if you let me.

I looked at her, both confused and overwhelmed by her trust and resolve. Why do you do this for me? You are highborn yourself. You attend the royal court.

I told you the first time, Hugh De Luc. It is your smile that saves you.

I think not, I said, and dared to hold my gaze on her. You could have left me on the road. My troubles would have died along with me.

Emilie averted⁶ her eyes. I will tell you, but not now.

Yet I have told you everything.

This is my price, Hugh. If you'd like to shop around, I can have you delivered back where I found you.

I bowed my head and smiled. She was funny when she wished to be. Your price is agreeable, Lady Emilie. I'm truly grateful, whatever your reason.

Good, she said. So first we must start work on apretext for you. A way for you to get in. What is it you do well, other than that keen sense of direction I saw?

I laughed at her barb⁷, sharp as it was. I am one of those with skills abundant but talents none.

We'll see, Emilie said. What did you do in your town before the war?

We owned an inn. Sophie looked after the food and beds, and I...

Like most innkeepers, you poured the ale and kept the patrons entertained.

How would you know such a thing? I asked.

No matter. And during the war? From what I've seen, you were certainly not a scout⁸.

I fought. I learned to fight quite well, actually. But I was told I was always able to keep my friends amused with my stories and their minds off the fighting. In the most worrisome of times, they always requested my tales. I told her how I had grown up, traveling the countryside, reciting verses and profane⁹ songs as a goliard. And how after the war I made my way home entertaining at inns as a jongleur. Maybe I have a talent after all.

A jongleur, Emilie repeated.

It's a modest one, but I've always had the skill to make new friends. I smiled, to let her know of whom I was speaking.

Emilie blushed, then stood up. She straightened her dress and produced a demure¹⁰ look. You must rest now, Hugh De Luc. Nothing can happen until your wounds have healed. In the meantime, I must go.

A worry shot through me. Please, lady, I hope I have not offended you.

Offendedme? she exclaimed. Not at all. She broke into a most wonderful smile. In fact, your vast talents have given me a splendid idea.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 riveted   

铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意

参考例句：

• I was absolutely riveted by her story. 我完全被她的故事吸引住了。
• My attention was riveted by a slight movement in the bushes. 我的注意力被灌木丛中的轻微晃动吸引住了。

3 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

4 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

5 glistened   

v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Pearls of dew glistened on the grass. 草地上珠露晶莹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Her eyes glistened with tears. 她的眼里闪着泪花。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 averted   

防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移

参考例句：

• A disaster was narrowly averted. 及时防止了一场灾难。
• Thanks to her skilful handling of the affair, the problem was averted. 多亏她对事情处理得巧妙，才避免了麻烦。

7 barb   

n.（鱼钩等的）倒钩，倒刺

参考例句：

• The barb of his wit made us wince.他那锋芒毕露的机智使我们退避三舍。
• A fish hook has a barb to prevent the fish from escaping after being hooked.鱼钩上都有一个倒钩以防上了钩的鱼逃走。

8 scout   

n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索

参考例句：

• He was mistaken for an enemy scout and badly wounded.他被误认为是敌人的侦察兵，受了重伤。
• The scout made a stealthy approach to the enemy position.侦察兵偷偷地靠近敌军阵地。

9 profane   

adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污

参考例句：

• He doesn't dare to profane the name of God.他不敢亵渎上帝之名。
• His profane language annoyed us.他亵渎的言语激怒了我们。

10 demure   

adj.严肃的；端庄的

参考例句：

• She's very demure and sweet.她非常娴静可爱。
• The luscious Miss Wharton gave me a demure but knowing smile.性感迷人的沃顿小姐对我羞涩地会心一笑。