Free Masques of Gold by Roberta Gellis Page B

from her own chamber in her father’s house. She remembered where she was and what had happened. The frown, however, only grew more pronounced. “So you came back,” she said. “Why?”
    â€œWhy? Naturally, to assist my poor bereaved daughter in any way I can.”
    The mockery in William’s voice did not hurt her, but Lissa stared at her father. She was still somewhat bemused by sleep, and she was sickened and disappointed by the idea that Justin was below, listening slyly to their conversation. Nor could she guess from what her father said whether he was aware that Justin was in the house. Then she saw that the door was closed, and she was so filled with joy at the idea that Justin had not insisted the door be left open, that he trusted her enough not to spy on her, that she barely prevented herself from smiling.
    â€œI am very sorry that Peter should have died in such a horrible way,” she said, “but you must know better than any other that I could not be bereaved. You forced me to marry him, and though he was kind to me, we had not been man and wife long enough for me to become fond of him. What do you want here?”
    â€œPerhaps you should not spread the notion that I forced you to marry and that you had no affection for Flael. It is not unknown for a young wife to rid herself of an old, rich husband.”
    â€œDo not trouble your head about it, father.” Lissa’s soft chuckle mocked her father’s sneer. “I am in no danger of being suspected on those grounds, since you arranged that not a penny of Peter’s money nor any share in his business be added to my dower.”
    William licked his lips. “But his sons are fled, and if they are suspected of his murder—for why else should they run away?—you are Flael’s only remaining heir. Certainly until they return and can prove themselves innocent, you must be in charge of your husband’s estate.”
    â€œThat may be so,” Lissa agreed, considerably amused at the thought of how her father’s expression of gloating greed would change when he heard the end of her sentence. “But that will profit neither you nor me, since young Peter and Edmond took both strongboxes and most of the tools with them. They have left me nothing of Peter’s estate but his debts.”
    There was a moment’s silence and then William burst out, “You fool! Idiot! You let them go with the money and the gold and jewels?”
    A string of obscenities followed, but Lissa interrupted calmly, “Why should I care? It was their money and gold and jewels. Why should they not take them? I am sure young Peter and Edmond had nothing to do with their father’s death.” Her eyes, full of challenge and accusation, met his. “They ran away because they were frightened by the manner of Peter’s murder—and you know it.”
    â€œI know nothing.” William’s voice was low, but terribly violent.
    He leaned over Lissa and grasped her wrist so hard that pain lanced up her arm. She shoved herself upright, taking him by surprise, and pushed him back toward the fire so she could wrench herself around and seize the poker. William let go of her, gasping as she raised the tool like a weapon.
    â€œShe-wolf! Monster!” he hissed. “Will you accuse me of what I am totally innocent just to satisfy your hatred?”
    â€œDo not be a fool,” Lissa said, lowering the poker. “You hurt me, and I will not tolerate that from you, especially since I may be forced to leave this house and return to yours when Peter’s sons are found. Sir Justin FitzAilwin and his men are seeking them in the city and beyond. As for you, I will accuse you of nothing and will do all in my power to keep any shadow of guilt from touching you. You know too much about it, but thank God I am certain you are not guilty of murdering Peter.”
    William stared at her and then bobbed his head in a