She could hardly believe he was serious about letting her escape. Her pain-wracked mind was unable to come to grips with what was happening to her. How she needed Daoud! He would know what to do. As she entered the firelit room her eyes blurred with tears.
But she saw at once that there were more people in the room than when she had gone out on the balcony with Simon.
One of them was holding a crossbow leveled at Simon. Her heart stopped. Then she recognized him, and she let her breath out in relief. Black and white curly hair, graying mustache, broad shoulders. Lorenzo.
She heard a growling. Scipio stood there, held tightly on a leash by Tilia. Ugolini was beside her.
Rachel hurried to Sophia and took her hand. "I'm glad you are back. I was frightened for you."
"Simon wants to help us," said Sophia, taking Rachel's hand. She could not give up in despair, she thought, while she had Rachel to care for.
"You took long enough to come in off that balcony, Count," Lorenzo said.
"Put down your crossbow," Sophia said. "Count Simon has decided to be a friend to us."
"I would not regret giving our new friend just what my friend Daoud got today from his man Sordello," Lorenzo said.
Tilia said, "Do you—know, Sophia? About Daoud?"