It all happened in a moment. Rose wished she had had the presence of mind to ask Gilbert for no one, not even the Commander, to be let into her circle of protection. However, even if she had, would Gilbert and his men disobey a direct order from the most superior man in the entire army? It was unlikely.
So here the princess was, face to face with the Borit as he sat atop his valiant steed.
'It is the only valiant thing about him,' Rose kept her thoughts to herself. Spewing venom at the commander would tip her hand that she knew something, and the princess could not risk it. But Rose silently held tight to her indignation so her fear would not show.
For Rose was very afraid. Behind Borit, a large company of soldiers blocked the path between them and Burke. And Rose did not see a single familiar face among them. That could not be a coincidence.
Eyeing her carefully, Borit raised one eyebrow. "Lady Alexis, did you say?" He turned to Gilbert for confirmation. The soldier nodded definitively.
Borit clicked his heels, closing the gap between himself and the princess as their horses met. "Lady Alexis, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. The king has indeed been expecting you." The commander swept a gallant bow from the back of his horse to show his respect.
By his demeanor, the princess knew he was not falling for her 'disguise'. That was not surprising. or of course it had never been meant to fool people who actually knew her.
"I look forward to seeing him again very soon," Rose spoke carefully. "It has been a long journey."
"There are many who are eager to hear what you have to say. His Majesty looks forward to your unabridged report." Although Borit seemed content to play along with her farce, there was still a threat to his words. When they were back at the palace, Rose better tell everything she knew.
Pressing her lips together, the princess forced a smile. "I would do anything for my king."
Borit's pleasant mask fell only slightly before being replaced with an even more dashing grin. "This is excellent news."
Dipping his head to the lady, he addressed Gilbert once more. "Excellent work, soldier. You and your company are dismissed with my thanks. My men and I will escort Lady Alexis to the palace."
'Oh no!' No matter how she looked at it, Rose knew that Borit taking her back would be a grave error.
What if these men with him were not actually soldiers, but more of the bandits that the commander had sent after? Since she was not traveling under her own name, Gilbert's soldiers would not think anything of it if the princess were suddenly announced as being missing. Borit could finish the job of making her disappear, if that had been his goal in the first place.
Even if he did not intend to do her harm just now, being alone with the commander was not something she wanted to attempt just yet. He was very clever and would try to corner the princess with pointed questions, and Rose was sure none of the men with the Commander would stop him if that occurred.
And if the princess gave him even an inkling that something was wrong, he might grow even more suspicious of where the lovely blonde had been. And as honest as she wanted to be with the king, the princess felt no such loyalty to the cunning commander.
And there was the issue of Gilbert having a message for the King's eyes only. Rose would not let him fail at his mission.
"I am afraid I must contradict you Commander. As gracious as your offer is, I would like these men to accompany me to the palace. Gilbert has a communication for King Rhodri." Rose motioned to the soldier, who nodded to confirm her claim.
"That is not an issue. I shall deliver it for you myself. It will save you the trouble of going the extra distance." Borit backed his horse up slightly to come even with the soldier and held out his hand.
Gilbert stared at the commander's open palm but did not move. Borit's brow furrowed.
"Do not make me turn that into an order." The Borit's eyes opened slightly at Gilbert's defiant stare. "Have we met before?"
Before Borit could get too far on his train of thought, Rose quickly intervened. "Commander, surely you can appreciate this man's commitment to following his superior's orders. You must let him complete his mission. If you will not do it for him, please do it for me."
The princess lowered her head and looked innocently at him from under her eyelashes.
"If I did not know better, I might think you did not trust me to escort you, My Lady." Borit chuckled lightly, but there was no mirth in his eyes.
Rose gripped her reins and steadied herself. Was she that easy to read?
Of course she had never wanted to be alone with the commander. His few efforts to get rid of the Princess's lady-in-waiting had always been denied. So Borit would not be surprised if she did the same now.
"As you said, we have only just met. I know the king would never want to deprive me of my trusted escort if he thought it would cause me any discomfort. I thank you for your indulgence on my foolish feminine whims." Before she had even finished speaking, Rose knew she had won.
By admitting it was foolish, the commander could not make any argument that would not make him look like less than a gentleman. His only choices were either to flatly deny her request and risk the king's displeasure or to give in.
Borit chose to yield. He motioned for everyone to begin the trek to the palace with a sigh.
"Have it your way, My Lady. I am nothing if not accommodating. I will personally make sure your escort receives the royal treatment." Borit graciously backed away, and headed out.
Rose caught the dangerous glint in the commander's eye as he turned away, but was determined to stop it in its tracks. "I do hope they receive the best!" She said cheerily, "For I will be checking in on each of them before they depart in the morning."
With an intense feeling of protectiveness, the soldiers of the fort circled around their patroness. Rose clearly was on Gilbert's side and her loyalty inspired their own.
Gilbert for his part came alongside the princess. "Is there anything else you need before we move on, My Lady?"
Rose wanted to scream that she would like to get as far away from the commander as she could. Instead she shook her head. "The sooner we get to the palace, the better. I do think you all will enjoy a good meal by one of the best chefs in the world."
Borit called as he pushed his way inside the protective circle. "Not one of the best chefs, My Lady. The best chef in the world."
He was clearly saving face in front of his men by forcing his way into the conversation. Rose was happy to let him have this win if it meant they would get home sooner.
"I am sure you have been far more places than I, Commander," she conceded.
Gilbert looked suitably impressed. "I only have my mother's cooking for reference of how food should taste. So I look forward to this special treat."
It took all of Rose's control not to laugh at his words. 'Katherine is the reason I said one of the best chefs. Up until I tasted her cooking, I would have fully agreed with the Borit!' Looking out of the corner of her eyes, the princess could sense Gilbert knew it too.
Nobody beat his mother's cooking!