He waved his hands placatingly. "No, no. Such charitable feelings do you credit. I _would_ like to help her, and I know Friar Mathieu has already tried. I just wondered how _you_ came to know and care about this girl's case." He looked earnestly into her eyes. His eyes were a blue as clear and bright as that lake where they had lain together. "The story is talked about by all the servants and common folk of the town. I feel very sorry for her. She is just a child. I find myself imagining how she feels--kidnapped, helpless, raped by this barbarian, a prisoner. Have you not seen her yourself?" Simon nodded reluctantly, looking away. "Yes, glimpses. She stays in her room." "She is forced to stay in her room." Sophia sensed that Simon knew more than he admitted about what the Tartar had done to Rachel and was ashamed to be connected with it. "What has this to do with you and me?" he demanded. "You are close to the Tartars. You might be able to help her." Simon glowered. "If I had been there that day in Orvieto, you may be sure they would not have raided that brothel." He might be on the enemy side, she thought, but he was not a savage like the Franks of her childhood. He was a genuinely good man, and that was what made the hopeless dream of marrying him so painful. She put her hand on his arm and squeezed. "Will you try to get the Tartar to release the girl? Cardinal Ugolini will take her in." When she laid her hand on the hard, wiry muscle in his arm, she did not want to let go. _I still want him! My God, what is the matter with me?_ "De Verceuil would oppose me if I tried to take the girl away from John. Incredible, is it not? A cardinal involved in kidnapping a young girl for the pleasure of a barbarian?" Sophia, taught by her Greek Orthodox priests that the Roman Church was a fountainhead of wickedness, did not think the cardinal's actions all that incredible. Besides, was she not in league with another cardinal who was helping the Muslims? "There _must_ be a way to help Rachel," she said. He brought his face close to hers. "Sophia, I will speak to Friar Mathieu. But, as I said, he has already tried to persuade John to let the girl go free. With no success. And I am sure there is nothing more Friar Mathieu can do before tomorrow, when I leave Perugia." She loved that serious, intent look. It was as if light were coming from his eyes. But what he had just said took her by surprise. "Leave Perugia? Where are you going?" He shook his head. "No one is supposed to know." "Simon!" She put anger into her voice, knowing he was vulnerable. If she could get some information of use to Daoud from him, she would have an excuse for having let Simon make love to her. And with Daoud far away in Manfred's kingdom, there was no chance this time that he could hurt Simon. He touched her cheek with the tips of his long fingers, and she could feel him struggling with himself. "Swear you will tell no one." "Of course."