Page 100 of Lionheart

"Iwill slay the knight and his lady where they stand if you refuse."

Vanoraclosed her eyes and asked for God's help. What terrible thing had she wrought?'Twas bad enough that she'd left without Lionheart's knowledge, but now shemust also deny her love for him. She had not counted on that.

"Ifthat message is delivered, Lionheart will never come for me. He will hate meand leave me to my fate."

Daffidlaughed. "If you think that, you underestimate Lionheart's pride. I am aman. I saw the way Lionheart looks at you."

"'Tis you who underestimates Lionheart's pride."

"Mayhap,but I will risk it. After you give Sir Giles the message, he and his lady mayleave. I will be listening, so make very certain you tell Giles exactly what Ihave instructed you to say."

Vanoraprayed that Lionheart would be so disgusted with her once her message was delivered,he would forget about storming Draymere. Once Giles and his wife were free,Lionheart would have no reason to attack. Vanora would have accomplished whatshe had set out to do without bloodshed.

Daffidgave her a shove toward Giles. She stiffened her shoulders and composed wordsof betrayal in her mind.

"Mylady, are you all right?" Giles asked. "Are we free to leavenow?"

"Youand Deirdre may go," Vanora said, "but I am staying withDaffid."

Gilesshook his head. "Nay. If you cannot leave, then neither shall we."

"I donot wish to return to Cragdon," Vanora said, stumbling over the lie."Will you carry a message to Lionheart?"

"Ofcourse, my lady," Giles said, "though I understand naught of this. IsDaffid forcing you to remain against your will?"

"Ithought I made myself clear, Sir Giles. I was forced to wed Lionheart, but myheart has always been with my betrothed. 'Tis Daffid I want. Tell Lionheart toheed well my words, for I am not in need of rescue."

"Ifthat is your wish, my lady." Giles's voice dripped with contempt. "Ishall deliver your message word for word."

"Guard!"Daffid shouted. "My guests are free to go. Return their horses to them andescort them from my lands."

Her throatclogged with tears, Vanora watched them leave, and with them her future with Lionheart.She had just given Lionheart another reason to distrust her.

ChapterEighteen

"Whereis she!"

Lionheart'sroar shot up through the rafters and vibrated through the hall. He had awakenedthat morning to find Vanora gone. At first he had thought naught about it, butas the day progressed without a sign of Vanora, he knew with certainty what shehad done.

Hoping hewas wrong, he had dispatched a man to the village and instigated a thoroughsearch of the keep and outbuildings. His anger mounted when he realized thatonly one explanation was possible. Vanora had deliberately disobeyed him andgone to Daffid. He felt it in his bones, knew it with every breath he took.Damn her to perdition!

"Whowas the sentry last night?"

"'Twas I, Lord Lionheart," Sir Eldin said, stepping forward.

"Didmy wife leave the hall while you were on duty?"

"Aye,my lord. She said she could not sleep and was going to the chapel to pray. Isaw no reason to stop her."

Lionheart'sgaze searched for and found Father Caddoc. "What do you know of this,priest?"

"Naught,my lord. Vanora did not confide in me."

"Thesecret door behind the altar ..."

"...is still sealed, my lord, just as you ordered."

"Whereis Mair?"