Page 105 of Lionheart

"Deirdreis young enough to miss her family, but I hope to give her a family of her ownone day."

"Methinksyou care a great deal for your little bride," Lionheart teased.

"Deirdreis sweet and biddable, Lionheart, and she claims to love me. How can I not loveher in return?"

"Howindeed?" Lionheart said, turning his head to hide his bitterness, for heknew love did not exist.

"Iknow you have been unwilling to discuss Vanora with anyone, but it does nothelp to keep your feelings within yourself. I believe you care for Vanora morethan you are willing to admit and her rejection has caused you pain."

"Vanora'srejection is but another in a long line of rejections I have known over theyears," Lionheart said.

"Nay,this is different, more hurtful. You love her. Deny it not, Lionheart, for I ama man in love myself and can see how highly you value your wife."

"Haveyou no duties, Giles?" Lionheart bit out.

Gilesstared at Lionheart a moment, then shrugged and strode away. Lionheart returnedhis attention to the priest,who was now but a small dot in the distance.

"Gowith God," Lionheart whispered. His words were snatched away and carriedoff by the wind.

* * *

'Twas neardusk when Father Caddoc, bowed with fatigue and shivering from cold, reachedDraymere. He gave his name when challenged by the sentry and waited in silentprayerfulness to be admitted or turned away.

'TwasDaffid himself who appeared at the portcullis a few minutes later. "Whatdo you here, Father?"

"Icome in peace, my son. It occurred to me that Draymere has no priest, and thatsome of your men might be in need of confessing and receiving absolution."

"Ifyou have come to take Vanora back to Cragdon, you are not welcome here.Furthermore, Vanora has no wish to return."

"I aman old man, Daffid. You have naught to fear from me. Open the portcullis. I amcold and in need of rest and sustenance. After I am rested, I will hearconfessions. In the morning I will say Mass and take my leave."

"Youare right, Father," Daffid confirmed. "I have naught to fear fromyou. Very well, you may enter and shrive those who feel in need of it."

Vanora wasin the garden behind the keep and had no idea the priest had arrived. She hadwaited until dusk, when shadows and dim light would prevent discovery, tosearch for the postern gate she remembered from her childhood. She had managedto sneak out twice to explore but had failed to find the gate. The walls wereovergrown with weeds and ivy, making the search extremely difficult. There wasalways the possibility, of course, that her childhood memories had failed her,that imagination had become reality in her mind.

"Vanora,where are you?"

Vanorastarted violently as Daffid's voice rolled through the keep like a winterstorm. Lifting her skirts, she hurried inside. He met her at the door.

"Whatwere you doing out there?"

"Ienjoy walking in the garden. It soothes my soul."

"Thereis naught in the garden but weeds and brambles. Hardly a soothing combination.Come with me, I have a surprise for you."

A frissonof apprehension slid down Vanora's spine. She could well imagine the kind ofsurprise Daffid was capable of providing. Girding herself for the worst, Vanorafollowed him to the hall. Just inside the door, she stopped short, certain hereyes were deceiving her. But when she saw Father Caddoc smiling at her, sheknew she was not imagining him. He was here, really here.

"FatherCaddoc," she cried, rushing forth to greet him.

Thoughweary in body, the priest's sharp gaze searched her face. "You are well,child?"

"Ofcourse she is well," Daffid answered. "Why would I harm my intendedbride?"

"Youare mistaken, Daffid. Vanora is already wed. I performed the ceremonymyself."

"Ihave prior claim," Daffid said. "Her marriage is invalid. Vanora wasforced to wed Lionheart."

"Nopapers were signed between you, and Vanora agreed to the marriage toLionheart."