Page 116 of Lionheart

"Ireceived no explanation when you abandoned me, madam. You knew what my lifewould be like with my father, but you cared not."

"Ihave heard her story, Lionheart," Edward said, "and implore you tolisten. Think you I would have brought her here if I did not thinkreconciliation was possible?"

Lionheartgave an impatient wave of his hand. "Naught that woman has to sayinterests me."

"Please,Lionheart, hear her out for my sake," Vanora pleaded. "For ourchild's sake."

"Thinkyou words can redeem her in my eyes?"

"Redemptionis not what I seek," Lady Barbara said softly. "I but want you toknow the truth."

"Why?When I was young, I yearned for a mother to love me. I was only a babe when youabandoned me."

"Lionheart,please," Vanora pleaded.

Lionheartdid not want to hear anything his mother had to say, but he could not denyVanora's request. For her sake he would listen before he sent the woman on herway.

"Verywell. I will hear you out after I have supped, but do not expect sympathy, forI have none to give you."

The mealprogressed amidst desultory conversation between Lionheart and Edward. LadyBarbara ate sparingly while casting surreptitious glances at her son. WhenLionheart finished his meal, he rose abruptly and asked Edward's leave toretire. Once it was granted, Lionheart invited Vanora and Lady. Barbara to joinhim and stormed from the hall without looking back to see if the women werefollowing.

Lionheartentered the solar and strode to the hearth, staring into the dancing flames.When he heard the ladies enter behind him, his fists clenched at his sides, hiswhite knuckles the only sign of his anguish. Taking a calming breath, he turnedto confront his mother.

"Sitdown," he bit out. Both ladies obeyed instantly.

He turnedback to stare into the fire, seeing naught but the blood red of the flames. Thesilence in the chamber was profound, broken only by the crackle of a splittinglog in the hearth and the breathing of the women seated before it.

He turnedabruptly, staring directly at his mother, startled to see his silver eyesreflected in hers.

"Howdo I know you are my mother?" he barked.

A wave ofpain passed over Lady Barbara's features, and Lionheart hardened his heart,refusing to feel any filial sympathy.

"Friendsin London will vouch for my identity should you demand it."

Lionheartknew he would not demand it, for he could see himself in her.

"Lionheart,you said you would listen to what Lady Barbara has to say," Vanorareminded him.

Hereturned his gaze to his mother, who sat rigid and motionless, her hands foldedin her lap. "Very well, Lady Barbara, for my wife's sake, I will hear youout. Please proceed."

LadyBarbara sent Vanora a tremulous smile. "Thank you." When she returnedher gaze to Lionheart, her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears.

"Inever wanted to leave you, my son. Your father cast me from your life and toldme if I tried to see you, he would slay both of us. I believed him. I fearedfor your life; my own was unimportant. Robert was a vicious man. But a day didnot go by that I did not yearn for you. 'Twas only after Robert's death that Iwas able to return to London without fear of reprisal. My first thought was ofyou and my desperate need to see you again. I sought out Lord Edward and beggedhim to bring me to you."

Lionheart'sdisbelief was etched on his glowering features. "If what you say is thetruth, 'tis likely my father had good reason to cast you from our lives."

"Washe a good father to you, Lionel? I cannot imagine it, for he was the worst kindof husband to me, though he doubtless turned you against me before you couldwalk. Before he cast me out, he beat me so badly the nuns at the convent Ijoined feared I would die of my injuries."

The firststirrings of doubt assailed him. "Father said you took a lover andabandoned us."

LadyBarbara gave him a sad smile. "There was no lover. Your father said whathe wished everyone to believe."

"Whydid Father cast you out? He must have had good reason."

"Itshames me to tell you what really happened."

Vanoraclutched Lady Barbara's hand, giving it a squeeze of encouragement.