Page 23 of Lionheart

Lionheartstared at Vanora's bent head and felt a helplessness he could not explain. Heknew naught of sickness, for he had never been ill. What if she died? Thethought sent shivers down his spine. He refused to consider Vanora's death.

"Summonyour tiring woman," Lionheart said. "I would speak to her about yourmalaise."

Lionheartdid not see Vanora's smile as with a wave of her hand she summoned Mair toattend her. Mair joined her immediately, grave concern etching her wornfeatures.

"Lookat you," Mair clucked. "I told you to remain in bed. What if you arecontagious and infect the entire keep?"

Mair'swords had the desired effect. An innate fear of illness made most men tremble,and those assembled in the hall were no different.

"Thinkyou Vanora is contagious?" Lionheart asked.

Mairshrugged. "I know not, Sir Lionheart. We must wait for spots to appear toknow if 'tis smallpox. It could be the sweating sickness, but symptoms are yetunclear."

"Youare the healer. Can you not heal your own mistress?"

"Vanorais stubborn," Mair claimed. "I told her to remain abed, but sherefused to listen."

SuddenlyVanora slumped over. Lionheart leapt to his feet and swept her into his arms."Damn you, woman," he roared, fixing Mair with a frosty glare."I will take Vanora to her bed, but 'tis up to you to keep her there untilshe is well. Report daily to me on her condition. Should she die, you will beheld responsible and suffer for it."

"Iwill do my best, master," Mair whined. "But it may be days before Ican put a name to my lady's affliction."

Lionheartsprinted up the stairs with Vanora's limp form in his arms. He was loath to puther down when he reached her chamber, but good sense prevailed and he gentlyplaced her on her bed. "Care for her well, Mair," Lionheart orderedgruffly. "If there is a change, I want to know immediately."

Lionheartreturned to the hall to finish his meal, but his mind was not on food. Vanora'swan face was imprinted upon his brain. Her expressive eyes had lost theircustomary sparkle, and her body lacked the spirit that defined her character.The flame within her had been dimmed.

Never inhis lifetime had Lionheart thought he would care so much about a woman'shealth. He had grown up without a mother, and his father had had little use forwomen after Lionheart's mother had abandoned them. Lionheart did not despisewomen, but although he loved them for the pleasure they gave him, he trustedthem not. From his earliest childhood, Lionheart remembered his father tellinghim women were a faithless lot, that his own mother had abandoned him for alover.

Sir Robertled the life of a wastrel, but he had been the injured party in the marriage,and Lionheart had decided early on to love not with the heart but with thebody. And since Lionheart had no wealth or lands to leave an heir, he had noreason to wed. Besides, if his own mother had not loved him, what woman would?

Vanora'sdelicate state of health, however, was worrisome. He wanted to believe he wasworried because she could infect his men with disease, but an inner voicewhispered otherwise. Pushing these disturbing thoughts aside, Lionheartfinished his meal and turned his mind to the hunting party he was planning.'Twas best he busy himself while awaiting developments in Vanora's condition.Pacing the hall and brooding would do neither him nor Vanora any good.

WhenLionheart returned from the hunt later that day, he sent for Mair and wasinformed that Vanora had become feverish but was resting as comfortably aspossible under the circumstances. When he voiced his intention to visit thepatient, Mair denied him.

"Noone may visit until I know the nature of Vanora's illness," Mair told him.

"Makeher well, woman. I command it," Lionheart said.

* * *

That nightwhen everyone was abed, Vanora left the keep by way of the chapel. Clad inchain mail and helm, she retrieved her horse from the village and rode throughthe moonlit night to Draymere, secure in the knowledge that her absence wouldnot be noted for several days. By the time Lionheart discovered her deception,she planned to be on her way back to Cragdon with Llewellyn’s army in tow.

A mistydusk had settled over the ground when Vanora finally reached Draymere. Sheboldly approached the portcullis of the small fortress, hailed the sentry andgave her name. Long moments passed before Llewellyn and Daffid strode from thekeep. When they reached the gate, she pulled off her helm and smiled atthem. Immediately Llewellyn ordered the portcullis to be raised.

"Irecognized your white tabard," Llewellyn said as she rode through theopening.

"Whatare you doing here?" Daffid asked. "I like it not when you dress as awarrior and place yourself in danger."

"Ican fight as well as you or any man," Vanora retorted. "Besides, didI not clash swords with Lionheart so you and Llewellyn could flee? Even thoughI knew I could not win the day, I made your escape possible."

"Vanorais right, Daffid," Llewellyn acknowledged. "She placed herself ingrave danger for us."

"Nevertheless,I prefer my bride to look like a woman. What are you doing here, Vanora?"

"Iheard you were gathering forces to attack Lionheart and came to help."

"HasLionheart harmed you?" Daffid asked tautly. "I heard he offers nomercy to his prisoners."

"Hehas done me no harm," Vanora assured him.