Page 27 of Lionheart

Gilesshoved Daffid forward. Lionheart sank down onto a bench before the hearth andstretched his hands out to the fire. The night had been damp and chill, and hisbones ached from many hours in the saddle. When Daffid stood before him, Lionheart'sexpression hardened.

"Whereis Llewellyn hiding, Daffid ap Deverell?" he asked in Welsh. Since hisarrival at Cragdon, he had gained a better understanding of the language andcould speak with some fluency now.

Daffidremained stubbornly mute. Giles poked him with the point of his sword."Speak! Lionheart is not a patient man."

Daffidshot Lionheart a contemptuous look. "Llewellyn does not confide in me. Ibut follow where he leads."

"Verywell. Perhaps you will be more inclined to tell me the name of the white-cladknight who created a diversion at Cragdon's gate after you fled into the castlethat day. How did you leave the fortress without being seen?"

"Youare mistaken, Englishman. Llewellyn and I never sought refuge at Cragdon. And Iknow not the knight to whom you refer."

Lionheart'svoice was deadly calm, too calm. "Do you not? He was with you and Llewellynwhen you entered the ravine."

"'Twas no one of import," Daffid insisted. His dark gaze left Lionheart andmade a sweeping search of the hall. "Where is Vanora? What have you donewith her?"

From thecorner of his eye, Lionheart spotted Mair and summoned her with a wave of hishand. She approached him warily, wringing her hands, her eyes refusing to meethis.

"Howis your mistress? Does her health improve?"

Darting aguarded look at Daffid, Mair said, "Her fever has broken."

"Doesthat mean you expect a full recovery?" Lionheart probed.

"Aye,though she should remain abed another day or two."

"Hasmy betrothed been ill?" Daffid asked with mock concern. His contemptuousgaze settled on Lionheart. "Have you made her your whore?"

NaughtDaffid had said thus far had riled Lionheart as did the last statement theWelshman had uttered. Would Daffid set his betrothal aside if Lionheart hadtaken Vanora's virginity? Was Daffid so small a man that he would blame a womanfor something that was not her fault?

"Thinkwhat you wish, Daffid ap Deverell." He turned to Giles. "Take him tothe dungeon and place a guard at the door. I vow this prisoner will not escapelike the others."

The hallbecame a beehive of activity as men wandered in to break their fast after along day and longer night. Lionheart ate and drank mechanically, tasting littleof what went into his mouth. Though exhausted beyond endurance, he could notseek his rest until he had looked in on Vanora. He had not seen her in severaldays and wanted to reassure himself that she was indeed recovering. He rose andwas moving toward the stairs when Father Caddoc intercepted him.

"Amoment, Sir Lionheart," Father Caddoc said.

"Hurry,Father, for I am weary unto death."

"Mairtold me Daffid ap Deverell is your prisoner."

"Aye,so he is."

"Whatdo you intend for him?"

"MayhapI will make an example of him and order his execution." Lionheart was soangry with Daffid he would gladly strangle the man himself. Calling Vanora awhore was beyond despicable. Even if Lionheart had taken Vanora's maidenhead,labeling her a whore would be unfair.

"Iwish to speak to Daffid. Mayhap I can offer comfort in his darkest hour."

"Nay,I refuse your request. Daffid is to have no visitors. He will not escape likeCragdon's warriors did. I know Vanora aided them, and that they left through asecret tunnel, but I have yet to find it. Do not ask for visiting rightsagain," he said dismissively.

Lionheartcontinued up the staircase to Vanora's chamber, opened the door and walkedinside without knocking. Surprised to find her unattended, Lionheart approachedthe bed. She was sleeping, just as Mair had said, but her sleep appearedtroubled, for she mumbled incoherently and tossed restlessly.

Extendinghis hand, he rested it briefly on her forehead, relieved to find it cool to histouch. Bending low, he tried to make out her words, but naught she said madesense. Assured that her health was no longer in jeopardy, Lionheart sought hisown bed.

* * *

Vanoraslept through the rest of the day and night and awoke refreshed the followingmorning. Ravenous, she asked Mair to fetch food, then quickly devoured theentire contents of the tray.

"HasLionheart returned?" Vanora asked.