Page 5 of Lionheart

"Whowas the knight leading your garrison? The one clad in white and gold."

A blanklook settled over Penryn's face. "I know not of whom you speak."

"Doyou not?" Lionheart asked with deceptive calm. "Forget the knight fora moment. "Tis Llewellyn I want. Where have you hidden the cowardly BlackWolf of Snowdon?"

"Llewellynis no coward," Sir Penryn said. An ominous scowl darkened Lionheart'sface. Grasping Penryn's tunic in both hands, he jerked him forward until theystood nose to nose. "Do not play games with me. If Llewellyn does notpresent himself immediately, your life is forfeit."

"SirPenryn speaks the truth. Llewellyn is not

here."

The femalevoice rang with authority. Lionheart dropped Penryn and whipped around, hisface a mask of fury.

"Whoare you?"

The maidenwas tall, taller than most women he knew, and pleasingly formed. Her gleamingsable hair, held in place by a jeweled circlet, was parted in the middle andtumbled over her shoulders and down to her waist in glossy waves. Her scarletwool undertunic with long fitted sleeves that hugged her shapely arms was wornbeneath a dark blue gown and girdled at her impossibly tiny waist.

Lookinghim in the eye, she said, "I am Vanora of Cragdon."

Her voice,while melodious, held a note of confidence. Her stance was confrontational andher gaze unwavering, not at all like the women he was accustomed to dealingwith. She lacked the modesty, the downcast eyes, and the submissiveness oneexpected from an unwed maiden.

"Whois in charge of Cragdon?"

Vanoradrew herself up to her full height. "That would be me, SirLionheart."

"Areyou Lord Rhys's daughter?"

"Aye."

"Yoursteward informed me that your father is dead. Is that true?"

"Aye."

"Haveyou brothers?"

"Nay."

"Whois the knight who led your men in battle?"

Vanorashrugged. "Cragdon has many knights."

Lionheart'spatience dangled by a slim thread. He was unaccustomed to being thwarted, andnever by a mere wench. Apparently, her father had been too lenient and she hadassumed a male's authority. He was going to enjoy putting her in her place.

"Donot lie to me, lady. I saw the knight with my own eyes. We crossed swords onthe battlefield, and I felled him."

Vanoraremained stubbornly silent.

Grindinghis teeth in frustration, Lionheart said, "Very well, have it your way. Ishall learn his name myself. Produce Llewellyn now and spare yourself mywrath."

Momentarilydistracted by her beauty, Lionheart noted her unusual violet eyes, pert noseand lush mouth. Her skin was as finely wrought as porcelain, and her face,while memorable, was set in stubborn lines. His avid gaze followed the generouscurve of her breasts and continued over slim hips and downward, imagining herlong legs entwined with his as they writhed naked on a bed of furs. He couldn'trecall when he had seen a woman as tall or with such a commanding presence asVanora of Cragdon.

"DidSir Penryn not tell you? Llewellyn is not here."

Lionheartsent her a look that would have felled a lesser woman. Vanora merely staredback, which served to increase his anger.

* * *

Lionheartsummoned Giles with a glance. "I want the castle, outbuildings and stablessearched from top to bottom." To Sir Brandon, he ordered, "Bring theprisoners into the hall for questioning. Men do not disappear into thinair."