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Daffid? Doyou regret breaking your betrothal to

him?"

"DidAlthea not tell you I was an unwilling participant in the kiss? Daffid soughtme out in the chapel to say good-bye. The kiss was unexpected andunwelcome."

"Wasit? Very well, I know appearances can be deceiving, even if you do not. Shallwe go on to another subject? Althea heard you discussing the White Knight. Shesaid you spoke as if you knew his identity. Who is he, Vanora?"

Vanora blanched."I know not. Forget him, Lionheart. There is peace between our countries,and the reason to seek him out no longer exists."

"Howcan I forget someone who made a fool of me? Nay, I shall hunt him until I findhim. I am your husband; you owe me your fealty. Give me the name of the knave,and I shall forgive you for kissing Daffid."

"Youforgive me? How dare you! Daffid's kiss was forced on me, but you wentwillingly to Althea's bed. You should ask my forgiveness."

"Ihave done naught to warrant forgiveness, while you, on the other hand, havemany secrets." He pinned her with a hard look. "You will sleep in mybed until I decide otherwise, is that clear?"

"HaveI no say in the matter?" she shot back.

"Nonewhatsoever. Know this. I accept that Daffid forced his kiss on you, but I willnot tolerate your secrecy concerning the White Knight. When I find him, and Iwill, he shall not escape my wrath."

Turningabruptly, he stormed off.

Vanora wastorn. Had she jumped to conclusions about Lionheart's involvement with Althea?Nay, her eyes had not deceived her, and Giles did say that Lionheart had gonewillingly with Althea. Had Althea somehow contrived to make it look as if sheand Lionheart had become lovers again?

Thatthought brought a more perplexing one. What was she going to do about the WhiteKnight? Discovery was threatening her peace of mind as well as her relationshipwith Lionheart. The longer Lionheart remained at Cragdon, the greater thedanger. Her future stretched uncertainly before her. Should Lionheart discoverher identity as the knight upon whom he had sworn vengeance, her life would beforfeit.

ChapterThirteen

A messagearrived for Edward that evening. Exhausted from several days of hard riding,the messenger handed the rolled parchment bearing the king's seal to Edward andwent immediately to find a meal and a bed. Edward unrolled the parchment, readthe contents and cursed beneath his breath.

"Badnews?" Lionheart asked.

"Aye.The king has need of me. Civil war has begun. Simon de Montfort has announcedhis intention to march to Westminster if Father does not sign the Provisions ofOxford. I must return to England immediately." He rose. "Excuse me, Imust inform my troops of the change in plans. I had hoped to tarry at Cragdon anotherfew days but 'tis no longer possible."

Lionheartstared moodily into his ale after Edward left. The idea of Edward riding intobattle without him did not sit well with him. Even more distressing was theniggling suspicion that he did not really want to leave Vanora despite hiseagerness to follow Edward. He glanced at Vanora, wondering what she wasthinking.

As ifreading his thoughts, Vanora said, "I am not unhappy that Edward isleaving. It will be good to be rid of the English warriors camped in the outerbailey. 'Tis too bad you cannot go with him."

"Andleave you to Daffid?" Lionheart said. "Should there be a child, Iwant to be sure it is mine."

If lookscould kill, Lionheart would be dead. She rose abruptly. "Excuse me, Ishould inform Cook of the imminent departure of our guests. I am sure theirleaving will please her, for they have been a huge drain on our stores."

Lionheart'sfingers curled around her wrist. "Are you trying to avoid furtherconversation with me?"

She gavehim a mocking smile. "How perceptive of you. Since you enjoy Althea'scompany so much, I give you leave to entertain her tonight."

"Youtry my patience, Vanora. I need to speak to Edward and will deal with youlater. We have unfinished business, you and I."

Vanorawent still. "Unfinished business?"

"Aye,the White Knight. If you do not tell me what you know about him, I shall offera reward for the information I seek. I will question every man, woman and childuntil I find someone willing to accept my coin in return for the knight's identity."

"Goodluck, my lord." Wresting her arm free, she hurried off.

"Yourwife is a sharp-tongued shrew," Althea sniffed, moving closer toLionheart. "What is it you see in her? She is not as beautiful as I am,nor as even-tempered. And I wager she is cold in bed."

Lionheartgrinned. "You would lose that wager, Althea. How can you not think Vanorabeautiful?"

"I amnot as enamored of her as you are," Althea observed.