Page 83 of Lionheart

Sherefused to admit to anything until she knew exactly how much he knew."What are you implying?"

"I amnot implying, wife. I know who you are."

The colordrained from Vanora's face. "How could you know such a thing? I canexplain why you could not find me when you arrived. I was in the winecellar."

Lionheartwas not impressed. "Good try but not good enough. I watched you from thetop of the cliff. I saw you walk along the riverbank and disappear into thehidden passage."

"Whatmakes you think 'twas me?"

"Asimple process of elimination. You, wife, are the White Knight." His voicewas deadly calm, too calm. "There is no one else it could be, unless youwish to tell me 'tis Father Caddoc, or mayhap one of the young kitchenlads."

Sheinhaled sharply. She could incriminate no one but herself. Lionheart knew itand so did she.

Stiffeningher slender shoulders, she faced him squarely, her expression resigned."Do with me what you will, my lord, for I alone bear the guilt. I do notregret helping Llewellyn, for peace with England came as a result, and I am notsorry for aiding my warriors. The only thing I can say in my defense is that Idid not know you when we clashed swords as I do now."

She couldnot bear to look into his eyes; his contempt for her shone in them like abeacon.

"Whydid you not tell me? I could have killed you!" he roared. "I wantedto kill you." He shook his head. "I am not a killer of women, butyou would have made me one. 'Tis unforgivable."

"Iwanted to tell you, but I feared your reaction, and rightly so."

"Youfear naught," he scoffed. "Who taught you to wield a sword?"

"Myfather. I was all he had, and he encouraged me to train with his men."

"Hedid you no favor."

"Whatare you going to do?"

"Thedoor behind the altar is being sealed as we speak. Who knows about the entrancebesides yourself, your priest and your tiring woman?" His eyes narrowed."Nay, never mind," he said before she could answer. "Obviously,Daffid, Llewellyn and Cragdon's warriors knew of the entrance, for they haveall used it. I am surprised I was not slain in my sleep by one of your countrymen."

"Iwarned Daffid against it," Vanora said unthinkingly. "He wanted to,but..." Her eyes widened and her lips clamped tightly together when sherealized what she had just divulged.

Lionheartglared at her. "When did you see Daffid? Today, when you left thekeep?" He grasped her shoulders, his fingers digging into her flesh."Lie not to me, Vanora. Did you go to Daffid today? Has he made you hiswhore?"

"Nay!You accuse me unjustly. I admit I left the keep through the secret passage, butI did not go to Daffid. He came here. My intention when I left was to contactSir Ren. I wanted to tell him to refuse Daffid's plea to join a rebellion he isplanning."

Vanoraknew by Lionheart's hardened expression that she had said too much.

"Soyou did see Daffid. Think you I am stupid?"

"Itold you, I did not go to Daffid. He came here," Vanora repeated. "Iadvised him to go home and forget about me and Cragdon, that I am content withyou. I planned to have the entrance sealed after I returned today so Daffidcould not use it to hurt you. He wants Cragdon and refuses to give up his dreamof possessing it."

"Sohe plans to kill me, wed you and claim Cragdon," Lionheart guessed.

"Aye,but I would not have allowed it. I told you, I am content with you."

Lionheartgave a snort of disgust. "Tell that to someone who might believe you. Youplayed me for a fool and conspired behind my back with your countrymen. Ishould beat you and turn you out, but you are not worth the trouble."

Turninghis back to her, he stormed toward the door.

"Lionheart!Wait! Do not go. Beat me, confine me, but do not turn away from me. I can bearpunishment but not indifference."

He whirledto confront her. "From this day forward you are naught to me. You may gowhere you will, do as you please, for I care not."

Spinningon his heel, he stomped off. Vanora could not let him go like this. There hadto be something she could do to appease his anger. Was there nothing she couldsay to convince him she had done naught but fight for her country, the same asany man would have done? That she was a woman should not matter. If the WhiteKnight were a man Lionheart would have slain him and felt no guilt, but beingmade a fool of by a woman had wounded his pride.

If she didnot reach out to him now, the breach between them would never be healed.