Page 91 of Lionheart

He glancedpast Vanora at the waiting men. "Very well, I will speak to them. Raisethe portcullis," he called to the sentry.

Sword inhand, Lionheart stood aside as the men rode through the portcullis. When theywere all inside, Lionheart bellowed, "Stop right there! Dismount."

Theknights and their squires dismounted and stood facing Lionheart. Lionheartpaused before each man, judging his trustworthiness by looking into his eyes.After a lengthy inspection, he asked, "Do you accept me as your liegelord? Do you pledge fealty to me?"

"Andto your lady," Sir Ren added.

As one,the knights and their squires knelt before Lionheart and pledged their fealty.

"Youwill be kept under surveillance until you prove yourselves," Lionheartmaintained. "Any suspicious activity will be reported to me immediately.Sir Brandon is the new captain of the guards, Sir Ren. Are you willing to serveunder him?"

"Aye.I vow to serve you and your lady with the same loyalty I gave to the previouslord of Cragdon."

"Sobe it," Lionheart said. "Sir Brandon!" The knight steppedforward. "See to the men's billeting and assign them duties."

"Youwill not regret it, my lord," Sir Ren vowed.

Vanoraturned her mount toward the keep. "Wait," Lionheart ordered. Shereined in sharply.

"Whatnow? I am tired. Bretta's death has saddened me. Her family is bereft. She leftthree small children and a grieving husband."

Lionheart'sexpression softened. "I will see what I can do to ease their lot."

"Ialready offered Gordy the use of a horse to fetch his widowed sister to carefor his motherless children. Friends offered to care for the children in hisabsence."

Thoughloath to let her go, Lionheart stood aside. "Go, but heed my warning,wife. I allowed .our knights to return against my better judgment. Do notconspire with them against Edward or me. Cragdon is mine, and I hold what ismine."

"Doyou, Lionheart? Do you hold what is yours? I think not."

Herchallenge rang in his head long after she galloped off. What was she implying?It had taken a11 his willpower to remain aloof from her this past fortnight.Though Althea had tried to revive the passion he had once felt for her, heremained unmoved. 'Twas Vanora he wanted and Vanora he could not allow himselfto trust . . . to love.

Vanorasaid she loved him. He wanted to believe her, he truly did, but a perverse demoninside told him he was unlovable.

Althea didnot love him. He only served a purpose in her life. Nor did Vanora love him.How could she when he had forced her into a distasteful marriage?

Then howto explain Vanora's passion? he wondered. He did not know. Nor could he explainher need to don armor andwield a sword. Women's minds were convoluted and beyond understanding. If hedid not hold firm against Vanora's wiles, he could lose his soul to her.

Despitehis reservations, he was proud of the way Vanora had defended her formerknights and turned the hard edge of his anger into acceptance. If not forVanora, her knights would be occupying Cragdon's dungeon. He had forgiven SirRen for wounding him, for he knew he would have done the same if an enemy threatenedVanora.

Lionheartfirmly believed that the situation between him and Vanora had to be resolved.Just being in the same room with his enticing wife drove him mad with wanting.Ignoring her had not worked. Nor had dancing attendance upon another woman.Perhaps, he thought, smiling, he should do as his body demanded and make love,nay, rut with Vanora and appease the hunger raging inside him. She was hiswife. Why should he not take advantage of his God-given right?

Lionheartreturned to the training field, but his mind was not on his sword. After a timehe gave up and returned to the keep. He saw Vanora speaking with Sir Penryn andjoined them.

"Isthere a problem?"

"Nay,my lord," Penryn replied. "Lady Vanora and I were discussing whetheror not we had ample supplies to see us through the winter. I told her I wouldcheck the storerooms and granary."

"Informme of your findings, Sir Penryn. If need be, we can purchase what we need fromneighboring estates or the closest town."

Sir Penryntook his leave. Vanora turned away, but Lionheart stopped her. "I wouldhave a word with you, Vanora."

"AndI with you."

Theirconversation was forestalled by Althea's arrival.

"Whoare those strange men in the keep, Lionheart? They look like Welshmen."

"Theyare Welshmen," Lionheart answered. They are Cragdon's formerdefenders."