Page 92 of Lionheart

"Whatare they doing here?"

"Theyhave sworn fealty and are joining my garrison."

"Areyou mad? We will all be slain in our sleep." Her spiteful gaze fell onVanora. "I suppose we can thank her for this."

"Myknights are honorable men," Vanora asserted. "They would never breaktheir pledge."

"Ihave been thinking, Althea," Lionheart began. "Now that we have extramen to defend Cragdon, I can spare two warriors to escort you to yourvillage."

Vanorasent Lionheart a startled look. "You would do that?"

"Aye.Althea has overstayed her welcome. The weather is still mild and there is nosnow as yet. If she does not return now, she will be forced to remain thewinter."

"Youhave been so attentive of late, I thought youwanted me to stay," Althea whined.

Vanorasnorted. "Attentive? Is that a new name for rutting?" She spun on herheel. "If you wish to continue our conversation, my lord, you will find mein the solar."

Lionheartstarted to follow, but Althea clutched his arm, holding him in check. "Youdid not mean what you said, did you? We were becoming close again. I do notwant to leave you, Lionheart."

Lionheartshrugged free. "We will speak of this later, Althea."

"Whymust you pant after her like an obedient puppy? Vanora has but to pull a string and you follow. You are notthe man I once knew."

"Iagree, I am not the same man," Lionheart said as he strode off.

* * *

Vanorawanted to believe Lionheart meant what he said about sending Althea away, butthe leman's words had sorely tried her temper. Vanora did not need to bereminded how attentive her husband had been to Althea. His open display ofaffection for his leman was the talk of the keep.

WhenLionheart had allowed her knights to return, Vanora had begun to hope that hehad softened toward her, and that he was ready to forgive her lies. What did hewant to discuss with her? Did he want to mend the rift between them?

Vanoraspun around toward the door when she heard it open and shut. Her heartbeataccelerated when she saw Lionheart standing before her, his expressionunreadable.

"Whatdo you want?"

"Wehave not finished our conversation." He removed his sword and placed it ona bench.

"Whatis it you wish to discuss? Before you begin, I thank you for allowing myknights to return to Cragdon."

"Ithought we might discuss Althea."

Her chintilted upward. "That subject does not interest me. Choose another."

"Nay,we will discuss Althea. I was serious about returning her to England. She doesnot belong here."

Vanora'smouth dropped open in disbelief. "I hardly thought you meant it when youtold Althea you were sending her home."

"Irarely say things I do not mean."

"Iassumed you were enjoying your leman's attentions."

"Youassumed wrong. If you recall, I tried once before to send her home, but fateintervened."

"Whatare you really trying to say to me, Lionheart? Have you forgivenme?"

"Trustmust be earned, Vanora, but I am willing to give you a chance to redeemyourself. I do not now that I can ever forgive you for recklessly endangeringyour life, but I can ignore your presence no longer. I tried to pretend you didnot exist, and I failed."

"Youseemed content enough rutting with Althea. And for that I can never forgiveyou." Deliberately she turned her back on him.