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Whirling to face him, she said, “You are not my master. And this is not a punishment for me so much as it is for Lady Elizabeth. They want her so lonely and desperate that she’ll accept anything, not simply the guardianship proposed, but even marriage with that—that⁠—”

“I would keep your voice down, now that the viscount is temporarily in control of Alderley.”

She let out a heavy sigh and folded her arms across her chest.

“It is not marriage the viscount says he wants?” Sir John asked, his head tilted.

“There is a binding betrothal contract with the Russell heir. For now, the viscount is petitioning for guardianship, but my lady sees his method for what it is: just the first step. Once he has guardianship, he has legal control of my lady and her assets. If Lord Russell does not return soon, Bannaster will use his absence as proof of his death, as proof that the instability that King Henry hates still exists in this part of England. He’ll bribe an archbishop and⁠—”

“The betrothal will be overturned,” Sir John said softly.

He gave her a measuring look, and she felt confused. He took a breath, opened his mouth, and then shook his head.

“I wish I could help your mistress solve all of these problems,” he said with a sigh.

“One man alone cannot.”

“And your mistress thought a missive would help?”

“It would at least alert the king to the danger,” Elizabeth said with determination.

“Instead she has alerted Milburn that she is not as meek as he had hoped.”

With a groan, she stalked away from him.

“Be ready to leave after the midday meal,” Sir John called. “I need to see Hillesley.”

Elizabeth was furious with herself—her own stupidity had led to her banishment from the castle a good part of each day. What if someone tried to get into the tower while she was gone?

She could hardly delude herself that her presence was any protection against such an occurrence. Nay, what she was really worried about was being alone with Sir John. He was far too interested in her, and she in him. She would use him if she had to, but already she felt her control of the situation slipping away. Every time he touched her, she thought about him, not her mission to save herself and her people. Now she was going to be spending even more time in his company. She had to prove stronger than the lure of a man treating her simply as a woman. She was not destined for that sort of life. The legacy her father had begun and strengthened now rested with her; she would not cheapen it by pretending she could be a normal woman.

Even if such feelings made her understand for the first time what it felt like to be desired for herself.

Eight

Elizabeth spent the rest of the morning feeling restless and useless. She’d meant to take Anne’s soiled garments to the laundry maids, but had forgotten to bring them down in her excitement over the letter. Elizabeth wasn’t used to having nothing to do. Finally Adalia had allowed her to chop carrots.

When Elizabeth entered the great hall for the midday meal, she was greeted with fearful, wide-eyed looks from several valets and maidservants. She came to a stop, frightened and confused—until she saw one of her suitors, Sir Charles. He was already seated at the high table next to Milburn. Elizabeth whirled about and tried to retreat to the kitchens.

“Anne, come sit beside me,” Sir John called from one of the far tables. “We have much to discuss.”

Elizabeth pretended to have a coughing fit as she walked toward the far side of the hall, keeping her head lowered and turned away. Thank God for the wimple. She was about to seat herself across from Sir John, but he slid down the bench and gestured for her to come nearer. Since she couldn’t call any more attention to herself, she sat down beside him, keeping as close to the edge as possible. She knew that her rational mind turned to mush when he touched her.

He leaned nearer. “Coming under Bannaster’s influence solved one problem for your mistress.”

“What is that?” She kept her gaze fixed on her empty plate, trying to pretend that she did not feel the brush of his sleeve against hers.

“That is one of Lady Elizabeth’s suitors, is it not?”

“Aye. He is Sir Charles, son of Lord Selby.”

“I overheard Milburn telling him in no uncertain terms that Bannaster will be named her guardian soon, and not to return until then.”

“Though my lady will be glad to know that there is one less man fighting over her, she is still locked away, starving.”

“Is she truly starving?” he asked with concern. “She has no food or drink in the tower?”

She hesitated, remembering the basket. “I guess she has enough to get by today.”