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the
League has decided to help you now.
If that s true, then they could help more.
Maybe they are, Philip said.
Elizabeth said, But how do we know this soldier didn t tell someone about
who
he had in the dungeon?
He didn t want to share the glory, Philip answered. And also, I walked
about
in plain sight through the great hall, where Milburn was, and no one said a
word.
In a low voice, John said, That could have been dangerous.
But don t we live for the thrill of it?
The two men grinned at each other, and Elizabeth felt& left out, even uneasy.
Well I m hungry, she said, and they both looked at her. I m certain Adalia
saved us some food. And I have yet to go to Anne this morn.
John sighed, and his arm fell away from her waist. By all means, you must
have
food. Allow us to escort you.
She handed him his crutch, and he sighed as he put it under his arm. I m
sore
from this thing.
In the kitchens, instead of smiling, Adalia greeted them with a worried
frown.
She opened her mouth to speak, then glanced at the two men.
We ll wait near the great hall, John said.
When he and Philip were far enough away, Adalia said, Bannaster just received
a
messenger, and immediately he doubled the guards on the tower.
And you don t know why? Elizabeth asked, as all the worry that had eased
with
John s playing came rushing back.
Nay. He said not to prepare a tray for her ladyship. And worst of all, he
wants
to see ye.
Where is he?
In the great hall. His scowl is terrible to behold. He was out on the
tiltyard
training with his men when he received the mysterious news. So he s still in
there in training armor, his sword in its scabbard.
At least he s not waving it around.
Promise me ye ll be careful, Adalia said, touching her arm.
I ll be in front of the whole hall. I ll be fine.
Ye weren t last time. I had to set fire to me own kitchen to stop the
brute.
You were the heroine that day.
And don t ye forget it. Adalia glanced at the two men. What about them?
I m going to ask them to remain here, she said. Will you mind?
I might put them to work.
I wouldn t blame you. Elizabeth walked over to John and Philip and relayed
the
news. I need you both to remain here.
I m not leaving you unguarded, John said predictably.
But what if this has something to do with your captor? What if he was too
frightened to go through with the plan, and sent word to Bannaster instead?
You didn t hear his gloating, Philip said. He s gone and he had help
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disappearing.
Still, I need you to wait here. You can watch, hidden, but please, trust me.
Something feels very wrong.
Once again, she stared at John, waiting for him to overrule her. But he only
nodded, and she felt profound relief.
Thank you, she murmured. I won t worry so much.
But I will, he said softly. You are a woman who takes on too much.
She gave him a fleeting smile, then walked into the great hall. Bannaster
stood
near the hearth, speaking to Milburn.
They both turned to look at her, and then Bannaster gestured for her to come
forward. Wearing a chest and back plate, he looked more impressive than in
his
fine court garments. The scabbard belted to his waist looked as if it housed
an
intimidating weapon.
To her surprise, Bannaster sat in one of the cushioned chairs before the
fire,
and motioned her to the other one. She had a flash of memory, her parents
sitting there, smiling at each other, smiling at her.
She sat down and waited.
I just received a missive, he said, wasting no time.
She nodded politely, trying to look baffled.
Someone at Rodmarton Castle overheard news that interested me.
A cold sweat suddenly broke out over Elizabeth s body, and she prayed it was
not
visible. Rodmarton Castle was where her sisters were being fostered.
Bannaster smiled grimly. He wants me to pay him well for it, and I shall.
My lord, I don t understand why you re telling me this.
I am told that somewhere in Alderley, Lord Russell is in disguise, trying to
aid his betrothed.
She whispered a silent prayer to God. Let John remain hidden. Had her foolish
sisters discussed her plight where someone could overhear? Though it was the
hardest thing she ever did, she gave him a puzzled frown. Surely this
courier
misheard, my lord.
He ignored her protest. Milburn and I have been discussing who Russell could
be. Milburn believes he could not be a regular servant after all, the man is
a
knight, hard to disguise.
She was dying to glance at the kitchens, wishing she could somehow signal
John
and Philip to flee.
There is only one knight who is not a member of the household, Bannaster
continued.
She could not pretend ignorance without looking like she deliberately lied.
Who you mean Sir John Gravesend?
He was watching her carefully as he nodded.
But my lord, I have been working with him every day. Never once did he
portray
anything but a bailiff. Aye, he was once a knight, but he could not afford to
remain one.
He s been waiting for the right moment, using you to get to Lady Elizabeth.
And that s what he d first been doing when he arrived at Castle Alderley,
Elizabeth thought, feeling the threat of hysterical laughter.
That cannot be true, she said firmly.
We ve simply found him out before he had the chance. Now why don t you tell
us
where he is. I understand you have spent the last several nights in his
company. Bannaster s eyelids were half closed in sensual mockery.
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My lord, I do not
We have found him, my lord! a man cried.
Chapter 21
E lizabeth spun in her chair in time to see John and Philip dragged forward
by
two soldiers. Before she had more than a moment s feeling of terror, John
sent
one to the floor and came up with his sword. The other soldier pulled Philip
away and forced him to his knees.
There were shouts and screams as people backed away from the armed man. With
a
flick of his wrist, John cut the bindings of his splint, and it fell in
pieces.
Bannaster had already surged to his feet. But instead of looking dismayed at
John s freedom, he wore a grin of triumph as he drew his own sword.
Get back! he shouted at his soldiers.
Why had she not noticed how many soldiers there were in the great hall at
midmorning? she thought desperately. Bannaster must have been lying in wait
to
surprise John.
Russell, Bannaster called, striding into the center of the great hall, How
good to finally meet you.
There were gasps all around, and several people looked at Elizabeth,
wide-eyed,
betraying their knowledge of her identity. Luckily, Bannaster and Milburn
were
focused on John.
John circled slowly, his sword raised, keeping an eye all around him, even as
he
watched Bannaster warily.
Nay, no one shall challenge you except myself, Bannaster said. It is only
fitting, as we fight over a woman.
We fight not over a woman, John shouted. We fight over your unchivalrous
treatment of my betrothed.
Bannaster closed the gap between them, but still circled. I am only righting
your wrong. You left Lady Elizabeth alone for months.
I came the moment I heard, John said, feinting forward with his sword.
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