"I wonder why that might be?"

His hand shot out suddenly and touched Aldyth's shoulder.

"Why do you look so wrathful, young Edward of Pevensey? Does the color of my cloak offend you?" She steeled herself not to tremble at his touch, to meet his eyes, then look down humbly as a page would.

"Nay, my lord," she said, remembering to keep her voice pitched low.

"You mistake me. I was not wrathful. I ... just do not see very well."

Her excuse sounded lame and she knew it, but she prayed he would be so eager to resume bantering with his mistress that he would let it go by.

For a moment, it seemed as if he would. He started to turn back to Lady Vivienne, and then he was still, his ebony stare paralyzing Aldyth.

"Aldyth! By G.o.d's toenails, what are you doing here? 4nd what, by all that's holy, have you done to your hair?"

Chapter Nine

Aldyth stared up into eyes black as midnight during a new moon, eyes that seemed to gleam with anger as her heart pounded in increasing dread. She could think of nothing to say.

"My lord, she was afraid of T" -- Warin began, but he was silenced by Ranulf's upraised palm.

"I have asked your sister to explain herself. Well, Aldyth?"

When she could still form no words, he spoke to Lady Vivienne.

"I.

must sup with the king, but I would hear her reasons before I return her to her father's keep. I see you are done with your supper, my lady. I would have you take her to my chamber and wait with her there until I come. "

Before I return her to her father's keep... It was a death sentence. She couldn't go back, not with Turold there, waiting to make her life misery!

Lady Vivienne was speaking to him now, saying something in soft, rapid Norman French. Relying on his momentary distraction, Aldyth catapulted from her seat, running between the tables toward the entrance of the hall.

She would leave the caste tonight and hide in the town, then rice--flee anywhere . She made it as far as the entrance before Ranulf caught her.

"Fool! Where did you think to go? The gates are closed for the night?"

There was no anger in his voice, just an irritated amus.e.m.e.nt as she struggled against the iron grip he maintained around her wrist.

"Let me go, my lord. You have no right to hold me," she raged, launching herself at him with her free hand clenched into a fist.

"Hush, Aldyth--if you would continue to pa.s.s for a lad. People are watching," he warned her in a low voice.

She looked around and saw that it was true. At nearby trestle tables, castle servants stared, and even a couple of the n.o.bles on the dais had noticed the fracas and were smirking. She ceased her struggles.

"You must let me go, Lord Ranulf," she pied in a softer voice.

"I--I.

cannot go back to Sherborne. Merely loose me and I will not trouble you further. I will go from here and you may deny ever seeing me"But he continued to maintain his firm grasp about her wrist, all the while studying her with that d.a.m.nable amused smile.

"Interesting... I had heard you were about to become a bride, yet now I find you here, your lovely hair butchered, insisting you cannot go home."

"Please, my lord..." Was she more afraid of being returned to her home or of the mischief dancing in those devilish eyes?

By this time an anxious Lady V'rvienne and Warin had caught up to them, but the king's seneschal was also approaching, an inquisitive expression on his face. "If you would be so kind, my lady, accompany

"Edward' directly to my chamber and I will join you anon. And if he gives you any difficulty, have Warin summon Urse from the stables to give him the hiding he deserves." Then he gave the approaching steward a grin.

"Nothing to worry about, Eudo. Just a new page in sorry need of some discipline."

"Come, Edward," snapped Lady Vivienne under the sward's watchful eye.

"If you would only learn to heed my lord, you would escape such dire consequences as you will experience later."

A f'n in the brazier had warmed Ranuif's chambers, and the three sat down to await his coming.

Aldyth's brother was rubbing his eyes.

"Warin, you look tired," the Norman woman told him.

"Co to sleep. I will wake you if Lord Ranulf needs aught. Do not worry, all will he well with your sister."

Warin complied, going to recline on his pallet by the door. He began snoring in minutes.

Lady Vivienne arose and poured two goblets of wine, handing one to Aldyth before sitting down next to her with the other.

"My dear, I think there is something you should know about Lord Ranulf, but I tell you this in strictest confidence."

"You may trust me, Lady Vivienne," Aldyth replied, curious to know what Ranuif's leman would her.

"I thought I could. Aldyth, I am Lord Ranulf's mistress in name only.

He does not actually share my bed. "

Aldyth felt her mouth drop open. She had expected the Norman woman to say anything but this.

"But why? Is he... does he not..." She couldn't bring herself to say the words.

"Doe he not like women?" Lady Vivienne finished for her.

"Oh no, that's not it at all. Lord Ranuif is very much a man.

"Tis just that I was alone here, a widow, and defenseless against the base scoundrels that inhabit the court. My lord was... well, let us just say he was willing to extend his 101 protection, out of the kindness of his heart, without asking aught of me."

Aldyth was more confused than ever.

"My lady, why are you telling me this?"

Lady rivienne smiled.