Payn waited while that sank in. Not unexpectedly, Ariane felt like squirming beneath his gentle gaze.She also had falsely claimed ravishment at Ranulf's hands. But the circumstances were not at all the same, she thought defensively. Ranulf had promised to wed her and then reneged after five years.

"So you see," Payn said gently, "Ranulf's belief in the faithlessness of highborn women is not without justification."

"I do see why he would mistrust my sex," Ariane replied guardedly. "But your assertion begs a question. If he held me in such low esteem, why did he agree to our betrothal?"

"The usual reasons. Heirs and land. It is my belief that the latter was most important to him."

"But by then Ranulf already possessed vast holdings, did he not?"

"Aye, he was awarded several wealthy fiefs for his services to Geoffrey, and then rewarded handsomely for his loyalty to young Henry-primarily for helping Henry consolidate his rule of Normandy and later, to pursue the English throne. And by then Ranulf had won back the Vernay demesne. But you must remember the hatred he bore his father. It has influenced his every action, shadowed his every thought his entire life long."

"I imagine he wanted vengeance on his father?"

"After seeing his back, can you blame him?"

Ariane shook her head sadly. She could understand why a man would be driven to seek revenge for those terrible scars, even if she could not fathom how someone could hurt a child so savagely as Lord Yves had hurt the young boy who very likely was his son.

"But the beatings were not the catalyst," Payn said quietly. "Even then, Ranulf might have accepted his lot. But shortly after becoming Henry's vassal, Ranulf's two older brothers died within months of each other-one of a putrid wound acquired in battle, the other of the bloody flux. Even after their deaths, Lord Yves refused to acknowledge Ranulf as his son or to name him as heir. That was when Ranulf's tolerance ended. In Henry's name, he besieged Vernay and challenged his father to mortal combat."

"What happened?" she asked earnestly.

"Ranulf won, naturally, but he stopped short of killing his tormentor, even though it would have been justified. His father fled to France, taking refuge with King Louis-where he lives to this day. Ultimately, I understand, Yves turned to God, although how so ungodly a man could hope to save his black soul, I vow I cannot fathom. As penance, he went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and came back a changed man. Ranulf refused to forgive him, though."

Ariane understood Ranulf's sentiments completely.

"In gratitude for winning such a vast holding, Duke Henry made Ranulf castellan of Vernay and signed a charter of nobility, giving Ranulf the right to call himself his father's son. Eventually he was awarded the entire Vernay demesne. Not satisfied with his holdings, though, Ranulf continued his drive to become one of the most powerful barons in Normandy." Payn paused to look at her directly. "He knew that you, as an heiress, could help him attain that goal."

"So he agreed to wed me."

"Aye, but he regretted the action almost at once, I could tell. When you have served a man as long as I have served Ranulf, you come to sense even his deepest feelings."

Ariane lowered her gaze to hide the hurt in her eyes. "I have feelings, also, Sir Payn. I once pledged him my loyalty, to honor and serve him as wife. I would have given him my heart, and yet he repudiated me."

"I do notjustify his actions, my lady," Payn said quietly. "I only seek to make you understand them. Ranulf is a brave man; his valor and his dauntless deeds have proven that. The dreaded name of Black Dragon is well deserved, I assure you. Yet for all his courage, he fears being hurt again. And when you refused to yield Claredon to him, as his father refused to yield Vernay, you roused feelings of rage and hatred in Ranulf that he has held his life long."

"I understand that-now. But again. . . why do you tell me this?"

"Because I love him like a brother. He deserves far better than what fate has hitherto seen fit to give him."

"Your loyalty to him is admirable," Ariane murmured truthfully. "Few men would serve a landless, dispossessed knight with such devotion as you have shown."

"He has earned my loyalty tenfold, demoiselle. His skill at arms is unquestioned, as is his prowess as a military commander. He is a leader of men. But he is a good lord as well, one who has proven himself careful in administration. Ranulf has ruled his fiefs with justice and compassion."

Ariane nodded slowly. She had seen for herself his efforts to rule Claredon justly. He had commuted the sentences of his transgressors when it served him better, and shown a degree of leniency that was unheard of for a warlord, especially one who had reason to be so vengeful. He was not the ogre she had feared. The Black Dragon, she had begun to realize, was not so terrible as his name implied.

"So my father thought," she said quietly. "It was why he chose Ranulf as my future husband."

"It is still a wise choice. Ranulf is not without heart, demoiselle. It is just that he has hidden it behind a shield of armor. Ranulf is a soldier. Killing is his trade-he was born to it. He knows naught of love or tenderness, only of fighting. Violence and combat have been his whole life. Well, wenching, too, but what knight has not sown a few wild oats?"

Her mouth curved wryly. "What indeed?"

Payn cleared his throat. "The right woman could change him."

"Think you . . . I might be that woman?" she asked in a small voice.

"I trust so. But you will not have an easy time of it. Ranulf never forgets an ill, and you already have numerous marks against you: refusing to surrender Claredon, setting your father's vassal free to lead a rebellion, falsely declaring your betrothal consummated . . ."

"Itis consummated now," Ariane declared, even as she flushed to admit it.

"Perhaps so, but the manner of it will hardly serve as the basis for a congenial marriage. And then there is your father's treason against the crown. By association, you are a suspected traitor."

Her chin came up abruptly, her entire body stiffening. "My father is not a traitor, my lord, nor am I. When King Stephen died, my father immediately declared for Henry-and nothing occurred in the interim to change his mind. When he left for Bridgenorth, he was Henry's man. His innocence has yet to be proven, but it will be."

Payn looked at her a long moment. "I think I could believe you, demoiselle, but my opinion is not the key one. It is Ranulf who must be convinced."

"What . . . do you suggest I do?"

"Step carefully with him, demoiselle. Somehow you must win his trust. Without trust, Ranulf will never overcome his deep-rooted fears."

She looked down at her hands. "I am honored by your faith in me, Sir Payn. I only hope I may prove myself worthy of it. As you said, it will not be easy. Often it is all I can do simply to hold my own with Ranulf."

Payn flashed her a grin that held respect and sympathy. "Methinks if any lady could, 'twould be you."

Rising from the table, he gave Ariane a deep bow. "I look forward to the day when you resume your rightful place as lady of Claredon, demoiselle." Turning then, he made his way from the hall.

Ariane watched him go in bemused silence, feeling more hopeful than she had in weeks. In Payn FitzOsbern, she had discovered an entirely unexpected ally. She had listened to him, primarily because she was greedy to learn more about Ranulf, but also because she knew it would not hurt to cultivate his chief vassal's goodwill. She was surprised to feel a genuine liking for the handsome knight. He had been a loyal and trusted friend to Ranulf, and she would truly be honored to call him friend as well.

Her meal virtually uneaten, Ariane sat there, thinking over all that Payn had told her about Ranulf's terrible past, her heart aching for what he had endured. She could only begin to imagine his suffering.

His noble father had sought to purge the demons from him.So that was what Ranulf had meant when he claimed demons possessed his soul. He had been punished for his mother's sins, and then denied his rightful heritage because of his questionable paternity.

Ariane shook her head, fighting a wave of fierce tenderness for him. Even though now she better understood the reasons he did not trust her, the realization stillhurt. And yet she had never once considered their betrothal fromhis perspective. Ranulf actuallyfeared the hurt she might do him.

He was wrong about that, just as he was overly harsh to judge her a traitor. Yet it would be difficult to prove herself worthy of his trust. He already thought her a scheming jade. Staining the bedsheets had been a critical mistake, she realized now. Trying to force Ranulf to acknowledge their marriage had only hardened his heart further against her.

Worse, she might never be able to deal with him in complete honesty. She harbored a secret that she dared not reveal to anyone, particularly the new lord of Claredon, who held the power of life and death over those in his demesne. She had not lied to Ranulf yet about it, but she would, if necessary.

Dispirited by the thought, Ariane gave a weary sigh.

The challenge before her was daunting. She no longer simply wanted to win her rights as Ranulf's wife. She wanted to win his heart as well. And that task would be more difficult than anything she had ever imagined.

16.

Ranulf returned to the tower for the midday meal earlier than planned. He had spent the morning inspecting the castle grounds with Baldwin, the estate steward, and was satisfied with the progress he had seen. There had been no more pranks or acts of subversion-or if so, the castlefolk had been wise enough to keep it from the lord's attention.

He had been mistaken, though, to believe himself free of Ariane. He had thought that after bedding her at last, he could put her from his mind long enough to devote his thoughts to dull administrative duties. Yet as Ranulf toured the stables and smithy, and spoke to the keepers of the kennels and mews and granaries, his thoughts continually strayed. He kept remembering the exquisite pleasure Ariane had brought him last night, and his fierce desire to have her again. Fire raged in his loins, unquenched by the single, enthralling taste he had been afforded. He was hungry for her still, his obsession as strong-stronger, perhaps-than before.

His pride, however, demanded that he control his lusts. He had ordered Ariane to await him in the solar at the day's end, and he would adhere to his plan if it killed him. He did not want to give the damsel any hint of how thoroughly she had bewitched him, or that her feminine arts wielded any undue power over him.

Moreover, he had promised his men an afternoon of sport on the hunting field, a well-deserved respite from the grind of military duty. And he wished to see for himself what game his forests held.

Telling himself he would have to be satisfied with a mere glimpse of her, Ranulf felt a keen disappointment when Ariane made no appearance in the hall for the noon meal.

The meal seemed interminable, and Ranulf was hardpressed to maintain a semblance of good humor, or to keep his gaze from roaming the hall in search of her. Payn, strangely, was more jovial than even his usual sunny disposition warranted. The knight agreed easily when Ranulf directed him to gather the huntsmen in the bailey and await him there. Payn even refrained from commenting about the lord's odd excuse for delay when Ranulf said he wished to fetch his gauntlets from the solar, although any number of pages and squires would have willingly accomplished the errand.

She was not in the solar, Ranulf discovered to his growing irritation, before his search led him to the adjacent weaving room. To his surprise and misgiving, he found Ariane there, surrounded by her ladies, embroidering tapestries, while nearby, skilled craftswomen plied their trade, winding wool into long skeins, spooling thread, and weaving cloth.

The clacking looms and female chatter came to an abrupt halt when his presence was detected. At the sudden silence, Ariane looked up in startlement to find Ranulf looming in the doorway. His powerful, commanding form seemed out of place in a chamber meant solely for women.

She was dismayed that Ranulf would seek her out here, dismayed still further by his intent scrutiny. His burning eyes were bright and hot.

Flushing, Ariane set aside her embroidery and rose, then followed him from the weaving room to the antechamber. "My lord? How may I serve you?"

Her choice of words was unfortunate, for his amber eyes darkened. His hands closed over her arms, as if he might draw her against him-but then Ranulf made himself halt. It took all of his strength to pull back. His manhood had warmed and swelled at the sight of her, and the feel of her was tantalizing, and yet he refused to be distracted by her allure.

"What do you do here?" he demanded, his tone more curt than he intended.

Ariane gazed up at him warily. "Why, I was seeing to the clothmaking. The spinning and weaving and needlework have suffered neglect since your . . . seizure of Claredon."

"I disremember granting you leave to spend your time in such pursuits."

"You did say I no longer had to serve in the kitchens."

"You no longer need work at all. I bade you wait for me in my chamber."

Hot color rose to her face, but she managed to say evenly, "I am not accustomed to being idle, my lord."

"You will not be idle," Ranulf replied, his voice dipping to huskiness. "I intend to keep you pleasantly occupied."

Ariane set her jaw, wanting to argue with him. Even if he kept her occupied each night and much of each day, there would still be too many empty hours to fill, as well as tasks that demanded a woman's attention. She did not wish to see her former home fall to ruin for lack of a chatelaine. Indeed, her lady mother would be offended to see what deplorable condition the keep had fallen into so shortly after being occupied by Ranulf's forces.

Remembering, though, her newly formed pledge to conquer Ranulf's heart, she lowered her gaze and murmured, "As you wish, my lord."

Her docile reply roused Ranulf's wariness further, and yet he could find nothing in her answer or attitude to take umbrage with.

"In future you will be present at meals," he said coolly. "Beginning tonight. I expect a large repast this evening. I always work up an appetite while hunting."

"You mean to hunt?" she was dismayed into asking.

"Yes. You find that surprising?"

Her gaze flickered uneasily to the arrow loop in the outer wall. She had not previously noted the sounds that floated through the opening-riders, huntsmen, and hounds gathering in the yard in preparation for a hunt. The realization struck her with foreboding.

"No, not surprising," Ariane prevaricated. "Where do you hunt, my lord?"

"What does it matter?"

"The south wood is known to be full of game."

"Is it, indeed? I find it curious that you should think to advise me on the chase."

Seeing the penetrating interest in Ranulf's hard eyes, Ariane carefully schooled her features to show no expression. "I merely wish your sport to be successful. We all would enjoy fresh game for supper-and your mood is sweeter when your desires are not thwarted," she could not resist adding tartly.

His mouth curved up at the corner, yet his countenance held only faint amusement. "I have never noted your particular eagerness to satisfy my desires before now, demoiselle. Could there be another cause for your concern?" he said slowly, searching her face. "Rebels you wish to aid, perchance? Your supporters could easily set up a base from which to conduct their assaults on my patrols, like the one that killed my archer and wounded my squire. Perhaps they hide in the north wood, which is why you seek to direct me south."

She tried to remain calm as she replied airily, "If there are rebels on Claredon land, I know naught of them."

"The eastern forest, then?" Ranulf persisted, watching her closely. He saw the flicker of alarm in her eyes, but could not determine the cause.Was she seeking to conceal the presence of rebel forces?

A chill swept Ariane at the mention of that section. Hastily she lowered her lashes over the secrets she knew must lie in her eyes. She should never have mentioned any of the forests, but now that she had, there was nothing to do but brazen it out.

"The eastern wood is said to be haunted by evil spirits, my lord. The serfs and villagers avoid it resolutely, and the hounds will not hunt there willingly.""Evil spirits?" The hard voice turned softly menacing. "It is fortunate then that I hold no belief in such superstition."

Sensing Ranulf's growing suspicion, Ariane retreated from that obviously false explanation. "Of course I put no faith in those old wives' tales," she assured him, keeping her eyes downcast, "but it is true that vicious wolves roam those woods."

"All the more reason to hunt there. I should think you would consider it laudable to rid the forest of wolves.""Yes . . . but . . ." Ariane faltered, knowing she was sinking deeper into a morass, yet not knowing how to extricate herself.

"Mayhap," Ranulf said dangerously, "you seek to shield someone else. Is that, perchance, where you go to sport with your lover?"She glanced up in startlement, her eyes wide. "You well know I have never had a lover until you.""Castle gossip says otherwise."She went rigid. "You yourself saw the proof of my innocence, my lord.""There are ways to enjoy passion without breaching a maidenhead, as I have shown you.""I have never had a lover," Ariane repeated with rising indignation.Ranulf's look turned grim. "Not even your father's vassal? The prisoner you freed, Simon?"

Ariane returned his fierce gaze steadily. "Not Simon, nor any other man.""And it shall remain that way," Ranulf said, his voice low and taut. "Henceforth, I will be your only lover. I will kill any man who touches you. Do you comprehend me?"

Ariane watched him warily. She could not understand his jealous fury-until she recalled the experiences he had endured at the hands of other women of her class. Ranulf thought her no better than any of the adulterous noblewomen who had filled his life with pain and scandal.

"I have no lover," she said quietly, "in a forest or elsewhere. I only sought to advise you."

He could not quite believe her. He had seen the guilt in those luminous gray eyes. She was not telling the complete truth, he would swear it. That she would think to deceive him filled him with bitter anguish, but her championship of his enemies would make no difference in the end. He was well accustomed at flushing out insurgents who would foment rebellion. If she was protecting Simon Crecy or any other traitor, he would find and deal with them swiftly.

Ranulf tore his gaze from Ariane. He did not want to hear any more lies coming from those sweet lips. "You take too much upon yourself," he retorted stiffly, before turning toward the stairway. "You had best pray I find no trace of your traitorous cohorts."

As she listened to the retreat of his jingling spurs, Ariane pressed a hand to her mouth in dismay. God's mercy, what had she done? Arousing Ranulf's suspicions had been inexcusably stupid. Ranulf was no fool, but a seasoned knight, experienced in dealing with enemy resistance. He would search the east wood for rebels and perhaps stumble upon the secret she would give her life to keep hidden.

Dread curled in the pit of her stomach as she thought of what he could find. Despite his past leniency, in this instance he would not be so eager to show mercy and compassion, she was certain.

"No," Ariane whispered to herself, trying to calm her agitation, as well as bolster her courage. All was not lost. Perhaps it was even a blessing that Ranulf's suspicions centered on fantasy rebels. As long as he was searching for miscreants, he might overlook the dire dilemma she had spent the past four years endeavoring to conceal.

She forced herself to release the breath she had been holding. She would not give up hope. Very soon she would have to discover the means to attend the wood's inhabitants, before their plight grew desperate, but she had time yet to plan how to escape Ranulf's vigilance.

Shewould pray, as he had suggested, though. She would pray that the secret of Claredon forest would be safe for a great while longer.