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She nodded, knowing it was the truth. “At least there is plenty of food.” And plenty of men to guard the keep. “See him in, Richard.” She steeled herself to play lady of the manor and suddenly found herself looking forward to the task. “And convey to him my greetings.”

Malvern walked in with his usual easy grace, his strides long and supple, though he still wore his chain mail hauberk. His garments were dusty from the hours he had spent on the road, but his blond hair gleamed in the flickering rushlights mounted on the walls behind him .

“My lady.” He bent over her hand, brushing his mouth against her fingers, his lips firm and his breath warm. It was all she could do not to jerk the hand away.

“My lord.” She made an obeisance and forced herself to smile, noticing as she had when she had first seen him, that except for the cruelty in his eyes and his slightly pointed nose, he was handsome in the extreme.

“’Twould seem I make a habit of arriving while your husband is away.

” His pale blue eyes swept over her, taking in her sapphire tunic, golden girdle, and the embroidered silk chainse she wore beneath.

“Now that I see the jewel that hid beneath your convent garments, I cannot say I am particularly regretful.”

She let that pass, tamping down her loathing. “My husband will soon return. I have seen a chamber readied, should you care to bathe and refresh yourself before the meal.”

He nodded. “The day has been a long one. A bath and a goblet of wine would put me in your debt, my lady.”

She motioned to one of the servants and turned to leave, but Lord Stephen caught her arm. “Mayhap you would attend me yourself.”

She smiled faintly. “Of course.” But she hadn’t the slightest intention. Accompanied by his squire, Lord Stephen was shown upstairs while the rest of his men filled their horns with ale or sipped a goblet of wine.

Caryn turned toward the kitchen, hoping to seek out a willing maidservant, but resigned to a page should she fail.

“I will tend him, milady.” Bretta stopped her in front of the ovens. Fresh-baked barleycorn bread filled the kitchen with a pleasant, yeasty smell.

“You don’t have to. I do not know his intentions. I would not force any of the women—”

“’Tis all right, milady.” She grinned. “I fancy the notion o’ scrubbin’ Lord Stephen’s back. He’s got a right fine one, I’ll warrant.”

Caryn smiled. “Just be careful.”

“I’ll have him purrin’ like a kitten in no time a’tall.”

Ral still had not arrived by the time Lord Stephen returned to the hall. Dressed in a fine purple tunic over a scarlet chainse, he looked every inch the baron, pleasantly relaxed, and not in the least the brutal man she knew him to be.

“Good eventide, my lord.” She smiled as he approached the dais.

“Might I join you?”

“Of course.”

He took a place beside her on the platform, his men at the trestle tables readied below them, awaiting the arrival of their lord. They spoke of pleasant subjects, the weather, the crops, events in the village, at Braxston, and at Malvern.

“My sister will soon be arriving,” he said. “’Tis a while since she has come for a visit. Mayhap the two of you will have the chance to meet.”

“Mayhap. I would enjoy having another woman to talk to.” Assuming she was nothing like her cruel-hearted brother.

“Eliana is a treasure, tall and fair-skinned—quite beautiful, really. Did you know she was once betrothed to your husband?”

Caryn’s head came up. “Your sister and Lord Ral?”

“’Twas long before you. Our fathers arranged it when both of them were children.”

“Nay, I did not know.”

“I am not surprised… since he dishonored her by refusing to go through with the marriage.”

Was this then the reason for the two men’s hatred? “Surely he had a reason.”

The line of his mouth grew taut. “Mayhap he did. I know only that he grievously wronged my sister.” He smiled thinly. “Mayhap he will tell you about it sometime. ”

And mayhap he would not, though she would dearly like to know. “You journey from the south,” she said, changing the subject.

“Yes. I return from a visit to my estate at Grennel.”

“You travel with very few men. Saw you no sign of the Ferret and his outlaws?”

“Nay. ’Tis said they raid somewhere to the north. ’Tis also said your lord husband has been pursuing them with a vengeance.” A corner of his mouth curved up. “Should he discover their whereabouts, I would be happy to lend him a hand.”

Caryn leaned forward in her chair, suddenly alert. Much as she loathed Lord Stephen, the danger to Ral would be lessened greatly with the help of Malvern and his men.

“Then again,” Stephen said, “I do not believe he would accept it.”

Inwardly, she groaned. Nay, he would not. Then a different thought occurred. “If you knew where to find the outlaws, would you seek them out?” Lord Stephen was ruthless, and as fearsome in battle as Ral. What difference, which of the men accomplished the feat, as long as the brigands were captured?

He shifted in his chair, surveying her with renewed interest. “If they camp somewhere to the north as I have heard said, I could send word to my men at Malvern. They are sufficient in number to see the blackguard’s days ended.”

“Lord Raolfe would not approve of my telling. I would not wish it discovered.” But if it would keep him and the other men safe, the risk would be worth it.

“You know where they are?”

“I discovered only this eve. Word came to me from the village.”

“Why would you tell me?”

Why indeed? She felt uneasy about it, but the idea of Ral being injured or killed made her feel far worse. “I would see the outlaws’ raiding put to an end.” I would see my husband home and safe. “’Twould seem the more men seeing it done, the better the chance for success.”

He smiled. “As I said, I would be happy to lend my support.”

She hesitated only a moment. “They are camped near Chevrey Pass on the River Eden.”

“You are certain of this?”

“Word comes from a trusted source, though I cannot say how long the outlaws will remain there.”

He surveyed her a moment more, turned in his chair, and called for one of his men. A rawboned knight appeared from the shadows, listened as Stephen whispered in his ear, nodded his understanding, and strode from the hall.

“Durand leaves for Malvern in all haste. He will gather men there and ride for Chevrey. I will leave on the morrow, as I had planned. With any luck, the Ferret and his men will long have been captured by the time I reach Chevrey Pass.”

Caryn smiled. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Thank you, Lady Caryn.” His expression looked so smug, Caryn suddenly wished she hadn’t told him. Sweet Jesu, she prayed she had done the right thing.