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Caryn reeled as if she had been struck. The Dark Knight her betrothed?

Never! She had not forgotten him, would never forget those cool blue-gray eyes, that unforgiving jaw and thick black hair.

The heavy strands were even longer now, not shorn in the way of most Norman men, but curling softly against the neck of his chain mail hauberk. Sweet Mary he must be mad!

She studied him more closely, trying to battle down her fears and read his fierce look of warning.

He was handsome, she saw as she hadn’t before, in a hard, forbidding way far different from Lord Stephen.

His nose was straight, his lips well-formed but his jaw was a little too square, his cheekbones a little too severe.

He was a massive man, broad of chest, neck thick, arms corded with heavy muscle, and his legs long.

“Is that not so?” he repeated, the glint of warning more pronounced, a reminder that should she deny him, Lord Stephen and his men would ravish her as they had done the others.

She swallowed hard and stared at the tall dark knight who towered above her.

She hadn’t forgotten what he and his men had done to her sister.

She could still see his face among the others, though the memory was hazy and illusive, mixed with the terror, the anger, and the pain.

She did not know the part he had played, but she knew for certain he had been there.

He was just as bad as Malvern.

Still, time was what she needed. She really had no choice. She tried not to tremble beneath his close regard. “Aye, my lord, that is so.”

Malvern’s sleek blond brows drew together over eyes that glinted with fury.

He knew the Dark Knight had lied but the lie had effectively stayed his purpose.

Angry heat tinged his cheekbones. Then he smiled with such venom his skin drew back from his teeth, making him look like the deadly predator he was.

His hand fell away from his blade. “Had I but known, I would have left her at the convent. As it is, mayhap ’tis a blessing in disguise.

” Another vicious smile. “Knowing in the past how reluctant you have been to take a bride, how could I be less than glad to see that you intend to do so now. What say you, Ral? Have you yet made plans for the wedding?”

“I wait to hear from William. Once I receive his blessing and the banns have been posted, the deed will be accomplished.” He turned in Caryn’s direction. “What of your sister?” he asked in a voice she alone could hear. “Is she also in the hall?”

“Gweneth is safe at the convent.” Away from you and the rest of the carrion—thank the Blessed Virgin.

The huge knight started to say something more, but a stirring on the stairs turned his look in that direction. From the top of the landing leading down to the hall, a woman in a lavender tunic stared boldly down at the men.

“What is this you say, my lord? Have my poor ears heard correctly?” She was blond and fair, willowy and graceful, yet her lips were hard-edged and her green eyes held no hint of softness. “Surely my ears have deceived me. ”

The Dark Knight’s jaw went tense. “’Tis none of your concern, Lynette. Get back to your chamber.”

“Ah, the fair Lynette,” said Stephen. “I hadn’t thought to see you.”

“I will not allow it, Ral. ’Tis truth, you’ve made no pledge to me, yet I say that I will not let it happen!”

“And I say get thee gone! Another such outburst and you will feel the back of my hand!”

For a moment it appeared she might argue. Then the rage left her face and a stiff smile curved her lips. “Forgive me, my lord. ’Tis only that I’ve missed you these long days past. I shall await your pleasure in my chamber.”

Caryn looked from the Dark Knight to the tall fair maid. His leman, no doubt. But if that were so, Caryn wondered, what could he possibly want with her?

“So—at last—the lord of Braxston takes a bride.” Malvern’s lips curled sardonically. “I shall pen William myself, telling him how urgently you wish to wed. With the king’s permission, mayhap the vows could be spoken within the fortnight. What say you, Ral? Would you not be well pleased?”

Whoreson, Ral inwardly swore, cursing the position he found himself in, knowing Stephen enjoyed every moment of his discomfort.

Guilt had been his motive. He had failed the black-haired maid.

One so sweet and innocent had deserved his protection and yet he had not kept her safe.

He meant to right the wrong he had done in the only way he knew how, by protecting the girl’s younger sister.

“It pleases me well enough.” He could fight de Montreale of course.

Outnumbered as his rival was, Ral was certain to win.

But good men’s blood would be spilled, and the king would make him pay dearly.

Stephen’s father was William’s closest friend.

Ral would be stripped of his lands and title, left with naught of what he had worked so hard to build.

“William will approve the match,” Ral said. “He wants this land in the north subdued. With the children of Norman-Saxon unions, he believes ’twill happen all the sooner.” Ral forced himself to smile. “Bedding a maid as fair as this is a duty I look forward to.”

And marriage the only answer to his dilemma. He had known that from the moment he had interfered on her behalf. Once Stephen learned Ral sought to protect her, the girl would not be safe outside the castle walls.

Malvern’s eyes raked the maid as if he still owned her. “The pleasure may yet be mine,” he warned, “should your words prove less than true.” He walked past her, his hand brushing a breast one last time. Ral stiffened at the insult.

“Leave off, Stephen. Even the king will not back you in this.” Assuming he did indeed approve.

Malvern smiled at the girl. “Beg pardon, my lady, for any insult I may have given. ’Twas the rags that had me fooled.” He looked at Ral. “I would advise that you clothe her befitting her station. There are others who might make the same mistake as I.”

Ral ignored the barb. “My men are weary. I would have them fed and rested before this night is through.” He reached for Caryn’s arm, felt her tense, tightened his hold, and drew her along with him. “Till the morrow, Stephen.”

Caryn resisted the urge to pull away and instead let the tall Norman guide her toward the stairs. Once they reached the solar, he led her inside and closed the door. Caryn whirled on him in an instant.

“Are you mad?”

The huge man turned to face her, his expression distant and inscrutable. Rushlight glistened off his glossy jet black hair and the gray of his eyes seemed to glitter. “In this moment, ’twould seem as if indeed that might be true. ”

“Why have you done this? What do you hope to gain? Do you really believe I will wed with you?”

The Dark Knight stiffened. “I believe you will do whatever it takes to save your skin.”

“I will never wed a Norman. Especially not one as vile as you. You are murderers—all of you—robbing and killing, burning our homes and fields.”

“There is truth in what you say. Foul deeds were committed by both sides. ’Twas done in the name of war. There is much that has happened that is better left in the past.”

“You are Norman. Time will not lessen the hatred I feel for you. Think you I did not see what happened here this eve? My friends were beaten, assaulted. Sweet Virgin Mary, they were taken from the sanctity of the church!”

“You speak of Malvern’s deeds not mine. Could I have helped them, I would have. I could not.”

“Why? Because you fear him?”

“I fear the king. William is my liege lord. I have vowed to do as he bids. Stephen is the king’s man.”

“And you are not?”

“Malvern controls vast fortunes. His father is one of William’s closest friends. I have not the power to gainsay him.”

“Then you are a coward as well as a cur.”

He took an ominous step in her direction. “I have given you leave to speak your mind this eve, for the circumstances have been unsettling. But I warn you, lady, you had better learn when to curb your wayward tongue. No man would dare speak to me thus. I will not tolerate it from you.”

He meant it. His thick black brows had drawn into a frown and his mouth looked thin and grim.

“Had you planned to take your vows,” he said, referring to her status as a novice, “’tis far too late for that. Your marriage will be to me and not to the church. Should you refuse, Stephen will take you the moment you set foot outside these walls.”

“I never meant to live the life of a nun. In truth, I can think of nothing more loathsome than whiling away the years within some cold damp cell.” She lifted her chin. “Except, mayhap, being married to you.”

“Marriage to you is hardly what I had planned. You’re naught but a girl. I would wed with a woman—a full-sized one at that.” Caryn bristled. “You are not dowered. You bring naught to this union but the rags on your back. Still, ’tis too late to change things now.”

“’Tis not too late. You cannot force me and I will not consent.” She turned her back to him and walked to the small arrow hole that served as a window.

She hadn’t liked the way his eyes found the rent in her garment, the way her stomach tightened when they did. He was hard and tough, his look even fiercer than Lord Stephen’s… and far more intimate. As if he yet sized her up for the duties she would perform in the marriage bed.

“Should you refuse me,” he said, “Malvern would make you his leman. When he tires of you, he would share you with his men. You have seen enough here this night to know what will happen when he does.”

She would be beaten and brutalized, a victim of rapine, mayhap even murder. Caryn shivered beneath those stormy eyes. “Why? If I am such a poor choice for wife, why do you want me?”

He shrugged his massive shoulders, rippling the muscles along his arms. “I owe you. What happened that day in the meadow… it never should have occurred. I would change things if I could. Since I cannot, this time I would see you safe.”