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Denys pointed to the adjoining chamber. “Privately, please, my lord.”

Hugh wasn’t inclined to go, but a pleading look from Denys sent him stomping over to the chamber, followed by Denys, who pushed him further inside and shut the door. Denys turned to speak to Hugh, but the man threw a silencing hand in his face.

“I do not know what you have to say to me, but know this,” he said. “I am well aware that your commander has been lying to me. I know Magnus is behind all of this.”

Denys cocked his head curiously. “My lord?”

“Do not play innocent with me, de Winter,” Hugh said. “Lies do not become you.”

“How have I lied to you, my lord?”

Hugh wagged a finger at him. “You haven’t yet, but I suspect you are about to,” he said. “You are about to tell me that Magnus de Wolfe had nothing to do with the lady’s disappearance from Haydon Square.”

Denys frowned. “I was not going to say that, my lord.”

Hugh cocked an eyebrow. “Weren’t you?” he said. “I happen to know that Magnus was seen at The Pox, precisely where we found Lady Delaina. Will you deny this?”

Denys thought carefully on his answer. He wasn’t aware that Magnus had been seen at The Pox, although it would explain why Delaina had been located there.

Clearly, Magnus had been followed. It was also possible that Denys had been seen there himself, so he didn’t want to engage in a lie that could very well remove all trust from this conversation. He had to build the trust.

He had to do what he thought Magnus would want.

He’d told Magnus not to engage in a dangerous game with Despenser, but here he was, preparing to engage in an equally and potentially friendship-ending game because he knew, at this very moment, Magnus was probably already on his way to Westminster.

He knew there was going to be an explosion.

He knew that he could prevent such an explosion with a bit of manipulation, but it was going to cost Magnus.

If the man really wanted Delaina, if he was truly attracted to her, then this would be a defining moment.

Denys had to do what he thought was right to save Magnus.

“I will not deny it, for it is true, my lord,” he said. “In fact, I want to make a suggestion that might be more attractive than offering Lady Delaina to a prized warlord. Will you listen?”

Hugh frowned. “What suggestion?”

“That you offer her to Magnus instead.”

Hugh rolled his eyes. “God’s bloody Bones,” he muttered. “What for?”

Denys regarded him a moment. “Because he has never been under your command,” he said. “Imagine if Magnus de Wolfe would obey every order? Imagine if you had a knight of that power who was sworn to do anything you wished? That woman in there can accomplish that.”

Hugh’s irritation very quickly turned to interest. “What’s this you say?” he said. “What are you talking about, de Winter?”

“Interested?”

Hugh stared at him a moment. “In de Wolfe?” he said. “The man is beyond reproach. No amount of bribery could force him to my will.”

“He has feelings for Lady Delaina. Why do you think he refused to bring her to you?”

Hugh’s jaw dropped. “Then he did know her whereabouts!” he hissed. “I suspected but did not know for certain. He knew all along!”

“He did,” Denys said. “So did I. But I am not in love with her—Magnus is.”

Hugh’s eyes widened. “He’s in love with—?”

“Offer him Delaina in exchange for his fealty,” Denys said, cutting him off.

“Magnus shall have what he wants, and you shall have Magnus. Isn’t that better than turning her over to a warlord who could eventually betray you?

My lord… Magnus is an honorable man. If he gives you his word that he will serve your needs, then he will. ”

Hugh was overwhelmed with the possibilities. He’d been so infuriated by this situation, but now that Denys had presented him a positive solution, he was astounded. Turning away, he mulled over the possibilities.

“And you believe he will serve me if I turn the lady over to him?” he said. “Without question?”

Denys nodded. “Without question,” he said. “You cannot gain his loyalty any other way. But she will accomplish this.”

Hugh turned to him. “Why are you telling me this, de Winter?” he said. “You are the same as de Wolfe is. You are a man of honor, sworn to the king. Now you betray your friend to me?”

Denys shook his head. “I am keeping him alive,” he said, trying not to let his emotions show.

“Right now, he is on his way to Westminster, and he is coming to kill you for abducting Lady Delaina. I am doing this to prevent bloodshed. In the end, he may die and you may die, and the lady’s fate may be in question, but the point is that there will be a good deal of unnecessary death and pain if you do not give him Lady Delaina. ”

Hugh knew that was true. He’d seen Magnus de Wolfe in a battle before, and the man was positively unstoppable with that massive ax he used, so instead of railing against de Winter’s advice, he took it for what it was—something meant to keep the peace.

If Magnus truly wanted Lady Delaina, Hugh and his soldiers wouldn’t be able to stop him. It would be chaos.

And Hugh didn’t particularly want to die today.

But he did see the wisdom in negotiations.

“I understand,” he finally said. “I am to give him the lady in exchange for his loyalty. To me.”

Denys nodded slowly. “Truth be told, de Wolfe loyalty is worth more than any warlord you have been considering for Lady Delaina, is it not?”

He had a point. In fact, Hugh thought this might be a better bargain than the loyalty of any warlord he had in mind, so he paced thoughtfully back to Denys, hands behind his back as he assumed a pensive stance.

“You are sure he is coming back to Westminster as we speak?”

“I am, my lord.”

“Then meet him at the gate,” he said. “Bring him to me and I will make the offer.”

Denys struggled not to show his relief, because along with it was the guilt he felt for making such a suggestion. But it was only to protect Magnus. He hoped his friend would realize that before the man’s hands closed around his neck.

“I will, my lord,” he said. “But first… first, let me speak with Lady Delaina.”

“Why?”

“Because she will take the news better from me than from you.”

“What news?”

“That she is to bring a de Wolfe knight to his knees.”

Hugh’s brow furrowed. “Is that what you think I am going to do?”

“Isn’t it?”

Hugh didn’t reply immediately. He looked at Denys, inspecting him for a moment. “I think that you should reexamine that statement,” he said quietly. “’Tis not I who made the suggestion to give de Wolfe his lady in exchange for his loyalty. It was you.”

With that, he headed into the adjoining chamber where Delaina and the others await, leaving Denys to stew in a sea of guilt.