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“My father died without my ever having reconciled with him.” He spoke with a harsh matter-of-factness, but in his eyes she saw the dark flash of grief for just a moment.

Then it was gone, hidden, and the cool, light grayness was back, revealing nothing of his soul.

“For that I will never forgive myself. Or Julian.”

He turned toward them again. “The edict cannot be overturned. I won’t allow it. That would be the ultimate disrespect for my father’s wishes. Enough.” He held up a hand as Sir Castor started to argue. “It’s done with. Let’s talk of strategy.”

Nicholas gazed from one to the other of them. “I’ve been mulling the matter all morning and now have the seedlings of a plan.”

Late that afternoon, four of Duke Julian’s feared black-masked soldiers rode through the tip of the Great Forest, just east of the castle walls.

Suddenly a log fell across the road. Their horses reared up in alarm. Before the soldiers could even draw their swords, they were surrounded.

It was a brief and bloody battle.

Nicholas killed the two brawniest with two sweeps of his sword. Sir Castor’s men-at-arms slew the others.

Arianne watched from beneath an oak tree at the edge of the forest, her heart in her throat. In this battle there was little for her to do. But she would soon play a part.

Once inside the castle, she would get her chance to be of use.

She could finally strike back at Julian, could finally get Marcus out of that cell.

No longer would she have to rush around the inn discreetly gathering information, trying to concoct a workable plan.

Now she would be inside Castle Doom itself, where she could act.

And Nicholas would be working with her. His presence inspired confidence. Yet, she acknowledged as she somberly watched the battle in the road, they were only two.

Somehow they must thwart Duke Julian, who had all the power of Dinadan at his command. His Captain of Arms, a man known as Baylor, was feared by all who encountered him, and his knights were known for their ruthlessness and efficiency.

Capture would mean imprisonment and almost certain death.

What lay before them would be more dangerous than anything Arianne had ever imagined back in Castle Galeron, before Marcus had been taken prisoner. But she refused to let her thoughts dwell on that.

When one of Sir Castor’s men brought her the garments of the smallest knight who had been killed, she retreated into the forest and donned them quickly. A short time later, Duke Julian’s company was again seen making its way toward the castle.

Over the drawbridge and beneath the portcullis they went. Leaving their horses for the royal groomsmen, they entered the great hall. The largest and the smallest of the four ducked without incident into a small, little-used chamber branching off the corridor that led to the solar.

“Quickly,” Nicholas growled as Arianne tore off her mask and guard’s cloak.

“I’m moving as quickly as I can,” she snapped. Her fingers flung off the heavy tunic.

Beneath the guard’s uniform she wore the sedate green-gold gown of a lady-in-waiting, provided by Sir Castor’s wife.

“Do you remember how to reach the duchess’s apartments?” Nicholas asked as he rolled the discarded garments into a bundle, then draped his cloak over them.

“Down this hall and through the first chamber on the left. Nicholas…” She touched his arm as he reached forward to ease open the door.

“Take care,” she blurted out, suddenly shy as she met his cool gaze. He stared down at her, and Arianne tried to slow the thumping of her heart. It suddenly occurred to her that if something went awry, this might be the last time she ever saw him.

Fear for him more than for herself made her tremble.

“You take care, Arianne. Take very good care. Stay with the duchess’s ladies and avoid the duke at all costs.”

Was that something more than ordinary concern in his voice? Arianne wondered in amazement, lifting her gaze to his intent face. With great gentleness he traced a finger along her cheek. “Don’t try to find me or Sir Castor’s men,” he warned. “When it’s time to act, I’ll come to you.”

His expression changed, softened, as he stared down at her. He’s going to kiss me , she thought on a rush of wild joy, certain that she had not misread the expression in his eyes. But abruptly, almost savagely, he pushed her away.

“Go. Now, Ari. Don’t pause and don’t look back.”

The next thing she knew, he had pushed her out into the corridor and she was hurrying along, glancing neither to the left nor to the right.

She reached the apartment where the duchess and her ladies resided. There was only one woman inside when she slipped through the door—a small, slim figure standing at the window, her light brown hair coiled in a braid so tight that not even a wisp escaped.

The figure stiffened as Arianne shut the door behind her. “I asked you to please wait in the garden. I wish to be alone—“

The small, weary voice broke off when the young woman saw Arianne swiftly crossing the room toward her.

“You…You’re not one of my…who… Lady Arianne ?”

“You remember.” Arianne beamed hopefully at her and took her hands. “Oh, Katerine, I beg of you—do not give me away.”