The Black Lyon

him.”
    “And rightly so. He sold it and gave no thought to helping you. He made a mistake in selling it to one of my men. From there it was not so hard to find you. A few mugs of poor ale and these guards boasted of the lady they held, of the four guards ordered to kill her should any attempt be made to rescue her.”
    “How did you get in this room?” she asked, suddenly surprised that she had not asked it before.
    Ranulf inclined his head to the shuttered window. “I but threw a rope around a crenel and lowered myself.”
    “But what of the guards atop the tower?”
    Ranulf gave a half-smile. “Did you not know the Lady Margaret has hired four new knights for her crumbling castle? They are strong, virile men, a little too dark for her taste, but she overlooks that flaw.”
    “Your guard!”
    “Aye.” He chuckled. “Gilbert says the woman is most inventive in bed.”
    She ignored him. “You have been here long then. Why have you not posed as her knight and not as a serf?”
    “The woman is somewhat clever. She allows no one near you but those four men and two of her knights. We were not sure it was you she held captive, so one of us had to get inside the hall. My men are not so brave as to wear these stuffs.” He plucked at the harsh wool. “Or to chop wood.”
    “I think I shall be forgiven all, but not that you had to lift an ax outside battle.”
    His look affirmed her opinion. “Now I must go, for it grows light soon and I do not wish to be seen so plainly against a stone wall. I came but to warn you and to tell you to make ready. There is no way to bar the door without someone outside hearing us. My men will come soon and then we will attack. Have clothes ready and whatever else you need.”
    “But, Ranulf,” she cried, clinging to him. “What will you do? How will you take me from this place and not risk your life?”
    “Do not do this. I have risked much already. Two of my men will come to your room before light and you must obey them in all they say. Do not do aught that is foolish. Do you heed my words?”
    She could but nod.
    “They will protect you while the rest of us see to your four guards. Now do not cry more.” He rose and held out his arms to her and they clung together, his hands running over her nude back.
    “You are even bigger than I had thought. I can hardly reach around you.”
    “I fear my sweet days of being carried about are at an end.” He grinned at her and lifted her in his arms. She was embarrassed by her distorted form and sought to cover herself. He brushed her hands away. “Nay. You are a silly girl. It is my child who stretches you so. If you can carry him, I can at least look upon him.” He smiled into her eyes. “You are beautiful fat and beautiful thin. I think I would love you had you three heads.” He kissed her mouth but drew away when she began to return his kiss with ardor.
    “I must go.” He lowered her to the bed and put the covers about her. “You must miss Malvoisin much,” he said, sneering at the crude covers.
    “I miss the master more. Ranulf,” she murmured, her arms holding his face close, “I love you.”
    He kissed her cheek and then stood up, tall, powerful above her. “I have known it always, of course, but it is good to hear.”
    She smiled, knowing that his words hid his true feelings. It seemed that he was gone instantly, and she saw only a foot as he pulled himself up on the rope.

Chapter Sixteen
    S he awoke slowly, groggily, unsure of her surroundings. She stretched one arm to reach for Ranulf, wanting his warmth close to her, the security of his nearness. Her eyes opened in bewilderment when her hand met only an empty coldness, and not her husband’s warm flesh. Her situation came to her and she sat up, the cover clutched about her.
    Alice looked up from her sewing to smile at her.
    “It is late?” The maid’s nod was affirmative. “You have let me sleep long.” Alice merely smiled and looked down again at the patched woolen garment in her hands.
    Lyonene stared at her thoughfully. “You know, do you not? I do not understand how, but you know.”
    Alice grinned at her, the shared secret obvious between them. The stout woman rose and brought clothing for her mistress.
    All day they stayed in the room, glancing anxiously at the shuttered window. Late in the day Lady Margaret came.
    “So, you do not wish to honor us this day with your presence? I am sure Sir Morell will miss seeing you.”
    “He does not often