"The abbess is here?" Gareth asked.

"Aye. She came over from Seabern with an escort a short while ago. One of the men just rode up from the village with the news."

"An escort?" Gareth raised an inquiring brow.

"It seems that Thurston of Landry and three of his knights just happened to be traveling in the same direction as the abbess. They offered to provide protection for her and her retainers. The entire crowd should be here any minute."

"Just what I needed," Gareth said.

A screech of dismay rose above the commotion in the courtyard. Gareth glanced at Clare, who was gesticulating wildly with her hands.

"What do you mean, Thurston of Landry is on his way here?" Clare yelled at Joanna. "Tis impossible.

He cannot be here."

"Calm yourself, Clare," Joanna said. "We shall manage."

Clare scowled furiously. "How dare Lord Thurston do this to me? Has he no consideration? I am entertaining an abbess tonight; I cannot be bothered with a stupid baron."

"We shall manage," Joanna said soothingly.

"Nay, 'tis simply not possible. He has ruined everything. How am I to deal with my father-in-law when I am trying to entertain a great abbess?"

"An excellent question under the circumstances," Gareth observed to Ulrich.

"You're smiling, my lord. You know it makes me uneasy when you smile."

Ulrich hesitated. "What about the prisoners?"

"You had better hold them in the cellar for another day or so. There is too much chaos around here as it is. Hanging a bunch of thieves would no doubt create even more of an uproar."

"Aye," Ulrich said. "It should prove to be an interesting evening."

Shouts from the watchtower and a cloud of dust heralded the arrival of the company and a host of retainers.

"They're here," someone yelled. "The abbess and Thurston of Landry are at the gates."

Clare stalked over to Gareth. "This is really too much. The least your father could have done was send word that he intended to pay a visit."

"I suspect he made his decision on the spur of the moment when he learned that the abbess was on her way to Desire."

"But why would he do that? It makes no sense." Clare broke off as the riders clattered through the gates.

There was a general air of confusion as servants rushed to take the horses' heads.

"Come along, Clare. We must greet our guests." Gareth took her arm and started forward.

"That lady on the palfrey is the abbess." Clare's disgruntled expression gave way to renewed enthusiasm. "She appears to be in excellent health."

"She generally is."

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind." Gareth watched as Thurston dismounted and gallantly went to assist the abbess. The pair turned to meet their host and hostess.

"My Lady Abbess." Clare rushed forward to kiss the ring of the tall, handsome woman in the Benedictine habit. "Welcome to Desire. We are honored."

"Tis good to see you again, Lady Clare." Abbess Helen smiled. "It is always a great pleasure to visit with you. I continue to enjoy our correspondence more than I can say."

"You are too kind." Clare turned with obvious reluctance to Thurston.

"My lord, you honor us with your presence."

The frost in her voice appeared to amuse Thurston. "I have been looking forward to meeting you again after all these years, Lady Clare."

"What a pity you did not send word so that we could have prepared a proper reception," Clare muttered.

Thurston kissed her hand with the easy grace he always displayed around women. "My apologies. It was a sudden decision on my part. Allow me to tell you that I am pleased to learn that my son met your requirements in a husband."

"Aye, well, I was not quite certain that he would do, at first, but as it happens he is very well suited to the position."

"I had hoped that would be the case."

Gareth watched with satisfaction as Clare impatiently withdrew her hand from his father's grasp. Few women were immune to Thurston of Landry's charm. Clare appeared utterly oblivious to it.

Clare's brows drew together in a sharp frown. "My lord, I do not wish to be rude, but I must warn you, if you have come to summon Lord Gareth away from Desire for some purpose, you are wasting your time."

"I am?"

"Aye, you cannot have him. He is needed here at home. You sent him to me and I must insist upon being allowed to keep him. There is a great deal to be done around here.

This isle has not had a proper lord for years."

"I see." Thurston gave Gareth an amused sidelong glance.

"If you wish this manor to remain profitable…" Clare paused meaningfully, "mayhap even increase its profits, then you will have to let Sir Gareth remain with us."

A smile edged Thurston's mouth. "I assure you, madam, I certainly do not wish to interfere in any way with increasing profits."

"Well, that settles that, then." Clare looked relieved. "I suppose we can find room for you and your men."

"Thank you. That is very kind of you, madam."

Gareth recalled something Nicholas of Seabern had aid to him at the spring fair. She'll be grateful when you have. She has no use for a husband.

Nicholas was wrong, Gareth thought. Clare wanted him to stay here on Desire. And not just because she found him useful. She loved him. A joyous elation shot hrough him.

Clare turned eagerly back to Abbess Helen. "My lady, you will no doubt wish to refresh yourself after your long journey. Your chambers are prepared."

"Thank you." Abbess Helen's voice was low and husky. It resonated with quiet power.

Clare glowered at Gareth. "You have not welcomed our lady Abbess properly, my lord."

"Very true." Gareth took the abbess's proffered hand and looked down into the gray eyes that were reflections of his own. "Welcome to Desire, Mother."

Clare stormed up and down the length of her chamber while Eunice attempted to dress her.

"His mother. I cannot believe it, Joanna. Abbess Helen is his lady mother. This is so embarrassing.

How could he do this to me?"

"I suspect Lord Gareth did not want you to know of his relationship to the abbess just yet." Joanna watched as Eunice darted in close to Clare and dropped a saffron-bellow gown over her head.

"Whyever not?" Clare struggled to get her face free of the folds of the gown. It settled into place.

Eunice seized the opportunity. She grabbed the laces and set to work.

"Mayhap because he knew that you held her in such high esteem. He no doubt preferred to win your affections on his own merits."

Clare stared at her. "I had not thought of that. Do you think that was the case?"

"It is a possibility." Joanna rose from the stool and went to the door.

"Do not concern yourself about the evening meal. All is in readiness." She paused, one hand on the knob. "Oh, by the way, Dalian has composed several more verses of his new ballad for the occasion."

Clare smiled in spite of her mood. "More verses featuring the brave, bold, daring Lord Gareth?"

"I believe so. He is eager to perform his poem for the company."

Eunice yanked on Clare's hair with just enough force to make her stand still. Grumbling, Clare allowed her aging servant to tuck her tresses into a gold-threaded net.

"Has Sir Ulrich given any indication of when the prisoners will be set free?" Clare asked.

Joanna sighed. "Nay, he has not. Do not expect Lord Gareth to release those men, Clare. You know very well 'tis not the way such matters are handled. The entire lot deserves to hang, if you ask me."

"Aye, and that's a fact," Eunice muttered.

"When I think of what might have become of you and William," Joanna said, "I feel quite faint all over again." She went out the door and closed it softly behind her.