"You are never to go into those caves alone. Do you understand?"

Alice wrinkled her nose. "Aye, sir. Allow me to tell you that 'tis just as well you chose a career as a knight. You would not have been a success as a poet or troubadour. You have no talent for graceful words."

Hugh shrugged. "If I ever need such words, I shall employ a skilled poet or troubadour."

"Always employ the most expert craftsman, eh, my lord? Is that not your favorite rule?"

"Alice, there is one thing I wish to ask you."

She glanced at him. "Aye?"

"A short time ago you said that as you had never intended to wed, you did not feel obliged to save your virginity for a husband."

Alice studied the landscape of Scarcliffe. "What of it?"

Hugh's harsh face was fixed in an intent frown. "If you saw no reason to avoid such intimate embraces, why did you do so until now?"

"For the obvious reason, of course," she said gruffly.

He looked blank. "What is the obvious reason?"

"I had not encountered a man who appealed to me until now." She strode off down the hillside, leaving Hugh to follow in her wake.

Alice turned the heavy green crystal over and over in her hands. For the hundredth time she watched the way the light from her study-chamber window moved across the heavily faceted surface. As always, she sensed that there was something she did not comprehend about the stone. It was as if it harbored a secret, one that awaited her discovery.

She had the same feeling about Hugh.

She told herself she should be glad that she would be free of his overwhelming presence for a few days. She would be able to consider her situation in peace and tranquillity. Mayhap she would be able to come to an intelligent decision.

A brusque knock on the door of her study chamber roused her from her thoughts. "Enter."

"Alice?" Benedict stuck his head around the door. His face was alight with excitement. "You will never guess what has happened."

"What is it?"

"I am to travel to London with Lord Hugh." Benedict's staff tapped eagerly on the floor as he came into the chamber. He had Hugh's abacus tucked into his belt pouch. "London, Alice."

"I envy you." It occurred to Alice that she had not seen such glowing pleasure on Benedict's face for several months. Hugh was responsible for this sudden change in her brother, she thought. "You are most fortunate. 'Twill be a wonderful experience."

"Aye." Benedict balanced on his staff and rubbed his hands together with satisfaction. "I am to assist Lord Hugh with his business dealings."

Alice was astonished. "In what way? You know nothing of business."

"He has said he will teach me the ways of the spice trade. I am to be his assistant." He tapped the abacus. "He has already begun to instruct me in the use of this amazing instrument. One can add and subtract and even multiply and divide on it."

"When did Lord Hugh tell you that he would take you with him to London?" she asked slowly.

"A short while ago while we were dining in the hall."

"I see." A thought made Alice pause. "Benedict, I would like to ask you a question. You must give me an honest answer."

"Aye."

"Has anything been said about the fact that I do not dine in the great hall?"

Benedict started to speak and then appeared to change his mind. "Nay."

"Are you certain? No one has suggested that my failure to eat with the others is a mark of disrespect to Lord Hugh?"

Benedict shifted uncomfortably. "Sir Dunstan told me that one man made such a comment yesterday. Lord Hugh heard it and ordered him out of the hall. Sir Dunstan says no one else will dare to speak of it again."

Alice tightened her mouth. "But they are all no doubt thinking such thoughts. Hugh was right."

"About what?"

"Never mind." Alice got to her feet. "Where is he?"

"Who? Lord Hugh? I believe he is in his chambers. He said something about dismissing the new steward, Elbert, from his post."

"He said that?" Alice forgot about her intention to apologize to Hugh for any humiliation she might have caused him. "He cannot do that. I will not allow it. Elbert will make a perfectly good steward."

Benedict grimaced. "Today he himself served Lord Hugh and managed to drop an entire flagon of ale in his lap."

" 'Twas surely an accident." Alice rounded the edge of the desk and went to the door. "I must set matters straight."

"Uh, Alice, mayhap you should leave well enough alone. Lord Hugh is master here, after all."

Alice ignored her brother's warning. She picked up her skirts and hurried down the hall to the staircase. When she reached the level below, she turned quickly and went straight along the corridor to the chamber where Hugh conducted his business affairs.

Alice came to a halt in the doorway and looked into the chamber. Elbert stood in front of Hugh's desk. The young man was trembling. His head was bowed in utter dejection.

"I pr-pray your forgiveness, my lord," Elbert whispered. "I have tried very hard to per-perform my duties as Lady Alice instructed. But something seems to happen whenever I find myself in your presence."

"Elbert, I do not wish to dismiss you from your post," Hugh said steadily. "I know that Lady Alice selected you personally for the position. But I cannot tolerate your clumsiness any longer."

"My lord, if you would gi-give me one more chance," Elbert began.

"I think that would be a waste of time."

"But, sir, I want very much to be a steward. I am alone in the world and must make a career for myself."

"I understand. Nevertheless—"

"This keep is the only home I have. My mother came here to Scarcliffe to live after my father died. She wished to enter the convent, you see. I found a place in this household with the last lord, Sir Charles. But then he was killed and you came here and—"

Hugh broke into the rambling explanation. "Your mother is in the local convent?"

"She was, but she died last winter. I have nowhere else to go."

"You will not be forced to leave Scarcliffe," Hugh assured him. "I shall find another position for you. Mayhap in the stables."

"The st-stables?" Elbert was clearly appalled. "But I am af-afraid of horses, my lord."

"You had best overcome your anxiousness quickly," Hugh said with no sign of sympathy. "Horses sense fear."

"A-aye, my lord." Elbert's shoulders sagged. "I shall try."

"Nay, you will do no such thing, steward." Alice picked up her skirts and stalked into the chamber. "You have all the requirements to fulfill your present post and you shall do just that. You merely need some practice and experience."

Elbert turned to her, a desperate plea in his eyes. "Lady Alice."

Hugh eyed Alice. "I shall deal with this matter, madam."

She walked to the desk and curtsied so low that her gown puddled on the stone floor. She bowed her head in graceful supplication. "My lord, I ask that you give Elbert time to adjust to his present duties before you dismiss him."

Hugh picked up a pen and absently tapped the tip of the quill against the desktop. "I don't know why it is, lady, but for some reason I am most cautious around you when you are displaying your most graceful manners. The last time you did this, I found myself making a bargain that has brought me nothing but trouble."

Alice felt her cheeks burn. She refused to be disconcerted. "Elbert merely needs time, my lord."

"He has had several days to adjust to his post and there has been little improvement. At the rate things are proceeding, I shall need to order several new tunics to last the winter."

"I shall see to the new tunics, if necessary, sir," Alice said. " 'Tis Elbert's desire to please you that makes him awkward, my lord." She rose from the deep curtsy. "I feel certain that all he needs is some instruction and a bit more practice."