"Sir Hugh will assign the blame as he chooses." Dunstan's expression was one of grim fatalism.

"Lady Alice, Lady Alice," Reginald called from the doorway. "I would like you to make the acquaintance of my lady mother, Emma."

Alice turned to see a lovely, fair-haired woman with soft eyes and a gentle mien standing beside Reginald. She appeared exhausted by worry and what had no doubt been a sleepless night but there was an unbending pride in her stance and a hint of hope in her gaze.

"Greetings, Lady Alice." Emma darted a quick, disgusted glance at Eduard. "I regret the poor welcome you have received. As you see, we are obliged to endure the nuisance of an unwanted guest."

" 'Tis only a temporary problem." Secure in the knowledge that she was protected by Scarcliffe men-at-arms, Alice went up the steps. "Rest assured my betrothed husband will soon rid you of this vermin."

Hugh wondered if Elbert had gone mad. He'd had his doubts about the young man from the start. "Lady Alice did what?"

Elbert trembled but he did not step back. "She took Sir Dunstan and all the men-at-arms and went to rescue Rivenhall Keep from the clutches of someone called Eduard of Lockton. That's all I know, my lord."

"I do not believe this."

Behind Hugh the tired horses stamped their feet and blew noisily, eager to get to the stables. Benedict and the two men-at-arms were equally weary. They had already dismounted and were waiting to see what was wrong.

Hugh had pushed his small party hard today in order to reach Scarcliffe a day sooner than would otherwise have been the case. He'd entertained a pleasant vision of arriving home to find Alice waiting for him on the front steps.

He should have known that something would be amiss. His stratagems rarely went according to plan when he was dealing with Alice. Nevertheless, he could not bring himself to believe that she had gone to Rivenhall.

" 'Tis true, sir," Elbert said. "Ask anyone. Young Reginald arrived here this morning and begged her to help him and his lady mother."

"Reginald?"

"Sir Vincent's son and heir, my lord. He was quite desperate to protect his mother as well as his father's keep. Lady Alice told him that she knew you would want her to ride to Rivenhall's aid."

"She would not dare go to Rivenhall," Hugh said softly. "Not even Alice would dream of challenging me in such a fashion."

Elbert swallowed. "She felt it was necessary, my lord."

"By the fires of hell." Hugh glanced at the groom who had come to take his horse. "Bring me a fresh mount."

"Aye, m'lord." The groom rushed off toward the stables.

"Sir?" Benedict handed the reins of his own horse to another groom. "What's wrong? Has something happened to Alice?"

"Not yet," Hugh said. "But it will quite soon. I shall see to it personally."

Alice could feel the tension in the great hall of Rivenhall Keep but she pretended not to notice. She sat with Emma near the fire and talked quietly. Reginald was perched on a stool near the hearth.

From time to time Alice saw Emma's angry gaze go to Eduard, who lounged insolently in Sir Vincent's chair. The intruder munched gingered currants from a bowl as though he had every right to them. Three of his scruffy-looking men-at-arms occupied a nearby bench. Their eyes were fixed on Dunstan and the two knights he had stationed in the hall next to Alice. The rest of the Scarcliffe men-at-arms had replaced Eduard's men on the bailey wall.

"I mean no offense, Alice," Emma murmured, "but it is as if this keep has been taken twice in the past two days. Once by Eduard's men and now by Sir Hugh's."

"You shall have your keep back as soon as Hugh returns from London." Alice plucked a handful of nuts from a dish. "My lord will deal with Eduard."

"I pray you are correct." Emma sighed. "But from what my husband has told me of the history of this family, I am not certain it will be as simple as all that. What if Sir Hugh decides to acquiesce to Eduard's occupation of this keep?"

"He won't."

"And I am concerned for you, Alice. What will Sir Hugh say when he learns of what you have done here today? He is very likely to regard it as a betrayal."

"Nay, he will understand once I have explained it all to him." Alice popped three of the nuts into her mouth and munched. "Sir Hugh is a man of great intelligence. He will listen."

Reginald bit his lip anxiously. "What if Sir Hugh is too angry to heed your explanations, madam?"

"My lord's intelligence is exceeded only by his powers of self-mastery," Alice said proudly. "He will not take action until he has first assessed the situation."

A muffled shout echoed from the courtyard. Steel-shod hooves rang on the stones. Dunstan stirred, straightened, and glanced at his men.

"Ah, about time." Eduard heaved himself to his feet. He shot Alice a triumphant look. "It sounds as though Sir Hugh has at long last arrived. We shall soon see what he has to say about his betrothed wife's presence here in his enemy's keep."

Alice ignored him.

Outside, thunder crashed, announcing the arrival of the storm that had been threatening all afternoon. A moment later the hall door was thrown open.

Dunstan met Alice's eyes. "They say that 'tis easier to raise the devil than to banish him, m'lady. You certainly have a talent for the former. Let us all pray that you have some skill with the latter task as well."

Chapter 15

Hugh swept into the great hall of his sworn enemy with deadly grace and intent. He brought with him the gathering fury of the storm and the dark promise of oncoming night. His black cloak was a whirlwind that swirled around his black leather boots. His onyx hair was windblown. His eyes were molten amber.

He was not wearing his armor but the folds of his cloak were thrown back to reveal the black leather sword belt buckled low on his hips. One big hand rested on the hilt.

No one moved. Everyone in the hall stared at the apparition that had coalesced out of the impending tempest.

Hugh took in the frozen chamber with a single searing glance. Alice realized that he had assessed the whole situation in that instant. Assessed it and made the lightning-swift calculations that would determine his actions and the fate of everyone in the hall.

The manner in which he immediately dominated the hall was breathtaking. He commanded the wary respect of all within the chamber in the same fashion in which a great storm commands the skies.

Eduard of Lockton suddenly appeared a good deal smaller and much less intimidating than he had a short while earlier. Unfortunately, he looked just as mean and vicious.

Hugh's eyes came to rest on Alice.

"I have come for my betrothed." His voice was a whisper that carried to the farthest corner of the hushed hall.

"Dear heaven." Emma's hand went to her throat.

Reginald gazed at Hugh with rapt curiosity. "He is very big, is he not?"

Eduard jolted to his feet as though freed of the invisible spell that had temporarily imprisoned him. "Sir Hugh. Welcome to this hall. The Lady Alice is my honored guest."

Hugh paid him no heed. "Alice. Come here."

"Hugh." Alice leaped to her feet, picked up her skirts, and rushed down the length of the hall to greet him properly. "My lord, I am so very glad to see you. I feared that you would be another day on the road. Now you will be able to put this matter right."

"What do you do here, Alice?" Hugh's eyes reflected the flames on the hearth.

"My lord, I pray you will but listen to me for a moment and all will be made quite clear." Alice came to an abrupt halt directly in front of him. She sank into a deep curtsy and bowed her head. "I can explain everything."