"Lyndon is close to the Welsh border. There is alwaysdanger."
"So you've said. But the Welsh have been subdued. They won't bother us."
"Listen to me. Lady Anne might very well be involved with a Welshman. A traitor in our midst will prove disastrous. Unless you have a particular reason for feeling so confident?"
He stepped closer still, only inches away. So close she now saw every stone-like feature in his face. Her heart pounded in a crazy, erratic rhythm. At the hint of accusation in his words, she found herself almost too angry to respond. Amid the tangle of sensations, a hint of warning sprouted. She ignored it.
"Do you accuse me of being a traitor?" She made no effort to hide the hostility in her voice. He tilted his head and she found herself caught by his golden eyes. He gave a soft chuckle. "Nay, but I wonder if you are truly so naïve."
"Not naïve, my lord. Safe."
He shifted again, and his eyes seemed to bore into her. Perhaps 'twas a trick of the moonlight that made him seem even more imposing. Clad entirely in black, he loomed over her, yet she did not find him threatening.
Instead, an odd fascination with the way his tunic stretched across broad shoulders drew her focus. What would it feel like enclosed in those arms, protected against the wall of his chest?
Bah! 'Twas the words of bards she imagined now. Foolish girl! Shaking her head, she forced herself to respond.
"I often walk here after dinner. I've never seen anything amiss. Not for years now."
"Bandits are not always visible and they don't always endlessly lay siege. Perhaps they lay in wait in the forests."
"For all this time? Why hide in the forest? They would have attacked long ere now if so."
"They're cunning. The right moment is key to winning a siege."
Gillian didn't like the direction this discussion took. "And how do they determine that? Wait for years and then strike? It makes no sense. Not to me."
"You do not understand the political maneuvers being waged."
"So they wait for the right time. How will they know when to strike?"
"A signal from inside the walls is most likely." He folded his arms.
"Now I think I understand. Do you say, my lord, I am giving a signal to attack my home?"
"Are you?"
Spine stiffened with indignation, she lifted her chin.
"How dare you! I would not betray my king. More importantly, I would not betray my people. If you believe that, you are a fool."
"I am no fool, my lady." Tightly leashed anger wove through his words.
"And I am no traitor." She made no attempt to conceal the ice coating her words, despite the tremor of alarm threading through her veins.
An awkward silence hung between them. She bit her lip, startled when he shut his eyes and turned away, his shoulders rising with a deep breath.
"Nay. Still, you should not be alone."
She glanced around the bailey. Several soldiers gathered near the stables. Extra guards had been set along the ramparts and at the gates. In actuality, she was not alone, though she doubted he would be pleased should she point that out. But Gillian wanted to be alone, needed to get away from him. She had much to think on, and couldn't concentrate with him so near.
"My lord, I have tasks to attend. If you will..."
"I shall join you."
When he reached for her, she backed up a step. Jesu! Judging from the tight set of his jaw, she had just reinforced his suspicions.
"You must have other business more important than I."
