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Did she not want to be alone with two strange men? John couldn’t blame her.

Rachel sighed. “If ye feel up to it, Sir John. I will not keep ye prisoner.”

When the healer began to talk about the appropriate foods for recovery, John found himself watching the maid again.

As the third son, he had realized early on that he would never attract a noble, refined bride. He’d had to make his own way in the world, learn skills no one thought he’d ever master. And associate with the kind of women who were happy to earn a few coins making a man’s night comfortable.

Anne was not like that. Though she was a lady’s maid, she had told Milburn she was raised as Lady Elizabeth’s companion. But such a woman lived at the discretion of her mistress, and from what John remembered of Lady Elizabeth, she must surely keep Anne busy. Even as a young girl, the lady knew her role in the world, and she’d been confident—though kind—with the servants.

But did she inspire loyalty? Would Alderley’s servants want to help him free their mistress? Would Anne want to help?

All these things would take time to learn, time he didn’t want to waste. He was not a man used to lying about. But he had no choice. He would need allies if he were to rescue Lady Elizabeth. He would have to start with Anne.

To his unease, he almost looked forward to getting to know the maidservant. She was far too attractive. He still wasn’t used to thinking of himself as an engaged man.

But Sir John wasn’t engaged. He was a bailiff who could flirt with a maid. Though John regretted such tactics, they would have to do for now.

After Rachel had gone, Anne said, “I must see to my mistress, but I will have a meal sent in to you.”

Philip came up on his elbow where he lay in his pallet. “You are kind to think of us, Anne. But it will be lonely in here all day for two men unused to lying about uselessly. You will come to visit us?”

With obvious reluctance, Anne nodded. “I will do what I can. But all the servants here are cheerful, good people who will be happy to look after you. Someone will come regularly.”

“No one seemed very cheerful,” John said, turning his head to view her better as she neared the door. “Is all well?”

With her hand on the latch, Anne hesitated. “For now, it is. Rest easy.”

The two grooms departed with her, and John and Philip were left alone.

“Well, I hope we don’t sicken and die,” Philip said, smiling, “for all the concern Anne shows.”

“She has more to worry about than us,” John said. “Listen at the door and see if we are being guarded.”

“No wonder you wanted your leg broken.” Philip groaned as he stood up and crossed to the door. He listened for several minutes with his head against it. “I don’t think anyone is out there. Should I open it and see?”

“Nay, I wouldn’t want to make anyone suspicious. Come speak with me.”

Philip pulled up a stool and sat next to John’s bed.

With his voice lowered, John said, “What think you of the castle itself? The defenses are such that only a large army can overcome it. Let us hope that when Ogden and Parker locate Alderley’s men, they will be willing to work with us.”

“They will want to aid their mistress. This is an impressive holding, far larger than your own home. Think you can rule it?”

“Aye.” Castle Alderley was the wealthy estate of an earl. If things went as planned, John might be that earl. Once he had been considered inconsequential; everyone had thought he would have to count on the mercy of his brothers for survival. And his oldest brother William had shown little mercy, thinking that it was his duty to train John as sternly as possible, to make him a better man.

And now he was Baron Russell, with a bride who needed him and a castle to win.

“Anne called Lady Elizabeth’s imprisonment a seclusion,” Philip continued. “Is it supposed to be a secret?”

“I know not. But the men in the tavern made it sound like an obvious move on Bannaster’s part.”

“And the soldiers who carried us to this room seemed disrespectful of the lady’s family, as if they served only Bannaster.”

John slowly moved his foot, and he was satisfied when the pain was minor. “Of course he would put his own men in positions of power. I’ll assign you to discover if Bannaster sent Alderley’s soldiers to a specific place.”

“That would certainly make them easier to find,” Philip said.

There was a knock on the door, and Philip quickly returned to his pallet.