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“I am sorry if I have offended you.”

“You are only doing your lady’s bidding,” he answered, visibly relaxing.

“Did you ever meet Sir John’s brother?”

“Nay, and there again, I only know what I’ve been told. I am not of much use to your mistress.”

“Your loyalty says much.”

“Hmm, a diplomatic answer. Are you certain you are only a lady’s maid?”

She nodded, trying not to feel guilty for protecting herself.

“Has Sir John told you that we might have more help on the way?” he asked.

She straightened with interest. “What do you mean?”

He lowered his voice. “Have you ever heard of the League of the Blade?”

“I have heard the name, but nothing specific. Maybe my father once mentioned it.”

His excitement was palpable. “Was he helped by them?”

She frowned, remembering that her father was supposed to be a farmer. “Not that I know of. They…help people?”

“They’re a secret organization dedicated to justice. I have heard about them my whole life, and finally Sir John and I met a member in person.”

“Philip,” said a deep voice.

Startled, Elizabeth turned around to see John only several paces away from them, leaning on his crutch. She’d been so busy studying Philip’s every expression, that she hadn’t been paying attention. Anyone could have overheard them. She felt queasy at the thought.

And then she wondered if John was bothered that she was alone with his friend, even though it was in front of the entire inner ward. When he looked at her, she felt the force of his gaze like a physical touch. She reminded herself of her suspicions and his desperation. Logically, she knew these things, but her body did not want to obey, and still craved his embrace.

Philip folded his arms across his chest. “A good morning to you, Sir John.”

Softly, John said, “You should not have filled her head with fairy tales.”

“The League is not real?” she said, looking between them.

“Of course it’s real,” Philip answered. “We met a member only days ago, on our way here. You could have told her,” he said to his friend.

John rolled his eyes. “And allowed Lady Elizabeth to hope for a miraculous rescue?”

“They said they were going to help her,” Philip said angrily. “’Tis you⁠—”

When Philip stopped himself, John sighed. “Aye, it’s me whose worth the stranger questioned.” He glanced at Elizabeth. “You can see why I worry about presenting myself to the king, when even strangers who claim to be part of a legend believe the rumors about me.”

She was surprised at this disagreement between them, yet she was a practical woman, and hoping for help from a mysterious League seemed foolish.

But Philip turned back to her with interest. “They’ll learn how trustworthy Sir John is; never fear. After all, the League helped the king gain his throne from King Richard.”

“Or perhaps his own army did?” John said pleasantly, as if this was a longstanding disagreement between them.

Philip smiled and shook his head. “Someday I’ll have proof. Until then, the fact that I’ve met a Bladesman convinces me they’re real.”

John turned to Elizabeth. “A stranger told us he was going to offer you aid. Has he?”

She looked between John’s skepticism and Philip’s anticipation. “I have met no one who—but wait, Sir John, you told me you had not lowered the basket of food to my lady’s tower.”