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He stumbled backward looking down at his wilted silks and brocades.

John pulled Elizabeth back against him, his arm about her waist, and she didn’t protest. All around them her people gathered in a close group, maidservants, valets, and grooms, leaving the center of the gathering to Bannaster, who sputtered as water dripped down his face.

“My garments are ruined,” he said, wringing out the skirt of his doublet. “Anne, I’ll need you to⁠—”

He broke off as he saw the people around him. No one smiled or offered to help. Bannaster’s gaze focused on her, and he couldn’t miss John’s arm about her waist, and the protective way he held her.

“My lord,” said a young man, who had pushed his way through the group and now stared about with uncertainty. “I unpacked your coffers in the master suite. Shall I help you change?”

Surely this was his squire.

Bannaster peered about him, his smile growing as if in amusement, and he finally nodded. “Aye, Henry. I’ll go with you. Strangely enough, I’m feeling rather tired. I think I drank too much.”

Elizabeth blinked in surprise as Bannaster turned about and followed his squire from the hall. She received several friendly “good-nights” as people dispersed for the night. She could only smile her thanks and try to hold back tears. They had all helped rescue her.

She tried to step away from John, but his arm tightened, and he spoke in a low voice against her ear. “He will try that again.”

“I think not. He saw the way everyone had gathered around him.” But she knew she could not count on that.

“Anne—”

“Shh.” She turned about in his arms, patted his chest and stepped away from him. “I have to take a meal up to Lady Elizabeth.”

“I will come with you.”

“Nay. I will speak to Adalia and thank her for what she did. I’m sure she’ll accompany me.”

“But if you run into Bannaster⁠—”

“And if you were at my side, you would try to solve the problem with force.”

“I am a knight!” he said in a low, harsh voice.

“And you would have gotten yourself killed or banished. Do you think I want that?”

He opened his mouth, but no words came as he blinked down at her in surprise.

“Now let me go. I promise I will be escorted.”

“For as long as he’s here.”

“Aye, I promise. And then I need to speak with you. I’ll come to your bedchamber.”

Elizabeth tried not to think about the speculative look in John’s eyes as he nodded. She would tell him of the desperate plan that had begun forming in her mind when Bannaster had tried to force himself on her. It was the only way she could think of to solve her dilemma without involving an attack by her army.

Eighteen

John paced his bedchamber, avoiding the bathing tub with its steaming water. He’d forgotten to cancel his request; the water would just have to grow cold.

Philip packed a satchel.

“I regret having to send you away,” John said.

Philip grinned and shrugged. “Lady Elizabeth needs you.”

“Only because she has something urgent she needs to tell me,” he insisted.

“Of course,” Philip said lightly. “And what will be the excuse tomorrow night?”