“I have only recently left my home, and I was always confined to one part of the estates. I have never seen one of these older castles. You will laugh at me!”
“No, I will not,” Walter laughed.
“I’d like to see all of it; the mews, the stables, even the buttery.”
“Then I shall take you on a full tour tomorrow,” he smiled. “It’s a simple request, and I would do anything to give you pleasure, my lady.” His eyes burned into hers and Judith lowered her lashes, mostly to keep him from seeing the anger that glinted in hers.
“My lord,” she said softly, “I find I am very tired. May I be excused?”
“Of course. Your wish is my command.” He stood and held her hand as she rose from her chair.
John stood close behind her, his arms folded across his chest. “I would like to speak to my man for a moment,” she said, going to him before Walter could answer. “Sir Arthur has made you a guard to my mother,” she said without preamble.
“I will not. Lord Gavin—”
“Hush!” she said as she put her hand on his arm. “I don’t wish to be heard. What reason would you give that you cannot leave my side? That silly man thinks I am his already.”
“He makes advances to you?”
“No, not yet, but he will. You must stay with my mother. I don’t believe Sir Arthur will let her out of that damp place if you refuse. She won’t be able to stand that much longer.”
“You think too much of your mother and too little of yourself.”
“No, you are wrong. I am safe, but she could get a bone chill. If I were in the damp, I would demand equal treatment.”
“You lie,” John said flatly. “You could be safe at home now if you were not so stubborn.”
“Do you lecture me now?” Judith asked, exasperated.
“It won’t do any good. I will go to Lady Helen only if you promise you will do nothing that is foolish.”
“Of course. I will even swear it if you wish.”
“You are too glib, but there is no time to argue. They come. I will expect m
essages often. Perhaps it will keep my mind from the tortures Lord Gavin will apply to me.”
When Judith and her maid were alone, Joan burst out laughing. “I have never seen such mummery to equal yours tonight!” she laughed. “You would do well in London. Where did you learn the trick of touching your nail to your eye to produce tears?”
Judith drew in her breath sharply. Joan’s words brought back a vivid picture of Alice in Gavin’s arms. “I learned the trick from a woman who lives by false words,” she said grimly.
“Whoever she was, she must have been the best. I was half-convinced by you myself. I hope you got what you wanted.”
“You were sure I wanted something?”
“Why else would a woman show tears to a man?”
Judith thought of Alice again. “Why else?” she muttered.
“And did you get what you wanted?” Joan persisted.
“Mostly. But that Arthur tricked me. John has been sent to guard my mother. Guard! Bah! How can two prisoners, locked away, guard each other? My man-at-arms has changed to a lady’s maid, put under lock and key, and I am again alone with one more person to try to take from this place.”
Joan undid the lacings at Judith’s side. “I am sure it was to his best interests to take John from you.”
“You are right. But Lord Walter is a fool. The man’s tongue runs away with him. I must be more careful that I talk to him only away from Sir Arthur.”
“That, my lady, may be the most difficult of all tasks.” Joan pulled aside the down-filled covers for her mistress.