“In the—?” He’d heard tales of the way Gavin was kept—that much he’d been able to learn—but he could not get near his brother. “Come and sit here,” he said, leading Judith to a window seat. “We have much to discuss. Tell me everything, from the start.”
Stephen listened quietly while she told of Walter’s murdering her father and claiming her lands, of how Gavin went to counter Walter’s attack.
“And Gavin and your mother were taken?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you here? Didn’t Demari ask for some ransom? You should be raising it from the serfs.”
“I didn’t wait for him to ask. I came with John Bassett, and we were welcomed into the castle.”
“Yes, I imagine you were,” Stephen said sarcastically. “Now Walter Demari has everyone—you, Gavin, your mother, Gavin’s head man.”
“I didn’t know what else to do.”
“You could have sent for one of us!” Stephen said angrily. “Raine, with his broken leg, would have done better than you, a woman, could have. John Bassett should have known—”
Judith put her hand on Stephen’s arm. “Don’t blame him. I threatened to go alone if he didn’t lead me.”
Stephen looked down at her small hand, then back at her eyes. “What of that I saw below? The castlefolk say you hate Gavin and would do anything to be free of him. Perhaps you want your marriage ended.”
Judith quickly drew her hand away. He was beginning to remind her very much of Gavin. Her temper flared. “What I feel for Gavin is between him and me, and not for others to know.”
Stephen’s eyes blazed. He grabbed her wrist until she clenched her teeth in pain. “Then it is true. You care for this Walter Demari?”
“No, I don’t!”
He tightened his grip. “Don’t lie to me!”
Men’s violence had always made Judith furious. “You are just like Gavin!” she spat. “You see only what you wish to see. No, I am not as dishonest as your brother. It is he who grovels at an evil woman’s feet. But I will not so lower myself.”
Stephen looked puzzled and loosened his hold. “What evil woman? What is this talk of dishonesty?”
Judith jerked her wrist away and rubbed it. “I came to save my husband because he was given to me before God and because I now carry his child. I have an obligation to try to help him, but I don’t do so for love for him. No!” she said passionately. “He gives his love to that blonde!” She stopped and looked at her wrist.
Stephen’s laughter made her look up. “Alice,” he smiled. “Then that is what this is about? It’s not a serious war for estates, but a lover’s quarrel, some woman’s problem.”
“Woman’s—”
“Quiet! We will be heard.”
“It is more than a woman’s problem, I assure you!” she hissed.
Stephen sobered. “You may deal with Alice later, but I must be sure you won’t go to the king and ask for an annulment. We cannot afford to lose the Revedoune estates.”
So that was why he cared whether she wanted Walter or not. It didn’t matter that Gavin betrayed her with another woman, but heaven help her if she should feel anything for another man. “I cannot have the marriage annulled while I carry his child.”
“Who else knows of this child? Surely not Demari?”
“Only my mother and John Bassett…and my maid.”
“Not Gavin?”
“No. I had no time to tell him.”
“Good. He will have enough on his mind. Who knows this castle best?”
“The steward. He has been here twelve years.”