That made Liana laugh and the baby kick. A Peregrine remain a virgin? That was a good one. She knew, much better than her brothers did, that when Zared discovered sexual feelings she was going to be impossible to restrain. If Severn did not keep close watch on her at the tournament and she met some splendid man who took her fancy…
Liana did not like to think of the possible consequences, for Zared's brothers would kill any man who touched their little sister. "I am sure I am making a mistake in allowing you to go."
"I will be good," Zared said. "I will obey Severn and stay near him, and I will get into no trouble. I swear it, Liana. You have my word as a Peregrine."
Liana smiled and sighed at the same time. "Peregrines were born to be in trouble. I'm sure both you and your brother will get into a dreadful mess. Swear to me that you will not allow Severn to kill anyone and you will not come home with child."
Zared's mouth dropped open. "With child?"
"Swear to me. You cannot go otherwise."
Zared grimaced. Her sister-in-law understood nothing. Severn was going to get a wife, not to kill anyone, and she was going to see the sights. Besides, people thought she was a boy, so no man was going to try to impregnate her. A brief memory of the youngest Howard kissing her crossed her mind. He'd known she was female, but that was probably because he was half female himself, fainting over a little cut!
"I swear," Zared said.
"I guess that shall have to do. Now get a good night's sleep, because tomorrow you leave with your brother."
Zared grinned broadly. "Yes, I will, and thank you, Liana, thank you. I will do the Peregrine name proud."
"Don't say that or I'll think you mean to return with a dozen heads on pikes. Goodnight, Zared. I will pray for you every day." Liana left, shutting the door behind her.
Zared stood where she was for a moment, then jumped high, her hands hitting the cracked plaster ceiling. She felt as though the next day her life would truly begin.
Chapter Three
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For two days Tearle listened to Oliver rant about the Peregrines. Most of what he heard was useless information, but Tearle listened just the same. He found out that the girl's name was Zared, and it was Oliver's opinion that the "boy" would never be the equal of his brothers.
On the afternoon of the second day Oliver received the news that Severn Peregrine was to enter the Marshall tournament, and it was rumored that he was going to try for the Lady Anne's hand in marriage.
Oliver had been quite jovial at the idea. "I shall take him prisoner while he is there."
"With the king watching?" Tearle asked, yawning. "I don't imagine Anne's father would like this feud of yours taken onto his land."
"Anne, is it?" Oliver asked, his ears perking up like a hunting dog's. "You know the woman?"
"Only by sight. She lived in France for a while."
"Then you shall go."
"To the tournament? To spy on the man as he goes courting?"
"Yes." Oliver's eyes were feverishly bright. "You will see what they do, watch them, report to me about—"
"Them?" Tearle sat up in the chair. "Who is to go besides the second son?"
"The boy is to be his squire." Oliver snorted. "He cannot afford a true squire, so he has to use his own brother. He will be a laughingstock, for they are a dirty, crude lot, and the Marshalls are people of great refinement. Would that I could see the Peregrines' humiliation."
"I will go," Tearle said.
Oliver grinned. "You will fight him. I shall have to go. I must see this. On the jousting field a Howard will down a Peregrine. The king—the world—shall see that a Howard—"
"I'll not fight him," Tearle said. He knew that he would never have an opportunity to spend time with the youngest Peregrine were he to announce himself as a Howard. "I shall go in disguise." Before Oliver could open his mouth Tearle continued. "I shall spy on them," he said, feeding Oliver's obsession. "No one in England knows I have returned. I shall attend the tournament as… as Smith. I shall watch and learn more about the Peregrines than I could if I announced myself as their enemy."
Oliver looked at his brother, and his expression changed. "I was not sure you understood," he said softly. "But I should not have doubted our blood."
Tearle smiled at his brother. He did not feel the least bit guilty for deceiving his brother, for Oliver's hatred of that family did not deserve respect. I shall protect them, he thought. I shall see that no harm comes to the Peregrines, no misaimed arrows, no pieces falling from the roof, no cut saddle cinches. I shall see that for once they are safe from Howard hatred.