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“Anne?”

Elizabeth shook herself back to awareness to find Adalia watching her with concern.

“I’ve called yer name twice now,” the cook said softly, “but I couldn’t hand a full tray to a woman who wasn’t payin’ attention.”

Elizabeth tried to smile. “Forgive me. My thoughts have been scattered. I’m here now.”

“’Tis a good thing.” She looked about and whispered, “He will make it all right.”

Elizabeth smiled brightly. “Who?”

Adalia only shook her head and handed her the tray.

Elizabeth walked through the great hall, ignoring the looks of sympathy she was still receiving. What was surprising was how many soldiers watched her, too, and that made her uneasy.

At the base of the tower, she found Bannaster waiting for her, and now she understood the soldiers’ curiosity.

Still holding the tray, she curtsied. “A good morning, my lord.”

“Good morning, Anne.”

He looked at her so innocently, as if he hadn’t chased her through the corridors of Castle Alderley, trying to bed her.

But why was he waiting for her?

“I will accompany you up to visit Lady Elizabeth,” he said.

“My lord, permit me to go up first, and prepare her for you. She likes her hair styled just so⁠—”

“Such vanity is unnecessary with me,” he said. “Lady Elizabeth’s beauty is readily apparent. I will follow you up.”

Neither soldier looked at her as they stepped aside. Bowing her head, Elizabeth stepped past the viscount and preceded him into the tower and up the stairs. She kept expecting him to touch her, and that made her climb so quickly that she was breathless near the top.

What did he want? Did he mean to hurt Anne by telling her that John had been driven from the castle? Did he wonder if “Lady Elizabeth” had somehow been aiding her betrothed?

Elizabeth knocked on the door, calling out, as she had before, that Lord Bannaster was accompanying her this day.

She heard him chuckle, but he said nothing as they waited.

Anne took a long time coming to the door. Had she received another basket that she needed to hide? Finally, she opened it and stepped back.

“Good morning, Lord Bannaster,” she said in a soft voice.

“Aye, it is,” he said agreeably.

He was too insufferably pleased with himself. Thank goodness Elizabeth had already explained the revelation of John’s true identity to Anne. Yet her maid did not know that John had returned, and was even now hiding in the castle. Perhaps her ignorance was for the best.

“Might I break my fast with you?” he asked.

Anne gestured to the table, and they both sat down. Elizabeth silently split the meal onto plates between them.

When they were eating, Elizabeth retreated to a corner chair and picked up an embroidery hoop to pretend to busy herself.

Bannaster handed Anne a chunk of bread. “I am sure your maid told you that John Russell had been spying on us all.”

Spying was an interesting way to put it, but Anne only inclined her head to wait.

“He is determined to have you, even though the king knows by now that he is unsuitable to become an earl.”