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They walked to the far end of the tiltyard, where a bench rested near the curtain wall. Elizabeth had resolved to find out more about John than he could tell her, but now sitting here beside his fellow knight—his friend—she almost didn’t know where to begin.

“I know you call yourself Philip,” Elizabeth began slowly, “but is that your real name?”

He smiled at her, his expression amused. “I am Sir Philip Clifford.”

“And you didn’t mind pretending to be someone else for John’s sake?”

His smile faded a bit, and he watched her seriously. “All he had to do was ask. I owe him my loyalty.” He grinned. “I owe him my life many times over.”

“And now so do I,” she murmured. Taking a deep breath, she continued, “You have been traveling with him?”

“For four years.” He cocked his head at her. “Are you conducting an interview on your lady’s behalf?”

She lowered her eyes. “Not exactly an interview…”

“Research, then?”

“It is difficult for her, locked in a tower, to discover that the man she is to marry is here.”

“And that he’s lied about his identity,” Philip said shrewdly.

She shrugged. “She understands the necessity, but…”

Elizabeth trailed off, and to her surprise, Philip was watching her with compassion and sympathy.

“But perhaps you don’t understand the necessity of all John did,” he said.

She felt herself blush. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with a stranger, even a kind one. “Philip, Sir John tells me that he traveled Europe working as a mercenary, or competing in tournaments for prize money. That is how he made his living?”

Philip gave a knowing smile. “Ah, the rumor about Rame Castle’s money flowing to him. I can honestly say, never once did he even receive a package from Rame, let alone money. And there were many evenings when the two of us were limited enough in funds to have to stay in questionable inns—or even in a room above taverns. Those are the worst.” He shook his head. “But Lady Elizabeth only has my word—and his. She will have to decide whether to believe us.”

At least she knew that John inspired loyalty in this man. “Sir John tells me he enjoys the adventure of travel.”

“I never saw a man who loved it more. I cared about the sleepless nights spent above a raucous tavern—not him. He was even content sleeping under the stars.”

“But did he not miss his home, his family?”

Philip hesitated. “He was the youngest son, Anne. Not much was expected of him, and I think he felt the need to prove himself. He had to support himself as well, for everything went to his brother when their parents died.”

“I hear the disapproval in your voice, Philip, but you only know what Sir John has told you about his brother.”

“That is true. And it’s not that Sir John expected the estate. He was just incredibly disappointed to see in how little esteem his brother held it.”

Elizabeth gritted her teeth. “You don’t know⁠—”

“Your mistress must have been quite in love to defend William so passionately to you.”

She didn’t like the kindness in his voice. She felt pitied. “My lady’s first betrothed is not what I’m here to discuss.”

“Nay, you want to discuss my friend. And you cannot believe anything I say,” he answered, the amusement fading from his voice. “I can only tell you that I was at his side when he saw the condition of his estate, and the unjust hatred in his people’s eyes when they looked at him.”

“And that might only be proof that he did not realize how his actions affected Rame Castle.”

“Or that William didn’t care about the results of his actions. John—Sir John gave all he had to begin the restoration.”

“Guilt?”

“Duty and honor,” Philip said coolly.