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procure their armor and arms." Hugh had not been one of them, and he was three years younger than any other. "You think it a weakness, to arrive with a large retinue of knighted men?"
    "It is when the soldiers are boys, and the knighting an obvious attempt to bolster his numbers. It reeks of desperation. Perhaps you have become a symbol of that failure to d'Aulnoy—he lost his holdings for a year and a half. His display of strength was apparently not great enough to keep the king at bay." She smiled suddenly. "But perhaps an advantageous marriage will change your luck. Amongst the ladies, there is naught but gossip of the handsome knight who has finally returned."
    Hugh glanced down the length of the table, uncomfortable with this talk of what he had—and what he did not—and met the interested gaze of several women. A few puzzled looks as well, as they glanced past him to Lilith. He quickly dropped his gaze again; he should not be sitting with her—he had not the importance. But, upon meeting him within the hall she had insisted he serve her, and he'd not wanted to cause a scene by refusing. And, he forced himself to admit, he still resented that Mandeville had put him in his place in the courtyard.
    A capon sliced easily under his knife, and he laid several choice pieces upon Lilith's trencher. " 'Tis unfortunate they do naught but gossip."
    "And which one would you have do more?" Though neither her expression nor tone betrayed her amusement, he felt it and could not resist smiling in return. "Behind you sits the youngest daughter of the sheriff of Chelmsford, and I have heard her speak of your eyes, bright blue as the afternoon sky. She is exceedingly comely, is she not?"
    "Aye, but her poetry lacks originality."
    "Her father is rich."
    He stole a look over his shoulder, grinning. "Aye? Perhaps her singing will compensate for her poor verse-making."
    "A fine voice can give life to dull lyrics," Lilith nodded, her eyes sparkling. "And she will sound lovely in bed, even if her movements put you to sleep before the song is spent."
    Hugh choked, coughing until his laughter cleared his throat. "Has a man ever dared fall asleep before you?"
    "Only very brave and very stupid men." She placed a small bit of roasted apple daintily on her tongue. "But I'll admit my singing is not particularly fine."
    "Just exceptionally loud?"
    "Aye, loud." She tilted her head, and her gaze dropped to his lap. "And I have mastered the appropriate instruments."
    Her words inspired an image that heated his blood, and he was grateful for the table, hiding the effects of it. His breath hitched, and her gaze met his; knowledge and temptation burned in the dark depths of her eyes. Remembering Sir William's situation, some of the wicked bravado that had allowed him to equal her in the conversation deserted him.
    As if sensing his withdrawal, she frowned. "Come now, Sir Hugh. Do not disappoint me."
    "I do not mean to, my lady," he said, his voice rueful. "But I'm unused to such conversation with a woman."
    "You were enjoying it."
    "Aye."
    A page set the new course before them, allowing Hugh a moment to gather himself—though it was not a lonely moment, for he felt Lilith examining his face as if she could discern every thought that passed through his mind.
    "Perhaps that is the difficulty," he said when the boy had moved down the table. "I should not take pleasure in such a discussion. 'Tis… unseemly."
    She regarded him in silence for a moment. "I frighten you."
    A flush reddened his skin. She was laughing at him, and after a moment of wrestling with his masculine pride, he allowed himself the same. "Aye, my lady. I would not like to end up tied to a wall—but I think your conversation and the temptation you offer may lead there."
    "Such frank conversation arouses you?"
    His face burned. "Aye."
    "Is it so terrible to be aroused?"
    He nodded, and took a sip of wine, hoping that it would soothe his suddenly parched mouth.
    "Then we should turn our