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The few Beguines who remain fear to go into the city to trade lest one or more be set upon by the weavers.”
    “So seek out help from friendlier men.”
    “All who might help are bound to either Aragon or Anjou and too busy doing battle to concern themselves with the plight of a few women. Besides, that is not our way. Whenever possible, Beguines prefer not to rely on men, just as many of us prefer not to depend on the priesthood for intercession with God.”
    “You reject the confessional and indulgences. No wonder you are thought to be heretics.”
    “You see why we cannot stay at an abbey.”
    “Your fellow travelers agree to this?” He looked at the merchants and pilgrims taking their ease before the trek began again.
    “We compromise. Whenever the caravan stays at an abbey, our guide finds an inn or hospice for my fellow sisters and me.”
    “That will have to stop. I cannot keep you safe if you are half a village or more away from me.”
    “You need not concern yourself with my safety.”
    “’Tis my utmost concern until I hand you to Edward before All Hallow’s. I will find an inn with lodgings for all of us.”
    “I suppose you vowed my safety as well as my return to Edward.” Her smile shrank.
    “Aye.”
    “You presumed much for a man who had never met me.” She tilted the corners of her mouth in a more upward direction.
    “Aye.”
What is she up to?
    “And my cooperation is guarantee for you to guide us to Palermo.”
    Her smile lit the afternoon. He’d seen that expression repeatedly over the past two days. She used that particular turn of her lips to befuddle her opponents and get her own way. She could smile until the second coming. He would not yield.
    “At which point you will return with me to England.”
    Her smile faltered, then brightened. “As you say, Sir Robert.” She gave a courteous nod and made to leave.
    “I will see you this evening, Lady Juliana.”
    Her stride hitched. Still moving, she looked back over her shoulder. “If you must. But I will remind you that my sisters and I retire early, together.”
    ’Twas clear enough that she preferred the company of women to time spent with him. He would have resented her choice had he not known ’twas wise for her to be chary of him. He wished he could leave her alone, but duty would not allow that. He should tell her so and opened his mouth to speak, then closed it without uttering a word.
    She was already amongst the crowd, and to bellow would invite nothing but speculation. He stared after her swaying hips. He had won the interchange. She had failed to trap him into agreeing that she should stay in Palermo.
    So why was she still smiling?

Chapter 3
    About midday, three days since Juliana’s arm and shoulder were completely recovered and she ceased wearing a sling, the caravan halted beside a fountain in the square of a small town.
    “We shall rest here and eat,” Sir Robert ordered. “I will go to the monastery and confirm that sufficient shelter lies ahead for our group at dusk.” He pointed to a collection of buildings standing on a height above the town.
    Juliana watched him ride away, before helping Berthild and Gretle unpack the bread and cheese that would make their repast. She still had not settled on a means for ridding herself of Sir Robert once they arrived in Palermo. Too many demands on her time and attention occurred within the caravan, She needed time to herself, to think. “Berthild, I wish to take a walk and explore this lovely town while I eat.”
    The tall Beguine gave her a puzzled look. “Do you think it wise to go off alone in a strange place?”
    “I promise not to go far. Most likely I shall return before Sir Robert does.”
    “Very well, Juliana. But please be quick.”
    “I will.” Bread and cheese in a pocket, she left her friends and the noise of the caravan behind.
    She took little notice of her surroundings until an abrupt darkening of the day brought her to a halt.
    She was in the center