Chapter Three

H awk's men fell into step behind him to mount the stairs of the keep and walk the length of the hall toward the dais where the young lord of Hawkspur Castle awaited them. Above the fireplace nearest the back of the dais was a coat of arms depicting a hawk at rest, his wings snug against his slightly turned torso. The head of the bird was swiveled to stare boldly ahead, and behind it were two crossed swords on a field of pale blue, the same color as the English sky on a clear summer's day.

The young lord stood and motioned to a bench at the head table for Hawk to join him.

"Hunter, you and the others will stay here," Hawk said in a low voice to the knight who walked directly behind him, nodding toward an empty table directly in front of the head table on the dais. "Stay alert but do not start any trouble. Red, you will accompany me." While his men took seats at a trestle table set with loaves of dark bread and pitchers of ale, Hawk and Red stepped up onto the raised platform to sit with the Lord and Lady of Hawkspur Castle.

Hawk studied the face of Cynwulf and felt a surge of suspicion. The scent of resentment wafted from Cynwulf as clearly as the rot from a decaying beast. All was not right here; Hawk felt it in his bones. One look at Lord Cynwulf's excessively calm, yet icy expression assured him the man felt no affinity toward the contingent of the king's army invading his domain.

The question was whether his hostility came from territorial instincts…or guilt?

Hawk's gaze shifted to where the lady of the castle sat beside Lord Cynwulf. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly when he remembered the way she had reached behind her as she studied the line of knights and tugged the braid of auburn hair around her until she had the curls at the end tangled around her fingers. He doubted she was even aware of her actions, and he wondered what other telling habits she possessed that so blatantly gave away the emotions hidden behind the serene expression. Hawk was amused by the way her cheeks grew rosier with his scrutiny, and the cleft in her chin deepened as she pressed her lips tighter together.

Hawk did not know what made this woman so intriguing, but he found it difficult to look away from her. He liked the bold way she held his stare, refusing to back down despite the color flushing her face and the irritated slant to her eyes. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth in what was likely another of her nervous reactions, drawing his attention to the enticing curve of her lips.

He shook his head at his foolishness. Too long in the saddle without a woman had him fixating on this woman. He could not let himself be distracted and he needed to keep her at a proper distance, or he risked losing his ability to remain impartial. The king made very clear his mission and what hung in the balance if Hawk were to succeed. He did not need to say what the consequence would be if Hawk failed.

But Hawk could not completely disregard the sister of Lord Cynwulf. She may be a valuable source of information, and possibly a threat to his success if he underestimated her. He cocked an inquisitive eyebrow at her, enjoying the way she reacted to him as he studied her. When she boldly cocked one eyebrow back at him in response, he couldn't stop his lips from curving slightly with amusement. He didn't know what possessed him, but he winked just as he was about to look away, enjoying immensely the way her eyes widened with indignation. He wanted to laugh aloud his amusement at the woman's candor, her inability to hide exactly what she was feeling or thinking, but it would not serve his purpose to upset the lady any more than he already had.

*

The arrogant knight had Alyce feeling off-kilter in a way she did not like.

This was not the first band of knights to pass through Hawkspur, and she was no stranger to playing hostess to all manner of men. So why did this man and his little band of knights arouse so much unease in her?

Sir Grogan was arrogant, imposing, and far too sure of himself—but that was no different than any other man of rank with whom she was acquainted. Still, there was something about the manner of this particular knight that ignited her irritation. He'd hardly spoken a word to her, but the way he openly studied her made her cheeks flame with indignation.

Or at least she thought it was indignation until an unexpected thrill tingled down her neck. Regardless, she would not give him the satisfaction of demurely lowering her eyes from his while he boldly studied her. If he expected her to show obeisance or swoon at his attention, he would be sorely disappointed.

Sir Grogan was likely accustomed to women fawning over his intense gaze, but she would not be one of them. He was attractive, that she could not deny, but she was no naive maiden whose heart was so easily set aflutter. And she would never be one of his conquests—of which she was sure he had many.

She stayed locked in this silly game of seeing who would look away first and again, she couldn't help but notice his appearance. His features were rigid, his nose straight, and his jawline sharp even when covered with a day's growth of dark hair. When she returned her gaze to his eyes, he cocked one dark eyebrow at her, as though asking if she liked what she saw. She arched an eyebrow back at him in response, congratulating herself on her boldness, confident he would be thrown off by her unexpected daring.

Until his lips curved upward ever so slightly, and he winked at her!

Any fascination she felt for the man melted away, quickly replaced by irritation. If he expected her to be overcome by a sly smile and a condescending wink, he would be gravely disappointed. Unlike other women, she had no desire for that sort of attention from a man. She lifted her chin and glared at him to show her displeasure.

"What brings you to Hawkspur, Sir Grogan?" Cynwulf interjected, pulling the knight's attention away from Alyce.

"Call me Hawk. I am here on the behest of His Majesty."

"Ah," Cynwulf said, his tone clipped. "The famous Hawk, savior of the king."

"Servant of Edward, merely performing my duty," Sir Grogan corrected warily.

Alyce winced at the cynical way her brother spoke to the king's knight. He could do with polishing his manners, displaying a measure of cordiality, and realizing that there were more important matters to worry about than the man's name. Sir Grogan had just revealed the king directed him to come to Hawkspur, which meant his business was with them and he was not merely passing through.

"Please, take a seat, break your fast." Cynwulf gestured to the bread and cheeses laid out on the table. "Where did you stay last night that brings you here so early this morn? Or is your business so urgent you were compelled to travel through the night?"

"We camped but a league from here," Sir Grogan said as he and his burly companion lowered themselves to the bench across from Alyce and Cynwulf.

"Why did you not continue your journey here last night?" Alyce prodded when Sir Grogan offered nothing more in explanation. "Surely another hour in the saddle on dry roads would have been far more comfortable than sleeping out in the cold."

"We did not come by the road, my lady," Sir Grogan responded.

The man was proving to be as perplexing as he was exasperating. Alyce tilted her head in question. "If not by road, then what route did you take?"

Sir Grogan's eyes stayed locked on Cynwulf as he answered Alyce's question. "We came through the forest. The people we are looking for do not tend to travel out in the open."

Alyce looked at Cynwulf, searching his face for any reaction to Sir Grogan's explanation. Her brother remained stoic and silent, his eyes not wavering from the knight. Turning her attention back to Sir Grogan, she asked, "Who do you think to find in the forests around Hawkspur other than our own patrols?"

Sir Grogan shrugged while his companion reached for a hunk of bread, breaking it in half and handing part of it to him. He took it but kept his focus on Cynwulf. "Does the rebellion in Wales spill over the border here?"

"Now and again a group of rebels will cause a ruckus and engage a handful of my soldiers in a skirmish," Cynwulf answered. He speared a piece of milky white cheese and chewed it thoughtfully before speaking again. "Really more of an irritation than a threat. Is that why you are here? If so, your efforts are better spent elsewhere. We can handle whatever comes our way."

"Is that so?" Sir Grogan's voice was eerily calm. "The king has reason to believe our efforts are very much needed here."

Cynwulf did not immediately answer, and Alyce noticed for the first time the overall quiet of the hall. Rising calmly to her feet, she said, "Perhaps, my lords, this is a conversation best continued in private."

*

Hawk rose and followed Cynwulf and his sister to a door near the corner of the hall. He was startled to note that Lady Alyce found it necessary to duck her head to pass through the doorway; she was a tall woman, almost as tall as her brother. Hawk watched her disappear through the opening, then signaled for Red to follow him as he stepped through the small port of the door, pausing to look up the spiraling staircase before entering the door to a large solar.

"Sir Grogan, Red, please, be seated." It was not Cynwulf who made the offer, but Lady Alyce, her hand extended, inviting them to sit in the comfortably cushioned chairs beside the glowing fire facing a worn wooden table. Hawk nodded his acknowledgment of her offer but refused to sit. He preferred to stand. Intimidation was one of his favored tools, and his size allowed him to use it well. Red took his place beside Hawk, arms crossed over his chest with legs braced.

Hawk watched as Cynwulf walked around the table to sit behind it—not at all surprising. What did surprise Hawk was to see Lady Alyce also move around the table to seat herself next to her brother.

Cynwulf cleared his throat and demanded, "Explain the reason for your presence here, Sir Grogan. It's apparent you are not just looking for respite on your journey to some other destination."

"I do not understand why the king has sent you with no forewarning, Sir Grogan," the sister said, her eyes wide in what appeared genuine surprise.

"We have not requested reinforcements and have no need for any," Cynwulf added.

Hawk looked from one to the next, not sure to whom he should address his answer. Obviously, the sister was more involved in the oversight of Hawkspur than just managing the servants and seeing to the linens. Whatever her role, he liked her candor. He did not like to bother with niceties when just stating the point was much more expedient, and both Lady Alyce and her brother appeared like-minded.

"The king has heard reports of troublesome Welsh rebels along the border, and there is a rumor, Daffydd, brother to the prince of Wales, may be in this region leading the rebels. The king wishes to ensure that the Marcher lords are fortified as needed and…" he paused. No use in being evasive about his reasons for being here. In his experience, the bold truth spurred anyone with a guilty conscience to act foolishly sooner rather than later. "And to keep Hawkspur from falling into the hands of the Welsh. Someone is assisting the Welsh rebels, and he fears the rebels are coveting a Marcher castle. He has sent reinforcements to several castles along the border to defend against the Welsh attacks and to remind the Marcher lords to whom their loyalty belongs."

"Hawkspur has always been loyal to King Edward," Lady Alyce interjected sharply. "No one here would do anything to jeopardize Hawkspur or the people who live here."

Hawk wondered if the surprise on her face was well rehearsed, or if she felt truly taken aback by the suggestion. "Hawkspur is a very strategic castle, well-fortified and well-placed. Welsh rebels would like nothing more than to take it out from under Edward's rule. If you have Welsh sympathizers within your walls, Hawkspur is vulnerable."

Cynwulf's eyes sparked with anger as he planted his hands on the table and rose from his chair. "If there was a traitor here, I would know before anyone. We do not need you to protect Hawkspur. This is my castle, my men, my village; nothing happens here without my knowledge, and everyone here is loyal to me." Cynwulf took a deep, calming breath. "And loyal to England."

"I do not understand, Sir Grogan," Lady Alyce interjected before her brother could say more, rising to her feet to stand with the men. "Does the king suspect someone here is assisting the Welsh in a rebellion? Or does he wish to assist us against the rebellion? There is a marked difference in your mission if it is one over the other."

"That, my lady, depends on the situation here at Hawkspur."

Cynwulf put a hand on Alyce's shoulder but kept his eyes trained on Hawk. "I will not tolerate betrayal from anyone at Hawkspur, be they a trusted knight or the simplest of servants." Cynwulf's words were gruff, and Hawk wondered if determination or guilt sparked his vehemence.

"And the king will not tolerate betrayal from any of the Marcher lords regardless of their family history and connections." Hawk turned a pointed look to Cynwulf.

Cynwulf met his gaze, steady and strong. "You do realize the Marcher lands are not like the rest of England. We take care of our own. We set the laws and enforce them. The king does not have sovereign rights over my castle, according to tradition and Magna Carta. As long as we keep the Welsh under our thumbs, the king is to leave us alone to govern this land. My men can handle any Welsh rebels who think to cause trouble here." He narrowed his eyes at Hawk. "I swore fealty to the king and use Hawkspur castle to serve him, but it is ours, and I am lord here. I have every right to refuse you access to Hawkspur."

Hawk studied Cynwulf for a long moment. It did not slip his notice that Cynwulf referred to the castle as ours . "You do have every right to tell me to leave. But you are also aware that if you do not cooperate willingly, the king will look the other way while matters here are settled. This is an enviable stronghold, a castle worth fighting for, no doubt coveted by every lord in the land." Hawk shrugged with indifference. "If King Edward does more than just quell this rebellion and decides to take the whole of Wales once and for all, the Marcher lands will no longer be necessary. All will be under English rule, and you will be no different than any other lord in the land."

Lady Alyce gasped at his words and her face paled visibly.

"Are you threatening me, Sir Grogan?" Cynwulf's voice remained steady and menacingly quiet.

This lord might be young, but he did not lack for grit.

"No. I am telling you the way of things. The Marcher lords have enjoyed very little intervention from the king. If your neighboring lords, or any others seeking a fortress such as this, sense weakness or loss of favor with the king, they will not hesitate to expand their holdings and wealth at your expense, enjoying very little intervention from the king." Hawk leaned forward, pronouncing each word with sharp clarity.

The young lord of Hawkspur did not blink or waver. Nor did he respond. His face remained stonily indifferent as he held Hawk's gaze. Hawk preferred this over some driveling idiot too afraid to stand on his own two feet in the face of uncertainty. He could even respect him for it, but he did not have to like him.

"You are wrong, Sir Grogan." Alyce's voice was as hard as her brother's now. "You will find no wrongdoings at Hawkspur, or from its lord. Our family has always been loyal to the king. Our uncle even served as knight to the king while on crusade."

"Then you have nothing to fear," Hawk said, his eyes still locked with Cynwulf's.

"And no need for your presence," Alyce said in a cool voice.

Hawk turned his attention to Alyce. He knew better than to underestimate the abilities or cunning of a woman. "Consider us a gift from the king. Edward does not wish to see any more lives lost among your loyal men. If the Welsh try to attack here, we will be proof of the king's support of Hawkspur castle and the Chetwynd family."

"I do not question the judgment of King Edward," Cynwulf said, his teeth clenched, "but I am disappointed he does not put his trust in me. Hawkspur has never been close to falling into Welsh hands. We are as strong as ever."

Hawk looked first to the sister, then to the brother. "The Plantagenets have been successful in their bid to remain in power because they trust no one, not even their loyal lords or favored knights."

Cynwulf's nostrils flared, but he calmed himself when Hawk arched a questioning eyebrow, daring him to say more. The lord of Hawkspur may be young, Hawk decided, but he was a formidable leader with more backbone than he'd expected.

"It will be in your best interest to not interfere with my mission. We will train with your men while we are here." Hawk made no pretense of phrasing it as a request. "And if there is anyone here sympathetic to the Welsh rebels, we will find him." He turned and started toward the door without requesting permission to leave, saying over his shoulder as he strode toward the door, "Or her, as the case may be."