Megan’s face was a study in confusion.

“But—but what about Lord Hugh?” she said straight out, heedless of Lady Anne. “The young men, your brothers, I can see why they might want to go, and fast; you’ve only got to hear what folks are saying around the house. They’re best out of here. But you? You can’t just leave. What about him?” Then she blushed, and dropped her eyes. “Not my place, I know. Sorry.”

“Indeed.” You could not tell, from Lady Anne’s voice, what she thought on the matter. “Jenny, I must leave you for a little. My son—my younger son—is returned; I have not spoken with him alone yet. A few moments. I’ll come back for you soon. Please wait here for me.”

“Did you see?” asked Megan as the door closed behind her mistress. “Simon, Lord Hugh’s brother—he’s here, large as life, when they all swore he was dead, killed by the—well, they did say that, and yet he’s back. Lost his memory, apparently; can’t recall anything since the time he left here with Richard’s men. Lord Hugh found him in some monastery, out-of-the-way place, an island I think they said. Lady Anne was dying to talk to Simon, but couldn’t go, not until she attended to you. And what with Lord Hugh’s injury, and all…”

“Megan…” I touched her arm; it was hard to get back into the way of using words.

“How bad is—is he all right? Did they stop the bleeding, did they—”

“Still in one piece,” she said, looking at me sideways. “But they rode out again straight after, him and Ben and one or two more. Lord Hugh had his arm in a sling, and a strapping on his shoulder. Looking for his uncle. Stayed around just long enough to get patched up, that was all. Master Simon wanted to go with him, eager for it, but Lord Hugh wouldn’t let him. Told Simon to take charge here instead. That way his mother could see him before he went rushing off again. Are you really sure you want to go home?”

The question caught me off balance.

“It’s best if I go,” I said. “I am not one of you, and I never can be.” What if the wound starts to bleed again? What if he finds Richard and…Why didn’t someone stop him? “I have brought nothing but trouble here. Now it’s over. It’s time to go back to the forest.”

“Did you ask Lord Hugh what he thinks about that?” Megan’s glance was sharp as she fastened the wrists of my clean gown.

What if he is too weak to ride, what if his enemies lie in wait? What if he does not return, before it is time for me to go?

“Did you ask him?” She smoothed my hair back and tied it with a ribbon to match the gown, the soft blush pink of an autumn rose. An impractical shade.

“This is what Lord Hugh would want,” I said. “I don’t belong here, and my brothers need me.” And he will forget. Once the doom is lifted from him; perhaps even now. Perhaps even from the moment he took his arm from where it held me safe, and put the mask over his face again.