Moris nodded somberly and said he knew a place. It was not as far as France, but in time Gryff might be able to make his way out of England to certain safety. Until then, it was simple enough to smuggle him out hidden beneath the empty barrels that would be delivered to Monmouth tomorrow. And there, said Moris, was a friend who would lead Gryff in secret away from this place he had come to think of as a home.

He was to go to a Brother Clement, who tended the hawks at an abbey deep in the wilds. It was far from Wales and Windsor and anywhere kings or murder-minded bastard brothers might find him.

Chapter Nine

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“By the saints, look at her. She is a beauty.”

They had progressed as far as the mews, where Gryff took Tiffin from her cage. Hal looked the falcon over while Gryff breathed in the smell of the place, awash in memories. He had not felt so content since he had left Lancaster’s household.

“You have not known her weight at all since the Epiphany?”

“Nay, we have been forced to live wild and her diet has been whatever could be hunted in the winter woods. It has been a little easier these last weeks, now spring is come, God be praised.”

“She seems in perfect health.” Hal kept his eyes on the bird but put a hand to Gryff’s shoulder again, squeezing. “It’s in his blood, little Tiffany,” he said with a confidential air. “There are few who could care for you so well.”

Gryff tensed, suddenly remembering they were not alone. He caught Hal’s eye and gave a meaningful glance in Nan’s direction, muttering, “There are fewer still who know aught of my blood.”

Seeing Hal was the only thing that could have made him forget Nan for whole minutes. His friend had as yet taken no notice of her at all. She hung back, watching them silently from the doorway as though hesitant to come inside.

Hal only gave the barest nod of understanding to Gryff, his brows flicked upward in curiosity. He turned to see Nan framed in the doorway and his brows rose further. Even with the late afternoon light behind her and her face shadowed, she was so comely that a man could do little more than stare.

Gryff introduced her as a servant of Morency, and said only that they had met on the road and were recently come from Wragby. Let the full story be told later, when he had time to explain all of his strange journey over these last five years.

When Hal said he was pleased to offer her his hospitality, Nan shook her head and spoke.