Tatum squinted in the earl’s direction. ‘You have holding cells inside the camp?’

Hodge straightened. ‘Of course we do. Do you think troublemakers outside of the camp are suddenly going to be on their best behaviour when brought inside?’

The man had built a prison inside a prison and failed to see the irony in that.

‘I really need to lie down,’ Isabel said. ‘Is there a tent? Or shall I find room in one of the overcrowded houses?’

‘Touché,’ Alveye said under his breath.

A few tense seconds passed before Hodge said, ‘I shall come with you.’

‘No.’ Her response was a fraction too firm and far too quick. ‘What I mean is I am tired and need a quiet moment.’

Blackmane was ready to tackle Hodge to the ground if he did not give her a few minutes’ reprieve. Thankfully, it did not come to that.

Hodge gestured to a passing guard. ‘Webb, take Lady Isabel to her quarters. She is in need of rest.’ His eyes never left her. ‘And stand guard outside until I get there.’

Normally, Blackmane would agree with such precautions, but this felt a lot like she had just become one of the prisoners.

‘This way,’ Webb said, gesturing back in the other direction.

She glanced a final time at the children, then walked ahead of him.

‘Shall we continue with the tour?’ Hodge asked.

Alveye, Hadewaye, and Blackmane all looked in the direction of the children. Tatum was forced to answer on their behalf.

‘Yes. Let’s see the infamous holding cells.’

Hodge turned and marched off.

‘Relax. She’s quite safe in here,’ Tatum said as he fell into step with Blackmane. He spoke in a low voice so Hodge would not hear.

Blackmane scraped his teeth over his lower lip, eyes boring into Hodge’s back. ‘You’re wrong about that. Her biggest threat is nearby at all times.’

Tatum glanced sideways at him. ‘Just remember our orders. We’re here to observe, not interfere.’

Blackmane nodded, then fought the urge to look over his shoulder at Isabel’s retreating back.

CHAPTER 10

It was definitely her. A ghost from Isabel’s past. Yvaine. Beautiful Yvaine. The best cook in Carmarthenshire in Isabel’s opinion.

And Ita’s mother.

She was alive. And if she was alive, that meant there was a chance Ita was alive too. But Isabel had to be careful how she proceeded, because it was clear Hodge had no idea who she was, and there was a reason Yvaine had not identified herself to him despite there being a hundred reasons why she should.

The guard escorted her along the muddy road, beneath an overcast sky that made it impossible to gauge how late in the day it was. When the kitchen area came into sight, she searched for Yvaine among the women. They were hard to tell apart in their drab clothing with their hoods pulled up to protect them against the cold December winds.