Well, a man should always try for self-betterment, Renard said. He slid a few more coins across the bar and raised an eyebrow. Who, Yselle?

She hesitated for a long moment and then sighed. Theres one of his former guards lives not far from here. Didnt leave on good terms. He comes in sometimes, and since Lord Carrick doesnt look after those who no longer work for him, hes probably poor enough to bribe.

Hell do, Renard said.

Seriously though, you should think again about this. This is a dangerous man.

Renard shrugged. Thats what makes it fun.

He said that because Yselle probably wouldnt understand the real reasons. She wouldnt get that fun didnt come into it, only the thought of everything a man like Lord Carrick could get away with, just because hed been a big enough thug to amass a fortune. Steal a gold piece, and you could have your fingers cut off. Steal a whole chunk of land, and you got to be the one doing the cutting.

If men like Renard didnt bring lords like this Carrick down to size, who would? If they got to treat those on their lands like dirt with no comeback, what was to stop them from doing it for all time? If they could just kill men and take treasure, how did that make them any better than…

…well, than him? That was always the problem with that kind of philosophizing: sooner or later it showed you head on what kind of man you were. Still, Renard thought, at least there was the gold, and it was an awful, awful lot of gold.

Probably even enough to be worth all the risks.

CHAPTER NINE

King Godwin stretched as he arrived in the great hall, shifting the weight of the deer he carried. The noonday light was too bright for his eyes as he strode forward, because thered been enough drinking on this hunt, and in the feasting before. He threw the creature down onto a table, hearing the wood creak as it landed. Across the hall, his wife looked up from working with Lenore and her maids on their dresses for the coming festivities.

There, Aethe, my love! he called out. I told you that I would make up for yesterdays feasting. Weve bagged this, and boar, and pheasant!

And what good is it lying on our halls tables, making a mess? Aethe asked with a tolerant sigh. She gestured to a couple of servants, who quickly went to take the deer away to the kitchens.

Ah, youve no heart, King Godwin said. He went to her, sweeping her up in his arms and kissing her. To him, she was still as beautiful as she had been when theyd first met; not the all-consuming passion that it had been with his first wife, but something pure, and simple, and needed.