She managed to feel very proud of herself for a while. The contented sleep of the virtuous did not come, however, and the night passed with her tossing on the bed, arguing the rightness of denying him, trying to ignore that her confusion only proved just how divided her heart had become.

She was awake when commotion broke out in the yard at dawn. Suddenly it sounded as if a hundred horses milled inside the walls.

She went to her window and lifted the oiled parchment. A small army had entered Anglesmore. She took in the armor and weapons and the tall knight in the lead. His handsome profile was so harsh as to make Marcus appear mild. Banners flapped around him. They bore no colors and marks that she knew.

As she watched he turned his head to reveal the other half of his face. A horrible scar sliced it from top to bottom, defiling the beauty he had been given. It was the kind of scar that made one wince and look away.

The implications of the scene outside sank in. A horrified sense of betrayal spilled through her.

She threw on a loose gown and stormed out of her chamber. She went down to Marcus, and not as a lover. She found him in his chamber, already armored.

He glanced at her, dismissed his squires, and coolly turned his attention to adjusting his knight’s belt.

“There is a new knight in the yard, a fearsome man with two faces,” she said.

“That is Addis de Valence, who was warden here after I got Anglesmore back. He was also one of the men who helped the King depose Mortimer. He is my good friend, and you will treat him with every courtesy.”

“He brought a small army with him. At least fifty entered the yard, and it sounds as if there are many more outside the gate. They do not look to be stopping for a brief rest.”

“The steward will see to their comfort while I am gone.”

She didn’t give a damn about their comfort. “You called for him, didn’t you? You asked him to bring that army here.”

He nodded, and went to a table holding some bread and ale and downed the contents of the cup. He appeared very calm. Her own blood was boiling.

“Your message must have been sent some time ago. You knew he was coming, and said nothing.”

His gaze snapped to her, suddenly fiery and stern. “Is that what you expected? Is that why you came to this bed? You thought that I would confide in you before I made my moves? I promised not to try and subvert you, but did you just assume that you would subvert me?”