Thomas shook his head. “Oh, Nan,” he said, “it is but a design, a pretty little pattern on the grass. I showed it to Catherine and she liked it. That is all. In your haste to condemn me you read too much into this.”

I glared at him. “Don’t lie to me, Thomas! I know how your mind works. You have created a shrine to the Knights Hospitaller. Very likely their treasure is hidden somewhere at Knightstone too. You think that because you wear your colors so plainly and make no secret of your faith, the queen’s men are lulled into thinking you are harmless. Well, I know differently. I know you are dangerous.”

“You misjudge me, Nan.” Thomas’s smile had gone, his light manner changed. He half turned, to block the others’ view of our discussion. “I would never raise a rebellion or wield a sword. I have no desire to lead others into danger. All I wish is for the freedom to worship as I choose. As for the treasure, my grandfather laid on me the sacred charge of conserving it until the Order is free to worship again. And that is what I have done.”

“Is that an admission?” I demanded. “You have concealed it here, hiding your treason behind Catherine’s impeccably Protestant skirts?” I threw out a hand in despair. “Can you not see, Thomas, that by involving yourself in Robert and Catherine’s lives you are drawing them into danger? If you care for them as much as you claim, you would leave them alone. As for the garden—keep your biblical imagery for Rushtdenand Lyveden, but do not flaunt it here.”

We had been conversing in low tones that hid the fierceness of our exchange. Nevertheless I jumped when William’s shadow fell across me.

“What secrets are you two hatching?” he said jovially, and I must have blushed like a guilty matron caught making an assignation. Fortunately, William was completely impervious to such matters. “Dinner is ready,” he said, offering me his arm. “Robert knows he should be the one to escort you to the table, but he cannot seem to tear himself away from his beautiful wife so I offer myself instead.”

“Dear William,” I said, sliding my hand through his arm, “you are a more than an adequate substitute,” and my heart ached that Robert and I did not have the easy affection he had with his father, and that he would not seek out my company for the sheer pleasure of it. I watched him as he and Catherine strolled into dinner ahead of us. He was such a handsome young man, so quicksilver and expressive. I vowed that it was not too late to make amends and that I would talk to Robert after dinner and try to bridge the gaps between us. As for the Knights’ treasure, I would try to forget that Thomas had admitted that it was concealed somewhere at Knightstone. Thomas knew I would not give him away and as long as he kept his pledge to hold it safe and secret, I would not interfere.