"Of course."
"She is a great one for making plans, you see. When she heard that you were after the stone she began to concoct a scheme to remove us both from Lingwood Manor."
"That is not all she bargained for," Hugh said. "Did she mention that she made me promise to provide her with a large dowry for the convent of her choice and to send you off to Paris and Bologna to study law?"
"I do not want to study law," Benedict retorted. " 'Tis all her idea."
"But you do wish to be free of your uncle, do you not?"
"Aye, but not at the risk of Alice's reputation."
Hugh took pity on him. "Your sister is safe enough with me."
"No offense," Benedict gritted, "but you are not called Hugh the Relentless for naught. 'Tis said you are very keen on stratagems. I fear that you have some secret plans for Alice. As her brother, I cannot allow you to hurt her."
Hugh was impressed. "There are not many who would challenge me as you have done."
Benedict flushed. "I realize that I am not skilled in arms and that I am no match for you, Sir Hugh. But I cannot stand by and watch you take advantage of my sister."
"Would it relieve your brotherly concerns to know that I have no intention of harming Lady Alice?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I shall honor my vows of betrothal. From the moment Alice puts herself in my keeping, I shall fulfill all of my obligations to her."
"But that would mean marrying her," Benedict protested. "And she does not wish to marry you."
"That is her problem, is it not?"
Benedict looked baffled. "I do not comprehend you, sir. Surely you do not mean that you actually intend to wed her?"
"Your sister is content with the bargain. I fear you must be satisfied with that much for now. All I can offer you is my oath that I will take proper care of her."
"But, my lord—"
"I said, you have my oath on the matter," Hugh repeated softly. " 'Tis generally considered more than an adequate bond."
Benedict's face turned a deeper shade of dull red. "Aye, my lord."
"You will say naught of your suspicions to your uncle, do you comprehend me? 'Twould be of no use. Sir Ralf will not listen to you and Alice will be most upset." Hugh smiled. "To say nothing of my own reaction."
Benedict hesitated. Then his mouth thinned in mute surrender. "Aye, Sir Hugh. I comprehend you very well."
"Try not to be too anxious, Benedict. I am very good at stratagems. This one will work."
"I just wish I knew exactly what your stratagem is," Benedict grumbled.
Three hours later Alice experienced a strange rush of expectancy as Hugh assisted her into the saddle. Her plan had worked. She and Benedict were free of Sir Ralf at last.
Suddenly, for the first time in months, the future seemed fraught with promise. A crisp breeze stirred the folds of her traveling cloak. Her gray palfrey tossed its shaggy head as though eager to begin the journey.
Out of the corner of her eye Alice saw her brother mount his horse. Although hampered by his bad leg and encumbered by the staff, Benedict had taught himself a surprisingly efficient, if somewhat odd, method for getting into the saddle without assistance. Those who knew him had long since learned not to offer a helping hand.
Alice saw Hugh watch with concealed interest as Benedict climbed atop his horse. For a moment she feared Hugh might order one of his men to help her brother. She was relieved when he did not do so.
Hugh glanced at her at that moment and raised his brows slightly as though to say he had comprehended her thoughts. She gave him a grateful smile. He nodded and vaulted lightly into his own saddle.
Hugh understood. The small, silent exchange sent a curious wave of warmth through Alice.
She was only too well aware that Benedict was not happy with the sudden change in their fortunes. He was as eager as she to escape Lingwood Manor but he was convinced that they might very well have leaped from the hot cook pot into the fire.
Alice took a far more optimistic view. Everything was going along quite nicely, she told herself.
All of her worldly possessions, together with Benedict's, were safely stowed in one of Hugh's baggage wagons. There had been a few minutes of concern early on when Sir Dunstan had complained forcefully about her chests of stones and equipment, but that had soon been settled. Alice was not entirely certain why the obstinate Dunstan had ceased railing about her baggage but she was content with the results.
The vows of betrothal had taken mere minutes to repeat in front of the village priest. A strange shiver of sensation had shot through Alice when Ralf had placed her hand in Hugh's, but she attributed the feeling to her excited state and to the fact that she was not accustomed to a man's touch.
Just as she was not accustomed to a man's kiss, she reminded herself. In spite of the coolness of the day, her body heated at the memory of Hugh's embrace.
"Well, lady?" Hugh looked at her as he took up the reins. The edge of his cloak was thrown back, revealing the hilt of his sword. Sunlight gleamed on his black onyx ring. "The time has come for you to begin to fulfill your part of our bargain. What is our destination?"
Alice took a deep breath. "To Ipstoke, my lord, where a joust and fair are to be held in a day's time."
"Ipstoke?" Hugh frowned. "That is less than two days' ride from here."
"Aye, my lord. A troubadour named Gilbert stole my green crystal. I believe he will attend the fair."
"A troubadour stole the stone? You are certain of this?"
"Aye, sir. Gilbert stayed in my uncle's hall for a time." Alice tightened her lips. "He was a rogue and a fool. While he was here he tried to seduce every female servant he could find. His songs were poor and he could not even play a decent game of chess."
"A poor troubadour, indeed." Hugh studied her with a disturbingly intent gaze.
"Aye. He was also a thief. He made an excuse to visit my study chamber and he saw the green stone. He asked me about it. Shortly after he left Lingwood Manor, I noticed that the stone had disappeared."
"What makes you think he will have taken it to the Ipstoke fair?"
Alice smiled, quite satisfied with the logic of her deduction. "One evening, while deep in his wine, he mumbled something about going to Ipstoke to play his foolish songs for the knights who will have gathered for the jousts."
"I see."
"There is no reason to doubt it. It is a perfectly reasonable thing for a troubadour to do. There will be a number of knights seeking sport at Ipstoke, will there not?"
"Aye," Hugh said quietly. "If a joust is to be held, there will be no shortage of knights and men-at-arms present."
"Precisely." Alice gave him a complacent smile. "And where there are knights seeking sport and the chance to make money from ransoms on the jousting field, there are troubadours seeking to entertain them. Is that not true?"
"Aye."
"In addition to an opportunity to earn coin for his songs, I suspect that Gilbert plans to sell my crystal at the fair."
Hugh was silent for a moment. Then he nodded. "Your logic is sound, lady. Very well, Ipstoke it is."
" 'Tis likely that Gilbert does not yet know that you are in pursuit of my stone," Alice said. "But if he chances to discover that you are on his trail, he may not remain long at Ipstoke."
"Then we shall take care that he does not learn that I am after it until it is too late for him to flee. There is just one more thing, lady."
"Aye?"
"You seem to have formed the habit of forgetting that I am the true owner of the green stone."
Alice blushed. "That is still a matter of opinion, my lord."
"Nay, madam. 'Tis a matter of fact. The stone is mine. Our bargain is sealed." Hugh lifted his hand in a signal to his men.