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Elizabeth reluctantly nodded. “He watches me as if I’m…just a woman, not an heiress, not a prize.”

“I have always been worried that some day a man like this would come along to distract you.”

“William treated me as a woman,” Elizabeth whispered, surprised to find tears so close to the surface. “The romantic letters he wrote me, the way he stared at me whenever we were together. The beauty of his face⁠—”

Anne hesitated. “You only saw him but once a year, Elizabeth. I know he is dead now, and can never prove himself to you, but⁠—”

“He had already done so,” Elizabeth insisted. “I will never forget what it was like to be worshipped for my femininity, for my grace. That’s not the way this bailiff makes me feel.”

“Then how?”

“I feel…a strange excitement that is of the flesh.” Elizabeth covered her face. “I cannot believe I am speaking of this foolishness. How are you, dear Anne?”

Anne looked suspicious of the change in conversation, but she accepted it without complaint. “I am lonely, of course, but that is no terrible thing compared to what can befall a woman.”

“Just tell me what I can bring you to ease your day.”

“Well, I am taking Lord Bannaster’s advice by reading the Bible.”

Elizabeth groaned. “Do not let the man hear you say that! His self-confidence already fills every room he enters.”

Anne laughed, and Elizabeth was pleased by the return of her friend’s good spirits.

“Bring me things from the sewing room to mend,” Anne continued. “Though I know you think otherwise, there are only so many hours in the day one can create pictures with embroidery.”

“You have your lute,” Elizabeth said.

“And no one’s voice to accompany.”

“I am so sorry,” she whispered, taking Anne’s hand. “All of this is my fault. If you hadn’t been here with me when we were invaded, you would be safe at home.”

“On my father’s farm, waiting for my parents to find a man they think worthy enough to marry me. The miller was last being discussed, and I guess I should be happy, because he has only one dead wife, two children, and most of his teeth. Nay,” she continued, lifting a hand when Elizabeth would have interrupted, “I am content to help you, my friend.”

Elizabeth hugged her swiftly. “I will return with your dinner as soon as I can.”

Anne gave her a crooked smile. “My thanks. So what will you do until I see you next at dinner?”

“Study how Milburn is running my castle, see how well his soldiers obey him—oh, and take care of two travelers.”

“Then I wish you good luck, though you won’t need it. You always succeed, Elizabeth. And now that I know Bannaster is gone, I feel much better about your safety.”

With the covered tray in her hands, Elizabeth looked back over her shoulder at Anne. “I wish I felt safe. I only feel exposed and vulnerable, and so worried for my people. But I will take your courage with me, Anne.”

When Elizabeth walked through the great hall on the way to the kitchens to return the tray, she felt herself being watched. But instead of her own people’s sympathetic gazes, she saw several soldiers lounging at a table, leering at her. When they realized she noticed them, they called out to her, beckoning as they crudely laughed. She hurried as quickly as she could, still shocked to find herself feeling frightened within her own castle.

Milburn watched her with a frown. “Come here, Anne,” he called, dismissing the soldier he’d been talking to.

Elizabeth approached him and curtsied. “Aye, Master Milburn?”

“Lady Elizabeth is well?”

“She is.”

“I imagine she used a woman’s tears to try to enlist you to persuade me to release her.”

“Nay, she did not,” Elizabeth said. “She knows you serve Lord Bannaster and would not disobey him.”

Milburn nodded. “Very well. But understand that I will no longer accept your disobedience.”