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Montwright lands if we were all dead, wouldn't he?"
    "Aye," Geoffrey acknowledged. "But you are not all dead," he reminded her.
    "This same law gives Belwain guardianship of little Thomas, does it not?"
    "That is so," Geoffrey replied.
    "And if you give my brother over to his care, he will kill him," she predicted. "And me also," she added, almost as an afterthought.
    "You will not be given into his care," Geoffrey stated.
    "Then you believe me?" Elizabeth asked, her voice hopeful. "You will kill Belwain?"
    "I believe that you think Belwain responsible," Geoffrey hedged, "and he has the greatest to gain, but I need proof before I challenge him."
    "Proof! There is no proof," Elizabeth all but screamed. She pushed away from Geoffrey and added, "Belwain will not go free. He must pay for what he has done. I will kill him."
    "If Belwain is responsible, I will kill him," Geoffrey said. "When he arrives at Montwright, I will question him."
    "And you think he will admit his sins?" Elizabeth asked in a desperate voice. "He will lie."
    "Lies can trap," Geoffrey returned. "I will find who is behind the deed and I will determine the punishment. It is my responsibility."
    "Will you give me your word that Belwain will not become guardian to Thomas?" Elizabeth asked.
    "If Belwain is innocent of your charges, I could not break the law," Geoffrey stated.
    "Thomas would be placed under his guardianship. If he is innocent."
    Elizabeth took a step back, shaking her head. "You are overlord to Montwright lands, and now that my father is dead, little Thomas is your vassal. It is your duty to protect him!"
    "Do not tell me my responsibilities," Geoffrey barked. He stood up and unconsciously put his hands on his hips. "I know them well enough. Until I know the truth in this matter your brother will stay with me." His voice gentled as he added, "Trust me, Elizabeth. I will not let any harm come to the lad."
    Elizabeth wanted to believe him. While he had not promised to charge her uncle immediately, he did state that he would keep her brother safe for the time being. It would have to be enough. At least Geoffrey had listened to her and had not pushed her accusations aside.
    If he decided Belwain innocent, then Elizabeth would take matters into her own hands.
    "Come, Elizabeth. The hour grows late. We will talk of this when we are within the manor."
    "I need not be there when you question Belwain," Elizabeth argued. "And I have no wish to look upon his evil face. No," she continued, ignoring the anger she read on his face, "I will stay here until Belwain has been-"
    The roar interrupted Elizabeth 's sentence. In one swift action the lord lifted her high up into his arms. The dogs began to growl but the warrior ignored them as he turned and started back toward the waterfall.
    God, but she was a stubborn bit of goods, Geoffrey thought with irritation. She seemed to have absolutely no fear whatsoever of her master, and that both amused and angered the knight. He wasn't used to such brashness. And yet, he reasoned, he did not wish her to cower in his presence. She confused him, he admitted, confused… and delighted him. Still, he would have to do something about her disposition, her inclination to argue. She would have to learn her place, her lot. He couldn't very well present her to William until she learned to curb her tongue. While William's opinion did not rule Geoffrey's life, he admitted that he did not wish his king to think Geoffrey's wife was but a shrew! Wife! Aye, he told himself, she would be his wife. There could be no other way to keep her with him. It would be a grave insult to the late vassal, Elizabeth 's father, if he took Elizabeth as mistress. Thomas was a loyal and honest man; Geoffrey could not shame his memory by soiling his daughter and then casting her aside.

    I do this for Thomas, Geoffrey found himself thinking. He did not think that he loved Elizabeth, for he did not think he could love any woman. Past betrayal had sealed his