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living or dead.
    They searched as far as they could, but whatever might
have survived the fire had not survived the looting. There was no sign of Lady
Eleanor’s two travelling chests and little else remained in the ruins.
    Alais turned to Hugh, “Roger and Margaret?”
    He looked away from her for a moment and she thought he
must already know their fate and was keeping it from her.
    “I will find out what happened to them.”
    “Thank you. Roger is our… my steward’s brother and they
have always looked after us when we have travelled here.”
    She took a step towards him and missed her footing over
a fallen beam. Immediately she was in Hugh’s arms, clasped tightly to his
chest.
    “Are you hurt?” She felt the words rather than heard
them, so closely did he hold her to his chest.
    “No, merely startled.” She wondered why it had suddenly
become hard to breathe. Alais felt wonderfully secure. Never had she known
anything like this. Surely no danger in the world could touch her. She was
close enough to him to feel the beating of his heart, which seemed to be
getting faster even as she clung to him, as if the effort of supporting her was
too much for him, or as if he were afraid of something. Lost in the sudden
security, she had forgotten that she had no reason to hold on to him and.
remembering, let go.
    “Not so fast, my lady. I was foolish not to realise
sooner, but the footing is not safe. Please stay close.” With that, he put an
arm round her waist and pulled her gently to his side. Automatically, she
placed her hand over his to ensure her balance. He opened his fingers slightly
and, hesitantly, she entwined her own through his. At that, he seemed satisfied
and he led her slowly and safely back into the street. Still he held on to her
and she was unwilling to leave his side. The sudden intimacy shocked her, but
she enjoyed his touch. Her small hand could not begin to cover his, but their
closeness seemed to please him, too.
    Slowly and carefully he turned so that he was looking
into her face. She thought he seemed a little flushed and was breathing
slightly faster than usual. He must be more affected by his exhaustion than
either of them had realised. “Please do not worry about the burial. I am sure I
will have something suitable for your mother at the manor. As for your own
clothes...” He paused, looking down at her. “Yes, I think you and Isabella are
of a like size. You may have something of hers.”
    “Thank you.” Isabella must be his wife. Suddenly the
pleasure she had felt at being in his care disappeared. Alais wondered briefly
where Isabella was, then realised that she must be at Liss joining in the
preparations for her own arrival.
    Alais was taken by a sudden desire to leave the town as
soon as possible. It was a place that she had been used to associate with
plenty and with her mother and now it had become a place of disaster for so
many, including herself.
    “Is there anything else you need here?” Hugh’s voice was
gentle as he finally untangled their hands.
    “No, thank you. There is nothing here for me any more.”
    “Let us get back to Hill, then, there will be much to do
before your mother’s burial.”
    He helped Alais up on to her horse and they left the
devastation of the town behind as quickly as possible.
     
    Hill seemed quiet to Alais now that all the townspeople
had left and the servants were all that remained. Edmund came out of the house
to greet them. Since Matthew was still looking after his daughter, he had taken
it upon himself to carry out some of the steward’s duties. He seemed so
cheerful about it that Alais wondered, briefly, whether he might not be happier
as a steward, rather than following his master into battle. It seemed strange
to her that a soldier would be so keen to play the part of steward. Edmund led
them both into the hall, where they had a light meal. Alais was not able to eat
much; she knew what must follow that afternoon.
    When they had eaten,