An Outlaw's Honor - Terri Brisbin Page 0,3

in the household or visited.

Not in times like these that saw the king being held for ransom in foreign lands, and attempts to free him seemed to be the last thing on his brother, the prince’s, mind. The nobles and merchants had been drawn into the battle between the Plantagenets for years, as the powerful dynasty fought amongst themselves for control of lands near and far. Her father had, as far as she’d been able to learn over the last two years since her mother’s passing, supported the missing king.

And yet, with all these messengers lately, Annora wondered if he’d changed alliances.

Her aunt waved her hand at the remaining servants, sending them off. Eldrida of Northumberland had something to say and wanted no one to hear it.

Annora sat next to her and leaned in, waiting. Her hands were damp and left moisture where they rested on the front of her gown. This was not one of great value—’twas one she wore when seeing to the tasks of running the household—so a stain or mark would not be amiss.

“Have a care, Niece,” Eldrida began. “Your father is playing a dangerous game between the king and his brother. He proclaims loyalty to his liege lord Richard while giving support and more to John.”

Annora suspected as much, for she’d heard that many nobles did the same. The king had been gone on Crusade for years and never seemed to have a care for his people here in England, except when he needed their gold. His brother was the same, but John, son of Henry Plantagenet and Annora’s legendary namesake Eleanor of Aquitaine, divided his time and attention between the Plantagenet lands on the continent and their kingdom in England. Some thought too much time in England, but ’twas clear to anyone aware of the situation and the ebb and flow of support that he was looking to the future and consolidating his power now. No one spoke of it openly, for to do so would gain his attention and animosity, and both of those could be dangerous if not deadly.

“Your words of warning would be better spoken to my father, Aunt.” Annora shrugged. “I am the one least able to heed your counsel. He cares little for me since I am neither a son to continue his claim here, nor am I the biddable daughter he demands.”

“You can be used for his purposes, Annora. So, you have value to him. Your blood will continue his line. Your marriage will keep these lands in his family, under his control.”

“But how, Aunt Eldrida? With no male heir...”

“The king decides the fate of the title and the lands,” her aunt finished her words. “Or the man who holds his authority does. I would expect to hear news of arrangements for your betrothal, if not marriage, in the coming weeks.”

As Annora realized the truth in her aunt’s words and the enormity of the implications, a clatter rose near the entrance, drawing her and her aunt’s attention. And the attention of everyone in the Great Hall, whether servant, visitor, or kin. Annora stood as a huge man entered.

He was at least a foot taller than most in the hall, who gaped at his every move. Reaching up, he lifted his helm from his head and pushed back the hood under it, exposing his lack of hair at once. Wearing a mail hauberk that reached down his long legs to his knees and heavy boots beneath it, his every step could be heard as he made his way towards the front of the hall, following one of her father’s men. But he did not follow meekly. Nay, he surveyed everything and everyone there as he walked with the assurance of power in his stride. His gaze fell on her, and Annora could not help the gasp that escaped her.

’Twas not the polite expression of some supplicant knight. Nor was it respectful. After he directed a question to and received some answer from his escort, the man changed his path and walked to where she stood. Annora resisted the urge to seek cover. Her feet had backed her up towards the stone wall behind her before she realized it, and she knew how it would look to those observing this encounter. She crossed her arms over her chest and watched his approach.

“Know thy enemy,” her aunt whispered, startling her. She’d not even noticed Eldrida at her side.

“Enemy, Aunt?”

“Well, a man like that is not your friend.”

A shiver coursed through her