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did not surprise her to find herself heading down into the bowels of the keep. It certainly seemed most fitting to meet Jankyn there. As she walked along a torch-lit passage, she sternly reminded herself of all the reasons she could not give in to her attraction to Jankyn. She must greet him as a kinsman, with no more than a gentle amiability. She would be strong, stalwart in her defense of her own heart. She was a woman now, not some heedless girl who had no control over her emotions.
    Efrica stepped into the room where the records were stored, saw Jankyn studying some large book, and nearly cursed out loud. Her heart clenched at the sight of him. Her pulse grew a little faster. For some odd reason she felt inclined to sigh as she studied his lean form. Her mouth suddenly warmed with the memory of his kiss. For a brief moment, she wanted to flee, then her cowardice shamed her. Efrica straightened her back and moved toward him. She refused to run.

Chapter Five
    He knew she was there before she spoke. There had been no sound, no hint of her approach, but Jankyn was not surprised. As her sister did, Efrica walked silently. Even his keen ears had difficulty hearing her move. He knew she was there because of her scent, one as recognizable to him as his son's. Jankyn took a deep breath, filling himself with the pleasurable scent of her, letting it warm him. Slowly, he turned to look at her, finding that the sight of her warmed him even more. Staying away from her had obviously done nothing to cure his wanting, but then the heated dreams he had been tormented with over the last seven days had warned him of that.
    "What has brought ye here, lass?" he asked, then tensed. "Trouble?"
    "Nay, no more than one usually finds in such a place, I suspect," replied Efrica. "Nay, I met David today and he happened to mention what ye were searching for." She stepped around the table to stand at his side and look at the book he had been studying. "Find anything yet?"
    "A few glimpses, hints of something which may be important, but little else. The ones who compiled these records were more concerned with what a mon had in way of lands, wealth, and fighting men than in who he was or his bloodlines."
    "Weel, I may have a better place for ye to look. My cousin Malcolm."
    "How could he help?"
    "He collects information."
    "I ken the Callans are as interested in their ancestry as we are, but—"
    "Nay just the Callans. Malcolm collects whate'er he can on everyone he can." She nodded when his eyes widened slightly. "He ignores naught, from the smallest whisper to church records. He continues the work of his father, grandsire, and great-grandsire, all of whom were greedy concerning such information. If Malcolm was a woman, he would be reviled as the worst of gossips. As a mon, howe'er, he can excuse it all as a need to take careful note of the people of this land so that the ones who come after us can find the truth if need be. He tells any who claim the memory of elders is good enough that it takes but one plague or one battle to see all that knowledge buried and lost forever."
    Jankyn felt the beat of anticipation in his veins. "He has a lot?"
    Efrica laughed softy. "More than ye can e'er imagine, and his three sons travel far and wide to get more. He will ask a fee. 'Tis one way he can afford to continue his work."
    "That is acceptable. Where does he live?"
    "I fear ye will have to let me take ye to him. Malcolm may like to ken all about everyone, but he isnae so fond of meeting any of them. If we leave as soon as the sun sets, I can take ye to him this verra night."
    "Shall we meet at the stables after the sun has set then?"
    She nodded and hurried away to find Barbara and let her know what she was going to do. There was the thrum of excitement in her veins, and she knew it was because she was helping Jankyn in his search. She ruefully admitted to herself that it was also because she would be spending time with him, could enjoy the sight of him and