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the door behind him. "What does it matter whom I choose?"
    "What does it matter?" As if it was all she could do to keep from striking him a second time, she clenched her hands. "After what he did to you? He abandoned you, turned others from your cause—"
    "You think I do not know that?" he roared.
    She flinched. "Then why would you give me to such a man? Why Gabriel De Vere?"
    Bernart stepped to the bed, keeping his back to her. "We are both dark."
    "There are others as dark."
    He cursed himself for offering so feeble an explanation. "As one of four sons, the male line is strong in him."
    " 'Tis as strong in others."
    Curse her! Why couldn't she simply do as told? Very well. "As it was Gabriel who took my sons from me, so shall I take one from him. 'Tis the least he owes me." There, it was said.
    "It is more than that. Tell me."
    Damn her for pushing so hard! Bernart swung around. "You hate him."
    Her eyes widened. "Of course I do. 'Tis all the more reason—"
    "Quiet!" He closed the distance between them. "You think I wish you to like the man for whom you lie down? Nay, I want you to despise him and everything he does to you—to come back to me without ridiculous notions of love lightening your head."
    Juliana stared at him, searching his face. "I see," she said quietly.
    At least she did not press him further—wring from him that which he could hardly admit to himself: for all of Gabriel's betrayal, Bernart admired his enemy. There was no man worthier of fathering his son.
    "You will hate any child he makes upon me," Juliana said.
    Would he? "I will not."
    "The child's veins will run with the blood of your enemy. Every time you look—"
    "I have decided!" Bernart started toward the door.
    Juliana put a staying hand to his arm. "Pray, Bernart, if you must ask this of me, choose another."
    Her expression tore him open. He swallowed. "Nay." Given a push, he thought he could drown in the tears flooding her eyes.
    She looked away. "You would have me go to him now?"
    Although it was as he'd planned, he shook his head. "Tomorrow eve."
    Her shoulders slumped. "How will you arrange it?"
    "I have given him Alaiz's chamber. Each night, until the conclusion of the tournament, you will go to him in darkness when all have taken to their beds."
    As simple as that, Juliana thought bitterly. Bernart would have her steal into Gabriel's bed in the dark of night. "And if he discovers 'tis me?"
    "He will not."
    "But if he does?"
    "Never will he guess it is you. He will think you merely an eager wench."
    A whore. Although Juliana was not inclined to vindic-tiveness, she found herself wanting to hurt Bernart as he hurt her. "And when Gabriel comes to me, what if I cry out and he recognizes my voice? What then, Bernart?"
    Angry color rushed his neck. "I trust you will control yourself."
    "I will try, but 'tis not as if I know what to expect, is it?"
    With an angry snarl, Bernart swept an arm back to strike her. He stopped his hand inches from her face.
    Juliana looked from his quaking palm to pained eyes. "I pray that what you gain will be worth the grief you cause us both," she said.
    He pushed past her and flung open the door.
    She stared at his retreating back. A sennight from now, all this would be in the past. But what of the future? Would it hold the son Bernart so badly wanted? A child whose very being would never allow her to forget what she had done to get him?
    She stood a long time pondering the years before her, then drew a deep breath. Whatever happened, she would endure it. As she reached to close the door, she heard footsteps. Knowing they were not the booted feet of a man and that it was too late for servants to be about, she peered into the corridor.
    Nesta. Reaching for the door to Gabriel's chamber.
    The implications curdled Juliana's stomach. It was terrible enough that tomorrow eve she must go to him, but so soon after he lay with another? Especially one as lewd as that wench? She stepped into the corridor. "What do you