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bloodshed. Then Henry V, the second Lancaster king, Bolingbroke ’ s son, ordered an end to the fighting with the added threat that the lands of both the victor and the vanquished would be confiscated. The Giffords, reduced to a barony and still suffering under heavy attainder for their part in support of Richard II, could not risk any further action against them from the king. And the deFraynes, who had become wealthy and influential by route of conquest, were unwilling to test the king ’ s order. Thus, open warfare had stilled, but the animosity continued. Now the Giffords hoped to steal the crown away from King Henry VI, another Lancaster, and give it to Richard, Duke of York.
    While the families argued over diverse politics, Anne and Dylan had been free. They had love, what need had they for the arguments of dukes and kings? But then she had seen Dylan at mass in chain mail. It was not for the tourney this time, but for a real conflict. He spoke as though his support had been commissioned and the political animosity, once so distant, crept closer, edging its way into the hopes and dreams of young love.
    For a moment she thought Dylan might forsake their love for a cause. She would have freed him tearlessly had he asked it of her. Not painlessly, she knew, but Anne was stronger and more brave than she realized. And she would do anything for Dylan ’ s sake . But in the end he had pledged himself a new, true to their plans. Anne continued to push the plots and wars far from her mind, thinking only of Dylan ’ s embrace, his kiss, oblivious to how closely threatened she really was. Anne had absolutely no idea of the kind of life she might have to endure in exile at Dylan ’ s side, and Dylan had only a vague notion.
    “ ‘ Tis an unseemly place for a maid to hide. ”
    She jumped at the masculine voice and looked up to see the Earl of Ayliffe towering above her. Her cheeks flamed, as if he could read her mind.
    “ Do you not worry about your safety, Anne? What if some man happened down this path and spied you? ”
    “ It appears, my lord, that a man has done exactly that. Need I be afraid? ”
    He smiled and dropped down onto the grass near her, drawing up his knees. She was again struck by his youthful appearance, that he ’ d not grown paunchy or sloppy with age. At twenty he might have been as handsome as Dylan, and, indeed, he was handsome still.
    “ May we talk awhile, maid Anne? ”
    She cocked her head to one side. Her experience with men was severely limited, but an earl who asked permission to speak inspired her curiosity. “ You are overly solicitous, my lord. Cer tainly you could assert your great power and wealth and have a young bride at your whim. You could have had your wedding done in my mother ’ s bedchamber this morn, had you asked for it. ”
    He laughed lightly. “ I suppose I could. But, Anne, did it ever occur to you that that which is won by force is held only by hope? I would have you love me. ”
    Her eyes widened and her cheeks grew hot again. She looked away from his face.
    “ I suppose it seems absurd to you now, for you are so young, and I am nearly as old as your father. But you will learn, petite, that age has little to do with it. Or perhaps it is a great advantage. Were I a young knight smitten by your beauty, I would be hard pressed to delay the marriage. ” He laughed pleasantly. “ It would be most difficult to ignore the great opportunity of this private coppice. But I am no longer an impatient young man, and I respect your youth and your purity. And, ” he said, reaching out a finger to turn her face back toward him, “ I wish for you to be as happy as I shall be. ”
    “ I do not deserve such kindness, my lord. ”
    “ And why not? ” he asked with a laugh. “ Because you have had your heart set on some young squire, or some arrogant and handsome young knight? I can assure you, demoiselle, I have traveled enough of this world to know the way of young hearts and