As they made their way along the row of tents, Braden realized how much he enjoyed walking with Ilisa, stopping to visit with a few of the other guests. She looked at him with a bright smile, her blue eyes warm, her hand wrapped around his arm, and his world tilted.

If only all this were real.

He gave himself a mental shake, forcing his focus to return to the task at hand. The stakes were high. Now was not the time for such thoughts.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy the moment.

The tension they’d both been feeling eased when none of those they met questioned them about their identity.

“This might be easier than we hoped,” Braden whispered.

“May our luck continue,” Ilisa whispered back before turning to greet someone else.

When several of the ladies gathered to speak and he was the only male, Braden shifted uncomfortably. Several of the women stared at him curiously, as if wondering why he didn’t join the men who stood in a group a short distance away.

Ilisa sensed his unease and patted his arm before releasing him. “Mayhap you’d prefer to visit with the men?”

Reluctant to leave her when she’d been so concerned earlier, he searched her face to see if she was truly comfortable. When she nodded and no shadows darkened her eyes, he excused himself and stepped away, anxious to see what information he could discover.

He surveyed the area to determine who to approach first. He nodded at the small group of men visiting and, rather than joining them, walked toward the end of the row of tents where the largest and most elegant of them stood. The rectangular-shaped structure bore red and gold flags on either side of the entrance.

A finely dressed man sat in an elaborately carved chair under the raised awning of the tent. A Persian rug added to the suggestion of a wealthy lord.

He had to believe the person staying in it was one of the more important guests. That seemed a good place to start.

“Good day,” Braden greeted the older man.

“And to you.” He stood to return Braden’s greeting, a tall man with grey hair and a full beard, his bearing erect. “A fine day, is it not?”

“Indeed.” Braden introduced himself, watching closely for the man’s reaction. To his relief, he saw none.

“Pleasure to meet you. Lord Allaway of Edinburgh.”

“Pleasure.” Braden turned to look across the bailey. “This looks to be quite the celebration.”

“Lord Graham does nothing in half measures, does he?”

“I can’t say that I know him well, though I was honored by the invitation.”

“Graham and I have known each other since our youth.”

Braden waited to see if he’d speak further about the lord, but he changed the topic to the weather.

Soon Braden excused himself and moved on to another of the elaborate tents and held a similar conversation, adding that he’d spent much of his time in France of late. Perhaps if those here thought his loyalty was with France rather than England, it might make them more likely to talk.

Time passed slowly as he did his best to meet most of the knights and lords present. He caught glimpses of Ilisa as she did the same, greeting people here and there.

“She is beautiful.”

He turned in surprise to the man with whom he spoke. “Excuse me?”

“Your wife. She’s beautiful.” The man nodded to where Ilisa stood a short distance away. “You can hardly keep your eyes off her. Must’ve been a love match, eh?” The man laughed, leaving Braden speechless.

Braden quickly moved on, finding another knight with whom to speak.

“Where are ye from?” the knight asked.

“South, not far from the border.” He’d told both Ilisa and Alec to avoid mentioning Berwick when possible. He didn’t want the name to nudge anything loose in someone’s memory and make them realize they weren’t who they said they were.

Another man joined them, and Braden introduced himself.

“Sir Hugh de Grasse? You must be Alastair’s son.”

Braden stiffened, hoping the man didn’t go into too much depth. While the prioress had shared with them the basics of the de Grasse family, he knew little more than that. “Did you know him?”

“Quite well.” He stared at Braden, eyes narrowed. “You don’t look much like him.”

“So I’ve been told.” Braden smiled politely and changed the subject as quickly as possible. His heartbeat quickened with each new person he met after that.

The prioress hadn’t mentioned that Sir Hugh’s father would be well known in this part of the country. Was there anything else she’d failed to reveal?

He spent much of the afternoon concerned he’d be unmasked at any moment, waiting for someone to declare him a trickster. Was Ilisa experiencing the same?

Anxious to see how she fared, he attempted to seek her out several times, only to be drawn into yet another conversation. Each time he was asked questions, he did his best to answer vaguely and turn the conversation from himself. He’d learned some time ago that most people liked to speak of themselves. Those were the ones who normally had no secrets to hide.

While used to hiding one secret, this pretense was much more complicated.

“Sir Hugh, this is Sir Matthew Lachlan. He leads Lord Graham’s garrison.”

Not far from Braden’s age, something about his demeanor put Braden’s senses on alert. Mayhap the tall man’s cocky grin contributed to Braden’s impression of him.

“I had the pleasure of speaking with your wife a short time ago,” Matthew said. “She is a delight.”

That made Braden all the warier. He already knew how much of a delight Ilisa was. Hearing it from another man didn’t sit well with him. He wouldn’t trust the man any further than he could toss him.

“I hope you’ll be participating in the tournament we’re holding,” Matthew continued. “The first of the competitions begins on the morrow.”

For a moment, Braden was tempted to agree if only to have a chance to defeat the overconfident knight. But nay. That was not his mission here, nor was he fully recovered from his injury.

Braden forced a smile. “Not this time, but I’ll look forward to watching and enjoying the festivities.”

“Good day to you,” a man called out in a booming voice, addressing the entire group in the bailey. “His lordship invites each and every one of you into the great hall for introductions.” He swept his hand toward the three-story keep to indicate they should proceed inside.

Braden took his leave from the men with whom he’d visited then sought Ilisa, relieved when he found her not far from their tent.

“Shall we make our way to the keep?” he asked as he took her arm. From the tightness of her smile, he could tell something was amiss. “What is it?” he murmured, taking care not to be overheard by the other guests who walked nearby.

“I can’t say that I care for this.” She nodded at one of the other ladies with a polite smile. “I feel as if I’ll be caught in a lie at any moment.”

“’Tis more stressful than I imagined,” Braden agreed. “Apparently my father was more well known than I expected. But I’m hopeful that by the end of the day, those attending this gathering will assume we are who we say we are.”

“I hope so. Have you seen Alec?”

“Not since he went to the stables.” A frown marred her brow at his words. “Shall I stop there to make certain all is well and meet you in the great hall shortly?”

She tightened her hold on his arm briefly, making him wonder if she didn’t want to let him go. The notion pleased him far more than it should’ve.

“It would ease my mind to know how he fares.” She glanced up at him from under her lashes.

In that moment, he would’ve been hard-pressed to deny her anything, let alone such a simple request.

“Consider it done.” He patted her hand as he released her to move toward the stables. “I’ll meet you inside anon.”

Her steps slowed, but she continued walking with the other guests. He hurried, realizing he’d rest easier knowing Alec was fine as well.

He located the stables easily and found Alec speaking with several other squires as he rubbed down their horses.

“Sir Hugh? Are you in need of me?” he asked, hurrying forward when he saw Braden.

Well aware of the other squires watching closely, Braden searched for an excuse. “I wanted to make certain you weren’t neglecting your duties. Did you see they have plenty of hay?”

“Aye, sir. Water as well.”

“Excellent. Well done.” He raised one brow, hoping Alec would understand his unspoken question.

As if realizing why Braden had come by and it pleased him, the lad smiled and gave him the barest of nods. “May I do anything else, sir?”

“Not at the moment.” He cast his gaze over the rest of the lads, remembering all too well how it felt to be with a group of boys his own age.

The life of a squire was not easy. They left home to train at a young age, some serving as pages as early as seven years. Being away from family and all that was familiar was difficult. With luck, Alec would make a friend or two here, though Braden knew he’d also meet just as many lads for whom he didn’t care. Some things never changed no matter one’s age.

Braden entered the keep and found the great hall where Ilisa stood speaking with several others, most of whom he’d met. The group included the man who’d called them into the great hall. He introduced himself as Monroe and advised that he served as Lord Graham’s steward.

With closely cropped dark hair, small build, and nondescript features, Monroe moved through the crowded hall. He handled his duties effortlessly, directing maidservants to provide more ale and making certain everyone had been properly introduced to each other while they waited for Graham to appear. Braden found much to admire about him.

When the steward’s attention was elsewhere, Braden eased Ilisa to the side to speak in private. “All is well in the stables.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, and some of the tension in her shoulders eased. “That is excellent news.”

“Anything of interest here? Is there anyone who struck you as odd?”

“I can’t say that I care for Monroe.”

He looked down at her surprised. “Truly? He seems fine to me. An efficient and considerate man.”

She glanced at Monroe as he chuckled while speaking to some of the other guests. “He makes me shiver when he looks at me.”

Braden nearly shook his head at her remark, uncertain how to respond. How could a stranger affect her that way? Especially one who completed his duties so well. “Noted. Anyone else?”

“I’m reserving my opinion on several others.”

“As am I.” Having her at his side, offering her opinion, and working with him was very helpful. Far more so than he’d expected.

He glanced about the large hall. A fire blazed in the massive fireplace which was big enough to roast an ox. Weaponry was displayed above it, and a colorful tapestry depicting a battle hung on the opposite wall. Few tables were set out, suggesting they weren’t expected to remain in the hall for long. Two impressively carved chairs sat before the fire.

“Here are our hosts now.” Ilisa dipped her head to where a finely dressed older couple entered and took their seats. “No sight of Graham’s daughter. ’Tis unusual that she’s not here to greet the guests, isn’t it?”

“Indeed.” But Braden’s focus remained on the lord and his lady.

Graham’s dark wool tunic was artfully embroidered, and his wife’s rich blue kirtle was even more so. The girdle she wore upon her ample hips was filled with multi-colored stones along with the hilt of the small knife it held.

Still no sign of their daughter could be seen.

“What an impossible situation for her to be in,” Ilisa said.

“How do you mean?”

“Put on display for all to see. Held out like a prize to be won rather than a daughter. I wouldn’t care for it.”

“Aye, but you’re unusual. Some would love such attention. She could just as easily be waiting to make a grand entrance.” He’d met such women before who thrived on gaining the attention of as many men as possible.

“I could certainly see William’s wife, Eleanor, acting in that manner.” She shook her head. “To me, it would be dreadful.”

“We’ll learn soon enough what type of person she is. She’ll need to make an appearance eventually as the gathering is in her honor.” Braden offered her his elbow. “Shall we face the lion? See if he sees through our façade?”

Ilisa gave a mild shudder but quickly hid it. “Aye. I’d prefer not to have it hanging over my head any longer.”

He tightened his hold on her, proud she was at his side, and stepped forward.

 

~*~

 

Ilisa swallowed hard, fear gnawing a pit in her stomach. She studied Lord Graham, trying to observe him objectively. He was stocky in build, and his countenance was stern. His wavy grey hair held a hint of red as did his beard. Yet objectivity proved impossible. Part of her wanted to scream at him, demanding to know why he wanted her and her family dead.

The other part of her still wanted to scream but in fear as she ran from the great hall and left this madness behind. The reality of being here swamped her for a moment, stopping her breath. Who was she to attempt this deception? No one. She didn’t have the skills or the experience needed.

Responsibility held her in place. That along with the idea of the other people Graham had targeted for murder who were more than likely unaware of his terrible plot.

“Smile,” Braden whispered. “We will succeed. I’m willing to wager on it.”

She managed a smile and a breath, realizing how impossible this feat would be without Braden. “Unfortunately, Chanse isn’t here to do so with you.”

Thanks to Braden’s quiet conversation, she managed to act normally as they stepped forward and were introduced to their host. The lord’s gaze raked over her briefly before shifting to Braden.

“I haven’t seen you since you were a child,” Lord Graham declared as he studied Braden.

“I fear I don’t have clear memories of that time,” Braden said.

“I understand you spent many years abroad.”

Ilisa stiffened, wondering where the conversation would go. Graham’s wife, a plain woman with a mouth that turned down at the corners, said nothing more after her initial greeting. She stared across the hall, as though the conversation held no interest.

“Aye. I did most of my training in France just north of Poitou. Have you traveled there?”

Graham nodded slowly. “Once or twice.”

Braden offered a few details of the area before thanking Graham for his hospitality.

To Ilisa’s relief, they soon stepped away to allow the next guest to have a few moments of the lord’s time.

“What was your impression?” Braden asked.

“That I still don’t understand why he wants to kill my family and me.”

“Nor do I. With luck, we’ll get to the bottom of that. What else?”

“The lord and lady do not appear to be in a celebratory mood. I’d guess the purpose of this gathering is not to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.”

Braden nodded. “I would agree. Something else is afoot, don’t you think?”

“Luckily, that works well for us, does it not?” She looked up at him. “Someone else will be of the same mind.”

“Indeed. He won’t be the only one who appears filled with purpose. We shall ask questions, watch the others closely, and see who acts as Graham does.”

“Why do I doubt it will be that simple?” Ilisa had serious doubts as to whether they’d learn anything, let alone the names of the Sentinels or what Graham might do next. That information would be closely guarded.

“Because nothing ever is.”

She sighed. “But we shall try anyway.” Why did the idea of doing so make her feel tired?

“How do you feel about befriending Lady Graham?”

“That will be difficult. She doesn’t seem the friendly sort.”

“Do you have any notion how to gain her trust?”

Ilisa considered his question, keeping in mind that although she was uncomfortable, they were here for a purpose. And that purpose might very well save lives. She needed to set aside her fears, or at least attempt to do so. “I will do my best. If we can discover what she likes, I’ll make certain I like the same.”

“Excellent. Having something in common might be just what you need to strike a conversation with her.” Braden considered the lord and his lady for a long moment. “I don’t believe she cares for her husband.”

“I’d venture to say he feels the same.” Ilisa watched the pair of them as they greeted additional guests. They didn’t share looks with each other like most married couples. She appeared as though she’d rather be anywhere but at her husband’s side, while he ignored her completely.

“I’ll be interested to discover how the daughter fits into the family.”

“If she graces us with her presence.”

Braden smiled. “We’ll be on the watch for her. But for now, let us appreciate that we’ve successfully passed the first barrier of meeting Graham. Hopefully our luck holds, and we’ll discover useful information.”

Ilisa drew a deep breath, girding herself for the evening ahead which would be filled with more conversation.

But for the first time, a flicker of hope filled her that this mission might be a success after all. She tightened her hand on Braden’s arm, allowing his comforting presence to seep into her. She was becoming far too accustomed to having him at her side, but that was an issue she’d have resolve later. For now, she needed him.