A Knight's Vow by Gayle Callen

if you promise to explain what has happened to Lady Isabel."
    "I give you my oath."
    A few minutes later, the boy sat opposite James, as clean as possible with only one small basin of water, and the guards retreated to either side of the massive doors. Steaming porridge was placed before him, and although he looked longingly at it, he raised his grim gaze to James.
    "Where has my lady been?"
    "Here, with me." He took a deep breath and met the boy's gaze directly. "By the king's decree, we were married yesterday."
    The boy slammed his hands on the table and vaulted to his feet. "What lies do you tell? Where is Isabel?" His gaze wildly searched the hall.
    James grabbed the boy's shirt in one hand. "Sit down and give me the courtesy of listening. After all, I've done nothing to you, and you've committed crimes against me."
    He sat reluctantly. "If you're telling the truth, you've committed far greater crimes than mine."
    "Do you think I wanted to marry her? Do you think we suit?"
    The boy's face turned ashen. "She must have been..."
    "Angry?" James suggested mildly.
    "What did she do?"
    "You mean after she agreed to give me back my knife?"
    The boy's eyes widened.
    "She married me, of course. What else could she do except rot in the king's prison."
    His shoulders sagged. "So everything of hers—"
    "Is mine. Including you."
    The boy bit his lip and said nothing. James looked into his sorrowful face and sighed.
    "Eat your food, and we'll talk."
    Defeated, the boy slowly placed the first spoonful of porridge in his mouth. Soon, he was eating faster and faster, until James began to wonder if he'd been eating at all in the last week.
    "Will you tell me your name now?" James asked.
    Between bites of cheese, he said, "William Desmond."
    "Do I know your father?"
    "Baron Andrew Desmond."
    "I assume you were being fostered at Mansfield?"
    William nodded.
    "When Lord Mansfield died, why did you not return home?"
    William slowly set down his spoon, his gaze on the empty bowl. He seemed to hesitate, and James waited patiently.
    "How could I leave her, my lord?" the boy finally whispered, raising imploring brown eyes. "I knew
    she might do something desperate, and someone had to protect her. No one ever had."
    James sighed. "Will you tell me about her father?"
    "No, my lord. That is for Lady Isabel to say."
    William sat in grim silence, obviously waiting for his punishment.
    "Do you wish to return home?" James asked.
    "And leave her here, friendless?"
    This was an intelligent lad, he thought approvingly. "Very well. You may complete your fostering here. I'll send a missive to your family. Since all of my property has been returned, and no one was seriously hurt, I will not mention your escapade to your parents."
    "I don't have to return to the dungeon?" he asked incredulously.
    "Only if you give me cause. I have yet to decide if you are worthy of training with my men. For now your duties will lie in the stables. Finish eating, then we'll present you to the marshal."
    "Might I speak to Lady Isabel first? Is she... awake?" His face reddened and he looked away.
    James gave a tired laugh. "I hardly ill-used her, boy, as I'm sure you'll hear soon enough. She is not adjusting well to this marriage, so we'll leave her in peace for now. After your duties you can speak to
    her. I'll take you to the stables and introduce you to Baxter."
    Isabel had earlier seen William led from the dungeon, and now she breathed easier as Bolton took him to the stables. She descended the tower quickly, crossed the inner ward, and found William mucking out a stall. She watched him for a moment, feeling offended that the son of a baron should have so menial a task.
    William looked up, and his brown eyes shone with a warmth that eased Isabel's spirits.
    "My lady," he said, coming forward and reaching for her hands. He stopped, wiped his palms on his hose, and gripped her hands. "I was worried for you."
    She surprised herself by leaning forward and kissing his cheek. He