She could see that preparations were being made for a siege and realised that Baron Sigmund must have received word that Raphael was bringing a force against him. ‘Do not let him fight single-handed,’ she whispered, her lips moving in prayer. ‘I would not have him die for my sake.’ ‘Your prayers will do little good in this godforsaken place,’ a voice said behind her. Rosamunde turned to look at the woman who had served her since she was brought to this room two days earlier. She was in truth a prisoner, seeing no one but Griselda. Unlike Raphael, her gaoler had not invited her to dine in his hall. Indeed, she’d seen nothing of him since that first meeting. ‘Is there nothing I can do to move the baron?’ she asked, her throat tight with emotion. ‘I would do anything to save Lord Mornay’s life. I would rather die than be the cause of his death.’ ‘If you gave your honour it would not suffice. The baron would lose all respect for you and, once he tired of you, would give you to his men.
