"I can see that. But of what possible use is this sulfur mix?"

"I have no notion yet. The important thing is that the recipe worked."

15

Clare looked up at his smudged, grinning features and smiled with sudden and complete understanding. Gareth was euphoric with the thrill of discovery. She had experienced the sensation many times herself, albeit in a less spectacular fashion.

"Aye, my lord. Your recipe most certainly worked. Mayhap you have a career in alchemy ahead of you."

"It is certainly a far more interesting business than my former occupation of hunting outlaws."

Clare closed her eyes to shut out the distraction caused by the clash and clang of stonemasons' tools and the shouts of laborers. Outside her workrooms, construction of the new stone wall around the hall was proceeding apace. It created an unceasing din during the day.

It was only in the evening, after the men from Seabern had departed for the day, that a blessed silence descended. Clare hoped the project would be finished soon. She reached into the pot on the bench in front of her, scooped out a handful of the new mix of dried herbs and flowers, and held it to her nose. The hint of mugwort reminded her of Raymond de Coleville, for some reason.

Mugwort had made his eyes water uncontrollably and caused him to sneeze and gasp for air.

She recalled the day that she had surprised him with a pomander that had contained mugwort along with other spices and flowers. It was the only time that she had ever seen Raymond lose his temper.

"God's blood, get that perfume away from me," he had raged. "It must contain mugwort. What are you trying to do? Kill me?"

Clare had been horrified. She'd had no way of knowing that he could not tolerate the mugwort. She had apologized profusely and disposed of the pomander. Raymond had quickly returned to his normal charming self and that had been the end of the matter.

Clare frowned and wondered why the memory had flickered through her mind today. She had not thought much about Raymond de Coleville since the day Gareth had arrived on the Isle of Desire.

In truth, it was difficult to think of any other man except her husband these days. Gareth was too large, too overwhelming, too interesting to allow space for others in her mind. He made other men, especially the pale memories of a man who had lied to her, seem very small and quite ordinary.

"Clare?" Joanna appeared at the open door of the workroom. She peered into the shadows. "Are you in here?"

"Aye, Joanna." Clare dropped the handful of dried materials back into the bowl. "Is something amiss?"

"Nay, I merely came to show you my latest embroidery design. I think it will do very nicely for the larger pillows." Joanna shook out a large square of fabric decorated with a rough drawing of a knight kneeling before a lady. The couple appeared to be seated in a leafy bower.

"It's wonderful, Joanna. Romantic scenes such as that always sell very well. What's that creature in the background?"

"A unicorn." Joanna refolded the fabric with an air of satisfaction.

"The ladies of London are very fond of unicorns. Well, then, if you approve, I shall set the village women and the nuns to work on the new pillow scenes immediately."

"Excellent."

"We should have a large number ready to fill with your dried herbs and flowers by midsummer."

"At least this shipment will likely reach its destination. Lord Gareth will see to that." Clare added two handfuls of rose petals to the mixture in the pot.

"Aye. The Hellhound has his uses, I'll grant you that much." Joanna gave Clare a speculative look.

"I wonder if he'll stay with us through the winter."

"What?" Clare whirled around. "Of course he'll stay with us. This is his home now. Why would he leave?"

Joanna tut-tutted. "Men always leave once they've seen to the business of protecting their lands and getting an heir. Now that you are wed, Desire is safe from Nicholas or some other encroaching lord."

"Aye, but what of the robbers who are a constant threat to our shipments ?" Clare felt stunned. A strange tightness gripped her chest.

"I expect it will be no problem for Lord Gareth to arrange for some of his men-at-arms to remain here on Desire to handle the shipments." Joanna sighed. "I suppose Sir Ulrich will accompany Lord Gareth when he leaves. A pity. William is quite fond of him. I do believe this new exercise program is having a beneficial effect on my son, just as Lord Gareth predicted."

"Young William is not the only one who has grown fond of Sir Ulrich, is he?" Clare asked gently.

Joanna blushed. "Is it so obvious?"

"Aye. And he seems equally fond of you."

Joanna studied the pot of herbs and flowers. "He says he loves me."

Lucky Joanna, Clare thought. That was a great deal more than Gareth had ever said to her. "I am happy for you, Joanna."

"He kissed me last night." Joanna shot her a quick glance. "For the first time I understood that lovemaking might be as pleasant for a woman as it is for a man."

"Aye. But I suspect it is only thus with the right man."

Joanna sat down heavily on a stool and folded her hands in her lap. "It will be very lonely around here after they leave, will it not?"

"Lord Gareth has said nothing to me of leaving."

"Men rarely discuss their plans with women. You know that. Did your brother ever bother to inform you of his intentions until he had one foot out the door?"

"Nay, but Lord Gareth is different. He discusses important matters with me."

"Your husband is still at the stage where it amuses him to indulge a new wife. That will soon change," Joanna said sadly. "It always does."

Clare's stomach tightened. She could not bear the thought of Gareth leaving, not now when they were just beginning to get to know each other, to understand each other. To talk to each other.

Not now when she had begun to hope that she could make him fall in love with her.

"I shall see about this." Clare started toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To find my husband. I wish to speak to him."

Joanna frowned. "He is busy at the moment."

"Doing what?"

"Supervising the repairs of the windmill, I believe. One of the sails is being replaced."

"This won't take but a moment."

Clare went through the door. The windmill stood on the far side of the courtyard. Its sails were still. Several men, including Gareth and Ulrich, were gathered around the mill. From the serious expressions on their faces, one would have thought they stood around an open grave.

She wondered briefly if men assumed such airs of concern when faced with broken mechanical devices merely to impress each other or if they were genuinely alarmed by the challenge of repairing the items.

"My lord." She halted a few paces away from the crowd of males. "I wish to speak to you."

Gareth reluctantly dragged his attention away from the torn sailcloth and glanced at her. "Later, madam. As you can see, I am occupied just now."

"This is very important." Clare was aware that every man in the small crowd was listening with keen interest. "It will not take but a moment."

Gareth's brow rose in reaction to her peremptory tone. "Very well, if it is that important." He nodded at Ulrich. "Continue with the work. I shall return soon."

"Aye, my lord." Ulrich turned back to the flapping sailcloth with an ill-concealed smile.

Gareth strode over to where Clare stood. He looked down at her, his broad shoulders blocking her view of the mill. "Well, then, Clare? What is it that is so urgent that it could not wait?"

Clare suddenly felt ridiculous. But she had to ask the question. "I merely wished to know if you intend to leave Desire in the near future?"

"Leave?"

"Aye." She glowered at him. "There are some who feel that once you've secured your lands and got me with child, you'll be off. I wanted to know if that was your intention."

Gareth stared at her. "Are you with child?"

"Uh, no." Clare cleared her throat. "At least I do not believe that to be the case. Gareth, that is not the issue. I am asking if you plan to leave the isle."

Gareth's mouth tightened grimly. "Hell's teeth, this is not the time to discuss such matters. I'm trying to get that damned windmill fixed."

"Is the mill more important than your future plans, sir?"

He raked his fingers through his hair. "What in the name of the devil made you seek me out to ask me this now?"

"Never mind, my lord. Just answer my question. Are you planning to leave anytime soon?"

"Do you want me gone, then?"

"Nay, my lord." Clare looked at the broad expanse of his chest. "In truth, I find you extremely useful to have around and am not anxious to see you leave."

"Useful?"

"Aye, sir. Useful."

"How am I useful?"

"Well, you did an excellent job of repairing the j machine I use for pressing oil from roses and cinnamon." Clare summoned a bright little smile. "It works perfectly now."

"Thank you," Gareth said through set teeth. "I am glad that I was able to give satisfactory service."

Clare realized he was angry. Her own temper flared. "I just want to know your plans so that I can make my own arrangements. Does that seem too much to ask?"

He regarded her with a cool, shuttered gaze. "I have. no intention of leaving Desire unless I am summoned by my father. I am Thurston of Landry's vassal and as such, I owe him a set number of days of service each year should he demand such. You know that as well as I do."