“You are a fool,baron, and I hate fools.”

“I had about as much choice in leaving as you did.Someone must have told the new master what I was to you three,so after I warned him about the North Tower, he ordered me upon this beast and bade me to catch up to you.The man shouldn't be called Deadeye but Dead Fool.”

“And though I do not approve of your appropriation of the Bean King tradition"-he paused to find and issue a pointed glare at his favorite baker-"your scheme to reveal Baron Craven's true character worked.”

“Your perception is correct.I am what you describe.""Which one?The gruff fool or the fair wise man?" Laon inquired,simultaneously releasing a half smile.Ranulf cocked his right brow.It had been a long time since he had done any self-examination, and last time he had,the cpnclusion had been unsettling. "I do not know myself. I probably have the capacity to be either...depending on the conversation.""Fair answer.I think I might like you yet, my lord.”

“Then you can eat in bed.I'll make you a plate and-""And the day I eat in bed I better be dying.Food leaves crumbs.That brings bugs and I happen to hate sharing my bed with anyone.”

“What did you say?" Bronwyn asked.Ranulf scowled, hating to be caught mumbling. Something else he never did. "I said that I don't yell! I don't shout! Ever!""I find that hard to believe,my lord, for I have heard you do quite a lot of both since you arrival.”

“I hope Lily told you how happy I was by the offer to marry your commander.""She mentioned it," Ranulf grimaced."Who knows? Maybe Rolande and I will meet and decide to stay together, forgoing the annulment."Ranulf rocked back on his feet, picking up the basin, and stood up, causing water to slosh on to the floor from the abrupt movement. She sounded so damn happy. He plopped the water bowl back on its table. And why shouldn't she be? "You will like my commander. He is as handsome as Lillabet is beautiful."Pain flashed in Bronwyn's eyes, turning them dark, almost black. If Ranulf's aim had been to hurt,he had struck true, resulting in a desire to inflict similar anguish. "As long as he doesn't lie to me and make me out the fool, I will be content.""I suspect he won't if you don't lie to him first."Bronwyn pushed herself out of the chair as a frisson of anger shot up her spine. "Maybe I won't if he doesn't order me away from my home without the courage to look me in the eye when he does so.""I never pretended to be someone else.""In that you are correct, my lord.You made it very clear from the beginning that you were a hateful man," she seethed."Didn't seem to bother you when you used your female wiles to entice me to your bed," Ranulf hissed back.Bronwyn marched over to the door and swung it wide open. "I wonder just how my sister will deal with your barbarism. She is sweet,beautiful, and innocent,but she also knows nothing about running a castle.So preprare yourself,my lord.In a few months you will have a rundown estate and no commander either,for after I use my feminine wiles on him, I doubt we will be staying here at Hunswick.”