A/N: Hi! I'm buggered if I know why, but the site hasn't let me upload this chapter for the past three days. Grrrrr. I hate computers :( Oh well, here it is! Sorry about the wait...

Chapter Four

Alanna gasped, jumping up to face the hedge behind them. 'Did you hear that?'

Raoul stood up next to her, bringing an arm to wrap around her waist. 'It was probably just an animal.' He looked longingly back at the bench, but the moment was ruined.

'I don't like it out here.' Alanna shuddered, wondering who had been watching them. 'I want to go back to my rooms.'

Alanna looked up at Raoul's face, plainly showing his disappointment. He's disappointed? Alanna thought in panic. What am I doing? He's meant to hate me!

'Ok. I'll escort you back.'

...pppqqq...

When Alanna closed the door to the main room, she could sense she was not alone. 'Jon, is that you?' She called out softly.

'Yeah.' Jon appeared from the study to the left side off the lounge room.

'What are you doing here?' Alanna walked past him, making her way to her dressing table.

'I thought we should talk.'

She stiffened. Did he know? Was it Jon spying on her and Raoul? 'What about?' She couldn't keep the suspicion from her voice.

Jon sighed exasperated. 'Alanna, what's going on? You're my best friend, for Gods sake, I only thought you might want to talk for me!'

Alanna looked at Jon's reflection from the mirror in front of her. Him snapping would usually have wound her up, but not tonight. The expression of hurt and worry on her friends face sickened her- it can't have been Jon. 'I'm sorry.' Alanna carefully started to unpin her wig. 'I think someone might have been spying on me.'

'What?' Jonathan stepped up to stand behind her, helping to untie the pins.

Alanna explained what had happened; conveniently leaving out what her and Raoul had been up to. 'Don't worry,' Jon smiled warmly at Alanna, who tried to hide a yawn. 'At least they didn't see anything you mightn't want them to. I'll let George know what happened.' Alanna's face reddened at the thought of her lie spreading to yet another friend's ears. 'Goodnight.' Jon stood up to leave.

'Night.' Alanna couldn't meet his eyes.

...pppqqq...

The next morning Alanna found herself idly walking around a deserted library. She flicked her eyes over the old books uninterested. Her mind was on other things.

Why had she kissed Raoul? Was it possible she had feelings for him? Or was she just caught up in the heat of the moment, the rush of emotions and the dizziness in her chest? Yes, she urged herself to believe. That must be it.

Turning a corner to head down the next row of shelves Alanna found a large figure blocking her way. Tearing her eyes off the books she found herself face to face with Duke Roger. His eyes scanned her body; lingering far to long to be polite, on her chest.

Fighting the urge to slap him, Alanna curtsied instead. 'Good morning your Grace.'

The smile that spread across his face could be described in no other way- it was sleazy.

'And morning to you!.' He chuckled, obviously the flirt. 'I don't believe we've been introduced.' His eyes once again focused back on her chest.

Alanna shifted her feet uncomfortably. 'I'm Lady Lily of Trebond.' Alanna could feel her cheeks redden.

'Oh, of course! Squire Alan's sister.' Roger met her eyes for the first time. 'And how do you like Sir Raoul?' What could have been said as polite chit-chat came out nasty and snide.

'He's very well, your Grace.' Alanna scanned the shelf beside of her. 'Ah!' She picked up a random book. 'Here's what I was looking for.' She took a large sep backwards. 'If you'll excuse me, your Grace.'

He gave that same sleazy smile. 'I dare say we'll meet again.' Alanna simply nodded and turned away, a shiver running down her spine. If she had found Duke Roger creepy before, it was nothing to her suspicions now.

...pppqqq...

Jonathan sat in the remaining chair on Gary's balcony, where their group of friends basked lazily in the sun. He flicked his eyes over to Raoul, who was smiling happily as he lost a game of chess to Alex.

'So Raoul, tell us of your night with the lovely Lily.' Gary urged. He winked knowingly to Geoffrey.

Raoul blushed. 'We didn't do anything like that...' Alex snorted.

'I don't care what you all think!' Raoul was in too good a mood to let them spoil it. 'I'm in love.'

'In as much love as you were with Delia?' Jon teased.

Raoul glared at him. 'Nothing like it, not that you would know.' Jon's heart sank. He did know.

'What's with the glum face Jon?' Alex asked. 'Missing your squire so?' Now Jon fought not to blush.

'I've heard some rumours...' Jon began, quickly silencing the group.

'Well?' Gary asked. 'I take it you do intend to tell us now?'

'It's about Lady Lily...' All eyes flicked over to Raoul.

'I don't care what you or anyone else says of her, Jonathan.' Raoul warned. 'Don't speak of it and spread any nonsense further.'

Jon nodded, as if to agree and looked out over the city. The warm breeze that had been blowing before stopped dead. He didn't need to look to see the suspicion covering his friends faces, as they thought over what Jon might have heard.

Raoul looked miffed. 'I've got better things to do then this.' He said, glaring angrily at Jon as he left.

'What is it?' Gary whispered leaning over to Jon. 'Tell us!'

'No...' Jon forced a sorry look onto his face. 'I shouldn't have even mentioned it.' Meeting Gary's eyes he saw his friend's mind conducting hundreds of horrific stories concerning Lily. It was hard to keep the gleeful look from his face- Alanna would be pleased.

...pppqqq...

A/N: Hi again! Not much fluff in this chapter, but the plot has thickened! Hope it was worth the wait. Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed! I love you! Keep them coming!!! :)