Claire Delacroix (18 page)

But Ruarke was far from defeated. The anger he already carried in his heart now burned the ferocity of a white-hot flame. Ruarke knew he would have his due—and if Gavin Fitzgerald should step into his way, so much the better.

Then Ruarke knew naught at all.

“C
ease!” Luc cried as soon as he saw what was happening in the great hall.

And to his astonishment, Gavin did precisely that. The man paused, fist raised, and looked from the powerless and battered knight on the floor before him to his son.

“You!” Then his lips twisted mockingly. “Who are
you
to challenge my authority?”

“I merely challenge your wits,” Luc retorted, well aware of the gasp that echoed in the hall. His father’s eyes flashed, but Luc strode closer. He had never been afraid of Gavin before and he would not begin now.

And he would not permit Gavin to ruthlessly beat a defenseless man. ’Twas unconscionable, ’twas
wrong
, and just the sight infuriated Luc beyond all.

“To what purpose do you even strike another blow?” he demanded angrily. “The man cannot defend himself and already he is beaten to a stupor.”

“He needs to learn a lesson,” Gavin snarled. “He needs to know who is the new lord of Tullymullagh.”

Luc inclined his head to indicate the unconscious knight and could not keep the sarcasm from his tone. “Aye, he looks to be attending your lesson well.”

Gavin’s lips thinned and he took a menacing step closer to Luc. “I should see you whipped in his stead.”

“To what purpose?” Luc not only refused to retreat, but he folded his arms across his chest. “I already know that you prefer to speak with your fists—there is no lesson to be learned there.”

Gavin inhaled sharply. “Insolence!” he roared. Anger flared in the older man’s eyes and it seemed the entire assembly held their breath when he raised a fist toward Luc.

But Luc did not so much as breathe, his gaze unswerving from his father’s own. Gavin swore and his hand fell to his side before he completed the blow.

“You always were
unnatural
,” he growled, then glared at the fallen Ruarke with dissatisfaction. Gavin waved at his men impatiently. “Take him away! Grant him the hospitality of the deepest and darkest dungeon within this keep that he might think upon his loyalty.”

The knight was dragged from the hall by a trio of men. His crime was no more than being allied with the loser rather than the victor, but the price he was to pay disgusted Luc. His father had learned naught of honor in their years apart.

Luc caught a glimpse of the greyed visage of Connor of Tullymullagh and knew he had felt every blow upon his knight as though it struck his own hide. He felt a wave of sympathy that Brianna’s father must endure the loss of all he had wrought, especially in his sunset years.

The old king paused and met Luc’s gaze for a long moment, leaving Luc with the distinct sense that he was being assessed. Then, Connor turned for the stairs, his shoulders more bowed than they had yet been.

A flicker of movement revealed Brianna as she tried to follow her sire. “Father? Are you well?” Her voice was
strained and Luc knew he had not been the only one to note the burden Connor bore.

Connor summoned a weak smile for his daughter. “I but need a rest, child. Perhaps you might visit me later.” He beckoned to his steward. “Uther, if you will.” The pair shuffled their way up the stairs, looking markedly elderly, and Luc’s lips thinned that his own sire should be behind this disservice.

He knew well enough that ’twas greed alone that made Gavin set his sights upon Tullymullagh. None had slighted him here, the keep had no strategic import, ’twas far from Gavin’s other holdings. Gavin had merely decided ’twas fine enough for his Burke and cared naught for how many were killed or maimed in the acquisition.

Perhaps that was why Burke appeared to have mixed feelings about wedding Brianna. He had, after all, witnessed the assault. Luc’s gaze fell on the princess in question and everything within him quickened at the sight of her dismay.

And Luc suddenly wished that he could make all come right for this fetching woman. She was so vivacious, as bright as a harbor beacon, that it seemed unfair she should have to face such a challenge.

Brianna watched her sire ascend, clearly not in the least convinced that he had need of so little, but aware that she had been dismissed. ’Twas evident that she felt needed by both sire and champion. Indecision warred on her lovely features, until she made a motion to continue behind the party heading to the dungeon.

Gavin apparently noted her move, for he swivelled to jab a finger through the air after his men. “And see that he has no visitors for two days and nights!” he bellowed.

Brianna blanched and her indignation was clear when she turned upon Gavin. “But he is wounded! He needs tending!” Luc had to admire that even after what she had witnessed,
she was not afraid to speak her mind to his abusive sire.

Yet that very audacity made him fear for Brianna’s safety. Luc took a step forward that Gavin not court any ideas about treating Tullymullagh’s princess as he had treated its champion.

To Luc’s relief, Gavin satisfied himself with a glare in Brianna’s direction. “He needs naught that solitude and discomfort cannot provide.”

Brianna looked after the knight worriedly. Luc feared suddenly that she would not heed his father’s demand any more than she heeded that of any other. His innards writhed at the prospect of what Gavin might do to her in retaliation for such defiance.

Indeed, she asked for little but the opportunity to show consideration for a man’s injuries.

Luc cleared his throat. “Surely ’twould hurt naught to ensure that his injuries will readily heal.” Gavin glared at him and Luc knew he would have to put matters in his father’s own terms. “ ’Twould serve none if an able knight expired when he need not do so.”

Consideration dawned in Gavin’s expression and he slid a calculating glance around the hall. Luc guessed his sire could well use an experienced blade in his ranks.

And no doubt even Gavin realized the popularity of the knight he had struck. Should Ruarke die, many here would turn completely against their new lord.

If they had not already done so. The assembly drew back against the walls, almost as though they collectively flinched before Gavin’s very regard.

“Perhaps,” Luc further suggested. “ ’Twould hurt little to let the princess herself see to the knight’s injuries. ’Tis the place of the lady of the keep, after all.”

Gavin pursed his lips and Brianna seemed to hold her
breath. The older man looked to the princess and Luc knew Gavin was weighing that woman’s acceptability as Burke’s bride.

“Not until the morrow,” Gavin decided abruptly. “One night he shall have alone and untended to consider his path.”

“But—” Brianna began to protest.

“Nay!” Luc declared. His mouth went dry that Brianna would so recklessly endanger her own hide.

She looked fleetingly at him, a confused frown upon her brow at his single word. Despite his certainty that she would not heed him, Luc sought to compel her to silence with a single curt shake of his head.

And to his immense relief, Brianna bit her lip and said no more.

Gavin looked scornfully to Luc, his quick glance revealing that he had not missed the exchange. A nasty gleam in his eyes made Luc doubly fear for Brianna’s welfare.

He would have to ensure that she steered a wide path of Gavin, at least until her nuptials were performed. Gavin might restrain himself from doing injury to a prize destined for Burke, but Luc resolved in that moment to be doubly certain his princess was safe.

“Have you come only to urge
compassion
?” Gavin snarled.

“Nay.” Luc straightened. “The ostler would have your permission to build a temporary addition to the stables. It seems the ranks of horses at Tullymullagh far exceed the capabilities of the existing stables.” He arched a brow. “And those beneath your hand seem anxious to have your explicit approval before they act.”

Gavin waved off the question. “He may do whatsoever he will. No doubt
you
can grant him better advice than I on
such paltry domestic matters.” His lip curled. “ ’Tis the mark of a man to concentrate upon warfare alone.”

Luc deliberately did not take his father’s bait.

Gavin rolled his eyes, then frowned at the high table, his interest turning to more mundane concerns. “Is there naught to eat within this hall?” he roared and all jumped in unison. “Faith, a man could starve in this place!” He snapped his fingers at the plump cook. “Stir yourself, Cook, or I shall be compelled to find trusty help to replace you.”

“Aye, my lord. At once, my lord!” Cook, Luc noted, ran for the kitchens with an agility that belied his weight. Gavin stormed toward the high table, berating all that crossed his path, and Luc heaved a sigh of relief that the storm was passed.

Then, he saw the lady Brianna bearing down on him, her eyes shining, and was not nearly so certain of that. She might have conceded agreement for the moment, but Luc suspected the battle was far from won.

Indeed, he found himself looking forward to whatever she might say.

Or do.

“Luc!” Brianna breathed. “That was wondrous, indeed!”

“ ’Twas naught,” Luc insisted gruffly, not the least bit certain why her praise made him feel self-conscious. He nodded, thinking the matter closed, and made a trio of steps toward the portal before Brianna darted to his side.

“Do not go! I would thank you properly for aiding Ruarke.”

Luc glanced over the hall, now erupting into characteristic chaos, and had the sudden urge to be alone with the lady. It had naught to do with her use of the word “properly” he was certain.

“Not here,” he counselled, and to his astonishment, Brianna nodded ready agreement.

She chattered amiably as they matched steps and headed into the bailey. Luc marvelled that she had so readily agreed to his recommended course.

What was awry? ’Twas most unlike the lady, Luc well knew.

“I cannot even think of how much longer Gavin would have struck Ruarke,” she confided. “ ’Twas horrible to watch, and all the more so because there was naught I could do. Do you think he is sorely injured?”

Her concern for Tullymullagh’s champion knight grated on Luc. Such a man was hardly deserving of such loyalty. What had he done to deserve it? Abandoned Tullymullagh in its hour of need? Luc stalked toward the orchard, his mood growing more foul with every word the princess uttered about marvelous Ruarke.

Until a sudden thought brought Luc up short. He halted in the midst of the bailey, deeply afraid that he knew precisely why the princess was so concerned about this knight. Luc pivoted to face a wide-eyed Brianna, equally certain of why she wanted him gone from Tullymullagh.

It all fit together beautifully and he knew well enough that this woman had her wits about her.

“Is this then what you are planning?” Luc demanded tersely. “Do you want me gone so that your champion can challenge Gavin’s claim, so that there are none whom Gavin might summon to aid him?”

Brianna gasped, the way her hand rose to her lips and her face paled telling Luc all he needed to know. “I do not understand what you mean,” she whispered, but Luc knew the words were a lie.

She knew
precisely
what he meant! And Luc had guessed
aright! Anger rose hot within him that she would be so cavalier with her own welfare.

But then, men like Gavin Fitzgerald were beyond this lady’s experience.

Ruarke, though, should have known better. Another black mark was struck beside that knight’s name in Luc’s mind.

Luc stepped closer to Brianna, his words low and hot. “What manner of fool is this man to let you take such a risk?” he demanded. Brianna’s eyes widened. “Can he not see that you could well be injured? And what of the pledge he just granted my sire?” Luc flung out his hands. “Does his oath mean so little as that? How can he believe that Gavin will
forget
such a pledge?”

Brianna shook her head. “But Ruarke knows naught of this,” she began, then bit her lip as she realized her concession. Her guilty gaze rose to Luc’s as though she hoped he had not caught her slip.

But he had.

And Luc knew full well that he had rightly discerned the turn of this woman’s thoughts. He muttered an expletive beneath his breath, scowled at the proximity of the keep, then laid claim to Brianna’s elbow and marched her toward the orchard.

“What is this you do?” she demanded, even as she fought to free herself from Luc’s grip. “You cannot simply drag me about the bailey or expect me to follow your whim!”

Luc fired a dark glance her way. “This is for naught but your own good, my lady, and you
will
attend what I have to say.”

Brianna blinked, then ceased to struggle. She fairly ran beside Luc, taking two steps to each angry one of his, evidently thinking better of arguing the point.

Luc halted in the midst of the orchard where none might overhear and captured the lady’s shoulders within his hands.
She was so tiny, so fragile, it sickened Luc to imagine what his father might do to her for even
thinking
of treachery.

How that man would savor the marring of such a perfect fairy queen.

“My lady,” Luc said with a grim glance into her eyes. “Tell me that you have not been planning to challenge Gavin’s claim to Tullymullagh.”

Brianna opened her mouth, then closed it again. She frowned, she looked away, then she peeked through her lashes at Luc.

“Do not even imagine you can lie to me,” he growled.

She flushed and lifted her chin, that spark of defiance bright in her eye. “And what if I did?”

Luc wanted suddenly to shake Brianna until her teeth rattled. This was serious beyond all! “My lady! Use the wits God granted you. My sire
never
forgets a slight—nor does he let one go unrewarded. He will ensure that you rue any such course, for
none
defy him with success.”

Brianna’s lips set stubbornly and Luc knew this battle would not be readily won. Indeed, she folded her arms across her chest, then glared up at him. “That is not true!
You
defied him just moments past!”