Jenna Jaxon - Time Enough to Love 03 (17 page)

Etienne de Courcy’s blue eyes narrowed to mere slits as he came from behind the desk. “That betrothal,
Seigneur
Longford, was rendered null and void by your father three weeks after it was made. He broke the contract; therefore, you have no further claim on my daughter.”

Geoffrey held his hand out. “I believe that is for Alyse to say, Lord de Courcy.”

Oh, yes, my love
.

She reached for his hand, only to have it slapped away by her father.

She rounded on him, eyes blazing. “What right have you to strike me, father?” Her anger blazed at his audacity. “Your rights over me ended the day I married Lord Braeton. I am now his widow, and my decision as to who I will or will not marry rests upon me and me alone.”

Alyse looked from her father to Geoffrey. Her throat clogged with rage
, and her pulse pounded. Aye, she would make them both understand that she had finished with their dominion over her. “From the beginning, I have been forced to let men choose for me, render my life in twain, even marry me to a man I did not love for the sake of honor.” She stared pointedly at Geoffrey, who looked away.

“And I will tell you both, there has been no honor in any of these dealings, with the exception of my first betrothal to Geoffrey. Lord Longford played us false and acted dishonorably in breaking our betrothal. Geoffrey acted from what he believed was right in asking me to marry his friend. He and I both know now
’twas wrong and had dire consequences for all parties concerned. But these things are in the past and can none of it be altered.” She continued to shift her accusing glare from one man to the other. “Therefore, I assure you ’twill be I who makes the decision of who I marry.”

“That would be me, would it not,
chérie
?” The low, sultry voice stopped her declaration, and she whirled around, as did Geoffrey, to stare into the grinning face of Guy de Valere.

Chapter 18

“
Seigneur
Longford, we have the pleasure of meeting again. You have managed to avoid both sword and pestilence,
n’est-ce pas
? I congratulate you.” The sleek Frenchman nodded once to Geoffrey, but did not take his hungry eyes off Alyse.

“As I do you, de Val
ere.” Geoffrey tried to keep his tone light. ’Twas difficult when all he wished to do was skewer the villain who stood before him, leering at Alyse. “May I ask what brings you here so speedily on such a terrible night and under the misapprehension that you are going to marry my wife?”

“Wife? I think not.”
Guy appeared to search the ceiling for an answer then withdrew a piece of parchment from his tunic and extended it to Geoffrey. “Had I not already been on my way to Beaulieu to endure the snow with some pleasant company, this paper would have brought me in all haste. It contains an acceptance of my suit for the hand of Lady Alyse. I met Louis with it at the turning of the lane.” He spun around and grabbed Alyse’s hand, bringing it quickly to his lips. His eyes met hers. “This has been far too long in coming,
chérie
.”

A red rage covered Geoffrey’s vision. The next thing he knew, he had his clenched fist around Guy’s throat, pressing him against the plaster wall of the study so that his feet dangled several inches from the floor. “I will thank you to keep your hands and any other part of your person away from her, Sir Guy. Lest you find it missing.”

Guy’s eyes protruded as he struggled for breath. His lips became tinged with blue.

“Geoffrey, you will kill him.” Alyse tugged on his arm.

“I do not mind, my sweet.”

“Geoffrey.”

“You prefer that he live?” Geoffrey cocked his head.

“For the moment, aye. Release him.”

Geoffrey shrugged and removed his hand from Guy’s throat. The smaller man sank to the floor, where he lay gasping.

Etienne rushed to assist him and glared up at Geoffrey.
“You will leave my house,
Seigneur
Longford,
immédiatement
! You are no longer welcome here.” De Courcy helped Guy to stand and the knight leaned on the desk, his breathing slowing as his color returned to normal.

“If he leaves then I leave as well, Papa.” Alyse raised her chin and with quiet conviction turned to Geoffrey and took his hand. “He spoke the truth when he said we are ready to take our nuptial vows.” The look she gave him was filled with so much love it made him catch his breath. “I will marry no other man than Geoffrey Longford.”

Her father snorted. “You will marry whomever I decree, Alyse.’

“On what authority, sire?” She strode toward him, eyes flashing. “I am a widow. You no longer have legal power over me or my decisions.”

“Your marriage to Seigneur Braeton was not valid.”

“Not valid?” Her face flushed red
, and she trembled. “How was it not valid? Our vows were spoken before the cathedral in London. Princess Joanna herself was a witness to it. And it was solemnized within the church immediately afterward by the Bishop of London. We were married in the sight of God and in the sight of man.”

“I did not give consent to the marriage, which was my right.
Seigneur
Braeton’s offer reached me in early August, but I rejected it.” Here Etienne glowered at Geoffrey. “After the affront
Seigneur
Longford
père
dealt my house, I was determined you would never wed an Englishman.”

Geoffrey held his ground and stared down the older man. “Just because you did not sanction the marriage,
Seigneur
de Courcy, does not make it invalid. King Edward himself acted
in loco parentis
in giving permission for Lady Alyse to wed Lord Braeton. Vows were spoken, and the marriage was consummated.” Alyse ducked her head and looked away. “Their marriage was legally binding. She is a free woman.”

“Then I refuse to release her dowry unless she marries as I say.” De Courcy drew himself up tall with all the dignity he could muster. “If this odious man will take you to wife, he will take you as you are, with no land, no money, and in the clothes in which you stand.”

“Done.” Geoffrey spared not a glance for Alyse’s father. He couldn’t take his eyes off Alyse, now his forever. “I will take her to wife as she stands. She need bring nothing more than all that she is here and now. I have lands and estates in England and will inherit the earldom at my father’s death. Mayhap I already have.” He glanced at Etienne. “I have no need of anything else save Alyse.”

“You must then live in want all the rest of your days, Longford.” Guy spoke softly, but it reverberated in the silence of the small room. “For we are now in France, and English law may not hold here as well as it does on English soil. I claim Alyse de Courcy as my betrothed, by right of contract with her father.”

Geoffrey’s broadsword made a soft zing as it kissed the scabbard it was leaving. ’Twould feel good to have an enemy to fight once more. And no one deserved to die more than this snake. Sword
en garde
, Geoffrey urged Alyse behind him. “If you seek to enforce French law, Sir Guy, you will do so by going through an English blade. And I promise you, in order to wed her, you will have to kill me first.”

Guy drew his sword.
“
Seigneur
, it is my most earnest desire.”

Alyse stepped out from behind Geoffrey. “I do not care, Guy, what law you or my father care to claim.”

“Alyse, get back.” He tried to push her behind him and got an elbow in his ribs.

“I tell you both I will marry no man but Geoffrey Longford. And if he dies, I will die with him.” Guy laughed
, and Alyse stamped her foot. “I will do it, I swear my oath, I will.”

Geoffrey grinned at his adversary. The fool would make the mistake of underestimating the woman he sought to marry. “She speaks the truth. She has sworn it to me
, and I believe her.” He grinned at Alyse. “But you need not worry, my love.” He took in de Valere from head to foot and shrugged. “We will require a marriage bed this night, and he a coffin.”

Guy growled an oath at him and drew his weapon as well. “Shall we take this out into the
Great Hall,
Seigneur
, that the delights of the night to come may be determined?”

“Aye.” Geoffrey backed out of the room, pushing Alyse behind him. “Although I little thought you so eager for your grave.”

“I am eager for Alyse’s warm bed,
Seigneur
. As you apparently are for a cold one.” Guy entered the Great Hall, his gaze darting over Geoffrey’s sword, stance, and stride as they sparred with words instead of swords.

But swords would come soon enough. Geoffrey relished the thought. He had itched to engage this cocky knave in single combat in June. He smiled broadly,
gauging his opponent. An easy stance, but a tendency to lean slightly to the right. His strides were shorter, although that might make him more nimble. The man might put up a good fight, but he would not prevail. “I fear your only bedmates this evening will be the worms that come to dine on you, Sir Guy. Enjoy their caresses if you will.” Inclining his head toward Alyse, he spoke firmly. “My sweet, return to the solar with your father until this matter is finished. I will find you when I am done.”

“But, Geoffrey
…”

“No, Alyse, you cannot stay.
’Twould not be good for you to witness this.” She must not watch anything to distress her or harm the baby. To see an old acquaintance slain might do both.

“Aye, my love.” She nodded as though she understood. “I will wait for you.” One piercing glance at him, filled with love, and she sped into the solar
, followed closely by Etienne.

Geoffrey’s attention now rested on Guy and his arrogant sneer.
’Twould be wiped off that sallow face ere long. He assessed the Great Hall for its advantages and disadvantages as a place of combat. The room was a good size, with tables and chairs pushed against the walls. No impediment to their swordplay then, save the rushes beneath their feet.

The two men closed distance
, and Geoffrey thrust out boldly, pressing the advantage of the first strike. His blade sought an unprotected shoulder.

Guy parried easily.
“This is the way you expect to kill me?” He smiled as he struck out at a seemingly vulnerable leg.

“This is the way I begin. I end with you on the floor
, bleeding at my feet.” Geoffrey lunged forward with a cut to Guy’s head, a blow that would have split his opponent’s skull in twain had it not been blocked.

Guy thrust Geoffrey’s blade over in an effort to bind it to the ground.
He planted a foot on Geoffrey’s chest, and Geoffrey crashed to the floor and rolled away. Guy’s sword whistled down, sinking into the rushes where Geoffrey’s head had just lain.

Geoffrey rolled into a kneeling position and struck at Guy’s exposed legs, his blade nicking the left one as the man danced backward. Geoffrey came to his feet, a smile twisting his lips. “I draw first blood, de Valere. Care to wager who draws last?”

“I have already done so, Longford, and will have sweet Alyse to soothe my wound.” Guy circled to Geoffrey’s left, forcing him toward a poorly lighted section of the hall. A trap, to be sure.

Geoffrey sprang forward, his sword a blur as he attacked and parried, driving the smaller man down the hall almost to the front portal. He had a
glimpse of Alyse pressed against the doorjamb of the solar, eyes wide.

She should not be there.

Geoffrey lunged, trying to pin Guy to the door.

The small, wiry man nimbly sidestepped the attack
, and the pommel of the Frenchman’s sword landed a crushing blow to Geoffrey’s back. His knees buckled.

“Noooo!”

He shot a look to the solar where Alyse’s father had grabbed her skirt and hauled her back inside.

The pain and Alyse’s scream cleared his head. He rose to face Guy again
.

His opponent sneered gleefully.
“Fear not,
ma chère
,” Guy called to her. “When this is done, I promise I will make you forget
Seigneur
Longford ever lived.”

Geoffrey laughed. “When this is done, de Valere, you will be dead
, and it will be as though
you
never lived. At least to my wife.” He spun about, and his blade flashed. Blood flew from Guy’s arm.

“
Pautonier
.” Guy strangled a curse and launched his own attack, raining punishing blows to flank, shoulder, and head.

Geoffrey’s blade sang as it shielded him from blow after blow, a smooth rhythm flowing through him as it always did in battle. He returned cut for cut
, and his superior reach and stamina began to take a toll on Guy.

De Val
ere retreated up the hall, sword flailing as he tried to find a hole in Geoffrey’s defenses.

Let me end this.
Geoffrey let his guard slip, leaving his right flank exposed.

“Ha!” Guy charged with a thrust to his side.

Geoffrey neatly sidestepped the lunge, and as Guy swept past him, Geoffrey reached out and snared the Frenchman about the chest. He kicked Guy’s legs out from under him and laid his blade against Guy’s throat.

Geoffrey chuckled. “What an interesting turn of events. You asked how I intended to kill you. This appears to be it.” He pricked the defenseless skin
, and a drop of blood welled forth. “Do you yield to me, de Valere?”

Guy swallowed, but otherwise remained still. “I thought we had agreed this combat would be to the death,
Seigneur
. Can you not stomach the thought?”

“Oh, I can cut your throat and ne
’er think twice about it,
Seigneur
. But in the face of so many recent deaths, and in deference to my wife who was, I admit, your childhood friend, I will spare your life if you yield to me.”

“Yield, Guy.”

Geoffrey looked up, startled to find Alyse before him, her father hurrying after her, holding his wrist.

“Enough is enough.” The deep frown on her face said she would brook no more fighting.

Guy slid his gaze toward her. “Had it been I who held the sword to Longford’s throat, would you have said the same,
chérie
?”

She shook her head. “Had your places been reversed
, I would have even now been down on my knees begging for his life, for I know he could not yield. I am his wife, Guy. Nothing can change that.”

“
Ce n’est pas possible
!” He struggled against Geoffrey’s hold, and another drop of blood appeared.

Geoffrey had no intention of releasing the man until he surrendered to him.