The Crimson Castle (3 page)

Tibald
had a Norseman’s colouring with fair
skin and thick, wavy hair. Only a touch of grey hinted at his age and she
suspected he had many more years before him than to come. She noted his
reddened nose and a widening waist, likely a product of overindulgence.
However, he was still in good physical condition. A dark blue tunic was
stretched across broad shoulders and she suspected he would be very capable in
battle.

 He observed her through grey eyes as her crunching steps across a
rush strewn floor brought her closer to him. A flicker of a smile sat upon his
lips above a clean shaven chin and it broadened at what he saw as he bowed his
head in greeting. As she dipped to him in deference he looked down at her from
his chair with an arrogant air, as if inspecting his goods.

“Lady Evelyn, I thank you for gracing us with your presence. You are
indeed without equal, I am deeply honoured.”

Evelyn looked at him incredulously; did he think her so simple that a
little flattery would make up for being forced into this meeting by his
skulking henchman? She tamped down on her anger and fixed a smile to her face.
Now was not the time for quarrelling.

“Lord
Tibald
, the honour is mine.”

 His smile broadened at her demure response and he stroked at his
chin, donning a look of feigned sympathy. “I was sorry to hear of Sir Roger’s
death.”

“Thank you, my lord. He will be deeply missed…particularly by his
people,” she added pointedly.

“Indeed, indeed.” He seemed to study her for a moment, probably trying
to decide if she was attempting to rile him. “I hear tale of troubles on your
journey, my lady.”

Evelyn’s eyes flashed and she glared at Gabriel before turning her
attention to Lord
Tibald
. The conceited look in his
gaze riled her and in that instant she saw through the façade of chivalry to
the black heart that lay beneath. 

 “If you had permitted me to travel with a guard then it need not
have happened,” she said haughtily.

Tibald
laughed, “Oh, you are safe enough in
Gabe’s hands. He is worth ten of your men as I think you did witness for
yourself, did you not? “

Evelyn looked back to Gabriel, expecting to see pride in his face at
his master’s words but there was none. Instead there was a look she couldn’t read.
He was a difficult man to make out. Neither chivalrous nor chauvinist, he
treated everyone with equal brooding contempt. She suspected a quick mind
worked behind those blue eyes but there was one thing she could be sure of, he
was a merciless man. She had already seen him in action and she knew that
anyone in Lord
Tibald’s
employ would likely have a
heart of stone and little soul left.

Lord
Tibald
watched her with interest, a
self-satisfied smile still on his face. “You must be worn from your journey, my
lady. Will you not retire to your chamber? I will have a servant bring you up
some refreshments henceforth. We can discuss the matter of your lands over
supper.”

Evelyn almost protested, wanting to hear Lord
Tibald’s
proposition so she could be on her way home again but, knowing it was unlikely
she would be leaving yet and no more journeys would be taken today, she
acquiesced.  She would be more likely able to assert herself after some
food and rest. She had the feeling she would need all her wits about her now
that she was in
Tibald’s
claws.

“As you will, my lord.
Until
tonight.”

She gave a dip and headed towards her chamber, deliberately pacing her
steps, preventing herself from running off out of his gaze. She could feel his
eyes upon her still and it took all her control not to shudder. One sign of
weakness and she knew this man would have no mercy.

As she left
Tibald
turned to Gabriel. “Keep a close watch on her, Gabe. I sense this maiden to be
troublesome.”

***

Supper was an extravagant
affair and Evelyn felt a little self-conscious sitting at the long trestle
table with only Sir Gabriel and Lord
Tibald
for
company, the rest of the household dining on tables set up along the sides of
the hall.

She wished she had been able to take supper in her room. The table laid
out with white linen, elaborate candelabras and pewter plates begged for guests
and she wondered at the lack of other visitors but, having already sampled a
taste of the lord’s hospitality, she supposed other noble folk preferred to
visit with more welcoming hosts.

With only the servants and the hounds in the corner for distraction,
Evelyn struggled to pick at her food, uncomfortable under the watchful gaze of
the two men.  She caught Sir Gabriel’s disapproving stare on her several
times that evening and each time it caused her cheeks to flame, his scrutiny
sending a shiver down her spine.

“So, my lady to the reason of your visit…”
Tibald
spoke to her between mouthfuls. “As you are no doubt aware, since the death of
Sir Roger, your land is in an increasingly vulnerable state. With no male
heir-”

“My brother, William, is still the heir to
Beldersert
,”
she interrupted.

He blinked at her, surprised by the interruption. “And pray tell me,
where is your brother? I had been reliably informed he was in the Holy Land and
there was some doubt as to whether he was still alive.”

Evelyn bristled at this; it was not as though she didn’t consider that
he may have been lost to them in that unforgiving land, but she was determined
to hold on to hope.

“He has been informed of my father’s death and will be returning soon
to take his place as the rightful heir.”

  “If he is still alive…you would do wisely to accept it likely he
has been killed in battle. Many a good soldier has passed on at the end of a
Saracen sword in these foolish crusades.”

“I know he’s still alive.” She set her jaw determinedly.

“Of course you do,” He smiled patronisingly at her, “and when did you
last hear from him?”

She stumbled at this. “’Twas a while ago…but I have no doubt he will be
returning soon.” She tried to inject confidence into her statement, even if she
did not feel it.

“Then allow me to suggest, Lady Evelyn, that you remain here as my
guest until the return of your brother,” He placed a hand upon hers, “and in
the meantime, I will help watch over
Beldersert
for
you and ensure…no harm comes to your beloved people.”

Now we see the true measure of the man, Evelyn thought to herself,
trying not to flinch under his unwelcome touch.
Tibald
planned to use her people’s safety as a bargaining tool.

“You cannot hold me here against my will.”

“Lady Evelyn, I do not wish to keep you prisoner. You are free to come
and go as you please. What fanciful notions!” He shared a smile with Gabriel,
although he did not return the look. “I merely wish to offer you protection.”

“I have no need of your protection, my lord. I thank you for your
offer, but I am entirely capable of defending my people.”

He pursed his lips and gave her a patronising look.

“Lady Evelyn, I do not doubt your courage,” he said reluctantly, “but
you must realise these are dangerous times. Should you choose to leave…well,
there is no telling what may happen to your people.” He gave her a pointed
look.

A feeling of resignation darted through her, the weariness of grief and
responsibility pressing upon her, and she knew she would have to do everything
she could to ensure her peoples safety. She snapped out of her deliberation
when she realised Lord
Tibald
was addressing her once
more.

“Indeed, I could give you much more than merely protection if you would
accept an offer of marriage.”

She looked at him in surprise and slipped a glance to Gabriel who was
studiously concentrating on his meal.

“Lord
Tibald
, I have no
wish
to marry you! My brother shall be returning soon and I will have no want for
protection.”

 Evelyn’s cool composure slipped at the mention of marriage.
Although she expected an offer as such, his leering manner repelled her and she
answered more aggressively than intended.

Tibald’s
jaw ticked as he considered her, his
smile quickly gone and a cold anger visible in his face. “Very well,” He
laughed suddenly, making her jump, “I shall not take offence at your refusal. I
can see you are a woman who values your independence. Stay here as my guest
until your brother returns.”

Considering her options for a moment, Evelyn nodded.

“I thank you, my lord, I will stay.”

She tried not to sound testy, unwilling to aggravate the lord and he seemed
satisfied for the moment, tucking into his meal again with great delight and
they fell into silence, the repellent noises of his consumption making her
stomach roll.

When the meal ended, a grateful Evelyn excused herself to the
courtyard, desperate for an escape from the confinements of the castle walls.

Watching Evelyn leave,
Tibald
leant over to
Gabriel. “Find out what you can about her brother.”

As she quickly escaped outside, relishing the fresh air and small sense
of freedom, Gabriel followed silently behind.

Tibald
eyed his progress, observing his large
frame move stealthily out of the room. Whilst he had not garnered Lady Evelyn’s
hand in marriage, he felt pleased with the outcome of her visit. She was here,
in his hands, and he smiled, knowing it would not be long before she would
submit to him. And what a pleasure that would be. He had heard of the lovely
Evelyn’s beauty but it certainly was a sight to behold. All airs and graces,
confined within a tantalizing package. He would soon strip her of her snobbery,
he thought with a smirk.

He could be patient, he would bide his time and she would be his; body
and soul, and he would finally have his hands on her land. Their adjoining
lands would be one of the largest demesnes in Warwickshire and no-one would
dare threaten such power.

Foolish Roger should have just
offered her to him when he had the chance, instead he would take great pleasure
in breaking his precious daughter, ridding her of her spoilt self-assurance.
The thought of her slender body in his bed, her doe eyed pleading, sent a rush
of a thrill through him and, draining his wine, he went in search for a comely
servant girl, a meagre substitute for Lady Evelyn but a warm body nonetheless.

***

He stood at the edge of the courtyard, hidden in the shadows, just
watching her for a few moments. Her rejection of
Tibald’s
marriage proposal was likely to anger the lord, and was no doubt not a wise
one, but Gabriel had found himself admiring the bravery she had displayed. She
sat on a stone bench, lit only by the moonlight, her hands clasped together as
if trying to comfort herself. A look of weariness sat in her expression, one
that he recognised as it was too often written on his own face.

As he stepped out of the shadows, he saw Evelyn start slightly and he
was reminded as to the differences between them - the refined lady and the
roughened knight. It seemed their physical appearance served to emphasise their
dissimilarities, her pale beauty offering a stark contrast to his dark
coarseness.

“Sir Gabriel! I did not see you there.”

“Forgive me, my lady. I meant not to startle you.”

She smiled at him and for a moment he forgot the reason he was there.
Knowing there was a purpose to his presence he meant to question her about her
brother but for reasons unknown even to himself he did not.  Instead, with
Tibald’s
anger at her fresh in his mind, he moved
towards her.

 “Lady Evelyn, I would advise you against angering the lord.”

She stared at him, shocked at his boldness and still angered by her
exchange with
Tibald
.  “I thank you for your
concern, Sir, but I have no need of your guidance.”

“From what I bore witness to, it seems that you do!” He moved closer,
hoping his superior height would intimidate her into heeding his advice.

Instead of being intimidated, his actions seemed to rile her and she
stood from her bench, lifting her chin proudly. “I have no regrets over my
behaviour. I think it wise that you should question your own. Who are you to
advise me?”

“I only mean to say, my
lady, that
you are in
a vulnerable position.”

“One which you have placed me in!”

“I did not force you here. I was merely carrying out orders.”

“Orders?
I suppose it eases your mind to
consider yourself unburdened from your misdeeds by describing them as such.”

“And what do you know of my misdeeds?” He stepped closer still, anger
beginning to boil within him. Why could she not simply be mindful of his
counsel and accept it?

She sniffed, as if a foul odour had suddenly pervaded the air. “I know
enough.”

He let out a depreciating laugh and she stepped back slightly, noticing
his temper beginning to peak. “Of course you do, my lady. I forgot that Lady
Evelyn is blessed with such comprehension as to mark the character of a man
just as soon as she encounters him.”

A flush filled her cheeks and she took another step back as he shadowed
her steps, looming over her like a cobra waiting to strike.

“Nay, that’s not what-” she flustered.

“You may well be correct about my crimes, Evelyn. Mayhap you should consider
that thought before you attempt to rile me.”

Gabriel could see her pulse fluttering in her neck, the brief look of
outrage swiftly replaced with alarm at the savagery of his expression.

You disgust me,” she whispered as if saying it to herself, but they
both knew he heard and she lowered her eyes.