The Crimson Castle (4 page)

He knew she had no reason to think anything of him but it irked him
that she despised him so. That she had marked out his character as so deformed
already.  He sighed, knowing he had done nothing to disprove her notions
of him with his inability to restrain his savage temper.

Silence loomed between them, eyes connecting uneasily until finally
Gabriel spoke.

“I apologise, Lady Evelyn, I spoke out of turn. ‘Twill not happen
again. “

He regretted frightening her, more used to dealing with uncultured
soldiers than noble women, and he attempted a humble look.

This seemed to amuse her, the fear quickly forgotten as a slight smile
spread across her lips.

“See that it does not.”

With a bow, he turned on his heel to leave but paused, remembering the
task at hand. “Lady Evelyn, do you really believe your brother to still be
alive?”

“I do.”

  “Where was he when you heard from him last?”

  “In Jerusalem, I believe,” she said somewhat sullenly.

Gabriel nodded and looked grimly at her. “I spent some time there but a
few years ago. It would be wise of you to consider that he may not return.”

He noted the fear in reappear in her eyes and, unable to bear such a
look, he bid her good night. As he strode away he felt her eyes on his back and
he wondered at the effect she had on him. A pretty face rarely held any sway
over him and he took little notice of womenfolk in general. She vexed him more
than she reasonably should, but he could not help but admire her strong manner.
Knowing of the folly of his reflections he resolved to spare her no more
thoughts as he climbed wearily into bed that night.

Over
the coming days, Evelyn struggled to adjust to the idleness of being a guest of
Lord
Tibald’s
. With her father’s health ailing for
many years now she had taken on most of the duties at
Beldersert
.
For the most part managing her father’s affairs had given her great fulfilment
and she had relished being looked to for aid by the villagers.

Although she considered herself an intelligent and dutiful woman, she
had not initially found the role easy. She knew little of responsibility prior
to that and, although her father and brother tried to coax her into learning
more of running the estate, knowing it would be necessary knowledge for when
she married, she relished her freedom too much and was an unruly pupil.

Eventually she had learnt to enjoy the role and prided herself on being
a fair mistress. Although, without the guiding hand of her father, she wondered
how she would deal with any strife within the village. Her charitable instincts
dissuaded her from any forms of punishment, particularly when she had known
these people her whole life, and her father had taken most of the decisions
upon himself when she had not the stomach for it.

Now, however, she would be appreciative of some sort of conflict to
liven up her days. She was itching to go for a ride but her every step was
haunted by guards and, although she was not forbidden from leaving the castle
walls, it had been made quite clear that Lord
Tibald
would be displeased if she did so. She did not want to risk his ire,
particularly with her village’s fate in his hands, so she tried her best to
play the subservient lady even when it
rankled
her to
do so. Whilst he remained courteous to her there was something in his eyes that
warned of the underlying wrath that she had heard so often about.

Watching weapons practice that afternoon, interest stirred within her
when
Tibald
joined in and Sir Gabriel and the lord
sparred with their wooden wasters, decked only in their linen shirts and hose.
It became clear to Evelyn that both men concealed destructive temperaments, as
demonstrated by the aggression revealed in their movements. Although Gabriel’s
temper was barely concealed, she thought with a wry smile. It seemed to her to
simmer under a careful disguise of indifference.

 She watched him closely, the sweat glistening off his brow, his
hair slick, and puzzled over the man. His aggression and agility leant him to
the role of a soldier but she had seen much evidence of intelligence in her few
days in the castle. She had been surprised to discover that
Tibald
left nearly all of the duties of the estate to him, preferring to indulge
himself with food, wine and entertainments.
Tibald
jealously guarded his financial affairs but it seemed to Evelyn that all other
tasks were handed over to Gabriel.

 She wondered at the trust that
Tibald
put in this man and at the dutiful manner in which Gabriel carried them out.
Their relationship was a peculiar one, with teasing amusement from
Tibald
and barely disguised contempt on Gabriel’s behalf.
Why did he work so hard for a man he so clearly had no respect for?

They continued on until Evelyn thought they would drop from exhaustion,
their shirts soaked in spite of the cool weather, clinging to their powerful
bodies. They were almost equally matched;
Tibald’s
superior girth making up for his lesser agility, but Evelyn could see Gabriel
was restraining himself. They fought aggressively, their wooden swords crashing
against each other so hard that Evelyn thought they may split. They danced
around one another, parrying and feinting with great skill.

She was disappointed when Gabriel
finally conceded to his master, in spite of the obvious superiority of his skill
and the weariness of his opponent.  If
Tibald
realised that he had not triumphed through his own skill, he did not show it
and Evelyn smiled in amusement at his posturing. She was astounded when Gabriel
too shared in this smile.

***

Gabriel remembered this shared moment that night, her bright smile
burnt into his mind as he settled between his sheets.  He had felt her
presence before he’d seen her, stood in the corner of the bailey, watching them
with fascination.

He’d fought harder than usual, normally acquiescing to his master long
before, but it was with great reluctance that he had yielded to
Tibald
, realising it would do him no good to defeat the
arrogant lord. It angered him normally to spar with
Tibald
,
having to play the inferior fighter, but when he had caught her look of glee it
had made him look at his master’s false bravado with a new perspective.

Evelyn’s ability to find pleasure in life puzzled him. He watched her
with envy as she chatted with the servants with ease. She seemed to make
friends with just about anyone, no matter their walk of life. He had never
before questioned his own lonesome existence and he found himself angry at her
for causing him to doubt the path he had chosen. He knew she’d caught him
scowling at her on more than one occasion, her face a mixture of confusion and
disdain. She scolded him on occasions for his lack of chivalry and he felt
genuinely ashamed at his ignorance.

Evelyn had come to dominate his
thoughts and he found himself highly aware of her presence. He did not deny
that she was a handsome woman and he saw many a head turned by her, but he was
surprised that she caught his attention at all. He concluded that it was due to
her unnerving character, having never before borne witness to such strength
combined with such delicacy. With a frustrated toss under his sheets, he
resolved to put her out of his mind and concentrate on his task at hand -
ensuring she kept herself out of trouble, long enough to become
Tibald’s
bride.

***

The next morning, she joined
Tibald
for
breakfast, half relieved and half disappointed that Gabriel was not with them.
Tibald
informed that he was attending some business in town
when he noticed her look towards his usual seat.

Eager to leave the stifling atmosphere of the castle, Evelyn finally
plucked up the nerve to ask Lord
Tibald
if she may go
to the market. Mary had told her of the exciting wares to be found in the
market and Evelyn decided it would be a healthy distraction and would help
boost her waning spirits.

“My dear lady, I beg of you come and go as you please.
‘Tis
your fevered imagination that believes I wish you ever
present. Although I would not complain if you chose to make it so.”

He smiled at her and Evelyn was struck by the sinister look behind it.
She suspected he was attempting to charm her and yet for all his gallantry he
could not hide the truth of his character.

“I thank you, my lord.”

“I anticipate you may find many wares that will be to your liking, ‘tis
one of the biggest markets in the county. I have but one request, my lady, if I
may?”

“As you will.”
She smiled pleasantly,
disguising an inward groan.

“I will ask one of my men to accompany you, ‘
twould
not do for a maiden under my care to come to harm.”

“Wherefore, my lord?
I could not come to harm
within the castle walls. I am not so incapable that I cannot see to my own
safety.”

“I do not doubt it, but nonetheless there be my request.
Etone
is not like your little township; verily our streets
are fraught with danger.”

Evelyn decided it was most improbable that there was any danger in a
town under the ruling of such a man and he was as like trying to frighten her
but, with the scent of freedom drawing nearer, she relented.

Tibald
could not keep the look of triumph
from his face as she complied with his request, leaving for the market with a
guard in tow. In truth, there were few dangers to be met with inside the walls
of
Etone
. He controlled his serfs with a strong hand
and rarely would any risk the wrath of their lord, fearful of retribution. It was
unlikely anyone would be so foolish as to attack a guest of his but he did not
trust Evelyn one jot. Her insolence, while he enjoyed it, could only mean a
bold spirit lay within and he suspected it would not be long before she
attempted some rash escapade.

An intelligent mind lay
underneath that comely appearance and no doubt she understood the nature of the
deal they had struck. He cared not for the fate of her people and wouldn’t
think twice about harming them should she find his terms objectionable. Still,
until he found her brother, he would have to watch his step. William of
Beldersert
had the King’s ear and it would not do to anger
him unnecessarily. At least until he could be taken care of,
Tibald
thought with a smirk.

***

The market did indeed prove to be a sight to behold. Evelyn, being
relatively ill-travelled, had little experience of such a large gathering of
trade. The noise alone was surprising, each stall holder bellowing their wares,
while customers haggled for the best price. Exciting aromas infused the air –
freshly cooked bread, herbs and spices, mingling with, but not quite
disguising, the smell of livestock.

A visit to the cloth merchant’s stall had her enraptured, the vast
display of colours and textiles, capturing her eye. The stall holder looked
upon her with glee, noting her interest and attempted to coax her into making a
purchase. As Evelyn laughingly declined, the merchant’s grin quickly fell as
she felt the dark shadow of a man fall behind her.

Gabriel greeted her with a half-smile of uncertainty which Evelyn
attributed to their heated words the last time they had fully conversed, the
awkward meetings since having been blessedly brief.

“Good day, Lady Evelyn.”

“Good day.” She gave him a reserved smile in return and she noted the
darkening in his eyes but his smile did not falter.

“What think you of the market? Is it to your liking?”

“Indeed, it is diverting.” Evelyn could not help but lose her coolness at
the mention of the market - it was truly wondrous. “Were I at home I would not
be able to resist the temptation to buy up most of the fabrics! They are unlike
aught I have ever seen.”

Gabriel unexpectedly chuckled at her enthusiasm and she discovered she
rather enjoyed the sound of his laughter, just as she liked the crinkling in
his eyes as he smiled down at her. It softened his menacing aura, making him
more human and less like the demon she thought he could be. However, underneath
the grin she could still sense an undercurrent of something. A sensation she
could not place her finger on, but it scared her slightly and she vowed not to
trust such a man, even if he did have a beautiful smile.

He noticed her study of him. “Is something amiss, my lady?”

Caught out, Evelyn wondered if she should reveal her musings to him.
“Nay, I am tired. Will you not accompany me back to the castle?”

Gabriel looked a little taken aback by her request though she could
well understand why. She was not given to behave warmly towards him and she
doubted it had passed his notice.

He motioned for her skulking guard to leave. “It would be my honour,
Lady Evelyn.”

They walked leisurely through the narrow streets, their arms brushing
occasionally. Evelyn found herself highly conscious the large man at her side,
sneaking glimpses of his strong profile while noticing the fearful glances he
garnered from the peasants. She was certain there was good reason behind the
looks, the rumours of
Tibald’s
tyranny could not be
wholly false, and she already knew Gabriel took on most of the duties. She
could only assume he was a weapon of terror, wielded by
Tibald
,
to keep his people in line.

As they rounded a corner, the keep now directly in front of them, a
young boy dashed into Gabriel’s leg connecting solidly with his hard thigh and
falling down with a bump. Fearing Gabriel’s temper Evelyn went to help the lad
up but Gabriel got there before her and helped him to his feet, his large hands
making the boys skinny arms look fragile.