Velvet & steel (20 page)

"How distressing. I will stay to make my services available ... in case you should need any assistance. Creganwald is not safely guarded. I could see that right away. Why, if I were set on taking it ... I don't believe I could have been stopped. We must see to your safekeeping, else Royce might find you flown when he returns."

"I will send servants to you and leave you in Robert's capable hands," Lynette said coldly. "Rest assured, Sir Beltane, that Creganwald is adequately guarded. Any intruder will find strong swords raised in its defense.... Please excuse me."

Lynette left them, before her fear showed in her eyes.

Surprisingly, as the days wore on, Beltane showed no sign of creating any problem, which puzzled Robert, who set guards to watch his every move.

Lynette confined herself to Cerise's room and her father's, and received reports from Robert. The next week passed, and there was no untoward movement from Beltane.

Eldwyn grew worse, and Lynette remained by his bed much of the day, and often at night. She was leaving his room late one afternoon when she came face to face with Beltane.

Lynette was so surprised that for a moment she could not react. But Beltane was gazing at her with a sympathetic and comforting look, and that alone raised her suspicions.

"My love, you look as if you need some rest. Come for a ride with me. You have been locked in this sickroom for days. Surely there»is someone who can give you some relief."

"My father is too ill, and I must be by his side." She tried to move around Beltane, but he took hold of her arm and drew her close to him.

Beltane inhaled the scent of her and felt his body react. He wanted her. His smile was meant to charm, but to Lynette it looked feral and darkly suggestive.

"Lynette, why do you go on with this? You know the king's will is law, and his will shall make Creganwald mine. It would be better for you if you forget Royce. He will not go against whatever the king decrees. He will not jeopardize all he has won for one maid."

Lynette could hear the murmur of voices from the hall below, but essentially she was alone. She looked coldly at Beltane, and spoke in a voice calmer than he expected.

"I am not a possession with no more feelings than the walls of Creganwald, and I will not be used by you to wreak revenge on Royce. I am going to be his wife, not because the king has ordered it, but because it is my wish as well."

"You are making a large mistake. Royce has no power at court, but I do. It would serve you well to heed me, and prepare to understand what Royce already does ... that you and Creganwald are out of his reach. He has long deserved to be put in his proper place."

"But," Lynette said with a smile, "I thought, when he came here, that the king had put him in his proper place. We have all taken him to heart... especially me, and I eagerly await the moment we are wed. Then Royce will have the right to do with you as I would like to do—toss you from the walls of Creganwald."

"You are foolish, Lynette. Already Royce is being told of your... disloyalty and your welcoming me here."

"Royce will not believe your rumors. He knows well that I await him, and would go to no other man. He knows, because I have given him cause to know, that there is no other man in my heart... nor will there ever be."

Lynette had time only for a shocked gasp before she was caught in his arms, and his mouth took hers in a wild, impassioned kiss. She struggled, but for nothing. Her strength was no match for his. Worse, she knew if she cried out, there might be bloodshed, and Royce would pay a dear price if Beltane was killed here.

Still, she continued to do battle. He forced her back remorselessly against the door, and his hands began to fondle her with no regard for her muffled protests.

Then as suddenly as he had attacked, he was letting her go, and she realized that Robert had grasped him by the shoulders and thrown him against the wall.

Beltane pushed himself away from the wall to confront an equally angry Robert, who stood toe to toe with him and regarded him with a sneer of contempt.

"Rape has always been your way, Beltane, but this time you have laid hands on the wrong maid. Until the king's word says different, this maid and Creganwald belong to Royce, and I will hold each from harm. It seems you need reminding."

"You interfere, Robert," Beltane snarled. "The maid offered me an invitation."

"You lie!" Lynette cried, frightened that Robert might believe it.

"Aye, lady," Robert replied with scorn in his voice. "He lies. Lies and treachery have always been his way. Keep your distance from the maid, or I might forget what a coward you are and separate your head from your shoulders."

Lynette could not believe that a knight as handsome and as honored in the court of William could be so deceptive and brutal. To look upon him was to see his beauty ... but to know him was to realize the ugliness of his spirit.

"This you will regret." Beltane's gaze burned into Robert as if he would see him dead, but Lynette noticed that he did not reach for a weapon; he truly was a coward. "And you will regret as well." He turned his fury on her. "When you are mine, we will see who is the master."

"You will be master of the pig stalls should I find you handling the lady again. Mark my words well, Beltane."

Beltane straightened, and cast one last smoldering look at Lynette before he left them.

"You are not hurt, lass?"

"Nay, Robert. I was unprepared. I shall be more careful in the future."

"I would show him the gate, but I do not want to anger the king."

"Robert ... he spoke as if he knew there would be no marriage. Can the king have changed his mind?"

"Nay, he has not... but there is something weighing on his mind that puzzles me. I have tried to find word of things past concerning Tearlach and William, but none here know anything of it. But there is a secret, I know."

"I wish Royce would come."

"Aye, as do I. But by now William has returned to London, and has decided what must be done. I would not be surprised if Royce sent for you soon." Her eyes brightened with hope. "Rest assured that Beltane will not bother you again. I will warn the others. Alaine is impatient to challenge him, and the others wait only for a word from me to test him."

"I would have you do naught to cause any change in the king's mind."

"That is how I feel. But when Royce comes"— Robert grinned—"I will not stay anyone's hand, least of all my own. If I can get to him before Royce."

They continued down the stairs to join the others.

The balance of the night passed with no further sign of Beltane, who had ridden out after his confrontation with Robert.

But late that night, Eldwyn grew steadily worse, and Lynette rushed to his side. She remained there as the hours passed, bathing his face and washing away the sweat of his brow. Deep in her heart she knew this day might see him gone from her, and the thought of it broke her heart.

Robert came in again and again to see if there was a change, and she could only say the change was for the worse. Robert knew the end was near as well. He went down to his men and gave orders for word to be sent to Royce that Eldwyn was near death.

"Tell him the hour nears, and his lady is in need of him."

"Shall I tell him of Beltane's presence?"

"I would be little surprised if he did not already know of it. Tearlach would be the first to begin the rumors."

"Rumors?" Alaine questioned.

"Beltane and Tearlach no doubt hope it will be said that the lady welcomes Beltane with open arms. It will give the king cause to consider what Tearlach has planned."

"What think you he has planned?"

"Would that I knew. But he wants Creganwald in Beltane's hands, and will do what he can to poison the king's mind against Royce being lord here."

Alaine's face had reddened and his eyes blazed in indignation. "He would darken the lady's name for his own benefit?"

"Do you put it past Beltane?"

"Nay, I do not. I will ride with all haste. Royce would slice him from breast to groin if he knew of his intent."

"It is the one thing we do not want before the king's decision is given. After that"—Robert shrugged—"it will be an interesting thing to see. Go, Alaine, and get the word to Royce. He will not want his lady alone in this dark hour."

Alaine left at once. Again and again over the next two days, Robert returned to Eldwyn's room and found Lynette there.

The third night when Robert returned the dawn light revealed the exhaustion on Lynette's face, as it revealed the death on Eldwyn's. She had done all it was in the power of anyone to do, and she knew her beloved father was slipping from her life.

Unrestrained tears stained her cheeks, and her face was pale and sorrowful. Robert knelt beside her as she prayed. Then he slowly rose and, against her will, drew her to her feet with him.

"Oh, Robert."

"I know, lady, it is hard. But you have done all you can. He is in the hands of God. I think Royce will come soon."

"You have sent word?"

"Aye."

"But he was not to leave until the king returned."

"He will leave," Robert said positively. "He will be at your side as fast as he can."

"Robert, does he know ... ?"

"Have no doubt of it, lady, he knows. There is no love between him and Beltane, but he will not endanger you or Creganwald with hasty action. He would just be with you."

"I would have him here," she said softly, her exhaustion evident in her voice.

"I am going to bring you some food. You have not eaten and you will grow ill."

"Thank you. I cannot leave him."

Robert left the room quietly, and returned some time later with food. He watched to make sure she ate, and sat with her while the hours dragged Eldwyn's life away.

Lynette sat near the bed, and when her head dropped back in exhausted slumber, Robert kept watch over both.

The bright sun woke Lynette, and she found herself stiff and weary from her uncomfortable position. She went to her father's side and found little change. Robert sat nearby, and came to stand beside her.

"I didn't mean to sleep."

"You needed to rest, and I kept watch. If there had been any change, I would have wakened you."

"Go and find some food, Robert. Send Selwyn to me. I want to bathe and change him so he will not suffer any discomfort."

"Lynette, for a small time come away from this room. Just until Selwyn can carry and heat the water, and prepare him. It will do no good if you are too ill to be of any help to him ... and Royce will be questioning our guardianship should he return to find you in your bed. I will see to your father's care."

"You will call me if there is any change... any change at all?"

"I swear."

Reluctantly she agreed, and he watched her as she dragged herself to the door. Robert sat near Eldwyn's bed and wondered what would happen if the lord of the manor was dead and the new lord had not been chosen.

Lynette found that no matter how exhausted she was, she could not sleep. She longed for Royce's strength, and to have him hold her and let her rest in his comfort. She rose from her bed and walked to the window.

A sound drew her attention, and she turned to see the door swing open and a tall form fill it.

"Lynette?" At the sound of her name, she uttered a soft cry and ran to the security of Royce's outstretched arms.

Lynette stood by her father's grave, dry-eyed now because she had cried all her tears. Beside her stood Royce and Cerise, who held Lynette's hand. Cerise understood sorrow and the loss of a father, and she had remained quiet even as she clung to Lynette as if to support her.

For the two days before Eldwyn died, Royce had been Lynette's strength, silently holding her when she felt overwhelmed by sorrow, and cradling her in his arms at night when she could not find sleep. Now he stood beside her while the priest spoke the words of solace.

Royce had not mentioned the king, their marriage, or the presence of Beltane. He kept his thoughts to himself, but Beltane knew he was annoyed by his presence, and it pleased him.

When they all walked slowly back to share the food Lynette had ordered laid for them, she excused herself and went to her chamber. Royce followed, and Beltane's cold gaze dogged him.

In his mind he saw them in each other's arms, and the thought tore at him. He felt Robert's eyes on him and returned his look with a smile meant to annoy ... and it did.

Within her chamber, Lynette went to her bed and lay upon it. Royce came to her and lay beside her and took her in his arms. Few knew more about grief than he, and he knew Lynette needed to heal herself, that there were no words he could say to aid it. He meant just to be beside her and to let her have someone to cling to.

"Must I go back to London with you now?" she asked quietly.

"Not until you are ready to leave Creganwald," he replied.

"You will stay with me?"

"For as long as you want me to stay."

"What of William?"

"Grief is a thing he knows much about. He would not rush you from your father's grave to a marriage."

Lynette turned to face him and saw the gentleness of his gaze, and the protection of his love. "I will take a day or two, then I will go with you, for I fear what Tearlach might do while you are away," she said. "He hates you too much to let any opportunity pass. I know it is why he has sent Beltane here."

"He sent him to darken your name before the king and to make William believe you would have Beltane rule here."

"You have heard..."

"The well-placed stories and the vague rumors, aye, I have heard. But Tearlach does not know the meaning of trust, or he would not have wasted his efforts." Royce smiled at her. "Tearlach has never known love either, or he would not try to place Beltane between you and me."

"You never doubted me?"

"No, Lynette, not for one moment."

"What are you going to do?"

"Make sure he finds no success, and that the king is informed of the truth. I know when William returns I will be there, and if I must remind him of his oath and his honor, then I will do what is necessary." He pulled her closer to him. "I will leave most of my men here to guard Creganwald. You, Cerise, and I will return to court where we will be waiting when William arrives. I must find out what is afoot. Tearlach and Beltane are too... confident and too pleased."

"Why would William change his mind?"

"Robert says William owes Tearlach a debt, but I know not what it is."

"Then there might be no way to fight this."

"Aye, Lynette... there is always one way."

His voice was so cold that Lynette felt a shiver of fear go through her.

"I could challenge Beltane, and the king would be forced to acknowledge the one who succeeds."

"What if he refuses to fight?"

"You do not know Beltane's temper. He can be forced to fight, and anger is not a good weapon."

Her arms went about him, and she moved closer. He sensed her fear, but he had no words of comfort. He meant to rid himself of the threat to their happiness once and for all, no matter what the king ruled.

***

"I want you to follow my orders tomorrow," Beltane told his man as they conversed in a quiet corner of the hall. "See that you carry them out as I have told you. Don't make a mistake."

"I will see that it is done. Will you carry her back to London with you?"

"Aye. Mayhap we will stop and see a priest along the way. Once the deed is done, there is little they can do about it, and I intend to see to the consummation of the marriage. Once Creganwald and the maid are mine, you will be content with your service here and your reward?"

"Aye, you have been very generous."

"Good, then see that the business is done right. If you fail, Royce's sword does not know the meaning of the word mercy."

"So I have heard. He cannot be as good as he claims."

"No?" Beltane laughed. "He does not claim. But he is as good as every enemy he has bested has claimed. Unless your ambitions outweigh your sense, do not challenge him."

"The deed will be done," the man replied, but Beltane could see he had not convinced him about Royce's prowess with a sword. If the man was foolish enough to find out for himself... then let him pay the consequences. As long as he had Lynette and Creganwald, he didn't care.

That night Lynette and Royce had their dinner served in their chamber with only Cerise for company. Cerise had clung to Lynette, understanding her grief and sympathizing. She didn't know the words to say to make it easier, but she tried to make Lynette feel loved. She had found her father, and she knew how she would feel if she lost him again.

Lynette would have spent the night comfortably secluded with Royce and Cerise, had not a young maid come to the door to knock timidly.

There was a household problem, and despite Royce's offer to handle it, Lynette felt it better if she went. She was mistress of Creganwald, and her authority had to be maintained now that her father was gone. She followed the girl to the kitchens and within minutes solved the minor dispute.

She left the kitchen and climbed the stairs slowly. It would not be the same for a long time in this hall. She only hoped she could make Cerise's days as happy here as hers had been. Caught in her thoughts, she was not aware of another presence in the shadowed hall until a hand reached out and gripped her arm drawing her into a half-open doorway opposite her room.

"Beltane!" she gasped. "You fool! What do you think you are about? Royce will kill you!"

"Nay, he will not. Not if you are wise enough to understand what will occur. I have come to give you the chance to make this easier on him. The king will soon make it known that Creganwald is mine. He—"

"No! He will not."

"Aye, he will. If you want it to be easier on Royce, all you need do is submit to me. Tell him that you choose the king's will... and me."

"You addle-brained ass! You snake! Do you think I would give myself to you? I would rather be dead, as you will be when Royce hears of this."

"But he will not hear of this," Beltane ground out. "For when he finds you, you will be in no position to tell him the truth. If he finds you in my bed... naked, will he believe you then? Will he not believe you left him to come to me?"

His intent was obvious, and Lynette began to fight in earnest, but a sharp blow across her face stunned her and she was dragged further into the darkness. She could feel his hands moving over her, and she knew a fury that was like a red flame before her eyes.

She fought valiantly, and for one moment gained her freedom. But Beltane stood between her and the half-open door. In the semidarkness, Beltane could see her clearly, and the sight inflamed him. He would have had the caution to wait until the following day's plans had been carried out if he had not seen her go to the kitchen and followed.

Lynette could see him only as a dark shadow between herself and the light. She meant to scream the house down if he took another step toward her, but the chance for that never came. Behind Beltane, and across the hall, a door was pushed slowly open. Royce stood very still, but the broadsword in his hand rose slowly until the point was directed at Beltane.

"You have tormented me, wench," Beltane was saying to Lynette. "Why not make it easier for the both of us? The time will come when William puts your hand in mine, and there will be nothing Royce can do about it."

"You will not live to see that day." The voice that came from behind Beltane was like shards of ice, and Beltane swung around to meet the cold gaze that matched it.

"Bastard! I will not tight you for what will be given to me."

"You will not fight me because you are a coward. and I will not kill you in the house of an honorable man who has just been laid in his grave. But leave here. Beltane, before I forget all honor and slice your heart out here and now."

"You have interfered for the last time. Royce. You will regret this when you face the sure defeat that is coming. I will see you pay."

"You have just one hour to ride away from Creganwald." Royce's voice was firm. "After an hour. I will believe that you wish to die and will grant that wish. Gather your men and get you gone."

Beltane knew that not only did Royce mean it. but he might accomplish it as well.

"Mayhap you are right." He smiled a grimace of a smile. "We will let the king decide."

He cast one last look at Lynette. brushed past Royce. and was gone. But Royce turned from the door and followed him down to the hall, where Robert and the others rose to their feet in surprise. Lynette was only a few steps behind Royce.

No one spoke while Beltane announced gruffly to his men that they were leaving. More than one puzzled look was cast at Royce. who stood calmly nearby and said nothing while they gathered their possessions and left.

When Beltane and his men were gone. Lynette and Royce explained some of what had happened.

"To throw Beltane out will magnify Tearlach's wrath." Robert said cautiously, but his lips twitched.

"It will magnify his wrath," Royce admitted. "And we must follow close on his heels, for he will carry a tale that will cause as much harm as he can."

Royce turned to Lynette, but she met his unspoken question with a smile. "I will be ready to travel when you wish."

He was obviously relieved at her reaction, but he only turned to give the order that all were to prepare to travel at the first light of dawn. Then he turned and followed Lynette back up the stairs.

It was only after Cerise had been taken to bed that Lynette questioned him.

"He will go straight to Tearlach?"

"No doubt. Beltane is a handsome face behind which a sluggish mind rests. He needs to be guided, and Tearlach is the guide. Beltane only knows what he wants for the moment; Tearlach has a far-reaching plan, and I wish I knew what it was."

"Royce, do you think William will be back by the time of our arrival?"

"I hope he does not arrive before, but either way, it is time to make an end of this. I would play Tearlach's game and learn what his goal is."

Royce threw himself down in a chair near the fire and sighed in disgust. Lynette came to kneel by the chair and look up at him.

"Royce, if I plead with the king, mayhap it will bring him to our way of thinking."

"He was already thinking our way. It was his order that brought me here and commanded this marriage. But something has changed his mind, something powerful."

"What can we do?"

"For now, all we can do is return to court, put the lie to any tales Beltane might carry, and do our best to remind the king he has given his word."

"Royce, I ... I could not bear to wed a man such as Beltane."

Royce reached for her and drew her onto his lap. Her arms went automatically about his neck. He rested his head against her breast and spoke quietly.

"You will beg no one, not even the king. If a man is not as good as his word, he is of little use. I have served William faithfully for a number of years. That alone should be enough to secure his favor. I have his word, and that should be all that is needed. But if it is broken... then I will see that Beltane never finds satisfaction in his gain."

Lynette knew by his voice that he would listen to no arguments about this. He had put his trust in William for many years and had never regretted it; now he would do it again and see what the value of his friendship was.

Lynette held him close to her, and soon the soft touch of his lips against her throat told her his thoughts had turned to other things.

She sighed softly as his lips found hers and she surrendered to the pleasure of his touch.