Velvet & steel (23 page)

The morning came, lightened by a bright sun and unseasonal warmth. Although warm cloaks had to be worn, there was no sharpness in the slight wind.

Lynette had found it impossible to sleep and had spent the night alternately praying and keeping her thoughts on the hopeful words Robert had said.

She could not help wondering what Royce was doing right now. Would he be awake and thinking of her? Would he try not to think of her to keep his mind free of distractions? She dressed slowly, as if she could resist this unbearable thing.

Royce was not surprised that he slept soundly. He had always grown calm before a battle, a thing that never ceased to amaze not only him, but those surrounding him.

When he came down to break his fast, he found himself surrounded by well-meaning friends full of advice. Finally he laughed and told them to leave him be, that he had to spend some quiet time with his daughter.

He took a confused Cerise aside and they walked together to a spot where he felt they would not be interrupted.

He was again surprised at her quick mind, for she seemed to know that he was going on some mission of great import. She said nothing, asked no questions, yet he felt she knew he wanted her close to him.

But the time had come to go, and he lifted her in his arms and held her. She put her arms about his neck and hugged him fiercely. Then he stood her on her feet, and she watched him mount his huge destrier and ride away.

The field where the duel was to take place was a rough square of land, surrounded now by three-sided tents which had been erected to protect the benches arranged for the spectators. Charcoal-burning braziers warmed the area within, and hot coals were available for the feet of those who felt the cold.

The sun glimmered on helmets and mail-clad arms, and reflected the brilliance of shields and the metal of the horses' harnesses. Color was abundant in bright surcoats and in the banners that adorned each tent. It glowed in the dresses of the ladies present, golds and reds, greens and blues. It was a magnificent display, and the excitement was as brilliant as the colors.

Lynette was to be seated on one side of William, with Matilda on the other. She wished she could have sat beside Matilda, for she desperately needed her support.

She didn't want to watch, but neither could she drag her eyes from the field. This was not the usual joust, where the combatants would face each other with lance and horse. This time there would be nothing but one knight and one sword against the other.

Steeling herself, Lynette tried to retain her control, but her hands felt as cold as ice. What if Royce fell here today? She could not bear the thought, but it refused to go away.

When someone took the seat beside her, she looked around to find a smiling and obviously satisfied Robert.

"Good morning, Lynette. It is a fine day."

Lynette was staggered by his open smile and air of pleasant good humor, as if nothing of great importance was about to happen.

"How can you be so calm?" she said, half in anger. "Royce could die out there."

"Nay, Lynette, he will not die."

"You cannot be that certain. Beltane is so—"

"Aye, he is devious and he is tricky... but he cannot fight as Royce does, and he does not fight for the reward Royce does." He laid a hand over hers. "Lynette, you have not seen Royce in battle. I have. Now he fights not just to fight, but for something so dear to his heart that he will not let it go. Have heart, lady. You are to see a side of Royce you have never seen before."

Lynette heard a soft chuckle from the other side of her and turned. William was not looking at her, but she knew it was he who had laughed so softly and she saw the pleased smile on his face. A sudden thought came to her that the king might have arranged this on purpose. Her quick mind grasped the idea, and pursued it until the truth came to her. William had found the only way he could give her to Royce with no objections from any quarter! At that moment William turned his head and met her gaze... and he winked.

Tearlach and a company of friends came to find a place close to the king's position, as if to imply that they had William's blessing.

The fight was about to begin, and Lynette had yet to catch sight of Royce. At the end of the two lines of tents were the tents of the combatants. She knew Royce was there and she longed to go to him, to hold him and... she inhaled deeply and lifted her chin. He would not expect her to lose faith in him, and she did not intend to.

"Excellent," Robert whispered from close by.

She had been told that they would not fight on horseback this day, but she could see Royce's destrier standing outside his tent. Then the tent flap was pushed aside and Royce strode into the sunlight. Her heart caught in her throat, and she would have stood had not Robert touched her arm lightly. There was a roar of pleasure from the viewers.

On the other side of the field, Beltane was stepping from his tent and looking across the field toward Royce. Both men mounted their destriers and rode to the center of the field and turned the huge horses to face the king.

Both men dismounted and bowed slightly toward the king, but Royce's gaze was locked on Lynette. It was then she realized he was not as heavily armored as Beltane. But the broadsword he bore glittered in the sunlight, and it was easy to see it had been honed and well prepared for this moment. The shield Royce carried bore a lion's head, with teeth bared and claws poised to tear; beneath it was a sword. The shield spoke of his bastardy and his ability at the same moment.

The heavy leather he wore would be no barrier to a sword, and Beltane and everyone present knew it. The sight of Royce's leather caused a rustle of laughter, for it was as if Royce had claimed that Beltane's sword would never touch him.

Beltane fought the rage that filled him, for Tearlach had cautioned him that Royce would try to provoke him.

"I would hold no advantage," Beltane claimed loudly. "Give me time to remove my armor, for I would give the bastard every chance."

Royce was a little surprised, but he merely acquiesced. Robert was very surprised, for he knew Beltane to be just the man to take every advantage he could. He turned to look at Tearlach and saw his smile. Beltane had been well cautioned.

Beltane's armor was removed, and again he met Royce in the center of the field. They faced each other, only a sword's distance apart.

Shields held high, swords at the ready, they awaited only the signal to begin. Lynette could have groaned in her fear, the fear that she would see Royce's blood shed this day ... and for her.

The signal was given and for one breathless moment the tips of the two swords touched. Then each man backed away from the other and began to circle cautiously.

Beltane attacked first and the crash of his sword against Royce's raised shield echoed across the field. It was followed by another and another, and Royce fell back before the onslaught.

Then suddenly, Royce struck again and again. His sword was met by Beltane's shield. They were getting the feel of each other. These initial parries were mild ... to everyone's eyes but Lynette's.

If Lynette were not so frightened, she would have seen what Robert saw, that Royce was beginning to enjoy the duel. Beltane brought his shield wide to counter a blow and raised his sword to strike what he thought would be a fierce blow. But Royce was like a shadow; he was not in the position Beltane expected him to be. He jabbed Beltane with the point of his sword hard enough to draw blood, but not hard enough to do any harm other than annoy Beltane and put him off stride.

Lynette was filled with a swelling pride. Despite Royce's size, he was quick and graceful, and it was thrilling to watch him. She was breathless at his daring and his control. There followed a furious exchange, in which Royce received a touch that bled so much that he looked more injured than he really was. Lynette saw nothing but the blood, and felt as if her heart would stop, but a glance at Robert calmed her, for he looked as though nothing unusual had transpired.

But now the battle seemed to change, to take on a note of cold deliberation. Few were aware that the reason was Beltane's growing anger at Royce's jeering taunts. Moments passed while steel clanged upon steel with tremendous force.

The shields became dented and bent, and then one mighty blow from Royce's sword finished Beltane's shield. With a curse he tossed it aside and took hold of his sword two-handed. Royce's laugh rang across the field, and he tossed his shield aside and took his sword in both hands.

Both men were bathed in sweat and panting. For them time seemed to stand still, but for Lynette it seemed the fight had gone on for hours. Blow after blow was struck, and time after time a raised sword parried the blow.

"You will never see Creganwald," Royce grated. "I shall hold a celebration in your honor, while you nurse your disappointment."

"Damn you, you bastard!" Beltane panted. "I will slice you to pieces here."

"That would make me late for my wedding, and I do not think that wise with one so beautiful as Lynette."

Royce watched Beltane struggle to maintain his control, but he knew that anger had always been his opponent's weakest point. He pressed Beltane back with several hard blows. It only made Beltane's temper shorter.

"All this effort for naught, Beltane," Royce chided derisively. "For Lynette will not have you ... and I will not let you live to take her."

"You speak as if it were decided."

"But it has been ... at your birth, when you were refused the gift of honor. From thence it was only a matter of time until that fact was discovered by all."

Beltane no longer fought the red haze that was swirling before his eyes. His hatred of Royce was overcoming his caution.

The two pounded furiously upon each other, and slowly ... slowly, Beltane began to bend beneath the brutal rain of powerful blows. After a while he began to realize he was on the defensive, and tried to press an attack. But his weary arm and his lack of ability made it difficult.

Now Beltane could only stand, feet planted, and take the brunt of the powerful two-handed blows Royce was delivering with unbelievable strength. Royce had done exactly as Robert had known he would do. He had closed everything from his mind but Beltane. He fought as he had fought all his battles, with single-minded devotion and complete disregard for himself.

Lynette could not believe that this furious whirlwind of a warrior was the gentle, loving man who had held her and made love to her with the softest of touches. Each blow he delivered would have sliced Beltane in two if his upraised sword had not deflected it. But that sword was wavering ... weakening ... lowering.

Beltane knew by now that he was losing, and a white-hot anger wiped away the last of his caution. He struck and struck again, but each effort was less hard. Royce watched for the opening he needed, the moment when Beltane's defenses were lowest. When it came, he struck Beltane's sword a blow that sent it from his numbed fingers. It glimmered in the sunlight as it turned over and over in the air and landed, point deep, in the earth. It vibrated for a moment, then became still, and Beltane faced Royce.

It would have been so easy to kill him where he stood, and Royce found it hard to resist doing just that. But he did not want his wedding marred with blood. Beltane knew he looked death in the face and felt his legs go weak, yet he did not flinch. Royce had to credit him for that.

"If you want me to beg, bastard, then you will wait a long time. Kill me now, or you may regret it."

"I do not murder an unarmed man. Let it go, Beltane. Announce the fact that you relinquish all right to Creganwald, and you and I will be finished here."

Beltane inhaled a deep breath. He would have liked to do anything but what Royce asked, but he had little choice. He was not going to lay his pride in the dust for Tearlach.

With a voice that carried across the field, Beltane announced his defeat. Royce made it as difficult as possible.

"I relinquish ..." Beltane began, but Royce tapped him smartly with his sword.

"Louder. I would not want any ear to miss your words and their meaning."

Beltane glared at him, but raised his voice so it carried across the field.

"I relinquish any claim I have on the manor and the Lady Lynette of Creganwald."

"Excellent, Beltane." Royce smiled a feral smile. "And I hope you don't forget this, for if we cross swords again, I shall surely kill you."

William and Robert exchanged a glance that did not go unnoticed by Tearlach, who felt his defeat even more potently than Beltane... except he had not relinquished anything... nor had he admitted any kind of defeat. Lynette wanted to smile, but all she could see was the blood that stained Royce's leather coat.

Beltane walked from the field, and Royce came to stand before the king. Lynette could see the coldness in his eyes as clearly as William could.

"Is the bargain well met, my lord? Or are there others who wish to dispute my claim?"

William knew the justice in Royce's anger and he had no battle with it. "Nay, Royce, the bargain is well met. Tonight we will celebrate. Will tomorrow do for the wedding, or do you need time to recover?"

There was a hint of amusement in William's eyes, but Royce was in no mood to see it. He stabbed his sword into the ground and went to Lynette. With a slight bend of the knees, he grasped her about the hips and lifted her so that her hands rested on his shoulders and she laughed down into his eyes. She bent to kiss him and her hair fell about them. To the cheers and applause of the crowd he spun her about, and she threw back her head and laughed. Then she bent to Royce again and whispered in his ear.

"You are mine now, Royce, all mine."

"Aye, lady," he whispered back, "and you are mine."

Royce wasn't pleased that Lynette would spend the night before their wedding with the king's household, but he did not want to approach William with any request. He still smarted at what to him seemed like betrayal.

William knew it and so did Robert. Lynette was almost certain of it as well, and just as certain that she knew the reasons for William's actions.

When Lynette came down to dinner, she was seated close to William and Matilda. Royce was placed too far away to talk to her in private, but he intended to get her alone as soon as he could.

He watched her and realized just how much he had missed her these past days. Her head was bent close to William and she laughed at something he said. Impatience tore at Royce, for he remembered well the sound of that laughter, softened in the quiet of the night. The scent of her lingered with him as if she rested in his arms. Beneath the light of the torches her skin seemed even softer and her hair more golden.

But it seemed that there was to be no opportunity to see Lynette alone, for when the meal was finished, Matilda motioned to Lynette, and Lynette rose and followed her up the steps and away from Royce's view.

Several of Royce's knights came to sit near him and subject him to some ribald teasing about the marital state. Royce laughed good-naturedly with them and shared a few horns of ale. There was no doubt in his mind that the night was going to be a long and lonely one.

Robert could easily see that Royce was keeping his distance from William, so he went and sat down next to him. They were talking comfortably when Royce's attention was drawn aside and he turned to see Tearlach and Beltane enter the room.

Tearlach's gaze found Royce, and although his face remained impassive, there was a coldness in his eyes that Royce understood quite well... the matter between them had not been settled. There was a silent promise that one day it would be.

"He would be wise to bury this now," Robert said.

"He will only bury it with my body," Royce replied. "And that will never happen if he continues to use men like Beltane to carry out his plans."

"Tomorrow you wed Lynette. My advice to you is to quit the court and find your way to Creganwald. There you will be in command, and can watch for any treachery."

"Aye, it is my thought as well. As soon as the wedding is over, Lynette and I will be on our way."

"Royce, you have to go to William."

"Why? I have won the game he set me to. I have taken back what was given me in the first place. Am I to thank him for the chance to die for what he promised and then denied?"

"Do not be a fool, Royce. You know William better than that."

"I thought I did, but it seems he can break a promise whenever the mood is upon him."

He did not choose to break a promise. He did what had to be done to make sure Creganwald remained in your hands. Otherwise he would have been forced to honor a pledge given before you joined him."

"What pledge?"

"I do not know and I have not asked. I can reveal this to you now. The night before the battle was set, I joined William to talk of what had to be done."

"You mean... this conflict with Beltane was planned by you and William?"

"Actually by him. but I agreed to the contest, for I knew as well as he did that you would hold Creganwald. I knew the outcome of the contest would be exactly as it was. But it released the king from a vow, and for that he is grateful."

"Any more gratitude from him might find me dead and buried," Royce replied, but Robert could see the beginnings of a smile in his eyes.

"You have held what is yours, and no one can claim Creganwald."

Royce glanced at Tearlach and found his gaze still on him. "I don't think Tearlach is a man to surrender so easily."

"Aye, you have a lifelong enemy, but there is little he can do. You need only watch your back. Neither he nor Beltane are ones to forget easily."

"I will arm both myself and Creganwald."

"And will you go to William now?"

"Robert, how much of my life have you planned?" He laughed at Robert's injured look. "I must watch carefully or you will be planning more."

"I would plan on children soon, so I may play grandfather." Robert chuckled in satisfaction. He did not see the shadows in Royce's eyes.

"Nay, there is no need for children."

Robert was silenced for a moment, then he regarded Royce carefully. "You would have no heir for Creganwald?"

"Cerise will inherit and she will wed."

"And Lynette? Will she not want children of her own .. . of yours? I believe she loves you more than even you can imagine. I saw her face at the battle. She will want her love for you to bring the son you desire."

"And you think I would take such a chance? Do you think I would allow Lynette to take that chance with her life? There are many ways to prevent such a thing, and I would have a careful midwife to instruct Lynette on them. I will not chance losing her, Robert.. . and I will hear no more about it." He added before Robert could protest, "You are right. It is time to go to William... and then prepare for our return to Creganwald." He rose and walked toward William. Robert's gaze followed, filled with shock and pity. Royce could not wash Sybella's death from his mind, even now.

William watched Royce approach and felt a lifting of his spirits. He had thought that the truth, when Robert confessed it, might anger Royce.

"Well, Royce," William said when he had found a chair near him. "It seems Matilda has stolen your lady for the balance of the evening."

"It seems so. And I must find my way home."

"We are getting older, my friend. There was a time when we warred all day and drank all night."

"I find my mind set now on quieter pastimes. I would go to Creganwald when the ceremony is over tomorrow. There is much to be done there."

"I will come before the summer is gone and see what you have planned for it. Royce, I am much pleased that Creganwald lies in the right hands. Take care... protect it well. It is valuable to me as well as you. Those who fought you have no regard for the possessions of another, and may still go to some lengths to gain what they have lost."

"Creganwald will be easy to defend, when I have done all I plan to it. It will also be productive."

They continued to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Creganwald for some time. Neither spoke of the duel or its cause. It was enough for both that all was silently understood. Royce took his leave as soon as he could.

Tearlach watched him go, and vented his fury on Beltane.

"I could do no more," Beltane grumbled miserably. "The man is a demon with that sword."

"And he is clever enough to prey on your inability to hold your temper and use your head. It appears, if I am going to rid myself of the bastard, that I must do the deed myself."

"What do you plan?"

"To wait. I have waited all these years, a few added months will make it just that much more pleasurable."

"But—"

"Ask no more. In due time we will see just how well Royce can hold Creganwald for the king. In the meantime, it would serve you well if you were to mend your relationship with Royce."

"Mend! It is unmendable! I would still like to meet him again. This time I would have more caution."

"Nay, you will mend it, and your best means to that end is the Lady Oriel. She makes her home with her brother, does she not?"

"Aye, Giles. But Royce will not welcome me within the walls of Creganwald. Besides, the Lady Oriel is not to my taste. My mind is set on sweeter fare."

Tearlach turned a furious gaze on Beltane. "Then make her to your taste! Teach her to bend to your will. That handsome face of yours has bent the will of more than one unsuspecting lady. This one will bring you Lynette and revenge."

"I do not understand."

"Then come to my chamber tonight when the others are abed. We have much to talk about." Tearlach rose and left a puzzled Beltane looking after him. He could not see what could be done about the matter now. In the morning Lynette would be Royce's wife. What could be done afterwards to change that?

***

Oriel had been alternately proud of Royce's power with the sword and furious that Beltane did not succeed in defeating Royce and taking Creganwald and Lynette from him. She had dreamed of comforting Royce in his loss and thereby showing him the depth of her passion for him. He would understand, once and for all, that she was the right one to stand by his side.

In the quiet of her chamber she curled up in her large and lonely bed and longed for Royce. What she would give to feel Royce's hard, strong body beside her and to feel him caress her in her need. She could feel the fiery hunger flood her and groaned her frustration.

How she hated Lynette, yes, and even his daughter. She hated all who took him from her. If there was only a way .. . only a way.

Lynette, too, was sleepless. But it was excitement that kept her awake. Tomorrow the time would finally come. She and Royce would wed and leave this place of intrigue and hatred. They would return to Creganwald and find their promised happiness there.

The bed was both a delight and a torture, for she could feel Royce's presence and remember the nights they had shared.

She thought of the joys of being his wife. Her dreams continued, welcome and fulfilling.

They would have children, she and Royce. Sons, tall and strong. And daughters, as lovely and intelligent as Cerise, who would draw the strongest knights in the kingdom to make Creganwald even more secure.

She thought of her happy years at Creganwald, and the thought of children to roam its fields and hills warmed her. She laid her hand on the flat plane of her belly, and realized she could be carrying Royce's child at this minute.

This reminded her of Sybella and Royce's experience with her, and she wondered if Royce was still haunted by her tragic death. She did not know if her mother had had difficulty with her birth, for she had not wanted to see the grief in her father's eyes when she was spoken of. Now there was no one to ask.

She pushed the thought aside. All women were frightened of giving birth, but she was healthy and strong and she would not see problems where there might not be any. For now there was just tomorrow... and the beginning of a new future.

This was enough to bring satisfaction and finally peaceful sleep.