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[ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] John pulled him into an embrace. Thank you for saving her, he murmured. Bastard or not, Joan is the daughter of my heart. Awkwardly, Stephen patted the other man s shoulder. The display of fatherly affection constricted his heart. Would he ever have a child of his own to love? It didn t matter. If he had Elena, it would be enough more than enough. How is the lass? The trip back to Winchester had been difficult. Nightmares had plagued the girl. Stephen had employed a woman to chaperone her, but Joan would have nothing to do with her. She panicked every time Stephen left her sight. She only left him when her old nursemaid had come to comfort her last night, and even then, she had been reluctant to let him go. She is well. Recovering from the ordeal. The king s lips twisted. If Llywelyn still wants her, he ll have to come fetch her himself. And bring an army of Welshmen with him. When it came to the thieves stalking the roads, a Welsh army would certainly fare better than a convoy of the king s. Stephen breathed a sigh of relief. I am glad to hear she is recovering. She is a good lass, Your Grace she ll make a prince of Wales a fine wife, I daresay. Thank you. The king pulled back but still gripped Stephen s shoulders. I shudder to think of what might have happened had you not come& I only did what any man of honor would have done, Stephen said. Though he wasn t a man of honor, not for the betrayal against his king he was about to commit. He looked into the king s eyes. They were light blue, like his daughter s, and at the moment, as earnest as he d ever seen them. Your Grace, before we continue, I have something to tell you The king raised his hand to stop him from saying more. Anything, he said. You may have whatever holding, whatever amount of gold that you desire. As long as you don t bankrupt me. Think on it carefully, for this is the only time I will make this offer. Stephen s fists clenched and unclenched at his sides in a single, convulsive movement. Elena de Burgh. The king didn t appear surprised. He released Stephen s shoulders and returned to the window, where he looked out at the clear morning sky, crossing his arms over his chest. This has naught to do with Loxburn or her lands, does it? Not at all. If she had not a farthing to her name? 85 Dawn Halliday Then I would still want her. You love my cousin. I do, my lord. You would care for her, no matter what? I would with all my heart. I know you have legally betrothed her to another, but The king held up his hand to stop him. No. I destroyed the betrothal documents. I didn t trust the man with Elena. She wasn t safe with Ranulf of Lewes. I sensed& a shadow of evil within him. Stephen released a long breath of relief. Thank God. Do you think your decision might jeopardize your contract with Prince Llywelyn, my lord? I doubt it. Lewes was instrumental in the beginning of the negotiations, but Llywelyn and I have an understanding. I think he trusts Lewes about as much as I do. His lips twisted. No farther than I can throw him. Stephen moved closer to the king. You know I would never let Elena come to harm. The king sighed. I believe you. Stephen tensed. The resignation in the king s tone was impossible to miss. I would give her to you if I could, John continued. But she is gone. Gone? Where? Stephen didn t understand. Why would she have returned to Loxburn? Ranulf of Lewes. The king s features hardened. He took her from Winchester beneath my very nose. He& ? He kidnapped her. When? Stephen bit out. Five days ago. Where are they? I d guess he took her to Fordhaven. It s the only keep he controls. It stands to the east of Glamorgan. Primal fury threatened to cloud his reason. Stephen clenched his fists, fighting the sweeping, overpowering rage. I will find her, Your Grace. The corner of John s mouth quirked upward. Yes, Sir Stephen. I imagine you will. If I may take my leave Of course. 86 Sins of the Knight Instantly shifting into warrior mode, Stephen sprinted into action. Within the hour, he was headed away from Winchester, a small army of men at his back. Only then did he realize it had been too easy. His men had awaited him in the bailey, armored and ready. His squire had already saddled his destrier, who stood at the gate, chomping at the bit. It dawned on Stephen that if he hadn t arrived to take charge, the king would have led the army to rescue Elena himself. Grimly, Stephen spurred his mount, leading the men toward Wales. He wouldn t fail her this time. * * * * * It all went by in a blur. Keeping her wrists bound, three men held a struggling Elena upright as the priest a round man with bulging eyes stuttered through the vows. Though the man seemed to have some sympathy for her plight, given the sword pointed at his throat, he had no choice but to bless the union. By sundown, Elena was legally married to Ranulf of Lewes. Ranulf himself had been the only calm person present, a beatific smile spread over his features as he promised to love and cherish her until death did they part. She refused to acknowledge the priest or speak the vows. Instead she spat at the men who held her and only laughed bitterly when one of them threatened her with disembowelment. Ranulf wouldn t have her disemboweled. He wanted her to live, and to suffer. When the priest pronounced them man and wife, a deadly calm settled over Elena. She was married again, to another boor this one far worse than the last. With one last pitying look at her, the priest departed, leaving Elena with Ranulf and his men, more exhausted, drained and alone than she d ever felt in her life. The scratches on her arms and chest burned and her limbs ached with bruises. A line of blood trickled down the back of her arm. Ranulf finally came to within touching distance of her. He grabbed her chin between hard fingers and forced her to look into his dark, angry eyes. You know what comes next, wife. As much as her pride told her to spit in his face, instead she let her defeat show in her slumped shoulders and downcast eyes. Yes. His voice was rough with anger or passion, Elena couldn t tell. Hugh was too weak to tame you. Sir Stephen is an imbecile. But I am neither weak nor stupid. She didn t answer this time. He moved close too close. She smelled his minty breath as it washed over her face, and her stomach heaved. 87 Dawn Halliday I can hardly wait, he whispered. Elena swallowed down her nausea. Tears were easy enough to conjure, and she let them flow freely. Yes. Let him think her a weak, defeated female. There is naught I can do to stop you. She looked back up into his cruel eyes. Husband. He smiled. * * * * * Fury at his wife s stubborn behavior had nearly overcome Ranulf during the ceremony. It was almost impossible to allow his men to subdue Elena when all he wanted was to pummel her into submission. But Ainsley s hand on his arm reminded him to be calm, and he d somehow maintained a peaceful façade and forged his way through it. Ultimately, it didn t matter. All that truly mattered was that she was finally his. The best part was that Ranulf had literally watched the fight drain out of Elena as the priest blessed their union. They were finally married under God. She knew as well as he did that nothing could tear that asunder not even the king. Nothing but death could separate them now. They dined beside one another at the high table, and for the first time since her [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] |