Meanwhile, Peter dared to loosen his grip on Liora. He cupped her face with both hands to get a good look at her.
“You are unharmed?” he whispered.
She nodded, struggling not to tear up again. “My father is still here, somewhere.”
Peter kissed her forehead. “I know,” he said. “I will worry about him after I’ve secured your release. Come, sweetheart – sit down before you fall down.”
He directed her into the nearest chair and she sat heavily, greatly shaken from the events of the day. He put his hand on her shoulder, both a possessive and comforting move. He stood next to her, watching The Marshal and the king mutter back and forth. Finally, The Marshal stepped away from John and Peter caught a glimpse of the man’s face.
He didn’t like what he saw.
“Peter,” John said. “I have a proposal for you. Will you listen?”
Concerned about the expression on The Marshal’s face, Peter nonetheless managed to nod. “I will, your grace.”
John folded his hands across his chest in what looked strangely like both a fatherly and thoughtful gesture. “For nine years, I enjoyed the company and counsel of Sean de Lara,” he said. “I am sure you know that. I am sure you also know that de Lara is no longer with me.”
“I know, your grace.”
“What you do not know is that I feel his absence deeply,” John said. “For so many years, I could look over my shoulder and there he would be, but no longer. I miss a great knight in a position of power at my side.”
Peter didn’t know what to say to that. He simply nodded, watching John as he stood up from the chair and stretched his weary body. “Peter, you mentioned something interesting to me when you spoke of my stallion,” he said. “You said that you must build your own empire because, as your father’s bastard, you shall inherit very little. You realize that your father’s own empire is built upon a lucrative marriage and my own brother’s generosity.”
“I know, your grace.”
“Then you understand there is nothing wrong with accepting titles or lands or positions from the king,” he said. “We have the power to give such things. I have the power to give you such things.”
Now, he had Peter’s attention, but not in a good way. He immediately wondered what he was going to have to do in order to gain that power and position.
“You are most generous to suggest that, your grace, but…”
John interrupted. “I have given your father a great deal recently,” he said. “Ludlow and Wigmore, to name two. The least he can do is give me his son for all I have done for him. Take de Lara’s place at my side, Peter. Become my personal protector.”
Peter nearly choked. He stared at John, trying desperately not to look too appalled, but he couldn’t quite pull it off. He ended up looking at The Marshal, seeing that same grim expression and realizing why the man had looked so displeased.
John wanted Peter to be his new Lord of the Shadows.
The words sank deep. Peter genuinely had no idea what to say other than to refuse him. But if he refused him, it was very possible Liora and Haim would never leave Westminster. He was well aware that this was coercion on the king’s part, so he was careful in his reply.
“You honor me, your grace,” he finally said. “Truly, what you are suggesting is a great honor. But I am sure you realize that my place is at my father’s side.”
“Do this for me and Mistress Liora and her father shall go free today,” John said in a master stroke. “Refuse me and… well, there is no knowing what may happen to them. To her. Do you understand my meaning?”
Peter was trapped. God help him, he knew he was trapped and there was no way to wriggle out of it. Liora’s freedom for his service to John.
He could hardly believe how badly he’d been played.
It was checkmate.
Sean de Lara had spent all those years at John’s side and now, William Marshal was picking up the mantle. But he couldn’t do it forever. He was an old man and he had more responsibilities than almost anyone in England. That meant, soon, he would have to back away, but someone had to be at John’s side, watching him and manipulating him, making sure the rebellion knew of the king’s every move.
Right now, knowing the king’s plans was more important than ever considering the mercenaries that were now roaming loose in England with the king’s permission. A man next to John would be invaluable to people like Peter’s father and the rest of the warlords.
Someone had to do it.
To secure Liora’s freedom, Peter realized he had to.
With a heavy sigh, he turned away from John and pulled Liora to her feet, leading her over to a corner of the chamber, as far away as he could get so he could speak to her with some privacy. He had a lot to say and little time to say it.
“Listen to me,” he said, putting his hands on her face and forcing her to look at him. “You heard what he said. I am telling you what I am going to do and I want you to be brave. Can you do that, Lee-Lee?”
He used her nickname, the one Asa used, and he watched warmth fill her frightened eyes. “I can,” she whispered. “Tell me what you want me to do and I shall do it.”
Peter smiled faintly at her, trying to show courage in a moment where he felt absolutely none. As he looked at her, his heart was breaking from the uncertainty they were both going to face.
“I am going to agree to the king’s terms and he will release you and your father,” he muttered. “That is all I care about right now. I will do everything in my power not to swear fealty to him and he probably knows it, so he will be sly. He knows that a knight, and most especially a de Lohr, will never go back on his word, so what I do now is for the immediate release of you and your father. What comes later… no matter what, I will send word to you or I will come and see you myself. You will go home to Milk Street and stay there until you hear from me. Will you do that?”
Liora looked up at him, putting her fingers across his lips and watching him kiss them. “I will,” she murmured. “That you would do this for me… Peter, I cannot find the words to describe how I feel. You are sacrificing everything.”
His eyes glimmered at her. “There is nothing I would not do for you,” he said. “Don’t you realize that by now?”
She mouthed the words Sweet Peter and he kissed her fingers again, knowing their time was too short for any more conversation. But he had one last thing to say to her.
“Remember that I love you,” he said. “I think I loved you from the first moment I met you. Come what may, we will marry. Neither a king nor a religion will keep us apart. But for now… keep the faith that I will return to you. This is not the end, not in the least.”
She nodded, though she was holding back tears. “My love goes with you,” she whispered. “I will be waiting for you, Peter. No matter how long it takes, no matter where you go. I will be right here, waiting for you. Always.”
He gave her a brief smile and dropped his hands from her face, leading her back over to where she had been sitting. It was heartbreaking in so many ways that Peter couldn’t even begin to grasp the pain. But he could feel it, all of it. As Liora resumed her seat, he summoned his courage and faced the king.
“Very well, your grace,” he said. “Release Liora and her father immediately and we shall speak on this position you wish me to assume.”
John smiled, revealing yellowed teeth. “Excellent,” he said victoriously. Then, he looked to The Marshal. “You see? He is a reasonable man. The jeweler is in the vault, so remove him immediately and take him and his daughter to the gates. They are free to go. Peter and I have much to discuss.”
The Marshal nodded at the king’s directive. He couldn’t even look at Peter as he went to Liora and extended a hand to her. Hesitantly, she took it, and he led her out of the chamber, leaving Peter with John.
Listening to that chamber door shut behind him left Peter feeling as if he’d just entered the lion’s den… and he was the main course.
God help
me.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Marshal could see Alexander, Caius, and Maxton still waiting by the portcullis.
In the company of Haim and Liora, who were holding hands fiercely now that they had been released from their mutual imprisonment, The Marshal had the gate guards lift the portcullis so they could leave the compound entirely. Haim and Liora passed underneath the gatehouse and William followed as Alexander and Caius and Maxton swarmed him.
“What happened?” Alexander said, clearly noting Liora but no Peter. “Where in the hell is Peter?”
The Marshal didn’t answer him directly. He looked around, to the street beyond the gatehouse. “Where is Chris?” he asked. “I know the man will not be far away if he knows his son is here.”
“We sent him to Hollyhock House,” Caius said. “He and Canterbury and Burton are waiting there for word. Where is Peter?”
The Marshal still didn’t answer. His head turned in the direction of Hollyhock House, down the river road that was lined with trees and manses belonging to some of the finest families in England.
“Fetch Hereford to me,” he said. “Be quick about it. Something has happened.”
It was Maxton who ran for his horse, thundering down the road towards Hollyhock House as Alexander and Caius stood in a tense bunch. They looked at each other, at The Marshal, figuring something awful must have happened to Peter in order to secure the release of Liora and her father.
In fact, Liora and her father were still standing there, just a few feet away. They should have walked away, quickly heading for home, but neither one of them seemed very anxious to leave. When The Marshal realized that, he motioned back towards the city.
“You may go,” he said quietly. “There is nothing more you can do.”
Liora looked at him seriously. “Please do not think I am being disagreeable, my lord, but I would prefer to remain,” she said. “Peter sacrificed himself to secure the release of me and my father, so I wish to remain. I would like to know what is to be done about helping him.”
Alexander looked at The Marshal, his eyes widening. “Peter sacrificed himself?” he asked in disbelief. “Sweet Mother of Mercy, what did he do?”
The Marshal waved him off. “He is quite alive, Sherry,” he said. “Physically, he is fine. But there is a… complication. There were terms for the jeweler’s release. When Chris arrives, I will tell you everything.”
Alexander didn’t press after that. It was clear that something serious had happened, but he would respect The Marshal’s request to wait until Christopher arrived.
So, they waited.
The little group moved away from the main gate, over towards the buildings across the dusty road. They were mostly residences, but there were a couple of businesses, a seamstress being one of them. They collected beneath the overhang of the seamstress’ place of business, Liora and Haim still clinging to one another as Alexander and Caius stood in a nervous huddle near The Marshal, who was standing out on the edge of the road, watching the gatehouse of Westminster.
Seconds turned into minutes. The minutes began to pass quickly. Finally, nearly a half-hour later, Maxton made an appearance with Christopher, David, and Marcus thundering after him and it was The Marshal who emitted a sharp whistle, catching their attention. They charged across the road to where The Marshal and the others waited.
Christopher was the first man off his horse.
“Where is my son?” he demanded.
It was then that he noticed Liora and Haim standing several feet away, almost at the door of the seamstress shop. His eyes widened when he realized Liora and her father were free but there was no sign of Peter.
“Be calm, Chris,” The Marshal said. “I wanted to explain to you what has happened.”
Christopher didn’t like the sound of that. He looked at The Marshal. “Is my son healthy and whole?”
The Marshal nodded. “He is.”
“Where is he?”
“With John.”
That brought a ripple of disgust and apprehension across Christopher’s face. “I am listening,” he said with strained patience. “Why is he with John?”
The Marshal looked at him seriously. “Because the king made him an offer he could not refuse,” he said. “I am not sure how much you know about the situation but let me review it for you so there is no question. Last night, the king received an unsigned missive declaring that the jeweler’s daughter was working for the rebellion. She was alleged to have wrested secrets of the king from her father and then give them to Peter.”
Christopher’s face screwed up in disbelief. “Who in the hell said that?” he demanded. “That is categorically untrue.”
The Marshal nodded, trying to keep Christopher calm. “I know,” he said. “As I said, the missive was unsigned, but it bore the seal of Winchester. As you know, Walter de Quincy is a cousin to Winchester and is, in fact, staying in his townhome. I am utterly convinced that it was Walter who sent the missive in order to remove the jeweler’s daughter from Peter so there would be a clear path, once again, for Agnes and a betrothal.”
Christopher stared at him for a moment as the depth of de Quincy’s treachery sank deep. “Christ,” he muttered. “Walter tried to coerce me into finalizing a betrothal with Peter yesterday. He told me that Peter had been sighted with the jeweler’s daughter and that he had it on good authority that it was Peter providing information on the rebellion to her, meaning Peter was the traitor. He threatened to tell the allied warlords that my son was giving secrets to the king if I did not agree to a betrothal with Agnes. Now you are telling me that he reversed his story and pinned the treachery on Liora?”
The Marshal nodded. “Peter told me the same thing about your conversation with Walter yesterday,” he said. “That is why I am convinced Walter sent the missive to the king. John ordered the jeweler and his daughter to be brought to Westminster this morning for interrogation and, evidently, Mistress Liora’s little brother went to Lonsdale to tell Peter about it.”
Christopher nodded, still stunned at the scope of Walter de Quincy’s betrayal. “I spoke to the boy myself,” he said. “That is why I followed Peter here because I did not want him to get himself killed trying to free her. Now, tell me what happened to my son?”
The Marshal looked around the little group – David and Marcus, his senior warlords. Alexander, Caius, and Maxton, men who had served him for years and men who were the best spies and assassins in the business. There were no men more capable. And then there were Liora and Haim, two people completely out of their element. He felt a good deal of pity for them, to be truthful, sucked into a deeply serious political situation simply because Liora and Peter fell in love. It was a difficult situation on so many levels.
But The Marshal knew what he had to do.
He returned his attention to Christopher.
“John has been lamenting the loss of Sean de Lara,” he said quietly. “I have told you that without de Lara, I am forced to take his place. But today, John offered Peter the position as his new Lord of the Shadows in exchange for the freedom of the jeweler and his daughter. Those were the terms, Chris. Peter accepted.”
As he feared, Christopher roared.
“Like hell!” he boomed. “My son serving John? I will kill the king myself before I permit this, William. I will bring my entire army into London and burn Westminster to the ground if he thinks, for one minute, I will stand by and let this happen!”
The Marshal knew he meant every word and he also knew before he even told Christopher the news that he would be in the position of calming the man down.
He was prepared.
“I want you to listen to me and listen well, Hereford,” he said. It was rare that he used Christopher’s title, but he wanted the man to know he meant business. “Peter made this decision of his own free will. Aye, he was coerced, but he decided that the jeweler’s daughter was worth more to him than his own pride and conviction. If you go charging in there like a madman, you’ll hu
miliate your son. Do you understand that? He is a man, and he has made a man’s decision. Do not ruin it for him by being his father.”
Christopher flamed at the suggestion but deep down, he knew The Marshal was right. He knew there was a great deal of truth in what The Marshal had said. He glared at William, his jaw flexing dangerously.
“I am his father,” he said. “The king is my enemy. Now my son must serve my enemy?”
The Marshal held up a hand. “Nothing will happen to him,” he said. “I will see to that. But having him as John’s advisor and bodyguard… he is in a perfect position to help the rebellion more than he ever could if he were only your knight. Do you understand that?”
Christopher only saw that The Marshal wanted to use Peter for his own ends. Christopher, however, wasn’t willing to let William Marshal do to Peter what he’d done to others, Sean de Lara most of all. In the end, The Marshal was only out for himself – and what he considered the greater good – and he would use anyone he could in order to advance those objectives.
But Christopher wasn’t going to let that happen with Peter.
“I understand that is your lot in life to save and protect England,” he said, his voice a husky growl. “I also understand that you will do everything necessary, and use everyone necessary, to accomplish that task. I do not fault you, William, but I have known you for many years. I saw what you did to Sean de Lara. Sean’s life was ruined because of his dedication to you and, even now, the man lies gravely wounded because of that directive, a directive you gave him. I remember another agent from years ago, Garran le Mon, whom you placed within a family that was extremely loyal to John and that position got Garran killed. How about Rhys du Bois? He had to flee England because of the situation you put him in. One of the best men I have ever served with. I could go on and on. I’ve seen what you’ve done. You’re not thinking of Peter now – you’re only thinking of yourself and your dedication to England, but I will tell you this – if you think I am going to let you sacrifice Peter, then you are sadly mistaken. Now, gain me entry into Westminster. I want to speak with John.”
The Splendid Hour: The Executioner Knights Book 7 Page 27