Edwin must be stopped.
No matter the cost, Edwin must be stopped.
* * * * *
Dominic held the sword to eye level and admired the fine straight edge of the blade. It was some of the finest ironwork he’d ever seen. Lowering the sword, Dominic turned it over to look more closely at the subtle watermark pattern that ran the entire length of the blade. “Remarkable,” he pronounced.
“Liam is our best blacksmith. His father spent four years in Damascus learning from their sword makers.” Ludlow took the sword from Dominic and passing him a second, equally impressive blade. “Varying amounts of carbon cause the pattern you see in both blades. When Liam has finished honing the swords, the handles will be inlaid with gold and silver, and patterns etched along the blade.”
Dominic had seen many elaborately decorated swords, but he had always preferred his simple and very sharp. “Are the swords commissioned, or does Lady Rowena hoard these treasures for herself?”
Ludlow smiled. “She’s generous with Liam’s talent and expertise, and he’s grown both rich and renowned under her sponsorship. Lady Rowena has encouraged Liam to experiment, and she’s given him a freedom he never had before.”
“Before? You mean while Gaston was alive.”
“Gaston, and Edgar before him. The lords of Pendragon have not been as reasonable as the ladies, and Lady Rowena is no exception. She has won the respect of many, whether she realizes it or not.”
Ludlow led Dominic through the rest of the spacious armory. The more he learned about Pendragon Castle, the more impressed he became—and the more determined.
He thanked Ludlow for the tour and walked off across the lower bailey. A sudden gust of wind blew his hair across his face, but Dominic hardly noticed.
He could still taste her and smell her. Rowena. It didn’t seem to matter what he did to fill his head with other things, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.
Captain of her private guard! How ridiculous. Did she really think she could put him off so easily? Her accusation in the exercise yard upset him more than her ultimatum. He hadn’t made love to her with the intention of getting her with child—at least not consciously. But she seemed determined to think the worst of him.
He’d play her game. She could call him whatever she liked. He’d guard her and protect her as she searched for her true love, but all the while he’d touch her and kiss her and make her burn. He’d help her see that he possessed all of the qualities she would ever need in a husband.
Ezra sat with a small group of foot soldiers at one of the tables in the great hall. Dominic stood back and listened to their debate on strategy for a few moments before he called Ezra aside.
“There is nothing more entertaining than discussing strategy with puppies who have never tasted battle,” Ezra commented as he joined Dominic.
“They’ll lose their innocence soon enough. Everyone does.”
Ezra shook his head and gave Dominic a firm slap on the back. “Why don’t you marry the girl and be done with it? You’ve been surly as a bear ever since you laid eyes on her. Must be love.”
Dominic sighed. Ezra knew him too well not to realize the source of his mood. “If only life were so simple.”
“Life is that simple.”
“Not when women are involved. She’s decided that I will be the captain of her private guard.”
Ezra laughed. “I know where you spent last night. Do you need more practice?”
Dominic scowled darkly and then smiled. His best glowers were wasted on Ezra. “She’s frightened. She’s seen her destiny, but she’s yet to accept it.”
“And how do you intend to make her accept it?”
“That is between the lady and me. You need only know that I don’t intend to leave Pendragon Castle anytime soon. Talk to the men. See who would stay and who would prefer to accompany you to Granville Cross. I know you’ve been anxious to examine your new fief.”
“Are you certain you can make do without us? What about Edwin?”
“I alone can handle Edwin.”
Ezra didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t argue. “I’ll speak with the men.”
Dominic had meant to say more, but Thora caught his attention. She entered the hall and started to approach him, only to shake her head and walk away. “Excuse me.” He hurried to catch Thora before she escaped entirely. “What is amiss?”
“Probably nothing, but it’s getting dark.”
“As it does each night,” Dominic pointed out drolly. “Has the setting sun always troubled you?”
“Aye, when my lady has not yet returned to the castle, the setting sun always troubles me.”
Not again!
“Returned to the castle? Where has Rowena gone? Did she take an escort? How long has she been away?”
When Thora didn’t immediately produce the answers, Dominic turned and headed toward the stables. “Damn her! Come, Thora. You’ll explain while I saddle Majesty.”
Chapter Ten
Rowena managed to keep her tears at bay while she struggled to bring some measure of comfort to her patient. She washed the blood carefully from around Brother Leland’s numerous gashes and applied cool compresses to his swollen right eye. She had little doubt that at least one of his ribs had been cracked by Edwin’s brutal treatment, but without assistance she couldn’t bind his torso. Mercifully, the friar remained unconscious during her ministrations. She trickled one of Cook’s potions down his throat before pity and fury overcame her.
Grabbing one of the thick tapers, Rowena rushed into the outer chamber. Tears streamed down her face and sobs gathered in her chest. She set the candle on the wooden mantel, no longer trusting herself to hold it.
A large hand came down on her shoulder, and Rowena cried out. She spun and released a ragged sigh. Dominic stood there looking tall and ominous. Still, she flung herself against him. Wrapping her arms tightly around his back, she buried her face against his neck. Never before had she been this angry, never had humanity seemed so craven. She needed comfort. She needed reassurance. She needed—Dominic.
Hard, shuddering sobs shook her body. She was beyond words. Fury and guilt crashed over her in alternating waves. Her hands mangled the fabric covering his chest as her grief drove the breath from her lungs.
How could anyone be so cruel?
This was all her doing. How could she ever make it right?
Dominic stroked her hair and whispered soothing words against her ear. The deep timbre of his voice gradually penetrated her anguish.
“Why did God allow this to happen? Brother Leland is a kind and gentle soul.” She couldn’t bring herself to move. The solid strength of his arms and chest made her feel safe. She could hide within the shelter of his embrace and he’d keep the world away.
Dominic eased her back, taking his body just out of reach. “How is the friar?”
Rowena heard anger in his voice and stiffened. He was obviously not here to comfort her. “He’s sleeping.” She dragged her sleeve across her wet face. “I don’t think the beating is the worst of his afflictions. Edwin has been starving him. He is miserably malnourished and I fear…he is too weak to recover.” She had to force the words past her raw throat, but for the moment, Rowena had mastered the tears.
“Is Edwin aware that his prisoner escaped?”
Rowena shook her head and took a deep breath, strengthening her composure another degree. “Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Nan is terrified. It was all we could do to piece together the gist of what happened.”
“If Edwin valued this man enough to take him prisoner, do you believe he’ll simply let him slip away?”
“Should I have let him die alone?” She crossed her arms, burying her hands in the opposite sleeve.
“You should have summoned an escort or sent a healer to tend the friar.”
Her temper flared at his insensitivity. “The nearest leech is in Llangly, and sending for him would have alerted Edwin.”
“And the
escort?”
“There was no time.” Rowena snatched up the candle and pushed past him. “I’m overwhelmed by your compassion.”
The friar hadn’t moved since she left him. Regardless of Dominic’s objections, Brother Leland’s recovery was her first priority. Setting the candle aside, she lifted the compress from his face and laid the back of her hand across his forehead.
“Have you done all you can for him?” Dominic stood in the doorway.
“I need to bind his ribs.”
Without a word, he helped her wrap a long strip of sheeting around the friar’s emaciated torso. Brother Leland moaned as Dominic gently manipulated his position. She pulled the bandage snug, and he cried out. “It’s all right. You’re safe now.”
“God’s blood, I have never seen such an assortment of bruises on one body.”
“Edwin can be quite creative when he decides to inflict pain.” She settled a blanket over the friar and rewet the compress.
“Did he ever…hurt you?”
“Nay, but he frequently used force to motivate my mother.”
“Is this all that can be done for the friar?”
She glanced at Dominic, noting the grim set of his jaw and the mixture of anger and compassion in his gaze. “His recovery is in God’s hands now.”
“Then you’ll return with me to the safety of the castle.”
“Nay, I will remain with Brother Leland until I’m certain he’ll make a full recovery. I owe this man more than you could possibly understand. I will not leave his side.”
“Then I will have him moved to the castle.”
She stood and faced him squarely. “He is too weak to be moved, and dragging soldiers up here will draw Edwin’s attention.”
Dominic took her by the arm and pulled her back into the outer chamber. “You’re not staying here alone.”
The sudden intensity in his dark blue gaze made Rowena hesitate. He’d been angry when he arrived, probably intending to drag her back to the castle with or without her consent. But instead he’d helped her tend the friar. He’d been gentle and compassionate. Did she dare push him further?
She glanced toward the cell and saw Brother Leland’s bruised and swollen face. Each blow, each vicious kick had been because of her. On this she would not bend. Yanking her arms out of Dominic’s grasp, she stood her ground. “I will not leave him.”
“There is good reason for my caution, Rowena. The condition of that man should show you plainly how demented your foe has become. If he would abuse a frail old man, what would he do to you?”
He was right, she admitted and her heart sank. She wanted to fling an insult into his face and storm away, but his logic was sound. “I cannot leave him. I owe him more than you will ever know.”
“You cannot stay here.”
She glared up into his impassive face, fighting back a smile. “You’re the captain of my personal guard. It’s your responsibility to protect me. I’m needed here, so you will protect me here.”
The intensity in his eyes changed, melted and smoldered. He took a step toward her. A sardonic smile curved his lips. “Ask me nicely.”
Rowena felt her heart flutter. With strength and intimidation at his disposal, he shouldn’t be allowed to use charm. She resisted for a moment longer for the sake of her pride.
“Stay with me.” His eyebrow shot up. “Please.”
* * * * *
“How far could he have gotten! God’s blood, the man was half dead,” Edwin shouted at the four soldiers who stood fidgeting uncomfortably before the central hearth in his hall. Nearly six hours had passed since he discovered the friar was gone.
Titania stood back and watched Edwin’s fury, annoyed by the unexpected turn. Her Fairy perception was greatly hampered by the human form surrounding her. She should have sensed the friar’s escape.
“We’ve searched everywhere, milord.” The oldest soldier stepped forward to speak for the group. “Someone must be hiding him.”
“Search every house and barn, every stable and hut until the friar is found. Do you understand how important this is? I’ll reward the person responsible for finding him. And anyone proven to have aided in his escape will die!”
“Aye, milord. We’ll carry on.”
The others followed the spokesman across the hall and out into the night. Edwin slammed his closed fist against the rough wooden window shutter. “I cannot believe this. You would think I was the one who had been cursed.”
Titania came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re Edgar’s brother. Perhaps the Pendragon curse passed to you upon his death.” She kept her tone light and playful, but Edwin tensed as she knew he would. He pried her hands away from his middle and pushed her away.
“Inherit his curse but not his wealth? That would be in keeping with the pattern of my life.”
“Nan is Thora’s cousin. It had to be her and that halfwit Bert, which means Leland is somewhere on Pendragon lands.” If she released her hold on Lissette long enough to search for the friar, the human would be dead within minutes. She had no choice but to leave the search to Edwin’s men.
“Tell me something I don’t know!”
She narrowed her gaze on his flushed face. If he only knew how often she restrained her violent impulses. “What is the worst that can happen because of his escape?”
“He’ll spread the tale of his mistreatment to all and sundry.” Edwin turned back to the open window.
“And who will believe him?”
“Rowena will believe every foul word spoken against me, be they true or nay. And Sir Dominic. What if he takes offense and comes after me? He has the ear of William Marshal!”
“You worry for nothing, my love.” She didn’t bother with a tender expression. He couldn’t see her anyway. “The friar is dead. We should simply continue on to the next stage of our plan. Rowena is your only real obstacle. Remove her and—”
Whirling around, he grabbed both her arms and shoved her backward. “I can’t kill Rowena. As much as the thought pleases you, it’s impossible.”
What was this? He had obediently marched down each path she pointed him toward. How dare he gainsay her now? “Why?” she demanded. If Rowena’s marriage wasn’t going to be annulled, then Rowena must die. Titania was beginning to fear Rowena was the Lady. “Why not kill the bitch and be done with it? She’s all that stands between you and what’s rightfully yours. If Rowena dies, you’ll inherit Pendragon Castle and everything that goes with it.”
“You don’t understand.” He stomped back to the table where he had set his tankard of ale when his soldiers arrived. Picking it up, he took a deep swig, his expression lost behind the tankard.
“Explain it to me. Why can you not remove the obstacle? Tell me what holds you back.”
“The damn curse!”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. The irony was overwhelming. In her determination to sabotage Fiona, she had made Edwin a believer.
“Scoff if you like, Lissette, but the riddle must be solved and the curse lifted before anyone will find happiness within the walls of that castle.”
Unbelievable! “How do you know Rowena is the Lady spoken of in the legend?”
Edwin held his ground, his expression resolute. “She’s the only one who has been innocent in all of this. All the other ladies were flawed, immoral, untrue.”
“Rowena is either immoral or a liar. If she didn’t bed a man who was not her husband, then she lied to William Marshal when she said she was no longer a virgin.”
“She was forced to protect what was hers,” he snapped. “Her actions will not be held against her.”
Titania shook her head. How had she overlooked his obsession? “What is the answer? If you believe Rowena is protected by this curse, then how do we get what we want?”
“I’d hoped Brother Leland would answer that question.”
“Brother Leland is gone. If he isn’t dead already, he’s beyond our reach. So, what do we do now?”
Titania released an exasperated screech. How could it have gone so horribly wrong? If Oberon learned of her involvement… She refused to finish the thought.
Oberon wasn’t going to find out anything. If Edwin was useless to her now, she would simply have to find another way.
* * * * *
“What do you owe this man?” Dominic asked. Rowena had known nothing but cruelty and tragedy. Patience. If he honestly wanted to woo her, he would have to accept William’s advice.
Rowena angled her body so she could see her patient. Candlelight revealed worry and guilt in her wide green eyes. Why was she taking the blame for Edwin’s depravity?
“Brother Leland lived in a Charterhouse on the border of my father’s estate.” She glanced at the friar and smiled, her memories obviously pleasant. “My father had an unscrupulous bailiff rob him blind, so he determined to learn the written word. I wanted to learn as well. It took some persuading on my part, but Father allowed Brother Leland to tutor me as well until…until my father died.”
“And your mother wed with Edwin.”
“Aye.”
Dominic looked at the battered face of the friar and felt his blood run cold. He was no stranger to brutality, but this was a defenseless old man. “What does Edwin believe Brother Leland knows? Why was he mistreating the friar?”
“Because he is a sadistic pig,” Rowena flared. She crossed her arms over her chest, hiding her hands in her sleeves as her gaze returning to his face. “During his years with the Carthusian monks, Brother Leland was given a detailed journal of the Pendragon household. It was nearly destroyed by mildew and he was charged with restoring the manuscript. He knows more about the history of the Pendragons than any person alive. Edwin likely believes Brother Leland is privy to all the secrets of the legend. He may even believe Leland can solve the riddle.”
“I find it surprising that you aren’t more interested in the riddle.” He stroked the high curve of her cheek with his thumb, unable to keep from touching her.
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