Border Brides

by Kathryn Le Veque

  “Well, well, well.” Preston was gazing down at her, rubbing his chest where she had bumped him. “The future Lady de Lacy. How good of you to find me. You’ve saved me further trouble.”

  Teodora’s entire body ran cold with horror. Wet and trembling, she gazed up into Preston’s cold hazel eyes as he reached down to brutally pull her to her feet. His grip on her arm was painful but she refused to let him see that he was hurting her.

  “My lord,” she responded, struggling to maintain her courage. “‘Twas not my intention to find you. ‘Twas my intention to lose you.”

  Preston’s eyes blazed. “You stupid little bitch. Did you truly believe you could run from me?”

  His fingers were bruising her flesh. In truth, Teodora had believed she could keep running, but she had not thought on the duration. A day, a month, a year. Her decision to flee had been so sudden that the long-term implications had not yet been entertained. Refusing to reply to his question, she simply turned her head away. Preston dug his nails into her arm and drew blood, hoping to elicit a reaction from her. If he squeezed any harder, Teodora knew she might very well oblige him.

  Until Cullen appeared in the door of the stable. Water dripping from his raised visor, his eyes fixed on Teodora. For a brief moment, he swore he saw a wave of relief in the sea-colored depths. And also a cry for help.

  Barklestone was still looking at Teodora although he could see Cullen from the corner of his eye. His voice was as cold as ice. “’Twould seem I have done your job for you, de Nerra. Go now and make yourself useful and find a priest. I shall marry this little hussy before she causes me any more trouble. Then I shall send her back to London in chains to punish her for her disobedience.”

  Cullen was the epitome of the perfect, obedient knight. He had never hesitated to carry out the earl’s orders, no matter how outlandish or dangerous they might be. But at this moment, as he gazed at the expression on the earl’s face, he experienced a sense of foreboding such as he had never known. Were he to leave in search of a priest as ordered, he suspected he might never see Lady Teodora alive again.

  “My lord is fatigued from this idiotic chase,” he said, reaching out to grab Teodora’s free arm. “I shall take her to the monastery and have the monks place her under lock and key until you are ready to proceed. She will trouble you no further, I assure you.”

  Preston refused to let her go. He squeezed Teodora’s arm so hard that she bit her lip, lowering her head so that they could not see the pain on her face. “That is not necessary. Do as you are told and be quick about it.”

  Cullen pulled a harder, trying to gain control of her. “Indeed, my lord. But might I insist that you perhaps have a bit of sustenance at the tavern before proceeding with this marriage? Just as I left, there were several young men serving a rather large group with platters of mutton and vegetables. I believe my lord would benefit from such a fare at this time.”

  Odd how Preston’s determination to keep Teodora suddenly waivered. His gaze moved between his bride and his champion, indecision in his eyes.

  “Several young men, did you say?”

  Cullen’s expression was unreadable. “Aye, my lord.”

  “How old?”

  “Not yet men, but no longer children.”

  Preston thought a moment. “Mutton and vegetables, was it?”

  “Aye, my lord.”

  Preston paused indecisively before finally releasing Teodora’s arm. As if to groom himself, he ran his fingers through his neat silver hair. Almost in the same motion, he struck out at Teodora so viciously that she was sent sprawling to the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth and she shook off the stars dancing before her eyes.

  Cullen froze. He wasn’t surprised, merely startled. And he further knew that if he made a move to help her, the earl’s anger would turn on him as well. Preston, for his part, hardly glanced at her as he made haste for the stable door.

  “Let that be a lesson to you, Lady Teodora,” he said evenly, pulling the collar of his surcoat up around his neck to protect himself from the rain. “I do not tolerate insolence, especially from the woman who is to be my wife. Remember that this marriage is not of my choosing, but of duty alone. I do not need you nor do I want you. It would do well for you not to press my patience.”

  With that he was gone, dashing out into the stormy night. Cullen watched him go before turning to Teodora, who was slowly picking herself off the floor. Still, he did not move to help her.

  “He means what he says, my lady.” His voice was quiet. “If you insist on rebelling, he will quite happily make your life a living hell.”

  Teodora wiped the blood from her mouth, feeling the cut on the inside of her lip. She was closer to crying than she had been in years. “He already has.”

  Cullen’s blue eyes were intense. “You know not of what you speak. This was simply a foretaste. Imagine a slap to your face every night, tenfold, for the rest of your life. If your imagination can think of worse things, I can guarantee they will be nothing compared to the reality of what Barklestone is capable of inflicting. Pain and humiliating like nothing you’ve ever known. I do not know how I can describe this to you in more detail without causing you nightmares the rest of your life. Suffice it to say that complete obedience is the only way for you to survive.”

  Teodora was gazing at him, the sea-colored eyes full of unshed tears. “I thought Ridley de Lacy was the unsavory one. I heard of his reputation, even as a young girl.”

  “Who do you think he learned everything from?”

  Teodora stared at Cullen, feeling genuine horror at his statement. The reality of her future loomed heavily and she sighed, slowly wiping the blood from her mouth again.

  “I’ll tell my father,” she said quietly. “He’ll not permit this.”

  “He already knows.”

  Teodora looked at him as if she had been struck. “He couldn’t. He would not allow his daughter to marry a brute.”

  Cullen cocked an eyebrow. “I would be surprised if your father, being a fighting man and wise to the politics of England, was unaware of Lord de Lacy’s reputation.” He watched her struggle with her composure and he felt his manner softened. “That is the way with political marriages, my lady. When Ridley died, the earl knew the contract had to be fulfilled at all costs. Why do you think assumed responsibility in his nephew’s stead? There is far too much at stake.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Dowries and political alliances, among other things.”

  Teodora thought on that. “My dowry is one-third of all de Rivington lands, from the Welsh border to the village of Shobdon. My father inherited these lands from his mother.”

  “Lands that Lord De Lacy has now inherited,” Cullen interjected gently. “But that is only a lesser issue. The primary matter of concern is that by marrying into the House of de Rivington, Barklestone forms a powerful alliance.”

  Teodora looked up at him, her pretty mouth swollen. “What does the earl need with a political marriage?”

  Cullen gazed at her, wondering how he could explain it to her in simple terms. He couldn’t, of course. Politics were never simple. But he was forced to proceed, at the moment, with the understanding that she was privy to her father’s political views. Careful, he thought. After a moment, he removed his helm and scratched thoughtfully at his sweaty scalp.

  As he itched, Teodora noted his helmless-head for the first time. Cropped blond hair reflected the weak light of the stable, and his face, mostly hidden beneath the head protection, now came into full focus. A strong jaw and thick neck completed the ruggedly handsome picture and Teodora found herself studying him more closely than she should have.

  “Do you know of Barklestone, Lady Teodora?” Cullen finally asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “His standing in court?”

  She shook her head. “I do not.”

  “He is a favored of John.”

  Teodora was surprised. “The king?”
/>
  “John considers him one of his closest advisors.” He eyed her closely, carefully. “Do you know of the king, my lady?”

  Teodora shrugged her shoulders. “What more should I know?”

  He believed her instantly. Her manner was far too innocent for it to be an act of deception, or a lie. Perhaps indeed she knew nothing about the marriage she was to be a part of. He trusted his instincts and would have wagered money on the fact. “Other than the fact that he is our king’s brother, you should not, I suppose.”

  Teodora thought a moment. “Is that what the earl meant when he said he would ship me to London?” she sounded eager; restrained, but eager. “Am I to live at court while he helps the Marshal rule?”

  Cullen had to smile at her naivete. The woman truly had no idea of the social standing she was about to enter, or the hazardous politics for that matter. Teodora caught his smile, a gesture that set her heart to beating strangely. It was so odd that she thought perhaps she was becoming ill, for she had never before experienced such a weakening sensation. Mayhap the earl had hit her harder than she thought.

  “You will live at court,” he replied.

  Odd how his smile and deep, soothing voice ignited a fire in her cheeks. Teodora looked away, wondering why her heart was racing and her face was burning. Perhaps she was ill. Certainly, she had never felt like this before.

  “What do you intend to do with me now?”

  It seemed self-redeeming to change the subject at this time. She had a strange feeling that she was losing control, although she could not put her finger on precisely how.

  “I intend to take you to the nearest monastery,” Cullen replied. “Do you know of one before we go traipsing off into this hellish weather? I should not like to be searching all night in the rain.”

  She hesitated a moment before finally nodding. “Abbey Core. There is a Cistercian monastery there.”

  “How far?”

  “Two or three miles to the south.”

  He looked at the pouring rain. “That is two or three miles too long in this weather.”

  Antony was suddenly in the doorway, drenched to the skin. His frantic gaze moved between Teodora and Cullen, standing several feet apart. The first thing he noticed was Teodora’s swollen lip.

  “Gods and angels have mercy,” he muttered, stepping in from the rain and placing himself protectively between the pair. “What in the hell have you done to her, de Nerra?”

  Although Cullen maintained his outward calm, he made sure his sword hand was free. He had heard the tone in Antony’s voice before, in other men, and it always preceding some sort of violent physical action.

  “I’ve done nothing,” he answered steadily. “Lord de Lacy has seen fit to punish his future wife. ‘Tis none of your, or my, affair, and I suggest you leave it as such.”

  Antony looked at Teodora. She gazed back at him, as cool as always. She had never been one to cower or weep, not even in the most dreaded of circumstances, and Antony knew he could say or do nothing further to aid her. But the natural protective instinct for the young girl he had watched grow up was surging wildly.

  “Bastard,” he hissed before he could stop himself.

  Teodora glanced at Cullen, waiting for him to step forward and defend his lord’s name. But the knight remained silent on that matter.

  “We are going to Abbey Core,” he told Antony.

  Antony was still distracted with Teodora’s bloodied lip. “Abbey Core? What in the hell for?”

  “There is a Cistercian monastery there and a priest to conduct the marriage ceremony. Barklestone wishes this marriage to take place immediately.”

  “But…” Antony’s anger cooled into confusion. “I do not understand. Lady Antoinette has been preparing for this wedding for some time. All of Cerenbeau has been waiting for…”

  Cullen turned away, shaking the water from his helm and plopping it on his head. “Lord de Lacy wishes to marry the lady immediately. Abbey Core is closer than Cerenbeau.”

  Antony looked at Teodora; she was obviously uncaring that her grand wedding would not take place. Instead, she would find herself united in a cool dark sanctuary with only the monks as witnesses. Either way, she would find herself married to a hateful man and he could sense defeat in her eyes, no matter how much she pretended to keep a courageous front.

  “Let me return her to Cerenbeau where she can be surrounded by her family,” Antony pleaded quietly. “At least there will be some comfort for her there, not simply a gallery of sexless men who have no concept of the union they have the power to perform.”

  Cullen looked at him, his expression impassive. “I have my orders.”

  “Have you no mercy, man?”

  Cullen was already moving for the door. Almost gently, he grasped Teodora’s wrist so she could not escape him. She made no move to try. Without resistance, she followed him into the gloomy night.

  “I do.” Cullen’s voice was muffled by the sound of the rain. “But the earl does not.”

  Outside, the storm was pounding. Teodora sloshed through the rivers of mud, never more discouraged in her life. The rain served as a reminder of her dismal future and within the comfort of the raindrops, her guard went down and a few hot tears found camouflage.

  “Dies faustus,” she muttered.

  Cullen heard her. And he could hardly disagree. Unlucky day indeed, he thought.

  The Promise by Kathryn Le Veque is slated for an October 2019 release.

  Please check Kathryn’s websites for any updates at www.kathrynleveque.com

  About Kathryn Le Veque

  Medieval Just Got Real.

  KATHRYN LE VEQUE is a USA TODAY Bestselling author, an Amazon All-Star author, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance and Historical Fiction. She has been featured in the NEW YORK TIMES and on USA TODAY’s HEA blog. In March 2015, Kathryn was the featured cover story for the March issue of InD’Tale Magazine, the premier Indie author magazine. She was also a quadruple nominee (a record!) for the prestigious RONE awards for 2015.

  Kathryn’s Medieval Romance novels have been called ‘detailed’, ‘highly romantic’, and ‘character-rich’. She crafts great adventures of love, battles, passion, and romance in the High Middle Ages. More than that, she writes for both women AND men – an unusual crossover for a romance author – and Kathryn has many male readers who enjoy her stories because of the male perspective, the action, and the adventure.

  On October 29, 2015, Amazon launched Kathryn’s Kindle Worlds Fan Fiction site WORLD OF DE WOLFE PACK. Please visit Kindle Worlds for Kathryn Le Veque’s World of de Wolfe Pack and find many action-packed adventures written by some of the top authors in their genre using Kathryn’s characters from the de Wolfe Pack series. As Kindle World’s FIRST Historical Romance fan fiction world, Kathryn Le Veque’s World of de Wolfe Pack will contain all of the great story-telling you have come to expect.

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