“My lady, I have served John for years,” Sean said patiently. “He does not forget. The more you elude his grasp, the more obsessed he will become. He went after your mother years ago. Did you know that? Your father saved her, but it took a massive war and great loss in order to regain your mother. John has had an obsession with the de Lohr women for a long time, so this is not something that will simply fade away. You must trust me on this.”
Christin thought she had heard that at one point, how John and his henchmen had captured his mother. As she struggled with her reply, Alexander spoke quietly.
“What is your suggestion, Sean?” he asked. “Tell us and we shall do it.”
Sean looked at him. Something in the way he’d said it made it sound as if he and Christin were a team. We shall do it. Given that he’d been lingering in the shadows when Alexander had kissed her, he could see that something was going on between them but, much to Alexander’s credit, he wasn’t acting like a crazed lover. He was acting like a man who knew his duty and Sean respected that.
It couldn’t have been easy on him.
“John loathes ill-mannered women,” he said. “That may seem foolish, but I assure you that it is true. Drinking, loud-mouthed, belching, farting… he cannot stand women who behave that way. He prefers his women young, quiet, sweet-smelling, and obedient. If Christin can behave like she was born in the slums of London, it could very well put him off her scent.”
Alexander considered that seriously. “And you believe that is the best course of action?”
“Given what I know of the man, I do. Unless he feels her status as a de Lohr makes her a more worthy a prize over her bad behavior, we must gamble on her disgusting him.”
It wasn’t a foolproof plan, but strong enough that Alexander was willing to agree with him. He turned to Christin, who was standing there listening to all of it without much of an expression on her face. When she realized Alexander and Sean were looking at her, she simply shook her head in resignation.
“I can try,” she said. “I have been called upon to charm men. I suppose I can make a good effort at un-charming one.”
Alexander nodded in approval. “It will be difficult for you, but I have faith in you.”
Christin smiled at him, making Sean feel as if he were intruding on something. But it brought up a valuable point.
“I would suggest no meaningful looks between you two in public,” he said. “If John thinks you are fond of her, it will destroy her attempts in trying to disillusion him.”
Both Alexander and Christin looked at him in surprise. “Meaningful looks?” Alexander repeated.
Sean cast him a knowing expression. “They do not call me the Lord of the Shadows for nothing,” he said. “I have been watching you two for quite some time. You just did not see me.”
When they realized what he meant, Christin hung her head, embarrassed, while Alexander merely smiled. “Is it that obvious?”
Sean’s lips flickered with a smile. “When you kissed her, it was.”
Alexander’s smile lingered for a moment, but the light soon went out of his eyes. “Then you understand I will do whatever is necessary to ensure her safety, Sean.”
The conversation took a somber, if not ominous, turn. “And I will do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of the king,” Sean said. “Sherry, I understand what is going on and I want to help, but not at the risk of my position. I know you understand that.”
Alexander did. That was the trouble – he understood more than most. He knew what Sean would do to protect his position and, now, Alexander knew what he would do to protect Christin.
He could only hope it didn’t come to that.
“I trust you, Sean,” he finally said. “But I have a stake in this as much as she does. If your plan does not work…”
“If it does not work, then we will have to formulate another plan.”
Alexander felt better about that, knowing Sean was willing to go above and beyond. But only to a certain point.
It was that point that had Alexander’s concern.
“Then what do we do now?” Alexander asked.
Sean gestured to the apartments he had seen Christin emerge from. “She will change into her finest gown, come to the feasting hall, and make an absolute fool of herself,” he said, looking to Christin. “You can do that, can you not?”
Christin sighed, knowing she had no choice. “I can.”
“The worse you can behave, the better for us all.”
“I will.”
Alexander looked at her. “Pretend we are back at the wedding feast in the village and you are drunk on cheap ale.”
Sean lifted his eyebrows. “Drunk on cheap ale? I am intrigued.”
Christin shook her head. “Don’t be,” she said. “I made an absolute arse out of myself, and it seems that I shall be called upon to do it again.”
Alexander grinned. “She vomited like a waterspout.”
“Don’t tell him that!” Christin said, appalled. She looked at Alexander and Sean, both of them grinning, and pursed her lips wryly. “I will change my clothing and wait for the summons.”
Sean’s smile faded. “I will come for you myself.”
Christin nodded, her gaze moving to Alexander. Looking at him made her feel afraid again, fearful that this might not work. After everything they’d said between them, she didn’t want this evening to be the last time she and Alexander spoke of their feelings for one another. She wanted to speak to the man every evening for the rest of her life.
But she had to get through tonight first.
“I will see you later,” she murmured. “I will not fail. But if this does not go our way, promise me that you will not do anything foolish. Please, Sherry.”
Alexander was struggling not to become emotional, an unusual state for him, indeed. “I will not do anything foolish,” he said. “But I will do what is necessary.”
She shook her head sadly, knowing what he meant. But she had to be clear. “You will not jeopardize yourself for me, do you hear? I can handle myself. But I could not live with myself if I knew you sacrificed yourself for me. Am I making myself clear?”
She was, but he wasn’t going to give her the answer she was looking for. He couldn’t. “You are the strongest woman I know,” he said quietly. “We will prevail.”
He said it to give her strength but also to make it clear that, in spite of her pleas, he would do what he felt necessary. Reaching out, he took her hand and kissed it, watching her as she headed back to her chamber, still carrying her satchel. He watched her until she disappeared inside before turning to Sean.
“I had better spread the word about what is to happen with her tonight,” he said. “I am particularly concerned about Peter.”
Sean knew that, but something caught his eye emerging from the keep. From where he was standing, he had a clear field of vision. He could see three men moving through the torch-lit darkness and as they moved over near the chapel, it occurred to him who they were.
“There he is,” he said. “It looks as if he is with MacRohan and my brother.”
Alexander could see them all, heading to the chapel for perhaps yet another private meeting. “I see him,” he said. “I will go speak with him.”
He started to move but a Sean stopped him. “How is my brother these days?” he asked.
Alexander knew that the relationship between the de Lara brothers was strained. More than strained, in fact. He could hear the concern in Sean’s voice and he felt some pity for the man.
“Well,” he said. “He serves flawlessly, as he always has. He’s with de Lohr now, you know.”
Sean nodded slowly. “With David,” he said. “I know. Have you heard any news about my father?”
“You do not talk to him?”
Sean shook his head. “Nay,” he said, his expression appearing almost vulnerable as he thought of his beloved father. “A few years ago, he was in London and came to the White Tower, where John happened to be in
residence at the time. He begged to see me and when I agreed, he wept the entire time. I… I had to leave him at the gatehouse, sobbing over what I have become. It nearly destroyed me, Sherry. Therefore, I do not have any contact with him. I am trying to spare him the pain.”
Alexander sighed faintly. “I have not seen my own father in over twenty years,” he said. “Like you, it is my choice. I have my own reasons. But my father does not love me like yours does you. He would never show up and beg me to come home.”
“How do you know?”
Alexander smiled thinly. “Because I killed two of his sons. I am sure he wishes me dead every day of his life.”
Sean was too young to go to The Levant with Richard’s Crusade, but he knew what men like Alexander and Maxton and Kress and Achilles had done there. He admired them greatly, but much like himself, they had built reputations for themselves that men feared and loathed. It was difficult to know that doing one’s duty would ruin every other aspect of a man’s life.
“I am sure to my father, I am dead,” Sean said. “Even so… you have not heard any news of him?”
Alexander shook his head. “You might ask your brother.”
“You know that Kevin will not speak to me.”
Alexander’s gaze lingered on the chapel. “He might if you happened to run into him,” he said. “I will tell him that I am concerned with the security of the postern gate and that he must see to it. Mayhap you will be in the vicinity when he checks it. Meanwhile, I will go and tell Peter and Bric what is to happen tonight. We must all be prepared. Oh, and Sean?”
“Aye?”
“If John tries to bed Christin, I will kill him.”
Sean didn’t say anything for a moment. When he finally did, it was with a grunt. “Sherry…”
“I am telling you what will happen. It would therefore be in your best interest to prevent it any way you can.”
“Sherry, if you make a move against the king, I will be forced to treat you like any other threat.”
“I understand. You will do as you must.”
“I will.”
“So will I.”
The rules were established, as hard as they were to acknowledge. There was no malice in the discussion, no hard feelings. Simply fact. As Alexander headed towards the chapel, Sean wondered if he’d find himself battling Alexander to the death before the night was out.
He liked Sherry. He didn’t want to kill him.
He prayed it didn’t come to that.
CHAPTER NINE
“Kevin,” Alexander said as he entered the dark, dingy chapel. “Where have you been? I arrived earlier and was told you’d run off.”
Kevin looked at him. “I did not run off,” he said, offended by Alexander’s statement. “I did my rounds of the keep and the king’s encampment.”
“Did you discover anything interesting?”
Kevin shook his head. “John is traveling lightly,” he said. “He’s brought no more than a hundred men with him, which must be giving my brother fits. I heard someone say something about a royal carriage, but I did not see one.”
“And the keep?”
“Solid,” he said. “I had the servants bolt the door that leads from the vault into the bailey. It could be an access point for any threats against the king, as they could enter from there, come up the stairs, and mingle in the great hall.”
Alexander nodded. “Well done,” he said. “But do one more thing for me and check the postern gate. I’ve heard it leads to the farm fields below. It could be another point of easy access we want to control.”
Kevin nodded. “Where is it?”
Alexander gestured towards the east side of the keep. “Back behind the keep,” he said. “Make sure it is secure.”
Kevin would. Heading out into the cold night, this was the precursor work to the evening’s feast and the main celebration that would take place tomorrow. Of course, Norwich had their own soldiers and knights, men who had also checked doors and access points into the castle, so what Kevin was doing was for The Marshal’s peace of mind. He would want to know from his own men how secure the castle and keep were, especially if they were searching for a threat against the king.
Therefore, Kevin had made the rounds. He was still making them and would probably make them tomorrow as well. The garden was straight ahead; he could see the vines and bushes in the darkness. There was a pond in the middle of it, which blended in with its surroundings in the darkness, so he made sure to steer clear of it as he made his way to the postern gate.
The panel loomed before him. It was shorter than a man, but wide to allow the carts in from the farmlands below. It was secure this night, locked tight. Kevin tested the lock himself. Satisfied, he turned around to see a figure moving in the darkness.
His sword came out.
“Announce yourself,” he said steadily.
The figure didn’t say anything but as it drew closer, and Kevin could see the size of it, it began to occur to him who it was.
The very man he’d been trying to avoid.
Sean de Lara came close enough that Kevin could see his features in the weak light.
“Are you going to use that weapon on me?” Sean asked.
Kevin stared at his older brother a moment before lowering the sword. “Nay,” he said. “You startled me.”
Sean nodded briefly. “I know,” he said. “I saw you coming this direction. I thought it might be the only way I would have a chance to speak with you if I surprised you.”
Already, he was referencing the fact that Kevin would not talk to him under normal circumstances. Kevin sheathed his weapon.
“What did you want to speak of?” he asked.
Already, Sean could see that his brother was stiff and unfriendly. No warmth, no recognition of a brother. Not that he’d expected otherwise, but even after all of these years, it was difficult to stomach Kevin’s reaction to him.
His reaction to the Lord of the Shadows.
That’s what started it all. Kevin, as straight and pious and noble as he was, couldn’t stomach what Sean had done to himself and to the de Lara name. He couldn’t stomach that their elderly father still wept over the choices his eldest son and heir had made. While Kevin had lived his life as cleanly and as nobly as he could, Sean had killed and maimed for the king, the dirtiest and most horrible deeds imaginable. All in the name of keeping England, and a monarch, safe and controlled.
Sean had that power.
But it was a power Kevin loathed.
Therefore, Sean braced himself.
“There is nothing in particular I wish to speak of other than ask you how our father fares,” he said after a moment. “If you would be kind enough to tell me, I would be grateful.”
Kevin looked at him as if he’d gone mad. “What do you care?” he said. “You’ve kicked him aside and hurt him beyond repair, and now you want to know how he fares? I find that question extremely offensive.”
“He’s my father, too, Kevin.”
“You gave up that privilege when you made the decision to lie with the dogs.”
“Must we go through this every time we speak?”
“There is nothing for us to talk about, Sean. I have duties to attend to.”
Sean was saddened. This was the way his conversations with his brother usually went. But this time, he wasn’t so willing to let it go. He had something to say and he was damned well going to say it.
“There is plenty for us to talk about, but your arrogance will not allow it,” he said. “I am sorry you do not understand the choices I have made. I am sorry you do not understand the sacrifices I have had to make in order to ensure a safer England. Safer for you and for Father, Kevin. But mostly, I am sorry you do not have the foresight nor the compassion to understand that I had to ruin my life to do this. Instead, you see it as some imagined insult against you and against the de Lara name. I have never asked for your approval, but the least you could do is not judge me for it. God knows, I don’t judge you and I
never have.”
By the time he was finished, Kevin’s jaw was flexing with emotion. Anger, hurt… so many emotions that he didn’t keep bottled up very well when it came to his brother. Any confrontation with his brother like this had him off-kilter.
“Is that all you want to say?” Kevin said. “Because I don’t have time for whatever soul baring you wish to do.”
His words stung. Sean stared at him a moment, feeling sad and ashamed. “Then I am sorry to have troubled you,” he said. “But I will say this – until now, I was always hopeful we could reconcile. I hoped that, someday, you would understand why I do what I do, but I can see that was too much to ask. I hope to God you are never faced with a difficult choice in your life, Kevin, because I do not think you have the character to make the right decision. I always hoped you did, but I can see that you do not. There is no need to be ashamed of me because I am far more ashamed of you and just how shallow you really are. In spite of that, I wish you a good life because I do not expect to ever talk to you again.”
With that, he turned away, heading back into the shadows from whence he’d come. Kevin stood there a moment, watching him go, trying very hard not to feel any remorse or guilt. Sean was in the wrong, wasn’t he? He was the one to choose to do the king’s bidding, no matter what it was. He made the choice to prostitute himself to a monarch who wasn’t worthy of Sean’s greatness.
Wasn’t worthy…
Sean was a great knight. One of the greatest, in fact. Kevin had always thought so, but he’d lost the respect for the man when he’d begun to serve John. It wasn’t judgment.
It was a personal conviction.
But at the moment, his personal conviction didn’t feel so triumphant.
It felt hollow.
With a heavy sigh, Kevin turned and headed back to the chapel.
CHAPTER TEN
She was ready.
Dressed in a gown that would be sacrificed this evening, an amber silk that had faded over the years, Christin presented a striking picture.
Wynter had styled her hair with beautiful and elaborate braids, with bows pinned to her hair, and all the while the two of them had plotted out the evening. Wynter was in on the scheme but sworn to secrecy, even to Lady de Winter or anyone else who should ask. It was critical that she deny all culpability. Christin didn’t go so far as to tell Wynter about her conversation with Alexander and Sean, but rather made it seem like it was her own idea to turn the king’s attraction off.
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