Dance of Desire (53 page)

Garmonn shrugged. "'
Twas
no trouble. After all, she will soon be —"

Rudd abruptly shook his head. "Later." Chuckling, Garmonn patted his horse's lathered neck.

Unease rooted deep within Rexana. Yet, before she could ask Garmonn to clarify his unfinished statement, he clicked his tongue and led his horse toward the tethered mounts.

Rudd caught her hand and drew her to a quiet part of the glade, where hazy sunlight slanted through the oaks. He released her, then dragged his fingers through his hair.

Frowning, she planted her hands on her hips. "What did Garmonn mean when he said —"

"Listen to me," Rudd said in a strained voice. "You must get away from this place. '
Tis
not safe. I will convince Garmonn to take you to the main thoroughfare and —"

"You will come with me."

"I cannot."

"Why? What holds you to these men?"

He did not answer. Yet, the glint of his eyes bespoke fierce loyalties, and vows made in secret.

Oh, dear God.

She pressed trembling fingers to her lips. "Who are these men?"

His mouth twisted. "They are who you expect them to be. Traitors."

Her words rushed out on a strangled moan. "Are you . . . a traitor?"

Rudd looked away. Shadows slanted over his handsome face, casting part in grayed darkness. Her fingers curled against her skin, and she fought the dizzying pull of emotional chaos.

Why did he not answer her? Why?

"I want the truth. Tell me." Her tone sharpened. "Tell me you are innocent of treason."

"Rexana —"

Fury shrilled inside her. "I have risked a great deal to try to help you. I have risked my life, my marriage —"

"Marriage? Ha! You are glad to be free of Linford."

Her innards constricted with a hurt so deep, it snatched her breath. A sob wrenched from her. "Rudd."

"You do not care for Linford. He forced you to wed him."

"He did. Yet, I have come to know him well. He is a just and honorable man."

Rudd cursed. He stared off across the glade, before his angry gaze returned to her. "If you have come to convince me to surrender, I refuse. I would rather die than rot in his dungeon."

"Fie! I do not believe you are guilty of treachery. I came here to help you."

His expression softened a fraction, even as he shook his head. "What happens now, I must do on my own." He touched her arm. "Leave here. Please. I beg you."

"I will not leave without you."

He closed his eyes, as though fighting for patience. When bold footfalls approached, his voice roughened. "I must stay. My task —"

"— is not yet done." Garmonn came to Rudd's side and clapped him on the back. "I have brought fare for Rexana. We must make our lady guest welcome."

His queer grin made her shudder. She glanced at the sliced meat and bread set out on a metal plate, and forced a polite smile. "Thank you, but I will not be staying."

His smile thinned. "Of course you will." Rudd scowled. "Nay, she —" "Rexana goes nowhere, until you have done as you promised."

"Promised?" Rexana echoed. Fear tightened the word to a rasp.

"Rudd did not tell you? Why, he is going to kill High Sheriff Linford. Your accursed husband."

 
Rexana gasped. "Murder Fane? You
will never succeed."

"Rudd's plan is sound," Garmonn said. " 'Twill work."

Horror coiled up inside her. Clutching a hand to her breast, she covered the aching heart of her that hurt more than she could bear. She stumbled back a step. How could her brother plot such a terrible crime?

Now that she knew of it, she could not let him succeed.

Longing and love for Fane sang through her every vein. She would never allow her brother to kill Fane. Never!

She stared at Rudd. Anguish honed each of her words. "You are a man of honor. Will you prove yourself a criminal?"

"My plan is the only way —"

"Nay! I know you are innocent. Together, we will prove it. I will help."

Garmonn laughed. "Aye, you will help." His eyes gleamed with a hideous fervor as he smirked at Rudd. "She cannot leave now she knows the plan."

"A pity you were careless and told her," Rudd snapped.

Rexana's skin prickled with a sickly heat. Did Garmonn mean to hold her prisoner? What did he intend to do with her? Forcing a brave tone, she held his stare. "I have no intention of staying here. You cannot stop me from leaving."

She turned on her heel to stride toward her horse.

Garmonn whistled. The men in the glade grabbed their weapons and sprang to their feet.

They blocked all routes out.

She whirled and glared at Garmonn. "Let me go."

He sauntered toward her. His mouth slanted into a hideous smile. "You still do not understand, do you, Rexana?"

"I understand you have corrupted my brother's vision until he no longer thinks clearly." She saw Rudd flinch, but she refused to meet his gaze. "You, Garmonn, are a heartless manipulator. I know for certain you are a criminal."

His face took on a merciless cast, the look she had seen before he wounded Thomas. As Garmonn strode toward her, grasses snapped. The sound seemed louder than arrows shot from a bow.

She shivered. Cold. Hot.

"Garmonn," Rudd shouted. "Stop."

Garmonn's pace did not slow.

Her legs threatened to buckle, but she held her ground.

"You speak with such a rash tongue, Rexana. Why do you provoke me?" Before she could jerk away, his hand sank into her hair. He held the back of her head firm, and brought his mouth close to her ear. His angry scent flooded her nostrils. "I warned you once what would happen if you spoke of that day."

Fear screamed through her. She would never forget.

"I shot him for you, Rexana. When we marry, these worthless peasants will be our people. We can do with them as we please."

"Nay!" she had said, her voice barely audible over Thomas' agonized cries. "You should not have done this. How could you be so cruel? I will see you punished!"

"How he screams. I should have shot him dead." Garmonn's face had hardened into a sneer. "If you tell anyone — anyone — I will kill Rudd. I know many ways to slaughter a man, Rexana. I learned well on crusade."

Rudd came to Garmonn's side. "Release her."

As she struggled to snuff the memory, fear plunged into her gut. If Garmonn wished to harm Rudd in this glade, '
twould
be desperately easy. Despite his skills with a sword and crossbow, Rudd could not defend himself against twenty men.

Would Garmonn hurt Rudd in order to make her cooperate?

As though sensing her thoughts, Garmonn relaxed his hold. He stepped away, his hand dropped to his sword, and he smiled.

Foreboding rushed through her. She forced herself to speak with calm, to find logic despite her fear. "What do you want of me? Why did you lure me here? You had a reason for bringing me. 'Twas not to see Rudd."

Admiration lit Garmonn's eyes. "Mayhap you do understand. You see, you are the one thing that will lure Linford to us."
"What}"

"You will lead him into a trap. You will watch him die as a barbarian deserves to die."

Oh, God!

Rudd frowned. "Wait a
momen
—"

"He manipulated our king with tales of imprisonment and heroic escape," Garmonn muttered. "He convinced King Richard to appoint him High Sheriff and grant him a rich keep." He thumped his chest.

"I, too, fought in the east. I, too, battled Saracens and spilled blood for my king. What did I get in reward? Naught."

Anger burst inside her.

"Garmonn —" Rudd said.

"You returned home from Crusade alive, thanks to Fane's bravery," Rexana bit out. "Is that not a reward?"

Garmonn's face turned scarlet. "I will have what is owed to me. What was promised to me long ago. What will lead me into the king's honored circle." He reached out to cup her breast. "I shall have you."

She slapped his hand away. "Your plan is flawed. I am already wed to Linford."