My Rebellious Heart (37 page)

The bailey was teeming with knights and horses. There was an air of skittish excitement she could not fail to notice. Behind her, Thorne straightened with an impatient exclamation. Wil was standing near the stables and spotted them first. He ran over and grabbed the horse's reins.

Thorne dismoumted with a grimace. His hands on Shana's waist, he frowned back at the boy.

"What goes on, Wil , that the men prepare to ride out for battle at nightfall?"

The lad's eyes were round with excitement. "They have just ridden in, milord! Why, there was a chase just outside the castle walls—I saw it with me own eyes! And now we've caught him at last, the Dragon himself"

"The Dragon!" Both Thorne and Shana whirled

on him.

"Aye, milord. He stands before Sir Geoffrey, there with the scarlet mantle, trussed up tight as a

piglet, he is!"

Two pair of eyes fol owed his finger. Sure enough, a tall dark-haired man wearing scarlet stood before Sir Geoffrey near the guardhouse.

A staggering horror gripped Shana's chest. A silent scream welled in her throat. She blinked, and blinked again, hoping that her eyes deceived her— praying that they had!—for she knew the man in scarlet, the one hailed as the Dragon She knew him well indeed ...

It was Barris

lackness fringed her vision. Her knees felt like melting wax Conscious of a faint buzzing in her ears, she felt herself swaying, and for one awful moment she was certain she would faint. Thorne's grip on her arm kept her upright. The numbing pressure of his fingers biting into her soft flesh jerked her back to reality.

Her eyes flew sharply to his face. That perchance he had not recognized Barris was but a foolish notion, and one she swiftly discarded. Thin-lipped and tense, his profile bespoke a shuttered coldness Feeling trapped and utterly stricken, Shana could not look away from him Though he spoke not a word, with but the searing stroke of his eyes, he damned and accused ...

She was grateful when Sir Geoffrey approached. Their conversation was lost to Shana. She no longer had an eye to spare for either of them. Her attention shifted to Barris. Two hulking guards prepared to lead him away. Barris half turned and spied her.

"Shana' Shana1" His shout went through her like a blade All talk ceased as if an ax had fal en. Geoffrey stopped short. He exclaimed unthinkingly, "Shana ... by all that is holy! Do not tel me you know this man!"

It was Thorne who answered. "He was her betrothed " "Her betrothed! Nay, it cannot be! By the Holy Virgin, how—"

"You must forgive us, Geoffrey. 'Twould seem my wife and I have a very great deal to discuss of a sudden." Despite his limp, he spun her around and marched her toward the hall Her head held high, Shana tried to pul away but he would have none of it His grip tightened like a clamp.

Once they were alone in the tower chamber, he released her as if she were some loathsome, filthy creature A pitcher of ale awaited on the table near the hearth He crossed to it and fil ed a goblet to the rim Sprawled in the chair there, he downed the contents quickly, and then another. At last he lowered it, staring at her over the run, his gaze ablaze with a frightening intensity.

Shana had yet to move. Her heart beat with dul , pounding strokes. With unnatural stiffness she smoothed her skirts and folded her hands before her to stil their trembling She endured his burning glare as best she could, but at last she could withstand the tension no longer.

"Do not look at me so'" she cried "1 have done nothing!"

His eyes were glittering shards of onyx "Aye, you have done nothing! Indeed, you said nothing al the time we spent scouring the countryside seeking the man known as the Dragon'" His laugh raked like needles wheeling along her spine. "Oh, you must have been proud ot yourself, princess. No doubt you branded us fools while we searched and stewed and scratched our heads in vain—aye, and me the biggest fool of al ! So tell me, love, did you find it amusing knowing that the man al England sought was no other than your betrothed?"

A feeling of sick dread twisted her msides. It spun through her mind that she was the fool, for

only now did she realize he thought she'd known the Dragon's identity all along. And only now did she realize how truly bund she had been, for it all made perfect sense now Barris's association with Llywelyn, his fierce desire to rid Wales of the yoke of England Snatches of memory invaded her consciousness. She recal ed the messenger who had come to him that last night at Merwen, his air of urgency when he left, his refusal to tel her where he must go.

And he had been gone so often, both before and after her father's death. No doubt he had taken on the guise of the Dragon during those tunes.

She drew a deep, painful breath. "I did not know Barns was the Dragon, Thorne-"

Her quiet pride but fueled the fury boibng within him. He was up and out of the chair and standing before her, his voice like thunder m the night. With his fingers he jerked her face up.

"Once before I looked into your eyes and thought I saw truth, Shana. Ah, you lied so convincingly, and al the while your men lay in wait for me, anxious to number my days on this earth. So I fear you must forgive me, sweet, when I say I am scarcely inclined to believe the denial that springs from your lips so readily."

His expression was remote and implacable. She sensed no softening within him, none at all.

A mounting despair took root inside her. She shook her head, the threat of tears blurring her voice. "What would you have me do, Thorne? Swear before God? So be it then. I did not know Barris was the Dragon. He kept it from me, Thorne! I swear by the Blessed Virgin, I did not know!"

He did not believe her. She saw it in the twist of his lips, the way his jaw clenched anew.

She gave a dry sob, a sound that ripped through him like a spear "How can you doubt me? I kil ed

a man—one of my own countrymen!—that you might live. Does that mean nothing to you?"

His hands descended to her shoulders. His hold almost brutal, he caught her against him.

"Aye," he said fiercely, "Do you think that has not haunted me, for in so doing you robbed me of al 1 believed to be true of you. I thought you selfish and greedy and uncaring! Oh, I said not a word, for I knew it would distress you to speak of it. But every day since, I have asked myself why you did such a thing, when you could have been rid of me, free of me forever— free to return to Merwen! So mayhap I should be the one to ask why you kil ed another that I might live—and what it means to

you\"

Shana was suddenly afraid, terrified of the storm of feelings she felt for this man He angered her, certainly—he goaded her temper past bearing! Vivid remembrance scored her heart.

She recal ed the moment she had seen him lying bleeding and helpless, pale and still.

Hatred had been the last thing on her mind in that instant. A far different emotion indeed had fil ed her, an emotion she was almost afraid to name ..

"I did it because—because you are my husband." To her horror, her voice betrayed her What was meant to be a fierce avowal came out a quavering wisp of sound.

"Is that the only reason? Come, princess, there must be another. I am, after al , the man you detested above al others! I find it odd you suddenly chose to cling to the bonds you have shunned so

fiercely."

His coldness pierced clear to the bone. Always he pushed, always he prodded. Somehow she held fast against the tears that threatened, yet the storm of emotion held deep in her breast spilled free.

Her fingers twisted in the front of his tunic. "Why are you being so cruel?" she cried. "Why do

you hold me so distant when I would give to you al that I have ... al that I am?"

His smile was tight. "Wil you? Tis a woman's way to play the sweetly obliging maid when a man has something she wants. But no matter. I will know soon enough whether you speak the truth, or tell me that which you believe I wish to hear." His manner cool, he put her from him and bowed mockingly. 'Tor now you must forgive me for leaving you, princess. I must see to the comfort of our .. guest."

Numbly she watched him turn and stride toward the door Only when it creaked open did she find her voice She rushed forward with a strangled cry. "Thorne. Thorne!"

But he did not hear Or mayhap he chose not to listen.

Geoffrey was restlessly pacing when Thorne reentered the hal . He turned and eyed his friend, not bothering to hide his wary concern.

Thorne scowled blackly and summoned a maid for ale. "Cease your petty fears for the lady,"

he growled. "Were I inclined to do her bodily harm I'd have done so long before this " He snorted and spoke as if to himself. "Though 'tis certainly to my credit that I've yet to lay a hand on her—the wench certainly gives me enough provocation!"

Another time, and Geoffrey might have been sorely inclined to laughter. Now, however, his handsome features were grave as he watched his friend seat himself. "This Welsh raider— the Dragon," he said slowly. "He was truly Shana's betrothed?"

"Aye." Thorne gave a harsh laugh. "And she dares to claim she did not know he was the Dragon!"

'Thorne, mayhap 'tis not my place to pass judgment, but it occurs to me she may be tel ing the truth."

Thorne sent him a smoldering look. "You are right," he said shortly. " Tis not your place to pass judgment. But you did wel , my friend, to capture our elusive foe, I will apprise King Edward myself of your part in the Dragon's capture. You may rest assured he wil know 'twas your doing."

Geoffrey smiled slightly. "Although there were but two of them, we pursued them for half the day, through thickets and wooded hil sides—and nearly lost them more times than I can count. We'd not have caught up with the Dragon if his horse had not gone lame. The other, I fear, got

away."

An uncomfortable look flitted over Geoffrey's features. "A word of warning, Thorne. Two days past a messenger from the king passed through. It seems King Edward is less than pleased with the loss of English lives—"

"There's no need to mince words, my friend." Thorne interrupted with a tight smile. "You mean he is less than pleased with my efforts to squelch the rebellion here in the border lands." He went on to tel Geoffrey what had happened at Llandyrr; how it was true that someone plundered Welsh lands without mercy—and al in his name. "Someone," Thorne finished grimly, "is determined to blacken my reputation."

"Mayhap to dampen Edward's faith in you/' Geoffrey rubbed his chin thoughtful y. He frowned. "I have to tel you, Thorne, Lord Newbury fairly gloated when Edward's messenger arrived. There's been talk of his displeasure that Edward chose you over him to command the forces here. And he's made no secret that he would covet Langley as his own. It could be that he is somehow responsible for perpetrating these attacks in your name."

The possibility occurs to me as well.Thorne grimaced, "I shall take care in watching his movements from now on."

It was inevitable that the conversation lead back to Shana. A band of tightness seemed to wrap about Thorne's chest. He pictured anew her eyes, wide and glistening, unwavering and mutely pleading. It had taken every ounce of wil power he possessed to steel himself against the way she trembled like a wounded doe in his arms, to harden his heart against her plea, al thready and weak and tremulous.

The temptation to sweep aside his indignation, to succumb to the sweetness of that softly quivering mouth, had been overwhelming. But there was a part of him that was like an iron fist and refused to yield. Geoffrey, it seemed, was inclined to believe her claim that she had not been aware of Barris's secret identity as the Dragon.

But Thorne was determined to know the truth— and he would know it now.

With that thought, he left the hal . His steps carried him purposeful y toward the dungeon.

Once there, he gestured for the jailer to unlock the door to RBarris's cel . Moments later, he stepped within.

The cell was cramped and drafty, lit only by the glimmer of light that seeped through the gril work set high in the door. His captive sat on the floor, his back against the damp stone wall. Barris arose slowly when he saw who confronted him.

"Lord Weston," he said, with an exaggerated bow. "You honor me with your presence."

Thorne's eyes glinted. The Welshman betrayed no hint of submission in either his tone or his manner. "You've led us a merry chase these many months," he stated cool y. "But al things must come to an end—as your masquerade as the Dragon has just done."

Barris smiled tightly. "This hardly marks the end of Welsh resistance. My people wil not give in so easily."

"Ah, yes, you are a stubborn lot, as I well know, which reminds me ... At Merwen, you must have thought yourself so very clever, knowing that I had seen you in the flesh and never deigned to guess that you were the Dragon. Indeed, I can only imagine the laughter you surely shared with a certain Welsh princess!" By the time he'd finished, Thorne could no longer contain his fury.

Barris stiffened. His rage had known no bounds when he'd discovered the Bastard Earl had escaped from Merwen and taken Shana along with him—and taken her to wife yet! Indeed, his role as the Dragon had become a vendetta of sorts, to pit his sword and wits against that of the Bastard Earl in this game played out between England and Wales.

"You act as if you are the one wronged here." Barris could not hide his bitterness. "But I would remind you, milord, 'twas you who abducted my betrothed!"

"And I would remind you she is now my wife and that may wel have saved her pretty little neck. What if the king had discovered her deceit in concealing your identity? Indeed, the fact that she is my wife might have been—-and still may be her only salvation!"

Barris had gone slightly pale. "Shana knew nothing, man, nothing! And 'tis you who deceive yourself if you choose to believe otherwise!"