THE WARLORD (33 page)

Fitz Alan smiled over Kenric's confused expression. "Do you recall our reaction the first time we saw Lady Tess in the abbey?" When Kenric nodded, Fitz Alan's smile became as broad and smug as Simon's. "You are seeing a like reaction among your men. They are waiting for another glimpse of your angel."

Kenric looked the room over again, seeing a dumbfounded expression on more than one face. His men had seen Tess on numerous occasions. Why would a new gown suddenly cause them to lose their wits at this late date? He lifted his fist and brought it down with a crash on the table, causing the dice to dance off the edge. He brought it down twice more before he had the attention of every man in the room. His voice dripped with barely veiled sarcasm. "Did anyone happen to notice that we have just been joined by Dunmore MacLeith?"

The room erupted in chaos. Chairs and benches overturned as men reached for their swords and searched the room for their enemy. One by one they
turned,
each expression sheepish as they faced their baron. He stood up and crossed his arms, frowning at them all. "And you call yourselves—"

The sight of his wife stopped him in mid-sentence. The doorway to Helen's chamber framed Tess perfectly, a painting come to life. She looked like a princess in her deep purple gown, with the sparkling jewels that matched her eyes. He understood immediately why his men were acting like idiots. Tearing his eyes away from the vision, he gave his men a stern rebuke even as he crossed the room to take Tess's arm. He pulled her into their chamber before he allowed himself to look at her again. He positioned her in front of the fire and stepped back until his heels touched a trunk. He sat down without thinking, his voice a harsh whisper. "Good God!"

Tess looked down at her gown then behind her. "You do not like it?"

"The gown?"
His gaze traveled from her slippers to the top of her head, then back down again. The dark, rich color of the amethyst gown made her skin glow as pale and delicate as the white roses blooming in the gardens below them, the natural coloring in her lips and cheeks more perfect than any artist's brush could imagine. Her eyes outshone the gems that sparkled with her every movement, and her hair was a cloak of rich, lustrous gold. Even though the clinging gold mesh of her girdle revealed more of Tess's swollen stomach than it hid, the jewel-trimmed bliaut she wore over the gown effectively concealed her condition. Kenric scowled, wishing the presence of his child was more obvious, that the court wouldn't have to look so closely before seeing the proof that she was his. "Lord, Tess, you look like an ancient pagan queen come to life. Give me a minute to accustom myself to it."

Tess waited patiently as he continued his perusal. "I look foolish, don't I?"

He shook his head, his eyes glued on her bodice. The neckline was cut no lower than the gowns of other ladies he'd passed in the halls on his way to see the king, yet he didn't remember seeing quite so much of them. "Give me a minute, Tess." He suddenly had the insane desire to take her straight back to Montague and lock her in their chamber where no one else but he would ever be allowed to see her. She was sure to cause a sensation tonight. More than one would likely consider the story about kidnapping his bride a fine idea. Perhaps one would even entertain the notion of using a similar tactic to take her from him.

"
You
look very handsome," she said shyly, walking closer to brush her hand across the shoulder of his white surcoat. Montague's coat of arms was stitched in midnight blue and gold thread on his chest and he wore a deep blue tunic, matching leggings, and boots dyed the same shade. Blue leather armbands tooled with gold covered his wrists up to his elbows and an ornate sword hung from each hip, the blades resting in jewel-encrusted gold sheaths. Kenric looked every inch the mighty warlord and Tess said another silent prayer of thanks that he was hers. Just the sight of Kenric would give the MacLeiths something to worry about. She brushed the hair back from his forehead and placed a gentle kiss there. "I do love you dearly, Kenric, but you begin to worry me. Should I change my gown? Is it not to your taste after all?"

Kenric finally shook himself from his stupor although he didn't take his gaze from his wife.

"Your gown is exactly to my taste, wife. I am troubled only by the other appetites it will whet. I forbid you to step farther than a pace from my side tonight. Or any other time we are outside these apartments," he added, just for good measure. It was a foolish demand and one he knew must be broken on occasion, but he felt better for making it just the same.

Tess leaned down to kiss his cheek. "I am glad you like it."

"Like it or not, I still need more time to accustom myself to the thing." He couldn't tear his eyes away from her. At this rate, he'd probably shame them both by walking into a wall on their way to evening
meal,
too busy watching his wife to watch his step.

"Unfortunately, there is no more time. We shall probably be the last ones in the great hall as it is." He wrapped Tess in his arms and gave her a sweet, lingering kiss. Before it could turn serious, he stood up and again wrapped her firmly in his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I will tell you of my meeting with the king, then 'tis time to face our judgment."

Kenric told her of Cardinal Jerome and the threat he represented, relieved yet somehow suspicious when Tess took the news so calmly. She kept repeating that she trusted him to keep his family safe, unconsciously reminding him that it was not only Tess who was at stake. Kenric didn't consider what would happen if the MacLeiths got their hands on his wife and child. It simply would not happen.
Ever.
He'd already decided that nothing would separate him from his wife, not even Tess herself. If the MacLeiths somehow managed to have the betrothal upheld, or if Tess herself renounced her husband, he would use any means necessary to keep her. If that meant fighting his way through the king's men and fleeing
England, he would do it. He'd brought enough of his army along on this journey to ensure as much. Kenric had more than thirty men within the castle walls, yet only a handful of those soldiers realized that the rest of his army was already camped just a few miles outside
London. Tonight would decide whether they marched on Remmington, or fought their way to the sea.

Later, as they walked toward the king's hall, Tess began to notice a change come over her husband. His shoulders became stiff, his back as straight and unyielding as a spear. The lines etched around his eyes and mouth seemed deeper, his eyes gradually becoming dark and fathomless. She could almost feel him growing distant from her, as if several feet separated them instead of inches. He still held her hand on his arm, but she felt no more a part of him than the swords that hung at his side. His steps no longer took her smaller ones into consideration and she hurried to match his pace. By the time they reached the great hall, Kenric looked exactly like the stranger she had married. Gazing across a sea of unfamiliar, decidedly unfriendly faces, Tess suddenly realized what he'd done.

Kenric had prepared himself for battle.

Dining with a king was rather like attending a fair, Tess decided, midway through dinner. The entertainment during the meal was quite spectacular. Brightly dressed jugglers, minstrels, and acrobats all vied for the attention of the audience, but Tess couldn't shake the feeling that she and Kenric were the main attraction.

At first she was too fascinated by King Edward to notice the attention she herself drew. There was no question where Kenric got his size, although Edward's piercing blue eyes clearly marked him a Plantaganet. The king's profile was also similar to Kenric's, but it was their mannerisms that were almost identical. The king's orders were given with the slightest movement of his hands. She understood the wealth of meaning behind the king's arched brow, or the tightening of his mouth as he looked around the room.

She followed the king's gaze and soon discovered that nearly everyone else in the massive hall was looking at her.

It didn't seem to matter where her gaze happened to fall, there were eyes on her constantly. Most of the women would glance away nervously when Tess caught them staring, but then they would put their heads together and whisper. The men were worse.
Often as not, they weren't polite enough to turn away.
One young blade even had the nerve to wink at her! She wondered what to do about that outrageous act until she felt Kenric stiffen beside her and start to rise from his seat. Although she didn't look at her husband, she sensed he'd also observed the suggestive wink and intended to warn off her would-be suitor.

The poor man's reaction was almost comical. In an instant he'd dropped his knife and turned over a goblet of wine onto the lady sitting at his side. He didn't pause to apologize for his clumsiness, but bolted from the hall. Tess turned to give her husband a thankful smile but he was already busy glaring at some other man. She sighed and tried to concentrate on her food.

The dinner came in seven courses, each deliciously prepared, but the little amount she was able to eat seemed tasteless. Even the pageantry of the court and the enormous hall, filled to capacity with colorful characters, paled next to Tess's fear of what lay ahead of them that evening.

Gordon MacLeith and three other MacLeith men were seated far across the hall and she felt Gordon's cold eyes on her more than once. She kept her hand on Kenric's leg much of the time, needing to touch him, to assure herself of his protection.

The meal finally ended and the tables and chairs were cleared away by unobtrusive servants. The king's throne was brought in and placed on a large dais at one end of the hall. The king took his seat and was soon surrounded by his advisers and the bishops Kenric had told her about. In the space of a few minutes, the hall changed from a dining room to a royal court.

She watched in fascination as the courtiers vied for the best spots to view the unfolding drama, many assuming exaggerated poses to show off their clothing and finery. The noise in the hall faded away to near silence as the king motioned to Gordon.

The ladies of the court inched their way forward to get a better view of the young MacLeith, for he was indeed pleasing to look upon. The jewel-green tunic he wore was expertly cut to emphasize his lean body, his leather breeches molded snugly to long legs. There were no battle scars to detract from the smooth, classical lines of his face, a face saved from being too beautiful by slightly overstated male features. He had a way of negligently tossing his head that brought attention to his startling white-blond hair, and his deep blue eyes seemed to hold many untold secrets. No matter where a lady's taste might fall, none could deny his physical perfection, or help but compare him against the rough, massive darkness of Baron Montague. Tess thought Gordon the ugliest man alive.

While Gordon made his way through the crowd, Edward held his goblet out and a squire rushed to his side to fill the chalice with wine. The king seemed in no hurry to get started and made Gordon wait awkwardly until the squire finished the duty.

"You have
Our
permission to address your king and state your business."

"Gordon MacLeith, at your service, Your Highness."
He bowed low then straightened again, his gaze guarded, his manner challenging. "This eve I represent myself and my father, Dunmore MacLeith, and would petition our king on a most grievous matter, the kidnapping of my bride by one Kenric of Montague."

Gordon paused to let the impact of his charge ripple through the audience in waves of murmured comments. He did not turn to look at the crowd, but Tess could almost sense the way he listened for their approval. Then he pointed at Kenric. "Not only did this man deny Tess Remmington her home and loving family, he worsened his crime by wedding her, knowing she was betrothed to another, betrothed to me by your very hand, Your Highness." A more startled murmur went through the crowd, indicating many were not aware of the betrothal. Tess tried to ignore the queasy feeling in her stomach as she wondered how Gordon could say the words "loving family" without choking on them. She prayed the bishops would recognize such blatant lies and was thankful for Edward's disgusted expression.

"For many long weeks we grieved for our Tess, knowing not her fate until we learned by chance from a visitor that she had fallen into Baron Montague's vile clutches. He told us the baroness at Montague was terrified of her husband, that he beat her constantly. We sent messengers to Montague, hoping the baron would see reason and release the woman he held so cruelly into the arms of her loving family and to me, the man to whom she is rightfully betrothed. Our messengers returned empty-handed, Your Highness, turned away without an audience." Gordon sounded so defeated that several ladies in the audience sighed sympathetically.
" 'Tis
why I stand before you today, my king. To plead the cause of justice, knowing you will return Tess Remmington to my side and punish those who stole her from me. Although she has doubtless been sorely used, we are anxious to have her safely home again where she can forget the terrors of the last few months."

Edward was silent for a several moments, continuing to stare at Gordon as if judging his words. Gordon didn't flinch once under the scrutiny and boldly returned the king's stare. Edward took a slow sip of wine then looked across the room to Kenric. His deep voice carried easily over the whispered words of his courtiers. "Kenric of Montague, you are charged with serious crimes. Do you respond to these charges?"

"Aye," Kenric replied, already making his way forward. He glanced back to make sure Tess was securely flanked by Fitz Alan, Simon, and Evard, then continued until he stood before the king. Although Gordon turned to face his adversary, Kenric didn't acknowledge the Scot's presence with
so
much as a flickering glance. He bowed low to the king, nodded his head to acknowledge the advisers and holy men,
then
waited for the king's permission to speak.

" 'Tis
a strange tale you have heard this eve, Your Highness." Kenric spoke to the king, but he looked meaningfully at Gordon. "And bound to get stranger still, I warrant. You may as well know now that the charges of kidnapping are simply not true."

Kenric waited for the crowd's reaction to die down to hushed whispers. "Aye, 'tis more than possible the incident appeared a kidnapping to this boy and his father. Yet kidnapping cannot be charged when a knight chances upon a lady fleeing for her life.

"Best you explain this story," the king advised.

"By your order, I did escort Father Olwen to Kelso Abbey in the first month of this year," he began. "After seeing the priest safely to his new home, my man and I decided to hunt for game in the area that night to replenish our supplies for the return trip to Montague. The abbot at Kelso gave his permission to hunt the surrounding forests and it was there we happened upon Lady Remmington. Though the lady was disguised, we recognized her as a woman of some importance from the cut of her clothing. Knowing the forests are no place for any lady, we took her immediately to the safety of Kelso Abbey. It was there we learned her true identity and received our first glimpse of the prize we held when she shed her disguise. I think you will agree, Your
Highness, that
one need but look at my wife to realize why I decided to wed the lady that very eve and give her the protection of my name."

Kenric didn't turn to look at Tess, but knew everyone else in the hall did. The murmurs of agreement didn't grate on him half as much as the appreciative chuckles.

"Your point is taken." The king's smile revealed none of his knowledge of the affair. "But did the lady not tell you of her prior betrothal?"

"She did. Yet when the full circumstances of her situation become known, I believe you will reconsider her betrothal to Gordon MacLeith."

"A king's betrothal cannot be broken simply because a baron is smitten with lust," Gordon sneered at his side.

"Silence!" the king commanded, glaring at Gordon. "You have presented your charge without interruption and will give Baron Montague the same consideration." He waved one hand toward Kenric. "Continue."

"Lady Remmington was kept prisoner at Langston Keep since her mother's death nearly five years ago. During that time she was beaten regularly by her stepbrother, the man who stands before you now. Although it is well within a family's rights to punish a woman in any manner they see fit, my wife was punished not for wrongdoing, but simply for spite.
The.
last
beating she received from Gordon MacLeith was so severe that it drove her from the safety of her home to the treacherous wilds of the forest."

" 'Tis
a lie!" Gordon stared at Kenric with such appalled shock that Kenric himself might have questioned the story if he hadn't seen the proof.

Kenric ignored Gordon.
" 'Tis
the sorry truth, Your Highness. My wife fell unconscious soon after our wedding and 'twas then I discovered the extent of the damage done her. Her back showed proof of no less than fifty lashes delivered by a stout whip. A whip held by Gordon MacLeith. My men can attest to the marks and to the fact that she lay abed with a fever for nearly a week as a result, so ill we knew not if she would live."

"He is lying," Gordon told the king. "If there was any such beating, he did it himself to provide an excuse for his wrongful actions. Aye, I trow he beat Lady Tess many times since so she will lie to protect him, too afraid to speak the truth for fear of his reprisals."

" 'Tis
a fact I have never beat my wife and never will. She has pledged herself to me freely and endeavors to please me in all things. A baron does not abuse those under his protection who are loyal and faithful to their lord."

The audience voiced its approval of Kenric's logic and Gordon began to look worried.

"With your permission, King Edward?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Cardinal Jerome as he rose from his seat, leaning heavily on his curved staff. The king nodded and the cardinal stepped forward to address the two men. "The matter of the lady's beatings is disturbing, but it is not clearly relevant to the fact of her betrothal. You, Kenric of Montague, have admitted to taking a woman to wife who was legally betrothed to another. Such a binding contract cannot be set aside because of such trivial matters. Gordon MacLeith has a prior claim to the lady and she must be returned to her rightful place unless something was done to invalidate God's contract. If you lack evidence of such wrongdoing, Baron Montague, your marriage will be set aside by the church."

This time there was no answering murmur in the crowd to echo the cardinal's words. Everyone waited in tense silence for Kenric's response.

"I do possess such evidence, Your Eminence." Kenric didn't turn around, but motioned Fitz Alan forward and took the scroll his vassal held. Kenric handed the document to the cardinal. "In this scroll you will find the sworn statements of four men, duly witnessed by Father Olwen and Abbot Samuels of Kelso Abbey. Two of these men are former MacLeith soldiers stationed at Langston
Keep,
one is a merchant who called often on
Remmington
Castle
, the other, a former companion of Gordon MacLeith's. My wife has no knowledge of this document, but over the past few months she confirmed much of what you will find inside. 'Tis sworn by these four men that Gordon MacLeith had no intention of taking Tess Remmington to wife in more than name. He did on numerous occasions promise his bride's favors to soldiers in his company for the purpose of getting her with child."

Kenric paused, waiting for the crowd's noisy response to die down before presenting the most damaging argument against MacLeith. "The reason Gordon MacLeith made such promises is that he is incapable of fulfilling a husband's duties himself
. 'Tis common knowledge in the MacLeith household that Gordon has never lain with a woman but has maintained a steady string of unholy alliances with young men and boys.
He was so repulsed by the thought of being legally bound to a woman that he swore to murder his bride as soon as an heir to Remmington was safely delivered."

The hall erupted into a chorus of startled gasps. The court had never been witness to such open scandal and this time no one bothered to whisper their responses to the sensational disclosure. Gordon paled. Even Cardinal Jerome looked stunned by the announcement and began to quickly scan the parchment to confirm the charges. Kenric didn't wait for things to quiet down but announced his final argument over the noise of the crowd.