THE WARLORD (35 page)

Tess nodded and opened her mouth to reply when she saw a quick movement from the corner of her eye.

The hall suddenly erupted into chaos. Very few were certain what caused the blood-curdling screams to ring out across the vast room. Royal guards moved forward to surround the king and protect him from danger. More guards surrounded the petitioners, their spears and swords ready to deliver a deathblow to any or all at a word from the king.

The king started out of his seat and took a step forward, holding up one hand to wave his guards away. The soldiers surrounding the king parted slowly, standing close to their ruler in case they were still needed. The ones standing guard over Fitz Alan, Gordon, Kenric, and Tess also backed away, using their bodies now as barriers to hold back the courtiers who peered over the soldiers' shoulders. Many of the ladies turned away in revulsion at what was revealed.

Gordon lay on the floor, his face drained of color, his left hand cradling the stump that used to be his right arm. The cleanly severed limb lay a few feet away on the floor, a long dirk still clutched in the lifeless fingers. The injured man moaned low and steady, an eerie, crooning sound sometimes heard in the aftermath of battle when men lay wounded or dying on the battlefield. He didn't appear aware of Kenric's bloody sword at his throat, too shocked by his loss to be aware of anything else at that moment. Kenric loomed over his enemy like a dark, avenging angel, his right arm extended to hold the sword in place, his left arm wrapped securely around his wife. She was pressed tightly against his side, his body turned slightly to hold her away from danger. Fitz Alan stood behind Kenric, his sword also drawn to protect his lord's back from any overzealous royal guards.

Edward stepped from the dais and walked a semicircle around Gordon. He reached down and pulled the weapon free, then held the dirk aloft.

"Assassin!"
Edward announced to the crowd. He walked slowly in front of his soldiers so all would see the weapon, then turned and pointed the dirk toward Kenric. "But for my loyal baron, this traitor would have killed his king."

The king's guards relaxed and lowered their weapons, but Kenric's sword remained steady at Gordon's neck. Edward returned to his throne and threw the weapon at his feet, looking down at the fallen man in disgust. "I do hereby break the betrothal set forth between Gordon MacLeith and Tess of Remmington on the grounds of deceit and treachery. You have also forfeited your life to Baron Montague this eve, Gordon MacLeith. He may do with you as he will."

"It was Tess I was after," Gordon cried out, roused from his stupor by the king's words. He looked into Kenric's eyes and cringed. "Please,
Your
Highness. My father… Allow me to live and I will make a full confession."

"Aye, you are the type of traitor who would betray his own father," Edward sneered. "I have no doubt you will make your full confession long before Baron Montague is done with you. Take this man to the dungeons." Edward waved his hand away with sharp finality, sealing Gordon's doom. "Bind his wound and keep watch that he does not hasten his own end. There he will await my baron's judgment."

Kenric backed away as Gordon was pulled to his feet by the king's men. Knowing his fete, Gordon began struggling against the two men who dragged him from the hall, screams of pain and protest mingling in his terror. The stunned court parted to allow the prisoner through their ranks and remained silent until the screams faded away down unseen corridors.

The ladies were the first to notice the way Baron Montague held his wife, wrapped securely now in his arms. They sighed when he cupped her cheek with one hand, the love between the two obvious as they gazed into each other's eyes. Everyone waited in breathless anticipation as the baron slowly lowered his head to kiss his beautiful bride. When their lips finally met in a sweet, lingering kiss, the women sighed again over the beauty of the moment while the men called out their encouragement. The king finally interrupted the spectacle by calling for silence, even though his face was also broken by a grin.

"Kenric of Montague, you do indeed have my blessings to kiss this lady, who is your wife in the eyes of God and your king."

The court erupted into cheers. Kenric watched Tess carefully, oblivious to the shouts of well-wishers. Tess smiled up at him, but her brows drew together to form a silent, puzzled question. The smiles and cheers faded when the king continued to speak, his face suddenly grave. "However, the matter of your marriage is not completely settled."

Now she will speak
, Kenric thought wildly, his hold on Tess's arm tightening as they turned to face the king again. Tess remained silent as she laid her hand against his, indicating that he was hurting her. He relaxed his grip immediately and she bowed her head to listen to the king's words. After all that had transpired, Kenric could no longer stand the suspense. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"This is your last chance to be free of me, Tess."

Kenric wasn't sure she heard him. She didn't move for a moment or even glance up at him. Instead she edged closer until the hem of her gown brushed against his leg, casually straightening the skirt until it covered the toe of the boot closest to her,
then
he felt Tess's slippered heel grind all her weight into his foot. She actually managed to make it painful.

The king gave Kenric a quelling glare, telling him without words that he should have enough sense to look serious and contrite at a time like this. Kenric knew he was smiling like an idiot. Edward cleared his throat and continued.

"Although
We
are pleased this lady's holdings did not fall into the hands of a scoundrel such as Gordon MacLeith, Remmington needs a baron in constant attendance to see to its proper protection. Lady Tess needs a husband who will dedicate himself to her lands, yet Montague's holdings are just as vast with the same need for a strong overlord. And we cannot overlook the fact that you married without your king's permission, to a woman legally betrothed to another at the time. The church does not view such matters lightly and I am sure Cardinal Jerome will agree that some punishment is in order."

"Aye," Cardinal Jerome said, nodding his head thoughtfully. "Yet considering the circumstances, I am of the opinion that God had a hand in bringing these two young people together. The church does not ask for a severe punishment in this case, Your Highness."

"I will take your opinion into consideration when making my judgment." Edward paused a moment to rub his beard, then he leaned forward from his throne, staring intently at Kenric. "Before I bring judgment upon this man, be it known that he will retain any goods, services, armies, or rewards collected in his capacity as knight and soldier."

Edward leaned back and eyed his court as the suspense mounted.

"As punishment for the actions that resulted in the marriage between Kenric of Montague and Lady Tess of Remmington, these two people are hereby stripped of the titles Baron and Baroness of Montague, and will forfeit all Montague titles, lands, wardships, revenues, and entailments in favor of Kenric's younger brother, Guy of Montague."

The cries of outrage from the courtiers seemed to surprise even the king. "Do you believe I will not also reward a man so loyal to his king?" Edward asked the court, his exasperation obvious. The protests died down and Edward nodded, turning again to Kenric. "Considering that you have surely saved Remmington and a vast stretch of English border from a traitor, I do hereby bestow upon you, Kenric, the title of Baron Remmington, and restore to you, Tess, the title of Baroness Remmington. All titles, lands, revenues, wardships, and entailments attached to Remmington are yours, and will pass to your heir upon Kenric's death, in accordance with the rules of all other baronies of this land."

Kenric bowed and Tess dropped into a deep curtsy to thank their king. The court cheered once again for the couple.

"Thus it is done," the king said, smiling once again. "Rise, Baron Remmington."

Kenric straightened for a moment, took a few steps forward then bowed again over the king's hand to kiss his overlord's ring. This show of fealty done, Kenric backed away slowly to stand beside Tess. He felt her small hand slip into his and he squeezed it tightly.

The hour was late when Kenric's group returned to their apartments. The congratulations of well-wishers and toasts to their marriage went on long into the evening until Kenric finally noticed how tired his wife looked. Yet he'd been in no hurry to leave the court that evening, wanting everyone to know that his wife stood by his side willingly.

They retired quickly to their bedchamber when they reached their apartments. Tess couldn't wait to be held in Kenric's arms without a hundred eyes upon them. At last there was no longer any need to worry over their marriage, or fear that her husband would be taken from her. The years of facing the MacLeiths alone were at a blessed end.

She leaned back against the pillows and wrapped her arms around her knees, watching Kenric undress. Her eyes grew soft and thoughtful. Tonight he'd thought she would want to be rid of him. She'd had to settle for grinding her heel into his foot rather than giving him the good kick he deserved.

"How is your foot?" she asked politely, not looking a bit contrite.

" 'Tis
sure to be sore a week," he said, smiling as he slid into bed. "I am turning you into a violent little thing. Next you will be poking me with that sharp dagger of yours when I displease you."

"I had not thought of that," Tess mused, as if considering the idea. "Do not think yourself above punishment the next time you say something so foolish and insulting."

"I tremble in fear of your retribution, Lady." Kenric rolled his head back with an exaggerated look of pained remorse.

Tess nodded sharply. "As well you should. How could you ask me such a question, especially after everything that happened tonight? Have you never trusted anything I told you these past weeks?"

Kenric's grin evaporated. His expression became downright fierce. "I have not lived this long by placing my trust foolishly, Tess." He shook his head when he saw the hurt in her eyes.
"Nay, sweet.
You I trust completely. Tonight you could have used it against me. Any other woman would have."

"Any other woman would have coshed you over the head." She still didn't understand how he could trust her yet expect that she would turn against him.

"Ah, Tess, you are delightfully blind. You call me handsome, when none other on this earth would second your opinion. You stare at me with a look that borders on drooling while every other woman turns away in revulsion." He took her fingertip and traced the scar that ran the length of his cheek. "Have you never noticed that my face and body were scarred beyond handsome long ago?"

"Your face is beautiful," she declared, sweeping her hand from his forehead to his jaw. "Any lady with eyes can see it." Her eyes narrowed as her hand brushed across his chest. "I will scratch out the eyes of any lady who dares look at your body to see these scars you have become so vain about."

"You see?" he asked, smiling again. "No matter how farfetched, I can do nothing but trust you. If you say I am handsome, then handsome I am."

"Why, you arrogant man," she sputtered, pushing against his shoulder. "Had I known you were wheedling flattery, I would have lied and compared you to a toad."

"I would have known you were lying," he declared smugly.

Tess sighed, defeated. "Everyone knows when I lie. Is it something in my expression that makes it so blatant?"

"Aye," he chuckled. "You have a look of guilt about you that none could miss for a mile. I suggest you give up the sinful habit before it lands you in serious trouble someday."

She changed the subject entirely. "Do you think my stepfather will leave Remmington willingly?"

"Nay," Kenric
replied,
his eyes serious now.
" 'Tis
why I always considered your scheme to run from me so foolish." He smoothed away her worried frown with his fingertips. "You will never hear me tell you it was a sound plan, Tess, but I no longer condemn you for trying
. '
Tis a measure of your loyalty that you were willing to risk your life for what you thought was your duty. You understand now that it is my duty as your husband to take those risks." He gave her a hard look until she nodded her understanding. "MacLeith is like me in one respect; he will not willingly give up what he has made his own. The fact that the church has turned against him will not matter. He is preparing for a siege as we speak."

"I should have trusted you sooner," Tess murmured.

"Aye, you should have," he agreed, softening the rebuke with a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I cannot guarantee that your people will be spared, Tess. But I will not slaughter them needlessly. Those who flee before my army will not be chased down unless they show signs of gathering arms to stand against me. 'Tis unlikely those within the walls will be so fortunate."

Tess nodded, knowing there was no other way.

"You have had enough of serious thoughts for one night," he murmured, pressing a line of kisses across her forehead as if to chase them away. "I would send you to slumber with more pleasant thoughts on your mind."

His lips captured hers for a kiss that left Tess breathless, her thoughts far from sleep. She was surprised when he ended the kiss by tucking her head against his shoulder, lying back against the pillows.

"You need your rest," he told her, answering the unspoken question. He reached down to stroke her swollen belly.
"As does my babe."

"We are not sleepy," she said with a mischievous grin. Kenric lay on his back with one knee bent and she moved her hand in a tantalizing motion along his inner thigh.

"You looked ready to sleep on your feet in the hall," he countered, capturing her hand and returning it to his chest. "I have heard such is possible, but have never actually seen anyone sleep that way. I was tempted to stay, knowing you of all people would be able to show me how this was done."