Velvet & steel (16 page)

Beltane was amused at Oriel's gullibility. Did this creature think they were working toward her ends as well? She had been useful, and soon her usefulness would be done. To Beltane all things were valued only until their usefulness was fulfilled. There would be time soon to awaken the stupid wench to the fact that neither Royce nor Creganwald would ever be hers.

Royce woke before the first light of dawn touched the horizon. He wasn't too sure what had wakened him, until the knock on his door was repeated, this time very urgently. He rose from the bed slowly so he would not waken Lynette, grabbed up his trews and drew them on, then made his way to the door well prepared to rid himself quickly of the nuisance.

When he flung the door open, it was to face Robert and Giles, whose worried faces and grim lips told him something was amiss.

"Robert, what has happened?"

"Royce—" Robert's voice was filled with anger. "I could hold the news no longer. Every servant has searched every place possible. Lynette cannot be found. I have roused your men, and we are set to search the whole of the city. I fear there are those who meant her harm last evening."

"Ah... Robert, Giles"—Royce smiled—"set your minds at rest."

"How can you greet this news so calmly? Do you not know what may have happened?"

"Robert... please ... do as I say. Call off the search. Lynette is safe."

Robert looked as if he did not understand the words for a minute and Giles looked even more puzzled; then understanding came to both almost at the same time. Two pairs of eyes widened, and two rather sheepish faces broke into broad smiles.

"I shall tell the men to cease the search," Giles said and made his escape before he broke into very pleased laughter. Every man and woman in the household would be delighted to hear this news.

Robert stood his ground. He studied Royce's face, and felt a surge of pleasure. It seemed the ghosts had been laid to rest and all by one slight girl. He was as happy as if these were his children, and his smile was evidence enough.

"Robert, stop Giles before he announces to the world that Lynette is here."

"Aye"—Robert grinned—"but I will have to tell Cerise. She is the one who raised the alarm. She went to Lynette's room and found her gone. The child is beside herself."

"Send her to us." Robert turned to leave. "Robert," Royce said dryly, "I didn't mean at this moment. Keep her with you for a while. Lynette still sleeps."

"Aye," Robert repeated. He would do just that. There were many ways to keep a child busy, and he intended to find them all. He was wise enough to know that passion needed to be followed by time to talk... and time to renew the night's pleasures. Royce closed the door on the sound of Robert's pleased chuckle. He turned to walk back to the bed, only to see Lynette sitting up in the middle of it, her eyes full of laughter and her cheeks flushed.

He paused to absorb the picture she made: all that shielded her from his gaze was the brilliant hair tangled about her.

Lynette, too, was just as fascinated. Royce walked slowly toward her, and she could feel her pulse begin to pick up a stronger beat. She could actually feel his caress like a physical thing long before he reached her side.

He stopped beside the bed and held her gaze with his. Slowly a smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and the gold of his eyes warmed. He reached to gather the mass of her hair in two hands, one on each side of her face, and drew her slowly up to him. Their lips touched, caressed, and grew hungry. Royce knew without doubt that she would be able to raise this hunger in him with her slightest touch or the quickest glance.

"It seems the place is in an uproar."

"Why? Has something gone wrong? Cerise, is she ..." She paused before the laughter she saw in his eyes, and looked at him in puzzlement.

"There has been a search going on ... for you."

"For me? But ... oh ... " Her cheeks grew even pinker, and she sat back upon her heels. "They ..."

"They think aright, that you have spent the night with me, as you will from this day onward for the rest of our lives. Does it distress you, Lynette?"

"Nay," she finally laughed. "It is not our secret. But then"—she ran her hand up his arm to rest on his chest—"I would shout my love for all the world to know. We will be wed! We will be wed!" She was beautiful in her enthusiasm, and he snatched her from the bed to clasp her to him, filled with the amazing joy her full acceptance brought. She looped her arms about his neck and threw back her head, laughing in sheer ecstasy.

As he slowly slid her to her feet, she rested against him. His lips began to explore.

"We should go down."

"Aye," he murmured, while he pressed a light stream of kisses against her throat.

"We should not dally longer."

"Nay, we should not," he responded, but the assault on her senses did not cease.

"Royce, your food awaits."

"Nay, my better meal is here." He swung her up in his arms and returned to the bed.

When they finally did come down to break their fast, there seemed to be an air of jubilation in the hall. They were met with warm greetings, quick laughter, and looks of definite approval for the lady their lord had chosen. Be she conquered or no, she was the lady that had brought peace to the man they would have followed into hell.

For the knights that shared his fortune, she was to be loved and protected as if she belonged to each of them. Lynette's heart swelled with the pleasure of it.

When she asked after Cerise, it was to find she had been taken into the city by Giles, who had orders from Robert to see to her every whim... and to keep her occupied until well after the midday meal. Robert had joked that even Royce would not keep Lynette abed after that. But the others had laughingly responded they had their doubts.

After they had eaten, Royce took Lynette out to explore the city. She found treasures: ribbons for Cerise's hair, and a comb and brush of silver. Royce watched her, warmed by her unrestrained love for his daughter. He knew quite well that a stepmother was not always kind, and he was grateful for the concern she displayed.

The thought of the three of them returning to Creganwald was a welcome one. He would gladly leave behind the intrigues of court. His thoughts turned to Tearlach again, and he felt uneasy. Worse was the memory of the way Beltane had looked at Lynette, as if she were his possession.

His thoughts, wandering now, came to rest on Oriel. He knew Giles was not happy about his sister's choice of companions, but he sensed relief that she had chosen to stay away from Lynette and the household.

More than ever, he regretted the way he had entrusted Cerise to Oriel. When they reached Creganwald, he would wipe that memory from his daughter's mind.

"What causes you to scowl so, my lord?" Lynette questioned.

" 'Tis naught. I but think of the hours between dawn and night as wasted ones now." He grinned at her flushed cheeks.

"I did not think you had access to my thoughts," she said. "It seems they linger along the same path. But you must curb your appetites, my lord," Lynette laughed. "For there are long hours before you, and your daughter will demand her share."

"Children should be abed early," he responded, enjoying their easy banter.

"Would you have her and the whole household abed before the sun sets?"

"Aye, if it were in my power. But since it is not, I shall seek the earliest moment."

He enjoyed her laughter and joined in it, and the ride home seemed more joyous. But as they approached the dwelling, they found Ferragus riding toward them.

"Something is amiss?" Royce asked.

"Only that there are guests in the house, and I would find my pleasure elsewhere."

"Who has come?"

"Beltane has escorted Oriel back to her brother's care. My lord, it is an excuse."

"An excuse for what?"

"Why, to see Lady Lynette, for a question as to her whereabouts were the first words to pass his lips."

"He is foolhardy," Royce said softly.

"He is nothing, my lord," Lynette said quickly. "But he may have some influence at court and could stir up trouble. Let us not anger him if possible, for I believe he means you as much trouble as he can provide."

"He most likely does, and should he look your way, he will find all his heart desires."

"You have known Beltane a long time, haven't you?"

"Aye, I have."

"Why is his heart set on bringing you grief?"

"Because he is a coward, and has no honor... though I can prove neither. We have crossed swords before, and I did not complete what I should have completed."

Royce became silent, and Lynette knew she was not going to get any more from him. She promised herself to find Robert alone and question him about the enmity between Royce and Beltane.

When they arrived it was to find that the hall had lost most of its festive air. Lynette knew the presence of Beltane was much to blame.

They had hardly stepped inside the main room before Beltane rose from a seat near the fire and turned to face them. His smile was white and guileless, which Royce knew as a sign that he was at his most dangerous.

"Beltane," Royce said quietly, "had I known you were coming, I would not have wandered far from my dwelling. It is good to protect one's domain when you are near."

"Always the sharp and ready tongue, eh, Royce? I but come to return the Lady Oriel to her brother."

"You could have sent word. I'm sure Giles could have come for her. I did not know that she was desirous of returning here, when the hospitality of your family had been offered."

Beltane smiled and shrugged expressively. Oriel was to be his eyes and ears here in this hall. He knew she was blinded by her ambition, and by her foolish belief that Royce would turn to her when Lynette was eliminated.

"I also bring word from my uncle. William honors us with his presence for the celebration of the coming yule season. He joins my uncle in bidding you attend."

There was no way that Royce could refuse, and Beltane knew it. Royce wondered how this had come about, for William knew well the feelings between him, Beltane, and Tearlach.

"Of course, we shall attend."

"William will be spending some time with us. He and my uncle have some"—he gestured with a wave of his hand—"old warrior stories and past times to talk over."

"I had forgotten that William and your uncle fought together for some time before I knew him," Royce said thoughtfully.

"Let me offer you some wine, sir," Lynette said to Beltane, to erase the dark and suspicious look from Royce's face.

"I am afraid I cannot stay, Lady Lynette, but thank you for your gracious offer. I look forward to seeing you soon. The celebration will be the day after tomorrow."

Beltane crossed the room and stood near Lynette. She was well aware of Royce's dark look, and the dangerous quiet that filled the room.

At that moment the door opened and Giles and Cerise entered. He was laughing at something, but the laughter froze when he saw Beltane.

"Giles. I have had the honor of escorting your sister back to you. She and I have had some enjoyable and enlightening conversations during her stay with us. But she was most anxious to return here."

"Thank you for your trouble," Giles said. "But I would have come for her if you had sent word."

"So Royce has said, but I really wanted an opportunity to invite Royce and the lovely Lynette to a celebration."

Cerise stood very still, her eyes on Beltane and her hand grasping Giles's. The child's silence drew Lynette's attention. Lynette had a feeling Cerise knew a great deal about Beltane. It had not occurred to her until now that Royce's daughter had been an observer all the silent years of their estrangement. Yes, perhaps Cerise had more answers than she knew.

Lynette was relieved when Beltane left. She immediately took Cerise to her room. Royce watched her go before he turned to Giles, who pressed his lips into a thin line and breathed a ragged sigh.

"You are a danger to him in William's court," Giles warned. "Watch your back. He would think nothing of putting a knife between your ribs."

"I know," Royce replied. "But there is no way I could refuse his invitation. I am worried about William's sudden closeness to Tearlach."

"And well you should be." Robert's voice came from the stairs. He continued to speak as he entered the room. "Tearlach is clever and deadly, and I believe he will remind William of any debts owed."

"What kind of debt, for what?" Royce was quick to ask.

"Would that I knew. I have heard word that William frets under the obligation, and would find a way to repay."

"Robert, think you William will hold back the day of the wedding because of Tearlach?"

"I do not know, but if it were I, I would press the king to make the day sooner. Beltane has his eye on anything that will bring you down."

"I can understand Beltane's feelings toward me, but it is Tearlach's motive that worries me most."

"Tearlach needs nothing but his greed and jealously to spur him on," Robert said shortly. "He knows you have found favor with William, and he

covets that favor. He would see you stripped, if it was in his power. And you intend to walk into his home like a lamb to slaughter."

Royce laughed. "Knowing one's enemy is half the battle. It is better to face him than to turn my back and let him work his plots behind it."

"Royce," Robert said softly, "I have looked into Beltane's eyes ... he covets too."

"Aye," Royce answered with the same note of caution. "But Lynette belongs to me, and for her he would have to fight to the death."

"He does not fight in the open. I only caution you to beware."

"I will. Robert, Oriel has grown close to Beltane. Perhaps you could question her. Maybe she has some answers that will prepare me."

"I will do my best to find out." But Robert had his doubts as well, for Royce did not understand Oriel as he did. He was more ready to believe that Oriel would add to the problem rather than help him find a solution to it. Yes, he would question her... and would choke the truth from her if he had to.