Vengeance 02 - Trust In Me (18 page)

He wanted Elizabeth.

Before he could consider the matter further, he heard voices from the entrance, one of them Stephen’s. His man-at-arms led a tall, slender, dark-haired man into the hall with another man trailing behind.

Nicholas drew a sharp breath. There had been no need to send Brom anywhere, for here was the man from his vision of a week past. His dark hair was combed neatly now, but his straight dark brows made him recognizable.

The stranger’s attention caught on the weaponry displayed above the huge hearth. Nicholas’s gaze dropped to the sword strapped to the man’s side, but his hand covered the hilt. It mattered not. Nicholas was certain a dragon curled around the handle.

As he neared, Nicholas rose, trying to assess the situation. Why had this man been in his vision? At a glance, he didn’t seem threatening. It appeared as though the injury Nicholas had seen, if it had existed, had healed for he moved with no evidence of pain.

Nicholas stayed where he was as Stephen led the man toward him.

“My lord, may I introduce Lord Gerard Perry,” Stephen announced.

“Greetings, Lord Perry.” Nicholas gave him a nod. “Welcome to Staverton.”

Perry nodded in return, those dark brows drawn together over cool, brown eyes. “My thanks for allowing me admittance.”

Nicholas frowned at the man’s sarcastic tone before looking in askance at Stephen.

His man-at-arms shrugged, a sheepish expression on his face. “I fear we experienced a bit of a problem raising the portcullis. Again, I’m terribly sorry for the delay, Lord Perry.”

Nicholas hid his smile.
Well done, Stephen
, he thought. He returned his attention back to the lord. Slightly shorter than Nicholas with dark brown hair, he held himself proudly. He was clean and dry despite the recent rain. Even his brown chausses and dark boots were free of mud.

Lord Perry sent Stephen a glare and gestured to the man who accompanied him. “This is Sir Matthew Alred, one of my knights.”

“Welcome, Sir Matthew.” Nicholas nodded at the other man.

The knight was burly with a cruel set to his mouth that Nicholas didn’t care for. He dipped his head in a brief version of a bow.

Lord Perry summoned a smile as he turned toward Nicholas. “I’m anxious to see my dear cousin, Izzie.”

Nicholas’s eyes narrowed. The endearment coming from this man’s lips did not sit well. “She’ll join us soon.”

“I’m very close to Lord Crefton, so you can imagine my surprise to learn Izzie had married without my...knowledge.”

Nicholas was sure the lord had nearly said ‘permission’ instead. “How is it that you’re related?”

“Our fathers were cousins. My own sire passed away when I was young, so Lord Crefton served as a father to me.”

Nicholas wondered if Crefton felt the same way. He gestured to the table where the flagon of ale sat. “Please, relax and have something to quench your thirst.”

“A drink would be welcome,” Lord Perry said as the two took a seat at the table.

Stephen poured ale for each of the men before sitting beside Nicholas.

“What brings you our way?” Nicholas asked as he watched Lord Perry carefully to see if he favored his right shoulder. To his disappointment, the lord reached for the ale with his left hand.

“Since we were passing through the area, I thought we would visit Elizabeth and offer our best wishes,” he responded before taking a long draught.

Which was really no answer at all, Nicholas thought. He didn’t respond, but let the silence draw out.

The long moment filled quickly with tension until at last, Perry cleared his throat. “I wasn’t aware plans were underway for Elizabeth to marry.”

“It was rather sudden.” Nicholas knew the man fished for information, but he had no intention of providing any.

“Gerard,” Elizabeth said as she walked across the hall.

The lord rose immediately to greet her.

A sharp pang of longing filled Nicholas as he stared at his wife. She looked once again like her cool, elegant self. Her saffron gown suited her. Ribbon was woven in her golden brown hair. Gone was the passionate woman he’d held earlier, and in her place was a stylish lady who seemed far too distant and reserved to be his wife.

She offered Gerard her hand, but he ignored it in favor of an embrace. An overly long embrace in Nicholas’s opinion.

The only advantage was that it allowed Nicholas a view at last of the hilt of Gerard’s sword. The dragon’s green eyes sparkled in the sunlight streaming in from the upper windows of the hall. No doubt remained that this was the man from his vision. Could he be the one who intended to threaten Elizabeth as well?

“To what do we owe the honor of your presence?” Elizabeth asked, her smile forced as she pulled away from him.

“I heard news of your...nuptials and wanted to offer you my congratulations,” Gerard said, continuing to hold her hand despite her attempt to withdraw it. “I must say I was disappointed to learn of it third hand.”

Elizabeth at last looked at Nicholas, and it seemed as though the tight band across his chest eased.

Hoping he read her expression properly and that she needed his assistance, Nicholas drew nearer. “It happened quickly. I stopped to request lodging for the night, met Elizabeth, and swept her off her feet.”

A bewildered expression filled her face at his version of their hasty marriage.

“Isn’t that right, my dear?” he prompted her. The endearment felt odd and clumsy on his tongue.

“Ah...indeed. In the blink of an eye.” Elizabeth gave a quick nod as though to confirm the truth of their story.

Perry scrutinized Elizabeth’s expression, his eyes narrowing. “That’s quite the tale.”

Anger shot through Nicholas, but he held back a retort.

“How did you learn of our marriage?” Elizabeth asked.

Nicholas realized at once what she wanted to know. Had Gerard spoken with Robert or Margaret or someone else from Amberley who’d told him the truth?

Gerard gestured toward the table, and Elizabeth took a chair beside Nicholas. The other men settled in place as Gerard responded, “You know how news travels. Especially good news. How is your father? I’m certain he misses you terribly.”

Elizabeth bowed her head for a moment before answering with a false smile. “He was quite well when I last saw him.”

“Really?” The disbelief in his tone seemed insulting to Nicholas. Gerard obviously knew her father’s condition was less than stable.

Elizabeth glanced at Nicholas, before continuing, “Aye. Quite well.”

If he didn’t know her, he’d have believed her. The question was, how well did Gerard know her? Why did she want to convince her cousin that her father was in such good health?

Or did she mean to convince him of the soundness of her father’s mind?

*

Gerard looked back at the gates of Staverton, a variety of ideas playing through his mind. “Interesting visit.”

Matthew snorted. “It seemed a waste of time. We should’ve just added something into her new husband’s ale, or perhaps put a knife in his ribs. We could be riding away with the lady right now.”

“Far too risky. No need to murder him in his home. Too many witnesses. We’ll draw him out to a place where we’re not outnumbered fifty to one.”

“And where would that be? I doubt you can convince your dear cousin, ‘Izzie’, to visit your holding with her husband.”

“True. She wasn’t overjoyed to see me, was she?”

Matthew chuckled. “She seemed a trifle suspicious.”

“The bitch. She’ll soon learn to welcome me with open arms each time she greets me.” Gerard could envision the lesson only too well. He smiled in satisfaction.

“I think you’d best remove her husband first. Let’s hope he’s easier to kill than his brother.”

Gerard lost the urge to smile. Somehow his assault on the younger brother seemed to have brought Elizabeth and the older de Bremont together. “If I’d have known William was staying there when we first arrived, I would’ve insisted on lodging for the night. It would’ve been my pleasure to slip into his chamber to finish him off. No matter though. I’m certain he remembers nothing of our encounter. He never saw me.”

“Take them from the back. That’s what I always say,” Matthew said.

Gerard turned to look at his companion. “Where is your sense of honor?” he asked in a mocking tone.

“Right beside yours.” Matthew tipped his head back and laughed heartily at his jest.

“Humph.” Gerard wasn’t bothered in the least by Matthew’s joke. Honor held little value to him. It hadn’t paid for the clothes on his back, nor the horse on which he rode. “Let us find Lord de Bremont’s weakness. It might aid us later.”

“That shouldn’t be too difficult. All men seem to have one or another. I’ll see what I can discover.”

“Where shall we do away with him? We need to convince him to meet us at a location where he won’t be suspicious.”

Matthew shook his head. “Any suggestions?”

The silence drew long as they rode in the dusk until at last Gerard’s smile returned. “I know just the place.”

Chapter Eighteen

“Blast it!” Elizabeth stared in dismay at the large red spot of bistort root tea on the front of her gown.

Irritated at the dark stain, Elizabeth slammed the cup and rag down on the narrow table, suppressing the urge to throw them at the wall.

Walter, who’d been slumbering in a chair in the corner of the room, jumped at the sound.

“What is it, my lady?” Mary asked from behind her.

Elizabeth sighed. The day had been a long one, most of which she’d spent in William’s chamber. She’d wanted to make amends for being gone most of yesterday, but she also thought it to be the most likely place to encounter Nicholas. They had much to talk about.

The man had watched over her like a hawk while Gerard had been visiting, but disappeared after her cousin’s departure. She’d hoped Nicholas would come to their chamber the previous night so they could discuss what had happened, but nay. Where had he slept? He hadn’t stayed in William’s room. The idea of him finding a warmer bed elsewhere hurt too much to consider.

Walter had been her shadow most of the day, and she suspected Nicholas had ordered him to stay with her. Why, she couldn’t pretend to know. Now the day was turning into evening, and Nicholas had yet to make an appearance.

Frustrating indeed.

Not to mention the fact that William had yet to move.

No change.

Nothing.

Was it any wonder she wanted to throw the tea against the wall? Mildred even seemed at a loss as to why William remained unconscious. His wound looked better now, and though the only sustenance he’d had was the tea and broth, he should have the strength to awaken.

“I dripped tea on my gown.” She turned to face Mary and Walter, well aware of how grumpy she sounded.

“Don’t look so bad to me,” Walter said with a hopeful tone.

Mary eyed the spot, obviously confused by Elizabeth’s anger. “I believe it will come out, my lady.”

“Aye, but that’s hardly the point,” she said with exasperation.

“Then what is?” Nicholas asked from the doorway behind her.

Her spine stiffened of its own accord. She closed her eyes, praying for patience. It was a good thing she’d set down the cup and rag, for the urge to throw it had returned. Why did the man always see her at her worst?

She turned to face him, hands on hips, ignoring the way his gaze fell to her breasts where the stain marred her kirtle. “I don’t believe you’d understand.”

“Perhaps you could elaborate.”

Unwilling to explain her illogical frustration, she picked up the rag and cup, walked over to where he stood, and handed both to him. She rather enjoyed the bewildered expression on his face. “I believe it’s your turn.”

Nicholas frowned as he looked from her to the things he now held. He raised a brow, which only irritated her further.

Leaving him behind, she sailed out of the chamber with no small amount of satisfaction at having the last word. Never mind that she’d been hoping he’d appear all day so that she could speak with him. Now was not the time.

She entered their bedchamber to change her kirtle. After shutting the door firmly behind her, proud that she didn’t slam it, she unlaced her gown and removed it, standing in her thin undertunic as she examined the stain.

The door opened to reveal her husband.

Gasping in surprise, she held the soiled kirtle before her. “What are you doing?”

Nicholas tilted his head to the side as though considering her defensive gesture, then closed the door and leaned against it. “I don’t think you need bother covering yourself.”

Elizabeth felt her cheeks heat at his sarcastic tone, and she lifted her chin in response. “I realize you’ve seen the...details for yourself, but I’d prefer to remain decent.”

“Your choice, of course,” he added.

An odd urge overcame her, a boldness that felt unfamiliar, yet welcome. Without allowing herself time to consider the consequences, she let the hand protecting her modesty fall to her side, and the kirtle dropped to the floor. Her sheer undertunic would hide little from his view. “Unless you’d like to finish – ”

Nicholas clenched his jaw and held up his hand. “I merely came in here to find out what’s upset you. Did Gerard’s visit yesterday bother you?”

Elizabeth stared at him, unable to believe what she’d just done or his reaction. Or rather, his lack of reaction.

What was wrong with her? Would she now stoop to any level to gain his attention?

She swallowed her hurt and embarrassment, desperate to act as casually as he. This man had caused her enough pain already. She moved to the chest to pull out a clean kirtle. “Gerard? Nay. What made you think that?”

He gestured vaguely. “You seem...displeased with things. I thought perhaps the blame lay with your cousin.”

She pursed her lips, uncertain if she dare speak her mind. She felt as though she teetered on a fence, one wrong move and she’d fall. She didn’t dare lose her balance.

Before she could decide, he spoke again, “Was Gerard injured recently?”

Elizabeth frowned as she pulled out a clean kirtle, confused by his question. “Why do you ask?”

With a small shrug, Nicholas suddenly seemed very interested in a small metal object he held. “Just something he said.”

If she didn’t know better, she’d think Nicholas was hiding something. She thought back over her conversation with Gerard, but couldn’t recall mention of an ailment of any kind. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“It would’ve been before we met, mayhap a fortnight prior to that.” He shot her an intense look that belied his casual stance.

Odd behavior, indeed.

She’d been so busy with her father during that time, she couldn’t remember being told any such thing. “Not that I’m aware of. Gerard came to Amberley for a time before he and father left to see the tournament where Gregory was killed.” Her heart squeezed at the words. Somehow saying them made his death all too real. She cleared her throat. “He seemed fine then. He didn’t accompany Father when he returned home. Why?”

Nicholas shook his head but said nothing. Silence filled the chamber as he seemed to think over her response, still spinning the small metal piece in his long fingers.

Wishing he’d either say something or leave, anything to break the tension, she asked the only safe question she could think of. “What is that?”

His fingers paused their mesmerizing rhythm. He frowned as he looked down at the silver object as though he’d forgotten he held it. “’Tis something for Thomas.”

Using her kirtle as a shield, Elizabeth stepped closer, curious as to what he’d be giving the boy and why.

Nicholas handed her the piece of metal, looking rather uncomfortable. “Just a small token to reward him.”

As she took it, she realized it was a pewter
fleur-de-lis
, a small badge of sorts that many people wore for good luck. Any young boy would be thrilled to be presented with such a treasure by his lord.

“He was very worried about you yesterday,” Nicolas continued. “I believe he would’ve ridden after you himself if given the chance.”

His quiet words brought back the events of the previous day at the cottage with aching clarity. Longing, sharp and deep speared through her. He stood so near, yet so far out of her reach. Here she was, wearing next to nothing, yet he didn’t reach for her. He hardly even looked at her. She drew a deep breath to steady herself so she could respond in the same casual tone he used.

“Thomas is a sweet boy. That is very kind of you.” She looked up at him at last, certain she now had her emotions under control.

That is, until she found his heated blue gaze locked on her. That gaze dropped, lowering to her breasts, then lower still before returning at last to meet her look. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one who wished things had turned out differently yesterday. “At the cottage,” she began, “what occ – ”

“If you think of something about Gerard, let me know,” he interrupted as he took the pin from her hand. He cast her a warning look, those blue eyes once again cool.

All her anger fled, leaving her empty.

He put his hand on the door to leave but turned back to look over his shoulder at her. “’Tis nearly time for supper. You’re coming down to the hall?”

“Aye,” she said, wondering if he could read her mind. She’d been tempted to stay in their chamber where she could hide from those looks of his, ones she no longer knew how to interpret, instead of sitting beside him in awkward silence.

With a nod, he left, taking all the air in the room with him.

She struggled to draw a deep breath. She and Nicholas had to resolve their differences. Obviously, it was up to her to take the first step. Perhaps if they cleared away their initial misunderstanding, they could move forward. She would speak to him this very night to explain in detail why her father had captured William and why she’d left him at the gate. He had to understand though he wouldn’t want to listen.

Should she take the soft approach and explain the facts in a calm and rational manner? Or should she confront him and demand he listen?

The thought of either made her tired.

If only William would recover, Nicholas would be more likely to listen to what she had to say. Perhaps William knew something that could confirm her explanation.

She felt William’s lack of recovery fell on her shoulders. Why did she fail each and every time she tried to take care of someone? Images of those she’d let down in the past flowed through her mind.

First her mother, followed by her brother, and finally her father. A heavy ache filled her, bringing tears to her eyes.

She’d never forget the day her father had left for a long trip when she was but a young girl. Gregory had already been away from home, training as a squire with another lord. Her father had picked her up and spun her around until she’d giggled breathlessly.

“I’m counting on you, Izzie, to take good care of your mother,” he’d told her, then kissed her goodbye.

Granted, no one would blame that young girl for her mother’s illness and death, but Elizabeth couldn’t shake the guilt from her heart, not after she’d given her father that promise. The devastation on her father’s face when he’d returned from his journey only to be told his wife had died was burned on her soul.

She’d hidden away, certain her father would want nothing to do with her since she’d let him down so badly. He’d eventually found her tucked away in a dark corner of the keep and done his best to convince her that her mother’s death hadn’t been her fault.

Even with his love and support, she’d struggled with the dark despair that threatened her. Gregory had come home briefly, but had left again to fulfill his duties as squire. Her Aunt Margaret had come to live with them soon afterward.

Perhaps she’d have been able to push aside her feelings of guilt if her father had remained in better health and her brother had lived. But she’d made that same promise to each of them only to break her word again.

Was she cursed somehow? Should she stay completely away from William and see if that aided him more than her attentions had?

The longer she thought on the matter, the more uncertain she became. As she paced the chamber, Father Michael came to mind. Perhaps he could bless her to lift any curse that might be upon her. Though she’d never admit it to him, the young priest seemed no closer to God than she was. She knew that sometimes men chose a life with the church because no other option was open to them. His actions with William made it difficult for her to trust him. Whoever heard of giving someone last rites three times?

Still, no harm could come of her discussing this with him.

As she turned to pace back toward the window, her gaze caught on a small bench sitting just under the opening. That hadn’t been there earlier in the day. The cushion on top of it showed wear, but the blue fabric was soft. Unable to resist, she sat down on the bench and leaned back against the wall. From there, the narrow window afforded a glorious view, one she’d already enjoyed. The blue of the sky met the green wooded hills on the distant horizon, not so very different from the view at Amberley.

What a pleasant surprise. Who did she have to thank for this boon? She narrowed her eyes as she thought over the choices. Surely it hadn’t been her husband, though he might’ve noticed that she often stood at the window, looking out over the bailey.

Choosing to leave that mystery for another time, she decided to pay a visit to Father Michael.

*

“Should I give orders to keep extra men on watch at the gate?” Stephen asked.

Nicholas walked with the man-at-arms back toward the keep for supper. He’d just returned from the stables where he’d left a proud Thomas with his pewter pin.

How unfortunate other problems in his life were not so easily resolved.

“We’ve seen no sign of trouble since Lord Perry and his man left yesterday?”

“Nay, my lord.” Stephen paused, then looked at Nicholas warily. “Unless you’ve seen...”

“Nay, nothing like that. I want to be certain Perry doesn’t return uninvited.”

“Aye,” Stephen agreed. “I had the same thought and told the men to watch for him and his companion.”