by Darcy Burke
Foliot put his hands on the arms of the chair and stared at Gideon, his gaze penetrating. “I have many plans, but they start with removing Septon and the other leaders from the Order.”
“How will you remove them?” Gideon suspected he knew, but he wanted to hear the man say it.
“By using the treasures to force them out. They keep their power by controlling information about Arthur and the knights and the Thirteen Treasures. If I have the treasures, I have the power and I can control the Order. Then we can build a true Order that is made up only of descendants, those who are worthy of power.”
Gideon had to bite his tongue to keep from asking how that plan could possibly include Foliot since he wasn’t a descendant. “You really think you can drive them out?”
“They will go to any lengths to keep the treasures secret. If I threaten to expose them, they’ll do as I say. They’re nothing if not completely dedicated to their cause.”
As was Foliot, but Gideon didn’t point that out. Instead, he said what the man wanted to hear. “I shall look forward to the day when we can control the Order. I expect you’ll have a prominent place for me. I am Gareth’s descendant after all.”
Foliot smiled broadly. “Yes, that is precisely why I chose you for Daphne. You will have a most prominent place, right beside me, along with my daughter and your children. We will create a dynasty that will endure.”
A dynasty. The man was mad. And he wasn’t going to give up on his objectives when the treasures disappeared. He’d continue to look for them—and at what cost?
Gideon wasn’t sure, but he’d have to find a way to stop him for good. Just as he was going to have to tell Daphne the entire truth about her father.
And pray she didn’t hate him for doing it.
Chapter 16
Though Daphne had been married only a handful of days, she felt like a different person now that she was back at Ashridge Court. Or maybe it was that so much had changed. Or, more accurately, had come to light. As she handed her horse off to the groom, she slid a look to her father, who was conversing with the head groom.
They’d had a lovely ride, reminding her of the almost daily rides they’d taken together after her mother had disappeared. He’d been an especially attentive father during that time, and it had helped ease Daphne’s pain. She struggled to reconcile that caring man with what Gideon had told her.
Gideon.
Whom was she to trust?
Papa finished with the groom and came to her side. “What a splendid afternoon. I’m so pleased we could spend some time together.” He offered her his arm.
She curled her hand around his sleeve, and they started toward the house. “I am too.”
The late-afternoon sun was warm on her back after their invigorating ride. They’d ridden over the estate and then up Glastonbury Tor, one of her father’s favorite places. One of Daphne’s too. Arthurian legend aside, the view was beautiful.
“I know I encouraged you to marry Gideon, but I must admit it’s strange to think of you as married,” Papa said. “Are you happy with him?”
“Oh yes.” She infused her tone with joy. “He’s a very caring person. I’m fortunate to have found someone like him. Rather, I am fortunate you found someone like him for me.” She squeezed her father’s arm.
Papa paused and partially turned toward her. “You’re certain you’re happy? I didn’t force you into something you didn’t want, did I?”
She furrowed her brow. “Goodness, no. You know me, if I hadn’t wanted to marry Gideon, I wouldn’t have.”
He chuckled softly. “That much is probably true.”
The truth was that she’d been a bit infatuated with Gideon since the moment they’d met. It was more than his physical attractiveness. He possessed an air of confidence and quiet consideration that was indescribably captivating. She’d never met a man like him. Now that she thought about it, perhaps the heart had worked in some way. Once, she would have said that was preposterous, but she’d seen the cloak make Gideon and Gwyneth invisible. She knew the magic of the treasures was real.
And if Gideon had lied to her about Camelot, perhaps the heart had only allowed her to see his best traits. She wished she’d asked Gwyneth how, exactly, the heart was meant to work.
They started walking toward the house, and she felt the tension in her father’s arm. Or maybe that was her anxiety. She was so conflicted about what Gideon had revealed to her concerning her father, as well as what she’d found in her father’s desk earlier.
Whether due to an inability to keep her emotions buried or to a lifelong trust of the man beside her, she blurted, “Papa, what is Camelot?”
He laughed. “You know what Camelot is, silly girl. Do you mean where do I think it’s located?”
“No, not that Camelot.” While she hadn’t thought first before asking, she chose her next words carefully. “I came across mention of a secret group called Camelot in a document in the Bowen library. It was a short history of the Order of the Round Table—”
Papa did stop then, and his eyes had narrowed. “Such a thing exists?”
No, but she couldn’t say that now. Clearly, she’d imagined the wrong sort of excuse. “Apparently.”
“The Order has never allowed a history to be recorded, and such a thing should be obtained and destroyed. We are a secret organization, Daphne.”
“Yes, I know that. Would you like me to go back and burn it?”
“No, it would be best if you could bring it to me so that I may give it to the governing body. They will want to know what information is out there, as well as try to determine who violated the rules by exposing our secrets.” His brow creased. “This is a very serious matter. I should like to know how Bowen obtained it. He is not a member of the Order. Was Gideon not alarmed by this?”
“I didn’t ask him about it.” Daphne wished she hadn’t said anything, but it was too late now. “It was a short document, with barely any information. Truly, you’ve told me more about the organization than I learned from reading it.”
“Except you asked me about Camelot,” he said softly.
“Yes. It mentioned an organization within the Order called Camelot and that its objectives may not be aligned with its parent.”
Papa looked past her for a moment, as if he were trying to collect his thoughts. He smiled at her and then started walking toward the house once more. “I’ve heard of Camelot, of course. However, their intentions aren’t entirely clear. If the Order is a secret society, Camelot is both incredibly secret and deeply mysterious. Many of us in the Order are troubled by their existence, but it’s such a shadow group that we just can’t be sure of their objectives.”
“You are not a member, then?”
He looked at her sharply. “No. Did someone say that I was? I would be quite bothered if someone suspected such a thing, but then people who are in Camelot generally deny its existence.” He exhaled. “Sometimes I wonder why I remain in the Order, but when I contemplate leaving, I realize I would miss the camaraderie and connection regarding all things Arthurian.” He flashed a faint smile and lifted his shoulder in a slight shrug.
His explanation seemed quite reasonable, and she wondered if Gideon could be mistaken about him. In fact, what if her father had infiltrated Camelot on behalf of the Order? It could also be that her father was lying to her now, just as he had about being a descendant.
They were nearly to the house, and she wanted the truth. She stopped and turned toward him. “Papa, I learned something else. There are no living descendants of King Arthur.”
Surprise and some other darker emotion flashed in his eyes before he looked away. “Was that in the document about the Order?”
“Yes.” The lies burned her tongue. Were they excusable in the interest of learning the truth? To be honest would be to expose Gwyneth and Brue Cottage, and Daphne wouldn’t do that. Her future—the only future she might have—could very well lie within those walls, and even if it didn’t, she wouldn’t risk t
he women there. “The document listed the knights from whom the Order’s members are descended, and Arthur’s line was noted as having died out some time ago.”
“That is perhaps true, but it isn’t known for certain. There is a possible line, and that is the one from which we are descended. Perhaps I wanted so badly for it to be true that I perpetuated a falsehood.” He looked at her with sadness and regret. “You know what being a descendant means to me.”
She did. “Is that why you wanted me to marry a descendant? So that if we weren’t from Arthur’s line, I would at least marry into one of the knight’s?”
He took her free hand and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry, Daphne. I can see now how selfish I’ve been. And old-fashioned.” He let out a soft laugh. “I spend too much time in days gone by.”
She gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his hand in return. “I know, Papa.”
“You seem to have learned a great deal,” he said. “Are you certain you didn’t learn anything about the cloak?”
She hesitated the barest moment. She wanted to tell him the truth. She wanted to share the discovery with him. He’d be so overjoyed. But she wouldn’t, not until she spoke with Gideon first. “No.”
Papa studied her face, as if he suspected she was lying. “Are you certain Gideon didn’t? I wonder if I should…” He looked away, troubled.
“What, Papa?”
He winced. “I suspect Gideon may be a member of Camelot. I’d heard rumors, but I liked him so well that I refused to believe them. And now I find his behavior regarding your marriage so…odd. You say you’re happy, but since this is a moment for honesty, I must tell you something of which I am ashamed.” He took a breath and continued to hold her hand. “Gideon brought the Heart of Llanllwch to me, and I suggested he use it to help you fall in love with him. I thought it would help facilitate your marriage. I knew you would get there on your own, but now I wonder if I haven’t pushed you into a union with a man whose secrets could threaten the Order. And maybe even you.”
He looked so upset, so sorry that Daphne hugged him. “Oh, Papa.” After a moment, she pulled back and tried to give him an encouraging smile even as her insides were in utter turmoil. “It will all work out.”
“I don’t know that I share your optimism. What if Gideon finds the cloak and keeps it for Camelot? The rumors are that they want to obtain the Thirteen Treasures and part from the Order.”
Daphne had loved two men in her life—her father and Gideon. And both were now asserting that the other had lied. Whom was she to trust? The man who made her body tremble with desire and her heart nearly burst with love? Or the man she’d known her entire life who had likely made some bad decisions motivated by selfishness and a need to belong to something bigger than himself? She understood wanting that connection. She’d been searching for it her entire life.
And she’d thought she’d finally found it with Gideon. However, when she compared the amount of time she’d spent with him versus the man opposite her, she wondered if she’d been duped. If Gideon was a member of Camelot and wanted to obtain the treasures for himself… Wait. He wanted to take them to Gareth. He didn’t want to keep them.
Except the other ten treasures were supposedly in Gareth’s tomb. What if he wanted to go there so he could take them too? What did he need her for, then?
To take the heart and sword from her father’s vault.
And the plan was already in motion. Gideon likely already had the keys she’d left for him, and the tonic had been administered to tonight’s keg. It was too late for her to stop it unless she exposed the scheme.
She felt as if she were tied in knots. She didn’t know whom to trust. Anger and frustration combined with sadness, and she just wanted to run back to Brue Cottage and cry on Gwyneth’s shoulder.
“Daphne?” Papa asked softly, drawing her from the tumult of her emotions. “Is there something you know about the Thirteen Treasures?”
She blinked at him. He’d mentioned the treasures, and she’d gone quiet. Of course he would think that. She could tell him now… “I don’t. And Gideon doesn’t have the cloak.” This lie nearly made her choke. If he was telling her the truth and Gideon had used her, she wasn’t sure what she would do. She’d never felt so alone.
Papa cupped her face. “If you decide you don’t wish to be married to Gideon any longer, there is a way out.”
Oh God, he wasn’t suggesting something despicable, was he?
Papa dropped his hands, his gaze caressing her with kindness and empathy. “I have learned he is not the heir to the earldom of Stratton. He has an older half brother who will inherit. The half brother’s existence was kept secret until their father died. There is proof of his birth, and a vicar will present it to the House of Lords. Gideon married you under fraudulent circumstances. You have ample basis for annulment if you’d prefer to end the marriage.”
Daphne felt as if the world had turned sideways. Even a cloud moved over the sun, darkening the sky and making the air suddenly colder. She shivered. She’d been the one to suggest annulment, and Gideon had said it would be difficult, but then he’d married her anyway. When she thought of the way he’d kissed and touched her, of last night at Brue Cottage… She felt so insignificant that if a breeze picked up, it would surely blow her away.
“I…don’t know.” It was all she could manage to say.
“The heart may have a hold on you, Daphne. I am so sorry. If I could go back and change what I did, I would do so. I can’t begin to express my regret and sorrow. This is all my fault.” His voice broke, and a tear floated in his eye.
It was at least partially his fault. But it was also hers. Because she’d fallen in love with Gideon and was completely vulnerable to whatever he might have planned.
“I need to go.” She turned and fled, walking away from the house and the stable so she could think by herself for a while. She didn’t know what she was going to do. Someone she loved was lying to her, and she didn’t have much time to decide which one it was.
Gideon had already dressed for dinner. For the hundredth time, he felt for the keys tucked into an interior pocket in his waistcoat. Then his gaze went to the bed, where the cloak was hidden beneath his pillow. As soon as everyone was asleep, he would dash up here to fetch it and then head to the vault. Hopefully, everything would go as planned.
He hadn’t seen Daphne since she’d left the library earlier, but assumed she’d taken care of everything she’d needed to. Where was she? Surely she and her father had finished their ride some time ago.
The door opened, and she came inside, still wearing her riding habit. Her face was a bit flushed, and light creases marred her brow. She didn’t quite meet his gaze.
He went to greet her. “I’ve been wondering where you were.”
“I went for a walk. I’m afraid I’ll need to hurry to prepare for dinner. Just give me a few minutes. My maid, Jolley, will be up momentarily.” A quick smile lifted her lips, and he felt a moment’s relief.
She disappeared into the dressing chamber, and a few moments later, he heard Jolley enter through the door that connected with the servants’ corridor. Gideon paced, then sat, then got up and paced again. He went over the plan in his head, and then he fixated on why Daphne might have been upset. The obvious answer was that she’d had to spend a good deal of time with her father. After everything Gideon had told her about him, and the manner in which they’d plotted to deceive him, it was likely she was feeling conflicted.
Gideon wished her father wasn’t such a blackhearted scoundrel.
It seemed an interminable amount of time before she emerged from the dressing chamber. But it had been worth the wait. She wore an evening gown of deep gold embellished with purple embroidery. “You truly look like a princess,” he said. Though their marriage had been arranged, he believed he would have chosen her—if he’d been able to get to the point where he’d wanted to marry again.
He realized he was at that point. He didn’t want an annulment. He
wanted to see where their future might lead.
“Thank you.” Her gazed drifted over him. “You look very handsome.” She sounded reserved. Nervous almost.
He stepped toward her, wanting to alleviate any lingering effects from the time she’d spent with her father. “How was your ride with your father?”
“It was nice. It reminded me of when we used to ride when I was younger.”
He took her hand—she hadn’t donned gloves and neither had he. “I’m glad you were able to enjoy a pleasant afternoon.” It might be the last one they shared.
She pulled away from him and turned toward her dresser. “I need to fetch my gloves.”
He frowned. Something was very wrong. “Daphne, is there something the matter? Did your father upset you?”
She opened a drawer and withdrew a pair of long white gloves. When she turned back to face him, her eyes sparked with a touch of heat. “When I went to get the keys from my father’s desk, I found a ledger marked ‘Camelot.’ In it was a list of names. Yours was among them.”
Bloody hell.
“Are you a member of Camelot?” Her voice held a bare tremor, and Gideon worked to keep from flinching.
He should have told her when he’d told her about her father. “Yes. Your father recruited me.”
“My father’s name was not on the list.”
“If it’s your father’s list, that would make sense,” he said, feeling defensive but also wholly regretful for having kept the truth from her. But he’d had good reason—he hadn’t expected their relationship to last. He hadn’t thought he’d want it to.
“My father says he is not in Camelot. However, he says you likely are.”
Anger unfurled in his chest. “I just admitted it.” Unlike her cowardly father, who would continue to lie to her. “Your father is lying. He’s the head of Camelot.”
