by Hannah West
Marie had told her just this morning while breaking their fast that he had sought after Elizabeth for years with no luck.
Being a mere son of a lord with no title, lands or coin, Elizabeth had put him beneath her notice, much like she had Marie.
With a mere four more rounds to go Elizabeth sat ramrod straight in her stiff chair, knuckles white as she gripped the arms of her chair.
Cold fingers rested on Evelyn’s shoulders.
“Lady Evelyn,” Emma whispered in her ear. “I have to tell you what I witnessed. I just saw the Black Baron talking with his men.”
A chill sank into her bones. “What did you hear?”
“He is entering to win your hand and once he possesses the land, title and coin he will be rid of you,” Emma took a deep breath, “and they planned to poison someone tomorrow during the malay.
“Who,” Evelyn asked, eyes wide with panic.
“They did not give a name but it will be someone keen on winning you, I believe.”
“Blast it,” Evelyn cursed.
Emma’s eyes widened farther in disbelief.
“We shall have to warn them. As soon as this is over I must talk with Lord Cesare,” Evelyn said grimly.
“Is that wise,” Emma asked after a moment of hesitation.
“It matters not when a man could die,” she said gravely.
“Now if only the man will permit to see me,” Evelyn muttered to herself.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Without reservations Evelyn burst into Lord Cesare’s tent only the find it empty.
She had counted on him being here as if he were not the he could be anywhere and almost impossible to find.
He would not be in the great hall but perhaps in his chamber rooms above. But to get there she would have to pass through the great hall and there was no time to waste. So she went around to the kitchen’s entrance.
Only a few gave her curious looks as she passed through and left down the side hall where she could hear voices of men calling for more ale. Evelyn followed the hallway heading for the stairs when three men entered the hall from an archway leading into the great hall.
They kept talking and did not seem to notice her so she tried to skirt pass them until one reached out and grabbed her.
She screamed as she was pushed back against the wall, but they cut her scream short.
A grimy, calloused hand fitted over her mouth, muffling any sounds she made.
Numbness creeped over her body as her mind flashed back to the last memory of her father. With a scream of soul wrenching terror she clasped to the cold stone floor.
…
A scream from near the great hall shocked everyone into silence, however it sent Cesare in action. He knew that scream.
He had come down earlier to talk with sons of the lords and see who he would be going against in the malay.
But Cesare knew that scream, knew who it came from and that cause panic and anger to well within him at who had caused it. He raced from the great hall into the archway where he spotted the Black Baron and some of his men trying to pull up a begging, hysterical Evelyn from the floor.
“No, don’t touch me! Do not touch me,” she screamed, kicking.
The burning anger within him turned icy and without a thought he grabbed the first man, turning him around and planting his fist into the man’s face.
The man’s head snapped back and he slumped to the ground.
The next man suffered the same fate and when Cesare shook Evelyn free of the Black Baron, he was launched into the opposite wall.
Kneeling down Cesare tried to quiet her, rubbing her arms to try and comfort her.
“Shhh, Evelyn,” he whispered to her.
“Such trouble,” the baron said angrily. “All I did was touch the girl and she started screaming.” He wiped blood from his lip with the back of his arm.
“You dared to touch her?” Cesare asked in a low deadly tone.
The Black Baron sneered as he got to his feet, “Oh yes, I do. She will be mine soon enough. What was the harm in touching and taking a taste?”
Fists clenched he was about to smash in the man’s damned face when two things stopped him.
First a small trembling hand covered his balled fist and a booming voice demanded to know what was happening.
“What is happening here,” King William’s voice filled the passage way. Four of the king’s finest stood not too far behind him.
“They attacked Lady Evelyn,” Cesare spat while looking at the baron who had managed to get to his feet.
While William turned a glare onto the other men, Cesare help support Evelyn as she tried to get up.
It made him furious to note she was shaking so bad she could not stand on her own.
However she tried to hide behind him to put room between her and the Black Baron.
“It was a simple mistake, my lord. She simply bumped into me and my men and I caught her as she fell,” the baron tried to lie smoothly.
“Lies,” she hissed from behind Cesare.
The king looked over to her, “Speak up.”
“I tried t-to go around them, b-but he grabbed me and forced me up against the wall,” she stammered.”
The baron placed a confused look upon his face. “Nay, my lady. I saved you as you were about to fall.”
Anger of her own made her bold as she cried,” I know what happened! You laid your disgusting hands upon me forcefully. Do you not think I heard what you said to your men?” she asked acidly.
Mimicking his voice she said, “What was the harm in a taste when she is soon to be mine anyway?”
Instead of trying to defend himself he laughed at her. “I think you may have knocked your head rather hard, my lady?” However his eyes promised revenge.
“Enough,” William barked. He narrowed his eyes on the baron. “You stand accused and I believe the lady over you. She was raised as a nun and you have been known to make trouble. You are to be punished. You are banned from entering anymore events and you will this Norfolk before night set tonight.”
When none of the others moved the king roared, “Now!”
The baron left, his face molten with rage. A few other knights dragged out the two unconscious men.
Evelyn clutched his arm, waiting for him to look back at him again. When he did he saw her face was pale.
“If he leaves make sure all that came with him, leave with him. The reason he caught me was I had been looking for you. They had been over heard talking about poisoning someone tomorrow, during the malay,” she warned.
The king shared a look with Cesare and then nodded to Evelyn.
“Get her taken care of and then we shall talk.”
Without a backward glance Cesare led her away and up the stairs, just before they reached her chambers Emma took Evelyn away from him.
Chapter Thirty Four
“According to my sources, Lady Evelyn was right. There was a plan to poison someone during the last event,” King William growled with anger. “However did she find out before my men and I did, I do not know.”
“I would not have put it passed him to have done such a thing, let alone speak of it in front of her. You heard him. In his mind she was already his and noting more than a mere woman. What could she have done to him?” Cesare said darkly.
“They have left but our men must remain vigilant. He may have hired men still here,” William mused.
“Already done,” Cesare said in agreement.
William sat back in his chair, trying to relax. Things were not going to plan now and he was angered by the fact someone plotted while he, the king, was in residence.
He turned to his cousin and eyed him.
“It seems only one event remains for you to enter. You must have a wife by tomorrow’s eve.”
Cesare inclined his head in agreement. “And so I shall.”
“Which of the two would choose, given the choice? I know you know Anna, but you seem to favour Lady Evelyn,” William tosse
d out.
“Either would make a fine wife, sire,” Cesare agreed blandly.
William sighed, Cesare was being vexing.
“If you had a choice, Cesare?” he pushed, “Who would you pick?”
Cesare sighed and gave his king a long look. “May I speak plainly? Without offending you?”
William nodded curious.
“I would chose Lady Evelyn. Not for her dowry, but because I have a care for her. While Lady Anna is a fine beauty, but she is much to shrewd for my tastes. I also prefer a wife not raised by the court. She would make a fine wife however if I wed her then we would be miserable. I would like a marriage like yours.”
Surprised his rough cousin wanted something so tender, William was speechless.
He had wanted Cesare to marry one of hid goddaughters but understood the call of love. William adored his little wife and missed her even now.
“well if you wish, you may have her,” William said with a wide smile.
However Cesare did not smile back. “The other Scottish lord is entering to win her. And it seems she favors him to win.”
“Then win her favour,” William said simply. “If you care for the girl then convince her. That is the only way if you desire not to marry Anna. I would do so before the Scottish lord spends any more time with her.” He tilted is head in another direction where the Laird Douglas was speaking with Evelyn at another table.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Another wedding, another night of feasting and drinking and Evelyn had not been able to enjoy any of it.
So great was her worry that Emma had to force her to come to the evening meal.
Evelyn did want to wed, but by her own choice. She still had not decided what to do with the news that Lady Buchanan thought she was Evelyn’s mother. She had been avoiding the lady.
“You must calm yourself,” a deep breath advised her.
She turned from the spot she had taken refuge in and stared owlishly at Lord Cesare.
He looked tired and no longer mad. Something had changed since last they had seen each other.
Well whatever he had to say, it could no longer hurt her, she had already started building a wall around her heart.
“What do you want,” she finally managed.
He stared at her for a long moment his dark eyes turned black with desire.
“I want you,” he said roughly just before he came at her and stole her lips in a deep kiss.
For a moment she was lost to the feel of him as his lips crushed hers, demanding she submit to him.
And for a second she almost did but remembering the hurt of his last rejection, Evelyn flung herself away from him.
She was breathing hard, heart pounding furiously and hair in disarray.
“Do not touch me,” Evelyn snapped as he reached for her again.
“Why not? I want you, Evelyn. I have decided I want you for always,” he said in his proud tone.
Raw emotions swirled within her. She had wished to hear this but now it just added to her confusion.
“I gave you a chance and you turned me away,” Evelyn said shakily. “I decided then I would no longer have a care for you.”
“But you still do,” Cesare said triumphly.
“No,” Evelyn whispered.
“Aye, you do. Otherwise why warn me of the poison?”
“I do not know,” Evelyn denied.
“Tell me why,” he demanded.
“I wasn’t,” she shouted at him.
He walked to her until she was up against the wall. Ever so gently one of his hands grasped her chin and made her eyes meet his. They flashed with defiance.
“Tell me the truth, Evelyn,” he demanded softly.
His dark eyes warmed as she stared into them and her wall began to crumble.
She tried to look away but he would not let her.
“Why,” he insisted.
Tears filled her vision, blurring him. “Because I still care, you stupid man,” she cried. “But it matters not.”
He placed his forehead against hers. “It does matter, dove. It does.”
“Not anymore. I am to wed tomorrow with the winner of the malay. I am beyond your touch now.”
Then tomorrow let me win for you. Fight to have you forever. Let me be your champion,” he said feverishly, kissing her once more.
He looked into her eyes, “I,” he swallowed, “I love you, Evelyn.”
Suddenly it was as if the world beneath her feet vanished. His words were almost euphoric.
“Truly,” she breathed.
“Aye, I am afraid so,” he said with a weak grin.
She wrapped her arms around him. “Then you must win tomorrow. I do not have a favour to give my champion, so this will have to do.” Evelyn claimed his mouth in a heated kiss and then pushed away from him.
“Go now before someone sees you. I must return to Emma,” she said with a smile.
He turned to leave.
“Cesare,” she called softly after him.
He turned to look at her.
“I love you,” she said softly.
The smile he gifted her with hit her in the heart and left her dizzy.
She only prayed tomorrow would bring no more surprises.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Evelyn was already awake and up when Lady Buchanan came running into the tent.
“Where is my daughter,” she asked out of breath, hand to heaving chest.
Laird Buchanan, Ian, as he had instructed her to call him, went over to her and told her to calm down.
When she saw Evelyn she ran to her and wrapped her up tight in an embrace.
Evelyn tried to hug her back; however her still healing arm was awkward as it gripped loosely to her mother.
“Did he tell you,” she asked.
Evelyn nodded and the woman pulled back so Evelyn could see her face.
Mayhap this was why Evelyn had felt she knew her from somewhere else. Because she had, she was her mother.
Her mother was still beautiful, even with the faint scars to her cheek and temple.
“I am so sorry we left you. Had I known you were alive I never would have left. Now you can come home with me,” her mother said tearfully.
“Oh, Mama,” Evelyn said quietly as sadness welled in her breast. “This is to be my home now. Cesare will win and I shall be wed to him. I wish for this for I love him dearly.”
Though tears formed in her mother’s eyes, her expression was both heartfelt and honest. “Thank ye for telling me. I do wish you happy. But we have just found each other.”
“We do not truly have to be parted. You can stay with me here for a stay then I can come and visit you. Now I know you have lived I will to let you go,” Evelyn said with a watery smile.
“Lord Cesare had best be worthy of you,” Lady Buchanan warned.
“I believe him to be. He did save me when I was being a foolish and gave me a warm place to stay and call home when no one else would take me in. he is the best of men, Mama.”
Evelyn gave her mother a hug then looked to her older half-brother.
“This is my home now and I am happy here. I am most grateful to have you in my life, but I belong here ow. We will see much of each other in the future, methinks.”
Horns blasted, announcing the next fight and Evelyn struggled to her feet.
“I must get back now, I cannot miss this.” She looked to her brother. “Who is fighting this round?”
He scowled. “Your lord, Cesare of Norfolk.”
Her heart hammered. “I truly must go then!” She took off, heading out of the tent. Before she closed the flap to the tent behind her, she looked back.
“I’ll see you after, aye?” she asked.
They both nodded and she was off.
Chapter ThirtySeven
Cesare stood victorious, chest heaving and mud drenched, over Laird Douglas.
Both had put up a long and brutal fight to give a good show but at last minute Cesare had tripped the stum
bling Laird Douglas and brought down the heavy hilt of his sword upon the laird’s head.
Laird Douglas had slumped quite ungracefully to the ground and had not gotten back up.
After a silent pause the crowd rose to their feet with far reaching cheers.
Evelyn could hardly breathe.
“Lord Cesare wins,” King William boomed. “I give you our two champions. Lord Jackson and Lord Cesare!”
The crowd went wild with shouts and cheers.
As everyone calmed down the two champions came before their king and kneeled. Now each would be allowed to claim their prize.
Evelyn closed her eyes praying that William let Cesare choose first.
“Now,” William addressed, “I told you I would have a final surprise. Instead of my champions choosing their prizes, they shall be the prizes! For every lady deserves her own champion. Lady Evelyn, please choose your knight.”
Her eyes snapped open and she stared at the king in disbelief. Had he truly just given her this choice?
He smile encouragingly and Evelyn came forward.
“Which shall it be?” William asked of her.
Her throat was tight with emotion and her hands shook slightly at her sides.
Evelyn had a choice; she could have either if she wanted. But as her eyes met his, she saw something she never had before. His feverish gaze was clouded with desperation and doubt.
Surely he knew she would choose him.
Then a thought struck her. Why not let him suffer just a bit, for a few moments more? It was a fair price to pay for what he had done to her.
Taking another step forward she looked between the two men as if she was truly having a hard time choosing.
She noted a stunned look on Cesare’s face as she went closer to Jackson; she turned so he couldn’t see her face and gave Lord Jackson a wink.
He grinned in understanding.
“My lord, I do believe I have chosen,” she announced suddenly.
