“Was her reception of you gracious? Why did it take you so long to return? I had nearly given up on you and headed back to London.”
“Well, the lady wouldn’t admit me to the castle, so I had to take matters into my own hands.”
“You announced yourself?” Dominic only nodded, so William persisted. “You presented my missive and she would not let you in?” When Dominic nodded again, William’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
The unflattering expression made Dominic laugh. “Edwin has been causing all manner of mischief, so Lady Rowena feared I had been sent by him.”
“What sort of mischief?”
“According to her steward, Edwin has pilfered livestock and started fires, he has harassed her tenants and spread malicious rumors. Anything that would cast suspicion upon her competency.”
“I see.” William was silent for a moment. “How did you finally get inside? I’ve heard Pendragon Castle is very well designed.”
“I sent Ephraim up the chute of the latrine.” Dominic laughed, watching the expected grimace materialize on William’s face.
“And Lady Rowena is still intact? I’ve seen that temper of yours unleashed a time or two.”
“I was very angry, but she’s very young. If a man had greeted me in the bailey that day, my reaction would have been quite different, but Lady Rowena is little more than a child.”
One of William’s brows shot up at this description, but he didn’t argue. “I’m anxious to meet this precocious child. I have invited Sir Edwin to dine with me. I will extend the invitation to Lady Rowena as well. Much can be learned from observing the interaction of enemies.”
“May I also attend?”
The old man smiled. “You are always welcome.”
* * * * *
Rowena wrapped both hands around her cup and stared down into the murky contents, too angry to raise the beverage to her lips.
“You’re not eating,” Dominic commented.
He sat to her left. William Marshal occupied the head of the small table, and Edwin of Llangly sat directly across from her. Rowena felt betrayed by Edwin’s presence. She wasn’t prepared to face him. Her feelings were still too volatile. Besides, she couldn’t fabricate a story with him seated across from her, ready to point out any inconsistency. Likewise she would be able to object to any falsehood presented.
“I’m no longer hungry,” she responded automatically to Dominic’s observation, not lifting her eyes from her wine.
“As agreeable as ever, I see,” Edwin muttered. “You need not be so hostile, Rowena. I’ve no doubt we can come to an agreement, if you’ll only be reasonable.”
She scoffed and placed the wineglass on the table. “By reasonable I’m sure you mean surrender my holdings to you.”
William intervened before the argument could escalate. “I had not anticipated this level of hostility when I suggested a more casual setting for this discussion.”
Rowena had to force back a laugh. He had to know they were at odds or he wouldn’t be involved. Edwin was trying to steal everything from her! How could she possibly feel anything but hostility? This setting was strategic. “Sir William, it may well be more productive to interview us separately.”
“It would be more comfortable, I have no doubt, but one tends to be more truthful when faced with the one you are accusing.”
Rowena had been thinking nearly the same thing, so she merely nodded.
“Why is he here?” Edwin motioned toward Dominic with his chin.
“Sir Dominic is my vassal and trusted friend. I requested that he bear witness to any decision I might make.”
“Then let’s proceed. The sooner we have this argument settled, the sooner I can return to my responsibilities.”
Again Rowena wanted to laugh. If Edwin didn’t win this argument, he would have very few responsibilities. Llangly manor was a small fiefdom, easily managed.
“You wrote to me requesting that I recommend the annulment of the marriage of Lady Rowena and Gaston of Pendragon,” William began. “Do you understand that my influence only extends so far? Ultimately the Church will have to grant the annulment.”
Edwin nodded. “I am aware of that, but my dealings with certain members of the Church have been less than successful. I hoped to find justice in the Royal Court where I was disappointed in the Church.”
“This sort of request is unusual coming from a third party. Did Gaston have a Last Will and Testament?”
“Aye, and it bequeathed his holdings in their entirety to me,” Rowena explained. The question hadn’t been specifically directed toward Edwin. Still, she felt uncomfortable, as if she were overstepping the bounds of propriety.
“Do you concur?” William asked Edwin.
“The estate is bequeathed to Gaston’s widow. I contend that to qualify as a widow, one must have first been a wife.”
“I understand the grounds on which you base your request, Sir Edwin. You didn’t answer my question.”
“I do not dispute Gaston’s Last Will and Testament.”
Rowena wasn’t sure why that fact was important, but Edwin seemed uncomfortable relenting even to this small degree. She shifted her gaze back to Sir William. He was much older than she had expected. Dominic spoke of him with such deference. She’d pictured the regent larger and more robust.
“To judge this issue fairly, I need more information. Explain to me the connection between your two families.”
Rowena would have loved to explain exactly what Edwin had done, but William wasn’t looking at her. His gaze remained on Edwin.
“Gaston of Pendragon was my nephew,” Edwin began. “I’m his closest living relative.”
“Except for his widow of course,” Dominic said.
Up to that point, he had shown only mild interest in the conversation. Rowena looked at him and hope fluttered within her breast. Had she won an ally after all?
“That is the crux of the issue,” Edwin muttered. “Is my claim more valid than hers?”
“Lady Rowena,” William spoke directly to her for the first time. “Is it your desire that your marriage to Gaston of Pendragon be annulled?”
“Nay, my lord, it is not. Sir Edwin has been unscrupulous in his dealings with me for longer than I can remember.”
“Explain.”
“We were betrothed when I was still a child, yet Edwin broke that betrothal and married my own mother shortly after my father died.”
“Is this true?” The regent’s penetrating gaze settled once more on Edwin.
“I had known Yvonne for years when her husband died. Our love had actually sparked before Gilbert’s death.”
“You lie! My mother loved my father until the last breath left her body. She married you out of desperation and insecurity.”
“How old were you when Sir Edwin wed your mother?” William asked.
“I was ten, sir. ’Twas our broken betrothal that set him at odds with the Church. Brother Leland made it clear that to set aside the daughter to marry the mother was unseemly at best.”
The regent didn’t comment, but the shrewdness in his gaze assured Rowena that he took in everything. “At what age did you wed Gaston?”
“Fifteen.” She spat out the number like a curse.
William turned back to Edwin. “Did you personally agree to the original betrothal or was it arranged by your parents?”
“The betrothal was arranged by our fathers, both of whom had died when the contract was broken. I was three years younger than Yvonne, yet I am fourteen years older than Rowena. And as painful as it is to the lady, Yvonne and I were lovers for several years before her husband died.”
Rowena bit back her angry denial. She had already objected to his ridiculous lie. She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing how infuriating she found his slander.
“How long were you married to Lady Yvonne?” William continued.
“We had been wed five years when God granted us our fondest wish and allowed her to conceive.
But neither Yvonne nor my son survived the birth.”
William offered a solemn nod. “Who arranged for Rowena to marry Gaston?”
“As I have stated, we were kinsmen. I arranged the marriage to make the bond between Llangly and Pendragon all the stronger.”
Rowena laughed at this boast. “You speak of the two as if they are equal. Llangly is a tiny village struggling in the shadow of Pendragon Castle.”
William didn’t comment. He seemed to make mental note of the fact and then changed the subject entirely. “I have heard tell that there is a Pendragon curse. Was Gaston the only Pendragon heir to live to manhood?”
Again he hadn’t addressed the question to a specific person, so Rowena answered. “Gaston was not born of the Pendragon line. Edwin’s older brother Edgar married Constance of Pendragon when Gaston was eight. Gaston was born of Edgar’s first wife. There were no children of the second marriage.”
“Fascinating,” William said softly. He leaned forward, absently stroking his chin. “And Gaston was killed without issue, leaving Pendragon without an heir once again.”
“As is foretold by the curse. No Pendragon male will find happiness until they stop forcing their will upon Pendragon females.”
Dominic and William both laughed at her passionate declaration, but Edwin’s expression was anything but amused. After shooting Rowena a scathing glower, he turned back to the regent. “My claim to Pendragon Castle is one of blood ties,” Edwin reiterated. “While Rowena’s only claim is through a marriage that was never consummated. She did not produce a Pendragon heir because Gaston of Pendragon never touched her.”
“Is this true?” William once again met Rowena’s gaze.
She thought about Edwin’s statement and realized that she could honestly answer the charge. “Nay, Gaston touched me, he just preferred the company of his whore Lissette. The same woman who now shares Edwin’s bed.”
William leaned back against his chair, studying Rowena and then Edwin. “I begin to see the nature of this conflict. Tell me about this other woman.”
“Lissette has nothing to do with this,” Edwin insisted hotly.
“What led you to believe Rowena and Gaston never consummated their marriage?” William calmly pushed his trencher aside and folded his hands on top of the table.
“It can be proven quite easily.” Edwin ignored William’s question entirely. “Call for a midwife and—”
“Explain to me why I should have the lady subjected to such an offensive examination,” William charged, growing impatient with Edwin’s evasions.
“Gaston confided to me that a battle wound had left him incapable of the act,” he answered stiffly, his expression rather strained.
“And yet he had not only a wife, but a leman? I find that rather odd.”
“All of this rhetoric is needless,” Edwin sneered. “I insist that Rowena be examined and the truth of my claim be proven. I will settle for nothing less.”
“Ask anyone at Pendragon Castle. The bed linens were displayed to prove the consummation,” Rowena said, and every word she said was true. “I also have a statement from Brother Leland, who officiated over the wedding. This petition is rubbish.”
“If I have a midwife examine Lady Rowena, will you accept the results as fact?” William asked suddenly.
Rowena panicked at the question. He couldn’t mean to give in to Edwin’s demand! The entire conversation had led her to believe that Dominic’s faith was well placed. Sir William hadn’t seemed to believe Edwin until now. “My lord,” she protested. “This is absurd. I—”
“She can choose a midwife, and I will do the same,” Edwin suggested, interrupting Rowena’s objection. “Then neither can lie about the findings.”
“I will do no such thing!”
“Sir William.” Dominic drew everyone’s attention with the sharpness of his tone. “My lord, there is no need for an examination.”
“How so?” Edwin demanded.
Rowena unconsciously held her breath. He had sworn he wouldn’t help her. He’d resisted her every advance for the sake of his honor and yet…
Their eyes met, and Rowena could hardly think. His beautiful blue eyes stared back at her coldly, expressionless, impenetrable. Would he defend her—or betray her?
“By your leave, my lady.” She could only manage one stiff nod. “Lady Rowena and I spent the night together in the old monastery.”
“I don’t believe you!” Edwin rose out of his chair. “Rowena wouldn’t lie with you. Lissette told me she is terrified of men. He is lying. I demand that she be examined—”
William raised his right hand, cutting off Edwin’s impassioned protest. “I have heard enough. Your request for an annulment is denied, Sir Edwin. Lady Rowena will remain in control of all Pendragon holdings. Dominic, I would speak with you in private.”
Rowena was so elated by the regent’s pronouncement that it took her a moment to recognize the fury in William Marshal’s eyes. Dominic rose and followed Sir William from the room, inadvertently leaving her alone with Edwin.
“Do not, for one instant, let yourself imagine that this is over,” Edwin threatened through clenched teeth.
“You’ve lost.” She leaned across the table and whispered, “Go back to Lissette. You deserve each other.”
He stood there glaring at her for a long moment as if he meant to continue the argument. Then he abruptly uttered an extremely profane word and strode from the room.
Finally, Rowena allowed herself a long, shuddering sigh. What should she do now? Would Dominic return? Was Sir William finished with his questioning? Why had he wanted to speak with Dominic, and why had he looked so angry?
The vow.
He believed Dominic broke his vow.
Why had Dominic done it? Why had he perjured himself to protect her? He hadn’t actually lied, but the insinuation had been clear. He made Edwin believe they were lovers. Why would he do such a thing?
Rowena was far too upset to sit idly by in the empty room. On shaky legs, she made her way toward the door.
How would she ever repay him?
Nay, what would he expect in return? It made no sense. No one was so selfless. What was he hoping to gain?
The answer came with staggering clarity and Rowena stumbled to a stop. She turned and gazed at the door through which Dominic had followed the regent. Suspicion reared its ugly head. He wanted the same thing as Edwin. How masterfully this had been played. She hadn’t been rescued—she’d been ambushed!
Chapter Six
“Why are you lying to me, Dominic?”
Few people could match the incredible persuasion of William Marshal’s unwavering stare. When others ranted and raved, flailing their arms and cursing, Sir William would quietly request the truth. He had avoided wars and secured international treaties with the power of his personality.
As a child Dominic found his calm approach intimidating and often bowed to Sir William’s demands without argument. As a young man he attempted to manipulate his liege, needing to try the limits of his own power. But now Dominic found himself shamed by Sir William’s relentless integrity.
“Not one word I uttered was false,” Dominic defended.
“You’ve not bedded Lady Rowena,” William calmly argued. “I specifically asked you not to touch her, and you would not disobey a direct order. Not you, Dominic. Besides, the lady seemed more surprised by your confession than Edwin of Llangly.”
“I didn’t say I’d bedded her. I said we spent the night together in the monastery, and that is true.”
“You also said that an examination was not necessary, which implies that Lady Rowena is no longer a maiden.”
Dominic didn’t reply to the charge, instead he asked, “Would you really have allowed the examination?”
“That is not the issue, Dominic. You purposely gave Edwin the impression that you are Rowena’s lover.”
All formality had fallen away. They were simply two men attempting to solve a problem, an old man and
his beloved ward. “I didn’t know what else to do. Rowena doesn’t deserve to be betrayed, again.”
“Betrayed by whom?” When Dominic did not answer, William said, “Tell me now, truthfully. Is Rowena a virgin?”
“Aye,” he grumbled. “What really constitutes a marriage? Is it only the physical act? What about devotion and loyalty?”
“Was Lady Rowena devoted and loyal to Pendragon?”
“Not the man, but the manor. She has worked hard to earn her people’s respect, and she has shown far more dedication to Pendragon Castle than Gaston ever pretended. And Edwin! Edwin is vile. Can you not see that?”
Heaving a heavy sigh, William sank into his favorite chair. It was a huge throne-like affair with padded cushions at the seat and back. They had returned to the small room that adjoined William’s bedchamber. It was where Dominic had spoken with him earlier.
“You seem to have developed quite an opinion of Lady Rowena in your short acquaintance. Tell me about her.”
Dominic recognized an order when he heard one. “She was fifteen when she was given to Gaston. He had promised to spend the summer with her, but he arrived mere days before he took her to wife. He came to her bed a stranger.”
“It happens all the time, Dominic. My wife came to me at thirteen, and I barely knew her on our wedding night. I see no betrayal here.”
“He came to her drunk and abusive. She was frightened and she fought him off. He humiliated her, degraded her, and then brought this Lissette person to Pendragon Castle.”
“And in the five years that followed he never once attempted to bed her again?”
Dominic snickered. “That may have been Edwin’s only true statement. I know it would take impotence to keep me from Rowena’s bed for five years.”
William watched him intently. “Then how do you explain the leman? Something here does not make sense.” He shook his head, his expression distant, thoughtful.
Having no intention of repeating Rowena’s tale of Fairy lights and magic powers, Dominic tried to refocus William’s attention. “Edwin played an enormous part in placing Rowena in that deplorable situation and now he has the gall to demand that she relinquish her claim to the estate. She suffered five years of hell. I think that entitles her to something.”
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