“What is just and what is lawful is not always the same.”
Dominic tried not to panic. He paused to see if William would say more before he offered a comment. “If I had to choose between what is just and what is lawful, I would always choose what is just.”
William Marshal nodded, the faintest of smiles playing about his mouth. “If I base my decision on what I have learned in an official capacity as opposed to what I have been told by my friend, I would send you back to Pendragon Castle. I would request that you remain with Lady Rowena until it can be determined whether or not she is carrying your child.”
This was not at all what Dominic had expected to hear. “And when it is determined that she is not with child?”
“Then I would request that she choose her next husband as quickly as possible. The Pendragon holdings are vast. Edwin will not give up. Lady Rowena needs a strong husband to stand by her side.”
“She will not be forced to wed. She was quoting Magna Carta as we traveled. She knows her rights as a widow, and you have just ensured her standing as such.”
“I didn’t say I’d require her to marry. I said I’d request that she marry.”
“Then why send me back with her?”
“So that you can convince the lady that you are the best choice for her new husband.”
Dominic was torn between elation and dread. “I’m not ready to marry, William.”
“Few men are ready to marry when the time comes. You need to put Monica behind you once and for all. This is an extraordinary opportunity. You are attracted to this girl. I see it in your eyes.”
“There is much about Rowena that appeals to me, but she can sting like a hornet when she’s a mind to be difficult.” Dominic smiled as his mind happily supplied several instances to support his claim. Then he sighed. “She wouldn’t have me in any event. When it comes right down to it, I’m not her equal.”
“That is Monica’s ghost speaking, Dominic. You are my vassal. If King John had not seized your family holdings, you would be an earl. Your lineage is as noble as mine. What is really bothering you?”
Again Dominic found William’s insight amazing. “You see too much, my lord. I want Pendragon Castle.”
“Wherein lies the problem?”
“I am attracted to Rowena, but the Pendragon holdings are everything I have ever dreamt and more. I knew when I first beheld the castle that I would do anything to claim it as my own.”
William’s deep chuckle drew Dominic’s attention to his weathered face. “I still do not see the dilemma.”
“What if I cannot love her?” He stared deeply into his liege lord’s eyes, looking for answers, hoping for reassurance. “What if she senses that my real passion is for her holdings? She will think me no better than Edwin. I will be no better than Edwin.”
“You are not Edwin. No one in Christendom would confuse you with that self-serving bastard.”
Rowena’s innocent face materialized within Dominic’s mind and he felt his chest constrict. She was so vulnerable and yet so brave. Every protective instinct he possessed surged to the surface whenever he was near her, but she would resent his interference and reject his protection. She was free, independent, and she had sacrificed much to become so. How could he take that away from her? “She doesn’t trust anyone, much less any man. I wouldn’t know how to woo her.”
“Patiently. That’s how you will woo her.”
Dominic was not known for his patience. He could be stubborn to the point of obsession. Loyalty, ambition, strength were all characteristics Dominic claimed, but patience…
“I will not require your cooperation,” William said with a grin. “But if you managed to win this particular lady, I would be well pleased.”
“You have always been more adept at cajoling than intimidation.” Dominic chuckled. “I will think on it.”
A bright smile softened the old man’s face, peeling years off his weathered features and making his eyes sparkle. “Good.”
“You realize, of course, that you are asking me to risk my very life.”
“Surely you are not afraid of Edwin.”
Again Dominic laughed. “Nay. I was referring to the Pendragon curse.”
“If I rolled over every time someone threatened me with a curse, I’d be spinning like a top. The bishop of Ferns has been threatening me with all the furies of hell since I seized two manors that belonged to his church. He has threatened me with excommunication and eternal damnation and sworn that my line will die with me. Yet I have lived long past my prime, I have five thriving sons and two daughters, so I find his threats somewhat hard to believe.”
“But this curse was not applied by a meager bishop, but by an enraged Fairy female!”
William laughed softly and patted Dominic’s brawny shoulder. “A fierce, war-seasoned knight against an obstinate girl and a vengeful Fairy, this is a battle I would love to watch.”
* * * * *
Titania was shocked from sleep by a stinging slap. The pain cleared her mind in time for her to restrain the instinctive gathering of Fairy energy about to burst with lethal intensity. She covered her cheek with her hand and cowered against the wall.
“What… Why did you—”
“I should kill you!” Edwin screamed, raising his hand to strike again. She sent a calming pulse through him and he lowered his arm. “She was no virgin, Lissette. You were wrong.”
“That’s impossible. I would sense—” She caught the slip just in time. “Rowena is lying.”
He glared at her, his hands balled into fists. “Dominic of Chapstow himself plowed her belly.”
“I don’t believe it.”
With an angry hiss, Edwin explained, “I arrived before them so William Marshal would hear my petition first.”
She slipped into a dressing gown and crawled out of bed. Why would this fool accept their word? She had instructed him to demand an examination. “And?”
“I was ignored. Then Rowena rode into Windsor Castle like a queen. At her side was Dominic of Chapstow.”
“The man Rowena claims to have bedded?”
“Rowena claimed nothing. Dominic volunteered the information. He said they spent the night in the old monastery just before leaving for Windsor Castle.”
“It doesn’t make sense.” She tossed her thick braid over her shoulder. Damn it! Edwin was supposed to return victorious. Fiona would be thwarted for another generation, and Titania could go home to the Fairy realm.
“It makes perfect sense. They were stranded alone and he spent the night on top of her. What is there to understand?”
She longed to loose her power and punish this obnoxious human. She was queen of the Fairies. How dare he treat her— Focus! She was a sniveling lightskirt named Lissette. “You don’t know Rowena as I do. You didn’t see her after Gaston had finished with her.”
“Do you not mean after you and Gaston had finished with her? From all accounts, my dear Lissette, you were quite the spiteful viper when it came to your competition.”
She didn’t dignify the comment with a reply.
“Dominic had no reason to lie, and judging from William’s reaction, there will be hell to pay because of what he did. William prides himself on his honesty, and his ward compromised his ability to make a just decision.”
“What will he do?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What if he forces this Dominic to wed with Rowena?” What if Dominic was the man destined to break the curse? She couldn’t allow that to happen. Fiona must remain in exile until she convinced Oberon to name another his heir. Many of his children didn’t resent her, many could be controlled. He must choose one of the others.
“Rowena will not allow it, and as a widow, she can prevent a forced marriage.”
“Then what should we do?”
Edwin shrugged. “I have another plan already in motion, so for now, we wait. We wait and see what the others do.”
* * * * *
The following m
orning, a written summons from William Marshal arrived with the breakfast tray. Sir William had already ruled that Rowena would remain in control of the Pendragon holdings, so she couldn’t guess the purpose for the summons. Would Dominic be there? She hadn’t seen him since the night before, but she had thought of little else.
“Put this on,” Thora suggested from behind Rowena. “It will show the regent how pleased you are by his judgment.”
Rowena turned around and smiled. The servant was holding an elaborate surcoat, constructed from rich velvets. It was primarily blue, but the front had been emblazoned with the colorful standard of Pendragon Castle. The dragon sat on its muscular hind legs, the long, serpent-like tail curving around to rest in front of the creature. A golden crown encircled its head and both its claws clasped the hilt of a long sword. To either side of its green body spread wings, which were brightly hued with every imaginable color.
Rowena had always loved the standard. A less elaborate version decorated the uniforms of her castle guards and the long banners that accompanied her knights into battle.
“Very well.” All she really wanted was to be surrounded by the walls of Pendragon Castle.
She’d donned a simple linen chemise and soft, butter-colored gown earlier that morning. Thora moved up behind her and lifted the surcoat over her head then pulled it down into place. Rowena smoothed the soft fabric along her sides and over her hips. “Does it look all right?”
“It looks beautiful and so do you. What do you suppose Sir William wants?”
“I don’t know. He was very angry with Dominic last night, but I have no idea what transpired once they left the room. Hopefully, he just wants to formalize his judgment and send me on my way.”
William Marshal was alone when Rowena was escorted into the stateroom. The regent sat in a large wooden chair with thick cushions attached to the seat and back. The chair angled toward the hearth yet allowed him to view anyone entering the room. A crackling fire embraced the room with warmth and hospitality, but Rowena could not seem to move from her place by the door. She’d not been this intimidated last night and Edwin had been there, but so had Dominic, the only man who had ever defended her.
“Come,” Sir William bid. “Sit beside me. Let us talk.”
He was trying to put her at ease, so Rowena wrestled her uncertainty further back in her mind and moved forward. She sat in the chair he indicated, smaller and less elaborate than his.
“I like to believe that honesty is as important to others as it is to me,” he began, “but time and time again I find this is not the case.”
She’d witnessed how effortlessly he could control a conversation the night before, and she’d yet to guess his purpose for the meeting, so she said only, “How unfortunate.”
“Edwin of Llangly has departed. Will he cause you trouble, do you think?”
“He will try. I will be ready for him.”
“How?”
She refused to take offense. Squaring her shoulders, Rowena explained her position. “Foreknowledge of an enemy’s intention is often the greatest weapon. I know that Edwin will not rest until he has found a way to claim Pendragon, so I’ll be ready for anything.”
“Dominic got past your defenses,” he pointed out. “Were you ready for him?”
“I had never dreamed anyone could imagine something so vile. Do you know how he managed to gain entrance to my castle?”
“He told me. I was impressed by his resourcefulness.” The regent smiled. “You cannot expect Edwin to fight fairly. Do you realize that?”
“Aye. He will employ any number of unscrupulous tactics in his quest for what is mine.”
“And you alone are equal to the task of fending him off?”
She hesitated. Honesty. He had said honesty was vitally important to him. What should she say? Responsibility weighed heavy upon her heart. She thought of Peter, the young guard who had lost his life when she refused to admit Dominic to the castle. How much worse would it get? How many more would die before her future was secure and all the people of Pendragon along with her?
“Nay, my lord. I have the courage and determination, but I lack the experience and the skill to fight this battle.”
“I agree.”
He gazed into the fire for a moment, leaving Rowena to battle her dread. He couldn’t force a husband on her, but what else could he mean by his questions?
“As distasteful as the prospect is to you, my dear, you need another husband. A strong, competent man will be able to protect and shelter you from this conflict. Your claim to Pendragon will never be completely solidified until you have an heir. A legitimate heir is not possible without a husband. Is there no one in your life who you find suitable as a spouse?”
“My first marriage was an abomination. I have not even considered any man since Gaston died. I would have to give the idea some thought.”
“What of Dominic? He is a good man. I trust him. If his child grows in your belly, he will not be willing to watch another man raise his offspring.”
She knew his concern was misplaced, but she couldn’t explain this to Sir William. “We only spent one night together. I doubt there will be a child.”
“Still, Dominic has the right to know. And if it comes to pass that you do carry his babe, I will request that you accept him as your husband.”
“Request?” Challenge rang in her voice.
“You have no father to guide you in this area. You are still very young. Your entire life lies ahead of you. Do you not want children?”
“I did not want Gaston’s children.”
“Edwin will not relent. He may become so desperate that he’ll attempt to take your life. I’ll do what I can to see that doesn’t happen, but a husband would protect you.”
“I know,” she muttered. Everything he said was true, but she couldn’t marry for protection. Her next husband must love her, and she must love him. How could she hope to make William Marshal understand?
“I have instructed Dominic to escort you back to Pendragon Castle. More than that I will not decree. I would be pleased if you would invite him to stay until you have determined whether or not you carry his child.”
“And when that determination is made?”
“Then I request that you either accept Dominic as your husband or name another. I want this thing settled quickly. Are we in agreement?”
He would be pleased if she remarried. He encouraged her to accept Dominic as her husband. Under all the pleasant phrasing, Rowena recognized his authority.
Her hands crumpled the soft material of her surcoat. The beautiful standard felt oppressive now. She had been such a fool! She had honestly believed that it would end here, that she would be allowed to control her own destiny. “I have a fortnight, perhaps the passing of a moon, to choose the man with whom I will share the rest of my life?”
“I didn’t mention a specific period of time. I only said quickly. But Dominic is the only man I will accept if you are carrying his child.”
“I understand.”
“And you agree?”
“What choice do I have?” she flared. “You have made your preferences quite clear, my lord.”
“Rowena,” he said gently. “I’m thinking of your safety and hoping for your happiness whether you believe it or not.”
She swallowed and forced herself to speak. “My lord, you mentioned the Pendragon curse yestereve. When Gaston died, I allowed myself to believe that I might be the Lady destined to end this cycle of unhappiness.”
His thin lips pressed into a grim line. Rowena feared she’d angered him until she realized he was trying not to laugh.
“Laugh if you like,” she muttered. “I have seen Fair Fiona with my own eyes.”
One silvery brow arched at her claim. “So what must you do to break the Pendragon curse?”
“I must marry for love and love alone.”
“Is the order specified?”
She scooted to the edge of her chair. “The order of what?�
�
“Must you love this man before you marry him or is it permissible for love to come after the wedding? And what if he loves you, but you do not love him? Love can also prove false, dear child. If you are in love and the curse is broken, will it be reinstated should you be betrayed?”
He was mocking her. Gently and deftly, but mocking her all the same. “There is no detailed charter to be agreed upon and then disregarded.”
William guffawed at her bold rejoinder. “King John might have taken offense to that, young lady, but I am not King John. Besides, we have strayed far off course. Your belief in this curse does not change the reality of your situation. You need a husband.”
“I need a husband I can love,” she insisted.
“Then I suggest you fall in love with all due haste.”
* * * * *
They departed Windsor Castle the following morning. The distance between Windsor and Pendragon could be covered in a single day, but the leisurely pace set by the large procession would require a night in the forest.
Rowena relaxed into the rhythm of her horse and tried not to think, but she was unable to hide her frustration from anyone. Even Thora’s persistent attempts at humor failed to draw her from her angry silence.
Dominic found a clearing for their camp as deepening shadows claimed the forest. Rowena slid down from her palfrey’s back and groaned softly as her muscles cramped in protest. One of the men led her horse away toward a rope pen while another bent to build a fire. Dominic and Ezra disappeared into the trees in search of game. A small tournament tent was quickly erected for the women, and Rowena found herself feeling rather useless.
“Rather impressive, aren’t they?” Thora asked cheerfully.
“Very efficient.” Rowena arched her back and rolled her shoulders.
“Are you still simmering?”
“He expects me to find a husband as soon as I possibly can. Why would I be angry?”
Rowena regretted her biting tone when Thora turned around and walked away. Thora went to help with the meal’s preparations, but Rowena loitered by the edge of the campsite.
Tears of the Dragon Page 10
