by Julia Latham
Before her once again, he took her chin in his fingers and lifted it. She stepped back.
“No touching?” he said, wearing a half-smile. “Is that not what you came here for?”
She removed her wimple and his smile faded as her hair, which she’d brushed to a lustrous sheen, fell down in long curls about her body.
When Bannaster spoke again, his voice was husky. “Seducing me will not stop me from marrying your mistress either.”
“I don’t wish to stop the wedding,” she said. “But you will not be marrying the woman in the tower. You’ll be marrying me.”
He started to laugh, but it faded away in his confusion. “Why would your mistress think I would accept a maidservant in the place of an heiress?”
“Because I am not a maidservant. I am Lady Elizabeth Hutton.”
“Nicely done,” he scoffed.
She went on as if she hadn’t heard him. “I exchanged places with my maidservant so that I could devise a method to thwart your plans. But I could not, so now I surrender to save my people.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “Tell your mistress that I will not be tricked into marrying someone else.”
“’Tis no trick, my lord. You have won; you have defeated me. Ask me any questions concerning my parents or the betrothal you are vowing to see nullified.”
“You could have been taught what to say.”
“Ask anyone, far and wide, about my identity. I have struggled every day to keep it from you and from your servants. My sisters even arrived while you were gone, and I had to send them away. Did you not say that your revelation about Lord Russell’s identity came from Rodmarton Castle? And that day you drunkenly tried to force yourself on me—”
“I did not try to—”
“Did you not see how my people rallied to defend me? There was no fire in that kitchen, except the one started by my cook.”
He looked confused and troubled.
“Did you never ask anyone what I looked like?” she asked.
“Lady Elizabeth has the reputation as a beautiful, fair-haired maiden.”
“And what color hair has the woman in the tower? It is certainly not fair.”
His eyes suddenly glittered as his face went pale. “If you are lying to me, I will discover it easily on the morrow, before the wedding.”
He stalked toward her, and she moved, keeping furniture between them.
“It will be a relief for my people to cease pretending to ignore me.”
She wasn’t sure why he was so positive he would know the truth in the morning, but she didn’t care. Now she had to stop what he might try in his anger.
He reached for her, but she danced aside, keeping away from the bed.
“You must stop this harassment at once, my lord,” she said firmly.
“And why should I? I’ve been lied to, made a fool of. Those people down below have been laughing at me all along.”
“They do not consider this a laughing matter, but one of life and death—mine, as well as theirs, should they be caught. They offered up their silence for me out of loyalty. And they will be loyal to you, if the king makes you earl.”
“If?”
“There is no guarantee. The betrothal contract stipulates that the next earl will be the Russell heir.”
“And I’ve proven how worthless he is. You should be glad I rid the castle of such a coward.”
But it was obvious he didn’t believe his own words. John had been the superior swordsman in their battle. Bannaster tossed aside the stool between them.
“I have conditions before I marry you, Lord Bannaster.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Ah, leave it to you to lighten the moment.”
“I will make you an excellent wife. I will manage your castles, be devoted in public, and produce heirs.”
“And my part will be…?” he said sarcastically.
“That you do not touch me until our wedding night. And you must promise no retribution against my people, especially my maidservant and Lord Russell.”
“They lied to me.”
“I lied to you. If you cannot meet these conditions, I will make your life miserable. I will thwart you at every turn. If you think to show me off as your newest prize in London, I will make you the butt of jokes throughout the kingdom. I am quite the actor, as you’ve already seen.”
He narrowed his eyes. “And all I have to do is promise to leave your servants and Russell alone.”
“Aye, including the villagers. I made them part of my secrecy, and I can make them loyal to you.”
“And if Russell returns for you?”
“I will already be married to you.”
He turned away from her and went back to the chair before the fire. Only when he sat down did she let out a shaky breath.
“We have an agreement,” he said finally. He looked her up and down. “I don’t want a miserable marriage. I vowed to you that I would make you happy, and I will. Starting with our wedding night.”
He smiled at her, and it took everything she had to nod and hold back her tears. Once she was out in the corridor, she leaned back against the wall and released a shuddering sigh. Bannaster had been surprisingly malleable, considering how she’d deceived him. The irony of it was, all she’d ever wanted was a husband she could make bow to her wishes.
But against John she’d had heated disagreements that somehow led to the greatest intimacy of her life. She had fallen in love with a strong, independent man, but now she would have to settle for her girlhood dreams of controlling a marriage.
It no longer held any appeal for her.
The challenge would be to see what Bannaster was hiding and thwart him if necessary. And if she bore a son quickly, her ultimate—but secret—triumph would be in knowing that John’s child might be the next earl.
At the castle gatehouse just before dawn, John, wearing a hooded cloak, waited in the midst of a large crowd. He led the first wave of soldiers, who were dressed as farmers, as tradesmen, even a few as soldiers. Others would follow in groups over the next hour.
Luckily, Bannaster must have wanted many people in attendance, for half a hundred had waited since before dawn for the chance to see a noble wedding—or to see what happened when one was attempted. More people were slowly coming down the road. Plenty of wagers were being exchanged as to what Elizabeth would do. None of the possible scenarios considered by the villagers included the stealthy invasion by Alderley’s own soldiers.
When the gates finally opened, there was a mad rush to enter, overwhelming the few soldiers stationed there to inspect the visitors. They made several random attempts to search satchels, but at last they decided to join the merriment and toast the bride and groom.
From his place near the stairs up to the great hall, John could see his soldiers spread out through the crowds and begin to hide themselves behind or inside all of the buildings. Over the next several hours, one by one, Bannaster’s soldiers began to disappear. The skills in stealth that John’s men had acquired from the League did them in good stead, because no one seemed to notice when a soldier was caught from behind and disposed of. The men were under orders to incapacitate rather than kill, but to do it all quickly.
The next morning, Elizabeth descended from the tower wearing the gold and white gown she’d had made for her wedding day. She let her hair flow freely as a maiden, and felt calm and full of purpose. She refused to dwell on what could not be changed, although Anne had wept and tried to talk her out of marriage.
Elizabeth knew she could not bear to consider what could never be—marriage to John, happiness with the man she loved.
Anne now walked sedately behind her as they entered the great hall, the first time she had left the tower in over a sennight. Bannaster was already waiting at the high table. He rose when he saw Elizabeth, and table after table went silent as well. Everywhere people gaped at her in shock. As she walked through the hall, people curtsied and bowed, their expressions changing into resign
ation. They understood what was happening.
Not so the soldiers, who talked among themselves in confusion. She hesitated for a moment at the table of the bearded soldier who’d once attacked her. After staring at her wide-eyed, he bowed to her and said nothing.
She walked on, smiling at her people, patting the head of Adalia’s son, who came running up to her crying out her name in delight. Elizabeth did not bother to meet Bannaster’s eyes at this further confirmation of her identity. He was no fool.
More people than normal crowded the great hall for the morning meal. Bannaster must have had couriers sent to the farthest villages in anticipation of the wedding, for people continued to stream in even as they all ate.
Elizabeth knew she should be greeting everyone, but on her wedding day, she felt almost numb…content to sit in solitude instead of making conversation. If she looked at too many people, she would be searching for John’s beloved face. She prayed that he was gone, that he was not here to witness her ultimate surrender. And surely Bannaster’s soldiers were still looking for him.
At last, Bannaster stood up and lifted his hands in the air. Voices died down instantly, as if they’d only been waiting for their cue.
Bannaster smiled. “Today is the perfect day for a celebration. Today the priest will be joining the great houses of Bannaster and Alderley.”
Only the soldiers cheered, and after a momentary look of impatience, Bannaster continued. “The truth has come out at last, and Lady Elizabeth has learned the errors of deception. Those of you who knew her true identity”—he paused, and there were low murmurs as people looked at one another—“your loyalty to her is commendable, but now that loyalty must extend to me, since we have agreed to marry.” He tried to lighten the tone of his voice. “I have more good news. I have just received confirmation that King Henry will be here in time to bless this union. He is but an hour’s journey away.”
Elizabeth caught her breath, and she stared about her in growing awareness. She and Anne exchanged shocked looks. The king was coming? Surely Bannaster had known, but he had not told her the previous night.
Because it might have changed everything.
Elizabeth felt hot and cold and flustered. What should she do? Until now she’d been the one to decide her own course—posing as a maidservant, and then finally revealing herself, bargaining for her position as Bannaster’s wife.
As if he recognized her conflicting thoughts, Bannaster suddenly became very attentive, and never left her side as the great hall was cleared of trestle tables. There was no room for all of these people to stand outside the chapel doors for the wedding, as was the custom.
“I wish you would have warned me of our royal guest,” Elizabeth said to Bannaster. “I could have better prepared the castle.”
“While you were a maidservant?” he asked with sarcasm.
She bowed her head. “I hope the condition of my home does not reflect poorly on you.”
But Alderley was a jewel of a castle, one of the largest in the western half of the country, and they both knew it. Bannaster looked about with pride, as if he’d built it to what it was himself.
“The king will be pleased,” he said. “And he’ll be pleased with your acceptance of the inevitable.”
Elizabeth bowed her head.
At last, a great horn was heard in the distance. People rushed out to the inner ward to watch the procession of soldiers and courtiers, and the king himself. Elizabeth stood beside Bannaster within the large double doors of the great hall, looking down at the joyous scene in the courtyard. King Henry, thin and blond, smiled and waved, and she knew he was a man courting his people, for he’d only won the crown from his cousin, Richard III, the previous year.
The king ascended the stairs to the great hall, and as Elizabeth curtsied, Bannaster bowed low.
The king took her hand and raised her to stand. “Lady Elizabeth, it is good to see you again. Our thanks for welcoming us to your home.”
The last proof Bannaster might need of her true identity had now been supplied. Bannaster happily put her hand on his arm and followed the king indoors. The castle swelled as another contingent of soldiers merged with the crowd.
Elizabeth had never seen so many people, except in the streets of London. The hall grew overly warm before the ceremony could begin.
Though Bannaster obviously wanted to stay at the king’s side, his captain of the guard came and pulled him aside to speak privately. Bannaster’s expression remained impassive, but he glanced at the great double doors, then back to the king. He bowed and said something to his cousin, who waved him off and turned to speak to one of his councilors. Bannaster moved quickly through the crowd and left the hall. Elizabeth then considered King Henry.
At the last changing of the guard, the absences were finally noticed. John had been watching for the alert and the subsequent confusion. The captain of the guard was no fool, yet he had not shouted a warning, only gone quickly inside the castle.
Everything had become so much more confusing with the unexpected arrival of the king. John wished he could consider how this might affect him, but he was too busy leading the secret assault. The crowds in the inner ward had really begun to swell with the arrival of the king’s party. Luckily, the royal soldiers had followed him inside.
Now that the captain of the guard had gone in to tell Bannaster what was happening, John knew he had to work quickly. He began to spread the word among the castle residents and the villagers to get out of harm’s way, by either going inside or fleeing back to the village of Alderley. He hoped this would mollify Elizabeth when she learned what was happening.
The ward had begun to empty just as Bannaster came out the double doors, drawing his sword. As if a signal had been given, the remaining soldiers drew theirs and grouped themselves defensively, looking for the enemy.
Bannaster came running down the stairs, brandishing his sword against the first person who crossed his path. It was a woman, and she screamed as she froze in front of him. Though Bannaster waved her away, John could not risk harming Elizabeth’s people. He came out from the shadow of the stairs, holding his sword aloft, throwing back his hood.
“For Alderley!” he cried in a loud voice.
A chorus of shouts and cheers answered him. Though John saw that Bannaster’s soldiers turned to answer the charge, there were few enough left that Alderley’s forces should win the day. But John concentrated on Bannaster, whose face had alighted with anger and determination at John’s cry.
Bannaster came running at him, his sword upraised. Without a word, he slashed downward, and John parried the weapon away with his own. Bannaster then thrust at him, which John turned away with his shield.
“Give way, Bannaster,” John shouted. “I am Elizabeth’s legal betrothed. Just ask your cousin the king.”
“You are not worthy of her!”
Bannaster unleashed several blows, which John countered. John had had enough of the man’s arrogance. He went on his own offensive, driving Bannaster back to the stairs. Bannaster tripped and sprawled onto his back, and John had his sword at the man’s throat.
“So you plan to kill me?” Bannaster demanded in a tight voice, lying still on the stairs.
“I would take great delight in it, after the way you’ve tortured Elizabeth,” John said between gritted teeth.
“Elizabeth or Anne? Which one does either of us want?”
Angrily, John pressed the sword closer, where it grazed Bannaster’s flesh.
“Halt!” shouted a commanding voice from above.
John did not look up; he stared his intentions into Bannaster’s eyes. But he had recognized Milburn’s voice, and allowed the steward to come down the stairs.
“No closer!” John commanded.
Milburn stopped just above them. “My lords, you must stop this! The king is growing anxious. Does either of you want to explain to him why one of his noblemen has been murdered?”
In that fraction of a moment, John played out every
possible ending in his mind, but in none of them did he win Elizabeth. Killing Bannaster would just enrage the king, whose arrival had ruined all of John’s plans to force Bannaster to relinquish Alderley.
John pulled his sword away and stepped back. Bannaster gingerly rubbed his neck as he sat up.
“There’s no blood,” John said. “If I would have cut you, you’d already know it.”
Bannaster rose to his feet, glaring at John.
“My lord, the king waits!” Milburn said firmly.
“I’ve won, Russell,” Bannaster said. “Guards, to me!”
But only two soldiers answered his call. Realizing the inevitable, Bannaster slowly backed up the stairs as Alderley’s men gathered below to glare at him.
“The king will hear of this,” Bannaster said as he reached the top.
“Go ahead and tell him,” John taunted. “You don’t have the courage to bring my name up.”
Wearing a triumphant grin, Bannaster turned and went back inside.
When Bannaster returned, Elizabeth was staring at King Henry, the man who could decide her fate. Bannaster looked out of breath, but he was smiling as he put his arm around the king and turned him as if to speak alone—as alone as two men can be with various councilors present. Both men occasionally glanced at her, as if she were being discussed. King Henry frowned as he spoke to his cousin, and she knew Bannaster was fighting hard for this marriage.
Elizabeth’s future was being decided for her; she’d always been an active participant in it. Even her decision to marry Bannaster had been her own.
Now the king might be able to help her, but she would have to risk anything he decided. The thought of baring her heart and soul, without knowing the result, was the most terrifying thing she’d ever faced.
But the risk was something she had to take. What good was control, if she was never going to be happy?
Slowly she walked toward the dais. The crowd parted for her, and whatever they saw on her face made a silence spread outward like waves in a pond. She saw Bannaster’s expression change from curiosity to worry to outright fear. He tried to take the king’s arm and lead him away, but too late—the king had seen her as well. He waited patiently until she came to a stop below them both.
