There was a long silence, then Lily said, “Why are you doing this? Catherine is dead. You told me so yourself. Leave me alone. I could no more harm Rogan than I could one of those children.”
“But you must,” Phillippe said reasonably, as if they were debating the merits of a walk in the fresh air. “It is so very perfect, do you not see? Ah, Lily, your sister wanted Rogan, but she hated him. I think she despised the power he had over her, for he was her compulsion.”
“I shall never know why you encouraged her in such a fruitless quest. Were you not jealous?”
Phillippe laughed. “Non, chérie, never jealous. Ma petite and I, we had a special understanding. No one knew her like I. No one could calm her, cheer her, read her moods as well as I. Rogan was merely a possession she desired. It was her one regret, losing him. As she lay dying, she begged me to send him into death to be with her. Ah, I adored her, you know. She was a goddess. What better justice for my poor petite but to send Rogan to her by your hand?”
“I will never do it.”
“Then you will lose all you love, one by one, for as long as it takes until you agree. I shall haunt you for years, chérie.”
From his vantage point Rogan saw Lily’s hands come up and protectively cross over her stomach, and suddenly understanding hit him all at once. His knees went weak and his vision contracted, narrowing to a pinpoint centered on Lily’s anguished face.
The moodiness. The withdrawal. The sickness.
She was with child. And he understood. She believed…
He couldn’t finish the thought. He remembered his hateful words well enough to know what it was she feared. He had meant to cause her suffering then. And now, now that his child grew within her womb, he found he never regretted anything so deeply in all his life.
Then his advantage came. Phillippe moved away, half turning so his attention was not focused on Lily.
Bending silently, Rogan picked up a fist-sized rock near his foot and tossed it toward the other side of the garden. It hit a tree and made a loud rustle in the shrubbery below.
Phillippe’s head snapped up and at the precise moment of distraction, Rogan leaped.
He heard Lily scream. Phillippe stopped talking in midsentence, staring at Lily in confusion until Rogan neared enough to catch his eye. It was too late for the other man to react, and Rogan reached him, had his arms pinned to his back with one hand, the other arm locked around the Frenchman’s neck before the villain realized what was happening.
“Lily, get inside!” Rogan shouted.
The urge to kill was strong. Rogan was acutely aware he could snap the cur’s neck with a sudden twist done just so. Sweet Lord, he wanted to do it so badly it hurt.
Lily followed his instruction and fled. Rogan concentrated on the man struggling within his grasp. He was not small, but he was thin and soft Rogan wrestled him down onto the ground until he was supine with his face pressed into the dirt and Rogan’s boot planted firmly in the middle of his back.
“Did I hear you threatening my family?” Rogan demanded, leaning on his foot so the man’s face was smashed into the dirt, making it difficult for him to breathe. “Did you say you would haunt my wife, killing those she loved until she did your bidding?” More pressure and Phillippe was coughing out the dirt he had inhaled.
Shaking, Rogan reached for him. Shouts and the sound of people rushing toward him snapped him out of his rage. With a parting shove, he whirled and saw his men had arrived. While they took Phillippe in hand, one said, “Thank goodness, my lady found me right off. You are not harmed?”
“By that idiot? He preys on the weak, then skulks away like the cad he is.”
Alexander burst out of the doorway, roaring like a lion and demanding to know what was happening. “I will explain later,” Rogan supplied. “Suffice to say we had a bit of adventure here today, and I believe my wife is in need of me at the moment.”
“Is that all anyone can think about—that blasted woman!” Alexander waved a beefy fist. “All day long, Carina chides me over her, calling her ‘sister’ and pouting when I refuse to listen to your wife’s good qualities. By God, Rogan, has everyone in this castle gone mad? Have they forgotten what she did?”
Rogan grinned at his blustering sibling. “I don’t know about others, brother, but I no longer give a damn about what she did. She is my wife. Now, excuse me.”
Alexander grabbed Rogan’s arm. “What the devil—? You forgive her?” he asked incredulously.
“Aye,” Rogan answered without hesitation. “And do not glower so at me. Would you rather I drag myself about in misery to the end of my days, or forgive and live on a happy man?”
“You love her! Do not deny it.”
“I do not!” Rogan protested in feigned shock, then cocked a mischievous brow. “Deny it, I mean. Now, excuse me, please, for I think these words are better suited to a prettier set of ears.”
Leaving Alexander gaping, Rogan headed toward the door.
Phillippe’s voice rang out. “Rogan!”
Rogan turned, facing the prisoner standing amidst several soldiers, all with swords trained on his midsection.
The Frenchman’s face twisted in a grimace. “I shall go to her a failure.”
His gaze locked with Rogan’s for an instant as the latter frowned in confusion. Then, Phillippe lunged toward one of the soldiers with a soul-chilling cry. Realizing what he intended, Rogan called out, “No!” But it was too late. With an expression of blissful satisfaction, Phillippe staggered back. The soldier, dazed by the unexpected assault, looked down at his bloodied sword, then at his master. “I—I am sorry, my lord. I did not realize…”
Rogan gave a quick shake of his head. “He wanted to die.”
With a chilling look of rapture on his dark features, Phillippe lifted his eyes to the sky and without another sound, pitched forward and lay still in a spreading puddle of blood.
Rogan was the first to break the shocked silence. “Remove him.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Just inside the doorway, Rogan was brought up short by the terror-stricken face of his wife. He took her by the shoulders and said, “The madman, Phillippe, impaled himself on one of my soldier’s swords.”
She let out a breath of relief, her eyes wide and unwavering. What an unusual color they were. No matter how many times he gazed into their depths, their beauty always astonished him. Gently he took hold of her hand. “Come.”
She flinched at first, but he did not have to drag her through the halls. When he reached their chamber, he said without preamble, “I know about the babe.”
Her look of horror tore at his insides.
“How—?” she began, then stopped. “Carina told you.”
“No, Lily. I guessed.” He drew in a long breath, paused, and blew it out. “I am not mistaken, then?”
“No,” she answered softly. Then, something flashed in her eyes and she squared her shoulders. “I would have told you.”
He shook his head, smiling sadly. “No, my love. You were afraid to tell me. You remembered when I said I would keep your children from you.”
Her facade crumpled and her gaze fell away from his. Her teeth caught her bottom lip and tears stole down her cheeks. Rogan took a step forward, grasping her arms and giving her a small shake to make her look at him. “You must forget that, Lily. It was said to hurt you, but I did not mean it. Or maybe I did at the time, but I do not intend such a barbaric thing now. I will not separate you from our child, I promise you.”
She stared at him, frozen, with those fathomless eyes searing his soul. Rogan was surprised to feel the sting of tears at his own eyes. “What a fool I’ve been,” he said in a voice gruff with emotion. He smoothed his fingertips along the moist track on her cheek.
Her dainty hands covered his rough, callused ones. “Then you will allow the child to stay with me? At Linden Wood?”
“You will stay with me here at Kensmouth. Always. Do you understand? You and our child. You are never to lea
ve me.”
“Then you forgive me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The truth was that he had a long time ago. He just had not realized it until this very moment.
Drawing a ragged breath, Rogan said, “God help me, Lily, I cannot find it in myself to condemn you anymore. I see before me, every day, your love and kindness and strength, and I cannot believe any longer in my hate.”
She was staring at him in joyous shock, her mouth working slowly as if she wished to tell him something but no words would come. Then, she was his Lily again, holding nothing back as unabashed joy flooded her features and she began to cry and laugh at the same time.
“Shh,” he said, holding her tight.
A new voice sounded from the threshold. “And to think I made that whole journey for nothing. You two look like you could scarce be bothered with my most important mission.”
Andrew! Rogan’s head snapped up and he whirled toward the open doorway. Leaning insolently against the frame was indeed his younger brother, looking smug as a cat.
Rogan remembered he was furious with him. “Where the devil have you been? And what do you mean going off like that without my permission?”
“Permission?” Andrew frowned. “I do not answer to you. I am a priest, remember, not a servant.”
“Let me finish for you. You answer only to God.”
“Actually, yes. And I daresay our Almighty Creator is quite pleased with me.”
“Well, I am not. I want an explanation.”
Lily laid her hand on his arm. “Rogan,” she cautioned.
He gripped her fingers briefly. Giving her a bracing look, he let her see behind the mask of sternness he wore for Andrew’s benefit.
“Let me show you instead,” Andrew said. Holding his hand out, he grinned as a small, cloaked figure glided into view.
Rogan frowned, disliking the mystery. “What is this?” he snapped. Then, the gasp of his wife beside him brought realization instantly.
“Elspeth!” Lily cried.
The fragile creature lifted her hood to reveal the familiar cherubic face framed with a short crop of curls.
Pleased with the shocking effect of his guest, Andrew rocked on his heels. Rogan almost growled, but was stopped when Lily took a step toward her sister. Wordlessly he reached out quickly and pulled her back.
“Explain,” he demanded in a soft, deceptive voice.
Andrew answered calmly, “Listen to her, Rogan.”
Rogan scowled. “Shall she regale us with more lies?”
Breaking away from his grasp, Lily approached Elspeth.
“Tell us the truth, Elspeth,” Lily urged. “Do not be afraid. For whatever reason you have come here, you must speak only the truth.”
“I did not know she wanted to kill him,” the girl said in a rush. “Catherine said Father would only send him away.”
“Catherine is dead,” Rogan said rudely.
Elspeth’s eyes widened, her small, perfect mouth forming an O of shock. After a moment, she sighed, closing her eyes briefly as her lips moved in silent prayer.
She fell still as everyone awaited her next words. “Then it is over, and she is in God’s hands, may He have mercy on her soul.” Looking steadily at Lily, Elspeth explained. “Catherine told me before the wedding that Lord Rogan had…forced her. She wanted me to say it had happened to me because she said no one would believe her.”
“On that account she was correct,” Lily agreed.
“Of course I refused. She left me alone and I thought it was over.” The smooth brow creased as her expression darkened. “On the night you were wed, she came to me again. With that man…”
“Phillippe?” Lily prodded.
“Yes, him. They said if I did not lie, if I did not say…the lie I did, then Phillippe would kill you.” She swallowed, her eyes clouded with the depths of her grief. “I knew he would do it. Catherine was mad. Oh, Lily, it was so vile to see her like that, out of her mind with jealousy. I did lie, but I did it to save you.”
Rogan was stunned, horrified that even Catherine would be so heartless to force such a thing on a child.
Andrew said, “Elspeth has come to set matters to rights, even before she knew of Catherine’s death. Though she lied to keep Lily from harm, she is terribly guilty about her role in the evil done against you, though it was not done out of her own design. I counseled her to come here and make restitution so that the good Lord, who has already forgiven her, will move her so she can forgive herself.” Moving closer, he spoke confidentially. “She is fragile, Rogan. For God’s sake, do not destroy her now.”
Rogan stood silent, stock-still for a long moment as Lily moved to take her little sister in her arms. He heard her say, “Hush, now, sweetling,” and he felt a peculiar pressure in his chest. Lily looked at him over Elspeth’s head, which she had laid upon her breast. Her voice was merely a whisper. “Please, Rogan.”
He took one step forward and placed his forefinger under the girl’s chin. She lifted her gaze to him, her round eyes full of hope and fear. “Worry no more, little one,” he murmured. “I have learned that vengeance is best left to God. And those who are responsible for all this evil are dead. Their passing leaves us in peace.” Looking at Lily, he felt his face soften. “Besides, for all that was taken away, this day I have been given back twice as much.”
“What the devil—?” Alexander’s voice boomed, making everyone jump. Ignoring the strange tableau, he advanced on Andrew. “You arrive and do not even have the courtesy to see me first!” The last three words were literally shouted.
Andrew only smiled. “Pressing business, brother, I do apologize. Allow me to introduce the Lady Elspeth of Charolais. Our relative, of sorts.”
Alexander looked apoplectic.
“You do not know the situation, brother,” Andrew began, but was cut off when Alexander lunged forward and lifted him off his feet by two great handfuls of his collar.
“You brought her here?” Alexander thundered.
Andrew cast a helpless look at Rogan. “Ah, well, Rogan, perhaps you should be the one to explain it to him.”
Rogan sighed. “Alexander, put him down. He looks ridiculous, dangling like that. In the event that you have not yet noticed, it is I who was slandered by the girl. You do not mind, do you, if I dispense my own judgment? As it turns out, she was as innocent as Lily. She did what she had to, to save her sister’s life.”
Alexander looked from Rogan back to Andrew, then to Lily. Slowly he released Andrew, who made a great show of straightening his garments once his feet were firmly planted on the floor.
“And now, if you would,” Rogan said as he grabbed each brother by an arm and ushered them to the door and shoved them through. That done, he turned and sighed, regarding his sister-in-law, who watched him tentatively.
Lily took Elspeth’s hands. “See, dearling, all is well, now. You must not worry, as Lord Rogan said. Go with Andrew, and he will show you to a comfortable room. I will be in to see you later.” She smiled, and the sheen in her eyes nearly broke Rogan’s heart. “Oh, Elspeth, I am so happy we are reunited.”
Elspeth offered a shy smile to Rogan before skittering out. At the round of renewed protests from his siblings with the opening of the chamber door, Rogan stalked over and wordlessly slammed it shut.
Casting a look to Lily, he explained, “Eventually they will go away.”
Her lips twitched. “You really are a very unusual group.”
“Nobody in the family knows how to mind their own business,” he muttered.
Lily’s mouth curled enchantingly. “I was rather glad Andrew meddled. And thank you for what you did for Elspeth. The poor child.”
“Yes, she has suffered quite enough. As have we.” Rogan grasped her hands and, with a quick pull, brought her into his arms. “So, you will make me a father,” he said in a low voice.
Her eyes softened. “Does that please you?”
“You know it does. Against unfathomable odds, y
ou have pleased me well, Lily.”
Her teeth caught her bottom lip and she tilted her head to one side. “You will be a wonderful father.”
“Shall I? You are far too free with your praise, wife. I would have thought you would have liked to berate me for a cad and a fool. After all, you have been vindicated quite nicely, and I have been shown up as a heartless knave who punished you unfairly.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she stared back at him. “Are you trying to tell me you are sorry?” she asked.
Rogan squeezed her tighter. “How can I make it up to you?”
Throwing her head back, Lily let out a laugh that was pure music. “You have given me a life I never dreamed possible, and a love restored. And now a child. What more does a wife require?”
“So you will not ask for my prostrate pledge of penance?” he said. “No demands? Nothing?”
“You have forgiven me, Rogan, and you have welcomed my beloved sister. That is all I ask.”
His smile was bitter. “You little fool, it is I who am asking you to forgive me.”
She thought about this for a moment, then a languid smile stretched her mouth as she looked at him coyly. “Yes, then, there is something I ask.”
“Anything.”
“I would like to keep the children with us always. Oliver can foster with you, as he has been doing, and Anna and Lizzie will be raised as our babe’s sisters.”
“That you already have. Though, you must be practical in the matter of their marriages. I cannot give them to men who would expect noble breeding. But something suitable should be easy.”
“They shall marry for love,” Lily said firmly. “Like me. And our own child, as well.”
He toyed with a tendril of hair, watching in fascination as it coiled softly about his fingers. “Do you have any idea how you have turned my life inside and out since the first moment I laid eyes on you?”
“Me?” she asked innocently, but a contented smile curled on her lips. “Tell me, please.”
The Flower And The Sword Page 22
