Riana was left waiting in the duchess’ anteroom, where the older woman had watched Sir Bryant fuck her only three days ago. Memory of his touch rose with a vividness that squeezed her heart. She would never again feel those large hands cupping her breasts, or his long fingers inside her wet channel. Nor would she hear him whisper deep in the night as he had last night.
The door swung open and Riana forced back tears. The duchess stood in the doorway. She stared for an instant, crossed to Riana, and slapped her. Riana’s head wrenched to the side with the force of the blow. The numbing sting splintered tentacles through her cheek. She slowly straightened and met the duchess’ gaze. Fury and triumph blazed in the older woman’s eyes. Riana gave a low laugh. Then she slapped her back.
The duchess’ hand flew to her reddened cheek and she retreated a step. “How dare you?”
“I warn you, Your Grace, do not push me too far.”
“I can still kill Sir Bryant,” she shot back.
Despite the fear that rammed through her, Riana gave a slow nod. “My presence here must tell you that your first attempt was not successful.”
“Assassins can be bought for a handful of silver,” the duchess spat.
“Aye, and some cost not a single piece of silver.” They stared at each other for a long moment before Riana added, “My sister is beyond your reach.”
The duchess narrowed her eyes. “Then why return?”
“I have no wish to be responsible for Sir Bryant’s death.”
“Why not force my hand by having Siusan marry while under Sir Bryant’s protection?”
Riana gave a harsh laugh. “I will not have my sister bind herself to some fool just to escape you.”
The duchess’ mouth curved upwards in a knowing sneer. “Say what you will, Riana, I have known you too long. You care for him.”
“If so, then you would do well to proceed with caution.”
“I should have had you thrown into prison.”
“Aye. But now you risk Sir Bryant rescuing me, as he did the first time.” A lie, but the duchess couldn’t know that.
Fury flashed in the older woman’s eyes, but she kept her fisted hands at her sides. “You will marry Sir Ross this very morning. The archbishop granted the annulment between you and Sir Bryant, and has agreed to perform the ceremony. No one will be able to contest this marriage.”
Riana felt as if the air had been knocked out of her. They would be away from Arundel and married before Sir Bryant could possibly interfere—if such a possibility existed. This was exactly as things should be. Yet despite knowing that, a crippling sorrow swept through her. She had ridden hard in order to reach Arundel, as much fearful Sir Bryant would overtake her as that she might encounter strangers who were unaware she was the ward of the powerful Duke of Arundel. She had arrived safely only to be undone now by the realization that while Sir Bryant would go on to live a full life without her, his memory would shadow the rest of her days. Sorrow twisted through her. Even once she left Scotland the ache would remain.
Riana gave the duchess a nod. “We should leave immediately. Sir Bryant is not a man to thwart.”
For the first time since Riana had known the duchess, doubt crossed her face. Satisfaction brought a deeper sense of determination. The duchess had good reason to fear for her life.
Chapter Twenty
At sound of the commotion in the great hall, Riana yanked the hem of her dress above her ankles and started down the hallway at a run. She reached the balcony overlooking the large room, breath sawing in and out of her so violently her vision blurred. She clutched the stone ledge and dragged in a harsh breath in an effort to fill her lungs with air as she stared at the men-at-arms who swarmed the great hall. They weren’t Sir Bryant’s men, as she’d feared, but bore the hammered crest of Sir Fostar.
Her heart rate ratcheted up another notch. By all that was holy, Sir Fostar had chosen this very morning to bring the sentence of forfeiture against the duke and duchess? Riana cursed. This was the moment she’d waited for—Arundel and all the land the duke and duchess owned would become property of the Scottish parliament—but she was now caught in their web.
She glanced at the hallway behind her. The duchess was sure to attempt escape. But Sir Fostar would have posted men around the keep before barging in, so escape was impossible—for Riana as well. She scanned the dark heads in the room below, but found no sign of Sir Fostar. Where was he? Would he be able to protect her?
Half a dozen men started up the stairwell. Riana straightened from the balcony. A tall, red-haired man reached the landing first. His gaze paused on her face, then raked down her body. Trepidation rippled through her, then she mentally laughed at the thought that he could do anything to her that hadn’t already been done. Another man appeared behind him and he, too, took Riana in with a hard glance. The other men made the landing and filed past, each glancing at her before hurrying forward.
She stepped toward the first man. “I wish to see Sir Fostar.”
A condescending snort broke from him. “I wager you would.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Watch your tongue. He will not be pleased if you mistreat me.”
The second man raked her body with his eyes. “We know how to treat a woman.”
Despite his leer, Riana recognized the false bravado in his voice. Apparently Sir Fostar didn’t countenance rape amongst his men.
The man in the lead seized her arm. “She goes with the duchess.”
“You have found her?” Riana demanded.
“Aye, the bitch was in the stables.”
So it was the duke they now sought. Riana hadn’t thought to ask where he was when she met with the duchess. He could be away from Arundel. Surely he wouldn’t escape? The warrior pulled Riana toward the stairs. They stepped aside for the other men who pounded up to the second floor, then he pushed her in front of him. Once in the great hall, he escorted her outside. Relief flooded her at sight of Sir Fostar standing with a group of men near the center of the crowded bailey. The duke’s men-at-arms stood near the gate, faces grim but swords sheathed. They clearly had no wish to fight for a nobleman who would see the English Crown rule Scotland.
Riana and the warrior neared Sir Fostar, and he slid his eyes from the man he spoke with to her. His brows snapped into a frown. He shifted and dread slipped icy fingers through her veins. She understood the reason for his reaction. Lord Camden, Earl of Lochshire, stood to his right. The earl would surely do everything in his power to see that she suffered the same fate the duchess did. After Stuart died, he had asked for Riana’s hand in marriage. He was well known for his taste in boys and she had refused him, making clear she would not spread her legs for a man who fucked children. He had never forgiven her. The warrior brought her up alongside the men and stopped.
Sir Fostar nodded, and the warrior left. “Lady Ellis…” he began.
“I see we have another traitor,” Lord Camden cut in.
Riana leveled a cool gaze on him. “You must know it was I who told Sir Fostar that the duchess was fraternizing with the Disinherited.”
The earl’s brows shot up. “He said nothing of it to me.”
“Sir Andrew knows that Lady Ellis aided in exposing the duke and duchess,” Sir Fostar said.
Lord Camden pursed his lips. “I will speak with Sir Andrew. Until then, Lady Ellis will go with me.”
“She is no criminal.”
“Do not be a fool,” the earl replied. “She is not above lying to protect herself.”
“There has never been a hint of suspicion that I am a follower of Balliol,” Riana said with a hauteur she felt to her bones. The despicable dog deserved to be flogged.
“If that is the truth, you have nothing to fear.”
But she did, though it wasn’t Lord Camden’s cock she need fear, but his hatred of her. He would gladly fuck her, then send her to the gallows with the knowledge that even Sir Andrew would hesitate to battle the earl’s five hundred men-at-arms to avenge a dead woman.
Lord Camden grasped her arm. Riana glanced at Sir Fostar. Anger whipped a hard lash across her insides when he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. How had she come this far to be undone by a cur such as Lord Camden? If she had but known today was the day Sir Fostar would come.
Another thought struck. If she had known—delayed even a day—she could have remained at Chilgoriam without fear the duchess would harm Sir Bryant. Her pulse leapt into a furious beat. Could she escape and return to him? Lord Camden started toward the keep. Riana stiffened, then forced her legs into motion. Even if she broke free of his iron grip, she wouldn’t get ten feet in the crowded bailey. She choked back despair. And even if she returned to Chilgoriam, Sir Bryant wouldn’t want a woman who had left him.
She met Sir Fostar’s gaze as they passed him. His mouth was set in a hard line, but he made no move to help her. The earl turned and Riana realized he was headed for the stables on the east side of the keep. Hatred welled up inside her. Why take her to the stables, why not call for horses to be brought? There was only one reason—he planned to shove his cock inside her before they even left Arundel. Her stomach turned. Or mayhap he would prefer to fuck her mouth. Riana’s mind raced. She could attempt to stop him from spreading her legs, but what would be the consequences? Her hope now was to safely reach Siusan and Glen in France. To fight the earl—
Sir Fostar appeared at Lord Camden’s side. “Surely you do not intend to leave, my lord?”
The earl didn’t break stride. “We have two of the traitors. I can leave the finding of the third to you.”
“Riana has not been named a traitor,” Sir Fostar said. “And the duke is more important than even his wife.”
Half a dozen men-at-arms paused to let them pass.
“The duke cannot hide,” the earl replied.
“Of course not, my lord,” Sir Fostar replied. “You are returning to Hunting Castle, then?”
“Aye.”
“I will send men with you.”
“I have my own men.”
Riana’s heart fell. If Sir Fostar sent an escort, her chances of escape decreased. A shout went up from the battlements. Lord Camden halted, and they all turned.
A man appeared on the battlements facing the bailey. “Riders,” he shouted.
Riana’s heart pounded. Could Sir Andrew be coming? This wouldn’t be the first time he’d taken part in a sentence of forfeiture, and given that this decree was made against such a powerful duo as the Duke and Duchess of Arundel, he might want to be present. Two men on horseback rode through the gates. Riana’s breath froze in her lungs. Sir Dunbar rode alongside Sir Bryant.
Lord Camden cursed under his breath. Riana broke from staring at the man who had been her husband for three days and looked at the earl. Did he know that she had wedded Sir Bryant? A prickle crept up her neck. She looked back at Sir Bryant to find his eyes locked on her, his features hard with fury. Panic seized her. She tried to slow her pounding heart, but when Sir Bryant and Sir Dunbar stopped and dismounted, her knees weakened and she feared they would give way. They handed their reins to a young boy standing nearby and started toward them. Her stomach knotted as they neared.
“Lord Camdem,” Sir Dunbar addressed the earl, then, “Fostar.”
Sir Bryant’s eyes settled on Lord Camden. “Unhand my wife, my lord.”
“Wife?” He looked to Sir Fostar. “What is this?”
The knight looked at her. “Lady Ellis?”
Riana tamped down on the tremble in her stomach. “Three days ago, Sir Bryant and I were wed.”
Lord Camden hadn’t known of the marriage, so couldn’t know of the annulment. Neither could Sir Bryant know. What would he do once he learned he’d risked his life for a woman who was no longer his wife?
“My lords,” Sir Fostar said, “let us go the great hall.”
Lord Camden hesitated and fear jolted her when Sir Bryant shifted his hand to rest on his sword hilt.
Sir Dunbar spoke. “In all this commotion, our men-at-arms could misunderstand and barge into the bailey.”
“You brought men-at-arms?” the earl demanded.
“Two hundred and fifty men,” he replied. “We could not travel unescorted with Lady Ellis.”
Lord Camden’s eyes narrowed on Sir Dunbar. “I do not care for threats.”
“No threat, my lord. Our men have no way of knowing that we are talking in this pleasant manner. Before we could correct the mistake, blood would be shed.”
“He is right,” Sir Fostar said. “Emotions are high with the sentence of forfeiture against the duke and duchess.”
“Sentence of forfeiture,” Sir Dunbar murmured. He shifted his gaze to Riana. “A shame you chose today to retrieve your belongings from Arundel.”
Something in his voice gave her pause, but she was given no chance to consider. Sir Bryant addressed Lord Camden again. “The great hall, my lord?”
Anger flicked across Lord Camden’s face, but he nodded, then started to turn.
“My lord,” Sir Bryant said.
The earl looked at him and Sir Bryant glanced meaningfully at his hand still gripping Riana’s arm. He pursed his lips in obvious anger, but released her. Sir Bryant gently cupped her elbow and started them toward the castle. Warmth from his fingers burnt through the thin sleeve of her dress. She swallowed in an effort to quiet the quiver that threatened to flip her stomach. Confess, her mind screamed, but she dared not. Sir Dunbar had threatened a clash between their men if Lord Camden didn’t release her. How many men would die if Sir Bryant decided he must fight to wed her a second time?
Chapter Twenty-One
Fury even darker than the first wave Bryant had experienced when he discovered Riana's absence rolled over him. His wife had fled at the first sign of trouble, then he’d arrived at Arundel to find another man’s hands on her. Lord Camden’s cock was firmly inside his hose, but Bryant wasn’t such a fool as to have missed the possessive way the man gripped her arm. The earl would have spread her legs before even leaving the keep. Then, between Arundel and Castle Barr, he would have bent her over a rock and fucked her arse. The only question Bryant hadn’t answered was whether Riana welcomed the man’s attentions.
Only last night she had acquiesced to Bryant with the passion and willingness of a woman in love. His jaw tensed. Perhaps Sir Dunbar was right—women didn’t change. Riana snapped her head in his direction and he realized his fingers had tightened around her arm without his volition. They reached the postern door and he opened it, allowing her to precede them.
Men-at-arms with the crests of Lord Fostar, Lord Camden, and the Duke of Arundel filled the great hall. The duke’s men stood in quiet groups throughout the room. Bryant wasn’t surprised they were subdued. They wanted the duke to be dealt with so that they could quickly distance themselves from the traitor they had served.
“Lord Camden.” A man near the table hurried forward. He met them half way across the room. “There is a maid who may know where the duke has gone.”
“What has she to say?” the earl demanded.
The man shook his head. “She refuses to speak with anyone but you.”
“My wife and I can await you in her former bedchamber,” Sir Bryant said. “That will give her time to gather her belongings.”
“You will not go anywhere,” Lord Camden ordered.
Bryant canted his head in acknowledgement. “Of course not, my lord, but surely you understand I would rather Riana was not in the fray.”
The men showed no signs of breaking into a mob, but Bryant couldn’t be sure the duke didn’t have some men still loyal to him. If things turned ugly, he didn’t want Riana in the middle of a fight. Not to mention the nearly overwhelming compulsion to get her alone and whip her to within an inch of her life—then kiss every inch of her body.
“I will instruct the guards that no one is to leave,” Sir Fostar said. “Our first duty is to find the duke.”
“It will be your neck if they leave.” Lord Camden tu
rned to the waiting man and they strode toward the kitchen.
Lord Camden disappeared into the sea of men and Sir Fostar faced Bryant. “Be quick. The earl will take Lady Ellis when he returns, despite your men-at-arms.”
“But I gave you the information that allowed you to bring the sentence of forfeiture against the duke and duchess,” she said.
“You?” Sir Bryant cut in.
She nodded.
He snorted a mirthless laugh. “Lady, you are a fountain of information.”
She shot him a look that should have rendered him to ash. “Indeed, sir. I was in a unique position to gather information.”
A mental image flashed of her positioned in front of the informant as his cock pumped into her mouth. Bryant seized her wrist.
“Can we simply ride out of the gates?” Sir Dunbar interrupted.
“Leave by the quickest way you can,” Sir Fostar said.
“The guards will report you have allowed us to escape.” Riana said.
Bryant tightened his grip on her wrist. “Shall we leave by the passageway Siusan used to make her escape?”
Riana’s mouth thinned. “My lord, if you regret coming here, leave.” She yanked free of his hold and faced Sir Fostar. “I cannot allow you to risk your neck for me.”
The older man’s face softened. “Lord Camden holds no sway over me. But if he leaves with you, Riana, we cannot stop him, save by battle.”
She nodded, then faced Bryant. “There is no need for you to risk your life either, my lord. I can fend for myself.”
Her pictured her fending for herself against a band of men in the Scottish Highland wilds, and the terror he’d experienced upon learning she’d left Chilgoriam dug deeper into the gaping wound in his soul. He opened his mouth to threaten a beating if she didn’t willingly follow him now—and every day for the rest of her life—but stopped. Realization rolled over him like an avalanche. She could have escaped with Siusan and Glen to France without thought for the next assassin the duchess would send to kill him. Instead, she had returned to this hell—to save him.
Passion Over Time Page 25
