“This is a mess, Torston, all of it,” he said. “Your betrothed has arrived and Alyx is having fits. What are you going to do?”
Torston’s gaze moved off toward the stable yard, the last place he saw Alyx, as if envisioning her in his mind.
“I am going to try and break the betrothal, but Lady Lilia does not yet know it.” His gaze moved to Lance. “In fact… you would be doing me a great favor by investigating the lady. Lionel wants you to discover if she’s in league with the Scots, or if she has some other underhanded motived, but me… I just want out of this betrothal. Mayhap there is something in her past that I can use to dissolve the contract.”
Lance scratched his chin. “Something to use against her?”
“Aye.”
He shrugged. “I will try,” he said. “That is as good a reason for this journey south as any. But once you are free of the betrothal, then what?”
“Then I marry Alyx.”
Lance’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“Never more serious about anything in my life. Does this shock you?”
“Hell, yes. All of these years with Alyx throwing herself at you and you never once made any indication that you were responding.”
He smiled weakly. “She grew on me,” he said. “I cannot imagine my future without her.”
That was enough for Lance. He was shocked to hear that, but he was also rather glad. If he thought on it, he wasn’t all that surprised because there had always been attraction between the pair, even when Alyx had been young. A grin spread across his lips and he slapped Torston on the shoulder.
“She chased you until you caught her, eh?” he said.
Torston laughed softly. “That sums up the situation,” he said. “But I must speak to Winslow about it. I do not want him giving in to Douglas’ marriage proposal before I’ve had a fighting chance to break my betrothal.”
Lance abruptly sobered. “There’s something you should know about that,” he said. “Yesterday, we received a message from Douglas that essentially threatened Winslow. Kerr said that if Alyx was allowed to go to The Lyceum, or you were allowed to come to Makendon, he would rescind his offer of marriage. He must know there is something between you two.”
Torston grunted. “That would not be difficult, considering I made it obvious when he offered for her hand. I should have kept my damned mouth shut but I just couldn’t seem to.”
Lance didn’t comment on what Torston saw as a failure of his self-control. “I have no idea if Douglas saw Alyx ride out to The Lyceum yesterday, but if he did, we could be in for a world of trouble. All of us.”
“How did Winslow respond to the threat?”
“He said he would not let Douglas Kerr dictate how he handled his daughter.”
Torston thought on that a moment before shaking his head with regret. “Poor Winslow,” he said. “The man has Kerr making threats on one hand and Lionel believing that the man is a traitor if he considers marrying Alyx to Kerr. And now I will add to that stress by telling him I want to break my betrothal and marry his daughter. I will not be surprised if he punches me in the nose.”
Lance smiled, but it was without humor. “I worry more for his health than for a fist flying at your face. He has been quite pale and breathless the past few days.”
“Then I will try to be gentle with him. Meanwhile, it seems you have a trip to make south.”
Lance nodded. “I will return to Makendon and pack a few things and say farewell to my family,” he said. “Then I will find out what I can about your betrothed, Torston. If the woman has a past, I will discover it.”
Torston grasped his hand, squeezing it tightly. “You have my eternal thanks.”
With that, Lance headed off toward the stables and Torston headed toward the secondary yard where the goats were. Thoughts of seeing Alyx had his heart racing, putting a spring in his step. He was putting the wheels in motion, heading toward breaking his betrothal, and he felt a good deal of hope with Lance preparing to investigate Lilia.
Now, he could only pray that there was actually something useful that the girl was hiding. It was wicked of him to hope for an unchaste lady, or one with secrets, but he did so nonetheless. It would be his best hope for breaking the betrothal.
His best hope for a future with Alyx.
But as he thought on Lady Lilia and her background, thoughts of the son he sent away so long ago also crossed his mind. Lady Lilia and her family had covered up Torston’s indiscretion, so he had secrets of his own, and it was something Alyx needed to know. If he was to build a life with her, he couldn’t keep secrets. He knew that now. He’d lost his nerve last night when he’d had a chance to tell her, but he couldn’t do that again. The time had come for her to know.
As he headed into the goat yard, he could see Jess, Dyl, and Alyx heading in his direction. His determination to tell her his shameful secret wavered when he saw her smiling face, but only momentarily. He would take her aside, today if he could, and tell her the bitter truth before someone else – like Lilia – had the opportunity to do it.
If Lilia knew Torston intended to break the betrothal, there was no telling what the woman would do. It wasn’t as if Alyx’s affection toward him had been any secret. If Lilia spent enough time at The Lyceum, she would see that for herself and if she had any intelligence at all, she could figure out why he wanted to break the betrothal.
A vindictive woman was a worry.
Hell had no fury like a woman scorned… or a man denied.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“That woman over there, speaking to Sir Torston,” Antonia said, shielding her eyes from the sun. “Who is she?”
She was standing with Morley, Lilia, and Lilia’s two women, Lady Rosalie and Lady Gwen. All five of them had just come from the garden, walking the grounds of The Lyceum to get a good look at the magnificent structure, but now they were in the bailey, watching as Torston, a beautiful young woman, and two other men emerged from the lower stable yard.
The question was directed at Morley.
“That,” Morley said, “is Lady Alyx de Ameland. I did not know she was here, though I should have suspected. Her father rode in not long ago. She must have accompanied him.”
Antonia was riveted to the angelic young woman with the long, curly hair. “That is Lady Alyx?” she repeated. “God’s Bones, she’s beautiful. This is not good, Morley. Not at all.”
Morley watched as Alyx smiled broadly at Torston. Even at a distance, the affection she had for the man was obvious.
“I warned you,” he said. “Alyx is fond of him and he is fond of her.”
Antonia took a step closer to him, lowering her voice. “She is far more beautiful than my Lilia,” she muttered. “When it comes to comparing beauty, there is no comparison. What is she doing here? And why is he speaking to her when Lilia is right here?”
Morley looked at the woman. “Stop fretting,” he told her. “You do not want to cause a scene. Torston is already displeased that you are here, so do not make it worse.”
“I have no intention of making it worse,” she said. Then, she reached out, grabbing Lilia by the arm. “Come with me.”
As Morley watched in horror, Antonia marched across the bailey, dragging Lilia with her. Lilia’s two ladies scooted behind, kicking up dust onto their fine clothing. Morley realized that it might be best for him to accompany the ladies so things didn’t get out of hand so he ran after them, catching up just as Antonia and Lilia were several feet away from Torston and Alyx.
Morley recognized Alyx’s brother, Dyl, who was also standing with his sister alongside Jess. All four of them seemed to be having an animated conversation, except for Dyl, until Jess thumped Torston on the arm and gestured toward Antonia and Lilia with a nod of his head. Torston turned around as Antonia and Lilia reached him.
“My lord,” Antonia said, dipping into a practiced curtsy along with Lilia and the other ladies. “It is most agreeable to see you on this fine day. Morley has been givi
ng us a tour of the keep, but Lady Lilia was hoping that, as her betrothed, you might give her a personal tour of the rest of the castle. Would this be possible?”
As her betrothed. Antonia specifically threw that into the conversation, making it very clear to everyone standing there who, exactly, Lilia was. Torston knew it, too, because his expression darkened and his jaw tightened. Before he could explode, however, Alyx suddenly stepped forward.
“I am Alyx de Ameland,” she said to Antonia. “My father is Lord of Makendon Castle and we are long-time allies of The Lyceum. I have heard so much about Lady Lilia and I have been anxious to meet her. I would be honored if you would introduce us.”
It was a pleasant thing to say in the nicest way possible. Antonia looked at the ethereal beauty, sensing nothing but politeness from her. She hadn’t been expecting that in the least. It caught her off-guard, so much so that the usually well-spoken woman actually stumbled over the introduction.
“Lady Alyx,” Antonia greeted, gesturing to Lilia, whom she still had a grip on. “This is Lady Lilia de Weese. You… you have heard of her, you say?”
Alyx focused on Lilia, a tiny, dark-haired, and vaguely pretty girl who seemed very nervous. Reaching out, she took the young woman by the hands.
“I have,” she said, smiling at Lilia. “Sir Torston has spoken highly of her and I see that everything I have heard is true. She is lovely. Lady Lilia, may I show you the castle? I have practically grown up here and I can tell you things that a man would not think of. Have you seen the gardens yet? There is a hidden gate there. Did you know that?”
She began walking off, looping her arm through Lilia’s companionably and pulling her along, speaking to her as if they were the best friends in the entire world. Antonia, Morley, Torston, and Jess stood there with their mouths open in shock before realizing they should probably follow.
“I… I have only seen the gardens through the window,” Lilia was saying, with everyone tagging along listening carefully. “It looks very beautiful.”
“It is,” Alyx said. “When I was young, it wasn’t nearly as pretty as it is now. Lord Lionel had men come all the way from Rome to redesign it. They brought a statue with them and it is in the middle of the pond. Have you been to Rome, Lady Lilia?”
Lilia was vastly uncomfortable, struggling with even the simplest conversation. “Nay, my lady,” she said. “I… I’ve not been out of England.”
“Neither have I,” Alyx said, leading her to a gate on the side of the keep that led into the gardens. “But someday, I intend to travel. I want to go everywhere and see everything. I think it will be very exciting to travel. Don’t you?”
Lilia wasn’t sure what to say, so she simply nodded her head as Alyx took her in through the garden gate. Behind them, everyone was in line, watching closely, but all for different reasons. Antonia, of course, was concerned that Lilia might say something she wasn’t supposed to while Torston was wondering if Alyx was taking Lilia into the garden so she could drown her in the pond. Alyx’s behavior, while quite sweet and pleasant, was nonetheless puzzling to all.
And it was very suspicious.
It certainly made for an interesting encounter. But as Torston watched Alyx take Lilia over to the pond and explain the statue from something Lionel had once told her, he couldn’t help but think that she was doing exactly what he told her to do. Be patient, be gracious, no matter what happens, he’d said. Show Lilia what a lovely and charming woman you are.
That’s just what she was doing.
In fact, when he realized Alyx was actually obeying him for once, he backed off, watching her from afar. Jess stood with him and, together, they simply watched as Alyx took Lilia all over the garden. She even pointed out the yew tree that Lionel thought was trying to kill him, but she thankfully didn’t mention that freakish bit of trivia.
Lilia’s women followed closely, of course, and Morley trailed after them. Dyl even followed his sister around, staying far enough away that he wasn’t a nuisance, but even he wouldn’t leave her alone. Everyone was following Alyx and Lilia as Alyx made Torston’s betrothed feel welcome.
It was the most shocking thing Torston had ever seen.
But he couldn’t have loved her more for it.
That annoying little girl he’d known all of those years had grown up right before his eyes into a beautiful, gracious young woman. An uncertain day turned out to have a bright spot in it, after all, and he actually felt comfortable enough to leave and go about his business.
Leaving Jess and Dyl to watch over the ladies, Torston thought it best to return to Lionel’s solar to ensure nothing catastrophic had happened since he’d left Winslow and Lionel alone.
With Alyx behaving herself, he wanted to make sure Lionel was doing the same.
“Morley says she is staying for the feast tonight,” Antonia said. “If ever there was a time to get rid of the woman, it is now.”
It was nearing sunset and shades of pink and gold filtered in through the lancet windows of Lilia’s suite of rooms. Lilia was sitting at her dressing table as her women fussed over her hair and gown, an expensive confection that had been made for her right before they departed for The Lyceum. It hadn’t been paid for yet. A promise that Sir Torston de Royans of The Lyceum would pay for Lady Lilia’s clothing is how Antonia was able to have all of the fine clothing made. Unbeknownst to Torston, he had a good deal of debt waiting for him in Elmington.
But that was a conversation for another time.
At the moment, Antonia was plotting. She’d been plotting since Lady Alyx had politely shown Lilia the gardens of The Lyceum. Alyx had been kind enough, but she was far too beautiful and far too threatening to the completion of Antonia’s plans for Lilia.
That meant she had to be eliminated.
“Did you hear me?” Antonia said to Lilia. “We cannot allow Lady Alyx to remain.”
Lilia, who was merely a pawn in Antonia’s game, wasn’t used to being spoken to or consulted on matters that involved her. She simply did as she was told. Therefore, Antonia’s statement had her nervous.
“She was quite kind,” she said, looking at Antonia’s reflection in the big, bronze mirror. “In fact, she was very pleasant and I like her. I should like to speak with her again.”
Antonia cocked an eyebrow. “Stupid girl,” she hissed. “Don’t you realize that she could ruin everything? Look at her – she’s magnificent. And look at you – you are hardly worth noticing. If Lady Alyx is not sent away, everything we have worked for could be in jeopardy.”
Humiliated, Lilia hung her head. “What would you have me do, then?”
Antonia had already thought of that. Moving over to a jewel chest that they’d brought with them from Elmington House, she searched around in it until she came up with what she’d been looking for. It was a gold signet ring and she held it out to Lilia so she could get a look at it.
“Do you see this?” she said. “Sir Triston de Royans gave this to my Lilia when the marriage contract was agreed upon. Do you know what this is?”
Lilia peered at it. “Nay.”
“It is the de Royans crest. It is the bond of the House of de Royans, something you shall wear when you marry Sir Torston. This is very important.”
“Why?”
“Because this is how we are going to chase Lady Alyx from The Lyceum so that she will never return.”
“What did you have in mind?”
Antonia pushed the ladies aside and pulled Lilia to her feet. She had an expression on her face that was extremely unsettling.
Evil was afoot.
“No woman loves a brute,” she said. “If Lady Alyx believes Sir Torston is a brute, our problems will be solved.”
Lilia cocked her head curiously. “A brute? How is he a brute?”
Lashing out, Antonia slapped Lilia across the face, so hard that she immediately drew blood. As Lilia gasped and put her fingers to her mouth, seeing the blood, Antonia turned to her two ladies.
“Thrash her,”
she commanded quietly.
The women looked at her in shock but complied. They weren’t in any position to refuse a command from Lady Antonia, mostly because the woman was quite brutal herself. She wasn’t beyond striking, cutting, or pushing someone down a flight of stairs. They’d all seen it. When the woman gave a command, they were sworn to obey it purely out of fear.
With the heavy chamber door closed, no one on the outside could hear the cries of Lilia as she was beaten by her own women.
Alyx had moved into the keep that afternoon after her visit with Lilia, into the usual chamber that she stayed in when she visited The Lyceum. It was a small chamber in the eastern wing, the one with the views of the garden that were so magnificent. Her father and Dyl usually had the chamber adjoining hers and they were both in it at this time, resting before the feast that evening.
But Alyx was awake, pondering the events of the day, feeling comfortable enough with Lilia’s presence to leave the little cottage and return to the keep. It was warmer here, and cleaner than the dusty cottage and, in truth, the time she spent with Lilia had been eye-opening.
She didn’t feel threatened by the girl, but she did feel sorry for her.
Lilia was timid and shy. Alyx felt a good deal of pity for her, betrothed to a man as magnificent as Torston. Surely the girl felt intimidated and out of place with such a prospective husband. Alyx had been kind to Lilia because Torston had wanted her to be, but she also had an ulterior motive. Torston wanted to break the betrothal and Alyx sought to help. Perhaps a few well-focused conversations about Torston and Alyx could discourage Lilia from wanting to marry him.
It was worth a try.
But that was until there was a soft knock at her door. When she opened it, Morley was standing there, seemingly greatly upset.
“My lady, we need your help,” he said.
Alyx cocked her head curiously. “Morley?” she said as she stood in her open chamber door. “What is it?”
Morley simply motioned to her. “Please,” he said quietly. “Come with me. Do not ask any question. Just come with me.”
The Centurion Page 18
