by Amy Harmon
* * *
Marissa walked out the front doors to greet Sir Royce and his three men as they handed off their horses to the boys. As she lifted her hand in greeting, Gillian ran up behind them. “Hi. Where’s Kellen?”
Marissa gaped at her. “Gillian!” She looked beautiful, her blonde hair gleaming in the sun, her brilliant blue eyes striking and vivid, her lips a soft color. “You… you are back! I… I… ” Marissa threw up her hands. “Where have you been?”
Gillian grinned at her. “We’ll talk later, I promise. But right now I need to see Kellen. Gillian started to move around Marissa. “Is he inside?”
“He is not here.”
Gillian stopped short. “What? Where is he?”
“He is at the river. But Gillian—”
“I have to go see him. We’ll talk later, I promise!” Gillian took off running toward the gatehouse.
“You cannot mean to go alone!” Marissa yelled after her. “Gillian!”
Sir Royce, bowing slightly at the waist, straightened and smiled. “Fret not. I will take her safely to him.”
“Will you?” Marissa placed a hand to her heart. “Oh, thank you, sir. You are most kind.”
Sir Royce and his three men hurried after Gillian on foot, Sir Royce raising a hand and calling after her. “Lady Corbett! Wait! Lady Corbett!”
Gillian sprinted past the gatehouse and Marissa rolled her eyes as more voices joined in as the guards yelled after the girl. She shook her head. “Decorum, my girl. Decorum.”
Still, Marissa couldn’t help smiling as she headed inside to find her husband. First she would share the news, then go and meet with Cook. No doubt they would be feasting this night.
* * *
Kellen stood at the side of the slow-moving river, glad of the privacy the trees provided and of the time alone. He needed to think and was tired of his men watching him, giving advice, and pitying him. He was especially weary of Tristan alternately offering to give Edith back or trying to hide his happiness over his upcoming marriage.
As if Kellen wanted Edith back. He wished Tristan to marry the girl as soon as the banns were declared fulfilled, hopefully in the next week, so he could take her and her blasted family away.
He was sick to death of Lord Corbett trying to prove unfounded impediments to the marriage, tired of Owen’s hovering concern, and fed up with his father attempting to convince him to see reason and reclaim Edith or find another bride.
None but he believed Gillian would return. But fate would not be so callous as to gift her to him then snatch her away forever. The belief that she would return was all that steadied him.
With all his might he threw a small stone out into the river and, as it splashed, swore he could almost hear Gillian calling his name, that fate was letting him know—
He heard it once more, louder this time, and whirled. He caught a glimpse of a yellow gown moving through the trees and lost his breath as he awaited another.
“Kellen!” Gillian broke from the tree line and ran toward him, smiling, happy, and breathless.
Disbelieving, he started toward her, slowly at first then faster when she did not vanish. His heart hammered, and his head spun with the thought that simply thinking of her had made her appear.
It was not until she threw herself at him and he clasped her within his arms and lifted her tight against his chest that he actually believed she was back. Eyes clenching as he buried his face in her neck, he breathed her in. “Gillian,” he whispered, his voice low and ragged.
After a moment she laughed and squirmed. “You’re holding me too tight!”
Kellen forced himself to loosen his grip but did not release her. He could not. “What I should do is wring your neck for leaving me.” His voice shook and tremors shivered throughout his body.
“So, you missed me?”
Kellen lowered her to the ground, clasped her shoulders, and touched his forehead to hers. “Aye, sweet. I missed you. So much.”
Her hands caressed his face, and her eyes moistened. “And you love me? Even though I’m not Lord Corbett’s daughter and even though I don’t have a dowry?”
Kellen finally lifted his head so he could give her a shake. “None of that matters. Aye. I love you. I love you with everything in me, and it has slowly gutted me to have you gone. You love me, as well? Say it. I need to hear the words.”
Gillian laughed. “I do. I love you.” She kissed him, her soft lips clinging for a long moment before she sank back. “I love you, so much, with everything in me.”
“Why did you leave? Why did you stay away? Could you not return to me?”
“Well, I thought you were better off without me. I thought you needed Edith’s money. Then I found you’d named the town after me.”
Kellen’s grip tightened as he whispered a prayer in thanks. “It was all I could think to do. I could think of no other way to send you a message. I also had the stone mason fashion a tribute. Did you see it?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“I tried to think on how to let you know I needed you to return. Why did it take you so long? Were you prevented?”
“I needed to get some money. To bring a dowry. It took some time to sell my father’s house and buy gems and gold.”
Kellen stared at her in disbelief. “You stayed away for money?”
“I had nothing. I didn’t want you to feel you’d lost out by marrying me.”
His hands clenched and unclenched on her shoulders but he managed not to shake her. Barely. “What if you could not have returned? I have been in cursed misery for fifteen long days on account of riches?” His voice rose. “Possessions?”
Gillian looked worried, as well she might. “I was trying to do the right thing.”
Kellen’s mouth tightened as he tried not to lose his temper but the words were forced from him. “You left me, ripped my guts out to get funds?”
Gillian shook loose and took a step back. She placed her hands on her hips. “Do you know how hard I had to work to put this together? It’s easy for you to act like it doesn’t mean anything, but you know good and well your family, your men, and even your servants think you deserve the dowry your wife brings. I’m not coming to this marriage as a poor beggar.”
“A poor beggar? You are only the most precious of my possessions!”
Gillian poked him in the chest. “That is exactly what I’m talking about! You don’t own me. I’m the one bringing the dowry that my parents provided. I’m the one who owns you!”
He stared at her a long moment, then shook his head, and finally smiled. He tried to pull her back into his arms, but she stiffened and pushed against his chest, her expression mulish.
“Come now. Peace,” he said softly. “You do own me. Heart and soul. I am yours for the taking.”
She visibly softened and, after a moment, relaxed against him as he held her close. “And I am yours,” she said softly.
“Aye. You are here. Nothing else matters. I will do whatever it takes to keep you.”
She finally slid her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He pulled her close, determined that nothing would ever separate them again.
Chapter Thirty-three
Sir Robert Royce smirked as he stepped from behind the trees. Watching the lovers reunite and knowing it would only last a short while filled him with an almost joyful rush of power.
He clapped approvingly as he walked forward. “How amusing; how very charming. ’Tis simply too precious for words.”
He motioned and two of his men rushed forward and grabbed Kellen, who shoved Gillian behind him. While the three men scuffled, Kellen landing several blows and driving one guard to his knees, the third guard moved past them and grabbed Gillian. She wrenched away, ran, and the young guard barely caught her again, holding tight to her arm as she slapped him repeatedly with her free hand.
Robert rolled his eyes. “Get hold of her, boy!”
The boy finally overcame her by wrapping an arm around her waist
and placing a knife to her throat. Wide-eyed, she finally settled, both of them breathing heavily.
Satisfied, Robert turned to see Kellen repeatedly punching a man in the stomach so hard he was lifted inches off his feet and, the second guard, his nose obviously broken, struggling to stand.
Robert sighed. Did he have to do everything himself? “Do I need to cut her?” His voice was loud, but pleasant. “I will, you know, and with pleasure.”
Kellen glanced wildly around for Gillian, then, seeing the knife at her throat, stopped struggling. The two guards quickly grabbed and held him.
Robert laughed. “I thought so.” He studied Kellen for a long moment, rather enjoying seeing him furious and helpless, caught by his own feelings for the girl. “I do hate to interrupt such a touching reunion.” He glanced around. “And in such a deserted location, too.”
Kellen glared at him. “What do you want, Royce?”
“What do I want?” His fists clenched. “Mayhap I wish to see you put in a dress?” Robert took a calming breath, then motioned to his men. “On his knees.”
His men kicked the backs of Kellen’s legs and, when he dropped, held him down. Robert smiled, enjoying the sight of the great Lord Kellen Marshall humbled and furious. He motioned to his men. “Not a mark to his face.”
Needing no further instruction, they took turns slamming their fists into Kellen’s back, chest, stomach, and arms. Robert smiled, enjoying every blow, grunt, and furious glare.
Gillian’s enraged scream was cut off by the boy’s hand over her mouth. “Please, my lady. Please be still.”
Robert, irritated by the distraction, glanced around. “Yes, keep her quiet. We do not wish to be interrupted, do we?”
Gillian’s hands fiddled with something and as Robert watched a blade opened in her hand. He moved forward swiftly and knocked it to the ground. He laughed as she rubbed her stinging fingers. “So very feisty.” He snapped his teeth at her. “Save a bit for later, my dear.”
Robert lifted a hand to his men. “That is enough.” One jerked Kellen’s arms behind his back in a cruel grip, and the other grabbed Kellen by the hair and yanked his head back, baring his face. Robert leaned down. “Do you know where the fair Gillian has been these last weeks? With me, at my castle, in my bed. When she ran away, that is where she went.”
Gillian struggled against the hand at her mouth, unable to speak, and Robert laughed.
“You supplied the poison to Catherine,” Kellen spat, bitter and fierce.
One of the guards slammed a fist into Kellen’s face. Robert frowned. “Do not damage his face! How much more clearly can I state it?”
“Sorry, my lord.”
Robert looked at the fresh cut on Kellen’s cheek and chuckled. “Oh, well. What’s another scar? Dear Catherine hated them, you know. It was her idea to use poison. A shame she drank it and killed not only herself, but your heir, as well.”
Robert straightened and smirked. “Or would he have been yours? As much as she liked to crawl into my bed, there may have been some question as the child started to mature.”
Suspicion marked Kellen’s features. “You were in London most of that year. After her death I checked your whereabouts.”
Robert raised a brow. “You thought to suspect me?”
“I suspected everyone. Catherine herself told me with her dying breath she had a lover who was beautiful. You did come to mind.”
Robert smiled. “Yes, well, I may have been in residence more often than I let on. Catherine preferred the secrecy. She loved to lie as a common maid in the forest. It was most uncomfortable and I ruined more than one tunic, but she wished for the risk and excitement. Who was I to deny the lady?”
Robert laughed at Kellen’s murderous expression. “Of course, when it came time to kill you, I left. Catherine could be a fool at times, and there was always the chance she would get caught and betray me. I did not wish to be in the vicinity if she did.”
Robert pressed his lips together. “She deserved to die. She was supposed to be mine. Her property and her child. The only thing she did aright was to give you a girl the first time. I thought perhaps the child was mine; and when I learned of your own doubts, it doubled my enjoyment.”
Robert glanced at Gillian, enjoying her wide-eyed, tearful fear. “Then dear, sweet, Lady Gillian ruined it all with her sketching, making us all see to whom Amelia truly belonged.” He shook his head. “Aye, Catherine betrayed me on many levels: having doubts, harping on her honor, bedding you. I’d wondered if she took the poison apurpose.”
Robert shrugged. “It matters not. When you are gone, I plan to convince the king you killed your wife. I will say you admitted such to me after you killed Lady Gillian in a jealous rage upon seeing me escort her to you, and then remorseful, you killed yourself. I will say you could not live with double the guilt. Your father will share your shame and the king will give your land to me, his trusted and loyal servant. Everything you have will finally be mine.”
Robert saw Kellen’s gaze flicker to Gillian and smiled. “The problem is, you have no idea how to romance a girl. Catherine was easy. If I have the chance, perhaps the fair Marissa will join me in bed, as well. She is lovely and lonely. Tsk-tsk. Always a bad combination.”
Robert moved forward and motioned to the boy to drop his hand so Robert could cup Gillian’s cheek.
She jerked her head away and glared at him. “Don’t touch me you filthy creep.”
He grasped her chin tightly and forced her to look at him. “There was no turning your head, was there? Whatever did you see in that animal?” He jerked his head to indicate Kellen. “I think there must be something the matter with you to prefer such a scarred and overlarge man to me. I’ve often wondered if perhaps your vision is weak.”
She tugged against his grasp again and, with a laugh, he let her go and turned back to Kellen. “You have had everything given to you while I have had nothing. I have been forced to scheme and betray to have what was easily yours. You, an uncouth and unrefined barbarian. But you will pay. Yes, now you will pay.”
He smiled at Gillian. “I’m going to have your woman in front of you, then slit her throat, and then I will help you fall upon your sword in a fit of remorse. None will be surprised to learn you have killed a second woman, and the king will be most interested.”
“Kellen, close your eyes,” said Gillian. “Hold your breath.”
Robert laughed as he looked between the two of them. “Do you believe if he does not see your death it will make it any less real?”
He turned to see Kellen actually closing his eyes and bending his head. Robert’s brows rose in surprise. “I had not though you such a coward as to—”
The boy holding Gillian let her go and she stepped forward. Robert’s mouth dropped. “Boy, grab her! Hold her!”
The boy shook his head and glared out of angry, tear-filled eyes. “My name is Valeric and I am your son. Your son! But I will have no part in this murder! I may never be a knight, but I will never be a cold-blooded killer, either!”
As Robert started forward, Gillian’s hand lifted and sprayed red liquid at first one guard, then the other, coating their eyes and faces with red splatter. The men dropped to their knees screaming and clutching at their faces.
Confused, Robert stopped, then took a step away from Gillian, and then another. Her eyes, wild with rage, turned upon him, and Robert crossed himself against her. “What is happening? What did you do to my men?”
The guards writhed on the ground in obvious agony and Gillian ignored him to turn back to them. “I’ve sprayed acid into your eyes. You only have a few more moments before it starts to rot your vision away. If you don’t wash them out with water for a very long while, you’ll go blind and your face will melt like butter.”
They scrambled to their knees and stumbled into the river behind them.
Kellen slowly stood, blinking rapidly, jaw thrusting as he started forward.
One look at Kellen’s face and Robert turned a
nd ran.
* * *
“Valeric, take your lady to the keep!”
Kellen ran after the fleeing Royce and easily caught him, tackling the other man to the ground. He rolled him over and as they struggled, exchanging blows, they were soon covered in dirt and leaves. Kellen, finally getting the upper hand, punched Royce three times in the face in quick succession and was well pleased when the smaller man’s nose crunched. Royce groaned in agony.
Kellen rolled off him, stood, and beckoned with the fingers of one hand. “Stand, coward.”
Royce stood, his eyes filled with hate as he felt his broken nose and wiped at the blood flowing freely down his face to drip off his chin.
Kellen smiled. “That will mark you for the rest of your short-lived life, scum.”
Royce pulled a knife from his boot, and Kellen jumped back when the smaller man slashed out with the blade. A dagger was thrown to the ground at Kellen’s feet, and he wasted no time scooping it up.
“Traitor!” Royce roared at Valeric.
Kellen saw Valeric wince, agony in his expression, before the boy tried to tug Gillian away; and when she fought him, he turned and ran into the trees alone.
Kellen shook his head. “I have always considered you an idiot, but never realized the depths to which you were capable of sinking.” Kellen balanced on his feet, waited for an opportunity, and when Royce slashed out once more, unbalancing himself, Kellen swung his own knife with considerable force; and the blade ripped into Royces’s cheek, eliciting a scream.
Kellen laughed. “Oh dear, that will most certainly scar. If it has a chance to heal, that is.”
White-faced, Royce jumped back and put a hand to his face, a look of horror spreading across his features as he felt the disfigurement then looked at the blood on his hand.
His face contorted in anger and with an incoherent yell, he ran at Kellen. Kellen grabbed his arm, wrenched it up, and drove his dagger into Royce’s belly and upward. “For my wife and my son, you misbegotten cur.”
Kellen looked into the other man’s surprised face for a long moment before releasing him. Royce staggered backward, both his hands clasped around the dagger’s hilt, then sank to one knee. He stared up at Kellen, a look of disbelief upon his bleeding face, then fell over dead.
