The Conquest

by Julia Templeton

  Jorden looked into his friend’s light green eyes. “I know you too well, and you would never seduce an innocent. I have seen the way she looks at you and the way you look at her. I just never imagined things had progressed so far. Had I known, I would have made sure Dante did not—”

  “Dante is the least of my concerns right now.”

  “How will she explain her lack of maidenhead come her wedding night?”

  Adelstan flinched as though struck, and Jorden could see the torture in his friend’s eyes. Rhiannon’s impending marriage to their liege had to be torturing him. “There are ways.”

  “I would take no chances. You know Malgor is a suspicious man anyway. End it now, Adelstan.”

  Taking a deep breath, Adelstan planted both hands on his hips. “We will just have to be discreet.”

  “You will continue to see her after we arrive at Almeron?”

  “I do not know.”

  “Adelstan, this is madness. You have managed to carry on an affair without anyone else knowing, but what if de Cion himself finds you in such a position as I found you this evening? You will be killed for treason, and Rhiannon as well. Indeed, I think he would kill you both in a rage before he had the chance to torture either of you.”

  “I would die a happy man at least.”

  He shook his head. “Tell me this, my friend, will you be happy knowing each night your lover sleeps with another man, perhaps the very same day you do?”

  “Shut your mouth, Jorden, before I shut it for you.”

  Jorden crossed his arms over his chest. “What if she has a child, whose will it be?”

  “You might find yourself in a similar position with a certain servant, so I would be careful if I were you.”

  “Touché.”

  Adelstan frowned. “My quarrel is not with you, Jorden. I have done this, and I accept all responsibility.”

  “I wondered about the abrupt departure from Castle MacKay. Did her father know?”

  “Yes, he discovered her coming to my room one night.”

  “No wonder Elspeth was always wanting to be alone with me when the four of us were together.”

  “You underestimate yourself,” Adelstan said with a strained smile. “Elspeth likes you, and her feelings are sincere.”

  “She knows the truth.” It wasn’t a question.

  Adelstan nodded. “Yes.”

  Jorden snorted. “Rhiannon’s servant knows and yet I am your best friend and I had to find out this way.”

  “Why bring anyone else into this mess?”

  “Break it off while you can, my friend.”

  Adelstan reached overhead and picked a leaf off a branch, rolling it between his fingers. “You don’t understand. It’s not that easy.”

  “What ye need is a willing whore in your bed as soon as we return to Almeron. What of de Cion’s niece? She was always slipping into your bed at Braemere. Perhaps she can help ease the pain?”

  “I don’t want anyone else in my bed but Rhiannon.”

  Jorden ran his hands down his face, frustrated.

  “You are my friend, Jorden, and I respect you as a man and as a soldier. If you decide to tell de Cion what you know, I will understand.”

  Jorden’s hands fell to his sides. “Fuck you!”

  Adelstan reared back. “What?”

  “I swore an oath to defend king and country, and I have always done that. However, I will not betray my best friend and the woman who loves him, not even to King William. If you think me capable of betraying you, then you wound me greatly.”

  Adelstan stared at Jorden for a long, awkward moment. Relief and something else shone in his eyes, and he took the steps that separated them and embraced him. “Thank you, my friend, for your honesty and your loyalty. I owe you.”

  Jorden hugged him back, realizing it was the first time they had ever embraced in all the years they had known each other. “And I shall remind you of that at every given opportunity.” He put Adelstan at arm’s length. “Be careful, my friend. Watch yourself. We have both seen Malgor in battle and know what a fierce adversary he can be. He would be merciless if he discovered the truth.”

  “Then I pray he never does.”

  Chapter 19

  Almeron Castle,

  The Borderlands

  Lord Malgor welcomed Rhiannon to Almeron in grand style.

  The carriage approached Almeron Castle, a lovely fortress made of gray stone, surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of trees, nestled against a large river…just as Adelstan had said.

  A legion of people had gathered to greet her, but Rhiannon’s gaze settled on a tall, barrel-chested man standing at the head of the pack. He looked a good decade older than her father. “That must be de Cion.”

  Elspeth squeezed her hand tight. “Aye, I do believe it is.”

  Unable to say anything else for fear of bursting into tears, Rhiannon took a deep breath to steady her emotions. She must endure what was to come, even if it killed her.

  As the carriage finally rolled to a stop, she said a silent prayer before the door opened and Adelstan appeared.

  Her heart gave a jolt. How handsome he was, his windswept hair falling to broad shoulders, his light green eyes filled with an anguish she felt all the way to her soul. He looked at her, swallowed hard. “Lady Rhiannon, we have arrived,” he said softly. He took her hand, helped her down the carriage steps.

  His hand slipped from hers almost immediately, and it took everything she possessed not to grab for it.

  Do not leave me, Adelstan.

  Just last night they had made love under the stars in the forest not far from Almeron. They would have made the castle last night, but she pretended to be ill, knowing once she arrived at the castle, precious time away would be rare, if not impossible.

  “Lady Rhiannon,” came a booming voice, laced with a surprisingly thick French accent.

  Elspeth stood directly behind her, and she rested a hand on the small of Rhiannon’s back, her way of giving small comfort in this most horrible moment.

  With firm resolve, Rhiannon looked into the dark brown eyes of her betrothed and forced a smile. To his credit, Malgor de Cion must have been a handsome man in his day, his red hair still thick, though streaked with gray, his eyes framed by dark lashes, his features not too dominating for his face. He was dressed in an expensive tunic of dark green, with thick embroidery at the neck and cuffs, a stunning brooch of gold and emeralds holding his fur-lined mantle together.

  “Come, let me see you,” he said, walking a wide circle around her, which made the soldiers lined on the walls behind him laugh and applaud. Beside her, Adelstan straightened, the nerve in his jaw clinching.

  Malgor wore a cocky smile, inspecting her like one would horseflesh. “Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I am well pleased.”

  Rhiannon bit the inside of her mouth to keep from saying something she would surely regret.

  He came full circle to stand in front of her. “Already I yearn for our wedding night.”

  Only those close by could hear him, Adelstan and Jorden included. She watched them from the corner of her eyes, and neither one laughed.

  Malgor must have seen their lack of humor for he looked at the duo, the smile on his mouth thinning. “So somber, Cawdor. And what of you, Louvet?”

  “We are both tired, my lord,” Jorden said, while Adelstan remained silent. He glanced at Rhiannon, and she wanted to cry for the anguish she saw in his eyes.

  Forgive me, those eyes said before he dropped his gaze.

  Malgor clapped Adelstan on the back. “Thank you for bringing my bride to me safe and sound. Robert shall show you to your quarters, where you can bathe and relax until this evening when we celebrate and feast.”

  Adelstan nodded and walked off with Jorden at his side, over the drawbridge and into the bailey. Rhiannon’s gaze followed him, noting a lovely woman near her own age calling out his name. He merely nodded in greeting but kept on walking, following Robert into the bailey.


  Jealousy ate at Rhiannon’s innards, but she pushed the sensation aside.

  Malgor took her hand with his beefy, callused one, and they followed behind the man who had stolen her heart. Villagers and officers alike filled the bailey, leaving only a small path.

  Rhiannon could still see Adelstan ahead. The woman had caught up to him, and now walked with him, her hand winding around his arm.

  “Our bedchamber is in this tower.” Malgor motioned in the opposite direction Adelstan was walking. “You first, my lady.” At the tower steps, Malgor dropped her hand and motioned for her to go before him.

  Rhiannon looked to Elspeth and held out her hand. Elspeth’s hand tightened around Rhiannon’s, and Malgor frowned.

  They came to the first door and she hesitated. “Nay, it is the top chamber, my lady.”

  Feeling Malgor’s gaze on her backside the entire way, Rhiannon stopped before the third and final door. He reached beside her and opened the door, his hand brushing against her breast.

  He smelled of ale and onions.

  “Here is our chamber.” He pushed the door open with his foot, and she walked in, more than ready to be away from his disquieting touch.

  The stone walls were covered with large tapestries of religious significance, and the large canopy bed with its thick curtains reminded her of her upcoming duty.

  Bile rose in her throat.

  “I see where your gaze lingers, my lady,” he whispered in her ear and she jumped away.

  His laughter followed her across the room. The only window was narrow and over halfway up the wall, too far above to reach by chair or bed. Though vast, the chamber had a stifling quality that made her want to run far and fast.

  Or mayhap it was just the man beside her who brought about such a reaction.

  “Do you like it?”

  “Aye.” She turned to face him, disquieted to find him right behind her. “But where is my chamber, my lord?”

  He frowned, his eyes appearing like slits. “As I already said, this is our chamber.”

  She swallowed hard and forced herself to keep eye contact. “We are not married yet, my lord. It would hardly be appropriate to sleep in the same chamber before the vows have been spoken.”

  The sides of his mouth curved in a sly smile as his gaze slid down her body, stopping in the vicinity of her breasts before moving downward, over her mons and the girdle’s tassels that fell between her legs.

  “Nay, we are not married yet, so until that time you will stay in another tower.”

  Her heart leapt with the hope it was the same tower where private guests and senior officers slept.

  “Could ye show me?”

  He tilted his head. “Of course.”

  With hope and excitement running through her veins, she followed Malgor out of the chamber and down the stairs, passing by the two chambers with a sigh of relief.

  People still congregated in the bailey, and she forced a smile to her lips, knowing they were excited to greet her and welcome her to her new home.

  She had been so stunned upon meeting Malgor, and so fearful that Adelstan had left, she had not taken notice that many had flowers. Making eye contact with an older woman, she smiled and the woman handed her a small bouquet. “Thank ye,” Rhiannon said, and one by one, took the flowers offered to her.

  She would survive this, and in the end, she would be stronger for it. As they approached the very tower Adelstan had disappeared into, her insides tightened in anticipation. She quickened her steps, leaving Malgor to lag behind, and gasped when she came upon the girl she had seen welcome Adelstan so readily—and Adelstan himself.

  He stood in the doorway of the second-floor chamber, his tunic off, but his breeches on. One hand rested on the doorframe, the other on his hip.

  The woman had, up to the time Rhiannon had caught them, had her hand on Adelstan’s chest, but now she stepped back, nearly running into Rhiannon in her haste. “My lady, I—”

  “Forgive me,” Rhiannon said, managing to keep her voice even. With a smile she didn’t feel, she looked at the girl, and noticed with dread how beautiful she was. She was not dressed as a servant, which led her to believe she was of the noble class.

  Malgor caught up to her and glanced at Adelstan, then the girl, exasperation on his face. “Evelyn, it has been a long journey and Adelstan needs his rest. Return to your chamber at once, niece.”

  Niece.

  Rhiannon’s heart dropped to her toes. Did she have a chamber in this tower as well?

  Evelyn nodded, and with a passing smile at Adelstan, walked down the steps.

  Rhiannon continued up the stairs without sparing Adelstan a glance. Malgor placed his hand on the small of her back, and she felt it like a heavy weight.

  She looked back at Malgor when she reached the solar chamber, and he told her to open it, as though she would not have without his permission.

  The room was nearly identical to the room she would one day share with him, but instead of religious tapestries, the walls had been washed white. A bouquet of flowers sat on a small table beside the bed.

  Thick blankets covered the bed, and a large wooden tub sat before a roaring fire. “I have already asked the servants to fill the bath for you. I am sure after your journey you are ready to relax.”

  “I am, thank ye,” she said, meaning it. She wanted solitude. She needed time to forget about her future and the man who would soon be her husband. “The room is beautiful.”

  “You like it?”

  “Aye, very much, thank ye.” She smiled, and he looked relieved. To her chagrin, his dark eyes slid over her again with lust. Did he not realize how unsettling that gaze was, or how rude, particularly in front of others?

  “I shall leave you to your bath then. Until tonight,” he said, backing toward the door.

  She forced a smile until he shut the door, and only then did she allow herself to cry.

  * * *

  Adelstan had never been so miserable.

  Sitting to the left of Malgor, he tried without success to keep his gaze from shifting to Rhiannon. But he could not help it. Wearing a beautiful necklace Malgor had commissioned for her, she had never looked more stunning.

  He was grateful he had not been asked along on the tour of the chamber she would share with Malgor. In fact, he had been ready to take a bath when Evelyn had knocked on the chamber door. He had hoped it would be Rhiannon, but of course she would be with her betrothed.

  When he saw her moments later, coming up on him and Evelyn, he had been shocked to see her so soon. She had hid her surprise well upon seeing him in an uncompromising position with de Cion’s promiscuous niece.

  He was surprised Malgor would place Rhiannon in the opposite tower from his own chamber, but had found out from Evelyn the reason. Malgor’s leman had claimed the chamber below his, and since Evelyn claimed the first floor chamber, that left no room for anyone else, including Rhiannon.

  All the better for Adelstan and Rhiannon.

  Malgor stood, scattering Adelstan’s thoughts. “A toast.”

  Everyone in the hall stood, including Adelstan.

  “To my lovely betrothed, Lady Rhiannon, and to the brave knights who fought the wilds of Scotland to bring her to me.”

  A loud roar of approval filled the hall.

  Adelstan tossed back his drink in one long swallow and caught Jorden’s gaze. The knight smiled sympathetically before looking at Rhiannon.

  He wanted no one’s pity. When he had begun the affair, he had known this moment would come. However, he had not imagined feeling so wretched, because he had never imagined falling in love with Rhiannon.

  But somewhere along the way he had fallen in love.

  His thoughts returned to when they were in Scotland and Rhiannon had been out flying her falcon, flirting mercilessly with the guard in an effort to make him jealous.

  Her efforts had worked, for he had been jealous, but that jealousy didn’t touch the rage rushing through him now.

  Malg
or stood and took Rhiannon by the hand, leading her to the floor. “I shall claim the first dance,” he said, taking great pride in his duty as lord of the keep.

  The music began.

  Rhiannon looked like an angel, moving in perfect time to the music, her shoulders erect, chin held high. Malgor watched her with open lust that could be seen by everyone, including his leman, who had just entered by way of the servants’ entrance. No doubt he had asked Jocelyn to stay away, but even at Braemere the bold woman had never been one to keep to the shadows. Now she watched Rhiannon and Malgor with an evil smile that didn’t begin to reach her eyes.

  Two more dances followed before Malgor begged off, and another man took his place. Rhiannon glanced Adelstan’s way a few times, but those glances were too fleeting. Did he dare ask her to dance?

  Jorden claimed the next dance, and Adelstan could see her relax with his friend, and even smile a few times. All the while Malgor kept an attentive gaze on the two, even as others came up to offer congratulations.

  He smiled like a wolf, but then his gaze caught sight of Jocelyn.

  The smile disappeared instantly.

  To her credit, Jocelyn didn’t back down from her lover. Indeed, she met him halfway, her hips swaying provocatively. Though she had a decade or more on Rhiannon, she was a beauty, her straight auburn hair falling to her curvaceous waist. Rumor said she had already given birth to three of Malgor’s children, but each had been stillborn.

  Born a servant, she could not give Malgor what he had wanted so desperately from the time he had taken up arms in King William’s army—a fief, a fortune, and a bride of nobility.

  But Rhiannon could, and if Adelstan guessed correctly, soon Malgor would be infatuated with his young bride, who would one day give him the son he so craved.

  Truth be told, Rhiannon could be pregnant at this very moment with Adelstan’s child. The last few times they had made love, he had not withdrawn. Indeed, it seemed she had not wanted him to either, clutching on to him as they came together. Last night he had felt her desperation, and as they lay together in the afterglow, their bodies still joined, he wondered how it would end.

  Unable to sit by and watch others dance with her, Adelstan walked toward her.