A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy)

by Lana Williams

  “Flavorful?” Royce suggested.

  “Aye, that might be it,” Blackwell said with a smile. “Do I have you to thank for that?”

  Behind him, Florence’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Alyna accusingly.

  “I’m sorry you decided not to take my wager, Royce,” Blackwell said.

  Royce’s slow smile caused heat to pool deep within Alyna, making her forget Florence sat at the same table.

  “I have learned to avoid losing coins to you, my lord, for you only seem willing to bet on a sure thing.”

  Blackwell laughed in response. “True enough. Well, he has only delayed his pain, not eliminated it.”

  “I look forward to the morrow. Surely, he’ll have thought of a clever response by then.”

  Though Alyna made little sense of the conversation, she enjoyed listening to their light-hearted banter. Their mutual respect and affection for each other was obvious.

  The highlight of the meal was the stuffed pheasant, displayed on a large platter with the tail feathers back in place. Everyone praised the meal, including Royce. She couldn’t resist going into the kitchen to share the compliments with the cook and her helpers.

  Upon her return, she directed some of the servants to gather the remaining food from the table and replace the wine with a spiced one that went well with the dates and almonds drizzled with honey that served to end the meal.

  Florence had a strange way of acting as steward. Alyna had yet to see her direct a servant or lift a finger of her own to help. Of course, she had yet to see the woman take her eyes off of Royce despite their age difference.

  Thoughts of retiring to her chamber crossed Alyna’s mind, for she was tired. However, she wanted–nay, needed–to speak to Royce of Sir Edward. Heaving a sigh, she resigned herself to wait until Royce took his leave so that she could follow him and speak with him privately.

  At last, Royce bid her grandfather good night and left the hall. Alyna made her excuses and followed as quickly as she dared and stepped outside, hoping he hadn’t gotten far.

  Cool, crisp air laced with the scent of spring greeted her. Dusk had fallen and, after the brightly lit hall, made it difficult to see the way down the steps of the keep.

  She’d only walked a short distance across the bailey when a hand grasped her elbow and pulled her into the shadows. Certain it was Royce, she permitted the odd behavior as what she wanted to tell him required privacy.

  “Good evening, my lady,” a voice whispered in her ear.

  She gasped in dismay, for she knew instantly the man was not Royce.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “A decoction of beetroot in the nostrils

  is effective to stay noise in the ears.”

  Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal

  “Sir Edward, release me at once!” Alyna demanded.

  “There’s no need for alarm. I hoped to speak with you and here you are.” He pulled her close as he spoke, his hands grasping her waist. “I’m grateful you feel the same way.”

  “I assure you I don’t. Now release me.” Fear skittered through her. His hands were impossibly strong and his breath reeked of wine.

  “I’ve been thinking about you, Alyna. You please me. Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?”

  “Sir Edward,” she said as she tugged again at his hands, “I must be on my way.”

  “Stay, my lady. You won’t regret it.”

  “Is all well, Lady Alyna?” Royce asked from behind Edward.

  Edward spun around, a bit too quickly it seemed, for he staggered with the effort. “Royce? What are you doing here?”

  Alyna released the breath she’d been holding, relief and gratitude filling her at Royce’s timely arrival.

  “You were missed at the evening meal, Edward,” Royce said.

  The drunken knight seemed to ponder the comment before responding. “I fear I was indisposed.”

  “So it would seem.” Royce looked again at Alyna. “May I escort you back to the keep, my lady?”

  She took his offered hand, grateful to be out of Sir Edward’s reach. “Thank you. Good eve to you, Sir Edward.”

  The wobbling knight bowed low. “Until we meet again, my lady.” For a moment, it appeared as though he couldn’t stand upright. At last he rose then turned to fade into the darkness.

  “My apologies if I was...interrupting,” Royce said, his tone questioning.

  Surely he didn’t think she had welcomed Edward’s advances. “In truth, I followed you outside with the hopes of speaking with you.” She shook her head at the irony of the situation. “Of Sir Edward’s behavior, if you can believe that.”

  Royce’s eyes narrowed. “Did he accost you on your journey here? Why didn’t you tell your grandfather?”

  “Nay, it was nothing like that.” Alyna couldn’t resist looking back over her shoulder to make sure Edward hadn’t returned. “Could we move farther away? I’d prefer our conversation to remain between us.”

  Obviously the lady didn’t realize what thoughts that suggestion put in his mind, Royce reflected as heat stirred deep within him. The anger that had engulfed him when he’d seen Edward’s hands on Alyna left him angry and unsettled. How angry could he be with Edward when he had thoughts of holding her himself?

  “This way.” He gestured toward a path that led away from the keep. He took her arm, telling himself he did so only because he wanted to assist her over the uneven ground, not because of the urge to touch her again.

  He picked a secluded area and turned her so she faced the moonlight. Edward was right on one count–she was beautiful. Tonight she looked especially so. The deep color of her attire suited her. The thin veil covering her long hair only made his desire to run his fingers through her dark tresses all the stronger. Her bliaut had drawn his eyes to her curves as she’d moved about the hall, making certain all was well with the meal. The few times she’d passed by, he’d caught the same scent that had captured him when she’d ridden before him on his horse.

  Though he’d done his best to avoid her at the evening meal, countless times, he’d had to tear his gaze away from her lithe form. He could only hope Lord Blackwell had not noticed the attention he’d paid to his granddaughter. Royce hadn’t been able to keep his distance since he’d met her. Then again, thank God he hadn’t or the night might have ended much differently. His anger resurfaced at the thought.

  He forced himself to release her arm and waited for her to explain.

  “I’m certain what I’m about to tell you means nothing, but I thought it best for you to know, so you could decide for yourself.” She paused and looked around as though to make certain they were still alone.

  “What is it?” Royce asked, puzzled.

  “Upon our arrival, Sir Edward made suggestions to my grandfather that you were wrong in pursuing the thieves and implied your men were in disagreement with your departure, including him.”

  Not surprised, Royce considered what she’d said. Everything was a competition with Edward; he couldn’t seem to help but do all in his power to win. Although Edward’s past actions had proven him a trustworthy knight, his words were not always so. When he added this information to the suspicions he’d shared with Lord Blackwell, Edward’s loyalty became increasingly questionable.

  What struck him more than Edward’s attempt to undermine him was Alyna’s trust. Royce had known Edward would do his best to turn Alyna from him. In fact, he’d almost hoped Edward would succeed. It would’ve made Royce’s wish to stay away from her easier. Many ladies succumbed to Edward’s dark good looks and the charm he portrayed when it suited him, but apparently not Alyna.

  She had much to be concerned with in her own life, yet she took time to speak to him of this. In all honesty, he was touched.

  “I’ll add my thanks to you for the improved taste of the meal this eve.” Royce changed the subject with a compliment as he thought about the information she’d provided. The women he’d known were easily distracted and responded to compliments like
fish to water.

  She looked confused by his comment. “Why, thank you. I’m pleased you found it to your liking, but what of Sir Edward? What will you do? Should I say something of this to my grandfather?”

  So much for his attempt at distraction, thought Royce. He tried another. “Are you happy here, Alyna?”

  Silent, she stared up at him, obviously confused by his question.

  He couldn’t blame her, as he didn’t know where it had come from. All he knew was that her eyes held a sadness that pulled at him.

  “I’ve only just gotten here, but so far, I’m content. Why do you ask?”

  Royce merely raised a brow while those amber eyes seemed to look right through him to his very soul as though weighing him to see if he deserved an honest answer. At last Alyna looked away, and he released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d held.

  “There have been many changes in my life of late,” she said softly. “I have yet to determine where my future lies, so until then, I find I am no more than content. I’m not certain why I’m here or what my purpose is.”

  “Purpose? Why do you need a purpose?”

  She opened her mouth to speak, then shut it. She turned her head, and a lock of hair fell free of her veil to lie against her cheek.

  A wave of yearning filled him, and he gritted his teeth. He would not touch it. He already knew her hair carried the same fragrance that followed her everywhere, that it was as soft as fine silk. Her lips moved, and he focused on her words in a poor attempt to rein in his lust.

  “I would prefer to provide some sort of assistance to my grandfather while I am here.”

  “Lord Blackwell expects nothing from you.”

  A smile turned the amber golden. “So it seems. That is something I’ll have to adjust to, but I would like to help, to earn my place here. Grandfather and I still have much to discuss. He has yet to answer my questions.”

  Royce shook his head, frustrated that Blackwell had not told her more. He could only hope she didn’t ask him instead. Eyes like hers would make it difficult to resist sharing all he knew. And if she smiled at him again, he’d say anything she wanted to hear.

  “I’m sure he will soon,” Royce offered.

  More than anything, he wanted to comfort her, to lift the sadness and uncertainty from her face. Again, the strand of hair at her cheek teased him, and he could resist the urge no longer. With a slow movement, he gently eased the lock behind her ear. The moonlight emphasized the elegant lines of her face, hollowing her cheeks and lighting her eyes. She looked up at him with such a sweet, earnest expression.

  What was a man to do but...

  Kiss her.

  Slowly. Passionately. Waiting for her to withdraw and demand he stop. But no protest left her lips, only a soft moan that heightened his desire. He kept the kiss light, not wanting to frighten her away, needing more than anything for her to stay right where she was, in his arms.

  The longer he held her, and the longer he kissed her, the more he realized it was not enough. He ached for her touch, to feel her softness against him. He pulled her closer and molded her body to his.

  As though she read his thoughts, her arms reached up to his shoulders, their warmth burning through his tunic. She deepened the kiss and tentatively twined her fingers into his hair. Shivers of longing rolled down his spine.

  Never had a woman affected him like this. But never had a woman been so wrong for him. A landless knight set on vengeance was a terrible match for a lady. Royce knew this could go no further, not here, not ever. He had to let her go.

  In just a moment.

  After he had one more taste of her. He would hold her a bit longer, because this would be the last time he did. The memory of this kiss would have to sustain him in the lonely nights to come for he feared he’d never feel like this again.

  Her soft whimper was nearly his undoing, nearly more than he could take. Releasing her mouth, he leaned his forehead against hers and took a deep breath to rein in the desire pulsing through him.

  Hell’s teeth. What was he doing? This woman was his lord’s granddaughter. Why the thought didn’t force him to release her with great haste was beyond him. It mattered not that she was already a mother, a woman experienced in the ways of the world. She was not his to take and never would be.

  With great effort, he set her away from him. “My apologies, my lady. That was a mistake.”

  “Excuse me?” Her confusion overrode the desire lingering in her eyes.

  Royce felt his resolve weaken and took a step back to shore his defenses. “That was an error.”

  Alyna stiffened, obviously affronted at his words, just as he’d intended. “What do you mean?”

  He turned away. Another moment of looking at her, and he’d draw her back into his arms.

  “If you don’t find me attractive, then why did you kiss me?”

  Surprised, Royce spun back toward her. Not find her attractive? How could she think that? His need for her strained his chausses. But a closer look at her vulnerable expression confirmed the beautiful Lady Alyna didn’t realize how desirable she was.

  “Nay, it’s not that. It’s...”

  “It’s what?” Her hurt expression gave him pause.

  Even as he opened his mouth to tell her the truth, he knew what he must do. “My lady, I fear you misunderstood.”

  “Indeed?” Those eyes drilled into his, her brow raised in question, her tone cool enough to chill wine. “What is it I have wrong, sir? When you avoided me all through the evening meal or when you kissed me and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it?”

  Instead of being pleased by her cold tone, he felt only remorse. He’d never meant to add to her unhappiness. Perhaps this method was not going to work after all. The idea of her thinking so little of him did not please him.

  Nay, it did not please him at all.

  But it was for the best. Nothing would be gained from his desire for her. Better to sever it now, before it progressed any further. He took her elbow with a firm hand and guided her up the steps to the keep door.

  “You have my word it will not happen again.”

  “Forgive me if I don’t anxiously wait to learn to which ‘it’ you refer.” She jerked her elbow away from him and stormed into the keep.

  The heavy wooden door didn’t slam shut, but he knew it had closed firmly in more ways than one. With a heavy sigh, he turned and walked away, wishing he could leave behind the disastrous results of the evening.

  He did not go to his bed, which he’d longed for earlier in the day. He knew sleep was beyond him.

  His only hope for some rest was a long, cold swim in the small lake outside the curtain wall. A temporary solution to a problem that seemed unlikely to go away on the morrow.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “The root of cowslip can rid stubborn coughs.

  Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop other stubborn behaviors.”

  Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal

  Alyna studied the dingy tapestries that hung high on the wall of the great hall. Soot and grime coated the battle scenes depicted; at least, she thought they were battle scenes.

  The haziness of the pattern matched her emotions this morning. Obscure and unclear. How could a simple conversation about the questionable behavior of Sir Edward have escalated into a passionate kiss that had ended in disaster? It had been passionate, hadn’t it? There was no question it had ended in disaster. Then again, it had been her first real kiss. She had no experience on which to judge.

  She’d hoped her thinking would clear after a good night’s sleep, but sleep had eluded her. Though remembering Royce’s rejection of her still hurt, when she focused on that kiss...

  With a sigh, she let the passion swirl through her once again. Royce was a man like no other. She counted herself lucky to have shared her first kiss with him. She couldn’t imagine it with anyone else.

  Remembering the feel of his mouth on hers brought a flush to her face–and other areas of her body she wasn’t sure
she was comfortable with. In truth, that kiss had been glorious. For those few moments, she’d felt like the most beautiful and desirable woman in the country. He’d held her like she was some sort of treasure at first, a delicate object to be treated with care. But then, oh then, it had changed. He’d pulled her against his hard body and held her like he’d never let her go.

  She’d felt...she couldn’t even describe how she’d felt. It had been wonderful and had certainly erased the memory of a drunken Edward’s advances as well as Lord Tegmont touching her.

  Her pleasure faded as she wondered yet again what she’d done to make Royce set her aside. Was something wrong with her, some fault deep inside her that didn’t allow her to please a man?

  “Frowning at them won’t remove a bit of that dust, my lady.”

  Alyna sighed and turned to Enid. “Aye. The condition of the hall is a shame. ’Tis the heart of the keep. It should declare the glory of the castle for all to see.”

  “Well, if I know you, it won’t look like this for long.”

  She smiled. That was just the sort of practical comment she needed to hear. “I’d like to see the look on Lady Florence’s face when she realizes what we’re about.”

  Enid laughed in response.

  Alyna knew Enid had seen how upset she’d been when she’d entered her chamber the night before. She also seemed to understand Alyna hadn’t been ready to speak of it.

  “If she was doing what she was supposed to, then we wouldn’t be forced to do what we’re about to,” Enid advised her.

  Alyna chuckled, just as she knew the older woman meant her to. “The frightening part about your statement is that I understood it.” She looked up at the tapestries again and at the weaponry draped with cobwebs. “Grandfather said he’d welcome our help. Are Beatrice and Mary available?”

  Alyna remained where she was as Enid hurried off to find the maids and ask Charles to help. An undertaking of this sort was just what Alyna needed today. Something to work on that she could control. Besides, it would keep her well away from Royce. She wasn’t ready to beard that dragon. Florence seemed to pale in comparison.