“I am going to the Gordon stronghold and raze it,” he hissed. “I will find Richard Gordon and I will draw and quarter him. Then I shall post his body for all to see.”
William knew he meant every word, as passionately as he’d ever meant anything in his life. The man had every right to be furious, but William couldn’t let him follow through on his threat, for many reasons. Calmer heads had to prevail.
“Unless you want to start a border war the likes of which we have never seen, I would suggest you think again about how to punish Richard Gordon,” he said evenly, reaching out to grasp his son’s arm with an impassioned plea. “Atty, I understand what is in your heart. There were times in the past when your mother had been in great danger, so I understand your pain very well. In fact, she had been kidnapped by rival clans when she was pregnant with you. It is a miracle you survived, but you did, and I refuse to believe it was because you would ultimately start a border war that would kill us all. Nay, lad – taking your army into Scotland to destroy Richard Gordon is not the answer.”
Patrick’s revulsion was being replaced by anger the likes of which he’d never known. Like a shooting star, the anger rose and flared within him faster than he could control it. He yanked his arm from his father’s grasp.
“As long as Richard Gordon lives, Bridey will be in danger,” he snarled. “If there was such a threat against Mother, would you so easily sit back and advise temperance? I do not think so. You would want to eliminate the threat just as I do. I will not stand for anyone who threatens the life of my wife.”
William was coming to think that he may have a serious problem on his hands; he’d never seen Patrick so livid, which was not a good thing in a man as big, powerful, and capable as his son. Therefore, he labored to keep on an even keel if he had any hopes of defusing the situation.
“If someone was threatening the life of your mother, I would not stand for it,” William said firmly. “But I also would not run off and possibly get myself killed in my quest to protect her. You are far more valuable to your wife alive than dead, Atty. You must keep a level head and we will calmly, and smartly, deal with this matter.”
Patrick’s chest was heaving with emotion as he faced off against his father. “If a man like Richard Gordon wants to crucify an innocent woman, I doubt the man thinks calmly or smartly,” he snapped. “A man like that knows only brutality. If that is what he knows, then that is what he shall receive.”
From the corner of his eye, William could see some of Patrick’s men filtering in from the guard room and he was glad; it would take all of them to control Patrick should the man decide to physically demonstrate his fury. All he had to do was keep Patrick calm until his men drew closer and then they would be better able to stop Patrick from doing something foolish.
“Not now,” William begged softly. “Listen to me, lad. We must think this through before you do anything. For the sake of the entire family, you must think this through.”
“This has nothing to do with the family and everything to do with protecting my wife!”
By this time, Patrick’s men had reached them and they heard the last few words spoken by Patrick. Because he was enraged, they were becoming rather enraged themselves. The entire situation had them on edge. Alec was the first one to speak.
“I am with you, Atty,” he said. “What would you have me do?”
William threw up his hands. “You are not going to do anything,” he said, loudly, emphasizing the fact that his word was law above all. “I am your liege and you will obey my command. We are not charging blindly into Gordon lands like animals. We will return to the hall, sit down, and discuss what needs to be done rationally as men do. Is that clear?”
The knights were looking at Patrick but nodded to William’s question; a command from William de Wolfe was not meant to be disobeyed and they knew it.
“That is an excellent idea, my lord,” Anson said, one of the calmer knights of the group. He began to push Colm towards the hall and reached out to tug on Hector. “Come along. We will solve nothing standing out here.”
Hector wasn’t so apt to be pushed around but he moved nonetheless, leaving Alec standing next to Patrick, staring at the man as if waiting for the command to go charging off into Scotland.
“Atty?” Alec asked. “I will do what you want me to do. What is your wish?”
William reached out and shoved Alec in the direction of the hall. “You will do what I want you to do,” he said in a tone that left no room for doubt. “Get into the hall. I will not tell you again.”
With a lingering glance at William, enough to show that he didn’t like being pushed around but not enough to show disobedience, Alec began to follow the others. Patrick, however, was still looking at the ground, grinding his teeth.
“Where is Damien?” he asked hoarsely.
William looked around but didn’t see the knight, the man who had been Patrick’s best friend for many years. “He is probably still with the Scotsman,” he said. “That is where I would be. I would guess he is trying to see if he can discover any more information before sending the man away.”
“Do you intend to reward the Scot for the information?”
“I do.”
Patrick merely nodded. William took him by the arm again, gently pulling him towards the hall as he began to walk. But Patrick wouldn’t move.
“Da?”
“Aye?”
Patrick lifted his head and looked at his father. “I cannot go to London,” he said quietly. “Not… not with everything that has happened. I cannot leave.”
William was rather surprised with not only the change of subject, but the statement itself. “Why not?” he asked. “You can go to London and take Bridey with you. You can take her far away from the Gordons and the threat against her. In fact, I should think that would be the best place for her.”
Patrick shook his head, now looking skyward as if to beseech God for wisdom and clarity in the matter. “I have looked forward to the royal appointment with Henry more than I have ever looked forward to anything in my entire life,” he said, his tone strained with emotion. “But you know what it will be like if I take Bridey with me. I will never see the woman because my entire attention shall be with Henry. My time will belong to him. When he travels, I travel. If he decides he needs me by his side, then that is where I must be for as long as he wants me. Worse still, I am to be in command of his personal guard. That means his life is my life. I will never see my wife, ever. How could I take her to London and ask her to live alone for the rest of her life? Because that is what will happen. You know this to be true.”
William did. He could see where Patrick was leading and he sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the man’s decision and the intensity of his disappointment. Truth be told, he felt some disappointment of his own. Patrick was meant for such great things; he had always believed that. But, perhaps, they weren’t the great things William has hoped for. Perhaps Patrick had to make his own great things happen, away from the crown. Perhaps the royal appointment was something that simply wasn’t meant to be.
He struggled not to let Patrick see his disenchantment.
“Is that what you will decide, then?” he asked his son. “That you will decline Henry’s appointment?”
Patrick looked at his father. “I must.”
“Do you base this on your own wants or because you think it is best for your wife?”
Patrick faltered. “It is best for us both,” he said. “Da, I know you do not agree with the fact that I married Bridey after knowing her so short a time. Now this marriage has put a stop to your great dream for me, the dream of a royal appointment. It was my dream, too, until I met my wife. Now, I find that my dreams have changed. She has become my dream. When I look at her, I see the joy of a life I never knew I would have. I see our future, our unborn sons, and a legacy as you have had. I see the continuation of de Wolfe greatness. I see all of these things but, more than that, I see my life and it belonging to me,
not to Henry. If I go to London, my life will end and the king’s life will take over. Does that make sense? Now that I have had a taste of my own life, I want it. I will not give it up. I have already made a name for myself. But in becoming Henry’s Lord Protector… Nighthawk will cease to exist.”
William listened to the impassioned speech with a good deal of pride and understanding. The disenchantment he’d been feeling was gone and a faint smile crossed his lips.
“So it has happened,” he murmured.
Patrick had no idea what he meant. “What has happened?”
“My son has finally become a man.”
Patrick looked at him for a moment before breaking out into an awkward grin. “And I was not before?”
William chuckled. “You were a warrior,” he said. “You lived and breathed your profession, and I was proud. Very proud. But I have never been so proud of you as I am at this moment when you admit to me that living your life with the woman you love is better than living life in Henry’s shadow. Aye, you’ve become a man. And there is nothing more powerful on the face of this earth.”
“Then you understand what I am saying.”
“I understand all too well. Long ago, I turned down a similar appointment to be with your mother.”
Patrick sighed, perhaps with some relief. “Then I will write to Henry and explain the situation,” he said. “He will not be happy about it, but….”
William cut him off. “Nay, you will not write him.”
Patrick cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
William was shaking his head. “I mean that this is something you must tell Henry face to face,” he said. “Do not hide behind a message. That is cowardly. You will personally decline his appointment and thank him profusely for his generosity. As my son, Henry will expect no less. Show the man the same respect he has shown you by offering such an appointment – be gracious in declining it.”
Patrick understood what his father was saying but the thought of going to London, at least at this time, did not please him. “It will take me at least two weeks to reach London,” he said, trying not to sound despondent. “I will be gone a long time. I do not wish to leave Bridey for that long and I also do not want to take her. It would be a difficult journey and I want to travel fast and light.”
William agreed. “That is no journey for a woman,” he said. “This must be your journey alone. Go quickly and return quickly. Bridey will be safe here, at Berwick. She will be well protected. Or, better still, send her to Questing to be with your mother.”
Patrick thought on that. “Katheryn and Evie are here. They have become fast friends with Bridey. And this is her home now… she may not wish to leave it.”
William put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Then leave it to her where she would like to stay for the duration of your absence,” he said. “Meanwhile, there are men waiting in the hall for us. They are very worried about you, you know. Alec was ready to ride into Scotland this instant to avenge both you and Bridey. I fear we may have to calm the man.”
“Alec is a good friend.”
“He is a hotheaded banshee just like his mother.”
Patrick smiled weakly; he couldn’t disagree. He began to walk with his father towards the great hall, beneath a morning sun that was already increasing the temperature. He could also feel the humidity from the river rise. In all, however, it promised to be a beautiful day. Patrick glanced up at the sky, thinking that it had never looked so blue to him.
A new sky, a new wife, a new future.
And a man to kill.
But he didn’t tell his father that, for no matter what William said, Patrick was going to make sure Richard Gordon did not live to a ripe old age. Perhaps not next week, next month, or even next year, but Patrick had no intention of overlooking the man’s crime against Brighton.
The Nighthawk was coming for him.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Patrick heard the soft knock on the chamber door. Lying down next to his wife, whom he believed was sleeping, he very carefully rose from the big bed, trying to navigate the new curtains that Bridey had hung, and made his way to the door. Carefully, he opened it to find his sisters standing outside, their features wrought with concern.
“Papa told us what happened,” Katheryn whispered loudly. “How is Bridey?”
Patrick turned to look at his wife’s sleeping form on the bed. “As well as can be expected, I suppose,” he said quietly. “She is sleeping now.”
Katheryn and Evelyn were very sad, indeed. “How did she react to it all, Atty?” Evelyn asked. “She must be positively terrified.”
Patrick stepped out into the corridor, pulling the door shut behind him. “She was naturally very upset to learn that a woman she trusted had betrayed her,” he said. “She was even more upset to learn of the plans Clan Gordon had for her. She cried herself to sleep, in fact.”
Evelyn clucked her tongue sadly. “Poor Bridey,” she said. “Who has ever heard of anyone wanting to crucify someone? The very idea is appalling!”
Patrick nodded, feeling limited patience. He knew his sisters were concerned for Brighton, and he was very appreciative, but he didn’t want to answer a bunch of their questions. He wanted to return to the room with his wife in case she needed him.
“It is,” he agreed. “She is quite upset about it. So when you see her next, please do not bring it up. I am not sure if it is something she wishes to discuss, but you will let her determine if it is or not. Agreed?”
Both Evelyn and Katheryn nodded solemnly. “I had Papa take the children over to the kitchen yard so there would not be so much noise,” Katheryn said. “Is there anything we can bring Bridey? Wine? Mayhap a hot bath would make her feel better.”
Patrick shook his head. “Not now,” he said quietly. “Return in an hour or so and mayhap I will change my mind. For now, just let her sleep.”
Evelyn and Katheryn nodded, turning for the stairs that led to the floors below. But Katheryn came to a halt and turned to her brother, once more.
“Papa told us that you are going to London to decline your royal appointment,” she said, studying him seriously. “This is something you wanted so very much, Atty. I feel badly that you feel the need to decline it.”
Patrick smiled weakly. “Do not feel badly for me,” he said. “There will be other royal favors given. I want to remain here, with my wife, and I am very happy about that. This is a good thing, Katie, I promise.”
Katheryn returned his smile. “Truthfully, I am happy about it, too,” she said. “I was wondering if you were going to drag Bridey to London. I am thankful that you are not.”
“So am I.”
“But what about the titles Henry was going to bestow upon you? And the castle? Will you still receive them?”
Patrick shook his head. “More than likely not. But I have something better, instead.”
He meant Brighton. He winked at his sister, turning for the chamber door and quietly opening it. With great stealth, he entered the room, making his way over to the bed as the faint noise from the bailey filtered into the chamber. It was very quiet outside so he was coming to think that maybe everyone had gone to the kitchen yard so that Lady de Wolfe could rest. He was just lowering himself onto the bed, very carefully, when Brighton suddenly rolled over and looked up at him.
“You do not have to be so quiet,” she said softly. “I am not asleep.”
He smiled at her and lowered himself down completely, propping his head upon his hand, elbow bent, as he gazed down into her lovely face.
“You can sleep all you want, you know,” he said. “I will stay right by your side. I will never leave you, Bridey. Not ever.”
She reached up, a gentle hand touching his cheek. “You will leave me when you depart for London,” she said. “Patrick, I have been thinking. You do not have to refuse your royal appointment. It was nearly the first thing you ever told me about and I know how badly you want it. I will come to London with you. If we must spend time apa
rt while you tend the king, then so be it. I am not troubled by it.”
His expression turned serious. “But I am troubled by it,” he said. “You do not seem to understand how much time I would have to spend away from you. Eventually, it would take its toll on you and on me. Nay, it is much better for us to remain here at Berwick where we will see each other with great frequency. I could not stand to be parted from you, Bridey. Not for an hour, a day, or a week. All the time I was with Henry, I would be thinking of you and would, therefore, be ineffective as his Lord Protector. It simply would not work.”
Brighton considered his words. “But I do not want you to resent me someday. You wanted this appointment so badly… I could not stand it if you grew to hate me because you felt I had kept you from your destiny.”
He sighed faintly, reaching up a hand to stroke her soft hair. “You are my destiny,” he said. “When God led me to your captors those weeks ago, He put my destiny right in front of me. I can see that now.”
Brighton was still unsure. She knew how much the royal appointment meant to him and that, coupled with the news from the Scots messenger, had her reeling. A crying jag followed by an hour or two of exhausted sleep had brought her to this point in her life. She still felt vastly uneasy and fearful, even more fearful now that Patrick was going to leave her to journey to London to inform the king that he would not accept his royal appointment. She didn’t want him to leave her side but she understood his reasons.
She had to be brave.
“So you will leave me to go to London,” she said, her hand still on his cheek. “How long will you be gone? London is very far away.”
He kissed her hand when it came near his mouth. “Not so very far,” he said. “It is summer and the weather is good. I can make thirty-five miles a day, which means that it will take me ten days, twelve at the most. I will seek Henry immediately. He will see me considering he believes I am there to assume my post. But I will tell him that I cannot accept and head for home as soon as I can.”
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