by Alexa Aston
“I am your older brother. Actually, your half-brother. From our father’s first marriage,” the stranger revealed, his eyes watchful.
“First marriage? My father wed . . . twice?”
He snapped his fingers and gestured toward the priest, who stepped forward, a parchment in his hands. They trembled as if he had the palsy.
“I am Father Barnard, my lady. I can testify that Sir Collin speaks the truth. I married his mother and father a score and six years ago in Durham. He is the issue of their marriage. I bear the proof of their union.”
Cassiana reeled. She was three and twenty, the first of her parents’ children. If what the priest said was true, then Collin Campion was her half-brother. Merely looking at him alone told her he was a Campion but the priest’s word, along with the document he bore, was proof enough.
The third in their group spoke up. “I am Reynard Payne, Baron of Newfield. My estate is situated on the border of Durham and Northumberland. ’Twas my sister, Juetta, who married Sir Darwin, the man who became the Earl of Briargate.”
“Why don’t I know of this marriage?” Cassiana asked, her mouth dry.
“They wed in secret,” Lord Reynard said. “Your grandfather was ill and your father returned home to look after the estate right after he received his knighthood. After several months, Sir Darwin became the new earl and returned for his bride.” Lord Reynard’s face fell. “By then, Juetta had given birth to Collin. She died only hours later.”
His words caused her mind to reel. “I don’t understand why Father didn’t bring the babe home to Briarwood,” Cassiana said. “The boy would have been his heir.”
“Because Uncle Reynard told him I was dead,” Collin interjected.
Lord Reynard continued the tale. “I was angry my sister had wed without permission. We’d always been close. Her death affected me a great deal. I didn’t want to lose the only part left of her so I told your father that Juetta and her babe had passed. He believed me and returned to Briarwood. We never saw him again.”
Collin Campion said, “Uncle Reynard raised me. I always knew who my birth father was. Uncle Reynard told me when the Earl of Briargate passed, it would be time for me to claim my lands and title. I am here now for that very reason.” He looked to Landon. “I’ve heard the king made you the new earl. That will change now since I am the rightful heir to Briarwood.”
Campion reached for Cassiana’s arm but she pulled away. “Landon may not be the earl but we will wed all the same.”
Her half-brother’s eyes glittered in anger. “I am the Earl of Briargate,” he ground out. “As the earl and your closest male relative, ’tis my right to make the decision when and whom you wed.” Collin looked to Landon. “Tell me, Lord Landon, do you hold claim to any other titles?”
“Nay.”
“I suppose that makes you Sir Landon. And do you own any properties?”
“I do not.”
Cassiana sensed the tension running through Landon since their hands were still joined.
“Under no circumstances would I see myself giving permission for a mere knight with no title and no estate to wed my sister. After all, where would the two of you go? You don’t even own a bed to sleep in.”
Campion’s low laugh caused a chill to run along her spine. He looked around at the crowd and said, “Good people of Northumberland, no wedding will take place today. Feel free to join me and my sister in the great hall. We will celebrate that I come into my rightful inheritance this day.”
He swung around and addressed Landon. “As for you, Sir Landon, I wish for you to leave my estate at once. Gather your things and be gone.”
Chapter Nineteen
Rage coursed through Landon. If he’d had his sword by his side, he might have drawn it and run it through this man. Losing the earldom and the estate pained him.
Losing Cassiana would destroy him.
Knowing he had no recourse at the moment, Landon raised their joined hands and pressed a light kiss upon her knuckles. “Farewell, my lady. May life bring you everything you could wish for.” He released her hand and saw the fire blaze in her eyes and then she banked it, her face now placid.
She turned to the new earl and said, “Sir Landon’s belongings are in the solar. With your permission, my lord, I will see them packed up so that he might vacate Briarwood.”
Campion waved a hand dismissively. “A servant can do that.”
She smiled graciously. “Not nearly as efficiently and quickly as I can. Please, go to the great hall for the celebration. I will join you once all traces of Sir Landon have been eliminated.”
Cassiana turned and walked away with dignity, the crowd parting to allow her through. Landon began to follow her.
Katelyn stopped him, placing a hand upon his sleeve. Worry filled her face. “We will wait for you at the stables, Landon. You must come to Northmere with us.”
He nodded curtly and moved away from the chapel, seeing Cassiana ahead of him. He hurried up the steps of the keep and found her waiting for him inside the door.
She clasped his hand and pulled him toward the stairs. “I tried to buy us time together so we can come up with a plan. Should I leave with you now?”
As they ascended, he tried to keep the despondency that had begun to blanket him from his voice and said, “You should remain at Briarwood. There’s very little we can do.”
“What?” She stopped, shock evident on her face. “You will not fight for me?”
He cupped her cheek. “I will leave straight for Windsor and make my case to the king. Only he has the authority to override any plans Campion may have for you.”
Landon tugged her up the remaining stairs and toward the solar. As they went down the hall, he said, “Legally, you are under Campion’s guardianship and he may choose the man he wishes for you to marry without input from you.”
“He cannot make me say the vows,” she snapped.
“Actually, he can,” Landon revealed. “If you refuse to repeat the priest’s words, he could merely wed you by proxy to the man he selects.”
“Nay! I would enter a convent and pledge myself to God before I allowed myself to be wed to any man other than you.”
They reached the solar and entered. He looked about what had already become a home to him. His eyes flickered toward the bedchamber, thinking of the things he had done with Cassiana in the large bed. Grief threatened to swallow him whole. Still, he masked it, not wanting her to know how desperate he felt their situation was.
“I will ask my cousin to allow our marriage to take place as planned. Edward might be feeling generous and award me a new property and title if one is available. If he doesn’t, I’m certain he would be eager to take me back into his guard. The queen is fond of me. She would find a place for you in the royal household, most likely as a lady-in-waiting to her. We would be assigned a room at court.”
Cassiana’s eyes lit up. “All we need is a bed.”
Landon gripped her shoulders. “Watch what you say from now on. You won’t know if Campion has any spies or where they might be. He might have brought soldiers from Newfield—or even servants—with him. Don’t let him know of our feelings toward one another.”
“Why?”
“You are the one who once told me that knowledge is power. Collin Campion seems the type of man who might use the knowledge of our love against us. If anything, feign indifference toward me.”
“I understand.” She looked about the solar. “Gather your clothing. He also seems the type of man who would shred anything you left behind.”
“I want to ride light. I’ll only bring a change of clothing with me. I’ll give my armor to Nicholas to take to Northmere.”
“Nay, leave it—and your other clothing—with me. Take it to my chamber now. I’ll give you gold to make your trip south.”
While Cassiana retrieved coins for him from behind the hidden panel, Landon took every possession he owned to her bedchamber, including the parchment that awarded him his earld
om. She joined him there, giving him a small pouch filled with coins. He slipped it under the cotehardie he wore, afraid if he left it in the small purse attached at his waist that Campion would stop him and demand its contents. He only had a few pieces of silver in it, all that was left after he’d purchased the amber pendant she now wore.
“Let us say our goodbyes here in private,” he said. “If you don’t care that I’m leaving, you wouldn’t see me off outside.”
Determination filled her face as she placed her palms against his chest. “Have faith, Landon. We are meant to be man and wife. My heart tells me so. God would not have brought us together only to rend us apart so cruelly. I will pray daily to the Blessed Virgin to intervene and resolve our problems.”
Landon cradled her face between his hands, memorizing everything about her. Then their lips met in a searing kiss, one that he would remember in the days and nights to come.
He only hoped it wouldn’t be their last.
Cassiana was the first to pull away. She lifted his hand, palm up, and pressed a tender kiss in its center. “I love you, Landon. I will wait for you. As long as it takes.”
“Love was a word with no meaning. Until you came along,” he replied. “I love you, Cassiana.”
With that, he broke away from her and scooped up the extra set of clothes he would take on his journey. Hurrying from her bedchamber, Landon descended the stairs and passed the great hall. He stopped, seeing it was only a quarter full. Those who dined did so in silence. He glanced to the dais and saw the three intruders seated upon it. Collin Campion had taken the spot Landon had once sat in. Their eyes met, Campion’s full of triumph. He raised a cup and then drank from it.
Landon left the keep. A voice called out to him. Turning, he saw Messina.
She caught up to him and handed him a small bundle. “Here, my lord. Something for you to eat on the road.”
“Thank you, Messina. You have always been kind to me.”
“We are all sorry, my lord. I know Lady Cassiana must be heartbroken.”
Landon’s throat grew thick. Instead of replying, he gave the servant a nod and continued walking briskly to the stables. Many horses were being saddled as wedding guests left Briarwood. No one met his eyes. He couldn’t blame them.
Nicholas joined him. “Kate and I are ready to leave. I insist you come with us.”
“Nay. I leave directly for Windsor.”
“You plan to petition the king for Cassiana’s hand and Briarwood?” his friend asked.
Landon shook his head. “Briarwood is lost. I accept that. What I won’t accept is losing the woman I love.”
Nicholas gripped his shoulder. “Then Godspeed, Landon. Our prayers are with you.”
Katelyn rushed over and threw her arms about him. Her tears fell onto the cotehardie Cassiana had sewn. Landon tipped his sister’s chin up.
“I go to our cousin now. I hope he will still allow me to wed Cassiana. Pray for me, Sister.”
She kissed his cheek. “Be safe, Landon. I love you.”
“And I you.”
He watched as Nicholas helped Katelyn onto her horse. Then saw a groom bringing Orion to him.
“We will miss you, my lord,” the stable hand said as he gave Landon the horse’s reins.
“Whose horse is that?” a voice shouted.
Landon turned and saw none other than Collin Campion striding toward him, a smug look on his face. Landon gripped the reins in his hand, willing himself not to pummel the new earl into unconsciousness.
“You!” Campion cried, pointing at the young groom who’d brought Orion to Landon. “What’s the name of that horse?”
“Orion, my lord,” the groom said nervously.
Campion marched to him, his nose almost touching the groom’s, and said, “Think very carefully before you answer me, boy. What you say will determine if you still have a place at Briarwood.”
The young man swallowed hard. “Aye, my lord.”
“Again. What’s the name of that horse?”
“Orion.”
“And did Sir Landon arrive on Orion when he came to Briarwood?” Campion demanded.
The groom swallowed again. “Nay, my lord. He walked from Berwick-upon-Tweed, as did the other soldiers who returned from France.”
Campion took a step back, cocking his head to one side. “So, from what you say, Orion is a Briarwood horse. Who did he belong to before Sir Landon claimed the animal as his own?”
“Sir Tobyn. Lady Cassiana gave Orion to Lord—Sir Landon since he had no mount.”
The new earl dusted his hands together. “Then Sir Landon will leave as he came. I’ll have no horseflesh of mine taken by him.” Campion turned and headed toward the keep then changed his mind. He returned to stand before Landon.
“Empty your purse,” he commanded.
“Why?” Landon asked, knowing exactly what the earl did.
“I want to see if you are leaving with any of my monies.”
He opened the purse and dumped the contents into his hand. Lifting it, he showed Campion. “This is what I came with.”
“Good.” The nobleman strode away without a backward glance.
The groom went to Landon, shaking his head, anguish obvious on his face. “I’m sorry, my lord. I’ve a wife and child to feed.”
Landon handed the reins back to the man. “You did the right thing.”
Nicholas hurried to him. He handed Landon the wedding band that was to have rested on Cassiana’s finger. “You never know when you might need the ring and I may not be there when you do. Take my mount, Landon,” his friend urged as Landon slipped the ring into his purse. “You need to reach the king as soon as possible. I can ride with Kate.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.” Nicholas threw his arms about Landon and pounded him on the back before pulling away and swinging up behind his wife.
Landon mounted his friend’s horse and rode with the escort party from Northmere through the castle grounds and out the open gates. When they reached the main road, Landon gave a wave and turned south while the others ventured north. He urged the horse into a gallop.
He couldn’t reach his cousin fast enough.
*
Cassiana made sure all of Landon’s things were tucked out of sight. She wouldn’t put it past her half-brother to glance into her bedchamber. Inhaling a long breath, she expelled it slowly, feeling calmer than she had. The smart thing would be to join the earl in the great hall and pretend to celebrate with him. Though it was the last place she wished to be, she remembered Landon’s words. She would give this new relative nothing of herself.
As she left her chamber, she met Messina and two other servants in the corridor.
“I will see that the solar is cleaned beyond expectations,” Messina assured her. “New bedclothes. The chamber pot emptied. There will be no trace of Lord Landon once we are done.”
“Sir Landon,” Cassiana corrected. “Please, Messina. Be careful. I fear this new earl has a quick temper.”
“Aye, my lady.”
Cassiana went to the great hall and saw only a handful of people gathered there. She assumed most of the wedding guests had left directly after Campion confronted her and Landon. Most of the people of Briarwood had chosen not to come to the feast in their new lord’s honor, a risky move on their part. At least Campion didn’t know any names yet so he wouldn’t know who was present and who was missing.
She went to the dais and found her half-brother absent from his own feast. Only his uncle and the priest that accompanied them dined at the long, raised table.
Joining them, she asked, “Where is my brother? I was looking forward to conversing with him.”
“He went to the stables. He’ll be back shortly,” Lord Reynard said.
She didn’t pursue why he would do so, only hoping Landon had already left by the time Campion arrived and no confrontation had occurred between them.
Minutes later, the earl returned and came to sit next to her
.
“Your solar is being cleaned as we dine, my lord. I think you will find everything to your satisfaction. If not, let me know and I will immediately address your concerns.”
“Please, we are brother and sister,” he said. “You must call me Collin.”
“All right,” she agreed. “It’s still hard to imagine my father had another child—another wife—before my mother. It’s a little upsetting.”
His hand covered hers unexpectedly. She took pride in the fact that she didn’t flinch.
“I know you’ve lost everyone dear to you, Cassiana. Your parents. All those brothers. Never fear. I am here now. I will take care of you.”
“Thank you, Collin. I am relieved to hear that.”
She tried to force down a few bites, not wanting him to grow suspicious. Instead, she asked him many questions as servants brought out course after course, trying to glean information that might prove useful. She learned of his childhood and his love of horses. That he preferred using a sword over a pike. He boasted of his prowess as a hunter. None of that interested her. Then she casually asked how close he was with Lord Reynard.
“He disgusts me,” Campion said vehemently, his tongue loose after so much wine. “I could have grown up here, known to all as the heir apparent. Instead, he selfishly kept me with him all these years. I wasn’t even allowed to foster.”
Leaning close to her, he said, “Uncle thinks I’ll be an ally to him.” He chuckled. “My only allegiance is to myself. And my lovely sister, of course.”
Cassiana hoped to use the knowledge of a rift between the two men to her advantage, especially since the older man had no idea how his nephew truly felt.
Suddenly, Campion asked, “Why did you say that you would wed Sir Landon, even though he wasn’t the Earl of Briargate?”
Cassiana knew all his talk had been to lull her. Then trap her.
Looking directly into his eyes, she said coolly, “Father always impressed upon me how important it was to honor a commitment. That my word was my bond, the same as a knight’s would be. Though we weren’t betrothed, the king had ordered us to wed. I had agreed to this with Sir Landon after reading the missive he brought from the king. I’d given him my word, Collin. I thought I must do so to honor what had been spoken between us.”
