by Alexa Aston
“That’s a lie!” cried Campion, as those gathered began murmuring.
“Is it?” the man seated next to Cassiana asked. He now stood and she recalled where she’d seen him before as he began to speak.
“I am Barnard Lovell, assistant steward at Newfield. Lord Reynard forced me to come with him and Collin Campion and halt the wedding between Lady Cassiana and Lord Landon. Lord Reynard demanded that I pretend to be the priest who’d married Lord Darwin and Lady Juetta.
“I am no priest. No wedding occurred. The parchment I carried that day was a forgery.” Lovell sat as the gathered crowd gasped.
Lady Druscilla added, “My husband and Collin also told another falsehood to the people of Briarwood. Lady Juetta . . . is alive.”
Now, the great hall erupted as people began talking all at once.
“Silence!” called out Sheriff Howard. He looked to the noblewoman. “Why didn’t Lady Juetta herself come today and share this truth?”
“Because my sister-in-law is mad. Ask Collin. As a boy, he used to visit her in the turret tower where she’s lived all of her life. Separated from others because she easily turns violent. Collin was afraid of her and asked never to visit her again. He said his mother was dead to him. My husband and I have raised Collin. I’m afraid to say that we haven’t done a good job of it, since he lied his way into being the Earl of Briargate.”
“Thank you, my lady,” Sheriff Howard said and Lady Druscilla seated herself.
Cassiana watched Collin Campion wilt before her. His shoulders slumped. His head hung in shame.
The sheriff stood. “Since no marriage took place between Lord Darwin Campion and Lady Juetta Payne, any issue from their coupling is legally a bastard. As a bastard, Collin Campion cannot inherit anything from Lord Darwin.” He scooped up the parchment before him. “Since King Edward awarded Sir Landon de Blays the title Earl of Briargate and all lands that accompany it, I proclaim him, now and forever, the rightful earl.”
Cheers erupted throughout the great hall.
Landon stood and shook hands with Howard. The sheriff asked, “What would you have me do with Campion? And Lord Reynard? I can have them sent to the king since they conspired together and committed fraud.”
Cassiana rose. Her gaze met Landon’s and he nodded.
“I think justice has been served, Sheriff,” Landon said. “Lord Reynard is on the edge of losing his estate to gambling debts. He and Campion will suffer humiliation and poverty. That is punishment enough. Are you in agreement, my lady?”
She nodded. “I am, Lord Landon.” It felt good calling him by his title again.
“Then my work here is done. I’m needed in Berwick-upon-Tweed to settle two cases. I hope we meet again, Lord Landon, under much better circumstances.” The sheriff left the dais.
Cassiana turned to Lady Druscilla and Barnard Lovell, who’d joined them. “I can’t thank you enough for testifying on Landon’s behalf. We will be forever grateful.”
The noblewoman took Cassiana’s hand. “I hope you and Lord Landon have a very happy marriage and are blessed with an abundance of children.”
Sir Baldwin came to stand in front of them. “Lady Druscilla, your escort awaits you.”
Landon lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “Lady Druscilla, I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey and enjoy your new life with your daughter and son-in-law.”
“Come visit me sometime, Lord Landon. I would like that.”
He smiled. “I would, too.”
Sir Baldwin handed her down and led the noblewoman from the great hall, several soldiers falling into step behind them.
Landon gestured to Barnard. “Lady Cassiana, Barnard and his son, Stephen, will now reside at Briarwood. I thought it best for them to stay.”
“I think that’s a fine idea,” she declared.
Barnard bowed to them and jumped from the dais. He went to a young man who stood nearby and embraced him. Cassiana thought it must be his son.
Now, only Landon stood in front of her, drinking her in.
“Would you still be interested in wedding me?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye.
“I thought you’d never ask,” she teased.
Then she was in his arms, his mouth on hers, and the world around them faded away.
Stomping and clapping finally made her aware that others surrounded them. Cassiana eased her lips from Landon’s and looked around the great hall. Beaming faces stared back as those present rejoiced in the return of their liege lord.
Father Peter fought his way through the crowd until he reached them. “The people are demanding your wedding take place immediately.”
“Now?” Landon asked.
The priest nodded.
Landon looked to her. “What do you think, my love?”
Cassiana gave him a brilliant smile. “That we should change into our wedding finery and please our people.”
Landon returned her smile and then faced those gathered in the great hall. “Lady Cassiana and I will be wed in an hour.”
“Why not right away, my lord?” cried a loud voice.
He held his arms wide. “Look at me. I have the dust of the road on me from racing to Briarwood. The least I can do is wash and don the beautiful cotehardie my future wife sewed for me.”
“I’ll see to the hot water,” Cook called out and everyone laughed.
Cassiana found herself swept away by Messina and several other servants. As they turned the corner, she waved at Landon as others took charge of him. In her bedchamber, her wedding attire was laid out and she allowed herself to be dressed in it. Messina unplaited her hair and combed it until it shone before she placed the gold circlet from Katelyn atop Cassiana’s head.
A part of her wished that Nicholas could have been present to escort her to Landon and that Katelyn might have witnessed her brother marry. They would have to venture to Northmere soon and share their saga in person with the couple.
Everyone left once she was ready except for Messina. The longtime servant watched Cassiana with tears in her eyes.
“You look lovely, my lady. Happiness radiates from you.”
“I feel I am the most fortunate woman in the world, Messina. I’m marrying the best man I’ve ever known.”
Messina wiped away the tears that began to spill. “God has also favored Lord Landon, my lady, for he is lucky to wed you.”
Someone rapped on the bedchamber door and Messina answered it. Sir Adam entered.
“My lady, I would ask for the opportunity to escort you to your wedding to the Earl of Briargate.”
“Thank you, Sir Adam.” Cassiana slipped her hand around his arm and they left her room.
Once more, she traveled the familiar path from the keep to the chapel. Musicians again played a merry tune as she approached the crowd assembled for the ceremony. Then she caught sight of Landon and her heart flipped twice over. The slight breeze caught his dark hair and his emerald eyes glowed as she approached. Everyone else faded from view as she reached him and he took her hands in his.
As if in a dream, Cassiana listened as Landon made his vows to her and she repeated the same to him. He slipped on the simple band that he had purchased for her and she gazed at it sitting on her finger, knowing she would never remove it. Father Peter ushered them inside the chapel and said mass. At the end, he proclaimed them to be man and wife.
Landon cradled her face in his large hands and bent to kiss her. Anticipation made her heart flutter wildly. Then his lips tenderly brushed hers. Her arms went round his waist and he deepened the kiss, drawing her close. Wild emotions raced through Cassiana—but the one that rose above all others was love. A deep, abiding love for this good man poured from her into their kiss and she clung to him, never wanting to let go.
Her new husband was the one to break the kiss. He rested his forehead against hers.
Quietly, he said, “The sooner we leave the chapel, the sooner we can hurry to our solar.” Landon smiled. “I think you know what awaits us th
ere.”
Cassiana’s hand found his and they raced from the chapel as their people looked on in approval. Once outside, Landon swept her up in his arms and ran the rest of the way, through the bailey, into the keep, and up the stairs to the solar. Their solar. The room that would always be their private retreat. A place where they would spend long hours with the children they would make together. In love.
Landon set Cassiana down, his hands encircling her waist.
“I love you, Cassiana de Blays. You are my wife and my life. Everything I am or will ever be, I owe to you.” His mouth met hers.
Landon tasted of love. Their love. Which would last a lifetime.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Landon awoke with Cassiana nestled in his arms.
His wife . . .
He could only give praise to the Virgin Mary for seeing them safely through such a turbulent storm. When he thought of what his life might have been like if he’d lost this beautiful, caring woman, only a black void came to mind. Landon would have spent the rest of his life lost. Bitter. Unhappy.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, savoring the scent of lilac that wafted from her. In this moment, he knew utter contentment.
She began to stir and then opened her eyes. Her lips curled into a smile.
“Good morning, Husband.”
“Good morning, Wife.”
Landon kissed her. “I’m sorry to have kept you awake half the night.”
“Are you?” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
He cupped her cheek and she flinched.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He reached for the candle that had almost burned out and brought it between them. The left side of Cassiana’s face was bruised and swollen and her eye blackened. He couldn’t imagine their love play having caused such injuries. Then it realized who was responsible.
“Campion,” he said, low and angry. “I’ll kill him.”
She clutched his shoulder. “Nay. He is out of our lives now, Landon. Collin Campion is the past.” She paused, toying with the hair on his chest. “I’d rather focus on our future. Better yet, the present.” Her smile grew wide and then she pressed her lips to his.
Landon loved her sweet and slow, covering every inch of her in gentle kisses as he caressed her body, her skin like silk beneath his fingers. Cassiana returned the favor, kissing him in places that he’d never known could be so sensitive to touch. Her hand trailed down his chest to his manhood. As she stroked it, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer to be inside her.
Lifting her by the waist, he settled her above him and then lowered her until she sheathed him completely. Buried in her velvet softness, he closed his eyes and sighed.
“Oh, my. This is new.”
She wriggled and he groaned.
“Hmm. I rather like this.”
Landon opened his eyes. “I thought you might.” His hands squeezed her waist gently.
Slowly, Cassiana began to move, finding a rhythm that suited her and then the both of them. They came at the same time, each calling out the other’s name, and she collapsed against him. They lay entwined for some minutes and then she raised her head.
“I think we should go to Northmere today.”
He frowned. “I’ve only just returned to Briarwood.”
“Katelyn and Nicholas must be worried sick about you. We must let them know all is well. That we are wed and you are once more the Earl of Briargate. Besides, you should return Nicholas’ horse to him. We won’t be gone but a day. We can leave once we break our fast and be there in less than two hours. That would give us plenty of time to visit and then we can depart for home tomorrow morning.”
“It would please Katelyn to see us,” Landon mused. “All right. Let’s dress and make our way downstairs—before I decide to keep you in bed all day.”
Cassiana readied herself for the day. As she started to fasten the amber pendant around her neck, Landon stopped her.
“I have something else I’d like you to wear today.”
He opened his palm and revealed an ornate brooch composed of rubies.
“Is that a dragon?” she asked, curious where this piece came from.
“Aye,” he confirmed. “I have another confession to make. You already know of my father’s transgressions. I also have another disreputable ancestor. My great-grandfather, Godwin de Blays, was a pirate. They called him God of the Seas.”
Cassiana burst out laughing. “A pirate, truly?”
“Aye. Father used to tell us stories about Godwin as we sat on the bank and fished. He was the son of an earl who was sold to pirates as a boy.”
“Sold?” Shock filled her.
“I’m fuzzy on the details but I remember Father telling me his grandfather took Lady Melisent captive on the high seas. They wound up marrying and Godwin learned of his origins. He returned to Blackwell and became its earl. Father said that Godwin loved Melisent so much that he gave up pirating for her. This brooch was his gift to her since he captained a ship called Dragonstar.”
Landon pinned the brooch to her cotehardie. He grew serious.
“Moments before the king’s men arrested Father, he pressed this into my hands and told me to give it to the woman I loved.” Landon kissed her. “That’s you, my love.”
Cassiana fingered the brooch. “You have given me two pieces that I’ll treasure. Thank you.” She kissed him, wondering how else he would surprise her over the years.
They entered the great hall and Landon spoke to Sir Adam, advising the captain to select a guard of half a dozen men to see them to Northmere.
Once they’d broken their fast, Cassiana gathered a small bundle to attach to her horse with fresh clothes for the next day and they made their way to the stables.
“Why don’t I ride Orion to Northmere?” she suggested. “Then we can ride on him together when we return tomorrow.”
Landon thought it an excellent idea and asked a groom to saddle Nicholas’ horse while he prepared Orion for the trip. He led the horse from its stall and saw Cassiana in the one opposite. She’d laced her arms around Tressa’s neck and wept into the horse’s mane.
Entering the stall, he softly asked, “Is something wrong with Tressa?”
She ran a hand down the horse’s nose and then kissed her before turning away.
“Nay, Tessa is fine. It’s just that Campion threatened . . . he threatened . . .” She dissolved into tears again.
He enfolded her in his arms and let her weep. Her half-brother must have discovered how much Cassiana cared for the horse and used the affection she felt against her. It was merely another reason that if Landon ever saw the bastard again, he would strike him dead.
She pushed away and wiped her sleeve across her reddened eyes. “Let’s go.”
Once outside, he helped her mount Orion and then took his place on Nicholas’ horse. The assembled guard did the same and their party galloped through both baileys and the gates, heading north toward Berwick-upon-Tweed before they turned west for Northmere.
The gates opened as they approached and Landon knew those on duty had recognized the banner of the Earl of Briargate. He glanced up at it dancing in the breeze and was overwhelmed by a moment of wonder that the banner represented him. His house. The ones who’d come before him and the children which would follow him.
The group made straight for the keep. As Landon suspected, Katelyn awaited them outside, her face flushed with color. He helped Cassiana from Orion and they greeted his sister. She embraced him for a long moment and then kissed him soundly. Katelyn turned to Cassiana and lifted her hand.
“You’re wed!” Katelyn cried. “Oh, I’m so happy for you.” She hugged Cassiana tightly and then fell into Landon’s arms once again.
By now, Nicholas joined them. “Forgive me. I was in the training yard. I would greet you but I’m filthy.”
“Come inside, Nicholas,” Katelyn urged. “You can train any day with your men. We need to celebrate Lando
n and Cassiana’s being married.”
Nicholas’ face lit up. “You are?” He slapped Landon on the back. “Well done, my friend.”
The two couples entered the keep. Katelyn called for hot water to be brought up for Nicholas to rinse with and for their noon meal to be delivered to the solar. She quickly nursed Ruston and gave him to a servant so the boy could nap.
Soon, the four sat around the large, oak table as Landon and Katelyn took turns relaying the events of the past week.
“I can’t imagine how you felt, having all those suitors lined up to inspect you as if you were a horse they might buy,” Katelyn told Cassiana. “And to think Campion wanted to sell you like a slave to one of them.”
“I realize they were, for the most part, good men. In search of a bride.”
Landon lifted Cassiana’s hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “You are a prize, my love. Any man would vie for the opportunity to take you to wife.”
Her amber eyes glowed with affection. “I was only meant to be one man’s wife. Thank the Christ it came to pass.”
“Do you think Collin Campion merely greedy in trying to falsely claim Briarwood? Or do you think he might be touched by his mother’s madness?” asked Nicholas.
“There’s a strong possibility his mind is tainted,” Landon said. “Lady Druscilla admitted that her husband spoiled him as a boy but I got the feeling that she’d grown somewhat afraid of him as he grew older.”
“His temper was volatile during my time in his company,” Cassiana confirmed. “The least thing set him off. I spent the week he lived at Briarwood trying to placate him and keep others out of his way.”
Katelyn looked at her sympathetically. “I can see you suffered under his hand.”
Cassiana self-consciously raised a hand to her face. “It wasn’t until the end that he struck me. I’ll admit that I provoked him.”
Landon tightened his fingers around hers. “If I ever see him again . . .” His voice trailed off.
“I doubt you will,” Nicholas said. “From all you shared, he will be doing what he can to survive. If Lord Reynard’s gambling debts are called in and he loses his estate, both he and Campion will be homeless.”
