The Heir (The King's Cousins Book 2)

by Alexa Aston

  “Thanks be to God that Lady Druscilla—and Barnard Lovell—were willing to speak the truth,” Cassiana said. “At least she will be safe at her daughter’s. Landon was kind enough to give refuge to Barnard and his son. They will remain at Briarwood.”

  Suddenly, Katelyn’s cotehardie moved with no one touching it. She began to laugh. “The babe is awake again.”

  Nicholas placed his hand over her belly and rubbed it affectionately. “Should we take a walk? That usually seems to calm her down.”

  “You believe it a girl?” Landon asked.

  “I do.” Nicholas grinned. “She’ll probably be even more beautiful than Kate and have everyone at Northmere wrapped around her tiniest finger. Including Ruston.”

  “I think as an older brother, Ruston will be protective of the babe, be it a boy or girl.”

  Nicholas offered his wife a hand and helped her to her feet.

  “Would you care to walk with us?” he asked Landon and Cassiana. “The babe seems to enjoy that. I have a new horse I purchased two days ago that I’d like you to see.”

  The couples exited the solar and went outside. The late October afternoon was sunny but chilly.

  “I would like to rub some hyssop on your face to alleviate the bruising,” Katelyn told Cassiana. “I’m running low, though. Instead of visiting the horses, would you like to join me to pick some?”

  Cassiana agreed and they parted from the men. She strolled with Katelyn through the gates and they ventured outside the castle’s walls.

  “I noticed your brooch,” Katelyn said. “Melisent’s brooch.”

  “Aye. Landon gave it to me this morning. He told me about his pirate great-grandfather and the woman he took captive that became his wife.”

  “Mother abhorred that story,” Katelyn confided. “Father would tell us pirating stories only when we were well out of her sight.” She pointed. “The meadow lies just over there. I can usually find hyssop at the edge of the woods. We won’t need much.”

  She watched Katelyn’s cotehardie wiggle again. “Does it hurt?”

  “Not now. As I grow larger, it’s a bit uncomfortable. I have to relieve myself frequently. The last month when I carried Ruston, I found it a little hard to breathe. And sleep was difficult because my belly had grown so large. No matter how I lay, I couldn’t get comfortable.”

  “What about childbirth?” It was something Cassiana dreaded, having watched her mother give birth. Those screams still haunted her dreams.

  “It hurts a great deal,” admitted Katelyn. “I’ll not lie to you about that. But it’s as if the memory of labor dissolves once your babe is placed in your arms. A blanket of pure love wraps around you and your babe and you forge a powerful connection with one another.”

  “My mother lost several children while giving birth. The last time, she also died. Her babe did not survive.”

  Katelyn shrugged. “’Tis part of being a woman. To me, a babe is an expression of the love I bear for Nicholas. The love we have for one another.” She cradled her belly with both hands. “I would die for the child within me—and I haven’t even met it yet. Come, here we are. Let’s cut through the meadow.”

  They crossed the wide space and Katelyn told Cassiana to keep an eye out for the hyssop, telling her it would be both blue and pink.

  “I see some,” she said.

  “I do, too,” Katelyn added. “Let’s each pick some sprigs.”

  Cassiana knelt and plucked several strands of the herb. Her face hurt a great deal but she would never have told Landon. She knew bruises healed quickly. Once they’d faded, there would be no more reminders of her half-brother.

  Rising, she asked, “Do you think this is enough?” She raised her fist, which clutched the hyssop—and then dropped it.

  Collin Campion held Katelyn against him, one arm wrapped about her as his hand held a knife to her throat.

  “Come here,” he commanded.

  Cassiana moved toward them. Katelyn’s eyes were large but surprisingly held no fear.

  “What do you want?” she asked Campion.

  “My life back,” he hissed. “I was supposed to be the Earl of Briargate. The liege lord of a vast estate. Wealthy beyond my dreams. Until Landon de Blays took it all away. A man stained with the mark of his father’s treason. Why should he be granted a vast estate?” Campion glanced down and started. “I see a wedding band on your hand, Sister. I suppose you married him so that you could keep running Briarwood as you did before.”

  “We are wed,” she confirmed, thinking this man’s mind and blood were corrupted by the madness that ate away at his mother.

  “I wonder which one of you de Blays cares more for? His sister? Or his new wife?” mused Campion. “We’ll soon find out.”

  Keeping the knife to Katelyn’s throat, he said, “Approach slowly. Pick up the rope lying on the ground.”

  Cassiana walked in their direction, knowing if she made any sudden move to free Katelyn or disarm him, he would plunge the dagger into her sister-in-law’s throat.

  “Tie your right ankle to her left one,” he instructed. “Knot it several times so that I can see that it’s firm.”

  She positioned her leg beside Katelyn’s and then squatted, tying the rope around their ankles, binding them together.

  “Rise,” Campion instructed. “Loop it around her waist and yours.”

  Cassiana did as commanded, dread filling her.

  “Hold your right hand out,” he ordered. “Lady Katelyn, your left.”

  The women raised their arms and touched hands then allowed their fingers to entwine. Quickly, he wound the rope around their wrists and tied it off. Stepping away several paces, he assessed them.

  “Walk to me.”

  The first step proved awkward. They had to launch their bound ankles together and then swing their free legs around. After a few tries, they figured out how to move more smoothly as Campion backed away and they continued to walk toward him. Cassiana realized there was no way they could successfully outrun him, being tethered together, especially since Katelyn was with child.

  “What is the point of this, Collin?” she asked.

  “The point will be to see which of you de Blays saves.”

  Her belly soured at his words. Cassiana had no idea what Campion intended. Her fingers tightened around Katelyn’s.

  “Walk through the meadow until you reach the road. I’ll be right behind you.”

  The two women looked at one another. Cassiana saw determination filled Katelyn’s face. She took strength from that as they set out. As they walked, they found a rhythm between them and it became easier. They reached the road that dead-ended at Northmere’s gates and Campion told them to halt when they reached the center.

  “Face the castle.”

  They did. Cassiana looked over her shoulder and saw the dagger clutched in his hand.

  He waved it menacingly. “I said to look at the castle, Sister. If you turn around again, I’ll cut Lady Katelyn’s child from her bulging belly and then her throat.”

  Quickly, she whipped her head around, knowing this monster would make good on his threat.

  She didn’t know how long they stood there. She could see activity on the wall walk and knew those on duty must be alerting Nicholas as to something strange occurring. They were within reach of an archer firing an arrow but Campion hid behind them, their bodies offering him protection from harm.

  Cassiana glanced to Katelyn and saw her sister-in-law’s right hand cradled her growing belly. She remembered that Katelyn had said she would die for her child. Cassiana hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

  Movement on the ground caught her eye. A man emerged from the gates and slowly walked in their direction. She realized it was Nicholas who headed their way. It took him several minutes before he stood before them, his arms wide open.

  “I come unarmed,” he said. “I ask for you to take me as hostage instead of these women.”

  “Who are you?” Campion demanded.


  “Lord Nicholas Mandeville, Earl of Northmere.”

  “Where is Landon de Blays?” shouted her half-brother. “I want de Blays here. Now. He is the one I will deal with. I want him to be the one to make the choice.”

  “What choice is that?” Nicholas asked calmly, his arms still wide.

  “Whether I gut his sister or his wife.”

  Cassiana swallowed. She squeezed Katelyn’s fingers, trying to reassure her.

  “I know I won’t have time to kill both of them. But I want de Blays to suffer. As I have suffered. He stripped me of everything. The least I can do is return the favor and take something precious from him. Let him watch as either his sister or wife bleeds to death before his eyes.”

  “Neither Kate nor Cassiana have done you any harm,” Nicholas said. “I told you—take me. I will go with you willingly.”

  “I don’t want to go anywhere!” Campion roared. “I have nowhere to go. This is the last play of my game. I will take de Blays’ sister or his wife with me. I know the moment I slice open one, I am a dead man. An archer will fire upon me. Or the man in front of me will pounce and kill me with pleasure.

  “I want that man to be Landon de Blays, Lord Nicholas. Not you. Fetch him. Now. I want him to make the decision of which lady dies with me and which one will live.”

  “Nay,” Cassiana said, not daring to look at the fiend. “I’ll make the choice. Not Landon. Take me, Collin. We belong together. We are of the same blood. We did not live together but we can die together.” She paused. “Lady Katelyn already is mother to one child and will soon bear another. Please. Let her live. Let her be a mother to them. Take me, Brother. Now.”

  Katelyn gasped as Cassiana steeled herself for the thrust of Collin’s knife.

  It never came.

  Instead, she heard a grunt and then a loud, long keening, the sound so unearthly that she shivered. Then Nicholas was before them, tugging them toward him, pulling their heads into his chest.

  “Don’t look,” he warned as he withdrew a blade and began cutting their bonds.

  Cassiana ignored him and lifted her head. She twisted around and saw Landon standing behind Campion, his sword jammed straight through her half-brother’s torso. Blood bubbled from Campion’s throat as he groaned in agony. Her husband ripped his sword out and then swung it with all his might, slicing through Campion’s neck. The head sailed several feet away as the body swayed and then crumpled to the ground.

  Their gazes met as Nicholas sliced through the last rope binding her to Katelyn. Landon flung his sword away and dashed to her. Cassiana fell into his arms. He kissed her over and over and ran his hands up and down her arms.

  “Are you all right?” he asked hoarsely.

  “I am now that you are here.”

  He kissed her again, hard and possessive, and she clung to him. Then she thought about Katelyn and pulled away. Her sister-in-law was weeping as Nicholas brushed her tears away.

  Then Katelyn called her name and Cassiana ran to her. They embraced one other, their hearts beating wildly so much that the other could feel it.

  “You were willing to die for me,” Katelyn said.

  “You had your children to live for. I could not have taken you from them.”

  Landon slipped his arms around her from behind and she leaned into him. Nicholas did the same with Katelyn.

  “I kept him talking as long as I could,” Nicholas said. “When we recognized Campion from the wall walk, Landon immediately headed for the sally port. He sneaked through it and hurried around the woods so he could attack from behind.”

  “I was afraid I would be too late, knowing how unpredictable he was.”

  Cassiana lifted a hand to stroke his cheek. “You weren’t. You saved us from a madman.”

  “We both did, Nicholas and I,” Landon proclaimed. “We are a good team.”

  “Good friends and now family,” Nicholas said. “I love each of you but most of all, my precious Kate.” He turned his wife in his arms and kissed her.

  Cassiana maneuvered in Landon’s arms so that she faced him. Her hands went round his neck and pulled his mouth to hers. Their kiss celebrated life—and love.

  Epilogue

  Briarwood Castle—June, 1343

  Cassiana opened her eyes slowly, luxuriating in her favorite part of the day. It was when she awoke each morning in Landon’s arms. Having him cocooned around her made her feel safe and brought a peace that she’d never known existed—until this man came into her life and changed everything.

  She lightly stroked the forearm locked around her waist, knowing how important today was to her husband. King Edward would arrive at Briarwood on summer progress, the first time the monarch had ventured this far north with his entire royal court and family in tow. England’s forces had conquered most of Brittany last autumn and the king wanted to celebrate the victory, while also showing support for his northern nobles.

  Landon stirred and then nibbled on her neck enticingly.

  “We should probably rise and dress,” she said.

  His tongue teased the soft spot just behind her earlobe and Cassiana shivered in anticipation.

  “I’m not sure there’s time for love play, what with your cousin arriving soon.”

  Landon’s teeth sank gently into her earlobe. “There’s always time for love play, sweetheart,” he murmured.

  She abandoned any protest and gave herself over to him, reveling in each pass of his hands over her. Soon, they joined together as one, their spirits soaring higher than the Heavens before they gently drifted back to Earth.

  “Now, we can dress,” Landon proclaimed and rolled from the bed as he stretched his arms high over his head. “I am proud to wear what you sewed for me for I know every stitch was completed with love. Mayhap, I will be better dressed than the king himself.”

  He came around to the other side of their bed and offered her a hand. She took it and looked around, trying to remember where she’d placed everything. Landon had told her it was custom for the host to give up his solar for the length of the king’s visit. Fortunately, Edward was only going to spend two days and nights with them. Cassiana had decided they should sleep in a guest bedchamber last night so that she’d had time to prepare the solar for the royals the day before. She would look in once more this morning to make sure everything was as she wished.

  “I’ll go fetch Gavin so you can nurse him,” Landon said once he’d dressed.

  Their son would turn two late in August and was a great delight to them. He’d walked early and now talked constantly, asking questions all day long. Landon had already started placing Gavin in the saddle in front of him as he rode about Briarwood and called upon their tenants. Love washed over her every time she saw father and son sitting together atop Orion.

  A wave of nausea came and went as she bent to retrieve her comb. Cassiana thought a moment and discovered her courses should have come two weeks ago. They’d always been regular, both before and after Gavin’s birth. She realized her breasts had felt tender when Landon made love to her a few minutes ago but had thought it was due to her courses coming soon. She lifted one and it seemed heavier than usual. She placed a hand against her flat belly, wondering if new life grew within her again and hoped that it did.

  Landon returned with Gavin as she finished with her hair. He handed the child to her and Gavin greedily sucked on her teat. He was already eating solid foods but Cassiana cherished this time with her boy. Once he’d been fed and burped, she returned him to his father and they left the keep to attend mass.

  After they broke their fast, Cassiana met with the servants inside the keep, going over everyone’s assignments while the king and queen were at Briarwood. She’d hired extra hands from Stony Eastbridge to help with the cleaning and cooking and several of them would help serve in the great hall today as the biggest feast Briarwood had ever seen would be laid out.

  Her last task was collecting fresh flowers for the solar. She asked Justin to accompany her. The squire had s
prouted several inches over the last year and now towered above her, almost as tall as Landon stood. She could tell by the look on his face that watching his countess pick flowers wasn’t what he had in mind but Landon required her to be with protection whenever she left the walls of the castle. Nicholas did the same with Katelyn. Even though Collin Campion was long gone, Landon told Cassiana that she was much too precious for him to lose. He would rather her be safe and a little inconvenienced than find herself in danger as she had once been.

  She found the exact flowers she wanted, burgundy sweet peas and bloody crane’s-bill. Returning to the castle, she trimmed the stems and arranged the two different bunches together, interspersing dark and light artfully. She placed one arrangement on the oak table and the other beside the bed, stepping back to survey her work and finding she was pleased with it.

  Returning downstairs, Messina hurried toward her.

  “The king’s banner has been sighted, my lady. They’ll arrive within the quarter-hour. Sir Adam said the entourage is beyond comparison.”

  “Where is Lord Landon?”

  “Right here, my love.”

  Landon came toward her with Gavin in his arms, looking more handsome than he did a few hours ago. It thrilled Cassiana that she fell in love with this man over and over again, sometimes when she least expected it.

  Her two men accompanied her outside so they could greet the king and queen. Landon had wanted Gavin to be present but he wisely handed the squirming boy over to Messina, who would await nearby.

  Riders swept into the bailey, the king’s banners flying merrily in the breeze. She estimated a good hundred or more men-at-arms entered the castle walls, along with the king and his family and various nobles. Thankfully, the majority of those on summer progress would set up tents outside of Briarwood, though they would all be welcomed in for the feast and entertainment later today.

  She spotted the king immediately. Landon had told her his cousin would now be two and thirty and she thought the monarch both handsome and dignified. He dismounted and immediately went to assist his wife. Queen Philippa was a year shy of thirty and richly dressed. The royal couple approached them and Cassiana swept into a low curtsey as Landon bowed.