Страница 82 из 96
"Friar Gregory has verified that the couple is wed," Lord Hastings, the English emissary from King Henry's court was saying. " 'Twould seem Claymore adhered to the letter of the agreement, if not precisely to the spirit of it, while you, Lord Merrick, by plotting to hide your daughter away from her rightful husband, broke faith with the agreement both in spirit and in fact."
The Scottish emissary mumbled something soothing and conciliatory, but Je
His words slashed Je
"Bring her down here! She'll tell you I speak the truth!" her father thundered. "I demand she be brought down! The Barbarian objects because he knows his wife loathes him and that she'll confirm what I say."
Royce's deep voice was filled with such calm conviction that Je
"He's the liar!" Malcolm bellowed. "Je
"I regret the need to cause your wife unhappiness," Lord Hastings interrupted, "but both Lord Dugal and I agree the only way to get to the bottom of this is to hear what she herself has to say. No, your grace," he said instantly, "under the circumstances, 'twould be best if Lord Dugal and I escort the lady down here-to… er… prevent the claim of coercion by either party. Kindly direct Lord Dugal and me to her chamber…"
Je
The hall was filled with tension and hostility as she walked forward between her two escorts. Men-at-arms from Merrick, Claymore, and those from King Henry and King James lined the walls. Near the fireplace, Je
"Your grace-" Lord Hastings began, turning to Je
wish to flee to the solace of a cloister, rather than endure life with this… this bastard. Tell them you asked me, begged me to let you do it, that you knew-"
"I knew nothing, "Je
Je
"Hold!" he roared, advancing on Je
"I-I did say that," she stammered, her gaze flying to Royce's face, watching it harden into a mask of icy wrath.
"There! That proves it," her father shouted.
Je
"Je
Je
Behind her, Lord Hastings cleared his throat and said to her father and Royce, " 'Twould seem this has been a case of grave misunderstandings between all the parties. If you will be so kind as to provide us with lodgings for the night in the gatehouse, Claymore, we'll depart in the morn."
Booted feet hit the stone floor as everyone filed out. Je
And then the men huddled near the door slowly stood up and stepped back…
William was lying on the floor with a dagger hilt protruding from his chest, a pool of blood spreading out around him. Je
Throwing herself down beside him, moaning his name, she felt wildly for a pulse, but there was none, and her hands rushed over his arms and his face. "William, oh, please-" she cried brokenly, imploring him not to be dead. "William, please don't! William-" Je
"Arrest the bastard!" her father shouted behind her, trying to lunge at Royce while being restrained by the king's man.
Lord Hastings said sharply, "Your son's dagger is on the floor. He must have drawn it. There's no arrest to be made. Unhand Claymore," he snapped at his men.
Royce came to stand beside her, "Je
"You killed him!" she hissed, her eyes alive with pain and tears and fury as she slowly straightened.
This time Royce did not underestimate her ability or her intent. With his eyes riveted to hers, he watched for the moment when she would strike. "Drop the dagger," he said quietly.
She raised it higher, aimed at his heart, and cried, "You killed my brother." The dagger flashed through the air, and Royce caught her wrist in a vice grip, twisting the dagger free and sending it spi
Wild with grief and pain, she launched herself at him, striking at his chest with her fists when he jerked her tightly against him. "You devil!" she screamed hysterically as they carried her brother out. "Devil, devil, devil!"
"Listen to me!" Royce ordered tautly, grabbing her wrists. The eyes she raised to his were sparkling with hatred and glazed with tears she could not shed. "I told him to stay behind if he wanted to talk to you." Royce let go of her wrists as he finished harshly, "When I started to turn back to take him upstairs, he was reaching for his dagger."