A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) (39 page)

“Be more careful, my dear.”

If he called her that one more time, Alyna swore she’d pull out her knife after all. “Of course.”

“Your bath will be here shortly. After you’ve had a chance to rest, we’ll discuss the details of our marriage.”

Alyna nodded then watched as Tegmont shut the door behind him. The lock turned in the door. So she was to be a prisoner here. No less than she’d expected.

She waited several long moments until she heard the sound of Tegmont’s footsteps fade. Then, she hurried to the chest that had made the odd sound. With care, she opened the lid and found exactly what she was looking for.

***

Royce lay on the cold, hard ground, the sky above him radiant with stars too numerous to count. So numerous that Royce was certain their brilliance was the reason he could not sleep.

Nay, in truth, a night as black as tar would not have suited him any better.

He’d tried to close his eyes and will himself to sleep. In the past, he’d easily been able to shut down his mind and gain a few hours of rest before a battle or a tournament. The rest his body and mind needed could be the difference between life and death.

But not this night.

Royce knew Blackwell was as anxious as he to get to Larkspur, but the lord had insisted on stopping for a few hours of rest. Both the men and the horses needed it. Still, the urge to ride on had nearly overwhelmed Royce. His normal patience had deserted him.

The news of Alyna and Nicholas missing had devastated him. He couldn’t stand to think of them both in Tegmont’s hands. Though reluctant to delve into his heart to understand why he felt this way, it was past time he did so.

Alyna’s gift of her innocence was beyond measure. Her passion had surprised him, but he’d been even more surprised by the absolute need he’d had for her. Never before had he experienced such emotions, such completeness of his soul. He shifted uncomfortably at the thought, but the truth could not be denied.

Only one explanation could account for how he felt.

Love.

Warmth rushed through him at the realization. Aye, he loved her. His love burned as brightly as the stars above him. Their passion for each other would last forever. He was certain of it.

He wanted Alyna by his side. Always.

He should never have left her without explaining himself and his intentions. Did she know Tegmont was his uncle? Why had he never told her? The only excuse he had was that a lifetime of keeping secrets was not easily changed.

Royce reasoned she’d be safe in Tegmont’s hands, at least for the moment. His uncle had nothing to gain by her death. Although Royce worried over Nicholas’s safety, Tegmont was smart enough to use the boy to get Alyna to comply with his wishes. Royce could only pray–something he hadn’t done in years–that his uncle hadn’t forced Alyna to marry him already.

Daniel had told them that Tegmont had a servant named Hilde whose description matched that of the maid who’d recently come to Northe Castle. He’d also said Tegmont had mentioned a lady who supplied Tegmont with information as to Royce’s whereabouts. Royce knew that had to be Lady Florence. Though they’d looked briefly for her before they left, she was nowhere to be found.

Royce knew his goal of vengeance must end. He could not have both revenge and guarantee Alyna’s safety. His uncle had outsmarted him, and that knowledge stung, but he no longer cared. Even if he didn’t regain his family’s holding, he would still have Alyna and that was all that truly mattered.

He would set aside his vow for Alyna and Nicholas and make a new vow to protect them. On the morrow, he’d offer the evidence he’d gathered, including Daniel, to Tegmont in exchange for Alyna and Nicholas’s freedom.

He closed his eyes and spoke the words that burned in the back of his throat:
Mother and Father,
I am sorry that I failed you, but I hope you understand
.

From the depths of his worry and despair, a strange sense of peace came over him. He realized his parents would have applauded his choice, for he was choosing love over hatred, the living over the dead. Aye, they would definitely approve, for love always won the day.

***

“So what do you intend?” Hugh’s quiet voice broke through Royce’s thoughts as they made their preparations to break camp the next morning.

“I intend to get Alyna and Nicholas back.” Royce refused to think about anything past that. Or the fact that without Larkspur he had little to offer Alyna. How could he propose marriage? He had accumulated some wealth, but a landless knight was no match for a lady. Even if Lord Blackwell would approve of the match, the king would not.

But all of that mattered little. What did matter were Alyna and Nicholas. Tegmont could not have them.

“How? Are we announcing ourselves at the gate?” Hugh asked.

Royce turned his attention back to Hugh as Lord Blackwell joined them. “I know a way to get in. There’s a secret passage that leads to the kitchen. If it’s still open, I’ll find Alyna and Nicholas and get them to safety. Then, I’ll confront Tegmont and offer the evidence we’ve gathered, including Daniel’s silence, in exchange for Alyna and Nicholas.”

Hugh’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “If you’ve already got them, why offer Tegmont all the information we have?”

“We need him to break off the betrothal to Alyna. It’s not enough for us to have her. The king could easily demand we give her back to Tegmont to fulfill the terms of the betrothal. We can’t risk that.”

Hugh nodded in agreement, but Blackwell said nothing. The lord gazed at the horizon, deep in thought. He shook his head. “There has to be some other way. Tegmont can’t be allowed to get away with his crimes. The king’s safety may depend upon it.”

“We’ll have to rely on Pimbroke to advise the king of the danger he is in,” Royce said. “Perhaps he can convince him of Tegmont’s guilt.”

Blackwell’s amber gaze met Royce’s. “You can’t give up your future. You’ve spent a lifetime on your quest. Larkspur should be yours.”

“Nothing matters now except Alyna and Nicholas. Nothing, including my wish for revenge.”

“Are you certain?” Blackwell asked.

While he appreciated Blackwell’s concern, Royce had already reconciled himself to what lay ahead. He only hoped Blackwell thought him worthy of Alyna. If he didn’t, Royce would work harder to earn that honor, no matter how long it took.

Royce swallowed hard and told Blackwell what he’d held back for too long. “Aye, because I love her. I would spend the rest of my life protecting her and Nicholas if she will have me.”

Blackwell grinned and placed his hand on Royce’s shoulder. “Nothing would please me more.”

“Tegmont will get his due, either in this lifetime or the next,” Royce said.

“Preferably this one,” added Blackwell.

“Offer Daniel, but don’t keep your silence,” Hugh suggested, unwilling to let it go.

Royce shook his head. “Tegmont is a clever man. There’s little chance he’ll agree to that. We need leverage to force him to call off the wedding. The word of a thief is not enough evidence to condemn him, and he knows that.”

Blackwell looked away, obviously frustrated with the situation.

Royce touched Blackwell’s arm. “My lord, all will be well. We’ll have them both back with us soon. That is what truly matters. Let us finalize our plans and be off.”

***

“My lord asks that you wear this kirtle, my lady.”

Alyna eyed the pretty garment with trepidation. The deep blue of the fine linen was faded and the delicate lace that trimmed the neckline had yellowed with age. Alyna looked at the nervous maid. “Why?”

The maid’s gaze darted around the room. “My lord feels it will look very nice on you.”

Alyna smiled at the young woman, hoping to encourage her to loosen her tongue. “Can you tell me anything about it? It would ease my mind to know its history.”

“I believe it is the very same one each of his wives has worn on the day of their wedding. ’Tis tradition, he said.”

Alyna closed her eyes as dread coiled through her. She’d hoped to escape with Nicholas by now. But it seemed Tegmont was well aware of her goal, for he had her guarded every moment of the day and night.

The two days since she’d arrived had been spent either in Tegmont’s company or locked in her chamber with a guard outside the door.

The only thing that kept her sane was Nicholas. The situation might have been comical had it not felt as though her life hung in the balance. Nicholas had escaped the chamber Tegmont had put him in and remained hidden with her since her arrival. Tegmont continued to put her off with flimsy excuses whenever she asked to see Nicholas. He obviously had no idea where her son was and from the little she’d overheard, the servants had torn the keep apart looking for him. A guard had even searched her chamber while Nicholas had hid under the back of her kirtle as she stood in the corner.

Nicholas enjoyed the game and for one so young, remained remarkably quiet whenever someone entered her chamber. Even now, he was tucked in the chest near her feet. She’d managed to find an extra blanket to cushion his hiding spot.

Alyna smiled again at the maid. “The garment must be very special to Lord Tegmont.”

The maid returned her smile with a shy one of her own. She lowered her voice and leaned toward Alyna. “Some say it’s the very tunic his brother’s wife wore the day she said her vows.”

“What happened to her?” Alyna was curious to hear what the servants thought had happened to Royce’s parents.

The maid peeked over her shoulder at the door, then stepped closer to Alyna. “The lord, the lady, and their young son all died in a terrible fire in the great hall. That was many years ago, of course, but there are still a few here who remember it well. Lord Tegmont forbids anyone to speak of it.”

Her whispered words gave Alyna pause. Apparently Royce’s survival of that night was unknown to most.

“I’m to ask you to try on the gown, so we have time to make alterations prior to you saying your wedding vows this evening.”

Alyna worried her lower lip. There was so little time left. She had to make a move soon, but what? Perhaps if she gained this maid’s friendship, she might help her. The chances of it were slim, though, for Tegmont sent a different maid and guard each time. Still she had to try. If she earned the maid’s sympathy, she could convince her to return instead of another stranger.

“Your name is Margaret?”

“Aye, my lady.”

“Well, Margaret.” Alyna paused to look again at the gown. How could she possibly wear it when the four women before her who had were all dead? The very idea made her ill. She couldn’t help but wonder if Tegmont had coveted his brother’s wife. Why else would he keep one of her gowns? “Could you come back a bit later? I’m not feeling my best and would like to rest before I try it on.”

“Oh, but Lord Tegmont was most insistent you try it now.”

Alyna touched her forehead. “I feel rather weak. Perhaps if you could bring me a bit of bread and something to drink, it would help.”

The maid looked suitably concerned. “As you wish, my lady. I’ll fetch some now.” She looked at Alyna’s long hair with a discerning eye. “I’ve got some fine ribbon to braid in your hair. Lord Tegmont said it would match your eyes.” She frowned. “But your eyes aren’t blue at all.”

Alyna swallowed hard. Which of the ladies who’d worn the gown had blue eyes? She had a suspicion it had been Royce’s mother. Now she truly didn’t feel well.

The maid took her leave, promising to return with food, and Nicholas immediately popped out of the trunk. “Mama, I must go.”

“Where?” she asked, frightened at the idea.

Nicholas seemed to think on her question for a moment. “Down the stairs.”

“You can’t go anywhere without me.” Alyna lifted him out and into her arms. “It’s far too dangerous. You have to stay hidden.”

“Nay, Mama. I need to get help. Now.”

Alyna looked into his blue eyes, so wise beyond his years. Was this merely the whim of a child or something more? “Do you know what will happen next? Can you see it?”