Breath of Heaven (6 page)

“So be it,” Eliane sighed. It was a much better prospect than continuing to beat her head upon the table. “Let us be merry tonight, for who knows what tomorrow may bring?”

F
inally.
Renauld Vannoy waited impatiently in the audience chamber for his chance to speak to the king. For weeks he had cooled his heels, hoping to speak to King Henry about his concerns, and now that he’d been invited in, he still had to wait. Renauld knew the delay was intended to remind him that his problems were minor when compared to those of a king.

All this nonsense about Church and state
…He had no patience for politics, especially when the Church stuck its long nose into the fray. As far as he was concerned, might meant right. Whoever was strongest was meant to survive. And Renauld was not above using the strength of others when his own was insufficient to his needs.

For his current task he needed the strength of a king. A king who would grant his request because of a small indiscretion Renauld had witnessed as a squire.

Renauld had learned early that it was best to walk carefully and stealthily in castle corridors. As a boy, he’d come upon his father tupping one of the serving wenches with a knife held at her throat.

When the wench slipped away, his father took out his anger upon his son, knocking him into a wall. The wench paid for her escape later that day with the loss of her tongue. She learned to stand his father’s perverted desires and Renauld learned to tread lightly
when walking about the halls. He was six at the time. The lesson had served him well.

When Henry was newly crowned and drunk with the power of being king, Renauld had witnessed the king’s transgression. Henry did not want to remember, thus his reluctance to grant Renauld an audience. But Renauld had also learned the value of persistence as a small boy. He was not too proud to take a beating or two if it eventually led to what he wanted.

And Renauld wanted Aubregate. He wanted its fields, he wanted its town, and he wanted the natural harbor that lay at the base of the cliffs. He wanted the keep, the buildings, the livestock, and the vassals that inhabited the land and worked industriously for their lord instead of cheating and stealing and hiding their crops. He wanted the forest and the bountiful game that hid within its borders. He wanted the treasure that was rumored to lie at the heart of the woods.

But most of all, he wanted Eliane. He wanted her for the same reason that Henry would allow him to have her. He wanted her because he remembered. He remembered the look of disgust on her face that day he saw her watching him from the woods. What business was it of hers what he did? She was just a girl, nothing more than a child. She had no right to condemn him. Yet condemn him she did. She even came out of the forest and killed the dog with her bow. Then she threatened to kill him if she ever saw him torture another helpless animal. He was a squire, about to be knighted, and she was a child. What did she know about the ways of the world? What business was it of hers what he did on his property, with his property?

He would show her what he could do. He would wipe that look of contempt off her face as he should have done ten years ago.

When he was master of Aubregate, he would be master of Eliane. He would do what his father could not do, nor his father before him, or
his
father before
him.
All had desired Aubregate and died trying to get it. Renauld would succeed because he would have the help of the king.

“Lord Renauld Vannoy of Chasmore,” a page intoned. Renauld stepped forward and bowed.

“Milord,” he said casually. He dared much, as always. The look Henry gave him told him so.

“Come closer, Renauld,” Henry said. “It has been a while since you’ve come before me.”

“A long while,” Renauld replied. “Since you knighted me.”

Henry nodded. “It seems the years have been kind to both of us,” he said. “And you have been content…until now…”

“I live only to serve,” Renauld reminded him. “And Your Majesty has not had need of me these past years, except for the levies he requires for rebuilding. I have embraced the task of acquiring the funds that you require,” he added, omitting the fact that he’d had to threaten each one of his vassals with death to do so.

“Yes, it has been a time of peace,” Henry said.

Which to Renauld’s ears meant that if England had been at war he would have been long dead and Henry’s secret with him. He graced his king with his best smile.

“Tell me, Renauld, what brings you from your lands in the dead of winter to speak to your king?”

“My concern for my closest neighbor, Edward Chandler of Aubregate,” Renauld replied. “He has fallen quite ill.”

“I am glad to see you bear no animosity toward Edward,” Henry said graciously. “He is, after all, the man who killed your father.”

“My father’s sins are not my own,” Renauld reminded him. “Nor his enemies or his battles.”

“A wise sentiment,” Henry said coolly.

Renauld inclined his head at the compliment. “I am concerned for Edward’s daughter, the Lady Eliane.”

“You know her?” Henry asked, interest written plainly on his face.

Renauld allowed himself a self-satisfied smile. After all, he was the one who’d started the rumors about Eliane’s deformity after he’d seen her ears. It served his purpose for others to think her deformed so they would not seek her out for the riches she would surely possess someday. Someday soon. As he recalled, she was an unattractive wench even without the ears. All skinny arms and legs with bright red hair and spots on her nose and cheeks. He was sure the woman she had become would be much the same.

“We are neighbors, sire,” Renauld said. “We have been at peace all these years. I am concerned about what will become of her when her father is no longer with us.”

“You wish to offer for her?” Henry asked directly.

“I doubt her father would allow it,” Renauld said honestly. “While I bear no animosity toward him, I am afraid he still carries some for me, owing to the nature of my father’s crimes against him.”

“He truly loved his wife,” Henry said. “And he has kept his daughter close at hand.”

“Indeed, sire,” Renauld said. “To protect her. As I would protect her.” His eyes stayed on Henry, to remind him of the secret he knew, while his words were for the courtiers who listened with interest to his request. “It is my greatest desire to keep the peace of the kingdom,” he said. “And what better way to maintain it than by an alliance between two neighbors? We share a border. The Lady Eliane will soon have need of a protector and I have need of a wife. The alliance would benefit both the house of Chandler and of Vannoy, and together we would serve your kingdom well. That is, if
you
allow us to merge.” He concluded his plea with a bow, yet still kept his eyes upon the king, willing him to see once more the secret he’d carried for so many years.

Renauld heard the expectant inhale of breath of all those who awaited the king’s ruling. Would Henry simply hand over the Lady Eliane into his keeping? Renauld could not help holding his breath too as he awaited the king’s word. He felt as if he were playing chess and had just put his queen at risk to corner the king. He’d put it all on the line, because he was determined to succeed where his father had failed.

The king looked at Renauld with eyes that seemed full of disappointment. Then suddenly he brightened. With a crook of his finger, he called, “Peter.”

Damn
…Peter Salisbury. Renauld had been relieved when he’d noticed the other man’s absence. He had hated Peter Salisbury with a passion ever since the day at Anjou when Edward’s squire had had the audacity to
lay his fists upon him. Especially since he’d done so in front of young Rhys de Remy, who should have died in the mud that day. Both had been a thorn in his side ever since. And now here was Salisbury walking toward the king.

“Refresh my memory, Peter,” the king said. “Did we not hear a similar plea from Lord de Remy just a few days ago concerning our
dear friend
Edward’s health?”

Renauld felt his stomach sink when Henry referred to Edward as his friend. That was not something he had counted on. Since Edward was never at court, Renauld had hoped he would be nothing more than a name to the king. Was there something he’d overlooked? Something he did not know?

“Lord de Remy was summoned to Edward’s side, milord,” Peter explained loud enough for all to hear. “As you recall, Rhys owes Edward his life.” Peter looked directly at Renauld, who resisted the urge to allow his hands to curl into fists.

De Remy had been summoned to Chandler’s side? When? The last and only time he could recall seeing Rhys was three days ago.

“He departed immediately with your blessing, milord,” Peter continued. “He was beginning to find court life a bit…suffocating.”

The crowd laughed quietly at Peter’s remark and Henry smiled broadly.

“I’m sure he was,” Henry agreed quite jovially. His gaze fell upon Renauld. “It seems as if Lord Edward has reached out to someone in his time of need,” Henry said. “But I am sure he appreciates your sentiments,” he added graciously.

Renauld took a step forward before he could stop
himself. Henry’s eyes flared and Peter’s hand went to his side, poised above the hilt of his short dress sword. Henry raised his hand.

“Still,” he said. “I am curious about Lady Eliane. If Edward’s situation is as dire as I’ve been led to believe”—he looked pointedly at Renauld—“then it is my sincerest desire to give her aid, comfort, and
my
protection. So I bid you, Renauld, and you, Peter, to ride to Aubregate and bring her back to me…but only after she has buried her father.”

“Milord,” Renauld spoke up. “Bringing the lady here might not be the best thing for her. She is…different.” He wanted to say deformed, but he had to be careful. After all, Salisbury had served as Chandler’s squire. Chances were he’d seen Eliane’s strange ears and would know that they could be easily hidden at court. However, if there was a chance that he could keep her away from Henry’s protection, then he would take it.

Once more those assembled waited with bated breath for their monarch’s reply. “Nonsense,” Henry said. “She will find us accepting and full of love and respect for her no matter how different she may be,” he said, and then he turned to Peter. “And bring back Lord de Remy also. I am sure there are many who are quite anxious to hear his decision.”

Once more the crowd laughed, but Renauld did not hear it. He was concentrating on trying to hold back the red tide of rage that swelled within him. De Remy was at Aubregate or would be soon. If Renauld realized that, he could have followed him, killed him, and made it look as if it were the fault of the woodsmen.

If only he had known. It occurred to him that if
he’d had friends, he probably would have known. But friends meant trust, and trust was not something he could afford. Renauld trusted no man. He preferred to use his coin to get what he wanted. However, without the riches of Aubregate, his coin would soon come to an end.

Renauld found Henry looking at him expectantly. He bowed and without another word turned and walked away.

“Vannoy!” It was Salisbury, of course. Who else? Renauld stopped and gathered himself before he turned to greet the man who followed him out of the king’s chamber.

“Salisbury,” Renauld said. He had to admit the years had been kind to his foe. The last time he’d seen Peter had been at their knighting, which unfortunately had been done jointly. Salisbury had filled out nicely and now had the weight to go with his height. Though Renauld was not as tall as Salisbury, he was as stout and possessed great strength. Still, he’d always been envious of those who were graced with height, such as de Remy.

Could I take him?
It occurred to Renauld that he could eliminate all of his enemies in one trip and have Eliane. They would be passing by his lands. His men-at-arms would be traveling with him. But what if Salisbury brought his troops also? Surely he would leave some behind to care for his wife. Still, it would be hard to do anything with so many witnesses. Witnesses who could not be bought, for he had no doubt that Salisbury’s men would be loyal to him. Men such as Salisbury demanded such loyalty, as if it were their birthright.

Still, he would think on it.

“Will the morning be soon enough for you to leave?” Salisbury asked. Renauld could tell by his tone that he was not looking forward to the company either.

He thought for a moment. He needed time…time to prepare.

“First light?” he said finally.

“Agreed,” Salisbury replied, and took his leave without another word.

Renauld watched him go. Salisbury possessed an air of confidence that irked him to the core. It always had, from the time Peter showed up with that whelp de Remy beside him and then challenged Renauld to a fight. Unfortunately, the challenge was issued in front of witnesses and, even more unfortunately, the fight had been with fists instead of weapons.

It had been difficult to determine a winner; both were giving as good as they got. They kept it up until Lord Allan pulled them apart and sent Salisbury on his way. After that, de Remy was not nearly as malleable as before, although Renauld did his best to make the youger squire pay for his insolence. Especially after he realized Rhys wasn’t going to say a word about his
accidental fall
that day on the bridge.

Perhaps
he didn’t know
Renauld had pushed him into the muddy torrent. But there were times when he caught the whelp staring at him…watching him…with those dark eyes of his that never showed fear or weakness. De Remy made sure he was never alone with Renauld after that day. Until Renauld was sent back to his own estates to learn their management from his father’s steward before he was knighted.

That was when Eliane came upon him. The bitch. She would pay, de Remy would pay, and Salisbury would pay.

He smiled. He would have all his enemies together in one place. The king had thought to outsmart him, but instead he’d left him with one more move. One more brilliant move. One that required he send a message to Chasmore at once.

Be prepared, Your Majesty…I am about to declare checkmate.