Hostage Bride (16 page)

‘I belong to no one but myself,’ she said tartly, suddenly remembering what Sir Edmund had said. ‘Why did you tell Baron Sigmund that you might wed me?’

‘It was an impulse, said in order to protect you,’ he said.

‘Said without my consent,’ she retorted, a flash of pure anger in her vivid green eyes. ‘Why should I wish to be married to a man who cannot love me?’

‘If we wed I would protect and care for you—and make sure that your father is protected from his enemies. I care for you as deeply as I am able, Rosamunde. Do you not think it might be a good match?’ Raphael said persuasively.

‘Perhaps. Why can you not love me?’ she asked, gazing up at him. ‘And who is Messalina? You say you want me but…’ Her words were hushed as he took her lips with a fierce passion that had her swooning against him, her body heated with desire and trembling, begging, for something she did not fully understand.

‘Messalina was my wife. I cared for her and ended up betraying her,’ Raphael said harshly, finally drawing away from her with difficulty. ‘Because of my neglect she now lies in her grave and cries out for revenge I cannot give her. How can I seek happiness in the arms of an innocent woman when I am guilty of such a sin?’

‘I am certain you did not betray her willingly,’ Rosamunde said softly, her eyes never leaving his, for she felt his agony and her heart went out to him, even as she flinched from the knowledge that he had been married already. Despite that, she wanted to comfort him for
his hurt, and wanted to be with him, to see him every day. ‘Whatever happened was not of your doing.’

‘You are too generous. But I will admit the sin was of omission. Messalina begged me to stay with her that night. I left her because I wanted to talk and drink with my friends. While I was gone a renegade band attacked her home and killed her and her father—and all but one of their servants.’

‘You blame yourself for her death?’ Rosamunde asked incredulously.

‘I am surely guilty.’ Raphael sighed.

‘You are guilty of neglect but not of murder,’ she said vehemently. ‘Have those that committed the crime never been punished?’

‘My friends and I sought them, but it was not possible to find the men who murdered and…’ He shook his head. ‘If I could avenge her, perhaps I should find some peace.’

‘You must learn to forgive yourself,’ Rosamunde said gently, and smiled. ‘Yes, you were somewhat at fault, because you ought to have listened to her concerns—but the rest does not lie at your door.’

‘You think she would forgive me?’ Raphael asked hopefully.

‘If she truly loved you, she would forgive you. I am sure of it. She would not want you to grieve for ever, my lord,’ she said.

‘I wish I could believe that.’ He held out his hand to her. ‘Your hair looks pretty left loose. Shall we dine,

lady? The men will have finished long before we join them, for I left orders they should not wait.’

‘I am truly hungry,’ Rosamunde said, her hand trembling as she allowed him to take it. ‘We should show the men that I have not been abducted.’

‘They already know it,’ he said with a smile. ‘I do not know what I am to do with you, lady. You might be safer wed, for your beauty makes you vulnerable. Sir Edmund is not the only man who may seek to take advantage of you.’

‘I told you I have no thought of marriage. I have no dowry and cannot expect to wed,’ she said firmly.

Raphael was silent for a moment. He knew that he must speak now or lose her. He could
not
lose her! He turned his head to look into her eyes. ‘I should be proud to wed you, Rosamunde. I cannot promise to love you as you would have me love you. I may not always be kind—life has made me harsh and sometimes cruel—but I would swear to protect you with my life.’

‘When I asked you why you could not love me, it was but an idle question, my lord.’ Rosamunde’s heart raced wildly. ‘My lord, I did not mean to ask—I would not have you feel obliged to offer marriage to me. Also, what you said to Baron Sigmund about wedding me means nothing, for I know it was said only to protect me.’

Raphael smiled oddly. ‘Do you imagine I would ask if I did not truly want you?’

‘No.’ Her breath came in a little gasp. ‘No, I think we
both knew what we wanted from that first night when you kissed me to punish me…’

‘It was not meant to be a punishment,’ Raphael denied. ‘I was angry with myself for wanting something I thought beyond me. I am not worthy of another chance at marriage, but I would have you to wife, Rosamunde…if you will have me?’

‘I…Yes,’ she breathed softly, knowing she would never care for another man the way she did for Raphael. ‘Give me a little time to accustom myself to the idea—but, yes, when you return from your business I will wed you.’

‘Then it is sealed,’ he said and raised her hand to kiss it. ‘My dear, I would give you time to accustom yourself to the idea of wedding me if I could, but I think we should announce it in the hall this night—and we shall swear our troth
before
I leave. That way my knights will swear to protect you with their lives and keep you safe until I return. Any man who dares to lay a finger on you will know the consequences.’

‘My lord—’ she smiled at him ‘—most of your men are loyal. Now the traitors are unmasked, surely you need not fear for me? Are you indeed certain you wish to wed me?’

‘It is the only way I can keep you safe,’ he said. ‘As my betrothed wife I put my seal on you. Any man who tries to take you from me will know they become my mortal enemy.’

Rosamunde glanced away. Her heart was racing. She had agreed to wed him and she sensed, felt, the passion
in him. He wanted her, but he had made it clear that he could never love her. He had obviously loved his wife greatly, but she was in her grave. He was only marrying Rosamunde to protect her. He considered it his duty to care for her and she knew he would keep her safe—but she wanted more from her marriage than that.

Her throat was tight, because she knew that she loved Raphael with all her heart. She had loved the youth that had rescued her kitten and now she understood how much she loved this fierce, stern man.

When she’d thought she would be given to Baron Sigmund and might never see Raphael again, she had realised how much she had come to love him. He did not love her in return, but he wanted her. It would be a marriage much as many others, for advantage and protection. Rosamunde knew that she wanted much more from him, but he had told her his terms plainly. She could only pray that he would find happiness in her arms. Perhaps then he might forgive himself for what happened to his wife—and one day he might come to love Rosamunde as he had Messalina. She could only pray that it would be so, because otherwise her heart might break.

* * *

‘Forgive me,’ Raphael said to his friend later. ‘When I gave you permission to court her if you would, I did not understand then that my feelings for her were engaged. I am not worthy of her but the lady hath consented to become my betrothed and when I return we shall be wed.’

‘I knew she would not look at me,’ Jonathan said with a wry smile. ‘I sincerely wish you joy, Raphael, but do not hurt her or you lose my friendship.’

‘That would give me grief,’ Raphael said and grimaced ruefully. ‘I think it will pain you to stay here now. I shall be loath to have you leave us, but if you wish to go—’

‘After you are wed I shall leave, but for the moment you still need my help,’ Jonathan interrupted. ‘You cannot yet be certain that your father’s knights are all now loyal to you. Two sought to murder and rob you; there may be others who wish you ill. I know you have work on Richard’s behalf. While you are gone I will make sure the castle and your lady are secure, then I shall see you wed and bid you farewell.’

‘I thank you for your friendship.’ Raphael frowned. ‘I am not certain what to do about Sir Edmund. Some of what was taken has been recovered, though Sir Ian must have taken a few of the more valuable items with him.’

‘The punishment for what he did is death,’ Sir Jonathan said bluntly. ‘What he did to the lady Rosamunde demands that he hang. Your knights expect it and it is the law.’

‘Yes, I believe he must be punished. Yet he should have his trial. He may languish in the dungeons and repent his sins; we will deal with him when I return,’ Raphael decided.

‘In my opinion you should make an example of him now,’ Jonathan urged. ‘A show of strength is what is
needed, Raphael. If you shirk your duty now, the men may think you weak.’

‘Very well, bring the men together. He shall be judged by his peers and the sentence carried out immediately.’

‘You have made the right decision,’ Jonathan said, relieved. ‘He would have shown no mercy to you or the lady and therefore he deserves none himself.’

Raphael poured himself a glass of wine and sipped it thoughtfully. He had hoped to show clemency to Sir Edmund. On the occasion of a wedding it was sometimes possible to mitigate a punishment, perhaps exchange a hanging for banishment, but his friend was right. After what Roth had done to Rosamunde, he deserved no less. While Raphael had little stomach for such punishments, Jonathan was also correct in pointing out that his position here was still very uncertain. Raphael could not afford to show weakness or mercy to a man that had betrayed him so foully in more than one way. Had it been simply a matter of theft he might have brushed the crime aside and banished Sir Edmund, but he had laid hands on Rosamunde. He had intended her serious harm and had plotted to murder his lord. For those crimes, Raphael had no choice but to hang him.

* * *

‘You look beautiful,’ Elspeth said as she helped to fasten the necklace of large pearls and garnets about Rosamunde’s throat. ‘Your betrothal will bring a smile to the men’s faces.’

‘After the feasting my lord will leave us,’ Rosamunde
said and sighed, for she knew she would miss him. ‘He says that he will return for the feast of Christ’s Mass if he can, but he is uncertain how long his mission will take. However, we shall have the wedding to look forward to when he returns.’

She was ready at last, dressed in the best gown she had and wearing the necklace that Raphael had sent up as a betrothal gift; her hair was left loose on her shoulders and held by a band of twisted velvet. Elspeth, Lilia and Maire followed behind as she went down to the hall where the betrothal ceremony was to be held that morning.

‘Are you sure you wish for this?’ Maire asked her as they saw the assembled men waiting to witness the ceremony. ‘You know so little of this man. Supposing he has deceived you? You think him generous and honest, but I do not trust him.’

‘You must learn to trust, as I do,’ Rosamunde said softly to the old woman and smiled as she saw Raphael standing with Sir Jonathan beside him. ‘I care for him and he will protect us—and my father.’

‘Be sure of your heart, Rosamunde. Once you are his wife he will own you. You can never be free of him,’ Maire warned.

She smiled at her old nurse. ‘Today is merely a betrothal, but I long for the day when I am his wife.’

‘I can say no more,’ Maire said. ‘But remember that I warned you.’

Rosamunde did not heed her warning. She walked towards Raphael, her head high and a smile on her lips.

He did not love her, but he wanted her and he would care for her and her father. It was more than many young women could expect when they were married. Many were given in loveless unions in exchange for land. Rosamunde had nothing to offer but herself, and she had vowed that she would be everything her husband wanted in his wife. She would care for his home and his people, and she would bear his children. What more she gave would be up to him.

She was trembling inside but gave no sign of it as she took her place at Raphael’s side. The priest asked her if she was willing to give her promise to marry and she said that she was. Raphael was asked the same question; he answered in a strong, clear voice and then took her hand, slipping a heavy gold band onto her finger.

‘With this ring I plight my troth. I shall wed thee in all honour and protect thee with my life,’ he vowed.

Rosamunde tingled with anticipation as he bent his head and kissed her to the accompaniment of roars of approval from the men.

‘May I wish you future happiness,’ Sir Jonathan said, taking her hand to kiss it. There was an oddly wistful expression in his eyes but she hardly noticed; all her being was focused on Raphael. ‘My lord is entrusting you to my care while he is gone and I swear to protect you with my life.’

‘Thank you, sir.’ Rosamunde smiled, her cheeks a little warm. ‘I pray I shall have no need of your protection, but I thank you just the same.’

‘Come, we shall eat and drink with the men, and
then I must leave you,’ Raphael said. ‘I have delayed too long already, but now you will be safe until I return. My friend Jonathan will take good care of you, as will all my men. You are their lady now and they honour you.’

Rosamunde made no reply. Her heart was thudding in her chest because the look in his eyes seemed to promise so much. She wished that this was her wedding day rather than just a betrothal—and she wished that her husband would be with her that night rather than leaving, but she knew that he must go. His work was important to him and she would never seek to bind him to her when he wished to be free.

As the men found places at table, Rosamunde saw a small party of men-at-arms enter the hall. One of them went up to Sir Jonathan and whispered something to him.

‘Take your place as usual, Rosamunde,’ Raphael said. ‘There is something I must see to; it will not take a moment.’

Rosamunde did as she was asked. She saw that Raphael spent a moment or two in conversation with his friend before coming to her. His expression was grim and she wondered what had made him angry.

‘Is something the matter, my lord?’ she enquired.

‘Nothing that need concern you, Rosamunde. It was necessary business—unpleasant but unavoidable.’

Rosamunde did not press for details, but as her gaze travelled about the hall she sensed that a strange atmosphere ensued, almost as if the happy, carefree attitude
that had prevailed had been overshadowed. Something had happened that made the men uneasy and she wondered what it could be.