Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) (6 page)

Wenna grew angry when she realized how much those words must have hurt her siste
r. “You are not simple and don’t you believe those old besoms for a moment! You are beautiful, Senny. I think Gabriel thinks so too. You remember what Mama used to say?”

Senny set her book down and wrung her hands, “Everyone remembers, I - I
wish she had never said it. I think that is why everyone t-talks so.”

Wenna kissed
her sister’s cheek, “Senny, do not listen to what the village women say. Listen to me. I think you are beautiful. I think Gabriel thinks you are beautiful. I believe there is every possibility that Gabriel might love you, just as Mama used to say. It is not an impossible to think the two of you could marry. Anyone can see Gabriel adores you. I’m just asking you to believe there’s a chance if you want what Mama said to be true.”

“N–no, Gabriel said we are good friends and a-always will be.” Senny shook her head
. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. It would hurt too deeply to let herself believe that and then be disappointed. Gabriel had never mentioned love.

“Senny, are you in love with him?” Wenna asked softly as she hugged her sister to her.

“I can’t be, for it would hurt too much if he did not love me in return,” Senny said matter-of-factly.

“You can be, Senny
. It’s fine for you to fall in love. You deserve love as much as anyone else.” Wenna hugged her sister to her again.

“Y-you can’t tell anyone. I
f G-Gabriel found out, Wenna, he might not like it. I would r-rather be his f-friend than have nothing.”

“Shh, that would never happen, Senny
! Gabriel would never turn his back on you and you know it. Don’t worry, I will tell no one.”

“Not
even Trevan?”

“Especially not Trevan!
Senny, you and I both know he cannot keep a secret!” Wenna giggled.

Senny
joined in her sister’s laughter. “This is true.” Feeling a little calmer, Senny exhaled deeply.

“Just promise me, that if you are in love with Gabriel that you
remain open to the possibility of him loving you back. That’s all I’m asking. Just believe it can happen.”

Senny
gave her a small nod. “I will try. I’m glad you are breaking your engagement to the vicar, Wenna. I do not like him.”

“Nor do I
. I do not know what I saw in the man. He looks like a weasel.” Wenna shook her head. Then she snorted as she succumbed to another bout of laughter.

The sisters collapsed into a fit of
giggles.

“You cannot expect me to be happy about this, Miss Penrose!”

“I am sorry, Mr. Madingly
. I made a decision in haste, and I apologize for wounding your feelings.”

“Wound
ing my feelings?” he yelled. “I think you’ve gone back to that bull of a Duke, is what I think!” He pointed a finger at her. His flashing eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

“Mr. Madingly, the Duke of Penrose is a fine man, and does a great deal for all
on Bodmin Moor! He is a close friend of the family, and what relationship he and I may have in the future is now none of your concern.”

“
He had you, didn’t he? You have lain with him. I should have known you for the whore-” John Madingly stopped shouting when a masculine voice sounded from the church entrance.

“Mr. Madingly?”

Wenna breathed a sigh of relief. It was Gabriel.
Thank God.

“Are there problems, Madingly?
I thought I heard shouting from outside.” Gabriel entered and looked to wide-eyed Wenna.

“We were
having a bit of a disagreement,” Wenna offered.

“I will wait outside for you Miss Penrose, un
less you are ready to leave now,” Gabriel offered. His crystalline eyes darkened considerably as they rested upon John Madingly.

Wenna nodded,
“I’ll be out in just a few minutes, Gabriel. We were nearly finished.”

Gabriel nodded.” I’ll be right outside the C
hurch door. I’ll leave it open,” he looked warily again at Madingly.

Wenna gave him an appreciative nod.

John Madingly removed his hat and ruffled his hair, “I apologize, Miss Penrose. I have never been jilted before.”

“I am sorry, Mr. Madingly
. I hope you get your parish in Australia.”

“So, do I
. Good day to you, Miss Penrose,” still red-faced, he turned and stalked toward the side door. The path led to the rectory.

“Good day, Mr. Madingly.
” Wenna called after him. She hastily turned and exited the church. She sighed in relief.
Thank Goodness
Gabriel showed up when he did
.

“Problems, Wenna?” Ga
briel asked her as she joined him and Senny at the church door.

“No
. It was a disagreement, is all.” At the moment, Wenna truly did not want to speak of her personal business. She was certain whatever she said to Gabriel would get back to Trevan. If she wanted to hold the upper hand with Trevan, he could not know her relationship with John Madingly was completely severed.

“I might be mistaken, but I thou
ght I heard him shouting at you,” Gabriel persisted.

“He was
. He is fine now, Gabriel. We are taking a break from one another for a time. For now the engagement is cancelled.” Wenna gave Gabriel a nod and moved to walk ahead of him and Senny so they could not question her further.

Behind Wenna, Senny
offered Gabriel a relieved smile. He winked at her.

Two o’clock came and went. It was dinnertime before Trevan Chynoweth, the Duke of Penrose, arrived at Callywith Manor.

Wenna had begun to believe he would not show.
Disappointment and doubt began to creep in hours before.

When
he did arrive, it was with a bouquet of red roses from Menadue’s garden in hand. He was dressed more formally than he usually was when he came to visit at Callywith.

“I am sorry to be so tardy, Miss Penrose
. There were problems in one of the mines. Seven men were involved in a cave-in but we dug them out. I had to return to Menadue to change. You did receive my message, didn’t you?” Trevan handed her the red roses.

“No.” Wenna shook her head.
“I did not receive a message. Thank you for the roses, Trevan.”

“Oh.
” Trevan looked worried. “I am sorry, Wenna. I sent Old Morcum’s nephew to bring a message directly to you. I will find out what happened to him first thing tomorrow, I promise. Next time I will make certain I send someone more trustworthy.”

There were frequently problems at the mines
. Unlike other overlords, Trevan did not stand idly by when his people were in trouble. Wenna knew this. “Was anyone hurt or worse?”

“Ansell Newth broke his leg
. Everyone else is fine save for a few scrapes and cuts.”

Wenna clucked her tongue.
“Poor Ansell. It is good that no one was seriously injured, Trevan. I wish your message had arrived, I
was
worried.”

“More likely you were contemplating
how best to murder me, and I don’t blame you. I did try, Wenna.” He shook his head in frustration.

“I know
you can’t help trouble in the mine, Trevan.” Wenna smiled. “I trust that you did send Morcum’s nephew with a message. The lad is young. Perhaps he was sidetracked. Come to the dining room, we’ve just sat down. Gabriel is here.”

“
Gabriel’s here?” He chuckled. “What a surprise.”

Wenna decided she would let Trevan
by this once.

After dinner, Trevan took Wenna for a stroll in her garden.

“
Did you have any problems breaking your engagement with Mr. Madingly?” Trevan asked her as he led her slowly along the pathway.

“
It went as well as it could go, I suppose. I just told him I needed some space and time to think, that I felt it unwise to remain engaged at this time. He was upset.”

“Gabriel mentioned the same to me
. He said he seemed angry. Do you want me to talk to him, Wenna?” Trevan offered.

“No, Trevan
. I say, leave him be. Let him get over it alone.”

“So then, you are my girl again?” Trevan grinned at her.

“No.” Wenna shook her head. “I am my on my own right now Trevan, and no one’s woman. You are merely courting me,” Wenna said pointedly. An amused smile turned up the corners of her mouth.

Trevan’s grin faded
. Well, he’d have to play her game, even if he didn’t like it. “Very well then, Miss Penrose, will you join me tomorrow afternoon for a drive and a picnic?”

“Where will we be going?”

“That is a surprise. I’ll come for you at eleven.”

“Eleven
will work well for me.”

“Very good.” Trevan had hoped they would end in the
summerhouse and make love as they’d used to. He could already see that Wenna was going to make things difficult for him. He knew he’d do whatever it took to get her back. Still he was impatient. He wanted to kiss her. When he stopped walking and turned toward her, he saw her close her eyes in anticipation of his kiss. He decided she could wait.

Two could play at this game.
He allowed his fingers to trail lightly down her arm then he asked, “Do you have something in your eye, Wenna?”

Wenna’s eyes
flew open. “What?” There was no mistaking his amused grin. She squared her shoulders. “No, I don’t have anything in my eye.” She sighed then cleared her throat. “I must be weary. Perhaps we should go inside the Manor?”

“As you wish, Miss Penrose.”
Trevan grinned boldly. How he loved to tease Wenna.

Wenna accepted
the arm Trevan offered her. He led her back into the Manor and to the drawing room to join the others.

Trevan had already planned to stay the night at Fairy Cross. At eleven o’clock sharp, he drove Gabriel’s smart phaeton up the drive of Callywith Manor.

“Hello, Trevan.” Senny greeted him
with a wide smile as she made her way back toward the manor. She carried a basket of cut roses on her arm.

“Miss Zenny.
” Trevan nodded as he stepped down from the curricle. He followed her into the entry hall.

“Wenna waits for you in the parlour,” Senny advised him.

Trevan sucked in his breath at the sight of his lovely Wenna. Gone were her everyday clothes of brown and dark, practical colors. Today she wore a rich sapphire colored walking dress. Her brilliant auburn hair was more ornately coiffed than usual. It pleased him to know she thought today was special.

S
he smiled like the Wenna of old. She gave him a genuine, happy smile. God, but Wenna Penrose was a beautiful woman! Her gown was well fitting and showed off her shapely figure. The woman had curves in all the right places, as he well remembered. It was going to be difficult to keep his hands from her today, this he knew!

“You look beautiful, Wenna,
” Trevan forced himself to speak.

Wenna felt her cheeks stain
pink. She couldn’t remember the last time Trevan had made her blush. “Thank you, Trevan.”

“Are you ready?”

“Yes. I am.”

“
Let me just say hello to Robert. Will you join me?”

“Of course.”

Once on their way, the couple fell into easy conversation, talking of
this and that, whatever came to mind. Trevan even relayed some particularly interesting news regarding some of their acquaintances here in Cornwall he had heard while in London.

“Where are we going?” Wenna finally asked when she noted the
direction they were heading.

“To Restormel
. It’s a beautiful day, and I was thinking it is a perfect setting for our picnic. We always enjoy ourselves there.” Trevan looked to her.

Wenna remembered the last time they had gone to Restormel Castle
. It must have been a year ago. They stayed the entire afternoon and made love several times. She smiled wistfully. “I always enjoy Restormel.”

“Gabriel’s Cook
, Mrs. Gaddy, has provided us a wonderful meal. We’ll just enjoy the day together, Wenna.”

“I plan to
.” Wenna smiled at him. She felt a flutter inside when she noted his blue eyes had darkened. At that moment, she realized she still might be in love with Trevan Chynoweth. She smiled again. Wenna felt carefree and light-hearted for the first time in many months. He gave her that devastating grin and she laughed happily.

Trevan
felt relaxed and happy when they arrived at the castle ruins. He tucked a quilt beneath his arm and lifted the large basket from the back of the phaeton. He took his lady’s hand with his free one, entwining his fingers with hers. It felt like old times. Yet, he knew the trouble between them remained, even if it lay beneath the surface. He knew one romantic day at Restormel would not set things completely right. He only hoped it would be a good beginning for their future together.