Mist Warrior (43 page)

As much as Catriona
wanted to haul her horse around and gallop out of the gates, she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, determined to face the challenges before her with courage.

Edmund grinned broadly as she pulled her horse to a stop He quickly moved to assist her, the mercenaries allowing him to pass unquestioned.

“
My lady, 'tis wonderful to see you. I trust your tour went well?
”

“
That it did, Edmund.
”

“
Excellent my lady.
”
He offered her his arm.
“
You have returned at a precipitous time. If you are not too weary from your journey, there is someone here who seeks audience with you. I fear it is quite urgent.
”

They stepped away from the horses and toward the stairs.
Greystoke
and
one of his men
flanking them.

“
Of course, Edmund. Allow me to get cleaned up and I shall receive him this evening.
”

“
My lady,
”
a young man said. He wore expensive finery as befitted his station. He would have been reasonably good-looking except for a peculiar dent in his nose as if it had been badly broken at one time. A law cleric involved in fisticuffs? Perhaps it had happened before he joined the church. Among the nobility, unless the lands were extensive, the first born son would gain the inheritance leaving second and third born sons with nothing
,
so th
ey entered the church. The y
oung man
pushed
his way forward
and
rudely stepped into
Catriona’s
path, forcing her to stop.

The
ring of steel sounded and two swords suddenly appeared out of
nowhere, crossed in front of Catriona,
and blocking the man's advance. She nearly leaped backward
,
they startled her so badly. But she realized
Greystoke meant his words
. The young man had intruded on her space and her guards would n
ot allow him to get within arm’
s reach
of her. 

As startled as she had been
,
the young man was even more so. He staggered backward, his face draining of color.
“
What is the meaning of this?
”

Sir
Greystoke
stepped forward. His expression was flat and his body bowed as if with rage. He spoke calmly
,
but Catriona realized his jaw clenched so tightly it was a miracle he could form the words. There was something here she was not seeing. A knight as professional as
Greystoke
,
would not demonstrate such anger in the face of a bumbling sod
,
who stepped on etiquette.

“
My lord, you will maintain a respectful distance from the lady.
”

“
I am on urgent business on behalf of the bishop's court. This cannot wait.
”

“
You will wait until my lady is prepared to grant you an audience.
”

“
Who do you think you are? This is outrageous! Once my superiors hear of this
—
”

Ed
mund discretely whispered in Catriona’s
ear.
“
His lordship Rhys of Glouchester, law cleric for the bishop.
”

“
Hear of what, your lordship?
”
Catriona snapped. She did not move from behind her two guards, suddenly grateful they were there.
“
Will they hear how Strickland attacked and murdered my husband on the eve of my wedding? How I barely escaped with my life?
”
She felt tears burning in her eyes and they were absolutely genuine.
“
Will they hear h
ow after the attack
,
my household garrison did not have enough men to guard the walls? I certainly hope they hear of it in detail! Do you have any idea what it is like having the sword of Damocles hanging over my head every time I set foot on the king's road?  These guards are not just a luxury, your lordship, if I wish to continue breathing, they are a necessity.
”
She looked up at
Greystoke
.
“
My thanks to you, sir.
”

“
You are most welcome, my lady.
”
He hesitated and whispered something to the knight who st skniize="+0
ood guard at her other side. Catriona
did not catch his words
,
but she heard the sound of urgency. The knight nodded once, barked a command to another mercenary
. He
moved out of the way as the man took his place. He then sprinted back to his horse before the page could lead it away.

Confused at his odd behavior, Catriona looked up at
Greystoke
in surprise when he again spoke to her.
“
May I escort you inside? I am sure you would like to refresh yourself after your journey.
”

Sir
Greystoke
pushed past the outraged law cleric and lead the way up the stairs. Edmund remained beside her, her hand still li
ght
upon his arm. The replacement guard fell in step behind and the remaining three mercenaries stood and glared at the law cleric
,
as if they were a pack of wolves
and he nothing more than a rack of meat. For a moment
,
Catriona
thought the cleric might try to
follow
,
but instead
,
thought better of it.

“
Over-stuffed
,
pompous arse,
”
Catriona muttered under her breath.

Greystoke
choked and shot a glance at her over his shoulder. Catriona abruptly realized he had just bit back a laugh and Edmund stared at her wide-eyed.

She purposefully gazed at
Greystoke
with an innocent expression. He tried to keep a straight face
,
but s
uddenly barked a laugh, his blue
eyes sparking merrily.
“
My lady, I should be paying you for the honor of witnessing that.
”

Catriona
finally allowed herself to smile
,
hoping that with people around her like
Greystoke
and Edmund
,
she wouldn't be so lonely.
“
Nay, Sir
Greystoke
I'm increasing your stipend. If this is any indication of the troubles awaiting me at Brackenburgh, you and your mercenaries will earn every pence.
”

“
Thank you, my lady
,
but it be not necessary.
”

Her humor faded as quickly as it came.
“
Nay,
Greystoke
, it will be. Trust me. Strickland is only getting started and no doubt will do everything in his power to make my life a living hell.
”

****

Hours later
,
Catriona sat in her chair in the great hall and tried not to stare at the empty one beside her. The horror of that night came roaring back as clearly as if it happened only moments ago. She fought
to still her shaking hands. Catriona
had not wanted to marry Richard, she had not loved him, he had a lightning quick temper when provoked and at times could be obnoxiously overbearing.

But the week be
fore her wedding, when Richard had
returned to Thistlewood, he had been polite and kind. On her wedding day
,
he had been gracious, especially in her regard. He sa
id he knew Branan loved her. Catriona
wondered how much
of
his kindness was due to the fact he understood how hard it was for her to say goodbye and become another man's wife.
Richard
had his faults, make no mistake, but in his heart he was a good man.

She had only caused him grief with her stubborn foolishness and then she caused his death.
If she had not distracted him with the trap door when he was trying to defend her…. Catriona swallowed hard.
Gavin and Branan had begged her to break the betrothal
,
and in retrospect
,
she realized that's exactly w
hat she should have done. If Catriona
had listened to them and broken the betrothal
,
there was
a chance Richard would be
alive right now.

Catriona
sighed miserably, tears pushing into her eyes. Her head ached and a chill seemed to grip the core of her being.
She couldn’t get warm even though the temperature was comfortable in the great hall.
Catriona battled
to regain control of her rampant emotions. People filled the great hall to capacity. She dare not cry in public. But her shaking increased
, the room spun around her,
and she felt her control slipping.

“
My lady,
”
Edmund whispered.
“
What is wrong? You are absolutely gray.
”

She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. An unseen force drew her gaze inexorably back to Richard's chair. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Dear God, nay
!
S
he was going to fal
l apart in a storm of tears. Catriona
longed for Branan. Why wasn't he here? She needed to feel his arms around her. She needed his strength in the face of her weakness.

“
What's wrong?
”
Greystoke
whispered to Edmund.
“
The herald is preparing to open court.
”