Sharon Schulze - L'eau Clair Chronicles 03 (17 page)

“Tis more than I ever dared hope for.” She laid her hand on his arm.

“It grieves me to know what you could lose, because of me.”

“I thought you wanted to meet your sister,” he reminded her.

“Once some time has passed, perhaps it will be safe for Gillian to come to me, wherever he sends me. We’ll have a chance to meet, to know each other.”

“Not if Gillian is dead,” he said flatly. He steeled himself against the pain that darkened her eyes. Better to be creel now than to watch her grieve for Gillian later.

“So long as you live, Llywelyn has a chance to gain l’Eau Clair. If I were to take you back, I can guarantee you’d be wed in no time—a matter of weeks, at most. And the man will be of Llywelyn’s choosing, not your own. He’ll want someone loyal only to him. If you’re lucky, the man could be fairly young, and not too stupid, although I wouldn’t count on that.”

Tears filled her eyes, tears he knew she would not allow to fall.

“Why are you doing this, Dragon?”

He winced. For the first time, she said the name with the same degree of fear—or was it loathing?—he heard in others’ voices when they spoke of him. He felt lower than a snake, but that didn’t matter.

Lily was all that mattered now.

If he knew she was safe from Llywelyn’s plots and schemes, he didn’t care if she loathed him. So long as she did not fear him.

That he could not bear.

“In all my years of carrying out Llywelyn’s vengeance, I never stopped to consider those I might have hurt. But I cannot harm you, Lily. And if I take you back, fall in with his plan, I will.” He turned his back on her and stared at a withered shrub.

“There is only one way I can think of to protect you and Gillian.” He whirled to face her, pinning her with his gaze.

“Marry me, Lily. As your husband, it will be my duty to keep you from harm. And Llywelyn will learn that even I have limits to what I will do for him.”

He looked and sounded so torn, Lily could not bear it.

“Ian, please.” She held her hand out in supplication.

“Sit here with me, so that we may talk.”

Reluctantly, it seemed, he joined her on the bench, his shoulders hunched forward—though not against the cold.

She could see the fire burning in his eyes.

But who was he angry with? Her? Llywelyn?

Or himself?.

How could she let him face life alone? He considered himself unworthy of happiness, of a life of his own. Her heart began to trip faster as she examined the opportunity fate had given her. She wanted his happiness, more than her own. She would find a way to give Ian what anyone else would consider his right.

A home, a wife, a woman’s heart.

Could love tame a dragon?

She smoothed her hand over his back and shoulders in a soothing motion, until she felt the muscles beneath her palm relax. They sat there for a time in silence, the twittering of birds and the muted sounds of Ashby a restful accompaniment to their thoughts.

Finally Lily could see that Ian’s face had settled into its usual lines and color had returned to ride along his sharply defined cheekbones. She watched his face, seeking knowledge of the man she would join her life with.

He lifted his gaze to her face and caught her staring, sending a wave of heat over her face and neck. His emerald eyes, dark and intense, inspected her as carefully as she had him.

His fingers crept up and stopped the restful movement of her hand, capturing her fingers and slowly carrying them to his lips.

“Have you decided?” he asked, watching her over their linked hands. He pressed a lingering kiss on her fingertips.

“Will you be my bride?”

“Are you certain you wish it?”

He nodded.

“And you won’t regret it?”

“Never.”

That one word, so earnestly said, gave her the strength to decide.

“Yes, milord Dragon, I will wed you.” A surge of excitement fired her blood.

“Whenever you will.”

His eyes never leaving hers, Ian lowered his head and brought his lips to bear ever so gently upon hers. His kiss was a solemn vow, sealing their agreement with an irrevocable bond. Lily felt her flesh tingle where they touched—their mouths and the fingers of one hand—and felt an answering spark deep within her. She moaned from the intensity of it.

“Will you be my wife in all ways?” he whispered.

“Will you let me make you mine, in truth?”

Beyond speech, beyond thought, she nodded.

“Will you wed me now, Lily? Before God and my family? Talbot’s priest will marry us, so long as you’re truly willing.”

He kissed her fingertips once again, his lips lingering as his eyes made promises of passion barely checked. She allowed him to lead her from the garden to go in search of his sister.

They found Calrin and Nicholas in Catrin’s solar—waiting for them, it seemed.

Lily watched as the two men exchanged glances. Nicholas nodded, looking satisfied, then came forward and took her hands in his.

“Are you sure, Lily?” Startled, she glanced quickly at Ian.

“He knows already, Lily,” Ian said. He wouldn’t meet her eyes. ““Twas his suggestion.”

She felt her heart plummet to her toes, taking with it all her hope and joy. Marrying her was another duty to him, little more. She could accept that he did want her—her body—but as for anything else… She’d be a fool if she looked for more.

Resolution stiffened her spine—and her resolve. She wanted Ian. She wanted to tame the Dragon, she thought, savoring the frisson of excitement dancing over her flesh.

And if this was the only way she could get him, then so be it.

She could be patient. She’d make him want more.

“Aye, milord. I’m sure ‘tis what I want,” she said, smiling reassuringly at Nicholas. She was surprised by the approval she saw in his unusual violet eyes. He appeared to be genuinely happy for them.

Catrin embraced her brother, then came forward to wrap her arms about Lily, as well.

“When will you do it?” she asked.

“The priest is willing, once He’s reassured himself that you’re not forcing Lily into this.”

“Will there be any trouble because she has no guardian?”

Nicholas asked.

“Or is she Llywelyn’s ward?”

Ian frowned.

“I hadn’t thought of that. I suppose there’s no problem, so long as the priest’s not loyal to Llywelyn.”

“I’ll stand as her guardian,” Nicholas offered.

“Since she’s Catrin’s kin, that should satisfy the legalities. If it doesn’t, Rannulf should agree. He’s her brother-by-marriage, after all.”

“So long as the marriage is legal and binding,” Ian said.

“Otherwise, ‘tis all for naught. Llywelyn cannot be permitted to overturn it.”

Catrin took Lily by the ann.

“Come along, then, Lily.

I’ve the perfect gown for you to wear. We’ll meet you in the chapel before sunset,” she told the men.

“See that you’re ready.”

The thunder of feet pounding on the stairs heralded a furious knocking at the door. When Catrin pulled it open, a breathless man-at-arms nearly fell into the chamber.

“Milord!

“Tis a company of Welshman, a dozen or so, fast approaching the gates.”

“Do they look as though they’ve come to visit, or to fight?” Nicholas asked.

“Fight, milord.”

“Damnation,” Ian snarled, striding over to the window and peering out.

“Damn me for a fool. I thought we’d have more lime.”

“Gather your things. Quickly,” Catrin said, heading for the door.

“I’ll collect some food,” she told Nicholas.

Lily watched everything unfold in silence. They’d been so close! But she couldn’t allow this to go on.

“Wait!”

she cried.

“We cannot run forever. I’m sorry, Dragon.”

She met his gaze.

“I cannot many you. I can’t ruin your life this way. if I go back with them, they’ll leave you alone.”

Ian shook his head sharply.

“It won’t matter, sweeting

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pinning her arms close to her body. Nicholas cursed when she drew back her heel and kicked him in the leg. How could they do this?

“Ian!” she shrieked, before a callused hand covered her mouth.

Ian reached out and touched her cheek lightly.

“I’m sorry, Lily. But I will not give you up.”

Cursing himself for a fool, Ian took Lily from Nicholas’s hold and, keeping one hand over her mouth, pushed her down into a chair.

“If you promise to be quiet, I’ll take away my hand.” Her eyes flashed angrily, but she nodded.

Placing his hands on the arms of the chair, he loomed over her.

“I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself for me. Do you understand?”

“But you’re doing the same for me.”

He glared at her.

“Nay, I am not. It is my choice to marry you. No one is forcing me to. You gave me your solemn oath you would marry me, Lily. Will you deny me, and be forsworn?”

Although she glared at him still, she shook her head, He stepped back from the chair, but stood close, lest she take it into her head to run.

“Then come with me now. We can be away from here before they’ve made it to the gates, if we hurry. Believe me. I’ll keep you safe.”

Catrin rushed into the room and thrust a cloth sack into his hands. ““Tis all I could gather so quickly, but it should see you to l’Eau Clair.”

A servant brought in Ian’s saddlebags and weapons. He accepted them gratefully, buckling on his sword belt and carrying Dai’s scabbarded sword.

Catrin embraced Lily.

“Don’t worry, cousin. It will be all right.”

Ian leaned down and kissed his sister’s cheek, then grabbed Lily by the hand.

“I’ll send word,” he called as they hurried from the room after Nicholas.

He led them into into the master’s chamber. He dragged a curtain aside, the rings clattering on the rod, to expose a garderobe. Ian helped him lift out an armload of clothes from the hooks on the walls.

Lily looked at Nicholas as though he were daft.

“We’re not going down the privy shaft—”

“Nay,” Nicholas said, laughing.

“There’s another opening in the wall, parallel to the waste shaft. You will slide down that into a tunnel beneath the moat. Ian knows the way from there.”

““Tis a pity we won’t have the homes,” Ian said, frowning.

“The journey to l’Eau Clair will take forever on foot.”

Nicholas smiled.

“There are mounts waiting for you.

Once you reach the forest, go to the manor farm—you know the place.”

Ian nodded. He’d been there before.

“Tell Alfric you’re ready to leave. He knows which mounts will serve you best.

“Tis already arranged.”

Trust Talbot to think of a way out, in case they needed it. He reached out and clasped Nicholas’s hand.

“Thank you. ‘

He could see that the other man knew exactly what he was thanking him for.

“You’d have done the same,” he said.

Nicholas turned to Lily and kissed her cheek.

“Take care of him. And give Gillian a kiss for me. Go with God,” he told them, tugging a board from the wall and exposing the passageway door.

Ian went first. The copper-lined passage sloped downward gradually, allowing him to control his descent. So long as he kept the swords tight against his side, he had no difficulty. He landed on his feet in a dark, damp pit, their bags sliding down the chute behind him.

He’d no sooner moved out of the way than Lily popped out after him.

“Are you all right?” he asked as he felt for her hand.

“Aye,” she said, sounding breathless. She pressed a candle and flint into his hands.

“Nicholas said to give you this.”

The candlelight illuminated a narrow corridor, not quite high enough for him to stand upright. Their clothing brushed against the damp stone walls.

Ian felt like a packhorse with his saddlebags and the sack of food slung over his shoulders. He carried the candle and crept forward, Lily clinging to his belt like a leech.

“I hate these dark, close places.” Her voice was faint and quivered slightly.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in them since I met you. They must be part of the Dragon’s lair,” she said, giggling.

She had to be terrified, he thought with concern. She didn’t seem the type of woman to giggle. He picked up the pace, moving as swiftly as possible. He’d be glad to get out of here, as well. He felt like a crab scuttling along.

Finally they came to a metal-banded wooden door, laying on a slant above them. He snuffed the candle, reached back and pried Lily’s fingers from his belt and handed the stub to her.

“Keep this,” he said.

Then, throwing his weight into it, he pushed on the door until it gave, swinging upward with a faint squeal of the hinges. Light poured into the tunnel, temporarily blinding him.

“Not too bad for a bolt hole. But I hope there’s no one waiting out there for us, I cannot see a thing.” He blinked until his eyes could focus again.

Praise God, they were alone. He levered himself out of the hole, then reached down and hauled Lily up beside him.

He framed her face with his hands.

“I may need to order you about quickly, if there’s danger. Promise me you’ll do whatever I tell you.”

She pressed a kiss into his palm.

“I promise,” she said, her eyes solemn.

“And I’m sorry for what I did back there.

“Tis just…”

“I understand.” He did. He’d have done the same for her. He smoothed back the strands of hair escaping her braid; she’d lost her veil in the passageway. But he also knew he could not permit her to fall into Llywelyn’s grasp again.

He adjusted the packs and took Lily’s hand.

“Come on. It’s a bit of a walk to the farm.” He cast a measuring look at the sky.

“We’d best be going.”

They left the farm at nightfall, Ian took only one hors el Lily had done well with Mouse on the journey to Ashby, but he truly believed it was only because the stallion had taken a liking to her. The mount he had chosen now looked to have the stamina they’d need, but it was clear he also had a nasty disposition. And the terrain was difficult in many places, far worse than the route they’d traveled to Ashby. He didn’t doubt Lily’s courage, but her lack of skill could have dangerous consequences. Better to have to rest more often than to worry that Lily’s horse might run off with her, or harm her in some way.