The Defiant Bride (18 page)

“Gladly,” the man sputtered, his breathing growing more labored. “Provided you pray for my forgiveness and my entry into heaven. I have lived a full life, my lord, and I am hoping to escape the wrath of God for it.”

“I will pray your sins be forgiven. But from the expressions on the faces of my men, I do not know how much that will help.”

“It is enough you will try. As I have no loyalty except to the man who can pay the price, my loyalty is now to you.” The man coughed.

William feared he would expire before unburdening his soul. But the soldier drew in yet another breath.

“Cedric of Beckford was my master before I entered your service, my lord. Now, pray for me and the debt shall be paid.” With that, the soldier exhaled and his life followed the air from his body.

“We must return to the castle at once,” William announced. “But first prepare this soldier for burial. I must say a prayer for him as he is laid to rest.”

“What of your half-brother, my lord?” Morle asked.

“Cedric will answer for his crimes and rue the day he was brought upon this earth. There is also Justin’s widow to address, and I do not savor that unhappy task. Worry not, Morle, my half-brother will regret his actions.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Cedric startled Dariana by coming at her from behind in the stable. When she jumped back, he took hold of her arms, his fingers digging into her flesh.

She tried to jerk away, but he just held her more tightly. “What do you here, Cedric?”

“I came to talk to you. In private.”

“There is nothing you have to say that cannot be said in front of another.”

“Ah, but there is so much.”

He yanked her hard and Dariana toppled against him. She tried to pull away, but he was stronger. His breath was foul. His nearness made her want to scream, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he intimidated her. “Let me go,” she spat.

Cedric laughed. He cocked his head, listening. There was someone in the stable with them. Soft footsteps were moving toward the back. She ached to cry out, but thought better of it lest it be one of his men. The footsteps stopped, then receded. Her hope for aid went with them.

“Cedric, I have no idea as to your purpose, but I want no part of it.”

He leaned in and tried to kiss her. She jumped away, disgusted, then reached up to slap his face. He caught her wrist in a punishing grasp.
How dare he?
She was breathing hard, imagining scratching out his eyes.

“Take care, my lady, whom you attack. I am blood to William and his sister, and have history with them. They do not really know
you
, do they? So when I say you tried to seduce me, who do you think they will believe?”

Dariana was dumbstruck. The anger ebbed away, replaced by disbelief. “What is wrong with you? William and Leah know whom I love. They will never believe you.”

“You forget you are a deceitful wench who flaunts the orders of the king. Everyone knows you are a headstrong baggage. It will come as no surprise you do not feel bound to one man. You flaunted yourself in front of the stableboy. Did you not hear him a moment ago?”

So that was it. He wanted a witness to a supposed tryst. Well, that would be simple to refute. “I find you despicable.”

“How is that possible? I am so like my brother.”

“You are no more like your brother than a viper is like a wolf. Now, unhand me.” She tried to pull away, but he held fast until her hand grew numb.

“I intend to get what is mine, dear sister. Doubt it not. I was born on the wrong side of the blanket and have paid for that all my life. Well, no more. The time has come for retribution. Believe me, I shall see it done.”

Dariana shivered in spite of herself. He released her and strode from the stables, walking with the air of a bully who had been successful. Dariana jumped on Moonshadow’s back. She rode him hard to dispel the anger that raged within her. She was so immersed in her thoughts that when a blond man approached on horseback from the darkness of the wood, she believed him to be her own William returning to her at last. She was filled with joy and relief at the sight. She urged Moonshadow forward only to realize, too late, it was Cedric. He must have planned this. and like an unsuspecting fool she had fallen into the trap. She tried to veer away from the man. Moonshadow jumped sideways but Cedric moved faster. It took only moments for him to reach Dariana. Moonshadow reared, striking out with his hooves. Cedric kicked his horse sideways to avoid the blow and moved against Dariana’s, then grabbed her reins.

Terror turned Dariana’s heart to ice as Cedric dragged her from Moonshadow’s back and onto his own saddle. She was flung across the horse in front of him, though she screamed and flailed like a wild animal. Her hands curved into claws as she sought purchase in his flesh. She spat into his face, but he grabbed her arms, then took hold of her leg and flung it across the saddle. She no longer faced him. He wrapped his legs over hers and held her upper body in a fierce grip. Only her head remained free.

“Struggle will not aid you, my lady. I have you now and there is no escape.”

“You bastard. William will kill you for this, if I do not do it first.”

“Brave, aren’t you? Threats? It appears you are the one at my mercy. Now stop fighting before I tire of your game and kill you instead.”

Before she could respond, hoofbeats rang out across the quiet meadow. Dariana leaned away from Cedric, fearful more of his men were on the way. A rider was galloping towards them. She twisted her head and nearly cheered at seeing it was William’s retainer, Richard. He raced forward, gaining ground.

More movement, this time from the woods in front, caught her eye. Two archers appeared, clearly ready, arrows nocked. She cried out a warning and Richard spun in his saddle. Seeing the ambush, he kicked his horse to the right. The missiles split the air, singing as one found its target. Richard fell, Dariana’s hope falling to the ground with him. Dead. The force with which he hit the ground, the way his body had landed—he had to be dead. A wail of dismay squeezed from her throat.

She was alone. Her only hope of rescue from Cedric’s clutches was gone. She had to get of this horse. She slammed her head back into his and bit his hand. She squirmed and pushed back with everything in her. Cedric struck her hard from behind. Blackness spun her into the void.

As William stepped into the room, he saw Leah was agitated. She paced in front of the solar window, wringing her hands. Something was amiss. Her body communicated it as surely as if she had spoken. She turned to him and drew in a breath, then threw her arms about his neck, her tears wetting the leather of his jerkin.

“What ails you, dear sister?” he asked, trying to maintain control until he could channel his energy in the proper direction. “Where is my wife?” His voice was soft, but he knew he did not fool the one who had known him the longest.

“I know n-not,” she stammered. “Or Richard. Both have been gone for hours.”

William took hold of her shoulders and waited till she looked up, the pain evident in her expression.

“Tell me all,” he demanded.

Before she could respond, a maid flew into the room.

“Moonshadow has returned,” the girl announced to the unasked question, fear evident in her tone. “He is devoted to the lady Dariana. He would never have left her unless something terrible had happened.” The maid was sobbing now.

William did not take time to pose further questions, but hurried out to where a groom held the snorting horse. William approached the gelding as an old friend, speaking softly. The horse seemed to understand and, in a moment, William had jumped on his back and they were thundering out into the countryside, William a passenger as he allowed the horse to retrace his steps. Moonshadow flew across the rolling green until they came toward a secluded meadow. Richard’s horse stood grazing, his master nowhere in evidence.

Before he could react, someone grunted. He jumped from the horse and ran toward the sound. Richard lay in the grass, his doublet stained with blood, trying to sit up. William reached out and eased Richard back onto the soft earth.

“He took her,” Richard choked out. “They went northeast. I grew concerned when I saw her race out. Leah sensed something was amiss, so I followed your lady. Cedric rode from the shadows of the trees and grabbed her. Two with him saw me and shot me. You must hurry.”

“I shall see to you first.”

“I will not die, my lord,” Richard said. “It is messy, but the wounds are not fatal.”

“You cannot die, my friend. We all depend on you too much. But I must see you home with my sister to coo over you all the same. Your wounds may not kill you, but more exertion might.”

“I can ride back alone, I tell you. Just help me on my horse. Then go. Cedric could kill her. She only allowed him close, I am certain, because she believed him to be you. She realized her mistake too late.”

Then pounding hooves shook the ground. William reached for his sword and was relieved as the first man came into view. His own men had followed. He turned back to Richard. “You said they rode northeast. But Cedric’s holdings are to the northwest.
He knew I would pursue, so he must have hoped I would go the opposite direction.”

William jumped to his feet and shouted orders to his men. Several were to escort Richard to Dansworth Castle while the others would ride with William. It took only moments before the private meadow was again empty of intruders and the quiet restored.

C
HAPTER
14

T
he world was
whirling for Dariana as she opened her eyes. Every muscle in her body hurt. She was aware of being atop a horse with her body pressed against a hard chest. A wave of nausea shot through her and her stomach seized in its effort to empty itself of its contents. Retching, she lurched forward, then struggled to right herself before she fell. Cedric grabbed Dariana as she pulled away from him. Then, seeming to realize her plight, he held her tightly even as he slowed his horse and turned his head away. After a moment, her body calmed. She slumped in the saddle, maintaining as much distance from her captor as possible. Hearing him chuckle, she stiffened with rage and turned to face him, not bothering to hide her anger. “Are you mad to do this? William will hunt you down and kill you. What hope you to gain?”

Cedric’s laughter made her skin crawl. “Why, sweet, I hope to gain what is mine by right. Revenge is only the sweetmeat to be savored as part of the game.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“Why, we go to visit with others who were also denied what is rightfully theirs by your lord. Perhaps, when you learn the truth, you will not be so enamored of your husband. What a pity, since you are legally tied to him until death do you part.”

“I have been tied to William since first we met. I do not gain your meaning.” Dariana swallowed hard. Anger would not serve her now. She had to remain calm, get him talking. Any information he imparted might aid her.

“When the truth becomes known to you, you will sicken with revulsion at the one you married. If you are foolish enough not to turn from him and to believe you will inspire me to sympathy, you are mistaken. Do you vomit from the blow to your head, or do you carry William’s brat? If that is the case, I assume the child is his heir. Or have you lain with another?” He laughed at his own humor.”Did you think I would not notice? You spill your insides and I should act as though I am ignorant?” Cedric spoke this with an air of triumph, pleased she had not fooled him.

“Perhaps I am ill because of your closeness.” It was bravado. Dariana knew Cedric’s statement was apt. She carried William’s child. Her courses had not come and she had been feeling so tired of late. She had meant to tell him, but the opportunity had not presented itself. Suddenly, she was filled with determination, regardless of her current circumstances. She would survive to see the child born healthy and strong, a warrior like his father. The tension eased from her as this new conviction permeated her being.

They rode on in silence for several more hours, Dariana memorizing details of the landscape while convincing Cedric she again slept. She also took time to note the faces of Cedric’s men. They all bore a coldness that echoed that of their leader. There would be no ally found here; she knew she could only depend upon herself. The enemy was here, so she reasoned William should be safe. Better this villain threaten her than the man she loved.