THE WARLORD (28 page)

"Aye, but I will have the head of the archer who denied me the pleasure of killing that traitor myself." Kenric frowned again. "Nay, I will give the man who saved your life whatever reward he names."

"I believe I will go check the Italian's injuries," Fitz Alan said mildly. He was standing just behind Kenric with a longbow still clutched in one hand. "At least until you
decide
if I am to lose my head or be showered with gold." He smiled then at Tess. "You will let me know the outcome, Lady Tess? I should like to make myself scarce if the decision is not in my favor."

Tess tried to contain a startled giggle but Kenric's scowl remained fierce. He rose on unsteady legs with Tess held securely in his arms and walked toward Simon. The old soldier was still lying on the ground, others standing nearby with drawn swords, all clearly appalled by their lady's close call. Simon lifted one hand when he saw Kenric approach but it fell limply to the ground, his arm hanging at an odd angle.

"I just wanted a short rest, milord." Simon's voice was teasing, but pained. "That damned horse jarred my shoulder."

Tess immediately began squirming in Kenric's arms. "I can ease his pain, if you will let me."

He hesitated a moment before setting her on the ground. Tess welcomed the distraction of examining the injured man. It took her mind off the crowd gathering around them and the group of soldiers farther up the field, surrounding Roberto. A short time later she knew the cause of Simon's pain; a dislocated shoulder. The agony Simon must endure to right such an injury was necessary, hopefully accomplished before the man could figure out what was going to happen. Kenric barely had Simon propped up when Tess moved in from behind and applied the required pressure. She frowned over Simon's sudden howl but knew he would feel immediate relief. She was busy instructing Simon on his recovery when Fitz Alan returned to Kenric's side.

"He is alive," Fitz Alan murmured.
"Though I cannot say for how long."

"I can." Kenric was ready to kill with his bare hands. But he was torn between the need to give the traitor his due punishment and reluctance to leave Tess. His arm tightened around her shoulders, pulling her closer to his side. He needed her there to help calm the raw fury still coursing through his blood.

"I will stay with Lady Tess," Fitz Alan volunteered. Kenric nodded and began to loosen his grip on her shoulders.

"Nay.
I would go with you," Tess stated calmly. "I have seen wounds of all sorts, milord. Do not worry that the sight will disturb me. I know where the arrow struck."

Kenric's expression remained grim, but he put his arm around her waist and led her toward the group of soldiers who were clustered around the fallen Italian. The men parted instantly to allow them near Roberto then closed in again to form a tight circle.

The sight was indeed gruesome. Tess took several deep breaths, determined not to seem squeamish in front of Kenric's men. She tried to eye the Italian dispassionately, to view him as any other wounded man. He wouldn't live. In his agony, Roberto had ripped the arrow from his face, leaving a grisly, gaping wound. The man would slowly bleed to death. Tess was amazed that Roberto was still conscious. His good eye was glazed with pain but he looked around the gathering with alert wariness.

"Get his lance," Kenric ordered. Thomas ran to do his bidding, returning with the weapon. Kenric took the lance and rested the long, blunted end on Roberto's neck. He waited a moment then lowered the tip to the ground just above Roberto's shoulder, suddenly thrusting the lance forward. The razor-sharp blade emerged from the dirt, the blunting shattered to reveal its false end. "Who are your accomplices and where are they? Name them swiftly, or defy me and die slowly, in a way that is guaranteed to take your mind off your present injury."

Roberto closed his good eye and remained silent. Kenric started forward then stopped abruptly. He motioned to Fitz Alan. "Take her someplace where she cannot see or hear this."

"I understand your need to hurt him," Tess whispered, so the injured man would not hear. "But he will not last the day. Let me try reason once more before you try torture."

It would be hours before Roberto died of his injury or by the means Kenric would use to extract the information he wanted. Kenric ordered his men to pin Roberto to the ground then allowed Tess to kneel down beside the man.

"I have seen a wound like this before," she told him in a sympathetic voice. "Nothing can be done to save you, but your death will not come swiftly. My husband will have long hours, perhaps as much as a day or more to punish you for your treachery. He spent many years in the Holy Lands where he learned from the infidels how to inflict great pain without killing his victim." Tess didn't know if this was true or not, but thought it sounded wicked enough to be believable. "The tortures you will endure are hard for a gentle lady to imagine, but you must know what Baron Montague is capable of doing to his enemy."

Roberto's eye was open again and Tess could see his growing fear. She drew her dagger so fast that none of Kenric's men had a chance to object, though she heard their startled gasps. None but Tess would dare deny Baron Montague his prisoner. The small, jeweled dagger that she'd been allowed for use with her meals now rested against the Italian's neck. She tried to push away the memory of another man at her mercy in just such a fashion.

"Tell my husband what he wants to know and I will kill you myself. One swift cut and you will be spared the torture."

There was nothing to gain by remaining silent, but much to suffer. Having no loyalties to anyone but himself, Roberto wisely chose to divulge his plan. His voice was a hoarse whisper as he revealed his secrets, the pain and his growing weakness evident.

Just as suspected, MacLeith was behind the Italian's plot. The knight was a mercenary, approached by MacLeith almost two months ago in the Scottish king's court where Roberto was employed to rid that ruler of a troublesome in-law. MacLeith knew his stepdaughter was at Montague and wed to Kenric, the information coming from Montague's own bailiff. MacLeith feared Kenric's army. Without their leader, he felt certain Kenric's men would not attack Remmington. Roberto was to kill the baron then escape from the fortress by his own means. The bailiff had fresh horses and men waiting along the road to
Scotland, where they would meet up again with MacLeith for final payment.

" 'Tis
the… whole… of it, lady." Roberto struggled to get the words past the swelling in his throat.

"Why didn't you try to kill me first?" Tess asked, puzzled that Kenric was the intended target.

"Remmington belongs to the baron… by your marriage. You were to die only for spite if… I could not kill your… husband." Roberto took several deep breaths then his voice rallied and became stronger. "Keep your promise, demoiselle. Kill me… now, lady."

"Is there anything more you wish to ask, milord?" Tess questioned Kenric without looking up, unable to tear her eyes from the morbid sight of Roberto's disfigured face.

"Nay
. '
Tis all I need to know."

She could tell by his tone of voice that he was giving her permission to end Roberto's life. Her gaze dropped to the tip of her dagger, still resting against the Italian's neck. She'd done this once before. It would be an act of kindness to end Roberto's misery and spare him Kenric's retribution. Even if Kenric left him alone, Roberto would suffer a long time before finally dying. Already the man begged for death.

"I must keep my promise," she whispered, admitting the truth in her next breath. "Yet I cannot do it." Kenric's hand closed over hers and gently pried the knife away.

"You should not have to."

Tess didn't resist being pulled to her feet and handed over to Fitz Alan.

"Turn around, Tess."

She turned her back to Roberto, barely aware of Fitz Alan holding her against his chest to insure she would be spared the sight. She heard Kenric murmur something to Roberto but could not make out the words. No more than a moment passed before Kenric lifted her into his arms and carried her from the field. She didn't trust her voice until they were nearly to the great hall.

"Is it over?"

"Roberto is dead, but it is not over. Fitz Alan will take a patrol out to find Roberto's men and my bailiff. I will have them brought before me tomorrow. Today I would kill them all, before they might be convinced to reveal more secrets." He looked down at her pale face and frowned. "I still might."

Tess felt light as a feather as Kenric carried her up the steps to the great hall. He wondered if she'd truly intended to starve herself. The scent of spring flowers made his nostrils flare, knowing it was the scent she used in her soap. He breathed deeply, trying to trap the heady scent inside him. Now that the immediate danger had passed, the feel of her in his arms was also arousing his starved senses. Her arms were wrapped around his neck and he wanted to press her whole body against the length of his. Her hands were tangled in his hair, almost caressing the nape of his neck, and he wanted to yank out the small ribbon that held her braid in place and spread her hair across his chest. They were ridiculous thoughts. She was still too shaken by her ordeal to realize what she was doing.

Mounting the tower steps, he hesitated only a moment at the top before taking the passage that led to the solar. If he took her to his chamber, there wasn't a doubt in his mind that he'd make love to her. After coming so close to losing her, there was a deep, burning need to confirm his possession of her in the most elemental way possible. Forcing her to his bed was not the answer. He'd only wonder later if she'd enjoyed the experience, or if she'd simply played along again in hopes of buying her freedom with her body.

He noticed the changes in the solar right away. The room looked cozier now, a table and chair by the fireplace, a small bed he wouldn't fit into if he tried, a chest in one corner and a tub propped up in another. It was a warm, cheerful place. She should be happy here.

He laid her down on the bed and saw her wipe away tears. Giving her a moment to compose herself, he poured a mug of cider from the pitcher left on the table. "Drink this."

Tess took the mug and he watched her take a few small sips. The color that had been in her face earlier from all her running was gone now, emphasizing the new leanness he saw in her. Loose tendrils of hair swirled around her face in disarray and the gown she wore would look better on a
London street
urchin. Aye, she looked a mess. She was still the most beautiful woman he could imagine. He turned away and tried to find something in the room that would be
distracting,
knowing nothing in the world was more distracting to him than his wife. He hated her. She was a treacherous, plotting female who would have unmanned him, if he gave her enough of a chance. He wanted to see her suffer. He wanted to climb into that small bed and hold her for days, sate himself with her body until he could be sated no more. She would probably laugh at him the whole time.

"Is the food Miriam brings not to your liking?" He tossed a fresh log into the fire, then picked up the poker and began stirring the coals to keep
himself
busy.

"The food is fine. I've not been very hungry of late."

"You will tell your guards if there is anything in particular you would like for your meals."

Tess wiped away fresh tears. "Will the soldiers who guarded me today still be punished? They had no way of knowing I intended to flee. I told them an intruder had climbed into the room and they were trying to do their duty and protect me. It seems wrong for them to be… to be—"

"They will live," Kenric said shortly. "Simon and Evard will be at your door from now on. You will go to Simon if anything else… unusual occurs."

He trusted those two more than any others to keep her safe. The MacLeiths wanted her dead now but none would be able to harm her here. He was actually doing Tess a favor by keeping her confined to the safety of the solar. If she expected freedom as payment for his life, she wasn't going to get it. Still, affording her a few rewards for her actions today would not be unreasonable. "Helen has been asking to visit you. I will see that she does."

He glanced toward the bed to gauge her gratitude, but Tess seemed unmoved by the boon. She quickly lowered her gaze and took another sip from the mug. Setting the poker aside, he began examining the other objects in the room, lingering over the tapestry as if it held great interest.

Tess knew he didn't want to be in the room with her, wondered why he was still there when his restlessness was so obvious. She wanted him to leave so she could cry in peace. She wanted him to stay, not knowing how long it would be before she saw him again.

"You will tell Simon if there is anything you need or want," he said at last, turning away from the tapestry.

Tess nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. She thought he meant to leave, but instead he sat down in the chair nearby, looking uncomfortable. He cleared his throat once,
then
turned his hand over to examine the nails.

"Why did you save my life?"

Tess was dumbfounded by the unexpected question. It hadn't occurred to her that he would need a reason. "You were in danger."

"My death would have accomplished the same as an annulment. You would have been free of me without the bothersome legal entanglements."

"I never wanted your death!"

A silent moment passed,
then
Kenric leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms. "Tell me about your vision."

Tess paled slightly and shook her head. "I don't want to think about it."

"That gruesome?"

"Very!" Tess nodded several times to emphasize the fact, her eyes dark with lingering fear.

"You've had these visions before." It wasn't a question, but he was demanding an answer.

Tess's gaze dropped to her hands and she nodded again. "Nothing like this one, but glimpses here and there of events I don't recall until they happen and seem familiar."

"Are you a witch?"

Kenric thought it a reasonable question. Tess looked insulted. She crossed her arms against her chest, her eyes changing to dark sapphires as her expression turned indignant.

" 'Tis
a gift," she claimed stoutly. "Uncle Ian says it tends to appear in the women of our family, though it often skips several generations. My grandmother was the last. I doubt anyone accused her of witchcraft if she saved their life." She gave him a pointed look, her eyes narrowing even more. "And I daresay those who knew her well would not doubt her warnings."

He deserved that, he supposed, wanting to smile over the flash of fire in her eyes. Aye, she was highly insulted. If Tess told him the sky was falling, she would doubtless expect him to line up his men to witness the event. "Tell me about some of the things you have sensed in the past, perhaps events less grisly than today's."

Tess eyed him warily, suspicious of his motives. A man who would contemplate bringing his wife before the church with charges of witchcraft would need evidence. "Why?"

"I'm curious. Humor me."

"I can't recall anything," she said quickly, shaking her head. "Aye, everything has faded."

Kenric eyed her braid, frowning. "I would still like to thank you for saving my life. I would not have you risk your own again to do it. A warning will suffice."

"You are welcome," she said quietly.

"Simon and Evard are doubtless at your door already. I will make sure they remain there." Kenric stood up and stretched his arms out in front of him, an unconscious habit that indicated he was nearing the end of this discussion. One hand went to the center of his chest to scratch a nonexistent itch. "Fitz Alan will have a patrol out already to search for the bailiff. I intend to join them to make sure the traitor does not escape the noose this time."

Tess stared intently at his chest and Kenric's gaze followed to his hand. He'd forgotten that he was bare-chested. It struck him suddenly that he was half naked and Tess was no more than a pace or two away, a misleading look in her eyes as she stared at him. His hand dropped to his side as if he'd burned it. He wouldn't allow himself to read his own weakness into her expression. It was time to leave, while his control was still tightly leashed.

"You have been through an ordeal this morn and I will not keep you from your rest. Helen will visit you tomorrow." Kenric turned and walked to the door, suddenly anxious to be away. His hand hesitated on the latch when she called his name. He remembered hearing it many times before in other circumstances, usually when her lips were very close to his ear. He responded without turning to look at her.
"Aye?"

"Will you visit me again?"

He closed his eyes, telling himself it was not longing in her soft voice, but simple curiosity. His answer was strained.
"Perhaps."