Velvet & steel (26 page)

The three men who guarded Lynette and Cerise moved away as Royce approached. When they were out of earshot, Royce drew Lynette close to him and held her.

"Lynette, I'm sorry. I thought Beltane was the danger. He was just a distraction, and we were taken in completely."

"I don't really think he means to harm us," Lynette said cautiously. She looked at Royce almost warningly. She didn't want Cerise more frightened than she already was. "I think we'll be all right if we don't anger him and remain brave."

"I had forgotten just how courageous you are," Royce said quietly. "You are right. You know I will not allow him to hurt you, don't you?"

"Of course we know." Lynette smiled, and both were aware that Cerise was watching them. "Just as we know that William will not tolerate any harm to you or yours. It is only Tearlach who needs to learn that lesson." Lynette knew they could keep Cerise from panicking only if they remained calm themselves.

"Cerise, don't be frightened," Royce said as he knelt beside her. "Papa will take care of everything and you'll be home safe soon. Until then, you must do everything Lynette tells you to do, and be a good girl. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, Papa." Her confidence in him shone in her eyes, and Royce tasted a fear such as he had never known before. He had only recently found his daughter, and by God, he wasn't going to lose her now. And the idea of spending the rest of his life without Lynette was unthinkable.

They depended upon him, and he had to use his wits. Trying to fight Tearlach now was impossible, and it would cost Lynette's and Cerise's life. He had to play Tearlach's game ... for the moment.

Royce hugged Cerise to him, feeling her thin, small arms encircle his neck and cling. He inhaled a deep breath and held her away from him to smile down at her. "I love you, Cerise. Don't forget that."

"I love you too, Papa." She returned his smile.

Royce stood, and Lynette came into his arms again. He held her without speaking. There was nothing left to say. When he turned away, Lynette watched him go and struggled to contain the urge to cry out and run after him. It was only knowing how Tearlach would enjoy her fear that kept her from doing so.

When Royce, Giles, and Ferragus rode some distance from Tearlach's men, they slowed their horses. Royce was the first to smile grimly. He turned his gaze to Giles.

"Everyone has been instructed?"

"Aye." Giles nodded. "There will be a lot of surprises, but no harm will come to them. I would be near Tearlach when the time comes."

Tm afraid that is going to be my pleasure," Royce replied.

"I will at least be able to see his face," Giles said with a chuckle. "That will satisfy me... except ..."

"Except what?"

"I would like to know why. He claims to seek revenge for Perrin's death, but..."

"But?"

"I cannot help but feel the same," Ferragus said. "There is something he knows, or thinks he knows; some secret that he feels he has to act upon."

"Now you two are guessing," Royce replied.

"What if he has someone he thinks to put in William's place? Someone who would be in his control?" Giles offered.

"Who? Who would be able to hold William's followers?" Ferragus questioned thoughtfully.

"Someone of royal blood... someone who is loved, or who commands enough loyalty that he could draw all the knights to his cause."

"Well, I know no one, so let us assume that Tearlach wants power for himself."

"It matters naught. He will not succeed."

"Nay," said the usually silent and introspective Ferragus. "He will wish he had never placed a hand on Lady Lynette, or the child, Cerise. My sword hungers already."

"We must play out the game and we must be very careful. We know by now there are few to be trusted. We also have William to protect. Are you certain word has reached him?"

"Aye, I sent the message as soon as you discussed the plans with us."

"And the men you sent to find the hidden forces?"

"There was no trouble there either. They were found and infiltrated, and never knew the difference."

"I had not thought ..." Royce's voice shook for a minute before he regained control. Lynette and Cerise needed his strength now.

"I know, we had not thought Tearlach would strike through Lynette and Cerise when they were with us. But they are still safer than he knows, and our plan will be completed before he understands what has happened, or how deadly William's revenge is going to be."

"And ours."

"Aye ... and ours."

Lynette kept Cerise close to her, but she saw no threat from the men. They watched her but made no move to come near. The day grew long, and Lynette and Cerise were offered food. Lynette instructed Cerise to eat, for she had no idea how long they would be prisoners and she didn't want Cerise to become ill.

By mid-afternoon, they were mounted on horses and taken a greater distance from the original camp. Obviously Tearlach felt that Royce was clever enough to remember where they were and send men to take them by surprise.

It was only when they had been in the abductors' hands for most of the day that Lynette became aware of a subtle undercurrent. Both she and Cerise were treated with great gentleness, and she began to wonder if these men had their hearts in the matter.

Fires were built and a meal of sorts was provided. By the time full night was upon them, Lynette's suspicions were nagging her. She made a comfortable place for Cerise and covered her with her cloak. Soon the little girl was asleep.

Lynette couldn't sleep, and she sat in the shadows of a tree with her cloak wrapped around her and listened to the hushed voices of the men in the camp. Tearlach had not come near her again. Finally the sounds of the night were all that could be heard. Lynette closed her eyes and rested her head against the tree. She was startled when a soft sound came to her. She sat very still and listened.

"Do not fear, lady, there are those here who belong to Creganwald."

She listened again, but no sound came. Still, she felt a sense of relief and she realized that Royce had been better prepared than she had thought. It was clear to her that he had never trusted Beltane or Oriel from the beginning. Now she had to keep calm, and wait for any opportunity that might present itself. After a while she found a comfortable place near Cerise and slept.

Beltane kept a close eye on Royce when he returned. He knew when Royce went directly to Robert that Tearlach had taken his hostages just as he had said he would. Beltane wished he could hear what Royce said.

"That bastard!" Robert almost shouted. "I wish we could go after him now."

"Nay, it would spoil his plans... and ours," Royce said.

"It will be hard to be patient."

"But we will be," Royce replied. "William will be here tomorrow night. He knows all. When the celebration is started, I will go down and open the lower gate and let the traitors in."

"Let the lambs in with the lions," Giles said, "and let them learn how traitors are punished."

"Aye, it will be amusing to read Tearlach's face ... and Beltane's."

"Giles, go cautiously and see that all is in readiness."

Robert stood silently and watched as Royce gave his trusted men some last-minute orders. He sensed there was something that Royce wanted to say to him in private.

When they were alone, Royce turned to the friend he'd often thought of as a father. There were answers he needed, and he meant to have them.

"Robert, Giles said something to me that has made me curious."

"Giles is full of inconsequential things," Robert said. "What did he say that has you so deep in thought?"

"He believes Tearlach hopes to put a puppet on William's throne, someone with the power to draw the knights together and hold this realm for Tearlach. Know you of such a man, Robert?"

"I think Giles has been tipping his horn of ale too often."

"You have never lied to me, and I have never asked you such questions before. But there is too much at stake, and if William has a mortal enemy with the power to claim the throne, then I must know of it."

"William has no such enemy with that power."

Royce looked closely at Robert. He wasn't lying, but he was certainly not telling the complete truth either. "Has he any friends with that power? Friends can turn to enemies quickly, if there is enough reason."

"The friends he has will not betray him."

"Robert..."

"Royce, you should not ask me what I should not answer." Robert laid a hand on Royce's arm and lowered his voice to a whisper, lest even the walls had ears. "One who is illegitimate took over the ruling of England. He is an honorable man and will rule well. But if there was another... perhaps one bred by someone close to the throne, he would be of blood royal too. With the knights behind him, he could take over William's throne ... if William was gone."

Royce sucked in his breath, and for a moment wasn't sure where the next was coming from. "A half-brother to William." He breathed. "Am I... ?"

"Nay, not a half-brother to William... but the son of a man as close to him as a man can get."

"His name?"

"Will never be spoken between us or by me to any other. I have made a vow."

"Then how would Tearlach consider me?"

"I fear he has somehow found the truth, and he will split this land asunder to reach for power."

"Then... Tearlach must take that secret to his grave."

"Aye." Robert was silent for a minute. "Royce, it is the truth you know. You could have more than you have ever dreamed of. All you have to do... "

"Is betray my king, destroy whatever love Lynette may hold for me, and surrender the friendship of you, my knights, William, and maybe even my daughter when she is old enough to discover that her father would give up all for a throne." Royce smiled. "Nay, Robert, the reward is not nearly enough to balance the cost. But ... I would have his name if just to know ..."

"Only for your peace of mind will I speak the name, but once... and only once. Earl Godwin," Robert said quietly.

Royce's face never changed at the sound of that name. He knew that he could have reached out and taken the crown, if he was willing to go along with Tearlach's plan... and to sacrifice Lynette.

"We hold the secret together for the rest of our lives."

"Aye, forever. This must never pass our lips again."

"Royce ... I would have you know that I would have been proud to call you son."

"And I will have you know, Robert, that I always thought I was, and I have always been proud. I would keep you as my father and forget all else."

Robert was silent before an immense emotion that could never be put to words. "Then let us continue to protect our king."

Royce found little sleep, for even though he knew Lynette and Cerise were reasonably safe, he could not rest until they were back within his care.

He paced the battlements of the castle until the moon was setting and a gray light heralded the coming day. All his plans were laid, and there was little to do but wait.

The next morning he broke his fast alone, and was eating thoughtfully when Beltane appeared.

"And so ... you have done well, Royce. Tearlach will be pleased."

"Perhaps"—Royce smiled and rose slowly from his seat, his eyes holding Beltane's and filled with taunting amusement— "you are the one who will not be so pleased when this is done." He walked away. He knew Beltane's twisted mind. Those last words of Royce's would worry Beltane; he would soon begin to wonder if he himself had in some way been betrayed.

William arrived with great fanfare. Royce welcomed his king with the same enthusiasm. He pronounced to all that there would be great feasting that night, and when William inquired about Lynette and Cerise, he was told that Cerise was not feeling well and Lynette would not leave her side.

The castle was surveyed carefully by William, who was free with complimentary comments about its construction and location.

"Were this castle in the hands of any but my loyal knight, it would make my crown sit uneasily upon my head."

"There is only one way this castle is vulnerable," Royce replied, "and that is by treachery within. Since all here are loyal to you, there should be no fear of that."

"Then let us enjoy tonight's celebration, and I will return to London much relieved."

William caught Beltane's eye for a moment and smiled. It relieved Beltane's mind that no one in the castle was aware of his bargain with Tearlach.

The hall was full of both William's men and Royce's. They sat at table conversing freely. The evening told a bit on Beltane's nerves, and to make it worse, Oriel seemed to suddenly remember that she was supposed to be married the next day, and made Beltane uncomfortable with her attentions.

Giles watched his sister and was filled with sympathy. She was unhappy, and that, together with her ambition, was proving a dangerous combination. He did mean to save her as much grief as he could, but he could count on nothing if William discovered her connection to the plot. He had tried to get Royce alone to discuss it with him, and beg his mercy, but he had had little success.

Now as the celebration went on, he wished she would not look at Beltane the way she did for this would be remembered, and it might bode ill for Oriel.

Royce grew ever more tense as the time drew near to spring the trap and catch the traitors.

It seemed forever before the time came for him to carry out Tearlach's plan. He could feel the perspiration on his body and his hands.

Beltane had not seemed to be watching him, and Royce wondered, with annoyance, if Beltane was so confident that he felt it unnecessary. He rose from his seat and made an excuse to William and those nearby.

He left the noisy hall, finding himself momentarily alone as he started for the little-used back gate to let Tearlach's men in.

They were there, dark shadows against the night sky, as they moved inside, one by one.

Lynette had watched as the majority of the men surrounding them mounted their horses and rode from the camp. Now there were only five men left to guard them.

Cerise had watched Lynette for signs of how she was to act and behaved accordingly. If ... if they were saved, Lynette meant to tell Royce that his daughter had inherited all his courage.

The firelight left them sitting in the deeper shadows at its periphery, and Lynette could not see the faces of the men about her. When one man rose and disappeared into the shadows, she was alarmed. Were they planning the prisoners' demise, here in this dark wood? They could bury them here and no one would ever find them. She had never been so frightened in her life.

A second man rose and moved into the darkness too, followed by a third. Only two were left, and Lynette did not like the way they were regarding her. One had a suggestive smile on his face, and the other a cold and vicious look that made her tremble. She wished she could find a way out of this, if not for her, at least for Cerise.

"What do you plan for us?" she finally asked.

"For you, as pretty as you are, a little celebration of our own," one man answered and the other laughed.

"How can you treat a child like this? Keep me if you must, but let her go. She is innocent, and she can cause you no harm."

"She will fetch a good prize when she is delivered."

"Royce is doing what you want. You cannot mean to harm his child."

"Be silent! We have our orders, and what's another child?"

Lynette understood their cruelty, and vowed that Cerise would not suffer at their hands, no matter what she had to do. But the matter was taken out of her control so abruptly that she was shocked.

The three men who had left the camp had come up from behind the other two. They appeared suddenly, like specters, and struck. In seconds the two men lay unconscious at their feet, and they were binding them.

She was sure that the men were about to attack her, and wanted to shriek as one of them came toward her. The look on her face must have revealed her fear.

"Nay, lady. Don't be afraid. We are Royce's men and we have been waiting for the right moment." He knelt beside her and looked worriedly at her as if he were afraid she would not believe him. "I am sorry you have had to go through this, but we had to wait until Tearlach was gone to move."

"Royce's men?" she repeated in disbelief.

"Aye, lady. It seems Royce was aware that Tearlach would come sometime, especially since William was so close. He sent us to locate Tearlach's force, and melt into his group so that we could notify him of Tearlach's plans. He did not expect him to strike at you or the child. We all thought the victim was to be William."

"But if William is in the manor and the plan is in force, what can we do to save Royce and the king?"

"We can do no more than follow Royce's orders, and that is to hold you safe until he can come for you."

"It is not enough! Royce could be killed. Tearlach's force is larger than those in the castle."

"Aye, lady, but not as large as Royce's and William's combined."

"Then Tearlach has walked into his own trap."

"Aye, and it will close on him. It will be the last time Tearlach conspires to harm William or those around him. Can I get you some food or drink, lady?"

"Nay, I do not hunger." She turned to Cerise, whose eyes were shining. "Are you hungry, Cerise?"

Cerise shook her head and smiled. "I knew Papa would save us, Lynette. He told us he would."

"Remind me never to doubt him again," Lynette laughed. The three men stirred the fire to greater warmth, and sat waiting quietly.

Royce closed the gate behind the intruders and motioned them to follow him, which they did without questions.

They followed him silently through the dark corridors, and when they reached the assigned place they found themselves effectively surrounded. They had expected victims, taken by surprise. What they found was their own imprisonment.

Royce led a smaller group of his men up to the main hall, but not before they had changed into the armor and colors worn by Tearlach's men.

Within the hall, Tearlach was watching for his men, and when Royce returned, he smiled a smile of intense satisfaction. His men were in control. This was the time he had waited for. He had been right; Royce would do anything for the wench he loved, and the child he had just discovered.

Tearlach's heart throbbed with the fierce excitement that filled him. Learning Robert's and Royce's secret was going to give him a crown and all the power he had hoped for.

William had been watching Tearlach with growing rage. He waited. He knew there was something about Tearlach's plans that he did not understand and perhaps never would. He also had a feeling that Royce could have gained a great deal if he had not revealed Tearlach's plan. ...

Beltane had been looking at Tearlach's men for several minutes before a feeling of alarm crept through him. Something was wrong ... very wrong. The faces were familiar, and he had seen these faces among Royce's men. One he knew well had been in Royce's service for a number of years. He had to warn Tearlach.

But he was a minute too late. Tearlach had risen, and faced William. "It seems, sire, you have made a mistake in trusting your Sword of William. You do not know of his betrayal."

"Betrayal?" William asked mildly. "What know you of betrayal, Royce?"

"I know a great deal, sire." Royce's voice was just as mild. Beltane knew in his heart that all was lost, that somehow the plan had been discovered. There would be no mercy in William now. The full attention of the entire company was on William and Royce. Beltane slipped from the group so stealthily that none missed him. "I know that the man who would see you dead and this realm in confusion has just made his last and very fatal mistake."

Tearlach's face froze, and he gaped at Royce in shock. Would he truly sacrifice his wife for his king? He saw Royce's smile... turned to face William, and saw a matching smile.

"Royce, order your men to draw their swords and kill him!" Tearlach shouted, but he received no reply, and no action. "You fool, do you know you are giving up a kingdom?" This drew William's attention, but still he said nothing.

"Do you think I would want a kingdom gained by murder?" Royce said. "Even if I wanted one, I have no right to it and I would not take what was not mine by birth or right of arms."

"Right? Shall I tell you where your rights lie?"

"No! I will hear none of your traitorous words. The truth of this night is known by William. Your men are safely below ... in irons. Will you surrender, Tearlach?"

"Never!" Tearlach drew his sword and faced Royce. But another voice came from behind him.

"This honor is not for a young man, with whom you might cry foul. Turn and face me, Tearlach, and meet your justice." Robert enjoyed the look on Tearlach's face as he turned to face him.

The two men looked at each other across years of hatred, and there was death in their eyes.

"I know the truth," Tearlach whispered raggedly.

"Aye, I do not doubt that you do," Robert replied, low enough that his voice didn't carry. "And you shall die with it."

"You are a fool as well. What man would give up a kingdom for this place and a woman?"

"You would never understand that man, so there is little use in explaining."

Tearlach was many things, but he was not a coward. He was a powerful man, seasoned in battle, and he could wield a mighty sword. Still, Robert faced him with the greatest of pleasure. Robert, too, was a seasoned warrior, and the men were evenly matched.

Royce watched, knowing Robert's expertise, and sure that his anger at this attempted regicide was a driving force that would bring him victory. Tearlach would die here before the man he'd intended to murder.

Swords met with a mighty clang, and everyone in the hall moved back to give the combatants room. William was watching both the fighters, and Royce. A kingdom, Tearlach had said. There was only one way for that to be possible. He began to wonder what blood flowed in Royce's veins ... and if it was in some way mixed with his own.