“My God,” she breathed. “What terror Mira must have felt to have been forced to fight for her life like that.”
Douglas grunted in agreement. “She should not have had to do it in the first place.”
Isabel nodded. “I agree,” she said. “And she probably would not have had to do it had Astoria not manipulated the situation the way she did.Sheis to blame, Douglas. Not Mira.”
“I realize that.”
“What do you want to do with her?”
Douglas shook his head, his guard going down just a little. He’d been in fight-or-flight mode since last night, since all of this happened, and now as the sun began to peek over the horizon, he could feel the tension draining out of his body. Perhaps it was because he’d confessed to Isabel, or perhaps it was because Mira was actually safe for the moment and he could relax. Just a little.
But that didn’t mean any of them were safe.
On the contrary.
“My concern is with Mira and with Lord de Honiton,” he said. “You are far more experienced in dealing with wicked young women than I am. I will leave Astoria’s punishment toyou, but to be honest, part of me wants to turn her over to de Honiton so he can punish the woman who caused his son’s death. Let her face the reality of what her actions have brought.”
Isabel shook her head. “He is not in his right mind,” she said. “I fear he would kill her in his grief. Moreover, he does not want Astoria. He wants the person who killed his son, and since you have confessed to it, he wants you.”
“He shall not have me,” Douglas said, sinking into the nearest chair. “I will leave Jonathan and Davyss here, but I intend to take Mira and return to Lioncross Abbey to tell my father what has happened. De Honiton has threatened to march on Lioncross, so I think my father should be warned.”
“How foolish would that be?” Eric spoke up. He’d been listening to the entire conversation and had something to say with this latest subject raised. “Lord de Honiton, I mean. How foolish would it be for him to march on Lioncross? Your father probably carries five times the men that de Honiton does. Hereford will wipe him from this earth.”
Douglas conceded the point. “I do not think anyone has marched on Lioncross since Ajax de Velt brought his army south and my father thought he was in for a siege from the Dark Lord,” he said. “That was long ago, before I was born. But the point is that no sane man marches on Lioncross. No sane man marches on my father.”
Isabel looked at him. “And that is why you are taking the blame,” she said. “To deter de Honiton from exacting vengeance on Axminster. If he knows he must move against Hereford, he will think twice.”
Douglas simply cocked an eyebrow as if she had answered her own question. But he looked away after a moment, running a weary hand through his long, unbrushed locks.
“You have given me permission to court Mira,” he said. “She belongs to me and I shall protect her at all costs. If thatmeans taking the blame to protect her, then I will do it without hesitation.”
Isabel couldn’t very well argue with the man, not when she agreed with him. In fact, she felt protective over him because he was so protective over Mira. It was chivalry not often seen, but Douglas was determined to shield his lady from a situation she shouldn’t have been part of in the first place.
The whole bloody situation was a mess.
“Very well,” she said wearily. “But I would suggest you send a messenger to your father right away. Even if you intend to take Mira to Lioncross, it will not be immediate. The physic says she must rest for a few days at the very least, and your father must know what has happened as soon as possible.”
Douglas nodded. “Agreed,” he said. “But I intend to take Mira away as soon as she is feeling better.”
Isabel made her way to the nearest chair, lowering herself into it. Much like Douglas, the excitement and stress of the night was beginning to wear off, leaving exhaustion in its wake.
“Poor Mira,” she muttered. “The woman fights for her life, and what will it bring her? Persecution and torment. If Jerome knew it was her, and why, it would not absolve her. If he took it to a magistrate, they would probably condemn her to death.”
Douglas glanced at her. “My brother, Roi, is the magistrate for Hereford and Worcester,” he said. “He also happens to be the king’s chief justiciar. He is the head of the system of laws in the land, so I can promise you that nothing would come of any charges de Honiton tried to bring.”
“If that is true, then why did you accept blame?”
“Because I do not want her to suffer for having to defend herself.”
Isabel knew that. She wasn’t trying to harass the man, only make him think a little about the implications of his actions. Butshe didn’t push too hard because she knew he was already well aware.
This would be the end of it.
“I know,” she said. “I do not know why I asked that question because I already know the answer. Douglas, go and see to Mira now. I have a need to speak with Eric alone.”
Douglas didn’t hesitate. He moved to quit the solar, but the moment he opened the door, he was faced with something that forced him to stop dead in his tracks.
Jerome de Honiton was standing in front of him.
