He strode across the rows of trestle tables until he reached the dais. Then he bowed before Lady Pevensham, letting Owen believe that he was also paying tribute to him.
‘My lady, I received a message that your lord husband desires your presence in his chamber.’ When Owen started to rise, Warrick added, ‘I will escort you there, for your safety.’
The man stared hard at him, and Warrick kept his hand upon the hilt of his sword. Let him believe that he was trying to infiltrate the castle with the intent of murdering Alan. It was the furthest thing from the truth.
‘Shall I come with you, Lady Pevensham?’ Owen suggested. His hand moved to her shoulder, and Rosamund stood to extricate herself from his touch.
‘That won’t be necessary. If my husband wishes to speak with you, I will send word.’
Owen and Alan had already met, following his arrival earlier in the day. Owen had claimed that he only wanted his brother to be well, filling the man’s ears with lies. Warrick had remained nearby, though a part of him wondered if he had any right to be here. This was not his battle to fight.
But Rosamund was caught in the middle of the two men, and he had no intention of allowing her to fall prey to Owen’s desires, unholy as they were.
He allowed her to leave first, keeping a short distance behind. Before he left, he sent a dark look towards Owen, making it clear that the man should not follow.
Rosamund walked up the spiral stone stairs and Warrick shadowed her. Before she reached her husband’s room, he said quietly, ‘A moment, if you will.’
She leaned back against the wall. ‘What is it?’
‘Your husband has said that he does not trust his men to keep you safe after he dies. He fears they will turn against you.’ He paused a moment. ‘Do you agree with this?’
‘They would see no reason to defend Pevensham from a family member. Especially if Owen is the heir.’ She lifted her face to meet his gaze. ‘They would not see it as being disloyal at all.’
That was the answer he had suspected. In a low voice, he said, ‘You will need to find a sanctuary after Alan is gone. If Owen believes that you are a threat to him—especially if he fears a pregnancy—your life will be endangered. You need an ally who will protect you.’
‘There is no child,’ she argued. Her face flushed, and she added, ‘And even if I did agree to my husband’s plan, it might not be possible for me to conceive another.’
‘Do you intend to stay here, then? Do you believe Owen would leave you alone?’ In the dim light, he saw the fear upon her face.
‘No. But there are many of my people who are loyal to me.’
‘Owen could send them away.’ Warrick nodded towards the bedchamber. ‘But more likely, he would try to manipulate you. You are aware that he desires you.’
She nodded. ‘He behaves in that way. But it seems more that he covets me as Alan’s wife. He treats me like a jewel, an adornment to his rank, not as a person.’
‘What about your family? Could you return to your father’s house?’
‘I could, but I will not.’Not after everything my father did, she thought. ‘I am entitled to a dower portion, according to the law. Owen cannot take that from me.’
‘He is a man who will do as he pleases. And he will take whatever he wants.’ He hoped she understood that and would take the necessary precautions. Yet, it seemed that Rosamund was stubborn enough to fight for her own inheritance.
But after he had seen the way Owen stared at her, Warrick wasn’t about to walk away. Not now.
Alan wasn’t strong enough to protect her—buthewas. He could also take Rosamund away to Pevensham’s property in Ireland. It was far enough away that Owen might not bother pursuing her.
God’s blood, why was he allowing himself to become entangled in this? It wasn’t his battle to face.
And yet, when he looked at Rosamund, a tightness seized in his gut. Her soft face, framed by silken dark hair, held him spellbound. He wanted to cross the space and wrap her hair around his wrist, bringing her mouth to his in a bruising kiss.
He could do more than that, if he agreed to Alan’s bargain. The thought awakened a darkness inside him, for he had desired Rosamund from the first moment he’d seen her. He didn’t care if she conceived a child or not. All he wanted was to touch her, to show her what a mistake she had made. He knew he could bring her to fulfilment, making her cry out in ecstasy. And her husband had given full permission for this sin.
‘What do you want to do?’ he asked quietly.
‘I want you to find out which guards are loyal to me, instead of Owen. I am willing to pay you if you will ask your men-at-arms to watch and listen.’ She folded her hands in front of her, trying to behave as if she were unafraid. ‘I will stay here for whatever time Alan has remaining.’ Her expression faltered. ‘And when he is gone, I will surround myself with guards.’ She hoped to visit the serfs and ensure that they had enough to eat and were content, even when Owen took possession of the land.
Warrick’s face twisted with doubt. ‘Owen intends to remain at Pevensham until your husband is dead. He will take you prisoner and ensure that you do not have an heir. And after he has claimed Alan’s lands, he will claim you.’ He studied her closely, adding, ‘Unless you want my help.’
‘How? There is nothing you can do.’
