"Nay, he knew. He knew the whispers were true. You carried on an affair with a man from the village. The child is not my father's. It's your lover's!" Gillian folded her arms. "No matter though. Lyndon has already been awarded to the earl."
She turned her back; satisfied Anne's latest scheme had failed. If only Gillian could have prevented the other plan from succeeding.
***
Gillian's declaration carried out of the room. Royce smiled and paused in the doorway. Though small, this castle in the Marches increased not just his holdings, but his power. He was one of a handful of men the king truly trusted. Giving Lyndon and its daughter to Royce proclaimed that to all. With no other heirs of the baron, none could usurp Royce as the next Baron Lyndon.
He stepped into the room and froze. His betrothed embraced another man. Jealousy stunned him with the force it rose. His angry gaze settled on Anne. Outrage whitened her already chalky face. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. One hand went to the hilt of his sword, while the other hovered near the weapon in his belt.
Anne crept closer to the pair holding each other. Her hand disappeared into her skirts and removed a dagger. She raised her arm, prepared to strike. With lightning quick reflexes, Royce grabbed her wrist, halting her. Anne howled in fury.
Gillian spun about and his gaze flicked between her and the struggling woman he held captive. Air crackled, the tension a net ensnaring everyone. Anne fought against Royce's grip. With ease, he plucked the bejeweled knife from her slender hand and tossed it aside.
"You've gone too far!"
He sensed Gillian's eyes on him, but paid her no mind. His fury with the woman before him consumed every thought.
"You will pay for this treachery. The king himself will judge you."
Anne swung at him with her free hand, but he captured her fist and pinned both behind her back.
"My lord, I merely defended myself!"
Anne's ridiculous claim fueled Royce's already raging anger. It took all of his control to refrain from slaying the woman where she stood.
"Curb your lying tongue. I saw everything."
The ice in his voice brought fear to Anne's eyes.
"You have ruined everything!" Anne shrieked at Gillian. She struggled mightily against Royce's grip, to no avail.
With Anne somewhat subdued, Royce turned his attention to his betrothed, who stood motionless before another man. One hand on her throat, she backed closer to the bed. He almost smelled her panic. Good. He glared at the man behind her, whose hands rested possessively on Gillian's shoulders. Royce fought the urge to release his prisoner and instead slice at the man's hands.
Once more, he focused on his bride. Wariness deepened her eyes to a dark plum. Or was it guilt? Yet, when her lips parted to take in air, he had to look away to quell the sudden rush of lust. His annoyance that her merepresence could make him so foolish took over at the same moment Anne struggled once more. Despite her small stature, Royce found it difficult to maintain his grip. He squeezed hard on her wrists until she stopped squirming, crying in pain.
He called for his men, his gaze once again returning to Gillian. Three soldiers ran into the chamber.
"Take her!"
Two moved forward, each taking one of Anne's arms. She fought against them, until the third gave his assistance. Outnumbered, unable to break free, she held her head defiantly as she stood before him. Royce tore a strip from his surcoat and bound her wrists. She screamed and kicked, but he took her jaw in his hand, squeezing her cheeks with his fingers so she quieted.
"If you continue, I will truss you like a fowl." He released her and turned to Gillian. "Where can she be kept?"
"There are chambers below. The steward has the keys."
"Take her there and lock her in until the king arrives."
Once Anne had been led from the room, Royce turned back to his betrothed. No longer did he bother to hide his anger. He glared at the man behind her as he took several steps closer. "Unhand the lady."
The other man's hesitation almost undid the fury threatening to take control. The red haze clouding his vision cleared when the man did as ordered.
"What is going on here?"
Gillian lifted her chin. "I am clearing the room for you, my lord."
Her voice held the proper tone of respect, yet he detected resentment. He realized they had yet to be introduced, though she clearly realized who he was by now.
"And him?" He jerked his thumb in the other man's direction.
