But was it really torture if she looked forward to it?
***
Royce watched his wife slip from behind the building with her guard. He narrowed his eyes. Gillian turned and embraced the man, and he returned the hug. They lingered far too long. Red tinged the edges of his vision. Anger near choked him as he thought of how much damage she could do with the help of her guard. If 'twas truly what the man was. Royce didn't entirely believe that anymore. Had they worked in tandem to betray his patrol to the rebels? His men were above suspicion, but this Simon appeared intent on aiding his deceitful wife with whatever she planned. What else could explain the secret meetings?
Fingers clenched, he ducked back inside, not wanting to be caught spying on her. But tonight, he would have the truth of her "guard" and what they planned. And then he would kill the man. As for his wife... a grim smile curled his lips as he planned ways to extract vengeance against his wife.
He took a stance at the end of the hall, surveying the activity of the servants preparing the tables for the evening meal. With the king in residence, Lyndon's cooks had prepared many fancy dishes, or so he'd been told. He hoped Edward would be pleased.
He sensed Gillian behind him. How, he didn't know. But he felt her presence. He turned.
She offered a warm smile, but his anger at seeing her with Simon still had hold of him. Her smile faltered at his glower.
"My lord, is aught amiss?"
He shook his head. "I am about to summon the king. Ensure the meal is ready."
She eyed him curiously and nodded before setting off to the kitchens. He could no more pull his gaze from her as she walked away than he could cut off his own arm. The lust she inspired angered him nearly as much as her deceit. Halfway across the hall, she turned and gave him another curious glance. Clearly, she sensed his anger, but didn't understand why. She would. Later, when he had her alone in their chamber, she would learn exactly what had angeredhim.
He sent one of his men to summon Edward and Eleanor. More men filed into the hall, many accompanied by wives or other kin, and took seats at the lower tables. So many soldiers, Edward's, his, and Lyndon's. With an army of this size, finding the rebels and putting an end to the uprising shouldn't take more than a few days.
A hand on his arm drew him from his thoughts. He looked down at his wife. Again, the rush of desire startled him, but the image of her embracing her guard reminded him she could not be trusted.
"All is ready."
Her voice wavered with hesitation. Good. He liked knowing he had her as unbalanced as he felt. He gave a curt nod and took her hand, laying it on his arm. He led her to the stairs.
The king and queen descended amid excited whispers. Gillian's fingers tightened on his arm. He fell into a bow, pleased when she sank into a proper curtsy. He could not fault her manners in any way. Edward bade them to rise.
"May I officially welcome you to Lyndon, Your Majesty?"
Royce raised his voice, silencing the murmuring.
"Thank you, Langley. We are pleased to finally be here and properly celebrate your marriage."
Edward led his queen to the head table. As they passed, the assemblage bowed. Royce let out a sigh of relief. The remote manor had done a fine job in greeting the king. At Montchester, he'd never worried, but he realized just how anxious he'd been to think Lyndon might not match those standards. With that concern laid to rest, he focused on other matters. Like protecting his new holding, and the king. And teaching his wife what happened when she dared betray him.
Her fingers still had a tight hold on his arm. He glanced at her. She held her head high, looking straight ahead. He couldn't wait to undo that stony expression. He must remember not to let himself get lost again. Herpassionate response to his touch easily made him forget anything else of importance. He had questions that needed answers. Tonight, he would have them.
He eased Gillian into a chair and slid into his own, between her and the king. He'd given a brief thought to seating his wife beside the queen, but decided he would do better with her at his side. This way, he could watch her as she exchanged looks with the guard. Royce had a clear view of the man seated not far away.
"We ride out at first light." Edward drew him from watching his wife.
"Aye. With our combined armies, we should flush them out ere long."
"Then I want to question those below."
Royce knew the Welsh rebels held below would be brutally tortured for any information. He feared the reactions of those on the manor when they learned of that, for they surely would. He must tread carefully. He leaned close to the king.
"We do not have the proper... chambers for such things. If the villeins and villagers, especially those with Welsh bloodlines, turn against us, the uprising may be difficult to subdue. There's been peace here for many years. I'd thought to preserve that."
Edward nodded, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "You have a point. But I need to know what they know. I will think on how to proceed."
Thankful he'd for the moment averted potential disaster, Royce took a long drink of ale. He hadn't realized just how hard his heart had pounded. Now to reinforce the advantages they'd gained.
"The resistance is weakening. They suffered many losses during their attempt to take Lyndon. It cannot last much longer."
"And we'll be back in Shrewsbury for the trial before sennight's end. And mayhap bring others to suffer the same fate."
