"This is Simon. One of my guards."
The explanation soothed him somewhat, but the affection in Simon's gaze unnerved him. There was morehere than a lady and her guard. Or did he overreact to something innocent? Another situation that would require further inspection.
"You are no longer needed here. I can protect my betrothed."
The guard nodded and leaned down to whisper something into Gillian's ear. She nodded and gave him a warm smile before he turned and strode out of the room.
The envy poking his ribs startled Royce. He shouldn't be jealous, he should be angry at the thought of his wife betraying him. Before she was even his wife. The possessive feelings were uncomfortable, unfamiliar and most certainly unwanted. He folded his arms. Despite his anger, he couldn't help being impressed with the way she held her head and back straight, never cowering away from him. Few dared stand up to him this way. His respect for her strengthened.
"You will no longer need a personal guard once we are wed. I will assign him to other duties."
"Nay, you cannot!"
"Pray tell, my lady, why not?"
"Because... he is more than my guard. He has helped me with the household for a long time."
"You have a steward. You can work with him."
She shook her head, her lips pressed together in a tight line of panicked annoyance.
"'Tis not enough. I need Simon."
He said nothing, imagining all sorts of reasons why his betrothed would need another man. "We wed on the morrow."
She gaped at him, eyes wide. "But I thought we were to wait for the king."
He shook his head. "There is no time, now that your father is... has passed. Though 'tis true I own all of Lyndon, we cannot afford any weakness in the holding. You and I must seal the contract by wedding immediately."
"Have you spoken with Father Anselm yet?"
"Nay, I will see to it during the meal. Finish what youmust and join me below stairs."
He turned and strode out of the room, not daring to look in her direction. She stirred things in him he wasn't sure he liked. At the same time, he wanted her, and didn't want to wait more than another night to possess her. His fascination with her could be dangerous if he didn't take care.
Yet, the image of her boldly watching while he subdued her stepmother tormented him. He still didn't know what he saw in her eyes. Curiosity or something else? She hadn't reacted to the attempt on her life like the vain, simpering women he knew at court, the women who wanted naught but the riches a man could bring them. She had watched everything closely, not once screaming or swooning to the floor. She showed no fear. Until her gaze met his.
A glimmer of satisfaction at alarming her still hovered in his thoughts. The calculation in her eyes unnerved him. He shouldn't be surprised; she was a woman, and could surely play the games of manipulation to her advantage. The reasons why he wanted no wife reminded him to use caution. Was he trapped to spend his life worrying whether she would turn away from him, longing for only the material possessions and position at court he would bring her?
***
Gillian collapsed onto the bed, her relief at being alone overpowering. She thought about her earlier hopes. They'd been granted. Somehow, those hopes seemed a cruel taunt now.
He'd handled Anne with no care for her comfort. Surely he wouldn't have done so if he'd known of her condition. Gillian's bitter laugh echoed in the chamber. Whether 'twas true or not, the man she was to marry wouldn't have cared at all. Like any other man.
They cared for naught but the alliance of a powerful marriage. The lands and authority 'twould bring. With the exception of her father, she'd yet to meet any man whocared for the woman he wed rather than her lands.
She would not be treated thus. She knew this keep as well as anyone, mayhap even better. No one could protect it as she could. She would show her husband she would not be a wife he could dismiss, perhaps even banishing her to a far estate, while he drove her people and her lands into ruin.
As much as he frightened her, she vowed not to allow him see her fear. The Panther would not take her down.
Still, questions taunted her. How would she survive marriage to such a brutal man?
Chapter Two
Gillian stood at the bottom of the stairs surveying the raucous scene in the great hall. So many men. When was the last time Lyndon had hosted such a horde? The rumble of voices mingled, no single conversation clear from even this short distance.
Near the head of the table, the earl stood in conversation with Father Anselm. The village priest nodded as they spoke, and both men then broke out into laughter. Gillian's breath caught in her throat.
