She shook her head. "Nay, he won't believe that."
Burke shrugged. "Doesn't matter. He won't be returning to Lyndon, ever."
He reached for Anne, and Gillian forced her shaking legs to hold her up while the two watched her in contempt. She refused to cower before them, and swore she would have her revenge.
"Lock her in her chamber."
Before Burke finished issuing the order, two men had hold of Gillian's arms and dragged her up the stairs. She fought against them, but soon found herself in her chamber, the door closed and barred from the outside.
She pounded on the wood until her fists ached, her voice hoarse from screaming. There was no secret door in this chamber, she was truly trapped. She paced, her anger giving her strength. A strong kick drew her attention to the babe. She covered her belly.
"We'll find a way out of here, little one, I promise." If only she had some way to get a message to Royce. Where was Edith? Burke likely had her locked away as well.
Much as she wanted Royce to return to Lyndon, she wanted him to stay away until she had figured a way to warn him of the threat.
She finally collapsed on the bed. At the moment, she could do nothing.
***
Royce stood in the bailey of the White Tower with Edward, waiting for Viking to be brought from the stables. He didn't like the feeling that had accompanied his wife's latest letter. Something had seemed different than the last messages.
"Have you given more thought to what might be amiss?" Edward asked.
"The Welsh are involved somehow, I'm sure of that.But both Burke's and Gillian's missives indicate all is well."
He didn't want to admit it stung that she seemed content without him all these months. He'd been miserable without her. He'd almost sent for her many times, but had refrained.
"I've sent word to have additional men from Montchester meet me on the way to Lyndon. And I thank you, Sire, for providing me with some of your troops as well."
"Finish them, Panther. I am weary of these constant uprisings."
"As am I."
His horse was brought before him and he mounted. With a nod to Edward, he wheeled Viking out of the bailey, followed by the king's men. As the sun rose over the land, his unease over the odd undertones in the messages grew. No matter how he tried, he could not reach a suitable conclusion to the dilemma. The long hours of riding stretched ahead of him. Surely he'd come to a resolution before he reached Lyndon.
Two days later, he still hadn't come up with anything to explain the strange letters. His frustration grew, and he'd slept little at night when they'd made camp. It didn't help that when he did finally manage to doze, his dreams had been filled with his pretty wife. Worry for Gillian mixed with the need to be with her again, to hold her, take her, remind her that she belonged to him. His possession. He laughed. She possessed him as surely as he did her. Aware of the men beside him casting sidelong glances, he grinned.
"At least the weather is holding," he said.
"Aye," said Leopold, the knight to his left. "Even the cold has abated."
"A good thing, to my thinking," Royce replied. "We should reach Lyndon day after tomorrow."
"What are the plans for the rebels?"
"I'll speak with Burke when we arrive. If all I've been told is true, the rebels have not dared another attack. The execution may have been enough to crush their uprising.But we still must catch Godwin."
The next days passed quickly, and by the time they neared Lyndon, Royce's bones ached with weariness. Eagerness to see his wife kept him focused as they picked their way through the forest. Once they broke out of the trees, the keep should be in view.
As if sensing Royce's urgency, Viking picked up his step. Soon. The word rang through his thoughts like a mantra, with a rhythm that matched the horse's gait.
"Ho, Panther!"
Royce reined in the stallion, wheeling about to see Burke a short distance away. He guided his horse toward the captain, a broad grin breaking free.
"Burke! 'Tis good to see you!"
"I fear there is trouble," Burke said when Royce reached him.
