Glynn hesitated. “No one likes your toll booths, but you have been generous with the tolls,” he admitted. “And it is because of one of your toll booths that we are here. We know that Gethin ap Garreg tried to go around one of your toll booths and he was arrested. We know his daughter came to you to seek her father’s release. Is she here?”
Glynn was more rational to deal with, at least showing Kevin a moderate amount of respect. Kevin nodded. “She is.”
“She is Aeron’s woman.”
“That is not what she tells me.”
Aeron exploded. “’Tis a lie!” he said. “She belongs to me!”
Kevin’s gaze moved to the volatile young lord. “She says that you have offered for her hand and that her father has denied you,” he said. “That means she doesnotbelong to you and I will not release her to you. Is this in any way unclear?”
Aeron was furious. He rushed the portcullis, latching on to it as if his anger would propel him through it so he could get at Kevin.
“If you do not want me to bring thousands of Welsh to burn you out of Wybren, then you will release her,” he snarled.
“Nay.”
“Then I demand to speak with her!”
Kevin looked at the man, thinking that he was ridiculous and undisciplined. He let his anger dictate his actions, but he hadto take him somewhat seriously because of his link to Phylip ap Bedo. He could just see Aeron telling Phylip how horrible and cruel the English were.
He had to tread carefully.
He looked over his shoulder at Gareth.
“Find the lady,” he said quietly. “Tell her what is happening so she is prepared, but bring her here to speak with this idiot.”
Gareth nodded shortly and rushed off as Sean and Alexander came forward. Kevin turned to them, huddling in quiet conference.
“You are sending for the lady?” Sean muttered.
Kevin nodded. “I believe it is necessary,” he said. “You see Aeron. He will not take my word for it. She is going to have to tell him herself.”
“Butwillshe?” Alexander murmured. “Kevin, you are taking a great risk. If she tells the man she’s being held against her will, then you will be in a bind.”
Kevin knew that. “I know,” he said honestly. “But I am hoping she will send him away. It will be better coming from her. If she can discourage him, then mayhap I will not have to worry about ap Bedo.”
“Something tells me that you are going to have to deal with him, anyway,” Alexander said. “I have a feeling Aeron will not care what the lady says. The man wants what he wants.”
“Not this time,” Kevin said. “I am willing to put some faith in the lady, for I think you will agree that I have little choice.”
That was very true, so Sean and Alexander backed away, keeping a vigilant eye on Aeron and Glynn as they stood near the portcullis. Kevin was trying to get through this encounter with no violence, which was commendable, but much depended on a woman he was fond of but, in truth, didn’t really know.
They secretly wondered if she was going to turn on Kevin.
They waited.
Kevin knew when Juliandra had been sighted because Aeron, who had been standing near the portcullis with his arms folded across his chest, suddenly started bobbing his head around, as if he saw something coming from the inner bailey.
Kevin turned around to see Juliandra and Gareth approaching. She was wearing the same pretty dark blue woolen dress she had been wearing in the great hall earlier, but she had a kerchief around her head now, with a long braid draping over one shoulder, which told Kevin she had been in the kitchens. Not only did she supervise operations, but she liked to help on occasion, too. As she drew closer, he could see flour on her sleeves. He held out a hand to her and, hesitantly, she came to him.
Her big, frightened eyes were upturned to him.
“Gareth told me that Aeron is demanding to speak with me,” she said quietly. “What do you want me to say to him?”
Kevin looked at her for a moment, more than one answer rolling through his head. He could have sent Aeron away and not involved Juliandra, but if he did that, he knew that Aeron would be back, probably worse than before. He wanted Aeron to hear from Juliandra’s own lips that she wanted nothing to do with him, but Kevin had a feeling that wasn’t going to matter to Aeron. He would keep coming back until he either broke Juliandra down or until she married someone else.
… married someone else?
