A flash of evil crossed Colin’s mind. It suddenly became clear how he could rid himself of the impending threat without taking the blame. His lips creased with a sinister expression.
“I promise, Paul,” he said quietly, advancing still, maneuvering Paul towards the charger’s stall. “I swear that I shall not harm Lady Peyton.”
Paul’s sweaty face washed with instant surprise. “Truly?”
Colin nodded slowly. “Truly.”
Paul stopped his back-peddling a mere foot in front of the open stall, but Colin continued to advance. When he was nearly upon the simple man, he smiled benevolently. “You and I are to be brothers, are we not?”
Paul nodded eagerly. “We are. I should like another brother since Alec has left.”
A degree of hatred rippled across Colin’s face, but it was quickly gone. Instead, he held up his arms as if to hug the smaller man. “I will be a better sibling, I promise. Embrace me, brother.”
Paul, eager and innocent and trusting, put up his arms. Instead of drawing him into his embrace, Colin planted his hands on Paul’s shoulders. Instead of clasping him against his breast, he shoved as hard as he could.
Instead of living to a ripe old age, the heir to the House of Summerlin met his death beneath the hooves of a startled destrier. Colin watched and smiled, unconcerned with the splatters of blood that rained against the walls of the stall. When a massive hoof came down on the weak human skull, Colin turned away and leisurely strolled from the stable.
The heir was dead.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Alec, before wego any further, I demand to know what this nonsense is regarding your sister’s wedding,” Edward demanded, already into his fourth tankard of St. Cloven hearty ale. “Why did I have to stop the wedding?”
Alec, beside Peyton, held his wife’s hand tightly. “For several reason I should be happy to explain, Sire. But tell me; did you send word to my father instructing him to postpone the wedding immediately, as I asked?”
Edward belched loudly. “I did. I told him I wished to attend the ceremony and forbade him to commence until I was able to travel to Blackstone. However, I never indicated when, exactly, I would be available; therefore, I would assume plans are on hold indefinitely.”
Alec sighed with relief, squeezing his wife’s hand. “Thank you, Your Grace. I am grateful.”
Edward grunted into his tankard. “I do not know why I should do this for you when you have never done a damn thing for me. You have repeatedly denied my requests to lead my army and I have no idea why I should leap up to grant you a favor.”
Alec grinned faintly as Peyton leaned against his arm, her sapphire-blue eyes gazing at him adoringly. “Then you shall not like to hear what I have to say. Mayhap we should discuss it in the morning when you are sober, Sire. You never could hold your liquor.”
Edward raised his eyebrows at the challenge. “Is that so? I shall have you know that I can drink you into your grave any day of the week, Summerlin. How dare you insult me.”
“’Twas no insult, Sire, but a fact,” Alec’s grin broadened as he glanced at Anthony Bek’s smirking face.
“Insult me no more,” Edward commanded. “Tell me why it was necessary to postpone your sister’s wedding.”
Alec’s smile froze, faded. “Because I will not allow her to wed Colin Warrington. The contract must be terminated because I plan to obliterate him.”
Edward’s jovial mood fled and he fixed Alec with a questioning gaze. “Is that so? Why, may I ask?”
Alec’s face was emotionless. “Because the man and his father have been harassing my wife’s family for the better part of thirty years. They have seen fit to raid the small village within the fiefdom, raping women and young girls, and murdering small children. Their mere presence on this earth is an abomination to the human race and I, for one, am anxious to be rid of them.”
Edward was listening intently in spite of his drunken haze.
“This has gone on for thirty years? God’s Blood, why haven’t I heard of this Warrington clan?”
Peyton answered for her husband. “’Tis a large country, Your Grace. You cannot be expected to know of every feud and disagreement within her boundaries. The conflict between the Warringtons and the de Fluornoys began thirty years ago when my grandfather cleared several acres of forest in order to use the land for growing barley. It was neglected land until my father and grandfather sought to make use of it. When the Warringtonsdiscovered that the de Fluornoys planned to make a profit from the land, they rose to dispute the boundaries between St. Cloven and Wisseyham Keep. Even though their records could not prove conclusively that the disputed lands were within their territory, unfortunately, St. Cloven could not prove that they held title, either.”
Edward rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “So they took to harassment to force you to relinquish your claim?”
Peyton nodded. “Thirty years’ worth, Your Grace.”
The king let out a slow, weary sigh. Alec slanted Ali a gaze and silent words passed between the two. Edward was generous, but he was not foolish. More than likely, he would play his advantage and Alec cringed at the thought. Alec wanted something; so did the king. He knew, without a doubt, what proviso Edward’s reply would contain.
“And if I grant your request, Alec, and arrest the Warringtons for crimes against England, do you intend to annex all of their lands?”
