Damien cursed under his breath, shocked into it by the sickening understanding of how far Hugh was willing to go—and struck with fear over what that could mean for Alissende.
Hugh appeared to be enjoying himself, and he made a show of looking impressed. “I must say that I never realized gentle Michael possessed such strength of will. I’ve been told he was barely clinging to life once they’d finished with him. But each man has his breaking point, doesn’t he, Ashby?” Hugh’s expression turned more sinister. “You hadn’t quite reached yours when Alissende arranged your rescue from France, it seems. Thank heavens there is still time to revisit that…ah, yes, and perhaps to learn what Alissende’s is as well, poor dear, depending upon the choice you make in the next few mome—”
“Leave her out of it,” Damien growled, going for Hugh’s throat as he threw himself forward against the grip of the men holding him. But they were ready this time, and they yanked him back, hauling him a few paces away from Hugh, who just stood there with his arms crossed, shaking his head.
Making a clicking sound with his tongue, Hugh approached Damien again. “Control, Ashby…what has happened to your legendary control, man? I am disappointed.” He stopped then, all mockery vanishing as his gaze sharpened to ice, the force of it boring into Damien. “And as for leaving Alissende out of it—sheisit, you insignificant, upstart mongrel. I have done more for the sake of claiming her than you could ever dream, and I am capable of far worse. You should consider that carefully when making the choice I am about to offer you.”
“Say it then, and let us get on with this,” Damien muttered.
Hugh smiled coldly. “Your first choice is to sign a parchment declaring your marriage to Alissende false. You will then go willingly to be confined in the dungeon of my lesser estate at Grantley Hall a few miles hence, to resume interrogation by the Inquisition as a Templar Knight—”
Hugh’s sadistic pause forced Damien to bite off a clipped“Or?”
“Or you can decline signing the parchment and be taken into custody anyway, only with the added and rather distressing scenario of seeing Alissende arrested along with you, for aiding and abetting an accused heretic. Of course the rest of her household at Glenheim will face questioning as well, no doubt. And when one considers what happens to gentle-born women in such circumstances…” He made a sound feigning concern. “As I am sure you know, it is often less than savory.”
“You bastard.” Damien’s voice was barely audible at the thought that Hugh would even consider exposing Alissende to that kind of hell.
“Just remember the choice is yours, Ashby. Sign the document, and I will ensure that Alissende is kept free of all taint in the matter.”
“Free for your taking, you mean,” Damien grated, aware of what this would mean for the woman he loved. Yet the alternative of her imprisonment and interrogation would be far worse, he knew.
Hugh shrugged, smiling lecherously. “The spoils of war, nothing more.” In the next breath, however, his grin vanished, replaced by a menacing stare. Leaning in, Hugh fixed Damien with a look that made clear he would brook no further delay.
“Now choose.”
Chapter 20
Glenheim Castle
Five days later
Alissende paced the solar, agitated not only by her continued worry over how Damien fared but in distress now over Michael as well. Upon returning to Glenheim, she had been told that Michael was missing. Lady Blanche had been the last to see him, just before he’d set off on the journey to Chertsey Priory to deliver the new vellum Alissende had procured for repaying the scribes there. But he had not returned to Glenheim when expected, and a message sent to the monks at the priory revealed that he had never arrived.
Alarmed and fearing that he might have fallen ill along the way, Ben had set out in search of him amongst various groups of monks and priests and at holy houses, hoping that someone had seen or heard something. But thus far there had been no news.
“Alissende, try to eat something,” Lady Blanche urged softly from her seat at the table they’d placed before the fire.
“I cannot,Mère. But please, do not wait for me. I will try again at supper, I promise,” Alissende answered.
Her mother looked concerned, but she set down her knife as well, with a sigh. “I cannot manage much either,ma chérie. It is this waiting without word that is so difficult, no?”
Silent, Alissende nodded. They’d begun taking their meals here since her return from Odiham, preferring the sunny quiet of this chamber to the noisy gatherings in the main hall. But until Damien was back at her side and Michael was found, Alissende knew her appetite would continue to elude her.
A commotion down in the yard below drew her attention, and she moved closer to the glazed panes to look out. The sight set off a strange twisting in her belly. Something was wrong. It looked like Glenheim’s guard was spilling out onto the green, coming in groups from the guardhouse, shouting and scrambling as they took positions at the walls and gate.
Had Damien returned? Was he hurt? Or was this about Michael?
The confusing thoughts swept through her, and she called her mother to the window, both of them glancing out before hurrying to make their way down to the hall. They had just reached the central hearth when Reginald burst through the side door, wearing an expression of grim resolve and carrying before him a sealed parchment.
“My lady,” he said to Alissende, coming to a halt and bowing his head as he handed her the vellum, “this message has been sent through the gatehouse, for delivery to your hand alone. Lord Harwick waits outside the walls with troops some fivescore strong.”
Alissende’s hand trembled as she peeled open the wax seal stamped with the insignia of the Valles house. Her head felt light and her heart was in her throat by the time she finished skimming the contents; clasping her mother’s hand as if she might find some means of anchoring herself from the wild surge of fear and dread roiling through her, she lifted her gaze.
“Hugh is demanding immediate entrance to Glenheim for a private interview with me,” she murmured.
Alissende heard Lady Blanche’s sharp intake of breath, but Reginald scowled and stood straighter. “Let him try to get past the gates, my lady,” he grated. “Sir Damien may be absent at the moment, but we are well trained and will rout Lord Harwick and his men, making them scurry home like rats.”
Unable to find the words at first for the horror seeping through her, Alissende simply shook her head, finally murmuring, “Nay, we cannot fight him, Reginald.”
