Katherine cried out.
TheSea Dagger.Liam. Liam had come.
And then she remembered who sat downstairs with her father, and her excitement and joy disappeared, turned to real fear. Abruptly Katherine whirled and raced from her chamber, flying down the narrow, slick stone stairs.
Katherine froze in the middle of the hall. Her father also stood, swaying a bit. “Who comes?” he demanded, slurring the two words somewhat.
Katherine’s gaze met Leicester’s. “Liam,” she whispered.
Leicester’s expression hardened. Slowly he rose to his feet.
Liam strode into the hall.
Katherine cried out, joy piercing her breast. Clad in his breeches, high boots, and naught else but an unlaced tunic, he was the most magnificent sight she had ever seen. She was afraid of what was going to happen, but exhilaration swept through her, too, rendering her breathless.
And he had eyes only for her. “Katherine.”
With a glad cry, Katherine ran to him, into his arms.
Liam held her, hugged her, rocked her. Then he stiffened, and she knew he had just noticed Leicester standing behind her.
She looked up at Liam and their gazes locked. “Nothing has happened,” she whispered urgently.
“What does he want?” His tone was very, very dangerous.
“I…I promised him the use of my body—for his help in convincing the queen to free you.” Katherine clung to Liam’s broad shoulders, feeling his shudder of rage—terrified by it. “I love you so, Liam, that I would do anything to save your life.”
Briefly his gaze softened. “Katherine. How I have missed you.” His embrace tightened, and then his gaze grew dark and hard again. “You are not going to fulfill your part of the bargain.” He set her aside, turning to Leicester.
Katherine could not move.
Liam’s smile was cold. “Did you hear me, Dudley? I don’t care what pact you made with mywife. I break it, now.”
Leicester’s gaze widened. “And when did that deed occur?”
“Long ago,” Liam said softly, menacingly.
Leicester’s gaze slid to Katherine, and she nodded.
But Liam was not through. “Have you touched her?”
Leicester understood the challenge, and he stiffened, his hand going to the bejeweled hilt of his rapier. Looking only at Liam now, he said not a word.
Liam snarled, and in the blink of an eye, his rapier sliced the air, hissing softly. “Perhaps I will rid you of a certain package you are so fond of. And then you will have no way of terrorizing women.”
Leicester wielded his rapier now, too. A trickle of sweat gleamed on his temple. “You are insane. Katherine approached me. She herself agreed to our bargain. But she has never warmed my bed, O’Neill.”
“Stop,” Katherine whispered, as Liam began to stalk Leicester—who moved backward, away.
“Did you touch her?” Liam demanded, and suddenly he lunged and his rapier cut the air, back and forth, hissing loudly now, angrily, and then a long strip of Leicester’s doublet appeared on its tip.
Leicester paled. “No,” he said.
And Katherine screamed, rushing forward between thetwo men. “Liam, please!” Her back to Leicester, she faced Liam so boldly that the tip of his rapier briefly brushed her breast. He deflected it immediately, before it could cut her dress, but she advanced upon him, begging. “Liam, stop this madness! Nothing has happened of any significance! Liam, please! You cannot hurt Dudley! Oh, God! Think of me, think of your son! The queen will hang you this time certainly!”
Liam stared at her. His eyes were wild, filled with a light she had never seen before.
Katherine stared back, into his eyes, and finally saw the bloodlust fade and die. “Liam,” she choked out.
