In the next instant everything slowed as if in a dream. Eduard roared with fury, tossing the table aside, even as Gray drew his own sword hissing from its sheath and hurled it toward Catherine in flashing, rotating arcs.
Instinct surged in her, blending with skill borne of their hours of practice; she reached up and caught Gray’s sword by the hilt, in the same motion twisting and lunging to point it at Eduard as he charged her. His momentum slammed them both against the wall—and then he stiffened, his weight still pressed into her, his eyes widening in shock just inches from her own. Past the sound of her gasping breath, she heard his weapon clatter to the floor.
He tried to pull back, looking down awkwardly at the blade imbedded in his chest to the widening blossom of blood around it, before finally lifting his gaze to meet Catherine’s again.
“You bitch,” he rasped in disbelief. “You unnatural murderous bitch…”
Rage flooded her anew. Even here, at the point of death, Eduard couldn’t resist spitting his venom at her. Gritting her teeth, she fixed her gaze on him, this man who had caused her so much pain, so much torment in her life, and muttered, “Now ’tis your turn to feel what hell is like, Eduard.”
Yanking her blade free, she pushed him away; with a choked gurgle he slumped to the floor and lay still, blood soaking the front of his tunic and trickling from his mouth. His eyes remained open, but they gazed at her now without sight. Flat and empty.
She stood frozen for a long moment, just staring at him.He was dead. God help her, he was finally dead, and it was she who had defeated him.
Her mind throbbed so that she hardly noticed Gray’s approach. She staggered back to lean against the wall again as he crossed the room in several strides, quickly checking Eduard’s body before turning to her. Then he cupped her cheeks in his palms, lifting up gently to make her meet his gaze.
“Are you all right, Catherine? Did he wound you before I got back inside?”
“Nay,” she managed to whisper, shaking her head.
“Thank God,” he said hoarsely, enfolding her in his embrace. Her breath came shallow, and she held herself stiff for a moment, still staring at Eduard’s body. Then with a cry she dropped Gray’s sword and buried her face in his chest, holding him tight.
Ian and Isabel had crept out of the tunnel once everything went quiet, and now they rushed forward, tucking themselves against her and Gray.
“Oh Mummy, I’m sorry,” Isabel sobbed. “I’m so sorry I went back to get Lily!”
“Hush, sweetheart,” Catherine murmured, stroking her daughter’s hair. “’Tis over now, and we’re all safe. That’s all that matters. We’re all safe.”
“Aye, praise God,” Gray added.
“Stand down in the name of the king!”
The shout rang from the corridor, making Catherine stiffen. Gray released her and the children to scoop up his sword and face the door, sheltering them behind him.
A half dozen soldiers wearing the orange tunics of the king’s forces burst into the chamber, weapons drawn. The leader of the group skidded to a halt when he saw Eduard’s body. Then his gaze flicked to Gray and the bloodied sword, and he held up his hand to bring the others up short behind him. His expression tightened, but he nevertheless jerked his head in recognition of England’s High Champion.
“Lord Camville,” he said.
Gray nodded back cautiously, still keeping Catherine and the twins tucked safely behind him.
The captain straightened before calling out in an official voice, “I am under orders to take you and Lord Montford into my custody and escort you both to London, to face charges of seditious action and disobedience against His Most Royal Highness, King Henry.” He paused, glancing again at Eduard’s body. “However, it seems that Lord Montford’s fate has already been sealed, and that the charge of murder must needs be added to those tallied against you.”
Gray clenched his jaw, maintaining silence in the face of the false allegation. Nausea flooded Catherine when she realized what he intended to do.
With a cry, she stepped away from him, avoiding his attempts to keep her back as she stumbled a few paces closer to the soldiers.
“Sir, why have you charged Lord Camville with the slaying? He is no murderer! He—”
“Catherine, be still,” Gray muttered, grasping her hand and trying to pull her back. “The children need you. ’Tis for the best.”
“Nay!” Catherine said, shaking herself free. “Eduard is dead, and I will lie no more.”
“What are you saying, lady?” The captain scowled.
“I am saying that Lord Camville did not kill Lord Montford. He is innocent of the charge.”
Gray cursed softly, but the soldier just stared at her as if she’d gone mad. He glanced around the chamber again to see if he’d missed the presence of another person capable of killing one of the king’s best champions. Seeing no one, he spoke to her as if she were a child, in need of gentle care and handling.
“Lady, what you say makes no sense. Lord Camville was the only man here, the only one anywhere, many might say, accomplished enough even to commit the deed. If he did not, then who, pray tell, killed Lord Montford?”
