The men-at-arms immediately froze,thenbegan to retreat, sheathing their swords.
"What are you doing? They're getting away! Stopthem! Stop them!"
Maude's screams faded into the distance as Guy keptLeila moving at a brisk pace away from the tents set up aroundTothillFields and toward the towering abbey.
"You were right there, beside my brother's tent.How?" she finally asked breathlessly, hurrying beside him.
"I was worried about you and I couldn't standwondering about it any longer. I was coming to see how you were, no matter whatRoger might have to say about it." He threw her a half smile. "When Isaw you clambering beneath the tent, I knew you were feeling better. Muchbetter."
Leila felt a curious pleasure to learn that he had beenconcerned for her, but she forgot it when another question pressed in upon her."Where are we going?"
"To the cathedral. To get married."
Looking up at him in disbelief, Leila tried to stop,but he jerked her along, his large hand gripping hers tightly.
"I take it you have somehow discovered the truthabout your brother and his lovely wife. Is that not correct?"
"Yes, yes, it is, but that does not mean—"
Guy halted so abruptly that Leila's arm was wrenched inits socket. His smile was gone, his expression dead serious.
"What does it mean, then, my lady? You had bettermake up your mind veryquickly,for I'm sure Maude ison her way to find Roger at this moment. Either accept my offer of marriage, orfind yourself back in their custody and a victim to whatever they have plannedfor you. If it was enough to drive you from their tent like a frightenedanimal, it cannot be pleasant. Now choose. It's as simple as that."
Leila glanced fearfully toward Westminster Hall, thenback at Guy. "You are forcing me as much as they!"
"Perhaps. You're wasting precious time, Leila.Choose."
"You know I hate you! I will always hate you forwhat you've done to me. Always!"
"We shall see."
Her heart seemed to skip a beat at his words, but shecontinued to glare at him, chewing her lower lip.
She could not go back to her brother. She would ratherdie first. Marrying Guy deWarennewas her only wayout of this terrible predicament.
That doesn't mean I have given up on seeing my homeagain, Leila assured herself. It only means I have bought myself more time.Time to think. Time to plan.
"Very well, Lord deWarenne.I shall marry you."
Joy lit his eyes, mixed with unmistakable relief, butall he said was, "Practice those words for the priest, my love. We musthurry."
"But won't I need Roger's consent as my guardian?"
"No, thank God. The Church deems such consentunnecessary for anyone older than fifteen. Come."
The next thing Leila knew they were running beside thecathedral'smassive buttressed walls and then up the marblesteps and into the cool, shadowed narthex.
"You there, stop!" Guy commanded a somberlyclad cleric who was preparing to exit from another door. "Me, my lord?"
"Yes." Still holding firmly to Leila's hand,Guy rushed with her up to the startled priest. "Are there other clergy inthe cathedral, or has everyone gone to the feast?"
"There are a few others, my lord. You'll find thempraying near the altar."
"Excellent. I want you to take this" —he drewthe heavy gold medallion over his head and handed it to the man— "to KingEdward."
The priest's eyes grew wide. "The king?"
"Yes. Tell him Lord deWarenneand his new wife, Lady Leila, have sought refuge in theabbeyand are waiting for him in the right transept behind the altar. Do you havethat?"
