"You're outnumbered, deWarenne.Put down your sword,"cameRoger's terse commandas his knights stepped back to allow him to pass. Then they closed ranksagainst him, a jagged line of deadly weapons aimed directly at Guy's chest. "You'dbe a fool not to."
"You're the fool if you think I would ever laydown my sword,Gervais, especially at yoursuggestion."
Roger took a step forward, his mouth a sneer as hiscold blue eyes found Leila. "So, my sister. You were not unconscious afterall. I should have guessed you were accomplished enough at your healer's tradeto mimic a lengthy swoon. I suppose you heard everything—"
"You don't have to answer him, Leila," Guyinterrupted, stepping protectively backward. He hoped she would restrain hersharp tongue, if only not to goad Roger's rage. He was gratified when she keptsilent; she was probably too frightened to speak.
"I take it we are too late to prevent a marriage."
"That you are, my lord," Guy statedderisively. "Leila gave her consent, and she is now my wife."
"Is this true, dearest sister?"
"Yes," Leila answered in a small voice,trembling as she had never done in her life. Roger was glaring at Guy with suchhatred, she seemed to be witnessing the incarnation of pure evil.
"How ill-advised. You two men, seize her!"
Leila screamed as two knights lunged at her at the samemoment that Roger's swordcamesinging through theair, directly at Guy's throat. She saw him dodge just in time, but he fell tohis knees and gasped aloud in pain, and she knew with a horrible sinkingfeeling that he had been struck. Then she saw no more as he was swiftlyencircled.
"No! Stop it! Please don't hurt him anymore!"she shouted desperately, her anguished cries echoing through the transept.Overcome by the horror of what was happening, she struggled like a capturedanimal as Roger's men roughly pinioned her arms.
"Cease this madness! In the name of Edward theking!"
Through dimmed eyes, Leila saw a sudden flurry ofactivity as Roger and his men spun around to face two score of armed knightsled by Edward, who held a jeweled dress sword high above his head. Her twocaptors suddenly released her and she sank to the cold floor, sobbing. Shecould not have been more stunned when Guy broke through the ring of hisopponents and lifted her into his arms. He crushed her to him, soothing herwith whispered words.
"It is all right, my love. You are safe. We aresafe."
"But . . . but Roger struck you. I saw it."
"Only a slight flesh wound, Leila. Merely ascratch. A small bandage and I will be as good as new."
Leila buried her face against his shoulder, overwhelmedby incredible relief. She would never have anticipated the intensity of heremotion, and she did not understand it in the least. It was hardly what sheshould be feeling toward a man she had insisted she hated only a half hourbefore.
"Lower your weapons, all of you!"cameEdward's sharp command. He gestured for his own men tosurround the ashen-faced offenders, who quickly complied with the king's order.Edward began to walk slowly toward Roger, his expression grave as he took inthe bloody scene before him. He stopped directly in front of him. "Explainyour actions, LordGervais."
Leila watched her brother's wide shoulders draw backproudly, his posture unrelenting even as he faced his king.
"I was protecting what was mine, sire. Lord deWarennehas seen fit to wed my sister without first seekingmy counsel in the matter. I demand that this marriage be annulled at once,before any consummation" —he spat the word— "may occur."
"How do you answer this charge, Lord deWarenne?"
"LordGervais'scounselwas not needed, Your Majesty. The lady gave her consent, which is all that isrequired by law. As for consummation, this marriage has already beenconsummated in the eyes of God. On that day I swore that I would take thiswoman for my wife. So it has been done."
Leila gasped at his open admission of their carnalrelations before so many men and lowered her eyes in shame.
"If proof that I have taken the lady's virginityis required, sire, I have it," he continued solemnly. "My knights,SirBurnelland Sir Langton, serve as my witnessesthata beddingoccurred."
"Virgin, my ass," Roger muttered. "Whoreis more like it."
"Silence!" Edward demanded. "How dareyou further desecrate this holy place with your foul profanity?" He drew adeep breath, his voice still stern when he addressed Leila, though it held anote of gentleness.
"How say you to all of this, my lady? Did youconsent willingly to this marriage?"
Leila did not raise her head, the cathedral suddenlygrown so quiet she could swear she heard her heart pounding in her breast likea battle drum.
"Yes." At her affirmation, Guy's armstightened fiercely around her.
"So be it." Edward turned back to Roger. "MylordGervais, I could banish you from my court forthe havoc you have wreaked today, but I will refrain from such punishment outof respect for the occasion which has drawn us all here to Westminster. Butknow this. If you cause any more rash disturbances or harass Lord and Lady deWarennein any way, I will have your hide on a spit."He glanced with disgust at the groaning, wounded men lying on the floor. "Getthem out of here."
