"And after last night I thought . . ." Guydid not finish, but scanned the knights who stood off to the side. "Langton!"
"My lord?" Henry asked, striding over.
"Escort Lady deWarenneback to the pavilion. I believe the crowd grows anxious for the next match."He said no more, only turned away and walked toward hisdestrier.
The trumpets sounded, but Leila barely heard them. Shestared after Guy, overwhelmed by the hurtful tangle their lives had become.
Who could say what cruel trick kismet would play uponthem tomorrow when he and Roger met once more in the lists? Whatever theoutcome, the sooner she managed to leave this country the better.
Chapter 21
"Any trouble tonight, Robert?" Guy asked hissolemn-faced knight as he approached the door to his bedchamber. Heacknowledged with a nod the two men-at-arms standing atBurnell'sside.
"No, my lord. Your lady has been as quiet as amouse, and we've had no unwelcome visitors come this way."
"Good. The ale and wine are still running freelyin the hall, but take care you're all able to ride at dawn."
"Aye, that we will, my lord."
Guy waited until the three men had disappeared down theshadowed hall before he lifted the latch and entered the silent, dimly litbedchamber.
It was very late, and he barred the door carefully soas not to wake Leila. Accompanied by an escort which had also served as herpersonal guard while he remained in the great hall, she had retired from thepost-tournament feast hours ago, pleading a headache, which he was also nowsuffering. The plentiful red wine he had consumed since losing the joust toRoger had done much to soothe his foul mood, but had left his head pounding.
At least he could be thankful that there would be notournament for him tomorrow, Guy thought, pulling off his boots. After proppingthem by the door, he crossed the floor quietly, very much aware of his unsteadygait.
"Damn lucky thing, too," he muttered under hisbreath, berating himself for drinking so much. He doubted he would have been athis best, a disadvantage Roger would have seized upon with glee. But therewould be no more jousting tomorrow for any of the Marcher lords, including thatbastardGervais.
An exhausted messenger had arrived from Wales only anhour past with an important missive for Edward. Despite the ample number of menwho had been left behind to govern the region during the coronationfestivities, the restless Welsh were harrying English castles and thesurrounding villages with a vengeance. Anticipating a possible rebellion,Edward had ordered all Marcher lords to return home at once and see to theircastles' defenses.
Guy had already told his men to be prepared to leaveforWarenneCastle at dawn. Most of the disturbanceswere centered in northern Wales, but he didn't want to take any chances. Notwith his young son at risk. He was glad to be leaving anyway. It was time Leilasaw her new home.
As he drew back thebedcurtains,soft light from a single oil lantern spilled across the bed. It was empty, themattress practically stripped but for a single linen sheet.
Suddenly he felt stone cold sober.
By God, had Leila fled? His gaze swept the shadows. No,it wasn't possible.Burnellhad been outside the doorall evening, and this room was on the third floor of the palace, which ruledout the windows. Then where the hell was she?
He tensed when he heard a slight rustling coining fromthe other side of the bed. Rounding it in a rush, he tripped when his footbecame entangled in cloth, and he caught the corner post just in time to keepfrom falling. He was astonished to find Leila sleeping on the floor on a moundof bedcovers and pillows.
A smile twitched at Guy's lips. What defiant game wasthis? The day had already been full of such curious, surprises. It appearedthat she was fast asleep, one delicate hand tucked under her softly roundedchin, yet he sensed she was only pretending. Her breathing was a bit tooregular, and her other hand was wound into a small fist that was curled rathertightly for slumber.
Would she flail at him, he wondered,if he so much as made a move toward her? He could hardly blame her if she did.He hadn't exactly behaved the chivalrous gentleman after his unfortunate matchwith Roger.
His smile gone, Guy moved to the foot of the bed andstripped off his clothes, throwing them on a chair with a good amount ofself-disgust.
What had happened to his firm resolve to be patient andcaring with her, no matter how she goaded him? Leila had certainly vexed himthis afternoon out on the jousting field, and how had he reacted? Like abelligerent ass.
What had he expected anyway? That one night oflovemaking would miraculously change her mind about him? Even if it had madesome small difference, he had probably destroyed any progress he had achievedwith his angry accusation. And even if she had been somewhat concerned for him,he had been so incensed after that strained encounter with Roger that he wouldhave missed entirely any caring intent behind her words.
The devil take it, there was nothing like losing ajousting match to one's mortal enemy to bring out the worst in a man, Guythought dryly. He went to the table and snuffed out the lamp, plunging the roominto darkness.
He had acted like a brash, hotheaded youth in the firstplace by even agreeing to the change in opponents. He did not doubt his prowesswith the lance, but his lack of sleep—not that it hadn't been worth it!—thenight before had hardly put him in good stead to take onGervais.In the morning he would undoubtedly see a wealth of ugly bruises to attest tohis foolhardiness.
Guy walked back around the bed, wincing at his soremuscles.
From now on in any of his dealings with that bastard,cold reason would rule. Either that, or Leila would become a very beautifulwidow—hardly a thought he relished. He would have to watch his back once theywere in Wales. Roger probably had just such a grim scenario in mind, though hewould be a fool to act upon it. King Henry had forbidden them to make war oneach other, and the decree still stood under Edward.
Entranced by the lush rose scent of Leila's perfumedrifting to him from the floor, Guy forced away his unpleasant thoughts as hegently picked her up. He knew she was awake when her slender body tensed in hisarms.
