Swept by intense longing, Leila felt her hand trembleas she set down the iron poker.
She wanted him. Oh, how she wanted him. She would giveanything to feel his kiss upon her lips and his stirring touch. But she knewthat if she went to him now, when she was feeling so weak, she would surely laybare her heart. Lost in her passionate quandary, she was saved from making areply by a loud knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Guy called out sharply, hisirritation at being interrupted evident in his voice.
"RobertBurnell, mylord. I have a reply for you from RogerGervais."
A reply from Roger? Leila wondered,her desirous thoughts receding as Guy bade him enter. About what?
She had heard several discussions in the hospital amongGuy and his knights about the surprise attack—she still was in shock at thenews of BaldwinD'Eyvill'sunsettling connection withevents in the Holy Land—but she did not recall hearingBurnellbeing charged to visit her brother. Perhaps Guy had done so during one of thefew times she was not there. It was possible.
As Robert walked into thefirelitroom, he seemed nonplussed by the closed shutters. Glancing at her in someembarrassment, as if expecting to find her barely clothed, he mumbled agreeting and hastened to the bed. She followed, anxious to hear their exchange.
"So, how does LordGervaisanswer my charge of attempted murder?" Guy asked his knight tersely.
"He has denied it, just as you expected. He claimedBaldwinD'Eyvillacted only for himself, convincingotherGervaisknights to participate in his plan forvengeance both here and in Acre.Gervaissaid thosemen have been punished."
"Lies. And has he agreed to meet me in a trial bycombat?"
"Aye, my lord. To quote him exactly, 'Tell deWarenneI look forward to that day with the greatestimpatience. When I prove the victor, justice will have been served, and myinnocence proclaimed.'"
"Innocence," Guy scoffed. "He will soonfeel the sting of his guilt. Did the bastard sign the agreement?"
"Aye,and it has beendispatched by messenger to the king. The matter now awaits his decision."
"Good. I have no doubt Edward will approve it. Hewill recognize that this time Roger has gone too far. We should receive theking's answer within two weeks. By then, I will be ready to fight."
As they continued to converse in low tones, Leilagripped the bedpost, horrified.
A trial by combat.
She had never seen one, but she knew from the storiesshe had heard in the great hall after supper that these trials were a grislybusiness which often led to death. The lance and sword were used to determineguilt or innocence, the barbarous practice fueled by the supposition that Godgranted victory to the righteous. Yet how could Guy expect to prevail so soonafter his injury? He could be struck down. Killed. And all because of her.
Suddenly it became very clear to Leila what she mustdo.
There was only one way to stop this madness. A devil'sbargain must be struck with Roger, who for her had come to embody evil. Shewould rather lose Guy forever than see him fight her brother to the death.
When Guy learned what she had done, he would hate herfor it—and that was exactly what she wanted. He would make no attempt to comeafter her because he would no longer care . . .
"My thanks for seeing to such an unsavory task,Robert," Guy said, drawing Leila back from her numbing reverie. "Givethe same to the men-at-arms who accompanied you. I can imagineGervaiswas hardly hospitable to your visit."
The burly knight snorted, shaking his head. "Hedidn't trust us to find our way off his bloody land. We had a fully armedescort to the deWarenneborder."
Guy gave a dry laugh. "Go and refresh yourself, myfriend. You look like you could use a good draft of ale."
"So I could, my lord." Robert turned toLeila. "Forgive the intrusion, Lady deWarenne."Then with a nod to Guy, he quit the room.
Leila watched the door close behind the knight,desperately wanting to leave as well. Now that she had made her decision, itwas simply too painful to linger. What could she possibly say to Guy—
"Leila, did you hear me?"
She faced the bed with a start. "What? I-I'msorry."
"I said, if it had been anyone else butBurnell, I would have made him wait," Guy repeated, notingthe heightened color on her cheeks which made her appear all the morebeautiful. "I've been anxious to hear whatRog—"
"If you don't mind, my lord, I'd rather not talkabout my brother right now," she said sharply. "You really shouldrest, and there are a few things I must attend to in the hospital."
"Very well. We can discuss the matter later,"Guy answered slowly, perplexed by her tone.
