Lespada (42 page)

“Devereux!” she cried, tripping over a bench and falling to her knees. “Devereux, wait!”

Devereux heard Lucy’s cries but she could not respond.  She was verging on complete hysteria, listening to Avarine speak of Davyss and of the children they had together.  It hurt so badly that she couldn’t breathe.  She was Davyss’ wife but she had miscarried his child. Avarine had two children by Davyss and wanted more.  It was Davyss’ right to have more children like the beautiful twins. 

Hearing the excitement in Avarine’s voice as she spoke of Davyss drove dagger after dagger into Devereux’s heart.  She felt so worthless, so inadequate.  She hated herself terribly at that moment.

Devereux jumped off the lists, hit the ground, and began running.

Seated in the royal box, Lady Katharine heard the shouting and turned in time to see Devereux disappear from the lists.  She saw Lucy go after her but was prevented from paying closer attention by a strong hand on her arm.

“Was that Davyss’ wife?” Simon asked.

Lady Katharine nodded, looking rather concerned that the woman had just bolted off. “It is,” she replied.

“I only caught a swift glimpse of her, but she looks lovely.”     

“She is,” she answered. “Davyss is very much in love with the girl. Perhaps I should go and see what the matter is.”

Simon shook his head. “No need,” he replied. “You cannot move as fast as she does and you will only hurt yourself, so it is best if you let your son handle his wife.”

Lady Katharine shot Simon a menacing glare with her faded hazel eyes. “Watch your tongue, man. I may not be able to run swiftly but I can still use a dagger quite adequately.”

Simon laughed softly.  “You are still a firebrand after all of these years.”

Lady Katharine lifted an eyebrow at him. “You think so?” she slapped the hand on her arm and he removed it, still laughing. “And you are still as I remember; selfish and bold.”

Simon’s humor faded as he beheld Katharine’s angular profile. “Is that all you remember?” he asked softly.

Katharine refused be lured back to the days when she and Simon believed themselves in love with one another, when she was a young maiden and only pledged to Grayson de Winter. It was a futile romance but one that had burned hot at one time.

 “I will not reminisce with you,” she said flatly. “There is no need.”

Simon knew that but it was still something he lived with, something he thought on every time he saw Davyss. “Did you ever tell him, Kate?” he murmured.

“Nay.”

“Why not?”

“Because he is a de Winter. What purpose would it serve to tell him otherwise?”

Simon sighed faintly, knowing there was truth to her statement. He wouldn’t push the issue, now thirty four years old and beyond any resolution.  He averted his gaze, flicking imaginary pieces of dust off his breeches. “No purpose,” he agreed quietly. “But someday, I should like him to know.”

Katharine was in no mood for Simon’s attempt at reflection.  In fact, she wanted far away from the subject. “Finish what you were saying about my son and be quick about it,” she told him. “He will be competing shortly and I want to watch.”

Simon lifted his eyes, regarding the woman’s profile again.  She was such a strong woman, deeply dedicated to her sons. He knew why she had never told Davyss of his true parentage but it never eased his ache. And it was for that very reason that Simon knew he must press his issue.

“Davyss was most reluctant to swear fealty to me after Lewes,” he lowered his voice. “As I said, I believe the only reason he did it was because I threatened to hold his wife hostage to ensure his good behavior. As much as I hate to move against Davyss in such ways, I still feel it is necessary.”

Katharine’s jaw ticked. “So you do not trust his word?”

Simon was careful how he replied. “I would trust Davyss with my life, as you well know. But the man’s loyalties have always been with Henry. Even though he has sworn allegiance to me, I feel there is no harm in reinforcing that oath. Since the only reason he swore to support me was because I threatened his wife, I feel it necessary to force him to honor his pledge.”

Lady Katharine sighed heavily. “Simon, if you feel the only control you have over your men is to coerce and threaten them, then you are a poor leader indeed. If you take Devereux, it will only make Davyss hatefully mad.  He will kill you.”

Simon’s gaze moved over the arena, watching as the marshals began to call the combatants forward. “Nay, he will not,” he muttered. “But he will want to, make no mistake.  Katharine, do you wish to see your son live to be an old man? He’ll not live much longer by Henry or Edward’s side. They are both ruthless men and willing to battle at every turn.  What I offer is peace.”

“Peace?” she snapped.

“Aye, peace,” he snapped in return. “Peace for the entire country because the common man will have a say in how his country is managed. It is the only way to achieve harmony.”

Katharine held up a hand. “Spare me your logic, Simon. I am an old woman and care not for the politics of the crown. But I will say this,” she turned to the man. “If you harm Davyss or his wife, in any fashion, my wrath shall be limitless. You need not fear Davyss at all; your biggest fear shall be me. Is this in any way unclear?”

Simon gazed deep into the eyes of the women he had known the majority of his adult life. “What would Grayson say to all of this?”

Her eyes narrowed. “You know what he would say; he would kill you himself before he allowed you to target one of his sons.”

Simon drew in a long, thoughtful breath.  Then he leaned back in his chair, eventually chuckling.

“Still a spitfire,” he muttered.

Lady Katharine continued to eye him, even as he pretended to find interest in the combatants taking the field. She didn’t trust the man for she had known him too long; he would eventually have his way if he thought he could get away with it.   When Simon started up a conversation about the last tournament he competed in, she paid little attention. There was something in his manner that was unsettling.

She didn’t like it.

***

The mêlée was about to begin.  Davyss was poised with his team, comprised of his own knights, Northumberland’s men, men from Chester, York and Nottingham.  There were also a few bachelor knights, men with less experience but full of heart, and they were thrilled to be included on the mighty de Winter squad.   The field marshals were calling the teams onto the arena floor and just as Davyss moved forward with his men to take his position, Philip suddenly came up behind him and grabbed him by the arm.

Davyss turned to the man, speaking before Philip could bring any words forth.

“Where have you been?” he demanded. “You disappeared when the marshals were filling the match cards. What happened?”

Philip looked grim. “Lucy came to me,” he said urgently. “Drop what you are doing, man; we have problems.”

Davyss first reaction was confusion. But his second reaction was dread; Philip was not one to panic for frivolous reasons. “What are you talking about?” he demanded.

Philip yanked on him even as the men around him were pouring onto the field.  Hugh paused, however, standing next to his brother because Philip looked so serious. He raised his visor and peered at the big blonde knight.

“What is wrong with you?” Hugh demanded. “We are due on the field.”

Philip shook his head. “Davyss, you must come. It’s Devereux.”             

Those were the magic words. Davyss was already moving, heading for the lists because that was the last place he saw his wife. “What is wrong? What happened?”

As they neared the edge of the arena, they could all see Lucy standing at the edge of the field, her hands to her mouth.  As Davyss drew near, he could see that her eyes were red and there were tears on her face. Panic seized him.

“Lucy?” he reached out to grab her. “Where is Devereux? What has happened?”

Lucy was sobbing deeply. “She… she ran away.”

Davyss’ eyebrows flew up. “Ran away?” he repeated. “Where in the hell is she?”

He was starting to get frantic.  Philip pulled his wife from Davyss’ iron grip because the woman was already close to swooning. She wouldn’t survive Davyss’ anger.

“We do not know,” he said in a low, swift voice. “Lucy says that Lady Avarine appeared in the list with the twins. She apparently did not know or realize who Devereux was and said many things that upset her.  Devereux ran off.”

Davyss stared at Philip in complete, utter disbelief.  “Avarine is here?”

Philip nodded grimly. “With the girls,” he replied. “You will recall that she and Lucy were friends long before Avarine met you.  Avarine saw Lucy in the lists and naturally went to her.”

Davyss’ gaze was wide on the man.  He wasn’t angry; he looked completely devastated. “My dear God,” he finally breathed, clapping a hand to his face in incredulity. His mind was whirling with a million different thoughts, easily overwhelming him.  He began to walk. “Which direction did Devereux go, Lucy?”

Lucy was walking beside her husband, struggling to keep up with the long-legged men. “I do not know,” she wept. “I saw her disappear in the direction of the food vendors but I did not see where she went after that.”

Davyss felt sick. “What… what did Avarine say to her?”

Lucy sniffled as Philip pulled her along. “She spoke of the twins,” she replied. “She said that her father was competing and he was going to speak to you again about marrying his daughter because you are the father of her children.”

Davyss rolled his eyes miserably. “And she said all of this in front of Devereux?”

“Aye,” Lucy started to weep again. “She did not know that Devereux was your wife.”

Davyss didn’t say anymore. He was afraid to.  He could hear the marshals yelling for him but he ignored them, instead marching to his tents with his men in tow.  He yanked open the entry to the larger tent but it was empty.  Andrew and Philip checked the other two; they were empty as well.  Fear welled in Davyss’ chest until he could hardly think straight.        

“Where else could she go?” he asked the general question to those around him. “She is not familiar with London. Where else could she have run off to?”

Andrew was with him. “I shall go to Hollyhock and see if she has returned there.”

Davyss stopped him. “Nay,” he half-hissed, half-commanded. “I will go. You, Edmund and Philip return to the arena.  Hugh and I will search for my wife.”

Andrew’s brow furrowed. “But you may need help. If she is not at Hollyhock, there is no telling where she has gone and you will need help looking for her.”

Davyss knew that, but he was so shaken at the moment that it was difficult for him to settle his thoughts. “If she is not at Hollyhock, I will send you word,” he slapped the man on the shoulder as Hugh bellowed for their mounts. “Go, now. I will return when I can.”

Although Andrew wasn’t entirely certain, he did as he was told.  Two grooms brought about Davyss and Hugh’s chargers and the men mounted, charging from the encampments and out into the streets beyond.