The Bargain (17 page)

"How can you defend him? He is the reason for all our pain."

Adelstan laughed under his breath. "Aleysia, de Wulf is only guilty of doing his duty to his king. He could have killed us both and not thought of us again. If the tables were turned, I am not sure if I would have shown such mercy."

"Mercy—you call taking you to York mercy?"

"We all die sometime. I have lived this long only because de Wulf favors you." He shrugged. "And it is that same favor that will save you."

"You know what will happen at York. We have heard the rumors for months, and many have seen the truth for themselves. They will take your head, Adelstan." Her voice broke, and he hugged her tight.

"Aye, they will swipe my head from my body, but they will never have my soul."

The image horrified her and she shuddered. "I cannot bear it."

"I will not have died in vain, sister."

"They will torture you."

He lifted her chin with gentle fingers. "I am not afraid to die."

She shook her head. "I cannot sit by and do nothing." Lowering her voice, she said, "I have a plan."

His brows furrowed. "Did you get the draught?"

"Nay, Renaud caught me, and so close was I. Just at the chamber door there."

"We will never escape. There is not enough time." She untied the cloak and let it slip from her shoulders. "Put on my kirtle and cloak."

He laughed under his breath. "You speak madness."

"We are twins, Adelstan. Who will know?"

His gaze searched hers intently. "You
are
serious."

"Indeed."

She could see his mind working, the denial... then slowly, the hope. "But what will de Wulf do when he discovers your betrayal?"

"I do not care."

"He might bring you before the king."

"I go willingly."

"You risk too much."

"Renaud will not hurt me, Adelstan. I know that. Now is your only chance. He will not let me come to visit you again before you depart for York. He is in a meeting with his men, and not expected back for hours. If you go now, then you might make it to Scotland... to Duncan."

"Duncan?" He frowned.

"Aye, Duncan will protect you."

Adelstan shook his head. "Did de Wulf not tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Duncan did not ask for my release. Rather, he told the Norman he was well to be rid of me."

Aleysia could not understand why Renaud had kept that information to himself. What other reason than to keep her from hurting more than she already was? She remembered asking him what Duncan had said, and he had wiped away her tears, saying nothing negative about the Scot.

She felt physically sick. What a fool she had been—sending Dun- can a letter pleading for him to rescue them. She prayed the letter did not make it.

"I have faith in God that we will see each other again one day."

Five minutes later Aleysia, dressed only in her chemise, looked at her twin, hoping their masquerade would work. Knowing he would not have time to stop, she made him eat the cold stew and bread, and he washed it down with the warm ale.

"You look convincing," she said, trying without success to keep the sadness from her voice. They would both die if he were caught.

He rolled his eyes. In truth, with the wimple over his head, and the cloak secured tightly about him, he could easily pass as her. She gave him a handkerchief. "Now, dab at your eyes as you pass by the guards. Cover that square chin. They will think that I am too distraught to stay. Meanwhile, I will lay upon the cot with my back to the door, pull the blanket over my head, and God willing, they will not check to see if it is you."

"Are you certain about this, Aleysia? De Wulf might keep you locked away in the tower once he discovers I am gone and you are the one who helped me escape."

"I have never been so certain of anything in my life. It is the only way, Adelstan. Do not feel sorry for me. I will be fine."

He hugged her tight. "God be with you." He put her at arm's length. "I
will
see you again."

She blinked back tears. "God keep you, Adelstan."

She slipped onto the cot and smoothed the blanket over her while Adelstan opened the door. She heard the guards mutter a question and then the chamber door closed with a hard
thud.
She waited, holding her breath, her heart pounding so loud it was a roar in her ears.

The key turned in the lock, and only then did she release her breath.

Saints be praised! They had done it.

CHAPTER 15

Renaud ran a hand down his face. He was so tired, but there was still much to do. If only he could sleep the night away in Aleysia's arms, feel her heated skin against his own, take her beneath him and bury himself deep within her and forget that he was taking her brother to his death.

"What if MacMillan returns in your absence, my lord?"

Renaud glanced to his right, where Galeran sat, drinking ale from a goblet. His vassal had not said a word all night, apparently still angry he was being left behind. Renaud had been embarrassed to tell his men that someone had sent a message to Duncan, and that the message could already be in MacMillan's hands. He refrained from naming the culprit, but given his men's knowing looks, they all guessed the traitor to be Aleysia. "I am hoping I will return before any trouble begins. It would take him time to build his army."

"Aye, my lord."

"You will know what to do, Galeran. Plus, I do not think MacMillan will strike this soon."

"What if he need go no farther than the borders? There are clans that are his allies."

Galeran had a good point; it was one he had worried about since MacMillan had left Braemere. What if MacMillan did bring an army along with him while Renaud and a good number of men were away? MacMillan could break through Braemere's gates and take Aleysia, and Renaud would never see her again.

Again he thought of taking Aleysia with him, but he could not. There was too much to risk, plus it would only make her parting with Adelstan even more difficult.

Concluding their business, Renaud made his way through the hall. He walked across the bailey, up the bridge, his gaze straying to the tower's uppermost chamber where Aleysia and her brother were saying their final good-byes.

If only he could give her what she wanted most.

In truth, he was prepared to ask William for leniency when it came to Adelstan. It didn't help that Adelstan refused to pay homage. His liege lord would be shocked that such a request would come from Renaud, and William would look upon said request as a weakness. In his heart Renaud knew his liege would never allow such leniency. Whether Renaud liked it or not, his hands were tied, which meant Adelstan would die.

Renaud would ask for Aleysia's hand though. He wanted her— nay—he
needed
her by his side. Hers was the first face he wanted to see each morning, and the last face before he closed his eyes. He wanted her round with his child. She would be an amazing mother, with the same defensive streak that she showed with her brother.

Then he remembered his mother and her deceit, and an image of Aleysia as she smiled at Philip, the too-pretty soldier, came to mind. Aleysia was a passionate lover. Mayhap she yearned to make love to the younger man?

The thought rankled.

He took the tower steps two at a time, his need to see Aleysia so great. The guards came to attention seeing him. "My lord? What is it?"

"I am here to escort Aleysia back to her chamber."

The guards shared a confused look. "Lady Aleysia left over an hour ago, my lord. Not long after she arrived."

Renaud frowned, surprised she would leave her brother before he came for her. He had envisioned her complaining that she had not had enough time. "Was she upset?"

"Aye, she was quite distraught, my lord. Crying, she was."

Of course she would be upset. How could he blame her? The only family she had left was being taken from her.

He nodded and went straight to their bedchamber, thinking of what he could say to ease her sadness.

The room was dark, save for the fire that cast shadows against the walls. His brow furrowed at finding the chamber empty.

His mind raced. Surely, she had not come to the hall? He would have seen her on his way. Yet he had made haste. Mayhap she visited the chapel to pray for Adelstan's fate, or perhaps she had gone in search of Elena?

Renaud backtracked, his steps long and hurried. After checking the chapel and finding it empty, he strode toward the great hall to find

Elena sitting before the large fire, Galeran across from her, playing a game of chess. Galeran stood at his approach. "My lord?"

"Have you seen Aleysia?"

Galeran shook his head and looked at Elena. "Nay, I have not seen her since dinner," she said.

"Would you like me to search with you, my lord?" Galeran asked, but Renaud shook his head.

"Nay, finish your game. I shall see you both on the morrow."

Renaud next checked the bailey, and as he passed the gatehouse a guard called out, "My lord, do you look for the woman?"

Renaud stopped in midstride. "Do you speak of Lady Aleysia?"

The soldier nodded. "Aye, my lord. She passed this way over an hour ago. Said she needed to go to the healer, to assist with a difficult birthing, and said that she had your permission."

His stomach twisted. "She was alone?"

"Yes, my lord."

With a curse, he raced back up the bridge, to the tower, taking the steps two at a time, his fury growing with each step. The two guards jumped at his approach. "My lord, what is amiss?"

"Open that door!"

One of the nervous guards fumbled with the keys, dropping the chain once before slipping the correct key into the lock. Renaud pushed open the door and entered. He closed it behind him, and the body on the cot jumped.

His heart pounded harder with each step that brought him nearer. A sliver of light shone through the high window. The blanket covered the form that lay there, now still as could be. Renaud reached down and ripped the blanket off.

He cursed loudly. Wearing only a thin chemise, Aleysia didn't move. But she was awake. She trembled and he doubted it had anything to do with the cold.

He shook with fury. He should have known. Aleysia had given her brother her clothing. What a fool he was. His father had been right about women being untrustworthy, and was probably rolling over in his grave. To care for a woman meant to lose one's wits, and he most assuredly had lost his wits to let Adelstan disappear right beneath his nose, along with the help of the woman who had been sharing his bed. The woman who had sent a message to her betrothed in Scotland to come wage war on Braemere. She had betrayed Renaud at every turn. He should never have trusted her after her last deceit.

It burned to know that all along she had been planning Adelstan's escape.

"What have you done, Aleysia?" he asked, his voice strangely calm, considering the fury that raced within him.

She rolled onto her back, her green eyes locking with his. There was no triumph there, no gloating. "I had to, Renaud. He is my brother, and without him I would die."

Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and he wondered if she cried because she knew the trouble she was now in, or because she still feared for her brother.

"I trusted you, Aleysia."

Tears welled in her eyes. "Let him go, Renaud. I beg you. Just let him go—"

"I cannot do that."

She sat up, and the chemise fell off her shoulder, exposing the swell of one ripe breast. "Why not?"

Even now, when he was furious with her, he wanted her. Damn her! Her neck still bore the rash from his whiskers when they had made love so frantically in their chamber. They shared the same lust and passion. What a shame they were, and always would be, enemies.

He pulled his gaze from the creamy expanse of her neck and firm breasts, back to her face. "We have been through this more times than I can count. King William expects Adelstan at York, and I
will
bring Adelstan before him."

"I will never forgive you if you go after him."

"I must."

She reached for him, catching his hand within her own. "Renaud, let him go. I beg you."

"Is there more I should know, Aleysia? Any more treasonous acts you wish to tell me about before I find out on my own?"

"Nothing, I swear it!"

"You swear it?"

She nodded, her fingers tightened around his. "Renaud, please believe me."

His blood boiled in his veins. How innocent she looked. He lifted her hand. "What of the ring you used to wear?"

She turned pale. "I can—"

He took the ring from his pocket and slid it back on Aleysia's finger.

She swallowed hard, but said nothing.

"I will
never
trust you again."

Her fingers tightened around his.

It was the hardest thing he had ever done, but for his own sanity he jerked his hand away Without another word, he turned on his heel and left.

Renaud and a handful of men had been riding for hours when they came upon a cloaked figure in the distance. A lone rider, moving at a steady clip for the Scottish border. They had traveled most of the night, and now with the gray of dawn upon them, they had finally caught their man.

Adelstan. There was no question it was the Saxon, for Renaud recognized Aleysia's cloak.

"Congratulations, my lord," Galeran said triumphantly. "You have found your man. We will be back at Braemere before the sun sets."

Renaud waited for the exhilaration he normally felt when capturing a Saxon prisoner, but this time it did not come. Instead, a part of him was disappointed that Adelstan had not escaped. "Give me a moment alone with him," Renaud said to Galeran and the other men, who shared puzzled looks.

"Are you sure that is wise, my lord? He could have a weapon." Galeran asked, concern in his eyes.

"Aye, I am sure. I will be but a moment."

Galeran nodded, and Renaud rode ahead toward Adelstan.

To Adelstan's credit, he did not try to outrun Renaud. Instead, the Saxon turned to Renaud, a slight smile on his lips, as though he'd expected him all along. In that moment he looked so much older than eight and ten—tired, defeated... as though he had already given up.