The Defiant Bride (25 page)

“You appear as the cat who has just drunk all the cream.” Dariana narrowed her eyes at him.

“Not exactly the cream. But I have done something that I should reveal to you.”

“Yes?”

“There is someone in the main hall come for the wedding feast. She has demanded an audience with you immediately.”

“But—”

“Just go and see.”

Dariana descended the stairs. A woman stood in the main hall, her back to Dariana. But there was something so familiar that Dariana hesitated for a moment. The woman turned and Dariana let out a cry of pure joy. The two ran to each other and were immediately hugging, laughing and talking all at once.

“Tamara! I missed you so. How came you here? I am so glad.”

“Your husband sent for me. He said I was a terrible liar. He said that indeed you lived and were now his wife and I should come. That you were safe. I hesitated not a moment. You must tell
me everything. When you were gone from the forest, I was frantic. I have been sick with worry.”

“The wedding of William’s sister is to begin, but do not leave my side and I will give you every detail of my life since I left the forest.”

“We feared the worst and did not know how to search. I worried seeking you might bring on greater danger for you.”

“It has been an interesting journey and I will tell you all. Is all well with you?”

“Now that I have found you again, all is indeed well.”

“Having you here has made my life completely happy. My dearest friend, my death has truly given me life.”

King Henry arrived just after the vows had been spoken and the celebration began in earnest. He was resplendent in his favored forest green velvet. All immediately quieted and bowed in homage to their leader. It was clear that Henry gave a great honor to William, his vassal, by appearing at his sister’s nuptials.

The king, however, clearly only had eyes for William’s wife and he flirted outrageously.

“William,” he boomed, “’tis lucky for you I am a married man or your wife might turn my head.”

William tried to maintain his humor, but a thread of jealousy wended its way into his heart.

“As my vassal, all that is yours is mine, is that not so?” the king asked, the hint of teasing all too obvious in his tone.

“Aye, your majesty. Those things I can give you, you may claim. But, as your law allows only one wife, I cannot offer what would harm you to take. Therefore, by keeping my wife to myself, I protect you.”

Henry smiled and rubbed his chin. “I think I have been outdone, for I cannot for the life of me think of a proper response. So I thank you for your loyalty. All the same, I am as yet unclear how keeping your wife to yourself helps my office. But”—he waved it away with a gesture of his hand—”there is wine to be drunk and newlyweds to be toasted.”

The two who but moments before had plighted their troth, were nowhere to be found. Word was they had sneaked of to the
garden to share a cup of wine and savor their union. The company went in search of the couple and pulled them back into the main hall, insisting they share their joy and reassuring them they could gain privacy later.

It was nearly dawn when the guests finally sought their rest, their king at last deciding to retire for the night. Leah and Richard had been excused earlier. She had been escorted to her marriage bed and prepared, followed ardently by her new husband. The others, however, had no choice but to stay until Henry withdrew. So the wine flowed and the feasting continued until the guests were nearly asleep where they stood.

Dawn shone pink and gold across the dark sky when William and Dariana entered their bedchamber. As tired as Dariana was most times now, this eve had seen her wide-awake and full of energy. Even now, as William fell exhausted into bed, Dariana could not find sleep. The cool morning air smelled sweet and fresh and beckoned her to seek some private adventure. She rose from the bed, walked to the window, and gazed out. The green of the dew-soaked grass winked at her in the filtered light and the fragrances of late summer flowers sang in her senses, almost dizzying in their heady magic.

It was Moonshadow who came to mind. The thought of skimming across the carpet of green on his strong back filled her imagination. Dressing quietly so as to not disturb her sleeping husband, she slipped out of the room and down, through the main hall, nearly tripping over sleeping bodies as she made her way to the door. She encountered no one as she hurried across the bailey to the stables.

For a moment, she thought of riding bareback, but then she worried she might do harm to the babe if she slipped off. It would be safer with a saddle. Quickly, so as not to waken the grooms, she saw the task done. Cautious after her last solo ride, she tied a sheathed dagger around her waist. Then she was mounted and away.

The early morning mist swirled around them and the horse caught the joy of the secret ride. He stretched out, speeding across the landscape at his smooth gallop. They rode at this pace for a
while, until finally Moonshadow tired. Dariana, reluctant to go back to the meadow where she had been taken by Cedric, had turned to ride in the opposite direction. She now guided her mount to a secluded glade near a babbling brook. Exhilarated, but tiring, she eased from the horse’s back. He wandered away to nibble on the fragrant stalks of sweet grass. Dariana moved to the cool water and sat on the bank, her back against a sturdy tree.

The water sang in her ears as the day warmed and Dariana’s mind drifted to touch on this memory and that, each bringing a smile to her lips in turn. Her thoughts were of her husband, her babe, and the delights life offered. Soon, she dozed.

A sound woke her. Someone was approaching; footsteps swished through the underbrush. She slipped the dagger from its cover and hid it in the folds of her skirt. Controlling her breathing to remain composed, she waited. All was quiet. Was it her imagination? No mater, it was time to go. As she clutched Moonshadow’s mane to mount, a man appeared from behind the brush. Startled, the horse reared and Dariana was propelled to the ground. She scooted backward, giving Moonshadow space before regaining her feet. Of course, she thought, as she stared into Cedric’s cold gray eyes. A calm washed over her. It was as if some part of her had expected this. But she felt no fear, only determination.

“My lady.” He bowed. A quick assessment determined he had underestimated her, as he had come unarmed. Rage at his insolence rose from her toes. How dare he continue these tactics? She knew she must use her wits or all would be lost.

“How long have you been skulking in the shadows, eager for another opportunity?”

“It matters not. You are here with me now and it appears you are unguarded. It seems too simple.” His confidence was irritating.

“Enough, Cedric. Your allies are dead and you are defeated.”

“Such bravado. Think you I will just go?”

“I can hope.”

He laughed. “By all means, continue to hope. It will be all you have left before I finish with you.”

“Do you think me such easy prey? On the contrary, it is you who will die.” Dariana knew this was to be the outcome. She had to kill him or they would never be free.

His disbelief was clear. “Are you threatening me? Have you no idea who I am? I have killed men twice your size. Why, you yourself have witnessed it. Do you think to frighten me?”

“No, I am promising you. You will not hurt me or mine again. I will see you in your grave first.”

“Such a bloodthirsty wench.” He took a step closer, then another. Dariana stood her ground. He circled her, like a wild animal playing with its prey.

Dariana clenched her hands into fists at her sides and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with power.

She quelled the urge to give in to the fear and focused, knowing he would give her an opportunity and she would strike. Her hand slid to the sheath and she wrapped her fingers around the shaft. The rigid metal beneath the leather emboldened her, like the touch of a friend. She slipped it free beneath the cover of her skirts.

He stepped in nearer yet, but she held fast.
Come closer
, she thought.
Just a little more
. Her gaze remained on his face, but she could see the horse behind Cedric. Moonshadow’s nostrils flared and the whites of his eyes glowed bright. It was clear he sensed the danger and he seemed to encourage her. One more step. Then the horse neighed and Cedric turned his head at the sound. It was now or never.

The sun’s rays reached in and woke William. He reached to the space next to him and was dismayed to feel empty sheets. Cool sheets. She’d been gone a while. Where? He rose and dressed, then went to the main hall in search of her.

He checked the courtyard, then hurried to the stables. He hoped she hadn’t been foolhardy enough to go riding alone. Did she not know dangers lurked? As William feared, Moonshadow was gone.

Exhaling a sigh of irritation, William threw a saddle on his stallion and rode out. He was unsure of her course, but when he was away from the manor, he slowed his pace. William was rewarded with fresh hoof prints in the dew-soaked earth. An easy mater now to follow. He only hoped no miscreants thought
the same and sought her out. When he found her, he intended to remind her how dangerous it was to ride without a guard.

He walked on, tracking her, until he was near a stand of trees. He knew beyond them was a cool stream. She would stop there, he reasoned. It was a cool and pleasant place to rest.

As he came closer, his hackles rose. Something was amiss. He dismounted and, stepping soundlessly, he approached the clearing, straining to catch any sounds.

Voices.

Dariana’s and a man. He could tell by the tones it was not a happy conversation. William hesitated before moving forward. He saw Moonshadow and hoped the horse wouldn’t sense him and give him away. He peered through the leaves into his worst nightmare. His wife stood but a breath away from Cedric. All the blackguard had to do was reach out and strike her, or—he dreaded to even think the word—kill her.

William was helpless. If he leaped out, Cedric would attack her. William could do nothing for the moment but hold. It was torture. No one moved. Then the horse whinnied and Cedric turned. William jumped forward, but it was too late.