Chapter Fifty-Two #6
Marcus’ eyes narrowed, ignoring Richard’s command. “To the devil with you,” he seethed. “You never cared for her until I showed interest. I loved her from the start, which is something you failed to do.”
Christopher put his hands out but Edward yanked him back roughly, assisted by Nicholas. They pulled and pushed the two men apart, tension and uneasiness flowing through all of them. It was frightening to think the whole situation was so desperately out of control.
“So she is gone and has taken the babe with her,” Richard said loudly, trying to divert their attentions from each other. “Marcus, this is your land. Where could she have gone?”
Marcus sighed, attempting to control his fury. “I do not know, sire. She was not out of the castle very much. She does not know the terrain well.”
“Is it possible that she is trying to return to Lioncross?” Richard wondered aloud.
Christopher shook off his knights, running his fingers through his hair as he, too, struggled for calm. “As possible as anything else,” he said. “We must search for her immediately.”
“Agreed,” Richard replied quickly. “Assemble your men, baron, and set to the road south. Marcus, gather your troops and send them in search of your land; every nook and hovel. I shall join Christopher on his trek south.”
Orders delivered, there was nothing more to do but carry them out. Making sure Christopher and Marcus kept a distance between them, the men of Richard’s command went quickly to do the king’s bidding.
Christopher was so tired he was nearly ill, but he ignored it.
His wife and daughter were missing and he had to find them, no matter what physical toll it took on him.
He cursed Dustin under his breath for being so foolish even as his heart twisted with agony.
Richard had been right; he and Marcus had been selfish and had given little regard for Dustin’s emotions.
Edward had tried to warn him, too, but he had ignored him.
The only person to blame for this was him, and he knew it.
His horse saddled, he mounted up with his knights and charged into the bailey just as Marcus and his men were preparing to depart the gates.
Christopher stared across the bailey at Marcus, his guilt overwhelming him.
He was a rational man, but he had acted most irrationally and unreasonably, and he was ashamed.
He had let his emotions rule him and the results had been less than pleasant.
He wondered regretfully if he could ever right the wrongs he had committed, not against Marcus, but against his wife and his king.
The fact also remained that Marcus’ marriage to Dustin was not covert, nor was it betrayal.
With Christopher dead, Marcus moved to take his place.
Had the situation been reversed, Christopher would have done the same.
The only treasonous act, and a grave one at that, was that Marcus had bedded his wife at Windsor.
Any other acts, he could forgive, but he doubted he could ever forgive Marcus that.
Slowly, he dismounted his charger and made his way over to Marcus.
Marcus eyed him warily, as he should have. Christopher shot an angry glare to Dud as the man tried to intervene between the two of them, then crooked his finger at Marcus to join him in a private conference.
Marcus did not move. Christopher sighed, unstrapped his sword, and let it fall to the ground. Moving away from the weapon, he raised his hands as if to show Marcus he was unarmed and tried again. With the second beckon, Marcus responded.
“See here, Marcus,” Christopher said wearily.
“This has gone too far. Dustin may be in grave danger and I will admit it is because of me. I do not care if you or I die, but I certainly do not want her placed in jeopardy. I will not fight you for her anymore; I just want her to be happy. If it is with you, or with me, I shall allow her to make her own choice. I have put her through too much already and driven her to this. I am finished with this.”
Marcus was harsh, controlled. “That is not fair. You know she will want to go with you.”
“Not necessarily,” Christopher replied. “She may hate me tremendously for all of the pain and grief I have caused her and quite possibly does not want to have anything more to do with me. Her leaving is a good indication of that.”
Marcus looked at him a moment. “All right, then,” he said slowly. “I would agree to those terms.”
“If it is me, no more protesting from you,” Christopher pointed his finger at him. “And if it is you, I shall bow out quietly. You shall never hear from me again.”
Marcus nodded stiffly. “Agreed.”
They parted and went back to their steeds, and Christopher found he was a good deal more fatigued than he had been just moments earlier.
It took him a moment to realize that, for the first time in his life, he was putting someone else’s needs before his.
He could not make Dustin miserable anymore; whatever would make her happy would make him happy as well.
Just as long as she was healthy and safe, it did not matter who she was married to.
He was willing to make the sacrifice simply to have her returned.