Chapter Ten #3
The Marshall had a temper, but it was one that he controlled admirably.
It would not do for him to fly in Sean’s face; the Lord of the Shadows could not be intimidated.
William had known Sean long enough to know that.
But he could see something in Sean’s eyes that he had never seen before.
He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but he knew he didn’t like it.
He put a hand on Sean’s shoulder, in apology and acquiescence. “You probably would,” he muttered. “But I am serious, Sean. I need your focus, now more than ever. It concerns me to hear you speak of deviating from our plans.”
Sean backed down somewhat, but he was still unsteady. “I was simply asking a question,” he offered weakly, though they both knew it was not the truth. “Nothing will deter me in my quest to marry Sheridan. You may as well know that I would give up my mission if it meant not having her.”
It was a blow to William to hear that. He knew it would do no good to rage. All he could do was bargain. The Marshall had made a life out of bargaining and he was very successful at it. But this bargain would prove to be particularly critical.
“Then I will strike a deal with you,” William said. “Will you hear me?”
“I always do.”
“I need for you to stay where you are for the time being. You are far too valuable to our cause to give this up so easily. We cannot know how this battle will go or even how the next few days will go. I need you on the inside to observe and report. If John says you will go to the Marches, then go you will. It is vital that you remain loyal to him until the tides turn in our favor. For this continued service, I will make you a promise.”
“What is that?”
The Marshall’s dark eyes glittered. “You will have Sheridan St. James upon your return from the Marches. I swear to you that she will be yours but only if you see this task through. I cannot promise anything to a man who would turn from his duty.”
Sean had never known William Marshall to make a vow he could not keep. There were many years of trust between them. “And just how will you accomplish this if Jocelin is so opposed to the idea?”
“You must trust me.”
Sean could not doubt him. He nodded, his jaw ticking with the reservation he could not voice. Suddenly, a small figure entered the doorway, casting a shadow against the dying sunlight. Startled, Sean and William turned to see Gilby entering the chapel. He had a queer look on his face.
“Sean?” Gilby paused just inside the door. “I have been looking everywhere for you.”
“And so you have found me,” Sean replied. “Is something wrong? Where is de Braose?”
Gilby jabbed a thumb in the general direction of the Tower grounds. “In my bed,” he said. “He is very broken up inside.”
Sean nodded. “I assumed as much. Gerard is, if nothing else, thorough in his brutality.”
Gilby shook his head. “But de Braose is not why I was looking for you.”
“What is it, then?”
The old man lifted his shoulders, unsure where to begin. “I was on the wall near the Bell Tower, you see, searching for the best avenue in which to remove young de Braose. There is the tunnel near the Bell and Middle Towers, and there is the Traitor’s Gate that leads to the river, and.…”
Sean put up his hand to silence him. It was the first time he’d ever seen Gilby rattled. “What has you so stricken, old man?”
“I just wanted you to know where I was when I spied it, clear as day, jaunting along the road to the Tower gate.”
“Spied what?”
“If I had not bribed the guard to open the Middle Tower gate, I fear something horrible might have happened.”
“Gilby, you are not making any sense. What are you talking about?”
Gilby crooked his finger at Sean. The massive knight did as he was asked and made his way over to the old man.
Gilby pointed out into the yard. Puzzled, Sean looked into the dusk only to see a small figure standing several feet away by the massive tree that stood between the chapel and the White Tower.
“Who is that?” he asked.
Gilby’s old eyes twinkled. “A very foolish young lady.”
It took several long moments but the color eventually drained from Sean’s face as he stared at the lone figure. The old man took pity on him and called out softly.
“Lady Sheridan?”
Sheridan’s head snapped in his direction, so sharply that the hood of her cloak came off. Her glorious hair spilled free, covering a shoulder and draping across her mouth. Expecting to see only the priest, it took her a moment to realize that she was gazing at Sean.
Sheridan began running towards Sean and he towards her.
Suddenly, she was in his powerful arms and he lifted her up, holding her so tightly that his embrace threatened to crush her.
The soft sounds of joyful weeping filled the air as Sean kissed every inch of flesh he could manage to come into contact with; her eyes, forehead, cheeks, ears and mouth were open territory for his passionate, and surprised, delight.
“My God,” Sheridan sobbed softly, trying to catch her breath between heated kisses. “You are alive. I hardly dared to hope.”
He held her as if to never let her go. “And you…,” he could hardly form a coherent thought. “I was told you were at Watford House. How is it that you are here?”
She pulled back then, gazing into his clear blue eyes and feeling more emotion than she could sufficiently express. Her hands gripped him tightly, even as he set her on her feet.
“I ran away,” she told him breathlessly. “They could not keep me from you, Sean. They tried but I would not let them. I had to find you.”
He touched her face, not understanding what she apparently meant. “Who brought you?”
“No one.”
Then it began to register. “Are you telling me that you rode all the way from Eastbury alone?”
She sniffled, wiping at her nose. “Aye.”
He just looked at her. So that was what Gilby meant when he called her a very foolish young lady.
His joy was tempered with horror for all of the things that could have befallen her on her determined quest and he pulled her into his arms once again, holding her closer.
Momentary anger gave way to extremely relief.
“Sweet Jesus,” he breathed. “You would risk yourself like that for me?”
She clung to him, a mountain of strength. “I would do anything for you,” she murmured. “I love you.”
It was difficult for him to keep his balance. Sean bobbled, ending up on one knee. On the ground, he was almost eye to eye with her, his clear blue eyes piercing deep into her soul.
“Are you all right?” she asked softly. “What is wrong?”
He snorted with the irony of the question. His mailed gloves came up, clasping her sweet face between them. “Tell me again.”
“Tell you what?”
“That you love me.”
Her tears were nearly gone, replaced by a delicious smile that spread across her face. “I love you.”
His expression took on the most amazing glow. “Do you really?”
“Aye.”
He took her in his arms, then, still on one knee, his face buried in the valley between her breasts. She held him tightly. “Does this displease you?”
His face suddenly came up, looking at her. The clear blue eyes were wet with unshed tears. “Of course not,” he whispered. “For I, quite clearly, am deeply in love with you.”
Her grin broadened. “Marry me now, Sean. Marry me and let us grow old together.”
“Would that I could, sweetling.”
“Why not?”
“Because there is too much looming in the near future. You and I have much to discuss.”
She thought on that a moment. “Will these events in the future affect us?”
“Aye.”
“Is it possible that they will affect us so that we will never marry?”
“We will marry, have no doubt. But these events….”
“Then if we will marry, I would do it now. Please, Sean. That way, no one can ever rightfully keep us apart.”
He hadn’t the will or the heart to refuse her.
He wanted it as badly as she did, probably more.
William Marshall, therefore, had to amend his promise; it was difficult to say no to such a beautiful lady.
Sean received his bride before finishing his task, leaving the task of breaking the news to Jocelin to the Marshall.
Though William didn’t mind that he was to be the bearer of unwelcome information, he minded the fact that his bargain was somehow twisted in Sean’s favor.
Even as Father Simon married Sean and Sheridan with Gilby and the Marshall as witness, still, William could only hope that Sean would follow through and keep his part of the bargain. Once, William had asked Sean to trust him. Now William would have to do the same.
But those thoughts were violently dashed as they quit the chapel and ran head-long into the king, preparing to take Vespers with his retainers. John took one look at Sheridan and Sean knew they were in for a world of trouble.