Chapter Twenty #3
In fact, Trenton had forgotten about Dane rather quickly because Dane did what Dane wanted to do, and Trenton had learned long ago not to worry over the man.
Somehow, Dane always returned in one piece, so there was never any reason to worry.
But Cort’s words had his attention and he turned to his younger brother.
“I saw the two of you riding from Deverill the night before we departed for Wellesbourne,” he said. “I was standing with Mother on the steps to the keep and we both wondered where you and Dane were going. I suppose I know now.”
Cort nodded, but it was timidly. “You are not angry with us, are you?”
Trenton shook his head, putting a hand on the young knight’s shoulder. “That I should have brothers who love me so much touches me more than you can know. I owe you everything. But I want you to swear something to me.”
“Anything.”
“You did not kill Adela and lie to me about it, did you?”
Cort shook his head solemnly. “We did not, I swear it.”
That gave Trenton some relief. Honestly, he’d wondered. He knew the hatred between his family and Adela, so anything was possible.
“That is good. But she really is dead?”
“I swear on my oath that she is. I saw her go up in flames myself.”
Trenton dropped his hand, rubbing his eyes wearily. “I believe you,” he said. “Now, you can tell me about the conversation you had with her.”
Cort did.
Dane’s instincts were good.
The mulled wine was, indeed, for a woman, and as he slipped in behind the servant into a small but lavish solar, he immediately saw Lysabel seated on a chair near the window.
Even though he hadn’t seen the woman in years – at least ten or more – he knew it was her on sight.
She was still the same bronze-haired, blue-eyed lass that he’d known as a child, only now she’d come into her own.
She was beautiful.
“Lysabel?”
His voice made her look up, startled, only to see someone she didn’t instantly recognize in the chamber with her. Dane could see the fear on her face and he hastened to reassure her.
“You do not remember me,” he said. “It is Dane – Dane de Russe.”
A ripple of recognition rolled across Lysabel’s face and her eyes widened. “Dane?” she gasped, coming towards him. “God’s Bones… I did not recognize you!”
Dane grinned. “We have grown old, you and I,” he said. But then he quickly added, “But you have only grown more beautiful. I did not mean to say that you were old.”
Lysabel laughed and, in that instant, Dane could see what had his brother so enamored. She was stunning.
“When did we last see one another?” she said. “I think it was here, at Wellesbourne, several years ago. I do not think my oldest daughter was even born at the time. My parents’ wedding anniversary celebration, wasn’t it?”
Dane shrugged. “I honestly do not remember,” he said, frowning.
“Probably because I had too much wine for the duration of the celebration. I do not remember the days leading up to it or the days following it for the most part, but I do remember seeing you there. And your sisters, too. How are Rosamunde and Emeline?”
“Well,” Lysabel said, grinning. “You had them dreaming about you, Dane. They all wanted to marry the handsome de Russe brother.”
Dane puffed up. “Of course they did,” he stated firmly. “All women do. Except for you… I hear that you are quite fond of Trenton.”
Lysabel sobered dramatically and she quickly averted her gaze. “Did Trenton tell you that?”
“Aye.”
Lysabel frowned, her good mood gone. “You will understand if this is something I do not wish to speak of to you, or to anyone else for that matter.”
Dane had seen her expression before, on Trenton when he spoke of the sad ending their love story was facing. She didn’t need to confirm anything. Her feelings were written all over her face.
There was anguish there.
“I understand,” Dane said, “but I must speak of it. It is very important.”
Lysabel closed her eyes. “Dane, please…”
He cut her off. “Lysabel, Trenton told me the entire situation,” he said. “He told me that he wants to be with you and when he told your father, the man banished him.”
In spite of her vow not to discuss the situation, Lysabel found that she couldn’t help it. An ironic snort escaped her lips.
“Not only has my father banished Trenton,” she said, “but to truly ruin our chances, he has betrothed me to another man.”
Now it was Dane’s turn to appear surprised. “He did?” he said. “To whom?”
Lysabel waved him off, sad and defeated. “I do not think you know him,” she said. “He is a good man by all accounts, and under any other circumstances I am sure it would have been a welcome betrothal, but I am not interested.”
“Who is it?”
“The captain of my father’s guard. Ranse de Troyes.”
Dane let that sink in. “I know him,” he said. “You must remember that I am also the captain of my father’s guard, and de Troyes and I have served together from time to time. And Trenton knows of this?”
“He knows of the betrothal, but I do not know if he knows who I am pledged to. I’ve not seen him since my father made his decision.”
Now, it made sense as to why Trenton had run so fast to Matthew when he’d been told of Adela’s death.
He was trying to stave off Lysabel’s betrothal with important information.
Still, it also underscored the critical nature of the situation – people’s lives were at stake, in so many ways, and Lysabel had to be told about something that could very well change the course of her life, as well.
“Listen to me,” he said urgently. “There is something you should know. Trenton’s wife, Adela, has been killed in a fire.
He has only just been told and he went straight to your father to tell him.
Even now, my father is with your father in his solar.
They are discussing the situation and if you have any desire to be with my brother at all, then I would suggest you make yourself part of that conversation. ”
Lysabel’s eyes widened and a hand flew to her mouth in a shocked gesture. “Trenton is… he is…?”
“A widower,” Dane supplied softly. “And he is free to marry you.”
Lysabel stared at him as she realized what he was saying.
Her first instinct was that Dane was lying to her for some reason because, certainly, the timing was all too coincidental.
But she knew in the same breath that Dane was an honorable knight.
He was a de Russe. There would be no purpose to him lying about such a thing.
Adela was killed in a fire.
She could hardly believe it.
“Dane,” she finally gasped. “Please… it this really true?”
Dane nodded. “It is. I swear it.”
She stood there, seemingly dazed. “God,” she breathed. “I should not rejoice in the woman’s death, but…”
He cut her off, again. She had to understand his sense of urgency.
“She was evil, Lysabel,” he said. “Mayhap, it is a sin to be happy for her death, but I do not care – her wickedness knew no bounds. For every curse she hurled at my brother, and at the House of de Russe, she has paid for it and I am not sorry. You should not be either. Now, go to your father’s solar – and hurry. ”
Lysabel didn’t say anything more. She had just heard perhaps the most important information she’d heard in her entire life, and Dane was correct – there was no more time for conversation.
She had to act.
With a shriek, she fled the solar with Dane on her heels, racing down the darkened corridor until they emerged into the dimly-lit foyer.
The first thing Lysabel saw was Trenton, who looked at her as if he’d seen a ghost. His expression was wide and his cheeks were pale when their eyes met.
The longing in his eyes was unfathomable, but by the expression on his face, he knew that she had been told about Adela.
The fact that Dane was standing with her told him everything.
Dane hadn’t gone to find the privy, after all.
But Lysabel didn’t stop to talk to Trenton. She rushed right past him and straight into Matthew’s solar.
And that was when the real battle began.