Chapter Five #2
A wild cacophony of thoughts exploded. Anger took precedence. Anger that he'd been such a fool. Her longbow aimed right at him. Jesu, she meant to kill him! With a muttered curse, he wished he hadn't foregone his helm.
Before he could blink, she dispatched the arrow.
A ripple of air caressed his neck, the arrow flying past on a mere breath.
A strangled scream from behind made him turn.
He stared in amazement at the Welshman, inches away, sword still raised to strike.
The arrow in his throat seemed to hold him upright for a few moments before he collapsed to the ground.
Royce spun back around, gaping at his wife, peering down from the ramparts. For a few moments, he almost forgot the raging battle. She hadn't killed him, she'd saved his life! Unable to fully comprehend her actions, he merely stared, a strange combination of shock and awe coursing through him.
As quickly as surprise and gratitude stole his breath, anger returned, renewing his strength. What the devil was she doing up there? She had disobeyed him yet again. She would get herself killed!
"Get away from there!"
His shout barely carried over the din. He lifted his sword to parry a thrust from an oncoming rebel and dispatched the man before turning his attention briefly back to his wife.
"Had I not been here, my lord, you would now be dead," she called.
He barely heard amid the chaos of the battle. God's bones, she would be the death of him yet. Catching sight of a path to the keep, he ran toward it, pushing himself through the melee. He barely had time to slash out at a few who dared try to stop him. They never attacked a second time.
He paused to see if she still stood up there.
She did. An arrow skimmed past her and she ducked behind the wall.
His heart seemed to stop beating until she reappeared, another arrow ready and aimed.
From the corner of his eye, Royce saw one of the rebels pointing his bow at Gillian.
Once more, she disappeared behind the wall as the archer fired, only to get back up and return the volley.
Her arrow struck the rebel, and she nocked yet another quill before he hit the ground.
Heart pounding, Royce saw Burke near the castle steps, engaged in combat. He pushed past them at the very moment Burke sent the rebel hurtling down the steps.
"Gillian is atop the ramparts. Keep them from gaining the keep."
Burke nodded. Royce pounded on the doors.
At least his wife had the sense to bar them.
He barely heard the steward's response, but his shouts had been sufficient.
He pushed past the man the moment the door opened wide enough for him to pass through.
He wasted no time heading up the stairs, Thomas on his heels.
How in the devil had she gotten up there?
"There is a door in her chamber, my lord." Thomas urged him to follow.
When he entered his wife's former chamber, he saw the tapestry pulled away and the door open.
"It leads both to the ramparts and to escape tunnels below," the steward explained.
Royce's head spun. How had he not known this? Why did his wife insist on keeping secrets? What other secrets did she have?
"Thank you. I will be bringing my wife down, and I want her secured in our chamber. Are there any hidden doors or passages I should know of?"
Thomas shook his head. "Nay, my lord. I possess all the keys."
"Lady Gillian?"
"She has most as well, but not all."
"I want her locked in so she cannot get out. Do you understand?"
The gangly man paled and nodded.
"Aye, my lord."
"See to it while I retrieve her."
He climbed the narrow stairs two at a time and reached the ramparts quickly.
He spotted his wife firing another arrow into the skirmish.
A bellow of pain from below confirmed her aim was true.
He forced aside a brief moment of pride, for fear 'twould soften his anger.
When she moved to load another arrow, he caught her arm. She turned, eyes wide.
"Unhand me! There's no time!"
She gave a mighty tug and almost broke free, but he tightened his grip. Around them, the other archers continued, but watched their new lord warily. From the corner of his eye, Royce sensed an incoming arrow and hauled her to the stone, covering her with his body.
"What are you doing?" he shouted.
"Defending my home! Let me go!"
He stood, still holding her arm, and hauled her up with him. He shoved her to the stairs. "Get yourself below at once."
She tried to dart around him but he caught her about the waist. She swung her free arm at him and he ducked to avoid the blow. He lifted her off her feet and carried her to the stair. She clung to her bow while trying to land blows with her free hand. He dodged each one.
"You fool! You need me up here!"
"I need you to obey me for once!"
He descended the stair, tightening his grip on her squirming body. Despite the critical situation, his body responded in a way that drew a curse before he could stop it. Damn her!
He reached her chamber and set her down and released her. She made a dash for the stairs again, but he stopped her. He grabbed her bow and she stilled.
"Release me!"
He shook his head, closing his hand about her wrist and dragging her from the room.
Thomas stood at the end of the hall, outside their chamber.
Gillian dug her heels in to resist, but Royce refused to relent and she stumbled.
He turned and caught her around the waist again, hurrying her along. He shoved her into the room.
"Stay here until I come for you." He turned to Thomas. "If the door is locked, she cannot get out?"
"Nay, my lord."
"Nay! You can't do this!" His wife ran toward him, but he quickly pulled the door shut, securing the lock into the latch. Thomas turned the key.
Gillian's pounding echoed in the corridor. Her furious screams might have roused humor in any other situation. He held his hand out.
"Give me the key."
The steward obeyed, pulling the key from the ring with shaking fingers. He placed it in Royce's palm.
"She is to remain here until I say otherwise."
"Yes, my lord."
Royce turned and strode to the stairs, anxious to return to the battle and put an end to it, now that his wife could no longer cause trouble. His anticipation to return to her and dole out the punishment she deserved hastened his step.
The chaos of the battle seemed to diminish. He hurried down the steps and resumed attacking the Welsh invaders. Which one was Godwin? He dispatched a rebel, then another, ears ringing from the echo of screeching steel. He searched the melee but couldn't find Burke. He needed his captain.
He made his way through the last of the skirmishes between his men and the rebels.
Bodies littered the bailey, most those of the outlaws, though he noted a couple of Lyndon's men lying lifeless on the ground.
Finally, the sounds of the battle faded and died, the last Welshman cut down.
Blood and sweat tainted the air and the moans of the wounded mingled with shouts of celebration.
Feeling a powerful gaze burning into his back, he turned.
Simon stood across the bailey, glowering as he stood over one of Lyndon's fallen. Gillian's guard's gaze held clear contempt. The man had to go, Royce decided. The sooner, the better.
Mayhap he could convince the king to take him as one of his soldiers. 'Twould free Royce from two problems Simon presented.
He looked away, again seeking Burke. There, coming from the stables. He headed toward his captain as the doors to the keep opened.
"The baroness has escaped!"
Royce didn't know who made the claim, but he swore, his shout echoing in the now eerily silent bailey. Burke reached him, appearing just as concerned.
"How did this happen?"
Burke shrugged. "I didn't see any of the rebels gain access to the keep."
The suspicions that rose nearly choked Royce. A red haze clouded his vision. Someone inside had to have given Anne aid. But who?
"Set the men to clearing this." He waved a hand around the bailey. "We must question everyone in the household. I am assigning the task to you."
"And your wife?"
Royce glared at his captain. "I will see to my wife."
"Aye. Did you see any sign of Godwin?"
Royce shook his head. "It's as if he is nothing more than a specter. I will see that man's head on a pike ere this is over."
Burke gave him a knowing smile. "No doubt you will."
"See to your tasks."
"Aye, my lord." Burke strode away, shouting at the soldiers in the bailey awaiting further orders.
Royce gave another sidelong glance toward Simon before turning back to the keep. He needed to punish his wife. Again.