Chapter Eleven #2
Another possible suspect arose. While Royce had wanted to share this latest with the king in private, he realized he must do so now. Why did the urgent need to defend his wife guide him now?
"Sire, did you receive a letter from William before he passed?"
"Nay, though 'tis possible Burnell has it. Why?"
"Gillian has a brother."
Edward gaped at him, anger reddening his face. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I didn't know ere last night. She admitted it. He's a bastard. Never acknowledged."
Edward's eyes turned contemplative. "I see. Mayhap he is angered over that."
"Could be."
"Mayhap he is traitor."
Royce nodded. "Mayhap."
The idea made more sense with each second. Who was Simon's mother? If he was indeed the traitor, 'twould explain much. And Gillian would be free of suspicion. The relief he felt startled him. He told himself 'twas only because it would save him the shame of having a traitorous wife.
"I have told him I will require his aid in securing Lyndon. He will bear watching. I will set him to tasks so that Burke and I can do so easily."
Edward nodded. He stepped aside as two of the guards dragged the bloodied rebel from the chamber. Royce half-dreaded the next hour.
***
Gillian heard the commotion in the bailey and excused herself from Thomas.
There would be time for the ledgers later.
She lifted her skirts and strode down the steps, surprised to see so many people milling about the tall oak near the smithy.
Royce stood nearby, Edward before him. To the side, Eleanor and her ladies stood, whispering.
She hurried across the bailey, pushing her way through. When she reached the tree, she froze.
One of the captured rebels, his face bloodied and bruised, knelt in a wagon underneath the lowest branch. His hands were bound behind his back. The horse harnessed to the cart shifted, and the wagon lurched. The rebel swayed but held his position.
What next caught Gillian's attention was the noose hanging from the branch. She covered her gasp with a shaky hand and approached her husband.
"What's happening?" Although she had little doubt, the inane question lisped out anyway.
"We hang one of the rebels."
Her sickening suspicion confirmed, she looked from the rebel to the king and back to her husband.
"Now? Here?"
"Here. I told you of our plan. And as you have no permanent gibbet, this must do."
"We've not had a need for one ere now."
"I will remedy that soon enough."
"Must you do this?"
"Aye. And likely again tomorrow, when we finish our interrogation of the other."
The oddly suspicious look in her husband's eyes sent a shiver of anxiety along her spine. He seemed to be looking for something, but what? She turned to Edward, who also watched her with a strange expression.
"Sire, why must we do this here? Now? In full view of everyone?"
"We send a message, Lady Gillian," Edward said. "This criminal refused to speak. He attacked Lyndon, therefore England, with plans to ambush me. He stands by his treasonous actions and faces justice. Any who think to follow his path will know what they face when they are caught."
"But why now?"
Royce grabbed her arm, forcing her to face him. "It must be this way. The king wishes it. You dare much in questioning him."
"We've been at peace here for many years. In a sennight's time, we've now become a focus of the rebellion. Since you arrived!"
"He came on my orders, Lady Gillian." Edward stepped closer, his blue eyes icy and cold.
"Forgive me, Sire, but so much has happened in the last weeks.
First my father, and now..." The lines in the king's face softened.
"Your father shielded you from much. But we have no choice.
This man committed treason and must pay with his life. "
Gillian gave a bleak nod. She turned to study the rebel. He stared back at her, an odd smile curving one side of his mouth. Royce's hand on her arm tightened. She looked away, and caught Eleanor's gaze. The queen bore an expression of understanding and sympathy, though she said nothing.
The executioner, likely one of Edward's men, climbed into the wagon. His face obscured by a black hood, he hauled the rebel to his feet and secured the noose around the condemned man's neck. The executioner then jumped to the ground. Gillian looked away as he gave the order.
"I die willingly for you and our cause, Lady Gillian!"
Her head snapped up at the rebel's shout; a moment later the creak of the wagon's wheels sounded eerily loud in the sudden silence.
"What? You lie! I am not one of you!" she shouted.
"Ultimately, we will win!" The outlaw stared right at her. Too stunned to speak, she gaped at his grinning face. The wagon seemed to move very slowly. Aware of stares upon her, she turned away at the moment the cart drew out from under the Welshman.
Her gaze landed on Edward, who again eyed her with suspicion. He must think her a traitor now, too. She backed closer to Royce, but his tight grip on her shoulders warned she'd find no sanctuary with him.
Edward spared a glance at the twitching body of the rebel, then slowly strode closer to Gillian. She could read nothing in his stone-like expression. Not even the chirping of birds could be heard in the ominous silence.
"Are you in consort with the rebels, Lady Gillian?"
She shook her head. "Nay, Sire. Ere the raid, I have never seen him before."
She looked around at the lingering crowd, some moving closer to the king and Gillian. Beyond Edward, the body of the rebel caught in its death throes seemed to mock her.
"Royce, will you see to this?"
"Aye, Majesty."
Gillian looked up at her husband and fear sliced sharply into her.
His stony countenance warned she was about to suffer again under his hand.
Excitement sprouted in the midst of her worry.
She ignored it, aware that an accusation of treason could subject her to far worse than any sexual torment her husband put her through.
"Nay, you cannot think I have betrayed you, Sire!" The desperation in her voice was due to Royce's ever tightening hold on her. "'Tis Anne who is behind this!"
Edward said nothing as Royce pulled her toward the keep. She stumbled once, but he righted her. Where was Simon? He could make them see the truth.
Several times, she caught the glances of soldiers or servants.
Many bore expressions of surprise and sympathy, but a few actually appeared pleased by her predicament.
Had she been a fool to think everyone here was loyal to England?
To her? Had she protected them for naught?
She made note of who looked satisfied. If they would betray Lyndon, they betrayed her and she owed them nothing.
She would tell her husband their names once they were alone in their chamber.
She shivered at the thought of what he might do to her this time. An eagerness for him to touch her, in any manner, poked through the bedlam of emotions, but fear kept it from taking over.
He said nothing as he dragged her through the great hall and up the stairs to the lord's chamber. He shoved her into the room. She stumbled and nearly fell, but he made no move to aid her. She pulled herself upright and met his gaze defiantly.
"You know I am no traitor!"
He folded his arms. "I don't know what to believe anymore. Your insistence on keeping secrets has not worked in your favor. Daring to question the king's actions only makes you more suspect."
"What will you do to me?"
"Whatever I must to ensure you are indeed loyal. For now, I have more urgent tasks to see to. You will remain here until I return and decide what is to be done with you."
He turned and left the room. She ran to the door, hearing the now-familiar sound of the bar sliding into place, followed by the rasp of the key in the padlock. She slumped, wondering how such a promising day had turned into such hell.
***
Royce found Edward in the hall and joined him before the hearth.
"What have you done to the girl?"
"She's locked in our chamber for now. I will see to her later. First, I must –"
"My lord, what have you done with Lady Gillian?"
Simon's angry shout preceded him by mere moments. His dark eyes flashed in anger as he stalked over to stand before Royce.
Royce stood. "She is secure. For now."
"Surely you know she's no traitor!"
"We know nothing of the sort."
Edward's words drew Simon's attention from Royce. He paled at the sight of the tall king rising from his chair.
"She would never be disloyal to you, Your Majesty." Simon bowed.
"How can you be so sure?" Edward asked. "Both rebels have said she passes secrets to their leader."
Royce leaned close to the king. "This is the brother, Sire."
"I see. And are you loyal?"
"Of course, Sire. I would never betray you, nor would Gillian. Our father was your man until the end."
"You hold no anger at not being acknowledged?"
Simon hesitated. "I won't deny I would rather William had recognized me, but I harbor no malice."
"We shall see."
"May I speak with her?" he asked.
Royce shook his head. "Nay."
"What will you do?"
"'Tis not your concern. I suggest you worry for your own neck, rather than my wife's."
Again, Simon's face turned white. He gave a nod, another brief bow to Edward and strode out of the hall.
"They could be working together."
"Aye." Royce didn't dare gainsay the king and risk his wrath. Not until he was sure his wife had not betrayed them all.
***
He approached the tiny hut with caution. Did his lover wait for him as he'd ordered? He saw movement at the window and smiled. Already his cock ached for her. It had been too long.
He smiled again, thinking of how the rebels had turned the king's suspicion toward Lady Gillian.
His plan continued to grow stronger each day.
Once he had satisfied himself Anne was safe, he would see to reinforcing his army for another attack.
He must strike while Edward remained at Lyndon, lest he lose his chance to win this once and for all.
And once the king was slain, he would take the crown for himself.
Not even his cousins had dared attempt the English throne. But he would.
He reined in his horse and dismounted securing the beast to a nearby tree. He looked around. So far deep into the forest, 'twould take days before anyone reached this hut. By then, Anne would be safely away with his heir secure in her belly.
He knocked once on the door and it swung open instantly. He found himself greeted by a warm body thrown against him, arms and legs encircling him. He grinned and stepped inside, kicking the door shut.
Her mouth upon his grew frantic and his cock hardened at the feel of her in his arms. He'd missed her. Soon, they would never be separated again.
No words passed between them as they tore at each other's clothes, until both were naked.
He swept her into his arms and laid her upon the small cot in the corner.
He wasted no time with preliminaries and suspected she didn't care either.
He stroked his hard shaft twice then spread her legs. With one thrust, he was home.
He remained motionless for several moments, savoring her silky and wet warmth.
All too soon, his urgency grew, her hips bucking to urge him on.
Her nails scratched along his back and arms, spurring him on as he pounded into her.
In mere moments, the rocking of her body around his had him exploding in delight, his shout matching her cries of completion.
Sated, he lay with her, his heart slowing.
"I've missed you so much," Anne said. She lifted herself on one elbow, her green eyes glowing with satisfaction.
"And I you. The plan is working well. I must see you to the village on the border, though." Her gaze reflected her concern. "Why?"
"Several reasons. Edward plans more searches and I fear they might eventually find you. Also, I would see that the babe is safe. The king will not hesitate to execute you even if you are with child."
Something in her expression alarmed him. He held her chin, forcing her to look at him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just... my baby, I fear for the child's safety."
He nodded. "'Tis why I want you away from here."
"Will you come visit?"
He shrugged. "Mayhap, though I fear 'twill be some time. The plan is working. Lady Gillian is under suspicion of aiding the rebels. Us."
A delighted glow lit Anne's eyes. "How I wish I could see her pay for all that she's cost me."
"She will hang eventually. She is now locked away and subject to her husband's interrogation."
"And no one suspects you?"
He shook his head. "This has turned out to be much easier than I expected. 'Tis true the traitor is in their midst. By the time they realize, 'twill be too late."
The feel of her warmth against him soon had his cock stirring again. He covered her breast, squeezing and caressing until she arched against him. He took her mouth in a bruising kiss and rose above her.