Chapter Fourteen
Gillian tugged at her bonds, cursing her husband.
Surely someone must hear her shouts. Royce had likely threatened anyone who dared come to her aid.
Her arms had gone nearly numb. She scooted to the edge of the bed and stood, waiting a few moments to ensure she could balance. What could she use to get free?
Her gaze landed on the ewer and basin on the table beside the wardrobe.
She moved cautiously across the room, halting completely when she thought she heard someone on the other side of the door.
When no one entered, she resumed her trek across the chamber.
She stared at the porcelain. The notion tempting her grew stronger with each heartbeat, but she knew the noise would attract attention.
'Twas the only way. She turned and with her bound hands, sent the ewer and basin shattering to the floor.
She studied the broken pieces. Spotting several that might serve her needs; she carefully stepped amidst the shards and slowly lowered herself.
With her hands behind her back, she couldn't see, but her fingers finally closed on a piece she deemed the right size.
Taking a deep breath, she rose once again and returned to the bed.
She willed her hands to steadiness, but due to her bonds, her efforts were lackluster at best. Still, she maneuvered the broken piece of porcelain until she was able to slip it between her wrists.
With slow and careful movements, she used the shard to cut through the sash holding her arms behind her.
The edges were not as sharp as she'd hoped, further slowing the process.
She bit her lip, concentrating, maintaining a mostly steady movement against the cloth until finally, with a sharp tearing sound, she made a significant cut.
She tugged with her arms and the ties ripped, freeing her.
She dropped the glass, trying not to cry out with the pain of the sudden movement.
Her stiff arms didn't want to respond to her commands, but slowly feeling returned.
She let out a few deep breaths, her stomach rolling.
She'd best not be sick, not after she'd shattered the washbasin.
A few more deep breaths calmed her senses, and a few tentative motions soothed the discomfort in her arms. She set about clearing the larger broken porcelain pieces.
She'd need a broom for the rest. She carefully set the shards aside and turned to the door when it swung open.
Panic rose up to choke her, but dissipated just as quickly when she recognized Simon. She let out a happy cry and ran to him, hugging him tightly. She'd missed him these last days.
He set her away and closed the door. "I don't have much time. Your husband is in conference with his captain and the king, and could return at any moment. Dylis said you needed to see me."
Gillian nodded. "Yes, I have some news; someone was seen near the hidden door at the kitchens."
Simon's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"Aye."
"'Twould seem the door is not as secret as we thought."
"'Tis my husband's fault. He has announced it to all. But that's not important. Simon, the woman who saw this person said it was Jervais."
Simon shook his head, his dark eyes filled with disbelief. "Nay, couldn't be. He was –" "With you? In the barracks?" Gillian folded her arms.
"Of course, where else would we be?" The red staining his face drew a laugh.
"I know you were with Lady Madelaine."
"Nay, I was..." His shoulders slumped. "Aye. I met with her."
"Are you planning to ask for her hand?"
He shook his head. "I cannot. I am a bastard and have no hope for a lady such as her."
"I suspect if you went to Eleanor, she'd help."
"Gilly, stop. Tell me more. Who saw Jervais?"
"Dylis did, though she wasn't sure who it was. Madelaine confirmed 'twas Jervais. She told the queen, who came for me. You know what happened then."
She scowled, still furious that her husband insisted on treating her as little more than a slave, to be chained and worked.
Even so, the thought of his physical possession of her sparked the now-familiar heat.
God's bones, the man had turned her into an insatiable lunatic! She shoved the thoughts aside.
"We must tell my husband at once."
"Tell him what?"
Gillian near choked on the lump blocking her throat. She turned, stomach churning anew at the sight of the rage etched in her husband's face. She took a deep breath.
"We have word... that is, this afternoon, when Eleanor, Queen Eleanor came to me, she shared something of import."
"And you didn't tell me this before?"
"I needed to confirm something."
Royce stalked over to her, but she refused to cower, despite the violent way her knees trembled.
"What was that?"
"Where my brother was last eve."
Royce settled his stare on her brother, but Simon also stood firm.
"Tell me, traitorous wife, what did you learn?"
The ice in his voice drew a shiver of fear, but she pushed it back. Lifting her chin, she held his stare.
"That one of Lyndon's men, Sir Jervais, was seen exiting through the kitchen door."
"And who saw this?"
Royce looked between the two of them, his fierce glare more ominous with each passing second.
"I did."
Simon's voice rang out before Gillian could speak. She turned and gaped at him.
"Are you daft? I know 'twas Dylis who saw. She was meeting with... she saw him. 'Twould seem whoever was set to guarding that door was not at his post."
"I will address that matter myself."
"I think you should worry about someone in your own troops." Gillian wondered why she insisted on baiting him this way. The stubborn fool deserved it.
"I will see to it. Now tell me, who is Dylis?"
Something in his tone and expression seemed softer. Definitely less angry. Had she finally gotten through to him?
"One of the maids. She feared telling me because she was not... that is not the point. Jervais and Simon have been in the garrison together many years. I thought Simon might be able to help."
"How would you help me?"
Though he directed the question to Simon, Gillian responded.
"He knows Jervais well, and I thought mayhap he could watch him without suspicion."
"So you are plotting again, behind my back?"
"Nay, I am trying to help you!" Her throat hurt from screaming at him. Did the man have wood for a head?
"Explain."
"My lord, your wife was trying to bring you proof that neither she nor I are the traitor. Since you will not listen to anything she says, and continue to mistreat her, we must do it ourselves."
Royce stalked over to stand before Simon. "You are already on a precarious perch. I have no reason to trust you."
"Nay, you don't, but I am trying to prove myself. If you won't permit me to do that, 'tis no matter, is it? You eliminate the threat, whether 'tis real or not."
The two men continued to rail at each other.
Gillian tugged on her husband's arms. He shrugged her off as though she were no more consequential than a fly.
She reached for him again, the sight of his fist landing in Simon's gut drawing a scream of fury.
Simon doubled over, gasping, then righted himself.
He swung at Royce, who blocked the blow and struck again.
Gillian turned on her husband, her own fists flying. A brief spark of satisfaction arose when he grunted as she landed one solid blow on his chin, followed by another to his gut. Again and again she swung, kicking at the same time and avoiding his attempts to subdue her.
"You idiot! We are trying to help you. Simon is no threat!"
She continued to pummel him, raging at his foolish and stubborn pride, until he finally caught one wrist, then the other, halting her attack.
"Quiet, you hellcat."
He nodded behind her. She looked over her shoulder.
Edward, Eleanor and Thomas stood in the doorway. Gillian groaned and her head fell against Royce's chest.
A bark of laughter echoed in the chamber. The king thought this funny? She met Royce's gaze. He appeared as flabbergasted as she.
"Panther, you've quite a task before you taming that one." Edward chuckled and walked across the room.
"Sire, I can explain..." He fell silent when Edward held up a hand.
"No need. We heard the screaming and Eleanor explained all." The king's expression sobered. "We must use caution, but I would like you and Sir Simon to join me. Thomas, send for Burke and see the queen and Lady Gillian to the royal chamber."
Her husband released her. For several moments, they stood in silent contemplation, studying each other, until he finally followed the king from the room. She had no chance to say anything at all to Simon before he too followed.
Eleanor held a hand out to Gillian. "Come. Let my ladies wait on you while you have your chamber... seen to."
Gillian followed Eleanor's gaze around the messed room, the broken porcelain and overturned table and chairs. Her mind still tumbling with all that had happened, she let herself be led from the chamber.
***
Royce closed the door after he entered the chamber behind Edward, Simon and Burke. He waited for the king to begin. Edward turned and directed a fierce glare at Simon.
"We know you and Lady Madelaine were together last night." Edward shook his head when Simon made an attempt to protest. "She has already confessed the affair. What do you plan to do? Eleanor demands you make things right for her lady-in-waiting."
Simon looked so pale, Royce feared he might pass out. He moved closer to catch the man, just in case. He might land on Edward.
"I... will be happy to have Lady Madelaine as wife. If she will have me. Sire, I am but –"