Chapter Fifteen #3
Breck’s expression was amazingly steady. “I am very fond of the woman and have no desire to see her come to harm. Marriage to de Moray can only result in her death, as you have heard most convincingly from Lady Margot’s argument. What form of idiot are you that you refuse to believe the evidence?”
Stephan rolled his eyes in exasperation, not particularly surprised when Lance leapt to his defense.
“Bank your tongue, pock-faced whoreskin!” he cried.
When Ian attempted to restrain him, the youngest brother broke free and moved toward the red-haired knight with menace.
“God’s Toes, I should have killed you last year when you broke Stephan’s wrist. Indeed I wanted to, but Stephan forbade both Ian and I from delivering retaliation.
I wish to God I hadn’t listened to him, for we most certainly would not be having this conversation right now. ”
Breck was quite cool. “You would have murdered an innocent man, Lance. What happened to Stephan was a misfortunate accident.”
“Rubbish!” Not surprisingly, ever-calm Ian had all he could take from the bold-faced liar. “Breck, you are without a doubt the most unscrupulous bastard on the circuit and Stephan’s broken wrist was certainly no accident. One more word from your twisted mouth and I shall kill you myself.”
Stephan held up a silencing hand before the argument grew out of control.
“Enough, all of you,” he snapped in a genuine show of irritation.
Looking to his father, he could see that Edward was quickly succumbing to a deeper degree of confusion and uncertainty as the chaos of the room spread.
Struggling to maintain his calm, he met his father’s wavering eye.
“Call an end to this foolishness, father. Allow Summer and Bose their peace.”
Edward sighed, torn between the lies and truths presented before him.
In faith, he simply did not know what to believe anymore and his indecision was evident.
Clearly, he should believe his son, for the man had long been his source of wisdom and stability.
But Lady Margot’s words of humiliation in the eyes of his family and vassals alike had struck a chord deep within his heart.
If Bose killed Summer, then all of Dorset would laugh at the foolish baron too blind to see beyond the man’s dark facade.
More than Stephan’s declaration that Bose was an innocent, Edward could not seem to take the risk that once again, his son was correct.
“Great Gods,” he sighed after a lengthy hesitation, running a fat hand through his oily hair. “What Bose did was wrong, Stephan. He stole Summer.”
“He stole what you had rightfully given him before the introduction of this foolishness. Moreover, he did not truly steal her; I handed her over.”
Edward shook his head slowly. “It was not your right.”
Stephan paused a moment; nay, it had not been his right to deliver Summer into Bose’s waiting arms. But he had done so nonetheless and possessed absolutely no regrets in the action.
“You are correct in your statement,” his tone was considerably softer. “It was not my right. But it was the right thing to do.”
Edward scratched his head as a soldier entered the room, muttering something to Breck. Breck replied softly, sending the man off again. His steady gaze met with Stephan’s equally hard expression.
“I have ordered your men disbanded, du Bonne,” he replied. “My men will be assembling within the hour and we shall ride for Ravendark Castle.”
There was nothing Stephan could do. Bose’s detour to Salisbury to marry Summer would allow Breck’s men to reach Ravendark first, and when Bose and Summer arrived at the fortress after their union they would be riding straight into the waiting arms of Breck Kerry.
His mind began to work furiously, searching for a response to Breck’s action.
“Father, I request permission to assemble a company of men and ride to Bose’s aid,” he said without a hint of desperation, turning to face his father once again. “After all, Bose is entitled to our support as Summer’s new husband. It is our duty to aid him however possible.”
Before Edward could reply, Margot answered for him.
“And risk a conflict with the Lord of Crestwood? You are speaking of unrest, Sir Stephan, something that could scar your life and the lives of your children. To be at war with another house and hold is a serious matter and you must consider the long-term repercussions of your intention to interfere.”
“She is correct, Stephan,” Edward’s voice was barely audible. As if he was embarrassed for agreeing with someone other than his son. “I cannot risk the peace of Chaldon in such a fashion. Summer will marry Breck and Bose shall be tried for thievery.”
Stephan stared at the man, realization dawning that, for the first time in his life, Edward had rejected Stephan’s advice.
A sickening feeling gripped at him, something he was unable to easily shirk.
As if, for the first time in his life, Stephan realized his father to be beyond his control and counsel.
As if, for the first time, Edward seemed to be possessed by something as unrecognizable as it was frightening: the control of an outside influence.
“Give me control of the men or I walk from Chaldon,” Stephan’s voice was equally tight. “And I take Ian and Lance with me.”
Edward visibly cringed, a healthy sweat peppering his brow. “Nay, Stephan, you must not! You cannot leave me!”
“Give me control or I leave.”
“But Stephan…!”
“Do it!”
Edward began to quiver. Hands to his head, he caught a glimpse of Margot’s stern face from one side, Breck’s from the other.
With Stephan’s demanding presence directly before him, the strain was too much to bear as he felt his mind and emotions torn in a thousand different directions. He crumpled with emotion and stress.
“I cannot… I cannot allow a murderer to….”
Stephan turned and walked from the room. Ian and Lance followed.