Panic sluiced through Rosetta, as numbing as if she’d fallen into a frozen river. “Married? Today?”
“I have booked the finest room at Clipston’s tavern,” Edric said. “Once we are wed, we will go there and…celebrate.”
Oh, God. Oh, God!
“Edric, we cannot wed today.”
He kissed her cheek again. “Why not? The banns have been announced on three consecutive Sundays, as is required by law. All we need is the priest to conduct the ceremony.”
Rosetta’s frantic mind raced. She had to stop this reckless plan. She was not going to marry Edric, not under any circumstances. “We were going to set a new date, remember? My parents will want to be at the ceremony, and so will all of the friends we invited before.”
“If it means so much to you to have them witness our marriage—”
“It does!”
“Then we will have a special celebration in a sennight or so. We will invite everyone to join us at Wallensford Keep for the feast, dancing, and merriment we had to postpone because you were abducted.”
“Edric,” Rosetta said firmly, swiveling again to meet his gaze.
“I have been very patient.” His lustful gaze dropped to her lips. “I see no reason for us to wait, when we are in love.”
Oh, dear God. How did she tell him that she didn’t love him after all, and that the wedding was off? She needed to be careful, but she also didn’t want to end up married to him. She was simply going to have to tell him the truth. “I cannot marry you, Edric. I am sorry.”
His expression hardened. Confusion now shadowed his gaze. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…that I have changed my mind.”
He drew the horse to an abrupt halt. The animal flailed its head, and its mane whipped into her face. As she pressed her palm to her stinging skin, Edric brought the horse under control. The men-at-arms, now riding two in front and two in behind, also halted their mounts. “You refuse to marry me?” Edric shouted, his words carrying across the nearby fields.
Fear shivered through her; it became even more excruciating when she saw the torment in his eyes. “I…I do not care for you…as I should.”
His face went ashen. Then, an ugly redness suffused his features. “’Tis because of Ash,” he snarled. “He rescued you, seduced you—”
“He did not seduce me!”
“Do not speak to me as if I am a fool!”
“I did not think I had.” She frowned. “I regret that you are so upset, but I cannot—”
“Cannot?” He laughed harshly. “I see I made a mistake in giving you a choice.” He signaled his men-at-arms to continue and spurred the horse to a brisk walk.
The chill inside her settled into her bones. “What are you doing? I just told you—”
“I do not care what you just told me.”
Anger melted some of her numbness and turned it into seething fury. “Stop this horse. Right now.”
“Rosetta,” he said. “Be reasonable.”
“I am. Stop this horse.”
“You do realize it does not matter whether you love me or not? The crown approved our union. That consent is binding.”
“I will not marry you. Not after what you did to Ash.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she froze. Oh, God. She shouldn’t have admitted she knew what Edric had done.
“What I did to Ash?” Edric chortled, a sound of disgust. “Did he tell you that false tale about how I cut him with a Saracen sword and left him to die?”
Rosetta shuddered. “Ash does not lie.”
“He would tell you whatever he thought you needed to hear, my love, in order to win you away from me.”
Unease sifted through her, but she mentally forced it aside. She loved Ash. Without question, she believed what he had told her about his scars and Edric’s treachery.
“Ash always resented that he had to part ways with you in order to go on Crusade. His discontent remained with him every day of our travels.”
He and I will marry, Rosetta’s heart cried. He loves me, as deeply as I love him.
“You have grown into a beautiful woman, Rosetta,” Edric continued, “a worthy prize for any lord. Moreover, Ash realizes that whoever marries you will be able to claim your father’s estate when your sire dies. Ash wants those fine lands of your father’s for himself.”
“Nay,” she whispered. “Ash would never—”
“Never?” Edric laughed. “How little you really know of him.”
Desperation and anger made her gasp in outrage. “I will not sit here and listen to any more of your wickedness. I will ask you one more time: Stop this horse.”
When he made no move to do so, she grabbed for the reins, but he yanked her back with the arm around her waist. “As I told you before, Rosetta, we are going to Clipston.”
“You might be. I am going back to Damsley Keep.”
Edric laughed as though she’d told him a hilarious jest. She dug her fingernails into his wrist, trying to loosen his hold on her, while she kicked back with her legs.
“Quit struggling. You are going to get hurt,” Edric warned.
“I will fight my way off this horse!”
“Do not be foolish. I know of men who have died after falling from their destriers.”
“Let me go, then—or I will do whatever it takes to get down from his beast.”
Edric snapped a command to his men-at-arms. They fell in alongside his mount, two on either side, effectively blocking her in. When she struggled again, Edric slid his hand up to crush her throat. “Protest all you like, my love. ’Twill not change what happens between us this day.”
“Bastard,” she choked out.
“I can be, if you refuse to do as I say. I can order these men to return to Damsley Keep and slay Ash and his young charge. Is that what you want?”
Her fear became a hard fist digging fingers into her ribcage. “Your men will never get through the gates,” she said, struggling to breathe.
“They will say they have a message from you, one that must be delivered to Ash and Justin in private.” Edric’s laughter, full of glee, made her tremble. “Do you think Ash will order his men to raise the portcullis?”
Ash squatted beside his linen chests that had been returned to the solar and shoved aside garments to retrieve the rolled parchments. He pulled out the one with the drawing of the gold ring Rosetta had found. The sketch by itself was not much proof of a lost treasure. Yet, Ash had decided to share with Lord Montgomery the news of the other two finds Niles had mentioned, as well as where Rosetta had discovered the ancient jewel. Together, the information might be enough to convince Lord Montgomery of the very real danger the hoard posed—a danger that affected every lord within several leagues of the gold finds as well as King Richard’s hold on the throne.
A troubled sigh came from behind Ash. He glanced over his shoulder to see Justin sitting on the end of the bed, which had not yet been stripped and remade with clean linens. The boy sat with one arm propped on his right knee, his chin in his palm. His bow and quiver lay on the planks by his feet. “I miss Rosetta,” Justin said.
“So do I,” Ash murmured. Memories of her lingered in the room. By the hearth, they’d shared their first meal after years apart. Against the wall to his right, after she’d thrown wine in his face, they’d kissed again. On the bed, just last night, they’d lain in each other’s arms and burned to consummate their love. Despite how much they cared for one another, he’d had to let her go—and he damned well hated it.
“I do not like Edric.”
“Nor do I,” Ash agreed, “but—”
“He seemed full of anger.” Justin frowned. “I hope he will not harm Rosetta.”
Such thoughts tormented Ash too, but in truth, Edric would be unwise to hurt her in any way and risk offending her sire, especially when the wedding had yet to be rescheduled. Also, Edric genuinely cared about Rosetta. He’d cherished her friendship growing up, and he had loved her enough to ask her to be his wife, when as a hero of the Crusades, he could have asked the crown for any noblewoman he wanted—such as a wealthy, young widow with her own lands. Edric must truly love Rosetta, to have waited for her as he had…
Unless he had another, far less noble reason for wanting to marry her.
Ash’s focus shifted to the parchment. A sickening chill tore through him as his hand closed around the drawing. If Edric knew about the treasure—
“Why did you let Rosetta go with him? We talked last night about the old stories and the duties of knights.”
“Mmm?” Ash’s grip tightened on the parchment. If Edric wanted to claim the ancient gold…
“You promised to fight for Rosetta, Uncle. You promised to protect her.”
“Justin—”
“Why did you not stop Edric from taking her away?”
Ash dragged his free hand through his hair. He couldn’t tell Justin that Rosetta had chosen to leave, or the reasons why; the boy simply wouldn’t understand the complexity of the situation, and he might get upset.
And yet… If Ash shared all of his suspicions with Lord Montgomery, including Edric’s connection to traitors plotting to overthrow the King, his lordship would most likely agree that the marriage should never go ahead.
Ash snatched up the other relevant parchments and pushed to his feet, anticipation spreading through him like wildfire.
“I thought you loved Rosetta,” Justin said. “You told me you did.”
Crossing to the boy, Ash said, “I do love her. Very much. I always have.”
Justin looked bewildered. “Then—”
Ash set his hand on the lad’s shoulder. “We will continue our discussion later, all right? I have an important meeting to attend. I will return as soon as I can.”
Justin’s eyes brightened. “Does the meeting have to do with Rosetta?”
“In some ways, aye.”
The boy hopped down from the bed and snatched up his weapon. “I am coming with you.”
“Nay, Justin.”
“I want to help. Most of the knights in the stories have squires. I will serve as your squire for the afternoon.” The boy’s smile turned cheeky. “I will practice with my bow all day tomorrow, Uncle, if you let me come along.”
Ash’s brows rose. “All day?”
Justin nodded. “I promise. ’Tis not just any old promise, either, but a solemn one.”
Trying very hard not to chuckle, Ash said, “Very well. Gather what you need for our journey, Squire. I will await you in the bailey.”
“What do you mean, Father Stephen is not here?”
The wiry little man behind the open church door shrank back at Edric’s brusque tone. “I am sorry, Lord Sherborne. I injured my arm and could not drive the wagon, so he went in my stead. He has gone to buy candles and beeswax polish from the next town.”
Edric looked angry enough to kick down the church wall.
Standing on the portico beside Edric, Rosetta exhaled a sigh of relief. Without the priest to conduct the ceremony, there could be no wedding. Now, she just had to find a way to escape Edric, but he and his men were watching her every single moment.
She still had the dagger that Ash had given her, but she hadn’t drawn it. There hadn’t been a good opportunity to try and flee. There was no point in attempting to escape unless she had a chance of succeeding. A failed attempt would mean she’d lose the weapon to the men—and Edric might follow through on his threat to kill Ash and Justin.
As Edric swore under his breath, she dug her nails into the back of his hand—he was clutching hers so tightly he might crush her fingers—and forced a smile. “What a shame that we cannot wed today.”
He scowled and glanced back at the man inside the church. “You said the priest went to the next town?”
“Aye, milord. He should return by dusk.”
“This marriage cannot wait.”
“Of course it can,” Rosetta said.
“Nay, it cannot, my love. We must find the priest and bring him back here.”
Rosetta battled a flare of anxiety. “You have no idea what roads he took, Edric. You will never find him.”
A calculating smile ticked up the corner of Edric’s mouth. “The church roof still needs repairs, does it not?” he asked the man.
“It does, milord. Father Stephen is worried that we will not have it fixed before winter, because we still have not raised all of the funds.”
“I will pay for a brand new roof,” Edric said, “if you tell us how to get to the places that Father Stephen has gone to visit.”
The man’s eyes widened. Glancing nervously from Edric to Rosetta, he said, “’Tis a very generous offer, Lord Sherborne—”
“Good, then ’tis settled.”
“Edric,” Rosetta snapped. “The wedding is not going to happen.”
“My love, I realize you do not want to inconvenience the priest. However, I am sure he will be happy to wed us when he remembers we were denied our marriage days ago due to unexpected circumstances.” Edric signaled to two of his guards. “Get the details from this man and go find Father Stephen. Get him here as swiftly as possible, and you will each receive ten pieces of silver.”
Rosetta fumed. “Edric, I will not—”
“Hush, my love.” He released her hand for the barest instant, slid his arm around her waist, and turned her to step down off the portico—so quickly, her head spun. The remaining two men-at-arms followed.
“Edric!” She dug her heels into the dirt, raising a small cloud of dust.
He halted abruptly. As she straightened, he said, “Continue to protest, and I will send my remaining men to Damsley Keep. Is that what you want, Rosetta?”
“You would really murder Ash and Justin?” she asked, refusing to temper her biting tone.
“I really would.” For an instant, regret flickered in his eyes. “Their being harmed would not be my fault. ’Twould be entirely yours, for forcing me to take such action.”
She gaped, stunned by the twisted logic. “My fault?” She tried to find a quelling retort, but he propelled her onward to the wattle-and-daub tavern located close to the church in the town square—a place that rented rooms upstairs to travelers.
Mother Mary, but she had to get away!
The scents of tallow candle smoke and frying fish filled her nostrils as Edric pushed her through the front door. In the shadowed interior, folk seated at tables near the polished wooden bar or the hearth glanced their way, but soon returned to their conversations and drinks.
The tavern owner approached, smiling. “Lord Sherborne. ’Tis a pleasure to see you.”
“Is the room ready?” Edric asked.
“Aye, but we were not expecting you so early.”
Reaching into the bag tied to his sword belt, Edric took out a few coins and dropped them into the man’s palm. “Her ladyship wanted somewhere quiet to rest for a while. I did not think you would mind.”
“Not at all.” The tavern owner fetched an iron key and handed it to Edric. “Would you care for some wine, milady? Something to eat?”
Rosetta held his kind gaze. If she could secretly ask him for a quill and ink—
“She wants only to rest,” Edric answered. He urged her forward, causing her to stumble.
“You are going to break my ankle,” Rosetta groused.
Pulling her in closer, he murmured, “Then you cannot run away.”
Her stomach clenched at the feel of his breath against her hair. She longed to grab her knife, but the armed men were too close behind. They would overpower her as soon as she drew the dagger. Forcing herself to be patient, she climbed the stairs with Edric to the upper level. He unlocked a door at the far end and pushed her into the room.
Her heart pounding, she glanced about the chamber, dominated by a large bed. Unlit candles were clustered on the bedside tables, the hearth tiles, and on the small trestle table by the door. The floorboards and bed linens were scattered with pink rose petals: the petals of wild, briar roses, just as Ash had promised her for their first romantic night together.
Oh, God. Oh, God.
Bile scalded the back of her mouth, while the door clicked shut behind her. “I remembered that Ash used to call you his Briar Rose. ’Tis why I chose the rose petals,” Edric murmured, walking up behind her. “Do you like the way the room is decorated for us?”
Tears burned her eyes as she put several paces between them, bringing her closer to the shuttered window. “I will not lie with you.”
“Our marriage will be consummated tonight, Rosetta—whether you are willing or not.”
Her trembling hand touched her sleeve, felt the solid weight of Ash’s knife beneath the silk. If she was left with no other choice, she would use the dagger to stop Edric from consummating their union.
“I have gone to a lot of trouble for you, my love,” Edric said, anger hardening his gaze. “You would be wise to cooperate with me, not fight me.”
“I do not love you.”
“Rosetta—”
“I will never love you the way I love Ash.”
Edric laughed bitterly. “So I was right. You do still have feelings for him.”
“Stop this madness, and let me go. I will not be your wife.”
He smiled as if her defiance was pointless. “You do not have any other choice.”
Rosetta struggled to remain calm. She would not give up on escape. If she was clever, she might be able to use the dagger to break the lock on the door.
“In case you are planning to flee, you cannot leave this chamber. The men-at-arms are standing guard outside the door.” Edric gestured to the window. “Try to climb out, and you will be gravely injured or die in the fall to the ground.”
Her rage kindled anew. Fighting the blinding urge to lunge at him, she said, “You have obviously thought this through.”
Edric shrugged. “I know what I want. That, my love, includes you.”
Purely on instinct, she grabbed the nearest candle and hurled it at him. He ducked, ran for the door, and slammed it behind him. His laughter, drifting in from the corridor, mocked her as he turned the key in the lock.
“Ash,” Rosetta whispered, tears slipping down her face. “I am sorry.” By the time he learned that she hadn’t returned to Millenstowe Keep, she’d be married to Edric.
Sobs wrenched up inside her, and she longed to curl up on the bed and weep.
She mustn’t. The wedding hadn’t happened yet. There was still a chance that she could get away.
If she loved Ash—and she did, so very much!—then she mustn’t stop fighting for that love until the very last possible moment.
Sucking in slow, steadying breaths, she drew the dagger from her sleeve. The metal glinted in the sunlight streaming in past the closed shutters. As she tucked in the edges of the linen strips tying the knife’s sheath to her arm, her gaze shifted to the bed, and then the window.
Hurrying to the shutters, she threw them open and leaned out over the window sill as far as she could. She studied the surrounding exterior wall and the distance to the ground.
Edric was right; ’twas a fair way down to the ground.
That wouldn’t stop her, though.