“You should not have sent them away in the first place,” he pointed an accusing finger, spittle flying from his lips. “Why would you do such a thing?”
Tevin cocked a dark eyebrow, fists resting on his hips. “You know why.”
Geoff’s lips curled in a sneer. “If I knew, I would not have asked.”
Tevin’s eyes narrowed. “Because you cannot be trusted,” he said. “You have no self-control when it comes to a woman, any woman, so in order to protect the women residing at Rochester, I was forced to send them somewhere where you could not get to them.”
Geoff’s twitching grew worse. “You have no say in how I conduct my life, Tevin. I take what I want.”
“You cannot take Lady Cantia, Val, or Arabel. In order to curb your temptation, I sought to move them out of your reach.”
Geoff smacked the table in front of him. Then he threw the cups that were on it, followed by the pitcher half-filled with wine. Ruby red liquid sprayed on the stone walls as Geoff flirted with the boundaries of a temper tantrum.
“And you were punished for it,” he seethed. “Val is injured and Lady Cantia and Arabel are missing. You were wrong, Tevin, not me. You cannot blame me for your failure.”
Tevin’s composure slipped a notch. “If you had any self-control, I would not have had to send them away, so do not turn this around as if I am the one with issues. If you would act like a man once in a while and not a spoiled child, we would not have this problem.”
Geoff ripped off a barbaric yell and charged Tevin. He ran at him crazily, hands out like claws, and Tevin easily side-stepped the man, causing him to trip over a chair and crash into a wall. As Tevin faced him, waiting for his next move, Geoff pulled himself off of the wall and plunged a hand into his tunic, rooting around until he withdrew a wicked-looking dirk. He flashed it at Tevin, and the stakes of the game changed dramatically.
With another yell, he charged Tevin again, dirk held high. Tevin was prepared. As the man drew near, he reached out and grabbed his wrist, twisting it around until Geoff screamed with pain. Geoff ended up biting Tevin’s bare hand and when Tevin let go before he could break the skin, Geoff brought the dirk to bear on Tevin’s neck.
In a movement for self-preservation, Tevin lashed up a big arm, blocking the dirk as he grabbed Geoff around the throat with his other hand. He’d only meant to disarm him but by the way he grabbed Geoff, he ended up snapping his skull upward at an awkward angle. Bones snapped. The dirk dropped, and so did Geoff.
As quickly as the battle started, it was over. Tevin gazed down at his cousin as Myles, having been over by the door for the duration of the fight, rushed to Geoff’s side and felt for a pulse. After a moment, he shook his head and looked up at Tevin.
“He is dead,” he said quietly.
Tevin’s brow furrowed with disbelief. “He cannot be.”
“He is.”
“Are you sure?”
“Verily.”
Tevin’s stunned gaze moved between Geoff and Myles. “But… but I was not trying to kill him,” he said after a moment. “I was only trying to disarm him.”
Myles’ gaze lingered on Geoff. “I know,” he said. “I saw what happened. He was trying to kill you, Tevin. You did what you had to do.”
Tevin wasn’t sure if he felt better or worse by that statement. Disbelief and shock overwhelmed him, so much so that he ended up stumbling back against the heavy table behind him as he attempted to wrap his mind around what he had just done.
“Oh…God,” he hissed. “I did not mean to do it.”
Myles could see how shocked he was. “Tevin,” he said softly, firmly. “The man was trying to kill you. You defended yourself. What happened was an accident. Although I normally refrain from speaking ill of the dead, you know as well as I do that Geoff was a vile, corruptible man. His death is not an unwelcome one by any means. You did us all a service.”
Tevin was still struggling although he wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was simply the swiftness of it and the fact that he truly hadn’t been trying to kill him. He and Geoff had been given to tussles in the past, but nothing like this. He looked at Myles, his dark eyes intense as he came to terms with what he had done.
“The truth is that, at some point, Geoff would have tried to kill me or have me killed,” he said, his voice hoarse. “He both loved and hated me, but mostly, he envied me. I know that as well as anyone. But all I can think of now is that the women in my family are finally safe. If that is a selfish thought, then I do not apologize. It is the truth.”
Myles nodded in agreement, making his way over to him. “There is something else you must think of also.”
“What?”
“You are now the Earl of East Anglia,” he reminded him softly, a twinkle in his eye. “Long live the earl.”
Tevin stared at him, realizing he was right. In the blink of an eye, the powerful Viscount Winterton had become the extremely powerful Earl of East Anglia. He reached out, grabbing Myles by the wrist as if to confirm the truth. His eyes were wide on Myles, who broke into a smile.
“Aye, Tevin,” he affirmed quietly. “It is you. What is your first command, my lord?”
Tevin struggled to push through his shock. He now commanded thousands. “I… I am not sure,” he hissed. “This is a day I never thought would truly come, at least not like this.”
“The day has come. Give me a command.”
Tevin maintained his grip on Myles’ wrist. “It is strange that all I can think of at this moment is my father,” he said softly. “He was Winterton for so long. It was always my father who would succeed as the earl, never me, at least not until four years ago when I lost both my father and Torston.”
“I remember.”
“Now that the time has come, I feel…surprise. Unadulterated surprise.”
Myles’ expression tightened. “You must put that aside,” he said. “I realize you are shocked, Tevin, but much requires your attention at the moment. Be shocked later if you must, give in to your astonishment at that time, but right now we require your level head. We need it. Much is going on and we require your wisdom in all things. What will your first command be, my lord?”
Tevin looked at the man, knowing he was correct in every facet. Too much depended on Tevin at the moment and he drew on that strength, that inner force of character, to settle himself. He had to. Forcing himself to think, he pushed himself off the table.
“Have Geoff’s body taken out of here,” he said as he moved towards the door. He couldn’t bring himself to look at his cousin lying in a heap on the floor. “Have the servants prepare his body so we can move him to Rochester Cathedral.”
“It will be done,” Myles said smartly. “But what of you? What shall you do now?”
Tevin’s mind was working. “I will be riding for Cantia and Arabel,” he said. “There is nothing more important to me at this moment, not even Anglia. However, you will send word to all of our allies, including Matilda and Stephen, informing them that I have assumed the earldom at Geoff’s passing. You will also call a meeting with all of my close allies to discuss the situation and how it will now affect them. My loyalties shall be made clear.”
Myles paused by the door, bringing Tevin to a halt. “What would that be, my lord?”
Tevin’s jaw ticked. He was gaining confidence and lucidity by the second. Now, he was doing what he was born to do. Finally, Anglia was in the hands of someone wise and intelligent. It was time to reclaim Anglia’s good name and take a stand in this land of chaos and greed. When Tevin looked at Myles, it was with all seriousness.
“Brac Penden did not die in vain, regardless of who we support” he said pointedly, with emotion. “Discover who holds Dartford Crossing and tell them that I would meet with them when I return. I would suspect we are already allies. Stephen is the rightful king and I intend to support the man.”
Myles nodded, warmth in his pale blue eyes, as he marched off to carry out the earl’s orders. Tevin stood in the doorway a moment,
still stunned, yet knowing what he had to do. Even though he’d never truly lusted after Geoff’s title and power, he realized he was more than ready to assume the mantle. He’d been bred for this moment.
He was East Anglia.
*
Val was dead asleep when the door to her chamber opened, creaking and old. In fact, it was stuck, making noise that awakened her. Exhausted and drugged on something the surgeon gave her, she could barely open her eyes.
Myles came into the room, kneeling down next to the bed. His fair face was serious as he put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Val?” he said softly. “Are you awake?”
She inhaled, long and deep, before nodding her head. “I am,” her eyes lolled open, looking at him. “What time is it?”
“Almost dawn,” Myles caressed her shoulder gently. “I have come to tell you that something has happened.”
Muddled though she may be, those words had meaning to her. Val blinked her eyes, struggling to focus. “What has happened?” she looked apprehensive. “Tevin? Is he well?”
Myles shushed her softly, cutting her off. “Geoff is dead,” he informed her. “Your brother is now the Earl of East Anglia. I am summoning men at this moment to spread the word, and then I am riding to Dartford Crossing to find out who holds the bridge. Your brother needs to speak with them. I am telling you all of this in case Tevin comes to you. He is somewhat overwhelmed by everything at the moment so he make seek solace with you. I wanted you to be prepared.”
Val understood most of what he said, but she was still focused on Geoff’s death. Her pale face slackened. “Geoff is dead?” she repeated in a whisper. “What happened?”
Myles sighed as he moved from caressing her shoulder to stroking her hair. “He attacked Tevin in anger,” he said quietly. “Your brother was trying to protect himself and accidentally killed him.”
Val’s eyes widened. “My God,” she gasped. “Where is my brother?”
“Inside the keep, but I suspect he will make his way out here to you shortly.”
“Is he not riding for Cantia and Arabel?”
“Aye, he is. He says there is nothing more important to him at this moment, not even Anglia.”
Val thought on that a moment. Then she tried to sit up. “I must go to him,” she grunted. “I must find my brother.”
Myles threw an arm across her shoulders, preventing her from rising. She was fairly weak and didn’t give him much of a fight. He was able to push her back to the bed without a significant struggle.
“He will come to you, I am sure,” Myles insisted softly. “Be at ease, Val. I do not want to see you further injure yourself.”
There was something in his tone that made Val take a closer look. For a man who, as long as she had known him, had only spoken of warring things and other trivial subjects, it was a tone of voice she had always wanted to hear from him. Perhaps his sympathy for her injury would cause him to say something sweet to her, something she had longed for. Perhaps he would say that he felt more for her than just knightly camaraderie.
“Why not?” she asked softly.
He appeared confused by the question. “What do you mean?”
“Why do you not want to see me injure myself further?”
Myles stared at her. But as he did so, something in his blue eyes changed. They seemed to soften, grow liquid and warm. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
“Because I do not,” he whispered. “That is all you need to know.”
She could sense humor and her dark eyes glittered. “That is not true,” she murmured. “I need to know everything. Tell me, Myles.”
His smile grew although he fought it, biting his lip as he averted his gaze. “I cannot tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I am a coward.”
She grinned. “Myles de Lohr, you are no such thing. Tell me why you do not wish for me to injure myself further or… or I swear I will never speak to you again.”
He cast her a sidelong glance. “Never?”
“Never. Never, ever.”
“That is a very long time.”
“It is. Are you willing to take that chance?”
He sighed heavily, although he was still having difficulty looking at her. “Can you at least give me time to determine what it is I need to say before you cut me off completely? I do not want to say the wrong thing.”
She did giggle, then. “How on earth can you say the wrong thing? Myles, you had better tell me what I wish to hear or there will be serious consequences.”
His grin broke through. “I do not like consequences.”
“Would it be easier if I spoke first?”
His grin faded and he looked at her, then. In fact, he looked both curious and hopeful. It was a strange combination.
“Aye, I believe it would,” he confided.
Her smile faded as well, though it didn’t vanish completely. She gazed at the man, his handsome face, someone she had known for many years. She had always been very fond of him, made stronger now with age and experience. She couldn’t remember when she hadn’t longed for him in a way that made her heart race and her palms sweat. Reaching out, she gently touched his wrist.
“Very well,” she whispered. “Promise you will not laugh.”
“I will not laugh, I swear.”
She nodded her head, almost reluctantly, as she summoned her courage. “I know I am not a fine lady with elegant pursuits,” she admitted. “But I am strong, brave, and of good character, and I swear I would love you forever if given the chance. I would do all in my power to make you happy and content, Myles. Perhaps you do not feel the same way about me but I would be honored if you would at least give me the chance.”
His smile was completely vanished as he stared at her with big eyes. After a moment, he took the hand she had placed on his wrist and brought it to his lips, kissing it reverently. Val had no idea why tears sprang to her eyes, but they did. They streamed down her temples as she watched him gently kiss her hand, her wrist. It was the most wonderful moment she could have ever imagined. When he was finished kissing her hand, he moved to her head, very carefully cupping her face between his two big hands. He just stared at her.
“You are far braver than I am, my lady,” he murmured. “You have spoken everything that is within my heart but I have been too afraid to speak the words. I never thought… I did not believe you would be receptive.”
She grinned at him, thrilled beyond measure at his tender touch. She had dreamt of this moment and now that it was upon them, she could never have imagined it to be this wonderful.
“I am receptive,” she whispered.
He lifted his eyebrows. “Enough to give up the sword to become my wife? I do not want to marry a woman who can out maneuver me in battle or best me in a fight.”
She giggled. “I promise that I shall lay my sword down if I am your wife. Unless, of course, you ever have need of me.”
His eyes glittered as his gaze drifted over her forehead, her eyes, the shape of her lovely face. “I will have need of you,” he whispered as his face loomed closer. “But not in that fashion.”
His lips claimed hers, a sweeter kiss neither of them had ever known. He suckled her lips, tasting her for the first time, thinking he’d been a fool not to have done it sooner. The gentle kiss turned passionate and, instinctively, he moved to put his arms around her and pull her close but she yelped in pain as he tried. Startled, horrified, he backed off.
“I am so sorry,” he whispered. “I did not mean to hurt you.”
She laughed it off, her lips red and moist from his attention. “Not to worry,” she assured him. “It is of little consequence considering I have been waiting for weeks for you to kiss me as you just did.”
His grin returned, as did his hands to her face. “Why did you not tell me this?”
It was her turn to look horrified. “And risk your rejection, or worse? You would have thought me to be a horribly forward creature.”
&nbs
p; “I would have thought you to have given me an invitation of a lifetime.”
She giggled and he kissed her again, being very mindful of her injuries. But he had duties to attend to, much as he was reluctant to leave her. Only when Val swore she would not leave the bed and would wait impatiently for his return did he force himself away from her. Heart racing and limbs tingling, he quit the knight’s quarters.
Tevin wondered why Myles had such a huge grin on his face when he saw him crossing the bailey a few minutes later. Realizing he had just come from the knight’s quarters, he began to suspect why.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The day had been long and tense, bouts of fear coming in waves as the sun traveled the sky. Sometimes, Cantia was quite calm, but other times, she was in tears of terror. Yet none of those feelings were particularly productive. As Cantia sat in her prison along with Hunt and Arabel, she truly wondered what was to become of them.
The camp had been active all day. At least, what she could hear from inside her dark and smelly prison made the place appear very active. Sounds of people were all around her, shouting, working, doing what they needed to do in order to survive. After Gillywiss had left them, no one had bothered them except for a woman who had come to bring them food. She brought them a rather large fare of small apples, pears, three roasted rabbits, and two large loaves of dark bread. Cantia and the children had eaten until they nearly burst.
With bellies full, they were able to think more clearly. Arabel still seemed to be feeling poorly, having slept all morning and into the afternoon, and Cantia was very concerned for the girl. There was a hole dug in the ground in one corner of the hut that they quickly discovered was the chamber pot because it smelled up the entire room. Cantia had helped the girl use it, once, as Hunt sat at the other end of the hut and faced the wall to afford Arabel some privacy.
Arabel had been embarrassed that she required such assistance but there wasn’t much she could do about it, so she thanked Cantia profusely for her kindness and swore she’d be as little trouble as possible. Cantia had merely smiled and touched the girl’s cheek affectionately. As a mother, it was in her nature to be helpful to a child and she truly didn’t mind. Every time she looked into that beautiful face, she saw Tevin. She was happy to do what she could.