The Crimson Castle Read online

  If he was lucky, he thought grimly.

  She would feel rebuffed tonight but he felt sure she would be grateful to him in the morning for putting a stop to their mindless behaviour. He had no doubt in his mind that she would regret her sympathies towards him. Pushing away from the wall, he resolved to keep his behaviour in check from now on, for her sakes just as much as his own.

  ***

  Evelyn had not seen him again until the morning and from the rumpled look of him, she suspected he had indulged heavily that night. The embarrassment served to quieten her usually sharp tongue and they partook in breakfast in silence, giving her sufficient enough time to contemplate her odd behaviour. Annoyance had taken the place of embarrassment and had brewed within her; any feelings of sorrow for his having taken a beating were replaced with a slow burning resentment.

  For a fleeting while, Evelyn had considered that there was more to Gabriel, the flickers of kindness and courage seeming to be concealed behind a hard exterior, but after his treatment of her last night she concluded she had been mistaken. He was nothing more than what he seemed - an uncultured, malicious man, barely worthy of her thoughts. The folly of her actions last night she attributed to the strain of the past few days and, as she put a hand to her lips, which still felt the incredible heat of his mouth, she vowed it would never occur again.

  Chapter 6

  The days were warming, the chilly spring air giving way to the balmy feel of summer, and Evelyn took the opportunity to ride out to the edge of the castle walls, the lush green of the lightly rolling hills beckoning to her. Crossing the causeway she rode up the mound that over looked the castle before dipping down into the moat.

  A sullen eyed guard watched her every move but she tried not to let it bother her, inhaling the fresh air, feeling the warmth of the sun prickle at her skin. A lone tree stood amongst the grass and she tethered the palfrey to it, sitting just out of the shade that it cast. Her contemporaries would gasp in shock at her choice to sit in the bright midday sun, but Evelyn was blessed with naturally pale skin that never deepened in shade no matter how much time she spent out of doors.

  The paltry sense of freedom filled her, replenishing her waning spirits, the sun seeping into her and bolstering her courage. Inhaling the air, free from the smells of the village or the suffocating atmosphere of the castle, she wished she could remain here until the grasses grew over her, moulding her into nature’s floor.

  Unbeknownst to her, blue eyes watched her as she tilted her face to the sun. From his post atop the curtain wall, he could see clearly the outline of her profile, her cascading waves nearly brushing the ground as she paid no heed to the damp earth soiling her gown. Gabriel watched with amusement as she removed her slippers, pressing her feet into the dewy grass, and had to supress a chuckle as the bewildered guard looked on. So unbidden was she that he struggled in vain to decipher the thoughts behind those quick green eyes.

  No better example of her spontaneity lay before him than that of their forbidden kiss. He knew she regretted it, he could tell by the look on her face when her eyes reluctantly met his. Not that she had allowed that to occur too often. She had done her best to avoid him since then but the memory of her caresses, of her unexpected passion, burned within him and he did not think he’d had a full night’s sleep since.

  Since his callous treatment of her that night, she looked at him with nothing but disgust. But that was the way it had to remain. She could not know that the mere thought of her inviting lips aroused him beyond anything he had felt before, that but one word from her and he would be enslaved to her for eternity. It was a dangerous path he trod and he could not take her along with him, even if she were willing.

  Even with these thoughts in mind he found himself making his way through the gate towards the spot in which she lay, unmindful of the guard who stood solemnly a few paces away. Duty, he reminded himself. It was his duty to ensure her safety and these were dangerous times. Anything could happen beyond the town walls and some whelp of a soldier would be little protection against outlaws. As he strode purposefully towards the guard, he ignored the voice in his mind that reminded him of the irrationality of his actions.

  With a silent nod, he excused the guard, who gave a sigh, gladdened to be relieved of his tiresome duties. He obviously did not appreciate the beauty that was laid before him, hair splayed out behind her, arms relaxed above her head. She lay as if waiting for a lovers caress. His hands itched to slide around her delicate ankle and then brush higher, against the soft skin of her thighs, until she begged for more.

  Feeling himself harden, he was grateful for his long surcoat, for he would surely frighten her if she took notice. Unwilling to give her up to reality, he watched her lips part, as she took in a steady breath, causing her breasts to rise. Her lashes laid like a fan against her pale cheeks, her dangerous eyes hidden away, and for just one moment he pretended she was his, awaiting his touch. A slight moan left her lips and he wondered if she were dreaming. Feeling like an intruder, he stepped closer, his shadow falling upon her, breaking the spell.

  The light behind her eyelids darkened and, as she roused from her light slumber, a prickle of awareness invaded her body. Eyelids flickering open, she jumped with a start, sitting upright at the sight of Gabriel. The sunlight cast behind him silhouetted his figure, making him appear as a dark apparition. She blinked in the light as her eyes travelled up the broad length of him until she met his eyes.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Watching over you.”

  “That is evident. You need not watch over me so closely. I am sure the same could be achieved with sufficient distance.” She looked around. “Where is my guard?”

  “He has been relieved. You may rely on me for protection.”

  “You? And pray tell who is to protect me from you?”

  Her cheeks tinted, knowing he would understand what she was referring to, her quick tongue revealing thoughts that she had wished to keep hidden. He was not to know that she had been dreaming of their embrace and that his hot mouth upon hers had stirred longings within her that she had not known existed.

  He crouched beside her in an uncharacteristically casual movement, picking at the wild flowers within the grass. Looking at her from under his brow, his eyes reflecting the clear blue of the spring sky, she gripped at the grass in an effort to control her yearning. He humiliated her and yet she would still willingly submit to him. The knowledge shamed her, her judgements against him still strong, and she wondered how her body could betray her so.

  A hand moved towards her and she feared her heart would leap from her throat as he placed a flower behind her ear. A frown came across her face. Who was this man sat beside her? How was this man capable of such gentleness? It was as if the heavy shroud he carried with him in Tibald’s presence had been cast aside.

  “Do you need protecting from me?” he asked earnestly.

  “You tell me.”

  He considered her for a moment, his eyes tracing the contours of her face, the confusion upon her brow.

  “Aye, mayhap you do.”

  A silent thrill thundered through her at the promise behind his words and she looked away, her usual bold manner stripped away under his scrutiny.

  “You are a most bewitching creature, Evie.”

  He uttered it as if to himself but her eyes widened at his words, unsure of how to respond to such a remark. He gave a dry smile and stood slowly, his form towering over her once again.

  “Do not concern yourself, my lady. You have naught to fear from me; even I would not stoop so low as to force my attentions where they are not wanted.”

  Staring at him incredulously, she wondered how to respond to his forthright honesty. Should she admit to her feelings for him in spite of her misgivings? No good could come from such words.

  “I am gladdened to hear it,” she croaked out, the words twisting at her heart at the darkening of disappointment in his eyes as she failed to address the honesty of his wo
rds.

  Surely he too could see the folly of an attraction between them? Did he not realise that she was speaking merely out of self-preservation? She found she did not wish to pain him and longed for a way to express as much. Tangled in a web of Lord Tibald’s weaving, she was aware of the dangerous position they could place themselves in and she could ill afford to enrage the man that held her fate within his crushing hands.

  She could barely comprehend her emotions concerning Gabriel as it was, heart and mind battling to be heard. Her softened heart wishing to reach out to the good man she believed he could be, but her head reminding her of his ruthless behaviour. Evelyn almost wished that that man stood before her now. She would have no compunctions with dispelling any notions of attachment to him then.

  He held out a hand to help her up and she accepted it, treasuring the warmth of his touch, while telling herself that this was to be the end - the end of this madness and such hopeless thoughts. From now on she would concentrate on appeasing the lord and praying for her brother’s safe return, so she could return to her beloved Beldersert and forget all that had befallen her here. Including Sir Gabriel of Merston.

  The tension on their short journey back to the keep had been palpable. Both lost in their own thoughts, they walked in silence, Gabriel keeping a careful distance from her as he led her horse. Every moment seemed to stretch out endlessly when all she could hear was the soft squeak of his leather surcoat and the slight jingle of his chainmail. Even the sounds of the townspeople going about their business seemed to be drowned out by her awareness of every movement his muscular body made.

  It was with a sense of relief that she walked up the steps to the keep, eager to escape the tensions of what had started out as a day intended to release some of her burdens. Almost laughing to herself, she acknowledged the absurdity of such thoughts. What respite was there to be had with Tibald holding sway over her every move?

  Gabriel turned to her and spoke brusquely, “Good day, my lady.”

  With that he turned on his heels and strode in the direction of the armoury. For the second time that week she watched his back as he left her, those broad shoulders sagging slightly and the usual arrogant posture somewhat diminished. She knew she was the cause of that. Regret coursed through her and she longed to pursue him and throw her arms around him, but pride kept her rooted. He had already spurned her once and she was of no mind to repeat the experience.

  As she made her way to her chambers wanting nothing more than to shut the door and escape, Mary greeted her anxiously.

  “Oh there you are, milady. I’ve been looking for you, the lord wishes to speak with you.”

  Evelyn gave a sigh and Mary looked at her with concern, her apathy and confusion visible in her face. “Now?”

  “Aye, milady, he is in the solar.”

  “Very well, inform the lord I shall join him presently.”

  Mary scurried off and Evelyn took the opportunity to take a few calming breaths and sadly remove the flowers from her hair. Feeling ridiculous, she placed them on her clothes chest, unable to abandon the sweetness of the memory behind them.

  ***

  Upon entering the room, icy eyes met with her as Tibald sat at the table. Facing the south, the solar benefitted from receiving the best of the daylight but there was still a distinct chill in the air, whether created by the stone walls, or the occupant, Evelyn was unsure. The lit fireplace did little to disperse it.

  His large, canopied bed sat at the back of the room, upon a raised area and concealed by way of a curtain. The table, large enough to seat several men, ran down the middle of the room in front of the fire. Tibald sat at one end and Evelyn was grateful for the distance between them.

  She regarded him fearfully, waiting to discover with what mood she would be greeted with today. Since he had revealed his sinister temper to her, he made little effort to conceal his true nature, which was difficult to predict, fluctuating between dark moods, unconstrained anger and outlandish mirth.

  It struck her that this red fortress seemed to have that effect on its inhabitants - the longer they lingered, the more extreme the outcome. Lord Tibald’s disposition ran from one extreme to the next while Sir Gabriel rarely remained constant and she was certain that the same could be said for her. This stone prison seemed to sap her humanity and replace it with a confusing concoction of despair and rapture, her thoughts now entirely focused on one person.

  “You sent for me, my lord.”

  A look into the steel of his eyes made it clear that he was plagued by a sombre mood and Evelyn did not anticipate that this meeting would bring anything but misery to her. His eyes flicked only briefly up to her as he returned his gaze to the missive in his hand.

  “You have not received word from your brother yet.”

  He said this as a statement rather than a question and Evelyn wondered as to the purpose behind it. Before she could respond, his gaze met hers as he put down the parchment and rested his chin upon his hands.

  “I say this because I am making the assumption that you would inform me if you had. Am I correct in my assumption, Lady Evelyn?”

  “My lord, I am watched at every moment. Even if I had received word, I would be unable to hide the very fact from you.”

  His fist slammed down on his table, causing her to jump, as he pulled himself to his full height. “Do not mock me, my lady. You would do wisely to answer my questions in a manner befitting a maiden of your standing. “

  Indecision tore at her, the need to challenge him burning within her, warring with the instinctual knowledge that angering Tibald could only do more harm than good.

  “You would receive such answers if you behaved with but a crumb of gallantry. I have endured much of your barbaric behaviour in the interests of peace between our two lands, my lord, but there are limits to my endurance and to be treated thusly is more than my dignity will allow.”

  He stepped around the table, hastening towards her, the grey of his eyes hardening further, his brow casting a shadow, as his skin reddened with anger.

  “I offer you protection and hospitality and this is how I am repaid!”

  She held his gaze, ignoring the rush of blood echoing in her ears as fear surged through her. “‘Tis not hospitality you offer, ‘tis a prison!”

  “I offer you no bolted doors, no iron barred cell. You have eaten well at my table and have partaken in my entertainments. If it is a prison you wish for, I can make it so.”

  Her answering silence did not spare his anger as she brazenly tilted her chin, ignoring the threat of his body bearing down upon her.

  His lips curled in distaste as he watched her. “Lady Evelyn, you would have all the freedoms you wish for, if you would agree to our betrothal.”

  “Never!” she spat. “I would not marry a man of such character. Your barbaric behaviour only serves to mark you as a man long ago forsaken by God.”

  “You would do well to keep your forked tongue behind your tongue, bitch!”

  Evelyn stared at him wide eyed, her body shaking in anger and fear, waiting for the moment that he would strike her; sure she had him pushed too far. Indecision seemed to waver in his expression and she could not help but breathe a sigh of relief as he backed away from her. Her courage bolstered, she made towards the door.

  “You forget yourself, my lord, for if I am a guest here and may choose to leave at any point.”

  He swung around, his eyes now blazing with rage, causing her to back into the doorway. ”You may choose to leave, and I may choose to send my armies into Beldersert. Remember that, Lady Evelyn, before you attempt to rile me again.”

  ***

  As her skirts scurried from the door, he swept at a candelabrum, sending it to the floor with a clatter as he roared in anger. Watching the candles as they pooled on the floor, the flames flickering out against the cool stone floor, he clenched his fists as his wrath simmered inside.

  A bellowing laugh rose from within and he let it out gleefully as he snatched a
t the missive laid on his desk. Undeniably circumstances were not entirely as he hoped but her insolence would make the news within all the more sweet. It had taken all his self-control not to give her the content of the letter now - he could hardly wait to quash that righteous air - but it would not have aided him to have told her in anger. In all likelihood she would not have believed him.

  He smiled to himself. He could be patient. Just a few more hours and he would have her where he wanted her. The virtuous Lady Evelyn would soon be cowering at his feet, begging to be his bride.

  ***

  Positioned on a jutting stone slab, Evelyn had an advantageous view of the great mere. Stretching just over half a mile in length, it rippled gently as insects hopped across the surface, the waning light of day reflecting off the glassy surface. There was little to be heard save from the sounds of nature. Having been robbed of her solitude by Gabriel earlier that day, Evelyn had sought respite from her overwrought emotions.

  Knowing she would probably anger the lord further, and paying little regard to the thought, she had saddled her horse and left before anyone had noticed her absence. Here, she was far enough away that the she slipped into the foliage surrounding the lake, the great keep no longer watching her reproachfully as she made her escape.

  “Evelyn!”

  Startled that she hadn’t heard him, she turned to see Gabriel jumping from his horse and striding towards her, his face like thunder. He grabbed her arm roughly and she stared at him, partly in shock at his rough behaviour, and partly in anger.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “What am I doing here?!” he spluttered. “You sneak out, unaccompanied, no –one knew where you were…”

  “Good.”

  She wrenched her arm from his grip, feeling like a child being admonished by its parents. Evelyn resisted the temptation to stomp her foot.