The Crimson Castle Page 8

  He sighed. “Aught could have happened! There are many dangers in the forests. You have first-hand knowledge of the trickery of outlaws.

  Evelyn lifted her chin. “I may well have been better off in outlaw’s hands over those of that despicable man. Besides, I can protect myself.” She nodded towards her sword, still tied to her horse.

  “There is a marked difference between playing with swords and fighting for your life, Evelyn.”

  “Think you I cannot fight? I may be of the weaker sex but I assure you put a sword in my hand and I am the equal of any man.”

  Evelyn felt the frustrations of her confinement building within her and Gabriel, being the only person in her life she currently had any kind of connection with, was going to feel the full force of it.

  Gabriel tried to stop himself smiling at the image she made. Her green eyes flashing with anger, the sharp rise and fall of her chest.

  “You would mock me…?” She looked at him in astonishment and she turned away from him, arms still folded across her chest. First he chides me like a child and now he ridicules me!

  “Nay…” he insisted. “Nay, Evie!” he repeated, more forcefully this time. She glared at him as he ran his hands through his hair in frustration and moved to stand next to her. “You cannot just go running off.”

  “You are not my husband, you cannot command me!”

  “Thank the heavens I am not!” he said in frustration. “For surely no man should have to deal with such an obstinate, disobedient woman.”

  “And no woman should have to deal with such discourtesy, Sir.”

  They both fell silent at this.

  Gabriel attempted to reign in his temper and heaved a sigh, “I knew you were imprudent, Evelyn, but I didn’t consider you selfish.”

  “What is your meaning?” She turned to him, eyes blazing.

  “You have no thought for others. Have you learnt naught these past days? There are consequences to your reckless behaviour. You may care nought for my skin but what about the people of Beldersert?”

  “And what of them?”

  “Tibald will hold them accountable for any mistakes on your behalf. But you are not foolish, Evelyn, you know this. I had thought you had a rather high regard for your people,” he said with distaste.

  “How dare you lecture me? What do you know of holding rank? You have climbed your way into Tibald’s pocket using fear and pain. You know nothing of honour and responsibility. My first and last thought has always been for the people of Beldersert. Yours has only ever been of yourself!”

  Gabriel looked stunned for a moment and his mouth twisted with anger. “I know, Evelyn, that you have never seen me as a man of honour and I do not profess to be. I was not lucky enough to have been born free from sufferings and I did what I had to do to survive. I would do it all again,” he finished, resolutely.

  “You’re right. I do not consider you a man of honour. A man of honour would not dare speak to me thus.”

  He gave a depreciating laugh. “Evie, your behaviour is no more of a lady, than mine is that of a knight.”

  Evelyn’s cheeks reddened, assuming he was referring to their kiss, and fury consumed her. Using all her might, she shoved on his chest – more in an attempt to get away from him than anything else – and pushed him over the edge into the lake. Gabriel tumbled backwards. She did not notice the look on his face but she hoped it was surprise as he splashed into the water. Evelyn laughed in shock at her actions and watched the water for his angry face to resurface, wondering if she should not leave before he did so for fear of his reaction.

  It took a few moments for her to realise he had not yet resurfaced and her mind began to race. He had probably been dragged down by his heavy clothes but he was strong, he could swim to the surface surely? It suddenly occurred to her that mayhap he could not even swim.

  The thought jolted her into action and she tugged at her gown, knowing it would likely pull her down with him, trying to remove it. In her frustration to remove it she gave it an almighty tug and the garment split in the middle. With another rip it came free and she jumped into the water. The coldness shocked her, dirty water rushing up her nose, causing her to cough as she surfaced. Hauling her soaked hair from her face, she didn’t waste any time in diving under. The water was dark and murky, with virtually no visibility, and deeper than the height of two men stood atop each other.

  Dread resounded through her as she felt around in panic, hoping he had not gone far. How could she live with herself if he drowned by her hand? And he would die believing she felt nothing but hatred for him. Evelyn was nearly to the point of having to take a breath but these thoughts seemed to strengthen her, giving her a second wind.

  Feeling her way through the weeds her fingertips brushed against hard fabric. She gripped at it, and with a yank began stroking her way to the surface. He weighed her down, his waterlogged clothing impeding her progress, but the dappled glimmer of light hailed their emergence from the gloomy depths.

  Coughing and spluttering, she thanked God for her luck, as she struggled to keep Gabriel on the surface. Hauling him up onto the cold rock, she fell back in exhaustion as he coughed and did the same. They lay like that for a while, both recovering from their fatigue and absorbed in their own thoughts, too embarrassed to take the first step and apologise.

  Finally, Evelyn spoke up, “Gabriel…?”

  “Evie…?”

  Words echoed through her, reminding her of her wish that she could explain how she felt about him. Her courage drained by the reality of his presence, she instead asked another question that burned in her mind.

  “How did you get the scars on your back?”

  Gabriel frowned, expecting an apology, not an inquisition, but he relented, mayhap from exhaustion or mayhap because he was weary of burying the secrets of his past. He didn’t question as to why it was Evelyn he wanted to confide in.

  “My father,” he said simply.

  Evelyn rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her arm and looked at him. “Your father did that to you?”

  He nodded, not meeting her eye, his aversion to her pity still as strong as ever. “He was a vicious man. He hated me. “

  Evelyn didn’t say anything for fear of causing him to revert back to his reclusive ways.

  He sighed and continued, “I looked up to him. He was big, aggressive, powerful…everything I believed a man should be but he thought I was weak and useless. So he tried to turn me into a man.”

  “And he beat you,” Evelyn concluded. “How old were you, Gabriel?” she pushed gently.

  His jaw clenched at the memory. “Five. My mother was young, and fearful of my father having already been at the receiving end of brutality. She was a loving woman and I became determined to protect her. I thought if my father took his anger out on me, he would leave my mother alone.”

  Evelyn’s heart ached for him, seeing him as a fierce little boy trying to protect his mother. “Did you come to work for Lord Tibald to prove yourself to your father?”

  “My father wanted me out of the way and he thought it would make me stronger. Tibald’s barbaric behaviour was well known and no doubt my father thought he could continue on where he had left off. But I suppose I thought I could prove myself to him.”

  Evelyn looked at him expectantly and he knew he would have to continue his story.

  “After many summers I returned home to find out that my mother had died. It was said she had died from a fall but I knew otherwise and the servants confirmed as much. My father did not even try and deny it…”

  He turned to look at her. “I beat him, Evie. I hit him and hit him until he was naught but a bloody pulp.” He took a deep breath and lay back again. “So now you see, you were correct about my character. I will never be a man of honour. My soul is as black as it can get.”

  Evelyn, whilst despairing for the broken man she saw before her, felt equally thrilled that he had chosen to open up to her. She decided to push him no further, in spite o
f a burning curiosity to learn more about his past. She shivered, suddenly feeling the cold air seeping through her wet chemise.

  Gabriel took notice and sat up. “Forgive me, my lady, you must be cold. We had better return to the castle.”

  Helping her to her feet, she wrapped her arms around herself, teeth chattering. He quickly looked away when he realised she was wearing nothing but her chemise. It was still wet and moulded to her body, leaving little to the imagination. He groaned to himself, he was never going to get that image out of his head.

  Through clenched teeth he spoke to her, “Where is your gown?”

  “Oh.” She quivered partly from cold and partly from the intensity she had caught in his gaze before he turned away. “I had to tear it off. “

  He looked around and saw it strewn on the jutting rock. Picking it up, he scrutinized it. “I think you’ll not be wearing this in company any time soon but ‘twill do for now.”

  She laughed nervously as he walked towards her, holding the gown out. He helped her slip her arms in as if helping her with a cloak and wrapped it tightly around her, pulling in a breath as his knuckles brushed against her skin.

  “My Evie,” he whispered her name as if in prayer.

  She looked up at him, eyes wide and felt her breath quicken under his penetrating gaze. His wet hair ran rivulets down his face, dripping upon her cheeks as she watched him lower his lips to hers, and she gasped as he gently brushed his mouth against hers. Evelyn felt her body soften into his and he inhaled sharply, moving his hands up to cup her face and pulling her tightly to him.

  His mouth moved against hers, more slowly than when they had kissed before, as he tasted and savoured her. Evelyn vaguely wondered what had changed since then, before she was lost to the sensations. She opened her mouth slightly and when he brushed her tongue against hers, she moved her hands slowly up his chest until she was gripping around his neck, curling her fingers into the damp tendrils.

  Gabriel groaned and intensified the kiss, making her legs tremble. He noticed this and pulled away a little, breaking the kiss.

  “You are cold,” he murmured, his large hands still holding her face.

  Evelyn shook her head.

  “We need to return.” But he didn’t move, just continued to hold her, unwilling to let go.

  She nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist, enjoying the closeness of his body against hers, warming her through her damp clothes. They fit together as if made for each other, his hardness moulding to her softness. He moved his hands around her and she rested her head on his chest as he pressed his lips to her hair.

  Gabriel’s chest swelled with emotion, not quite believing what had just happened. How had they gone from verbal sparring to kissing? After his rejection of her at the castle, he was sure that she felt nothing but disgust for him but her response to him just then…he had to believe she felt something. He knew in his heart he didn’t deserve her but he still prayed that he could keep her to himself.

  “Do you believe in second chances?” he asked her.

  “Aye,” she whispered as he tilted her chin up to him with the crook of his finger.

  “I think you are mine.”

  And he gave her a tender, passionate kiss, their hearts hammering against the press of their chests, hands clasping at each other’s bodies as if afraid to let go. He pressed against her, trying to commit to memory the feel of her gentle curves under his hands, the smell of her damp hair and the softness of her lips upon his.

  Gabriel tethered Evelyn’s horse to his so they could ride back together. It was neither practical nor necessary, but somehow they could not bring themselves to separate from one another and wanted the sweet agony of their union to last that little bit longer. Gabriel enjoyed having her pressed to him almost as much as she enjoyed the feel of his rippling muscles under her arms.

  Little conversation passed between them, knowing too well that their alliance was a risky and hopeless one. Both lost in their own thoughts and unable to define what had happened between them, they contented themselves with small gestures of affection - the brush of hand upon hand, of a sweet kiss to the back of the neck, the stroke of fingers upon thighs.

  Before they reached the causeway Gabriel dismounted, helping Evelyn to the ground, and untethering their horses. The narrow strip of land, designed as a defensive feature, wouldn’t allow two horses to travel side by side and neither of them dared risk being seen in such intimate state.

  Brushing his thumb across her mouth, generating a tremor from Evelyn, he whispered her name, his endearment finalising his stamp upon her heart. She grabbed at his neck forcefully, pulling his head down to hers, eliciting a rumbling chuckle from Gabriel as she pressed an ardent kiss against his lips.

  With a heady mixture of fervent desire and apprehension, they journeyed back to the castle and back into the grasping hands of their lord.

  Chapter 8

  “Gabe! You better have found her or I’ll…” Tibald trailed off as he realised it was Evelyn who had stepped into the hall.

  She affected her most submissive expression and dipped in a curtsey to him. “Forgive my absence, my lord. I was walking and I…I got lost.”

  She looked up at him to see if he believed her.

  He gave her a sinister smile. “Of course you did. Women never did know their north from their south!” He laughed but Evelyn could tell he was playing her as much as she was him.

  He held out a meaty hand to her, forcing her to move forwards and take it. He motioned to her to sit and took a large gulp of wine. Proffering it to her, she declined and he took another large swig.

  “Now, my dear lady, I have some unfortunate news…” He licked his lips as he watched for her reaction.

  Evelyn’s heart jumped and she tried to restrain the panic coursing through her body. Her first thought was of Gabriel, had he found out about them? He would surely kill him! She lowered herself slowly to the chair, trying to ignore the feel of his sweaty hands upon hers.

  “Your brother’s horse was found wandering riderless in Bannam Wood.”

  Evelyn blinked, not expecting this but now knowing exactly where this was leading. Dread settled over her and the future that she had been hoping against suddenly loomed ahead of her. She said nothing as Tibald continued, an insincere look of pity upon his face.

  “It appears he was attacked. My men came upon his squire, who was injured, and it seems that some outlaws assailed them. Your brother did not survive.”

  Pulling her hand from his, Evelyn sat, absorbing everything he had said. William…dead? This was not meant to happen. He was to return for her, take her from here, and then Gabriel and she would have…? She did not know but that fleeting feeling of hope that she had clung to all day was sucked from her. As Tibald watched her hungrily, she gulped, pulling on her remaining courage to fortify her resolve.

  “How did he die?”

  “We…know not. It seems the outlaws took his body.” Tibald gritted his teeth in anger as he spoke.

  She shook her head slowly and stood. “They took his body? But wherefore? You are sure he is dead? Perchance he could be injured and looking for help!”

  Tibald pulled her down roughly and she fell back to the chair.

  “Lady Evelyn! Have a hold upon yourself!” Lord Tibald said sharply. “The squire said his master was dead… beyond all doubt. Do not cling to foolish hopes.”

  Evelyn shrunk away from him before steeling herself again. “What of this squire? Can I speak with him?”

  He smiled tightly, recognising that his anger had not had the desired effect on her.

  “Unfortunately,” he sighed, taking a leisurely sip of wine from his goblet, “he died of his injuries shortly after my guards found him.”

  His slight smile to himself over the edge of his goblet did not go unnoticed and Evelyn stared at him, cold hatred now clear in her eyes. “I see…”

  She knew now there were no bounds to Tibald’s ruthlessness. Her dear brother, being
the last obstacle between him and their lands, had been slain for his own greed.

  “I assure you we are doing all we can to find his body and we will find these men and bring them to justice.”

  Unable to bear the presence of Tibald any longer she stood again, and moved away from him, in a stupor. “By your leave, my lord, I will take to my chambers. I do not feel much like being in company at the moment.”

  He watched her through narrowed eyes. “Certainly, my lady,” he almost sneered, “but we will need to have a discussion about your future shortly. When you have composed yourself of course…” He smiled insincerely.

  Evelyn didn’t respond and fled blindly from the room where she ran straight into a broad chest, not far from her chambers.

  “Evie…?” Gabriel pushed her back slightly, holding on to the tops of her arms, so he could see her face. He saw the sheen of tears and a sinking feeling filled him. Something had happened.

  “My brother…” she whispered. She looked as if she was about to throw herself into his arms, and he would have gladly taken her in them, but something stopped her. When he showed no shock at her news, her eyes widened and Gabriel saw realisation sink in. Her hand flew to her mouth and she stumbled back from him.

  “You knew, did you not?”

  Gabriel didn’t respond. What could he possibly say to defend himself? He knew full well Tibald would not let anything come between him and his thirst for power. And knew he would do anything for it, including killing off the last male heir to Beldersert. After all, it was his contacts in the Holy Land that had discovered William’s whereabouts. He had been on his way to rescue his sister. Gabriel wished with all his heart that he had could have succeeded.

  Gabriel’s silence was enough for Evelyn to convince her of his guilt. “Did you have a hand in his death?”

  He shook his head vigorously. “Nay, Evie, I may be a monster but you cannot think me capable of ending his life by my hand.”

  He attempted to take her hand but she pulled it from his grasp and studied him for a moment.

  “I know not what you’re capable of anymore,” she murmured, still watching him. She tilted her chin slightly and that mask of indifference she used to use so effectively seemed to slip back in to place. “Mayhap you did not have had a hand in it but you knew what he was planning. You knew he wanted to kill my brother and yet you did naught. You may as well have dealt his final blow.”