Voice Of The Demon (Book 2) (40 page)

‘But she can’t want this! She can’t want to marry a man like that!’

Robert came back to the table, his fingers lightly touching
the letter. ‘She made her choice a year ago, Patric. It’s too late to back out now. She’ll marry Eachern for her father’s sake. For the sake of her House. And let’s face it: she’ll be safer with Eachern than anyone else. He’ll keep her out of trouble.’

He picked up the letter and turned for the door. He opened it, but stood with his hand on the latch, his face in profile. ‘I suggest you get some rest, Micah, unless you want to stay here instead.’

‘What?’ Micah stumbled forward, bumping into the table. ‘You’re going?’

‘How can I not? But I won’t involve my mother in this. She’s been through enough already. Be ready to leave at dawn.’

*

It was windy out on the higher moors, but once Robert rode down to where the hills were greener and the valleys gentle, there was little more than a breeze riffling through the trees. He didn’t go all the way to the farm. He stopped on the rise above, dismounted and sat on the thick green grass, prepared to wait all day if necessary.

Below, the farm drifted in and out of cloudy shadow, quiet and peaceful in the afternoon. There were children running around a flock of geese in the southern yard. Robert couldn’t tell who were noisier – the boys or the birds. He watched them for a long time as his horse grazed contentedly at his side. Then, as a last cloud left the sun shining down on the farm, a figure emerged from a building and began walking up the hill towards him. Long, purposeful strides brought the man halfway up the rise where he stopped, unwilling to go further.

‘I thought you were to send my son with the news. You didn’t need to come, yourself. Is it so bad?’

Robert got to his feet and wandered down to meet David Maclean. ‘No, the news is good. Micah is resting after several long days in the saddle. I thought you’d prefer not to wait.’

David regarded him with suspicion only thinly veiled. ‘And the Queen is safely away?’

‘She is indeed.’

‘Where?’

‘I can’t tell you that. It’s safer for you to know nothing. Not just for you, but also for the Queen.’

David stuck out his jaw, but didn’t argue. He turned his head and his gaze on his prosperous farm and the legacy he’d worked all his life to give his children.

Robert knew he should leave. He knew he should never even broach the subject – but David hadn’t walked away. The opportunity was there and Robert had to take it.

‘Can you really not bring yourself to forgive Micah?’

‘Hah!’ David snapped without looking at Robert. ‘How can I forgive him when I can’t even trust him?’

Robert’s jaw dropped in surprise. ‘Trust? Micah? Why he’s the most trustworthy man I’ve ever met! How can you not trust him?’

At this, David turned a stony gaze on him. ‘When my son went to work at the castle I considered it an honour. Your father was beloved of the people, a great man who stood against the usurper and died fighting him. I was proud that my son served such a House and I continued to be proud right up until the day you swore your oath to the usurper. I pleaded with Micah to leave then, but he was just a child and he idolized you. I kept hoping that as he grew older he would see what I saw, that you had betrayed your people and your country on that day – not to mention your own father. But my son was always blind when it came to you. And so I learned not to trust him. I learned not to believe anything he said because I knew that his words were your words, that your treason was his treason. Now that he’s a man, he has no excuse. He’s been around you long enough to know what kind of man you are. How can I trust my son when, as a man, he is blind not by accident nor from innocence, but by choice?’

Robert met David’s gaze steadily. ‘You are his father and he loves you. Yes, Micah stays with me from choice. I can’t defend my actions to you.’

‘You don’t even make the attempt?’

‘What would be the point? You’ve already made up your mind. You did so the moment I made my vow to Selar – before
I’d even had a chance to do some lasting good. You’re angry with me, Master Maclean, for betraying my people and my country. But I can’t see why you need to beat your anger out on your son when all he’s done is follow all the precepts you yourself have taught him. Honour. Loyalty. Friendship. Micah lives by these things, breathes them as you and I breathe the air around us. He could no more betray me than he could slit his own throat. You were once proud that he served my House. You have no reason not to be equally proud of the way he serves me now – especially when it costs him your love and trust.’

David frowned. ‘You have no right to tell me how I should regard my son when you yourself are to blame for his situation.’

‘Perhaps not.’ Robert brought his horse alongside. ‘But he’s my friend and I can do no less for him.’

As Robert swung up into the saddle, David shook his head again, slowly. ‘Why did you come back to Lusara?’

Robert lifted his gaze to the wide valley below. ‘You know, I’m not sure I know any more. And there are some days when I really wish I hadn’t bothered.’

*

For the second time in as many weeks, Micah found himself travelling north towards Elita, but if that last trip had been quiet, this one was utterly silent. From years of custom, Micah knew when Robert would stop for the night, when they would rise, which roads they would take. There were familiar patterns to Robert’s decisions that Micah could almost feel in his bones. And it was a good thing, too, because Robert didn’t say a single word all the way to Elita.

The days of travelling grew long in the silence. More than once Micah worked up a conversation in his head, an attempt to get Robert to talk – about anything, it didn’t matter what. But every time he took a breath to speak, every time he looked up to say something, Robert just shook his head in warning. Micah decided in the end that it was better to make no attempt.

It was not until they were riding along the banks of the
lake, with Elita glowing gold in the afternoon sun, that Robert actually spoke.

‘I guess we’re not too late, then.’

Micah almost fell off his horse. He stared at Robert for a long time, and, in response, Robert turned to him with a smile – just as though the last week of silence had never happened. ‘The pennants are still up, Micah. The decorations? For the wedding? The castle is covered with them – so that means we’re not too late.’

‘Serin’s blood, my lord,’ Micah said. ‘Sometimes . . .’

‘Yes,’ Robert said as he led him through the gates, ‘I know, Micah.’

The courtyard was almost crowded, and bustling with activity. They were not the only ones who had just arrived. Here were faces Micah barely recognized – and others he knew very well. It appeared Robert was not the only one who had been asked to come and witness Selar’s temerity. But how many would actually sympathize was another matter.

As they waited to be greeted, there were those who stopped and openly stared at Robert as if they’d seen a ghost. Fortunately, it was Neil himself who welcomed them, his quiet manner a calm breeze in this chaotic storm.

‘Welcome back to Elita, Your Grace. Can I show you to your rooms?’

‘No, Neil, just tell me where they are.’ Robert smiled. ‘You look busy enough as it is.’

‘We are, I admit, filled to capacity this night and the next three. Lord Jacob has planned four days of entertainments to celebrate this wedding. Those guests who are not staying will be arriving tomorrow for the ceremony only. Tonight, however, there is to be a banquet to which all are invited.’ Neil swallowed and lowered his voice a little. ‘Lady Jennifer is to meet her future husband there for the first time.’

‘Tonight?’ Micah squeaked, but Robert took his arm, ready to steer him away.

‘And our rooms, Neil?’

‘In the Falcon Tower, Your Grace. You will not have to enter through the hall. I thought you might prefer it that way.’

Robert smiled warmly. ‘You were always an astute judge of character, Neil. Thank you.’

‘A pleasure, Your Grace.’ Neil bowed slightly and turned to his next arrivals.

Robert indicated the Falcon Tower which faced the woods. ‘Come on, let’s get out of this. I’m attracting far too much attention.’

With a little jostling, they moved out of the main courtyard and into a smaller one. This was no less crowded, but at least there were no horses moving around and the chances of being stepped on were minimized. Robert led Micah through a maze of people down a cobbled bridge and into a forecourt where the garden wall stood on the left. Opposite, moulded into the curtain wall surrounding the castle, stood the Falcon Tower. A blazon carved into the stone far above them was shaped as a bird in flight.

‘Jacob’s father was a keen hawker,’ Robert told Micah as they headed inside. ‘He had a peregrine that was said to be unbeaten in its day. Unfortunately, the late Earl did not also like riding and used to flight his birds from the top of this tower.’

‘That’s awfully dangerous.’

‘Not if you’re a falcon,’ Robert murmured. He stopped as they reached the top floor. There the room spread out before them, circular, open and spacious. A short staircase to their left led to the other rooms. Judging from the windows, Micah guessed the walls to be over twelve feet deep.

‘Built for siege.’

‘Aye,’ Robert nodded, walking across the room. ‘Remind me to thank Neil, will you?’

‘Why?’

‘He has a good memory. These are the same rooms I stayed in the first time I came to Elita with my father, years before Jenn was born. I used to throw paper pellets out of this window at Bella as she walked in the garden. By the gods, she used to drive me crazy. Fortunately, age has definitely improved her.’

‘As I’m sure she would say of you.’

Robert threw a grin over his shoulder. ‘I hope so. Serin
help me if I’m any worse. Do you think I could get away without attending this banquet?’

Micah, standing by the door, shook his head slowly. ‘No. Besides, I would suggest that if you don’t make an appearance before the actual ceremony tomorrow, there would be some who would say that you’re afraid to show yourself.’

Turning to face Micah squarely, Robert asked, ‘And what do you say?’

‘Nothing, my lord.’

Robert dropped his head, but smiled, ‘What did I ever do to deserve you?’

‘I don’t know,’ Micah shrugged, ‘but it must have been pretty horrible.’

He was rewarded with a burst of laughter from Robert, who came across the room and clapped a hand on Micah’s shoulder. ‘Come, let’s unpack. Since we’re here, we may as well enjoy ourselves.’

*

He reached out for the shirt draped over the chair. Rich and embroidered, it bore a scent of lavender which drifted on the air. First one sleeve and then the other, over his shoulders and laced together in front. Gently, he wound the ties in his fingers, lingering with each one. The silk had never felt so fine, his flesh never so alive. He sensed every fibre of it covering his body, every inch of skin caressed at the same time. Lavender and silk, smooth and sweet. Like slipping into death.

With hands powered by imagination, he picked up his sword and armed himself. Now he was ready.

*

Jenn tried to stand still, but the pricking and fussing over her hair was driving her mad. In the end, she pulled away from Addie. ‘Please, just leave it. It will do as it is.’

Addie stood there with pins and combs in her hands, totally bewildered. ‘But it’s not finished, my lady. There’s still the back to do.’

It was Bella who came to her rescue. ‘If you give those to me, I’ll finish it later. There’s still plenty of time.’ With calm
hands, she took the combs and ushered Addie out of the room.

Jenn immediately began pacing up and down between the bed and her table. The room was littered with clothes, wash bowls and the light supper she hadn’t touched. Outside she could hear the continuing rumble of guests arriving, greeting each other with pleasure. Darkness had descended an hour before and only the torches along the castle walls lit the chaos below. But she knew it was there, she could feel it.

They would be waiting for her. Waiting for her to go down and make an appearance. They would all be watching her, looking at her, judging her. Wondering if she was indeed a fit consort for the cousin of the King. Wondering if this lost waif had learned how to be a lady in one short year. Would she make some terrible social mistake? Would she show her awful manners? Would her dress, her hair be all it should be?

The memory of those women in Marsay came back to her, vicious, selfish and superior. They would be down there, wives, daughters of Eachern’s friends. Oh, they would judge her, all right. Would they find her wanting?

‘I wish you would eat something,’ Bella murmured, pouring some sweet yellow wine into the silver cups Lawrence had given Jenn. ‘You’ll find it much easier if you do.’

‘Easy?’ Jenn snapped. ‘What has easy got to do with it?’

She strode up and down without pausing, her hands twisting together until her knuckles hurt.

‘Jenn,’ Bella approached slowly, ‘you must try and stay calm.’

‘But I don’t want to do this! I don’t want to go through with it! By the gods, I don’t even want to be here!’

‘I know.’ Gently, Bella reached out and caught her hands, bringing her pacing to a halt.

‘I said I would and I promised Father I wouldn’t make him ashamed of me and I won’t, but I just don’t want to do it. I can’t. I know. I’ll just say something or do something and Father will hate me. I’ve already ruined everything and I keep doing it even though I try not to. Oh, Bella, what am I going to do?’

Jenn gulped in breaths, unable to stop the tears which fell down her face. Bella gazed down at her. ‘You’re going to go through with it. You know it, I know it – Father knows it. None of us wants this marriage.’

Jenn’s hands trembled within Bella’s grasp and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop them. With a gasp, she pulled away and stumbled to the window. There, she closed her eyes and held her face up to the breeze, tried to make it cool her burning flesh. This was so silly. She’d been fine until now. All the preparations, everything had gone on and she’d not felt this way. Why now?