The Crimson Castle (10 page)

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 at 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.

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.