The Legend (55 page)

"Is that what you were
afraid of?" he asked softly. "I am hardly bothered by it. You really
should have told me yourself and saved Colin the beating."

Brian closed his eyes and two fat
droplets pelted his pale cheeks. His huge hand batted weakly at the tears.
Weakly, he nodded once.

"I would assume, then, that
this was the reason why you changed your mind about the betrothals? Because
Nigel threatened you with the release of dark secrets if you did not bend to
his will?"

Again, Brian nodded. Alec's heart
was breaking for the fear the man must have suffered. “All is well, Da,"
he whispered, returning his attention to Nigel confidently. "The House of
Summerlin is still standing."

There was no mistaking the look
of defeat on Nigel Warrington's face.

CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN

Nigel was under house arrest for
having confessed to arranging the murder of James Deveraux.  Colin, recovering
from a severe pounding at the hands of Alec and Toby, was confined to his
rooms. Alec never did receive a straight answer from him regarding Paul's
death, but he had not given up hope. There would be another time, another place.

Brian had recovered to the point
where he was able to take sup with Edward and the rest of his family. Peyton's
pregnancy was all he could speak of and he kissed his daughter-in-law
affectionately with every opportunity, much to her delight. All of the quarreling,
the animosity, the anger that had constituted their lives since the day Peyton
and Alec had been introduced was gone.  She was part of their family.

It was hard not to celebrate
their joyous reunion when, in fact, the very reason for their visit was a
funeral. Lady Rachel had not joined the meal, as was proper since she was in
mourning, but Peyton could not help but think of the plain woman who had not
only lost a child, but her husband as well. Even though she did not know Rachel
beyond a mere acquaintance, her grief on the woman's behalf was nonetheless
deep.

Pondering the subject of
sisters-in-law, Peyton was fully aware that Thia had made herself scarce since
their arrival. Brian and Celine were so excited about her pregnancy and the
visit of the king that they had not mentioned their daughter and Peyton hadn't
thought to ask. Not that she particularly cared, but she was curious all the
same.

"Would you look at
Jubil?" Ivy, on her left, elbowed her sister in the ribs. "She and
Toby haven't taken their eyes off one another!"

Jolted from her thoughts, Peyton
passed a casual glance at the older woman and her young knight. It was enough
to set her to grinning. "I knew Toby was fascinated by her, but I had no
idea he was interested in her," she whispered in reply. "Jubil's
forty-two years old!"

"And Toby is
twenty-three," an impish gleam suddenly appeared in Ivy's eye. "I
wonder if they've...."

"No more," Peyton put
her hand up sharply, distracting Alec from his conversation. She smiled sweetly
at her husband until he returned to his attention to Edward. "Do not say
anymore, Ivy. I cannot think of Jubil in those....terms."

Ivy giggled. Ali, diverted with
his wife's snickers, broke off his conversation with Anthony Bek. As Ali and
Ivy lost themselves in private conversation, Peyton sank back in her chair with
a chalice of boiled fruit juice in her hand. She was far lighter of spirit than
she had been in some time, immensely pleased that all had worked out to a
joyful ending. Nigel and Colin were defeated, Thia was scarce, Alec was now
heir of Blackstone, and everyone was happy.

She sighed contentedly and Alec
squeezed her knee, still conversing with Edward. It was amazing how in-sync
they were with one another; hearing only each other, sensing what others would
miss. He knew she loved him and he had seemed pleased with her admission, and
although he had not responded in the like, his soft gaze and tender touch told
her what his lips could not seem to form.

On Edward's left, Brian was
engaged in an intense conversation with his son and the king. Peyton watched
the man a moment, his color and vigor seemingly returned. It occurred to her
that, to her knowledge, her husband had not informed his father of his most
monumental decision. After all, the man had a right to know, did he not?

Setting the chalice to the table,
her lovely hands clutched her husband's massive arm as she politely invaded the
men's conversation.

"My most humble apologies
for interrupting, my Alec," she said softly, making sure she had Edward's
and Brian's attention as well. When Alec smiled warmly at her, she returned the
gesture. "Have you told your father of your future plans?"

A blond eyebrow raised and he
seemed to falter slightly. "Nay, love, I have not had the opportunity as
of yet."

"Goodness, Alec, you should
have shouted it to the rafters the moment you entered Blackstone," she
chided gently, fixing Edward with her sapphire gaze. "And you, your grace?
You have not seen fit to inform Lord Brian of Alec's decision?"

Edward grinned at her. "Nay,
my lady, I have not. That is Alec's privilege, although I am growing weary of
waiting. I should like to declare my joy before I burst."

"Joy?" Brian repeated,
looking between the three of them. "I do not understand. What could
possibly be more joyful than a new grandson?"

Peyton and Edward looked to Alec.
After a moment's pause, he smiled weakly and grasped his wife's hand. "I
have agreed to help Edward subdue Llewellyn."

All of the color left Brian's
face. His mouth opened with shock, his brown eyes wide. "You.... you are
to resume your service?"

Alec's smile widened.
"Edward demands that I lead his army or He shall throw me in irons,"
he could read his father's surprise and sought to explain his choice. "I
have so much in this life - beautiful wife, a profitable keep, my family and
friends. What happened with Peter was.... an accident. I have never believed
that until now, but now that I fully understand my mistake there is no longer
any reason to waste the talent God has given me. My one regret is that it has
taken me twelve years to realize it."

Celine was listening. Seated next
to Brian, it had not been difficult to hear her son's softly spoken confession.
Immediately, her eyes swam with tears and she clutched Brian's hand tightly.

"My dear Alec," she
murmured tightly. "We have prayed for as many years that you would recover
from your grief. Our joy is beyond what mere words can express."

Brian was still staring at his
son, but he had managed to close his startled mouth. "Are you serious,
Alec? You have recanted your vow?"

"Aye," Alec nodded
sincerely. "Are you pleased?"

Brian put a disbelieving hand to
his head, wiping at the sweat as he attempted to compose his thoughts. "My
God, Alec, I have waited twelve years to hear you say that. I.... I simply
cannot believe it."

"Believe it," Peyton
lay her head on Alec's arm affectionately. "The Legend has returned."

"Here, here!" Edward
suddenly boomed, raising his chalice high. Immediately, the entire table was
silent and goblets were raised in response. "The Legend lives!"

The table repeated the shouted
salute, congratulating Alec and Peyton, Brian and Celine. Edward grinned as
Alec accepted the tribute with a degree of modesty.

Only Brian seemed overcome with
the news. Aye, he was joyful, but he was also remorseful. He had lived the past
twelve years waiting to hear those uttered words but, suddenly, he was sorry to
hear them for purely selfish reasons; Alec was his only remaining son. He
couldn't help but wonder if his heir would meet death on the Welsh border at
the hands of the rebelling prince.

He did not want Alec to die. He
almost wished he had never agreed to resume his knighthood. But he kept his
feelings to himself and tried to show a measure of happiness, for Alec's sake.
Deep down, however, his heart ached for what the future might hold for the heir
of Rothwell.

***

The door to Colin's room swung
open, spilling forth Thia. Colin eyed the woman as the door shut softly behind
her.

"You summoned me?" Thia
demanded.

"You took long enough. I take
it you were in the grand hall, drinking yourself ill alongside our king?"

Thia cocked an eyebrow. "I
was not. I have no use for Edward, and I have especially no use for the company
he keeps."

"You beloved
sister-in-law?" Colin smirked. "What about your brother?"

A flash of pain crossed Thia's
thick features. "He is busy with his wife at the moment. Mayhap I shall
seek him later when he is alone. I have no desire to meet up with the
bitch."

Colin snorted, wincing when the
pain in his face bloomed with the action. Instantly, his mood was darker.

"Your brother did this to
me," he growled. "All because of her. Do you realize that?"

"I do."

Colin's shadowed eyes glared
daggers, slicing through Thia's flesh, bone, soul. She could nearly feel the
physical pain, like the ache left where her brother's companionship used to be.
All because of her.

Colin rose unsteadily. "I
am, for all intent and purposes, a prisoner."

"There is but one guard on
your door, a household guard. He did not say you were a captive."

Colin turned away thoughtfully.
He paced the length of the small chamber, trying to ignore the ache of his head
as he concentrated.

His father was a prisoner, most
likely slated for execution in light of a murder confession. He himself was
very nearly a captive, his future unclear. The grand plans that had been so
carefully cultivated were spinning of control, dissolving, as the Summerlins
and the de Fluornoys triumphed once more. Whether the dispute be over unsettled
lands or questionable parentage, 'twould seem that the Warringtons always ended
as the losers.

He wasn't even sure if his
betrothal to Thia was still viable. For that fact, he knew he needed to act
quickly and decisively if he was going to accomplish the ultimate act of
vengeance upon the Houses of Summerlin and de Fluornoy. Even if his father had
failed, he himself would not.

He could devastate both families
in one swift action, one swift death. The Warringtons would triumph in the end,
as was their duty.  But he had to act now.

He turned to Thia. "You will
take me to the stables. Tell the guard that you are taking me downstairs to
join the festivities; I care not the excuse used so long as he allows us to
leave together."

"To help you escape? Why in
the hell should I do that?"

Colin's jaw ticked as he crossed
the floor towards her. "I shall not be escaping alone, foolish bitch.
After you leave me in the stables, you shall return to the dining hall and lure
your brother's wife to the stable yard. I shall take care of her from
there."

Thia raised an eyebrow.
"Abduct her? What about my brother?"

Colin thrust a finger at her.
"That will rest on your shoulders, lady. You must convince your brother
that you merely wish to speak to his wife on the pretense that you would end
the hostilities between you. Being a loving brother, He shall trust you to a
private conversation while he remains in the hall."

Thia swallowed, knowing surely
that all trust would be destroyed between she and Alec should she deceive him
in such a fashion. If trust was lost, then there would be no hope of regaining
the relationship they once shared before the introduction of his hated wife.

For the first time, she began to
reconsider her reasons for being rid of Peyton. Were they really valid enough
to warrant something as potent as murder? Mayhap, with time, they could learn
to tolerate....

"Well?" Colin broke
into her thoughts roughly. "Do you understand what you are to do?"

She fixed him with an uncertain
gaze. "And if I refuse? I could run straight to Alec with your plans, you
know. He'd surely kill you."

The blue veins on Colin's temples
throbbed. When he spoke, his tone was low and controlled. "If you do, I
shall tell Alec that you were responsible for Paul's death. I shall tell him
that I personally witnessed you push Paul under the chargers hooves, and out of
fear that my testimony would not be believed, I kept silent."

Thia's eyes widened. "You would
not dare! He would never believe you!"

"Are you willing to take the
chance? With the animosity and brutality you have already displayed toward his
wife, do you think Alec would believe you incapable of murder?"

Thia was beginning to quake with
fear. "What do my actions towards his wife have to do with Paul's
death?"

Colin crossed his arms smugly.
"You tried to kill his wife because she discovered your 'secret'. What if
Paul discovered the same mysteries, only did not have the fortune to escape
your wrath? I could convince them of your barbarous act, Thia. Have no
doubt."