The Pendulum (9 page)

"Aye."

"What business would she have with me?" Before she could answer, he added, "Is something amiss, Airin?"

She fiddled with the blankets covering her father. "Nay."

From the corner of her eye she saw him cast a questioning glance in Cerdwin's direction, then he addressed Airin, "Are you not going to attend to your guest?"

"As I have said, Perry is mistaken. Bernadette has not once come calling. She is here to see you."

Deryll strode to Airin. She realized his intent a second too late, and grasped her arm, pulling her to her feet. She met his stare.

"Mayhap Lady Kincaid has come to offer her congratulations," he said with a mock pleasantry that sent a shiver down her back. He started for the door.

Airin started to yank free, but caught sight of the anger on Perry's face. She should not have said anything in front of the young man. "I will go," she said to Deryll.

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"Aye," he said, and pushed past Perry and the guard out into the hall.

"There is no need to manhandle me," she whispered as he dragged her down the hall.

They reached the stairs leading to the third floor and he took them two at a time. She stumbled and he yanked her to her feet and continued to the top.

"What are you doing?" she demanded. "Just because my father lies dying, I am not without protection."

Deryll swung her around to face him. "
I
am your protection."

"I will not be mistreated."

"By God, Airin, 'tis I who need protection from you."

She narrowed her eyes. "You may have inherited my father's lands—"

"Your father is alive," he replied. "I own nothing."

Airin lifted her chin. "I am under no illusions at to why you wed me."

"Indeed?" he replied in a testy voice. "I am beginning to wonder why I did." His eyes darkened. "An hour ago, you did not seem to mind being wed to me. Is that how things will be, Airin? Will you only be happy when I bed you?"

She raised a hand to slap him, but he grabbed her arm and shoved her against the wall. "I can accommodate."

Her cry of protest was cut short when his mouth covered hers. He grabbed her buttocks and yanked her against his hard shaft. How was it that he had grown hard again so quickly? She gasped at the pleasure that rammed through 84

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her. Deryll thrust his tongue into her mouth, mimicking the motion with his hips.

Her head swam. She wanted him to lift her up and bring her down upon him, to take her like a common maid. But that would mean he had been right, that she could only be pleased when he bedded her. Bedded her? This was more. This was claiming her. He buried his face in her neck, thrusting against her, then grinding in a circular motion. She couldn't deny a thrill. But she was no common maid—no wench to be brought to heel by parting her legs.

"Nay!" She shoved at him.

He jerked his head up, eyes glittering. "This is what you want. I—" His body unexpectedly stiffened. His gaze went glassy-eyed. "Airin," he rasped. His grasp tightened on her, then his eyes slid closed and he crumpled.

Airin cried out at sight of Sheriff Gewain, knife in hand. He cuffed her across the mouth, then grabbed her and clamped a hand over her mouth stifling a scream.

Gewain kicked Deryll in the ribs. "Should have married Argyll's daughter," he snarled.

She glanced at the knife as he sheathed it. No blood. She strained to catch a glimpse of Deryll as Gewain turned, and saw no blood. The sheriff had hit him with the hilt. Aye.

Gewarin knew that to murder an honored knight was to invite the hangman's noose. Two men appeared from the stairs. Her heart leapt with hope, but she instantly realized her error as the men hurried toward them.

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"What has happened?" one whispered once within a few feet of them. Then, before Gewain could reply, "We will deal with him. Go. Await us at the entrance."

Fear coursed through her pounding heart.
Deal with him?

Were they foolish enough to kill Deryll after all?

Gewain gave a curt nod, then dragged her down the hallway toward the fourth level stairs. He meant to descend on the south wing by the servants' hallways. Hope resurfaced.

They would pass the women's solar on the fourth floor.

Bernadette was there. If she heard a scream, she would—the baroness would be of no aid. Gewain could kill them both with little effort. Airin could not condemn the woman to death. If she but had her dagger, she would slice his bullocks first. He would never again enjoy a woman.

But how did he intend on reaching the servants' entrance without being seen, and what of the guards at the gate?

Kidnapping seemed impossible, but Deryll was right, Gewain was no fool. He would not attempt such a crime with no way to escape. They reached the stairs and she kicked his shin with the heel of her shoe. He cursed, and slammed her against the wall. She bounced off the stone and slumped to the floor. Pain shot up her arm. He yanked her to her feet.

"Do that again,
my lady
, and I will disembowel you here, then inform King Robert that Douglas Keith's daughter tried to murder me during her arrest."

"You cannot get away with this," she spat.

"But I can," he replied with a nasty laugh, and slapped her with the back of his hand.

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Her head wrenched sideways with such force, it felt as if her head would fly off her body in a ball of pain. She tasted blood. He yanked her back to him, jarring her head with the motion.

He grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.

"Your father is no longer able to protect you."

Airin stiffened. His eyes narrowed with satisfaction, then he pulled her down the hall. She allowed him to drag her alongside him for several steps, before rage replaced shock.

She spat on his cheek. "Coward," she snarled. "'Tis no wonder King Robert chose my father over you."

Gewain swung to face her as he yanked his knife from its sheath. Airin caught sight of movement behind the sheriff before he abruptly stiffened.

"Bitch," he hissed, and slid to the floor.

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"Perry!" Airin threw her arms around him. "Thank God, thank God." She forced back tears and released him.

He blushed. "Y-you are pleased?"

She seized the hand not gripping the dagger. "Never have I been more pleased to see anyone. But we must go. The sheriff's men could return any moment." She released Perry and glanced at Gewain. Airin grimaced. Even unconscious, the man looked dangerous. She scanned the hall where the men had disappeared down the stairs, then looked back to Perry.

"You did not encounter them on your way here?"

"I came down these stairs." He pointed at the stairs beside them.

Airin's heart sank. She wanted to return the way they had come, the straightest way back to her father—and Deryll. Her heart constricted. Had she lost both father and husband in one hour?

"'Twould be better if I had hanged," she murmured.

"My lady!" Perry dropped to a squat beside the sheriff and rolled him over.

"Perry—"

He plunged the dagger into Gewain's heart.

Airin staggered back a pace. The knife had pierced the sheriff's heart—just as it had Jason's.

The minstrel looked up. "He shall
not
hang you."

Perry stood and reached for her. She looked down at his hand, little larger than her own, as he grasped hers.

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"You no longer need worry about any of them," he said, and sheathed the bloody knife.

A prickle crawled down her spine. "
Any of them?
"

His mouth parted in surprise. "You are displeased? But you said—" He broke off, his voice shaking.

Airin realized her mistake and reached to stroke the hand that gripped hers. She could not still her trembling hand, but gave a weak smile as she said, "All is well."

Indecision played across his features, then he dropped her hand. "Nay. You are angry."

Airin's heart pounded against her chest.
Run!
Her mind shouted.
Run!
But he would catch her in an instant—and if Gewain's cohorts returned ... "I am afraid," she said. "Surely, you understand."

He frowned in uncertainty. "Is there no pleasing you?"

"Perry—"

"You did not wish to wed." His lips thinned. "Sir Deryll and Lord Bothwell had no right to force you."

Airin started to argue, then realized the error of honesty.

"Aye," she agreed. "They wished only to increase their coffers."

The minstrel's expression cleared. "They do not love you as I do."

"You care nothing for my property," she said.

He shook his head. "Nay, my lady. Only you."

Hurry
, her mind urged, but she forced calm. "Perry, Gewain's companions will arrive any moment. We must make haste."

He searched her face. "Will you now love me?"

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She hesitated. Would he believe a sudden affirmation? "I-I have always called you friend."

"You need not worry," he said in a voice so child like, the oddity repulsed her. "There is no one left to condemn us."

Airin's heart lurched.
Father
. She connected Jason's death to Perry, but she had not made the connection with her father. Perry had killed her father—and Deryll?
There is no
one left to condemn us
. Her stomach heaved and she collapsed against the wall.

"My lady!" Perry leapt to catch her.

Blinding white rage burst across her vision. She slapped him. His hand flew to his cheek.

"
Murderer,
" she ground out.

He winced and fell back a step.

Airin advanced, tears streaming down her face. She fisted her hands. "I could
never
love a murderer."

Perry's face contorted. "Is that what you told the
Scarlet
Knight when you spread your legs for him? Did you like it when he shoved inside you?"

Airin faltered.

"You arched for him like a mongrel in heat. I told myself you feigned pleasure, that you feared him." The minstrel's eyes blazed. "
But you wanted him
."

Her mind raced. "You-you were watching?"

"I wanted to protect you, to be sure he didn't hurt you."

Perry raked a lascivious gaze down her body. "But you wanted his thick, hard manhood."

Revulsion turned to despair. Her knees weakened. She wanted Perry to plunge his dagger into her heart. Would the 90

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endless sleep of death end this nightmare? She remembered her father, the battles he had survived, her sister pushed from a cliff, Deryll, the man who had bedded her with care.

Fingers of one hand spread instinctively across her belly.

What if God's miracle had begun despite the curse? She touched the chain around her neck with her other hand. How ironic the child would have no father or grandfather to guide him.

Perry's gaze latched onto the action and he shoved her hand aside and yanked the chain from her bodice. His scorching gaze shifted onto her face and he pushed her against the wall.

Airin shoved at him. "Bastard! You robbed me even of seeing Madeline's killer justly convicted." Something flickered in his eyes just before she slammed her knee into his groin.

He groaned, but did not waver as he jammed a shoulder into her breasts, pinning her against the wall. She cried out in pain and horror. She had felt no soft tissue of shaft when she kneed him. He was hard for her! Her belly roiled. He would not have her! She shoved him, but he was surprisingly strong He yanked his knife free. "I loved you!"

"Liar," Airin hissed. "No man kills the woman he loves."

With both hands, she seized the arm gripping the knife and threw her weight forward, shoulder first, into his belly. He grunted, but fell back only two paces. Blood rushed through her ears, deafening her.

"Perry!" a deep voice shouted.

Perry's hold slackened and Airin pulled free. She turned and caught sight of Deryll, sword in hand, rushing toward her 91

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with two other men. Pride surged through her. Here was the Celtic god at his fiercest. She was yanked back by the hair.

Pinpoints of pain shot from her skull into her head. Her eyes watered.

Perry swung her to face him. He raised the dagger. Airin jammed her fingers into his eyes. He howled in pain, slashing with the dagger. Pain sliced across her arm. She was grabbed from behind, and shoved sprawling onto the floor behind Deryll. A large hand grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet as Perry drew back his dagger.

"Deryll!" The cry died in her throat as the knife sank into his thigh.

He yanked it free and leapt forward, driving his sword through Perry's belly. Deryll wrenched the sword free and the minstrel collapsed.

Airin broke from the man's grasp and rushed forward.

Deryll seized her arm. She looked up at him and was startled to see fear in his eyes. His gaze locked on the arm that was bleeding.

"I must discover the truth about my sister before 'tis too late," she insisted.

Deryll's confused gaze riveted onto her face and he released her.

She dropped to Perry's side. "My sister. What do you know of her death? Was it you who killed her?"

Perry looked bewildered. He broke into a hard coughing spasm.

"My sister." Airin gripped his shoulders and shook him.

"Tell me!"

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"I—" He coughed up blood. After several ragged breaths he rasped, "I saw her jump."

"Why did you not tell me?" she demanded.

"I-I wanted to spare you, my-my love."

He reached a shaky hand toward her but paused, his gaze catching on the brooch swaying gently on its chain. He reached for it, but his fingers only grazed the side before his hand fell lifeless on to his belly.