“What do you mean?” She struggled in his grasp, desperate to escape. “Let me go!”
“I mean,” he said, looming over her so that she was bent backwards over the battlement, “that I will dispatch your irritating husband if you don’t get rid of him quickly enough. And your sister is not welcome to leave until you comply. Do I make myself clear?”
He was a disgusting, horrible, dangerous man! How had she ever considered him a palatable husband? Her heart thundered as she tried to tamp down her panic at being at his mercy atsuch a height. The only way she could get out of this unscathed was to acquiesce. That much was clear. But then what? Could she and Martin sneak away? Perhaps they could find a way, but there was Adelaide to think of. What would Lord James do to her sister if Isabella reneged on her deal? And even Lord Christopher, kind and cordial as he was, could not take action against his liege lord.
“Very clear, my lord. But would you consider releasing me from our bargain if I gave you the information you needed to become exchequer without marrying you? I would gladly aid you in return for safe passage for us to leave Norfolk.” She had to try. If it was wealth and position that he sought, perhaps she could give him what he wanted without sacrificing her own happiness.
“The problem with that, Isabella, is that I don’t trust you. What would prevent you from double-crossing me and sending me to my doom rather than making my fortune? No. I need you under my thumb, or I suspect you will stab me in the back. Our deal stands, and you will abide by it or your weaselly little husband will pay the consequences.” He shook her, and several of her hairpins fell out, dropping to the ground several stories below.
There was no way out. She had to agree, at least for the moment, or she might follow them over the long drop.
“I will do as you say.” There was no other way to get down from this battlement and away from his presence.
“I’m glad to hear it. Now go find that worm of a husband and be quick about it. I expect to hear you’ve convinced him by nightfall.” He pulled her away from the battlement and set her on her feet. “Don’t fail, or you know the consequences.”
Her knees shook, but she forced herself to stay upright. “Yes, my lord,” she said without looking at him, and she fled before he could make any further threats.
As she flew down the stone steps in the dark tower, her mind reeled at the tangle she had made of things. It was all her fault that Lord James had taken notice of her. She had planted the seed of a potential marriage, and now she was entangled in the twisted vines of her own plot. Martin’s life was at stake, and her sister wasn’t much safer. She had no doubt that Lord James would try to use Adelaide against her before this was all through.
Martin, at least, could defend himself, even if the two men were unevenly matched to all outward appearances. Her husband was brave and capable, and he did say he had bested Lord James in a tournament. But Adelaide was ill and completely at the earl’s mercy.
Her heart quailed at the thought, but she couldn’t let herself weaken. Her loved ones were threatened. She had to find a way out of this. It was all her fault that they were in this situation in the first place.
She made her way across the yard, and Martin took her by surprise, rushing to her side. “You didn’t stay in the dovecote?”
“I didn’t trust him, so I came out to the yard and pretended to practice sword drills, hoping to keep an eye on you. But the two of you disappeared into the tower beside the gate. I almost came after you. I was worried for your safety, alone with him like that.”
“And with good reason. The man is a snake.” She should have held back. They were still in the middle of the yard where anyone might overhear. She looked around quickly to see if anyone had. Fortunately, everyone was still going about their business.
Martin stopped in his tracks, taking her elbow and turning her to face him. “What did he do to you?”
Was it wrong that it sent a little thrill down her spine to see his fury on her behalf? No one had ever been willing to fight for her before. But she had to put an end to his questioning until they were somewhere more private. “I am unharmed. Letus return to my chamber before we say anything more. There is much I need to discuss with both you and Adelaide.”
“Then let us make haste.” Together, they hurried into the castle as quickly as they could without arousing suspicion. Too many of Lord James’s men roamed the halls and crowded the bailey.
She needed time to think. If only she had long hours sitting peacefully aboardThe Wind Songto puzzle through it. It was so much easier to clear her mind when they were at sea. In this castle there were too many dangers and distractions, and her guilt over her misguided actions bore down on her, making it difficult to form a coherent thought.
But Martin’s reassuring presence beside her steadied her. She had a good husband who loved her. There must be some hope as long as he was by her side.
When they reached the room, Adelaide was awake but lying in the bed. She sat up in alarm as they rushed in and bolted the heavy wooden door behind them.
Isabella looked back and forth between the two most precious people in her life and wondered how she was going to find the words to tell them of their peril. It was no use hiding. She had to get on with it. “I’m afraid we’re in great danger, and it’s all my fault.”
As she recounted her conversation with Lord James, Martin’s expression grew thunderous.
“How dare he threaten you!” Martin began pacing, his hand on his sword. “That no-good, cheating, bull’s pizzle. He isn’t fit to lick your shoe, earl or no.”
Isabella hurried to his side and put a placating hand on his arm. “Please, Martin, don’t do anything foolish. He’d be all too happy to dispatch you. Then not only would I lose the man I love, but Adelaide and I would be completely at his mercy.” The storyLord James told about the wife and daughter of the man who owed him money sent a chill down her spine.
She couldn’t lose Martin, not right after she had found him. And Adelaide had to be protected from Lord James at all costs. They needed cool heads to find their way out of this, and unfortunately, it appeared that her words had the exact opposite effect.
Chapter Twenty-Three
That bastard. Martin’shand flew to the pommel of his sword. “I’d like to see him try to take me down.”
“Don’t, Martin. He’ll crush you like a fly.”
He knew she was only saying it because she loved him and didn’t want to lose him, but it hurt a bit that she had so little faith in his fighting skill. Lord James was a big, lumbering bear, and Martin knew how to get beneath his guard. He’d done it before.
