Kissing the Bride (Medieval 4)

Chapter 19

“Did she say what he looked like beneath that accursed mask?”

Henry was rubbing his jaw, making a grating sound as his hand passed over his unshaven skin. It was the first time Reynard could ever recall seeing Henry at this hour without his face being cleanly shaven. His tunic, too, looked creased, as though he had picked it up off the floor and put it back on. His hair needed combing, and it was matted at the back.

Reynard experienced a strong feeling of unease. Was it a good thing or a bad thing that his lord seemed to have lost his peace of mind? When he had first come into Henry’s service, he had thought him the most composed man he had ever met. Nothing had seemed to upset him, and he had been in full control of his life. Now it was as if a different man altogether had stepped in and taken Henry’s place.

“His burns are extensive,” he said, trying to bring his thoughts into line. “It is difficult to tell what he used to look like, or even how old he is. And he has someone here at Gunlinghorn, my lord. A spy. It is someone close to the family. I think he means to fool you into thinking he is planning one thing, and then he will do another.”

Henry slammed one fist into his palm in frustration. “Mayhap it’s all a game! Perhaps he will not do anything at all!”

“Can you take that risk?” Reynard reminded him.

Henry went still, and Reynard, looking into his eyes, realized just how shaken Henry was. Rattled completely from his normal state of mind. He knew he would have to destroy himself for Lady Jenova’s sake, and he was going to do it. He must love her very much….

Henry closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were burning with fury. “I know what I would like to do. Ride to Hilldown Castle and find this Jean-Paul. If he has his way, I will have no friends or supporters. All it will take is a seed of doubt, Reynard, to bring me down.”

“Lady Jenova will stand by you, my lord.”

Henry laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Will she? You do not know what she will do when she knows what I did, what sort of life I lived, what horrors I took part in. Women, in my experience, prefer not to be troubled with such things. It is easier to find someone else.”

“Lady Jenova is not like that. You know she will be your friend whatever happens.”

Be my friend? Perhaps. But my lover, my wife? I doubt it.

And how could he blame her for that? He was not worthy of such a woman; he did not deserve her. He had no right to a happy life here at Gunlinghorn, with Jenova and Raf.

Henry cleared his throat, aware that Reynard was still watching him, still waiting. “If I had an army, we might have a chance of taking Hilldown Castle, but as yet Baldessare has done nothing wrong. Can I lay siege to a man who has done nothing apart from threaten me?”

If only Jenova would agree to marry him! He could protect her then, and even if the truth was disclosed, he could bear the disgrace because she would be safe.

Tell her the truth.

Could he risk it? He felt as if he were standing on the edge of the cliffs above Gunlinghorn Harbor, about to jump. All his life he had chosen women he could not love and who did not love him, and now he knew why. Now he understood what would happen to him if he found that soul mate, only to lose her. He had found her, and soon she would turn her back on him and walk away….

“My lord?”

Henry blinked at Reynard’s watchful face, for a moment hardly recognizing him. His head was aching, and he felt dizzy. When had he last eaten? The days and nights had melded into each other, full of questions and memories. He must pull himself together!

“What is it, Reynard?”

Reynard hesitated a moment, and then he plunged in. “Lady Rhona is mistreated by her father. I want her to leave. I want her to come here, to Gunlinghorn, where she will be safe.”

Henry looked at him blankly, and then he laughed. “You want to bring Lady Rhona here? Against the wishes of her father and her brother? As if things were not bad enough, Reynard! Do you intend to start a war now?”

Reynard’s jaw clenched. “If I have to.”

Henry gave another wild laugh, then shook his head. “Jesu, I thought I was the madman!”

“She is—”

“I know, I know. Her life is a misery. You wish to save her.” A wry smile twisted his mouth. “Aye, all right. If she will agree to it, then bring her here, Reynard. We may as well annoy Baldessare as much as we can. When do you see her again?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Then meet with her tomorrow and see how things are, then make your decision.”

Reynard released his breath. “Thank you, my lord.” When he left, there was a spring in his step.