The Velvet Promise (Montgomery/Taggert 2)

“He was here.” She brought her eyes back to his. “He has returned to get his men.”

“And what of my men? What are they doing? Or do they loll about outside the walls?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” he said with irritation. “When does he return?”

“Hopefully, tomorrow.”

“Less than one day’s time. Why are you here now? You have only one day to wait. If you were found here, you could cause great trouble.”

Judith gritted her teeth. “Do you ever do anything except curse me? I came to this hell because you were held prisoner. I have risked much to see that you are cared for. Yet you curse me at every opportunity. Tell me, sir, what would please you?”

He stared at her. “You have much freedom here, don’t you? You seem to go wherever you wish with no hindrance. How do I know that Demari isn’t waiting outside for you?” Gavin grabbed her wrist. “Are you lying to me?”

She twisted loose. “I am amazed at your vileness. What reason do you have to call me a liar? You are the one who has lied to me from the first. You may believe whatever you want. I should not have helped you. Perhaps then I would have gotten some peace. Or even more, I should have gone to Walter Demari when he first offered marriage. That surely would have been preferable to life with you.”

“It is as I thought,” Gavin said viciously.

“Yes! It is just as you thought!” Judith answered in kind. Her rage at his insinuations and accusations made her just as blind as he.

“My lady!” Joan interrupted the argument. “We must go. We’ve spent too much time here already.”

“Yes,” Judith agreed. “I must go.”

“Who waits to escort my wife back to her room?”

Judith just looked at him, too angry to speak.

“Lady Judith,” Joan said urgently. Judith turned away from her husband.

When they were beside the door, Joan whispered to her mistress. “It does no good to try to talk to a man when he is eaten with jealousy.”

“Jealous!” Judith said. “One must care for another to be jealous. Obviously he doesn’t care for me.” She straightened the concealing hood over her hair.

Joan started to reply as they opened the door and left the cell. She stopped abruptly, her body rigid. Judith, behind her, looked up to see what caused her maid’s concern.

Arthur stood there, his hands on his hips, his legs spread wide, his face a hideous scowl. Judith ducked her head and turned away, hoping he hadn’t seen her.

Arthur walked toward her, his arm extended. “Lady Judith, I would like to speak to you.”

Judith knew that the walk up the three flights of stairs to Arthur’s room was the longest she’d ever taken. Her knees shook with fear and what was worse, the sickness she often felt in the morning was rising in her throat. Her impetuousness had probably ruined Stephen’s plans and…and…She couldn’t let herself think of what the result would be if Stephen did not get to them in time.

“You are a fool,” Arthur commented when they were alone in his chamber.

“I have been called that before,” Judith said, her heart pounding.

“In daylight, you go to him! You couldn’t even wait until night.”

Judith kept her head lowered, concentrating on her hands.

“Tell me, what plans did you concoct?” He stopped suddenly. “I was a fool to think this could have worked. I am more stupid than that man I serve. Tell me, how did you plan to extricate yourself from this web of lies?”

Her chin came up. “I will tell you nothing.”

Arthur narrowed his eyes. “He will suffer. And do you forget that mother of yours? I was right not to trust you. I knew it well but I was half-blinded by you also. Now I find I am in this as deeply as you. Do you know who Lord Walter will blame when his plans are destroyed? When he sees he is not to have the hand of the Revedoune beauty? Not you, my lady, but me. He is a child who has been given power.”

“Am I to feel compassion for you? It was you who tore my life apart so that now my family and I live on the brink of death.”