Chapter Five

R obert waited for Morwenna in the kitchens for hours, but there was no sign of her. But to his surprise, Henry the Fletcher returned, along with two other villagers. His expression was grim as they closed the door behind them.

‘What is it?' Robert asked.

‘We need your help,' a fair-haired man said.

Henry gestured for him to sit, but Robert refused. He waited for the man to continue, and then the third companion, a tall, bearded man, spoke. ‘We know you're here to win the hand of Lady Gwendoline. And if you wed her, you'll become the Earl of Penrith once again.'

Robert nodded. ‘I intend to gain her hand in marriage, aye.'

‘You must win,' Henry insisted. ‘Even if it means defeating your own brother.' He glanced at the fair-haired man. ‘We need your help, Robert. Penrith's men are getting worse.' Before he could ask what the man meant, Henry added, ‘Bertrand's daughter was...hurt by Lord Penrith's soldiers.'

‘They took her,' Bertrand said dully. ‘And she was given no choice. I know the men defiled her.'

A tightness caught in Robert's gut. ‘Is she a prisoner?'

Bertrand shook his head. ‘They sent her back early this morning. She hasn't stopped weeping.' His expression grew murderous. ‘I want to bury every last one of them.' Then he nodded towards the bearded man. ‘Landon lost his son last year. He was killed by one of the guards.'

‘I'm sorry,' Robert said quietly.

‘You fled,' Landon accused. ‘And we need you back. You have to take command of Penrith.' He stepped forward, closing the distance with his fists clenched. ‘We've done our part, hiding you from the earl. But I swear to God above, if you turn coward again—'

‘I won't fail you,' he promised. ‘I swear it on my father's life. I will do everything in my power to set you free.'

Henry exchanged a look with the other men. ‘Alfred has to die, Robert. And whether you take Penrith through marriage or conquest, we care not.'

Their pain and loss were tangible, and Robert would not rest until he'd taken the lands again. ‘I will keep my vow,' he said. And inwardly, he hoped he could somehow avenge Bertrand's daughter.

The men turned to depart, but Henry held back a moment. ‘Have a care, Robert. How can you win the heart of Lady Gwendoline if all your time is spent at Morwenna's side?'

‘Morwenna is helping me,' he insisted. But still, he understood the man's warning. ‘And we are only friends.'

From the look in Henry's eyes, he wasn't certain of that. ‘I want to believe you,' the man said, ‘but know this. If you do not stand by us, we will start our own rebellion. If you don't succeed by the end of harvest...there will be bloodshed. And it will be on your hands.'

A coldness suddenly gripped him, and Robert stiffened. ‘No. If you start your own battle, the blood is on your hands, not mine.' He stared back at the men and took a step forward. ‘I am doing everything in my power to take back these lands. But I take orders from no one. Not even you.'

With that, Henry turned his back and walked away. He passed Morwenna, who was still dressed in her evening finery, as if she no longer wanted to disguise herself. Robert grew wary, wondering if she no longer cared about the danger. But he didn't miss the look of warning from Henry.

He knew the man was right. He needed to set aside his attraction and pursue Gwendoline as if he truly wanted her and not the land. It felt as if invisible chains bound him to responsibilities he didn't want, but he had no choice. His people were suffering, and he had to distance himself from Morwenna.

She walked alongside him, not speaking at first. When she was safely inside the pantry, she appeared flustered, but there was also a trace of fear. ‘It took me a while before I could slip away. I had to talk to Gwendoline.'

‘Because of Piers,' he guessed.

She nodded. ‘She likes him and was asking what I'd learned about him.'

‘And what did you tell her?' Though he kept his tone even, it bothered him that Piers had somehow managed to unravel his plans.

‘I told her the truth. That I believe he does care for her.'

‘How could you think that?' Robert didn't agree with her opinion at all. ‘Piers only cares about claiming Penrith by any means possible. He doesn't care for Gwendoline at all.'

‘You're wrong,' Morwenna said. ‘He has spent all his time at her side. He listens to her, and I've seen the look in his eyes.'

‘So, you're taking his side now, are you? Why did I think you were going to help me instead?' he muttered.

‘I'm not taking anyone's side,' she answered. ‘But you're no different from him. You both want the land, and you're willing to do anything to get it. The only difference is that Gwendoline likes Piers better.'

He couldn't believe she was comparing them. His intentions were centred upon reclaiming Penrith and helping the people while Piers was trying to claim land that wasn't his. ‘She only likes Piers because she met him first.'

‘No, that isn't the only reason. You've made no effort to know her. Piers has done everything to see her.'

‘I waited in the forest for hours,' he argued. ‘And I competed among the other suitors for a chance at winning her hand in marriage.'

‘But aside from that, you've spent very little time with her. Admiring her from afar will do nothing at all. Gwendoline has spoken with Piers on more than one occasion.'

Robert couldn't understand why she was defending him. ‘It would be a disaster if Piers won her hand in marriage. He has no idea how to govern an estate. Nor does he have a birthright or any claim to Penrith.'

She studied him for a moment, her face growing sad. ‘No more than I have the right to be a lady, Robert. I'm nothing but a serf. I have no right to be sharing a chamber with Lady Gwendoline.'

Her gentle chiding made him realise what he'd said. ‘But you're not trying to claim something that doesn't belong to you.'

‘Aren't I? If I decide to wed one of the suitors, am I not trying to claim the position of lady of his household?'

Yet Morwenna looked nothing like a servant, especially in the green silk gown. Her eyes were luminous against her skin, her dark hair framing her soft features. It struck him that he'd never really admitted to himself how beautiful she was. She had easily passed herself off as a noblewoman. She would have no difficulty at all in finding a husband.

But the blade of jealousy cut deeper. He knew he could not claim Morwenna—but neither did he want her to marry someone else. His honour was hanging by a thread, and no matter how he tried to push back the irrational anger, he couldn't stop the emotions from rising hotter.

Henry's accusation rose up between them, that he was spending too much time with Morwenna. Robert knew it was true. And though he told himself that they were only friends, he could not deny that there could be more between them. She captivated him, making him aware of the way she moved, the softness of her lips.

With reluctance, he forced an invisible distance between them. He had no right to desire more. Or to forget why he'd come to Penrith. ‘You should have been born a lady, Morwenna.'

She traced the gold chain around her neck, the one that had belonged to the mother she'd lost. ‘It would have made no difference. I am who I am.'

He didn't know what she meant by that. ‘You deserve a better life than the one you had. I hope you find that with someone.' The words burned in his mouth, for he didn't mean them any more.

‘And which man would you choose for me?' she asked. There was an underlying tone beneath her words, one he didn't quite understand.

‘I don't know,' he answered honestly. ‘Only you can decide that.'

She stood up from the sack of grain, drawing closer to him. He saw the sadness in her eyes and wondered what had caused it. ‘Do you know why I asked to meet with you tonight?'

Her words were vulnerable, holding him spellbound. He didn't know what to say or do, but when she rested her hands on his shoulders, he knew. All along, he had trained beside this woman, watching her grow lean and strong. She had followed him here, though it was not her battle to face. She faced him, and in those eyes, he saw a yearning that reached down past his goals, past his sense of reason, and kept him fixed upon her.

Morwenna was beautiful in a wild, untamed way. And he could not deny the rise of interest he shouldn't feel. She wasn't his, and he had no right to lay claim to her.

‘Why?' he asked.

‘Because I'm going to leave and not see you again. And I wanted to tell you farewell.' She reached for his hands and gave them a tight squeeze.

In that moment, something shifted inside him. Robert didn't know what it meant, but it seemed as if every thought abandoned his brain. All he knew was that he couldn't let her go. Not yet. He knew there was no future for them, but despite what Henry and the others had said, she meant a great deal to him.

Morwenna started to pull away, but he held her hands in his. He studied her features, not knowing when he would see her again. Although he had no choice in the woman he had to marry, he had this last stolen moment with Morwenna.

‘Robert,' she murmured.

‘Don't say it.' He reached for her and pulled her into a kiss. He tasted the soft sweetness of her lips, and it ignited a desire he'd only imagined. Mayhap it had always been there, but he had never allowed himself to consider it. Now, he unleashed the fire that had been banked inside him during the past two years. He allowed his instincts to take hold, and he pressed her up against the wall.

Morwenna wrapped her arms around his neck, and when she clung to him, he felt her hips press against him. His body responded to her, though he had no right to touch her. And yet, he was caught in the storm of need, where all logic abandoned him. He had never been with a woman before—not like this.

She let out a gasp, and he drew his mouth against her throat, tasting the softness there. His own arousal was so intense, he was drowning in her, unable to get enough. His brain warned him that this was wrong. He had an obligation to court Lady Gwendoline.

And yet, he could not deny his attraction to Morwenna. He kissed her again, his tongue sliding against hers. She shuddered, and he wanted to bring her the same aching pleasure that roared through him. He gave in to instinct, and his hands moved up her waist against the silk of her gown. His fingers grazed against the side of her breasts, and she responded by gripping his hair.

He caressed her gently, though he didn't know what to do. He had never touched Morwenna like this, and he didn't want to harm her out of ignorance. With both hands, he explored her softness, watching the way she responded to him. When she didn't pull away, he cupped her breast, stroking it with his thumb. Her nipple grew erect, and a moan escaped her as he caressed it. Her eyes were closed, her face revealing an intimate response.

God above, he wanted to feel her bare skin against him, to take her nipple into his mouth and taste her. He lifted her up, laying her back against a sack of grain.

‘Robert, wait.'

Morwenna's body was alive with need. She'd never expected this from Robert. Shock had coursed through her when he'd stolen the kiss, awakening a response she'd never imagined. It terrified her, for she wondered whether she'd misjudged him. Did he have feelings for her at all?

Her emotions were overwhelming, her body craving something it could not name. And so she'd begged him to stop.

He pulled back from her immediately. ‘Forgive me, Morwenna. I didn't mean to hurt you.'

He had, though not in the way he suspected. It wasn't his touch or the heated kiss. It was the warmth in his voice and the passion that were enough to crack her heart into pieces. The tears broke through, but it was because he'd given her a gift she'd never anticipated—the gift of hope.

‘It's all right.' She straightened her gown, though beneath it her breasts still felt the echo of his touch. ‘I just...never thought you would kiss me.' She closed her eyes, the fear of rejection threatening to overwhelm her. ‘Robert, why did you?'

An awkwardness descended between them, and he stared at her as if unable to find the right words. ‘I don't know,' he admitted honestly. ‘I just didn't want you to leave without...' His voice trailed off as if he didn't have the words to finish the sentence.

‘Is there anything between us at all?' She hated the aching uncertainty of the question and how pitiful it made her feel. But she had to know the truth and whether she should abandon him and choose a different path.

His expression turned serious. ‘We are friends, Morwenna. And always will be, I hope.'

‘But you cannot ever wed a miller's daughter, can you?' The words felt heavy, but she had to speak them.

He closed his eyes and sat down beside her. ‘My choices don't belong to me, Morwenna. The people of Penrith are suffering because of Lord Alfred. I owe it to them to save them. Don't ask me to choose. Not after I failed them once before.'

The answer weighed down upon her, and she knew he'd spoken the truth. ‘And what if Gwendoline marries Piers instead?'

‘The people will tell her father the truth about him soon enough,' he said. ‘The only reason they haven't told Alfred about me is because they know I intend to help them. In time, the rumours will take care of Piers.'

She took a deep breath. ‘I saw my father's...woman Lena today.' She hesitated before admitting, ‘I think she told Lord Penrith about me.' Although from their earlier conversations, she suspected the earl already knew of her past. ‘It's why I have to leave before I'm forced out.' She no longer believed she had the option of marrying one of the suitors, especially now. Nor did she want to wed any more. It wouldn't be fair to a prospective bridegroom, for she would always compare him to Robert.

‘Where will you go?'

She shrugged. ‘Brian will find a place for us. We'll wander until we do.'

Robert's expression grew concerned. ‘I don't like the thought of you both going off alone. It's not safe.'

‘It's not safe here either,' she answered. She thought about telling Robert what Lord Penrith had said about the pendant, but something held her back. What did it matter where the chain had come from? Her mother wasn't alive to tell the tale, so Morwenna would never know for certain.

‘Farewell, Robert. I hope Gwendoline brings you happiness.' The words were a physical pain, but now that he'd vowed he would not abandon Penrith, there was no future for them. She had to give up on him.

Her emotions were raw, her gut tightening at the realisation that she had let herself fall into the trap of wanting more. ‘Goodbye,' she murmured. She started to turn back, but he caught her hand and pulled her back.

He slid one hand around her waist, the other threading through her hair as he dragged her into one last kiss. His mouth captured hers in a heated storm of regret. She clung to him, heedless of the tears, and kissed him hard. His tongue slid inside her mouth, and the sensation overwhelmed her. Her body craved his touch, and she arched as he kissed her throat, his hands holding her close.

‘I don't want you to go,' he murmured against her mouth.

Her heart was pounding, mingled with desire and need. ‘Then come with me.'

He closed his eyes, but she already knew his answer. She couldn't stay here, and she would not ask him to give up on his people.

With a sigh, she answered, ‘So be it.' She leaned in and brushed her mouth against his, one last time. ‘Don't come to see me again.'

Her heart was breaking as she left the pantry, and it was only when she reached the outside that her sobs broke forth. She didn't bother trying to suppress them any longer. Instead, she let the tears flow, weeping for what would never be.

As she made her way towards the keep, she heard footsteps approaching beside her. It was Gareth the archer. She swiped her tears away and slowed her pace. Likely he was waiting to join her as an escort. But to her surprise, his expression appeared angry against the dim torch lights. His mouth was set in a tight line, and instinctively, she took a step away. Something was wrong.

‘You were playing us for fools, weren't you, Lady Morwenna?'

Before she could move, he seized her right arm. She tried to wrench it away, but his strength overpowered hers.

‘Leave me alone.' She raised her voice, hoping Robert would overhear and would come to help her. Then she feigned weakness as her left hand closed over her eating knife. She didn't know why Gareth was feeling possessive, but she wasn't about to become his victim.

‘You were pretending to be a virtuous lady, and all the while, you were sneaking off to another man,' he spat.

Her anger flared up at his possessive tone. Had she ever believed him to be kind and gentle? Far from it. She realised now that it had all been an act. He'd only said the words he thought she wanted to hear.

‘Unhand me, or I'll scream.' Again, she kept her voice loud, but no one seemed to care. She glanced around, but there was still no sign of Robert. Her nerves gathered, and she sensed that she would only have one opportunity to defend herself. But she only wanted to wound Gareth, not kill the man. She didn't know whether a swift cut would give her time to run.

‘You won't scream,' he said, reaching to cover her mouth. In that instant, she swung her blade at his face with her left hand. The knife cut through skin, and he released her, cursing as he reached for his cheek. Morwenna didn't wait but ran towards the soldiers guarding the keep. She breathed a sigh of relief when they closed around her.

Gareth ran forward but stopped at the bottom of the stairs. She sent him a cold look of fury and sheathed her eating knife. Then she went inside the keep, accompanied by the guards. When one closed the doors behind her, she thanked them. ‘I'll return to my chamber now.'

The other guard shook his head. ‘We were sent to bring you to Lord Penrith. He wants to question you.'

Question her? About what? Morwenna's fears tightened within her stomach, but she obeyed. Right now, she wished she could return to the chamber she shared with Gwendoline. Instead, she followed the guards towards a smaller chamber behind the dais. She passed by Brian, who appeared alarmed. Though she didn't know what this was about, she sent him a silent message for help. He met her gaze before retreating to the shadows. No doubt he would go to Robert.

The earl sat beside a brazier, his feet resting on a foot stool. His expression remained mild, and he gestured for the guards to step back. They closed the door and stood in front of it.

‘I thought you would have been sleeping at this hour,' he remarked. ‘It's not safe for a woman to be out alone at night.' His gaze shifted to her left hand that bore the blood stains from striking out at Gareth.

‘Thank you for sending your guards,' she murmured, though she knew that wasn't what this was about. ‘I wanted a few moments outside in the moonlight.'

She sensed that he recognised the lie, but there was nothing else to say. Instead, he rose from his chair and faced her. ‘Did you think I wouldn't learn who you really are, Morwenna?' He gave a thin smile. ‘You should have stayed away.'

She gave no answer, and understood that Lena had revealed everything. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and fear about what would happen.

‘I intend to leave in the morning,' she said. ‘I thank you for giving me shelter, but it's time for me to return to my family.'

‘You're not going anywhere,' he answered. ‘You'll be staying here until I know why a miller's daughter stole a pendant that belonged to the queen.'

‘I didn't steal anything!' Morwenna protested. ‘It belonged to my mother.'

‘I've sent for the king's men,' he said calmly. ‘This is a matter of justice. Our sovereign lord will decide what's to be done about the theft.' He waved a hand, and both guards closed in, each taking an arm.

Horror washed over her at the realisation that they were taking her captive. And she simply didn't know if Brian or Robert could get her out.