A Dishonorable Knight(133)
"No, Your Majesty, I cannot marry him."
"And why not?" the king bit out, digging his nails into the wooden arms of his chair.
She straightened her shoulders. "Because I love another and may carry his child." Elena braced herself to be physically beaten, or at least screamed at. Instead, the king laughed coldly.
"In love with who? The puny Welshman whom I've stripped of rank and thrown in the dungeon where he awaits his well-deserved execution for being a traitor? Tudor landed but a week ago and I vow your ‘love’ will not live to hear word of the usurper's journey." Elena felt as if she were about to faint. "'Twould be best if you forgot him. You will wed the gracious earl and We will hear no more argument from you. Furthermore, if you prove to be a reluctant wife in any aspect, We will charge you with treason and condemn you to death."
Elena closed her eyes and summoned every ounce of strength she had not to cry out at Gareth's imprisonment. Steeling herself to sound as innocent as possible, she said, "Nay, my king, I know nothing of this Welshman of whom you speak except that he escorted me to and from his father's keep in Wales. I am in love with the man whom my parents hoped I might marry since I was a child. When last he visited your court, I was overcome with such love that I forgot myself and gave him my virtue. Even now, his babe grows in my womb. Please, Your Majesty," Elena fell to her knees, hating Richard, but knowing she must play her part well if she were to escape with her life. "I beg you to release me from my engagement to this good earl who deserves a more suitable wife."
"Pregnant or no, you'll do as I say."
"Aye, but I won't marry her," Brackley broke in. "I'll not see my possessions passed on to another man's bastard."
Desperation evident in his voice, Richard said, "Then, good sir, take your pick of another of my ladies. There are many more beautiful than this fallen angel."
Brackley stood and said in a voice that was barely polite. "I am not certain I should do so--any one of them may already have given birth to a passel of brats. I will wait. In the meantime, I will return to my estate. I have been absent long enough on errands for Your Majesty and I am certain my affairs are lacking because of it." The earl left the room and in a flurry of motion, the king stood and grabbed Elena by the shoulders, pulling her upright and shaking her until her head snapped back.
"If you have cost me a battle for want of that man's soldiers, I will slit your smooth throat myself!"
"Your Majesty, I beg you!"
Richard pushed her from him and threw himself back in his chair. With an act of will that was physically evident, he regained control of his anger. "Pray forgive me, lady. The worries of the crown may push a man to actions he would not otherwise commit. I am even still learning to control my anger when people stand forcibly in my way."
Elena panted raggedly, praying that she would not hear her death sentence come from the king's lips.
After several seconds of silence, Richard turned back to her. "Do not look like a frightened rabbit, caught in a hunter's snare. You will live to see another dawn, though not in my presence."
"What does Your Majesty mean?" Elena whispered.
"You will pack your trunks and be ready to leave at first light. I am returning you to your parents. There you may marry your childhood sweetheart and bear him a passel of children. Frankly I care not what you do, as long as you are not in my sight. Thank your father and mother for your goodly service these past years and send them my wishes for a prosperous harvest time." When Elena remained where she was, shocked, he said, "Leave now, lady, lest I lose my temper again."
Curtsying quickly, she turned and fled. She ran through the main hall and out the large doors. She ran, heedless of those she brushed past or knocked over, and did not stop until she reached the small arbor where she flung herself on a wooden bench, tears streaming from her eyes. Oh what had she done? Surely, she was relieved that she would not have to marry the repugnant earl. In fact, she was even glad to have been relieved as a lady-in-waiting. But what of Gareth? What was to become of him? Her hands shaking, her breath coming in frantic gasps, Elena realized that she was becoming hysterical. Digging her nails into her palms until the pain calmed her, she stood and began pacing beneath the shady trees.
Alright, she thought. I am safe. I will not see the king again, and as soon as Catherine and Margaret leave the room, I will pack my trunk. Now, what of Gareth? Elena's stomach clenched with worry at the thought of him in a dank dungeon, his spurs hacked off, facing death for his moment of indecision as to which man he would support as king. Didn't the fact that Gareth was here, training with Richard's other soldiers prove his loyalty to his king? Had Richard lost all sense?