A Knight of Passion(24)

He sneered. “She is nothing more—”

Bryant slammed his fist into the man’s belly. He doubled over, wheezing hard. Bryant turned and took two steps to where Riana stared. She turned frightened eyes to him and his chest tightened. Damn the duchess and her spies. If he found out who had reported that Riana had gone to the prison, he would split them from sternum to cock. He would also take Riana over his knee for being foolish enough to go to the prison…then he would kiss her reddened arse and every other part of her until she begged him to f*ck her so hard she couldn’t see straight. Until then, he prayed she would trust him.

She grasped the front of his shirt. “He is right,” she whispered. “This was a mistake. The duchess—”

“I can deal with the duchess.” He gently disengaged her fingers from the gambeson, then guided her to the couch inside the room and eased her onto the cushion.

She rose. “I must see my sister.”

Riana started to rise again, but he firmly eased her back onto the sofa and squatted so that they were eye-to-eye. “Riana, we must talk before—”

The door opened and the duchess entered. Bryant rose as her gaze moved from Sir Dunbar to him to Riana. Riana stood and a corner of the duchess’ mouth twisted upwards.

“You disappoint me, Riana.”

Bryant slid an arm around Riana’s waist and gave a deferential bow of his head. “Forgive her, Your Grace. I understand that I am not the husband you would have chosen.”

She snorted in derision. “The marriage is a farce.”

“Nay.” All eyes turned to Sir Dunbar. “The marriage is quite legal. I witnessed the vows.”

She turned her cold stare to him. “You would stand against me?”

Dunbar shrugged. “They are young and in love. Who is to stand in their way?”

Bryant detected the tremor in Riana’s body and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

“You expect me to believe such drivel?” the duchess said to Sir Dunbar.

His expression hardened. “Why not? You believed I was easily eliminated.”

She shifted her narrowed eyes to Riana. “What lies has the bitch been spreading?”

Dunbar smiled. “Nothing we did not already know.”

She shot him a withering look, then said to Bryant, “What do you want?”

“I have what I want.”

He shifted his gaze to Riana, who turned wary eyes on him. The need to take her in his arms and allay her fears rushed to the surface, but he dared not allow his expression to give away his thoughts. He returned his attention to the duchess.

“I expect no dowry. Riana is mine, all she knows is mine. I need nothing more.”

Riana’s head jerked up. Bryant kept his gaze locked with the duchess’ and silently willed his wife to remain quiet.

“You have made a bad bargain,” the duchess snapped. “She knows nothing. She owns nothing—will never own anything.”

“What do you mean?” Riana asked.

The duchess looked at her. “Did your mother not tell you? She is with child.”

Riana gasped.

“If she bears a son, Fyvie Castle will belong to him.” A malicious gleam entered her eyes when she addressed Bryant. “You will never lay claim to Ellis land.”

He smiled. “I am well-skilled at gaining land. I have no need of my wife’s property.”

She pursed her lips. “I cannot be certain this marriage was consummated.”

“Your men interrupted the…consummation,” Sir Dunbar said.

“I am told Riana had Sir Bryant’s cock in her mouth. That is not a true consummation.”

“As true as any other.” His mentor winked in Bryant’s direction. “If Your Grace will excuse me, I have business to attend to.”

She spared him a glance, then he bowed and turned.

Once the door had clicked shut behind Sir Dunbar, Bryant said, “I understand this is a shock, but you did not expect Riana to remain in your house forever? We will return home tonight, she, her sister, and I.”

“Her sister?” the duchess burst out.

Riana tensed, but Bryant gave her a warning squeeze. “You understand that Riana cannot bear to be parted from the girl.”

“She remains here. And as for Riana, my husband will decide if this marriage can be recognised.”

“I am sorry you were not present,” Bryant said. “Perhaps then you would be assured the marriage is legal. Father Vaughn will produce the marriage contract. Of course, Riana was previously married, so we can offer no proof the marriage has been consummated. As there were no witnesses…” He paused for affect.