Richard did not back down, but he almost smiled. Touché, Avie. Even so, he would not be out-maneuvered by a woman. “I was actually thinking on dissolving the betrothal,” he said in a casual lie. “But no more. I will do you no favors when you are so blatantly rebellious.”
“I am not,” Avalyn insisted hotly. “Why is it rebellious to fall in love with a man you do not approve of?”
“He’s the infantry sergeant for Edward. Need I say more?”
“But he doesn’t know anything.” Suddenly, she was verging on tears. “He follows orders; he does not create them. He’s not involved in these silly politics and he doesn’t care about intrigue or deception. He’s just a man, Uncle Richard. He’s a man unlike any man I’ve ever known. Why must you fight me so much on this?”
Richard was not swayed. “Maybe he is not involved in politics or intrigue. But you are.”
Avalyn wasn’t sure what he was driving at. “What do you mean?”
“Who is to say that through d’Aurilliac, you have unknowingly helped Edward?”
Her eyes widened. “Is that what you think?” she hissed. “You’re mad. You’re all mad.”
“The only way you can prove it is by marrying Aubrey. Otherwise, d’Aurilliac is a spy and spies must be killed.”
“And if I refuse to marry Aubrey?”
“You cannot and you know it.”
Avalyn’s golden eyes blazed at him a moment longer before lowering her head. She could feel the tears on the surface, pain pushing them forward with a force she had never known. She had made a promise to Brogan, one she desperately wanted to keep. But they wanted him, to punish him, and she would not allow it. Not when the man had already been through so much. More English knights to belittle him and strip him of his dignity. She would not have it, and she would do what she could to prevent it.
“I will make you a bargain,” she said softly, hating herself as the words came forth.
Richard looked at her with interest. “A bargain? What would that be?”
Her head came up and the tears she had been fighting off suddenly spilled over onto her cheeks. They trickled down, dripping off her chin.
“I will go peacefully and marry Aubrey,” she whispered. “But you must promise to leave Brogan alone. You will not touch him, ever. You’ll very much regret it if you do, I swear it. You’ll know treachery and rebellion the likes of which you’ve never seen.”
Richard’s face was hard. Avalyn was privy to so much private information that he had no doubt she could, and would, carry out her threat. After a moment, he shook his head with puzzlement.
“He is simply a man, Avie,” he said softly. “Why would you risk so much over one man?”
“Because he ismyman. I love him.”
“So you would sacrifice everything?”
“Without hesitation.”
Richard let out a heavy sigh, turning to look at Charles. The red-faced fiancé stared back at him, that same expression ofsadness and reluctance on his face. Richard almost felt disgust as he looked at him, sensing he was sympathetic to Avalyn’s plight. Weakling, Richard thought.
“If I agree to your terms, you will promise me in return that this entire situation with d’Aurilliac is finished,” Richard said, his voice without the force it had possessed earlier. “I want this done, Avie. It’s over.”
“May I at least say good bye?”
“No.”
The tears fell faster then, but she managed a weak, resigned nod. The ambiance of the room was dark, sorrowful, as Richard reached down to take her arm. Now that the hard politics were finished, he could be her uncle again. But she jerked her arm away.
“Nay,” she whispered. “I will go with William.”
Richard looked at Inglesbatch, silently gesturing him to take the lady. Without another word, Richard, Charles and Sir Barton quit the room. William waited until the chamber was quiet before moving to Avalyn. No matter if he’d tried to warn her; his heart was breaking for her. She was a strong lady, but she wasn’t unbreakable. Richard had done to her what he was so capable of doing; he had crushed her. William could read it in her manner.
“My lady,” he began softly.
She suddenly burst into loud, painful sobs. William went down on one knee beside her, his big arm going around her shoulders. She wept as if her heart was shattered in a million pieces.
