Page 94 of The Silent Songbird

“She and Shiveley are waiting for me now in the chapel to say their wedding vows.”

Westley’s heart hitched. “You must not allow him to get her alone, if you will forgive my boldness, Your Majesty. He will do harm to her, I have no doubt.”

“Did she have a red mark on her face before you left her? Or a cut on her lip?”

“You see? He has already struck her.” Heat rose into Westley’s face and sent a surge of energy through his limbs. If only he could get his hands around that man’s neck . . .

The king reached the bottom of the steps and approached two guards there. “Open the doors of the cells where Lord le Wyse and Frederick are being kept.”

“We can open those doors for no man except Lord Shiveley.” The first guard stood staring back at the king, his hand on his sword.

“How dare you? I am King Richard, and this dungeon, as well as every inch of Berkhamsted Castle, belongs to me.”

The man’s countenance fell but still he hesitated. Then he bolted past them and up the stairs.

“What is the meaning of this?” The king glared at the other dungeon guard.

He stared, openmouthed. “Your Majesty, forgive me. Shiveley told us that if we disobeyed him, even if it were the king himself, he would have us beheaded. But if you make me one of your guards, I hereby renounce any ties to Lord Shiveley. I vow to be loyal to you forever, my king.”

“Do you dare propose to bargain with your king?” He motioned to one of his guards standing just behind him. “Give me your sword.”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty.” The man quickly took the keys and unlocked the doors.

“Open these doors, every last one of them, for I know of no prisoners of mine down here. Treachery is afoot here.”

Out came Westley’s father, Frederick, and Muriel, who fell into Frederick’s arms.

“Muriel?” the king asked in a shocked whisper. “What has Shiveley done to you?”

She lifted her head from Frederick’s shoulder and faced the king.“Lord Shiveley is mad. He planned to force Evangeline to marry him by threatening to kill me if she did not comply. I believe he thought if he was married to the granddaughter of a king, the people would be more likely to accept him as their king. It was his ultimate goal . . . to be king in your place.”

“And I suppose he has sent away my guards?”

Frederick spoke up. “Most of them, Your Majesty, on the pretense of searching for Evangeline, and the others he imprisoned in the dungeon.”

“Come. I shall confront Shiveley and we shall fight, if necessary. Who’s with me?”

“We’re willing to die for you,” they said.

Westley and the others surged up the steps toward the chapel.God, keep Evangeline safe, and make us victorious.

Evangeline studied the one doorway leading out of the small chapel, the position of Shiveley and his guards, and the priest, who stood two feet in front of her with his eyelids so low over his eyes he almost looked as if he was asleep standing up.

Lord Shiveley kept glancing about the room, mostly at the entrance to the chapel behind them. He fidgeted, shuffling his feet, and avoided looking at Evangeline.

Why was the king taking so long? If only he would never come. What was happening with Westley? Was he safe somewhere?

But instead of feeling anxious, fidgety, or searching the back of the chapel as Lord Shiveley was doing, Evangeline stood calmly, almost numb.God, You will do something. I believe in You. I believe in Your lovingkindness.After all, God had allowed her to escape long enough to learn how to defend herself and fight off an attacker. Surely Godwould allow her to use that knowledge to save herself from Lord Shiveley.

He suddenly faced the priest and grabbed Evangeline’s arm, his fingers biting into her flesh. “Start the vows,” he growled. “We can’t stand here all night. My guards can be witnesses.”

The priest nodded. He opened the book in his hand and seemed about to speak when a rustling sound came from the back of the room. Evangeline turned. King Richard was walking toward them.

Would her cousin stop the wedding? She stared at him, her heart in her throat.

Richard reached them. But he only looked at the priest and nodded.

The priest read the vows, his voice droning on. Her feeling of numbness and calm left her, and she cast about in her mind for an excuse to stop the ceremony. It was going so swiftly. The priest said, “If there be anyone present who knows of any impediment or any reason this marriage would not be lawful, let him speak now.”