Page 119 of A Knight’s Vengeance

Sedgewick shrugged. “A few well placed bribes, a discreet murder if necessary, and those holdings will become mine.”

Elizabeth trembled. He spoke with such nonchalance. Did he not feel the slightest remorse for taking innocent lives? How she hated him. “You are a detestable, selfish man.”

He jerked her arm, hard, forcing her to stumble. “As I said before, I do what I must.”

His smug tone, rife with depraved ambition, sparked a thought in the back of her mind. “Even blackmail?”

His face registered shock. For the barest instant, his fingers relaxed, and she broke free. Before she had run four steps, he lunged in front of her and blocked her escape. One of his hands clamped on her chin, while the other cinched around her waist and pinned her against his heaving gut. “You are clever, my love.” His fetid breath seared her nostrils. “Too clever.”

She swallowed the urge to vomit. “Release me, or I shall scream.”

With a cruel laugh, Sedgewick forced her face up into the glare of moonlight. He shoved her against the apple tree. “You know too much, beloved. I have been indiscreet with all I have told you. Now I must beat you into silence.”

A whimper escaped her. He meant it. She sensed his seething violence, ready to be unleashed. On her.

“You are wise to fear me.” His hand at her waist yanked her hair, making her neck arch back at a painful angle. Her tresses snagged in the tree’s bark. “With a few good blows, ’twill appear you had a nasty fall during your stroll. Being the devoted husband-to-be, I shall insist on proceeding with our marriage, despite your bruises and broken bones, even if the ceremony must take place at your bedside.” His teeth gleamed. “I will see the terms of our marriage contract fulfilled.”

A scream welled inside her.

His sweaty hand slapped over her mouth. “That bastard may have sampled you,”—he planted a slimy kiss on her exposed throat—“but I shall lay claim to your delectable body. And his babe, if his seed took root.”

“Nmmmffff!” She shook her head and fought him, but could not dislodge his hold.

“Did you cry out when he took you?” he said against her ear, and laughed when she struggled. His spit dripped onto her skin. “Did you weep when he tore your maidenhood, or did you moan with pleasure?”

He grabbed her buttocks with both hands, his breaths coming in excited pants.

She screamed.

A sword rasped from its scabbard.

“Sedgewick,” a voice boomed through the darkness. “Let her go. Now.”

Elizabeth sobbed. “Father?”

He strode from the garden’s shadows, moonlight shining off his sword pointed at the baron’s chest. More armed men filtered out of the darkness.

Dominic strode forward, his eyes dark with rage. “If Geoffrey were here, he would cut off your bollocks,” he growled. “If you do not release the lady, I will take the privilege.”

Sedgewick’s arms dropped to his sides. He squeaked a nervous laugh. “’Twas a lover’s spat, milords. No more.”

“Do not heed him,” Elizabeth said, massaging her neck, racked by shivers she could not control. “He paid Veronique to poison Geoffrey. He intends to kill you, Father.”

“As I heard.” Arthur crossed to her side, his weapon still pointed at the baron, and touched her arm. “Are you all right?”

“A-aye.”

The baron chortled and wiped sweat from his nose with his sleeve. “I assure you I did not⁠—”

“I heard all,” Arthur snapped. “Part of your account confirmed what Aldwin told me. I spoke to him”—he looked at Elizabeth—“after I left de Lanceau’s chamber not long ago.”

“Wretched squire,” Sedgewick muttered.

Arthur stepped closer to the baron. The tip of his sword met Sedgewick’s tunic. “I despise de Lanceau too,” Arthur said, “but you are a cruel man indeed to manipulate others to do your evil. If there is any doubt left in your mind, no man of that ilk deserves my daughter’s hand in marriage. Most of all, you.”

Sedgewick’s eyes bulged. “Wait. Milord⁠—”

“Before the guards drag you to the dungeon, I will know why.”