Page 47

“What brings you to Bryn Glas, then?” he asked, handing his horse to Gethin, who had come discreetly forward.

“We heard from peasants a few miles down the road that the master of this place was dead and that the castle had suffered from neglect in the last few years. I can see they were not lying.” Sir Hubert smiled and then nodded to the ginger-haired man right behind him. “My man, Edwin, is of a mind to settle in his own domain and I agree he has deserved it. So this is the opportunity we needed. He will not follow us to Anglesey but remain here and rebuild this sorry castle.”

Go drapia! Cadell swore inwardly. Why had he allowed himself to think, even for a moment, that everything would be all right? This was exactly what he had feared. The accursed Englishmen were here to take over Bryn Glas. It was like what had happened that terrible day ten years ago when a group of men had come to seize his parents’ domain.

Except that it was even worse.

This time the retinue was not here by the king’s orders. They just thought they might as well make the most of a golden opportunity while traveling. Sir Hubert thought that since the castle was so vulnerable, his friend could easily seize it for himself. And, alas, he was right to think that no one would stop him from taking what he wanted by force. Though there were a handful of strong male servants around, who would no doubt defend their home, Cadell was the only one armed and able to fight.

“You cannot take over Bryn Glas,” he started, knowing his protest would be ignored.

“Indeed you cannot.” Johanna stepped forward, all steely determination. It was clear that her unmistakably English accent had taken the men by surprise. “My husband is dead but these walls still have a mistress. Me. Lady Johanna de Welles. And I will be the one rebuilding the castle.”

“Ah, yes.” Instead of being put out, Sir Hubert seemed rather pleased by what he’d heard. “The peasants did mention a widow. They also said she was recently arrived. It seems they weren’t lying.”

“They weren’t. So I suggest you all leave and ride straight to the domain you have usurped on Anglesey.”

Usurped.

What was she doing, provoking the man so? Cadell didn’t know whether to be horrified at her folly or admire her courage. Behind her, the people of Bryn Glas had raised their heads high and were looking at her with something akin to adoration. In the last few weeks she had earned their respect, and with Angharad and Blethyn translating what was happening, they would have understood what Sir Hubert wanted and that their mistress was taking their defense.

The man called Edwin brought his massive charger horse forward to come whisper in his master’s ear. Sir Hubert nodded and a sinister smile stretched his lips.

“Even better,” he said to himself, before raising his voice once more. “As well as a place to settle, Edwin is also in search of a wife to warm his bed and provide him with the heirs he needs. You are rather comely, my lady de Welles, English, which is a lovely surprise, and nowhere near as old as we had imagined. If you don’t want to surrender your claim to the castle, my lady, there is an obvious solution. Marry Edwin and you will be⁠—”

“No,” Cadell instantly interposed. The man was not to touch a hair on Johanna’s head, much less force her into a union she did not desire. “You will do as the lady suggests and leave.”

“Or?”

“Or you will have me to contend with.”

Sir Hubert let out a loud guffaw, looking genuinely amused. His men laughed as well.

“Good. I like a man of spirit, and I think your braveness should be rewarded.” He seemed to consider a moment. “In my generosity, I shall give you a chance to save the place.”

“It’s not a question of—” Johanna started, but he carried on, ignoring her completely.

“Defeat Edwin and four of my men in single combat and we will ride on, never to come back again. Lose and we will seize this castle in need of a good ruler. It will be a service rendered to the people here.”

Cadell clenched his jaw. The man was trying to appear generous by offering him a chance to fight for Bryn Glas. In reality, he was merely providing himself and his men with a diverting spectacle. Because there was no way a single man, skilled as he may be, could defeat five trained soldiers.

“Only five? Why not all of them while you’re at it?” he challenged, knowing he had nothing to lose. “At the same time?”

The man laughed again. “No. Five will do. You deserve a chance.”

Was there a way out? Not that he could discern. Though he knew the odds were stacked against him, Cadell had no other option but to agree to Sir Hubert’s offer. The alternative was watching the whole retinue attack at the same time, and kill everyone who tried to stop them.

“Very well. But you will give me your word that if I don’t win, even if Edwin takes over this castle after my death, your men will leave the women alone. All of them. And that includes the Lady Johanna. She will not be made to marry a man against her will and she is not to be forced in any way, by any man in your retinue.”

It was odd to talk about his death in such a detached manner, but in this moment he was not thinking about himself, he was only focused on one thing—saving the servants from harm and protecting the woman he loved.

“Why would I promise such a thing as to leave the women alone? Wouldn’t we be doing them a favor? Don’t they deserve to see what it feels like to be possessed by a real man?”

It was just as bad as Cadell had thought. The blasted Sir Hubert saw such gratification as owed to his men.

“I see you will not promise this one, simple thing. Is that because Englishmen have no honor, and their word cannot be trusted? I don’t know why I am even surprised. I had heard as much.”

As he had no way of physically forcing him to agree to anything, he could only pique his pride and hope it was enough to shame him into an agreement.