She was sizing him up and smiling when he turned back around to look at her. He did the same while she pulled up her panties and let down her skirts.
They didn’t talk about the king on the way back. Kestrel was still set on begging him not to fight against Henry. He understood that altering time was forbidden and dangerous, but after what Richard had done this morning, the idea of abandoning him didn’t sit well with Nicholas.
“Did Elizabeth ever mention Henry to you?” he asked her. Now that the danger to Kestrel was over, Elizabeth bombarded his thoughts. What kind of clever, dangerous enemy to Richard was she? How long had she felt animosity toward him—enough to lure him to his death?
“She never did,” his wife replied, resting against him. “And she only spoke of the king when she was asked about him. She mostly wanted to know what happened to me, was my memory getting any better? She asked a lot of questions about you.”
“What kinds of questions?”
She shrugged and he kissed the top of her head. “Questions like was I responsible for all your smiles.”
“What did you tell her?” he whispered against her ear.
“That I wasn’t responsible forallyour smiles.”
“Not true,” he laughed softly. “You are responsible for all of them, all my laughter, all my hopes. Everything. What I do with it all is my choice. You awakened me and now I want it all with you.”
He felt her take in a long, deep breath and then let it out as if all her pain rode on the breath of that wave and left her body. “I love you, Nicholas.”
“And I love you, Kestrel.”
When they reached the castle, they dismounted and were on their way to their room when they were stopped by a group of his men.
“King Richard wishes to see you as soon as you return,” said one of the guards. “Forgive us, my lord, but we are to escort you.”
“Is something wrong?’ Kestrel asked him, looking up.
“No, love,” he reassured. He wished he felt the confidence with which he spoke. Had something happened? He didn’t want to alarm Kestrel, so he said nothing.
They were escorted to Nicholas’ solar, where the king awaited them.
Sitting in a chair beside the king, with a drink in his hand, was Reg. Why did Nicholas’ blood run cold in his veins? “What is going on?” he asked the king.
He noticed more guards filing into the solar. Some of them were the men Nicholas had relieved of duty yesterday.
“Nicholas,” the king said, looking forlorn. “I thought you were on my side.”
“What are you talking about?” Nicholas growled.
“How could you take a Lancaster as your bride? And now, she may be a witch!”
No! Nicholas’ murderous gaze went to Reg as even more guards filled the solar. Five men came at him immediately while four others took hold of Kestrel.
When they put their hands on her, Nicholas fought against his captors and prevailed, but more men came. Some of his own men, afraid to show disloyalty to the king. He fought them but there were too many holding him back.
“We will have trial in one hour,” Richard informed him. “Reg tells me there are witnesses already waiting to speak to me.”
“Richard!” Nicholas shouted at him. “Do not do this! You will die at Bosworth Field without me. I will not fight for you if you do not stop this!”
“’Tis out of my hands, Nicky. The people want justice. Let us have her trial and if she is found guilty, I will do nothing until Bosworth Field is over and I am safe. Then, I will let her go to you.”
“Release her now!” Nicholas bellowed, shaking the walls.
Richard offered Kestrel a pitying look. “Take her away,” he commanded, then departed the solar. The four men holding Kestrel left after him. Reg and fourteen others stayed behind with Nicholas.
“I am going to kill you,” he warned Reg on a low growl.
His cousin’s mocking laughter filled his soul. “You are nothing now, Nicholas. Soon, Richard will give this castle to me. You and your witch wife will be dead, and life will be happy without you in it once again. Take him to the great hall!” Reg commanded.