The Captive Bride. Susan Paul Spencer

      Kayne sighed. “I had prayed it would not be so. I am heartily weary of killing.”

      “As am I, my friend,”Senet said soberly, “but it will not come to that, if we are carefuL John can tell us what weaknesses Lomas possesses, if they are any different from what I have remembered, and we will easily take it. Indeed, I have no wish to bring harm to any in the castle. Certainly not to my future wife or those belonging to her.”

      Aric chuckled. “’Twould not be the most befitting way to begin a marriage.”

      “She’ll have every opportunity to give way in peace,”Senet said. “Just as soon as the attack has begun.”

      “And what if she will not do so?”Kayne asked.

      “Then I’ll know what manner of woman I’m taking to wife, will I not? And she,”he continued evenly, “will discover what manner of man she shall have for a husband.”

       Chapter Two

      The battle for Lomas was a brief one, in part because it came without warning—so shortly after Sir William had departed—taking Lady Katharine by surprise, and in part because it was so well—executed that none of the men—atarms had a chance to obey their mistress when she gave the order to defend the castle. Still, Senet admired the effort those same men had put forth before being subdued. Lady Katharine might know little about keeping a castle safe at all times, but she clearly possessed enough intelligence to make certain of the loyalty of those beneath her hand.

      No one was killed, a fact for which Senet was fully grateful. Kayne had spoken truly—they were all weary of killing. Ten years of it was sufficient for any man. Kayne, especially, was near the edge of enough.

      The fighting men of Lomas were corralled in the inner bailey, looking about in a bewildered way at the smaller force that had so readily bested them. It was proof once again of how invaluable John’s remarkable skill in memorizing exact details was. He’d shown them the way to steal into the castle without detection, his facile brain remembering each entrance as if he’d held a map in his hands. But it had ever been thus with John, since Senet had known him. Indeed, his own rescue from slavery had been made possible only because of John’s amazing skill.

      Apart from their ease of entry into Lomas, there had been the actual fighting that had made the difference in their quick victory. Months it had been since he and Kayne and Aric had fought side by side, and yet it was as if it had merely been days. They each knew what the other would do and how he would act without having to think on it. It was what had given them such strength during all their years in France—an instinct that proved the difference between life and death. The small forces Duke Humphrey had lent Senet to aid in his conquest had merely filled in the missing spaces.

      It was over now. Castle Lomas was in his hands again, at last, and Senet stood before the men of the castle and addressed them as rightful master.

      “I am Senet Gaillard,”he said loudly enough for all to hear. “Some of you will remember my father, Ignace Gaillard, who was the lord of Lomas for many years before he was tried and executed as a traitor to England. I am his heir, and have proven myself loyal to the throne. The crown has therefore declared it right and fitting that I should regain the estate which my family held for four generations before it fell into disgrace. This is my inheritance, given by God and king, and I am your rightful lord. Any man among you who finds it impossible to vow his fealty to me may take his things and leave. Whoever stays will make his pledge of loyalty on the morrow, before the priest and Lady Katharine.”

      “We have vowed fealty to Lady Katharine!”one of the men shouted, and the others murmured and nodded. “’Tis she whom we serve!”

      Senet exchanged a brief look with Kayne, who shook his head. That soldiers should declare for a woman over a proven fighting man was almost beyond belief.

      “And where is your lady, then?”Senet demanded. “I do not see her here, to guide or support you, or even to do her duty and make terms for you. Is this the woman you wish to serve?”

      “I am here, Senet Gaillard.”

      The strong but clearly female voice came from behind, and Senet turned to see the speaker standing on the arched walkway above him, gazing down into the bailey. Their eyes met and held, and he realized, with a distinct certainty, that he was looking upon his future wife. Lady Katharine.

      His first thought—an unsettling one—was that she was going to prove a handful. There was a defiance in both her stance and expression that boded no good for either of them. His second thought, even more disturbing, was that she was an uncommonly beautiful woman, tall and elegant and admirably formed. Her eyes were green—he could see the vivid color even from the distance at which he stood, and her hair, which was partly covered by white silk, was a mixture of gold and red. The stubborn set of her lips detracted only slightly from what he perceived to be a heart—shaped face, delicate and lovely and fully at odds with the bold manner in which she held herself. She looked like more of a battle—ready Valkyrie than a soft female. But she wasn’t soft—she’d proven that time and again by her actions during the past two months—and it was a fact Senet knew he had best remember if he wished to master the woman. And he would master her. He had not thought, since he was a much younger man, that he would marry, but if he must do so, he would at least be lord of the union.

      “Lady Katharine,”he said, inclining his head toward her slightly. “We are honored by your presence. Do you come to speak terms for your men?”

      “For all of my people, aye,”she stated, and he noticed for the first time the three women standing behind her, each as unfriendly in their manner as she was. “Come to the great hall, Senet Gaillard,”Lady Katharine said curtly, making it a command, not an invitation. “I will receive you there.”

      Chin high, she turned about and strode away, leaving everyone present with the clear impression that she yet held herself as the lady of the castle. Senet allowed the behavior for the moment. It was an insult to him as the new master of Lomas to be treated with such contemptshe’d not even deigned to address him by his knightly title—but he was the one who had time on his side. For Lady Katharine, both time and power had slipped away; Senet could afford to be generous if it would in any way soften her before their marriage. It was a false hope, perhaps, to strive for some measure of peace with his wife. It didn’t particularly matter if they remained enemies, but he would rather gain her willingness and friendship than forever be wary in her presence.

      “Kayne, Aric,”he said, glancing at his friends. “Attend Lady Katharine with me in the hall and we will make our terms. John, go and fetch Clarise and escort her safely to the castle. Bring her to the hall as soon as may be.”

      “God in Heaven,”Ariette murmured as she followed her mistress into the hall. “He’s even more handsome than rumored. Did you see his eyes? So blue and clear. I’ve never seen the like before.”

      “And his hair!”Magan said, scurrying beside her. “Black as coal, and straight and fine as a woman’s. I couldn’t help but stare, though I tried not to.”

      Katharine had made the same attempt, but had found it impossible. Senet Gaillard must have been fashioned by the very devil to appear as he did. His coloring alone made it impossible not to look at him; those icy blue eyes seemed almost inhuman against the black of his hair. But he was very much a real man. A real, large and muscular, thoroughly masculine man. She’d seen the intention in the expression that his handsome face had held. There was no softness in him whatever. He meant to give up nothing, to take what he wished. It was to be battle between them. He’d clearly understood it, just as he had clearly understood her open disdain for him and his men.

      Lifting her sweeping skirts with a tight fist as she moved toward the great hall’s dais, Katharine said, “His eyes and hair have naught to do with the man. He is our enemy. Don’t let his outward appearance cause any of you to forget that. Has the missive