not move Vitalis to your side to save me from that marriage, it will prove no mere threat. You will do it—or at least try very hard to make me speak vows with Lavonne.
“I will not,” she breathed defiance though she knew that to protect those she loved, she could be forced to yield.
“Vitalis, will you save the lady again and, more importantly, preserve your life by pledging yourself to my kingdom, never again thinking upon rebellion?”
“I will not fight Saxons,” he said, “and if the lady does love me, she will not attempt to make me a man unworthy of any woman’s love by asking me to betray my own.”
Nicola looked around, and telling herself that given much time she could light the dark Vitalis shone upon her, said, “I do not and would not ask such of you.”
“Silence!” William ordered, and when she pressed her lips, said, “You are certain you could not fight for me?”
Vitalis stared at the man he saw no reason to answer since already it was done. Regardless of the words Guarin and Maël had spoken low and the look Dougray had given him, all seeking to assure him they knew Nicola lied and there was more sanity than madness to what transpired, he felt…
Not as he had felt over Zedekiah’s death, not as he had over the loss of other fellow rebels and innocent folk, but his emotions were on that threshold.
“You are no Sir Daryl,” William said, “and that is good. When the last of the opposition accepts me, and soon it shall, no further need will I have for men such as that Saxon who could more easily betray me than he betrayed his own.”
Mention of Zedekiah’s murderer who lurked, waiting to strike if William did not, stirred Vitalis enough that the warriors on either side tightened their holds.
“Ah, that is right,” Le Bâtard said, “much bad blood between the two of you.”
Silently, Vitalis cursed anger that was not only felt but seen. Why did he give the Norman such power over him—more, Nicola? Her presence and the lie to which she alluded were undoing him. But it was not just the sacrifice of her reputation her kin allowed in order to save this warrior. It was not just the belief her ruination dishonored both of them no matter who was believed the seducer. It was that and her foolishness in caring so greatly for one who often failed to prove worthy.
Though he had believed Hawisa’s sire would match one of his most skilled men with his daughter, her first husband was one other than Vitalis. He should have been at Stamford Bridge and Hastings, but a warrior of less skill had taken his place when he failed to defend against guile. He who was to think, act, and fight with honor had attacked the unarmed Sigward, setting an ungodly example for men who ensured that traitor breathed his last. Though the Rebels of the Pale had protected the weak by the sword and reputation that caused Norman offenders to go the long way around places patrolled by Vitalis’s men and women, most of those saved later died or suffered terribly when efforts to stop the harrying failed. Then there was Zedekiah…
Vitalis had been unable to save his friend from injury by Danes and murder by a traitorous Saxon. And while his friend's eyes stared sightlessly out across Peterborough, Daryl remained free to walk the earth.
“You appear to think on my proposal,” William said. “But then, it is a good one, not only preserving your life but providing the opportunity to ensure you are the one to wreak vengeance.”
Though Vitalis was tempted to look to Nicola’s menfolk for confirmation that they also understood that with which William sweetened the proposal—Daryl whose services the conqueror no longer required—he eased straining muscles and, ignoring Nicola when she looked around, said, “I do think on your proposal.”
William’s eyebrows rose. “Wise. So what would you have me yield?”
Vitalis did not attempt to mask his surprise.
The usurper grinned. “More and more I know you, of benefit to both of us.” He backhanded the air. “You need no longer hold him, Sir Maël and Baron Wulfrith. And Lady Nicola, sit beside me.” He removed his sword from atop his thighs and patted the trunk’s lid. “Best Vitalis keep you in sight whilst we seal our bargain.”
He did know Vitalis better than he wished to be known, forcing him to look upon the woman he was to save