Читать книгу Royal Weddings...Through the Ages - Elizabeth Rolls, Ann Lethbridge - Страница 16

Off the coast of Cyprus, April 12, 1191

Liam MacEgan hated ships. Though he’d spent many years of his life exploring the waters of his native Éireann, being trapped aboard a wooden vessel for months was somewhere between purgatory and hellfire.

It was your idea to go on Crusade, he reminded himself. He’d believed he was embarking on an adventure, to see the Holy Land and fight to free Jerusalem. His family had been firmly opposed to it. His father, King Patrick of Laochre, had demanded that he face his responsibilities as a future provincial king.

But he’d needed an escape from his homeland. He’d grown up listening to the stories of distant lands, told to him by his uncle Trahern. He longed to see the glittering foreign cities and taste new foods. He needed this last chance to see the worlds that were forbidden to him… to feel the sting of desert sand against his face… to learn the secrets of exotic women.

And so, defying his family’s wishes, he’d slipped out one night and arranged passage to France, to join in the service of the King Richard, Coeur de Lion.

Liam stared out at the fierce blue of the Mediterranean, and a bittersweet tang of homesickness caught him. The sky was a dark grey, and clouds rolled in the distance. He was dimly aware of a woman moving along the side of the boat, just behind the oarsmen. Her long dark hair was covered by a veil, but the length of it stirred in the sea winds.

Adriana, daughter of the Vicomte de Manzano, was one of the Princess Berengaria’s ladies. She was a dark beauty, with olive skin and raven hair. He watched as her hands curved over the wood of the ship, and she turned back to stare at the waves.

He wanted to go and talk to her, but he sensed it would be an intrusion of her time alone. Her eyes lifted to the darkening skies, as though she were afraid.

Instinct made him glance behind him, and he spied the Count of Berduria staring at the young woman. The unrestrained lust on his face made Liam cross over to Lady Adriana’s side. Though she shied away from him, he said in a low voice, ‘Don’t be afraid. I came to offer my protection, not to disturb you.’

When she sent him a confused look, he added, ‘The count is watching.’ At that, Lady Adriana settled her gaze back upon the sea. Liam wasn’t certain whether or not she wanted him to stay. ‘Would you rather I left you alone with him?’

‘Stay,’ she whispered. ‘Unless your intent is the same as his.’ She shivered in the wind, rubbing her shoulders. Liam unfastened his cloak and settled it around her shoulders. It was meant to offer her warmth, but it also sent an unmistakable message to the count.

She pulled the cloak around her. ‘You’re one of King Richard’s men, aren’t you?’

‘I chose to fight at his side, aye. But I am not his vassal.’ He refrained from mentioning anything further, not wanting to admit his own rank. During this journey, he’d told no one that he was an Irish prince, save King Richard. He wanted to experience life as a common man, as a soldier. It had meant giving up the luxuries he’d come to enjoy, but in return, he’d seen a side of life that his family had tried to protect him from.

‘Has King Richard spoken of the princess?’ Adriana asked. ‘My lady Berengaria worries that he seems so… distant, ever since the new betrothal.’

Liam shrugged. ‘His Majesty is preoccupied with the journey to the Holy Land. He’s eager to fight for Jerusalem.’

‘What of the Princess Alys? He broke his betrothal to her only a few months ago. Does he desire to reconcile—?’

‘Given that his father took Alys as his mistress and she bore him a daughter, rest assured, King Richard had little desire to take her to wife.’ Liam sent her a sidelong glance. ‘Berengaria didn’t tell you?’

Adriana shook her head. ‘She didn’t know. Queen Eleanor never spoke of why the betrothal was broken, but it was she who brought Berengaria to become the king’s bride.’

‘And what of you?’ Liam asked. ‘You intend to travel wherever the princess wishes to go? Even to the Holy Land?’

She nodded. ‘She has no choice, any more than I do.’ The young woman clasped her hands together.

‘You could marry or return to your family,’ he suggested. ‘Jerusalem is dangerous for a woman.’

‘Not for me.’

He stared at her, and she sent him a confident smile. ‘I have four brothers. I know ways to protect myself.’

‘How?’ He moved closer, until his knee brushed the edge of her silk gown.

The tip of a knife touched the soft skin above his throat. ‘Like this.’ Adriana’s dark brown eyes were dancing with amusement. ‘You wouldn’t be likely to harm me now, would you?’ She removed the blade and offered it back to him.

Son of Belenus, it was his own blade. She’d somehow stolen it from his belt without him even sensing her.

‘How did you do that?’

Her face transformed with a knowing smile. ‘You should know better than to underestimate a stranger. I am one of the princess’s guards, just as you protect His Majesty.’

It was rare for a woman to surprise him, but he found himself fascinated by Adriana. Her full mouth drew his attention, and her scent reminded him of aromatic spices, like a heady mulled wine.

‘Men are often distracted by a woman,’ she said. ‘Just as you were.’

‘You are a distraction,’ he agreed. Her expression shifted, and he saw the wariness in her eyes. She wanted nothing from him; that much was evident.

Stepping back, he asked, ‘What if your enemy overpowered you? Your strength would be no match for an attacker’s.’

‘I rely on myself. And I protect the princess when there is need of my blade.’ She squared her shoulders and removed his cloak. ‘Take this back. You’ll be cold.’

‘It’s far colder than this in my homeland. I’m accustomed to it.’ He nodded toward the aft side of the ship. ‘Are you wanting me to escort you back to the princess?’

‘Not yet.’ Lady Adriana took a deep breath. ‘She gave me leave to do as I please for the next hour. I’ll go back soon enough.’ She donned his cloak once more, and the wind buffeted the sails, the sky turning ominous. Within minutes, the rain began to fall. The change in the weather was enough to send the count away from his pursuit. The lady lifted her face to the droplets, smiling wryly. ‘Isn’t it my ill luck to have rain during the only moments of freedom I’ve had?’

Liam ignored the rain and studied the waves. The seawater reflected the grey skies, and as they continued eastward, the waves were rising. ‘You should go below, a chara. The storm is going to get worse.’ Already the oarsmen were fighting the winds, their arms straining to keep control of the ship.

As if in response to his warning, the vessel lurched, and Adriana went flying. Liam caught her before her head could hit the deck, and he steadied her on her feet. ‘Are you all right?’ She nodded, but he kept her hands at her waist for balance. ‘You need to go back to the princess. I wouldn’t want you to be swept overboard.’

Her face had gone pale, and she glanced out at the waves. ‘How far are we from land?’

‘Don’t think about that now.’ Aye, it was likely that if the ship capsized, they might drown. Liam was a fair enough swimmer, but it was spring and the water would be uncomfortably cold.

Adriana removed his cloak and handed it to him. ‘Take me back to the princess.’ Liam donned the garment and walked behind her as she returned to the princess’s tiny chamber.

‘Stay with Her Royal Highness,’ Liam said. ‘And tell her not to be afraid.’ Even as he spoke the words, he knew they were unconvincing. He was struggling to remain on his feet, and when the ship tossed again, Adriana struck the wall hard.

She rubbed her shoulders, wincing at the pain. ‘I’ll be all right,’ she said before he could ask. ‘But promise me something.’

Liam rested his hand against the wall for balance. Adriana stood only inches away, her dark hair resting over the shoulder of her crimson gown. He waited for her to speak, though his gaze was caught by her lips and soft skin.

‘If the ship is going to sink, I want to know. We may lose the king’s treasure for the Crusade, but I don’t want him to lose his bride.’ She knew, as he did, that this ship was one of two that held the king’s gold and treasure to fund the Crusade.

‘If the storm seizes the ship, I’ll do what I can to help the sailors,’ he said.

Adriana dipped her head in a nod. ‘What is your name?’

‘Liam MacEgan.’

She studied him, and her expression held doubt. ‘You’re not like the other men I’ve seen aboard this ship.’

‘Why?’

‘You don’t behave as though you serve the king. You carry yourself like an equal.’

‘Perhaps I am his equal,’ he said in a low voice.

Though her gaze said she didn’t quite believe him, there was enough hesitancy in her face to suggest that she knew he was not as he seemed to be.

‘I’ll come for you if the storm worsens,’ he promised. Lifting her gloved hand, he pressed his mouth upon it. ‘Guard your princess. And I’ll guard you.’

But the worry didn’t dim in her eyes. If the storm worsened, as he suspected it would, there was a very real chance that all of them would die.

All through the night, Berengaria clung to her bed, praying. She hadn’t slept at all, but she clenched the gold-and-ruby-encrusted cross necklace Richard had sent as a gift. Though she’d given him her own token, she didn’t know if he valued it in the same way. Her fingers ran along the edges of the jewels, as if they held the warmth of Richard’s hands.

She still couldn’t believe he had asked for her hand in marriage. Within a matter of months, her life had been utterly changed. Queen Eleanor had escorted her to Sicily, and later, the king’s sister, Queen Joan of Sicily, had joined their party as her new companion while Eleanor returned home. The months of travelling were gruelling, but Berengaria’s greatest fear was seeing Richard again.

Her predication had come back to haunt her: You aren’t my betrothed husband and never will be.

How wrong she’d been. Her father had seized the marriage offer from Richard, leaving Berengaria to wonder whether it was Queen Eleanor’s idea… or Richard’s. She’d been unable to stop thinking about the stolen kiss in the garden. He’d awakened such feelings within her, tremulous thoughts that made her blood quicken.

On their arrival in Sicily, he’d stood awaiting the ship. And later that day, he’d arranged for a private meal with her.

‘For once, I can make a royal alliance that pleases me,’ he’d said.

Though Berengaria wanted to believe him, her doubts held strong. The table was set so that her chair was at his left, and during the meal, he’d touched her hand several times.

‘My lord, why? There are dozens of princesses who would make a stronger alliance for you. Some wealthier than I.’

‘It’s true that your dowry will help our Crusade. I won’t lie about that.’ He kissed the knuckles of her hand. ‘But I remembered you, long after our ways parted. I wanted you then, just as I do now.’

Her nerves tightened as Richard pulled her to stand. He remained in his chair, his hands sliding about her waist as he drew her to sit on his knee. He was taller than most men, and it brought her face even to his. ‘Was I wrong to ask you to wed?’

His steel eyes held hers, and she shook her head. ‘I don’t suppose a marriage with you would be any different than any other king.’

‘It would, ma chère. And you know this already.’ He brought his hand to caress her cheek. ‘I prefer a wife who can speak her mind. One who desires me, as much as I want her.’ His fingers stopped at her chin. ‘I demand your honesty, Berengaria. Is it your will to be my bride?’

She covered his hand with her own. ‘I’ve never been permitted to choose my husband.’ Fear trebled her heartbeat as she lifted her face to his. ‘But although you intimidate me, there is no other man I’ve wanted.’

His mouth curved in a smile. ‘Were it not Lent, I would wed you this day.’ He brushed a light kiss against her mouth, and she shivered at the sudden rise of heat within her. ‘As it is, we’ll wait until after Easter and marry before I bring you to Acre.’

She wasn’t looking forward to their travels to the Holy Land. Though she understood that this Crusade meant everything to him, she knew that as his queen, she would be the target of assassins.

‘I’ve never been so far from Navarre before,’ she admitted. ‘And I can’t say that I wish to live so close to the war.’

His face hardened. ‘You doubt my ability to keep you safe?’

‘No. But if you are away fighting—’

‘I protect what belongs to me,’ he asserted. Taking her hand, he led her away from her ladies and his attendants. A tall Oriental screen, decorated with flowers and birds, stood in the corner. Richard took her behind it, giving them what privacy he could.

‘Berengaria,’ he whispered, framing her face with his hands. ‘From the first moment I saw you, you cast a spell over me.’ His hands slid down her cheeks, and the caress made her breath catch. When she touched his hands with hers, he leaned in for a kiss.

Just as before, the brush of his mouth was searching, kindling a response that she didn’t understand. He drew her against the far wall, the wood pressing against her spine as his mouth moved away from her lips, down to her throat.

‘There’s no reason for you to be afraid,’ he said against her skin. ‘Not of the Saracens. And not of me.’

She ventured a shaky smile, catching his hands. ‘I can’t stop my fear. Whenever I’m near you, I can hardly breathe.’

He moved in, pulling her hips to his. ‘That isn’t fear, ma chère. It’s desire.’ His mouth moved to her throat, kissing her softly. ‘I don’t want you to breathe. I want to possess every part of you. And were it not a sin, I would claim you tonight.

‘We’ll wed in the Holy Land,’ he swore. With another smile, he added, ‘You’ll have to travel on a different ship than me, Berengaria. Otherwise, I won’t be able to keep my hands from you.’ He stole another soft kiss and released her. He brought her the gold-and-ruby-encrusted cross necklace, fastening it around her throat. ‘Take this token, and think of me when you’re asleep at night.’

Berengaria held on to the necklace, tracing the rough gold. The ship heaved in the water, and she gripped her skirts, terrified of being flung across the room.

‘Are we going to die?’ she whispered to her lady-in-waiting, Adriana.

The young woman came and gripped her hand. ‘The king’s man assured me that he would let us know if we were in danger. It’s just a bad storm.’

Though Berengaria wanted to believe it, instinct told her otherwise. The king’s sister, Queen Joan, reached for a strand of rosary beads, dropping to her knees in prayer.

A loud knocking resounded at the door, and her gaze snapped toward the sound. Adriana hurried to answer it, and a tall man stood at the entrance. He had dark blond hair and grey eyes, and he wore a black cloak fastened with a brooch the size of her palm.

‘My lord MacEgan?’ Adriana addressed the man.

Berengaria saw the look that passed between them, and it escalated her fear. ‘Are we going to sink?’ she interrupted.

‘We’re near the coast of Cyprus,’ MacEgan said. ‘The captain is going to divert the ship towards the shore, so that if the worst happens—’

‘—we can swim to the shore,’ Berengaria finished. She turned away from them, her eyes burning. She couldn’t swim at all. If the ship capsized or sank, she was going to die. Her hand clenched into a fist around the necklace, and she tried to quell the terror that rose up inside.

Then, a loud cracking noise resounded, and the ship tipped violently.

It was less than an hour before water came pouring within the ship. Adriana’s feet were soaked, and she left Berengaria with the king’s sister while she went in search of MacEgan.

He’d kept his word, and she trusted that he would tell her the truth. She saw him rowing alongside the other sailors, his arms straining against the oars as the men fought against the sea’s power. Adriana took one of the ropes and wound it around her arm as she moved forward. On one side of the ship, she saw half a dozen men bailing water with buckets.

As soon as he saw her standing there, MacEgan yelled at one of the men to take his place at the oars. He fought his way toward her and gripped another rope to hold his balance.

‘I told you to stay with the princess!’ he yelled over the roar of the storm.

Adriana’s arm wrenched with the motion of the rope, and MacEgan pulled her back, unfastening the rope and guiding her to him. His grey eyes glared at hers. ‘You could have been tossed overboard.’

‘We’re going to die anyway, aren’t we?’ Her hands were shaking, her clothing soaked from the rain and the seawater.

Liam kept her in his arms, warming her shoulders. ‘Not if I can help it.’ He nodded outside. ‘We’re only a few miles from the shore.’

‘And we’re sinking.’ She gripped his shirt, her feet frigid in the cold water. ‘We don’t have time to reach land.’

He kept his hands around her waist, and she made no effort to push them away. ‘Listen to me.’ His voice was commanding, reaching inside her to push back the fear. ‘If the worst happens, swim as hard as you can toward the shore. I’ll find you.’

Her hands were shaking, and she felt his arms come around her, as if to offer shelter from her fear. ‘I won’t let anything happen to you,’ he murmured.

Despite the freezing water and rain, there was a steady warmth in his embrace. Her instinct was to trust him, to let herself believe that there was a man whom she could believe in… unlike her father and brothers, who had betrayed her.

‘Now return to the princess and Queen Joan,’ he insisted. ‘And we’ll get as close to the shore as we can.’

She held on to his forearms, as if she could take a piece of his courage with her. Then, unexpectedly, he leaned down and touched his lips to hers. ‘For luck,’ he said.

He left her standing there, while he went back to the others.

The ship was going down. Liam knew it with a surety in his blood, but he’d be damned before he’d let the sea claim him. The vessel shuddered, and it was reaching the breaking point. They couldn’t bail the water out fast enough, and now it was only a matter of time before they abandoned the ship.

He let out a curse as another wave soaked the deck. A moment later, the women appeared, their gowns sodden above the waist. Adriana led them forward, holding Princess Berengaria’s hand. Queen Joan followed behind, gripping a strand of rosary beads.

Liam gathered the women together and pointed toward the shore. ‘We’re doing what we can to stay above water as long as we can. But if the sea takes us, try to make it towards land.’

The princess’s face was white, her hands gripped together. ‘I can’t swim.’

He gave a nod and surveyed the others. ‘What of the rest of you?’

‘I can,’ Adriana said. Queen Joan nodded as well.

‘Try to stay together,’ Liam urged. To the princess, he added, ‘If the ship breaks apart, hold on to the largest piece of wood you can find. It will keep you afloat.’

The vessel started to tip as the lower quarters filled with water. Liam heard their shrieks, and saw Adriana lunge toward one of the younger maids, who was pulled under by the force of the water. She caught the girl’s hand, struggling to hold on, but the sea fought to keep its prey.

‘Adriana, no!’ Berengaria cried out. And then both women disappeared beneath the water.