Royal Feud

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

She smiled at him and placed her hand in his. blue eyes were unshed tears, but he knew she would not lose her composure and embarrass them both ght with in front of their guests. They had said everything that needed to be said between the two of them earlier this morning in the privacy of the solar. Devlin could feel her deep love and unwavering support for him, so he gave her hand a slight squeeze. Lucy walked beside him as he led her across the hall and outside. They paused at the top of the donjon steps to survey the crowded bailey. At their appearance a murmur swept through the crowd, and all eyes turned toward them. For a moment

silence descended, then the crowd erupted in to a thunderous ovation. Devlin could feel the love radiating from his people, so he raised his free hand to acknowledge their approbation. Whatever this marriage meant for him personally, whatever sacrifice he made of his own personal happiness, was worth it for them. It was his duty-nay, it was his honor-to guard and protect these people with his life.

He led his mother down the steps, and they slowly negotiated through the path the crowd made for them. Persistent applause poured over them as they walked. Seeing Phillip Talbot, the headman of Mersthrope, step forward, Devlin came to a halt. "Milord." Talbot bowed. "Please accept the wishes of everyone in the village for a

long and happy life." "Thank you, Talbot." Devlin nodded as the village leader moved back and stepped out of the way. The clapping continued as Devlin and Lucy resumed their procession to the chapel steps. He let go of his mother's hand, kissed her cheek, and mounted the steps, coming to a halt one step below Father Thomas, who waited at the top. Taking a deep breath he turned, ready to face his fate.

Devlin's jaw firmed as he saw Morefy's gloating expression when the earl led his retinue into the inner bailey. The man did not even have the courtesy to dismount, Devlin thought in disgust. Morefy advanced without regard to how the frozen ground made footing precarious for both the horses and the villeins in his path. The applause abruptly ceased as the people scurried to get out of the way. The earl's two sons trailed behind him. Gerald had the same heavy build as his father; one that would, no doubt, turn to fat in a few years as his father's had done. Percy was tall and thin, more a boy than a man.

Where was the girl? Devlin could not see her.

Morefy pulled to a stop in front of the chapel and dismounted. At the earl's signal, his sons followed suit, and Devlin finally spotted the girl. Her small figure was entirely covered in black, from the wimple that covered her head to the cloak that shrouded her body. Her head was bent so he could see nothing of her face.

The earl spoke to Percy, and the boy left his father's side and went to his sister's. Devlin watched closely as Percy helped the girl dismount, but he still did not get so much as a glimpse of her face.

Morefy gripped Hermione's arm to pull her forward and up the stairs. "Behold your bride, Ishton."

The earl left his daughter on the steps and retreated down them. Devlin turned toward Hermione as she raised her head to look at him.

Devlin stared in disbelief at her horribly disfigured face. A ragged red scar ran from the corner of her left eye down to her chin. The entire left side of her face was crisscrossed with smaller red scars, as if someone had taken a knife to her face and repeatedly slashed it.

Hermione stared in disbelief at his extraordinarily handsome face. His brilliant blue eyes were furious. The ebony hair under his white fur cap was unfashionably long and framed his chiseled chin. His tall, muscular body was clothed in a fine wool mantle that was the same brilliant blue shade as his eyes. He was the most magnificent man she had ever seen.

Inwardly she shrank from the repulsion she saw in his eyes as he looked at her. Sö far no one but the baron and the priest had seen her ruined face, but it would be impossible to hide her appearance from the people at Ishton for long. She swallowed the shame filling her and straightened her shoulders. Taking a deep breath, she turned to fully face the assembled crowd that had become eerily silent.

As the people saw her face, she heard their gasps of shock and horror. Warriors crossed themselves and looked away. Mothers shielded their children's eyes against their skirts while they turned their own faces away from hers. A wave of revulsion emanating from the people seemed to slam into her.

"Lady Hermione."

The woman's voice was strong and loud as she walked up the stairs. She commanded an enormous amount of respect as the crowd stilled, watching her. Her brilliant blue eyes, the eyes her son had inherited, were kind and gentle. "Welcome to Ishton. I am Lady Lucy." Reaching Hermione's side, she turned

toward the crowd. "You will all join me in making Lady Hermione feel welcome here." She drew Hermione into her arms, giving her a kiss on her right cheek. Lucy turned Hermione toward the people so they could see as she deliberately kissed Hermione's ruined left cheek.

Hermione was used to the repugnance she had suffered from her betrothed and the crowd, but the kindness of Lady Lucy almost undid her. "Thank you, milady," she said softly.

"Devlin," Lady Lucy said in a fierce undertone, "do you not have something to say to Lady Hermione?" "Welcome to Ishton, milady." Devlin bowed to Hermione.

Hermione widened her eyes and blinked rapidly to subdue the tears that threatened. Steeling herself, she looked back into his eyes, but his expression was now impassive.

The baron turned to look at the priest. "Father Thomas, 'tis time to begin." Hermione rotated to face the priest as well.

"Milord, please take Lady's Hermione's hand," the priest instructed. Devlin held out his hand to her without looking at her. Hermione placed her hand in his, feeling engulfed as he closed his fingers over hers. The priest glanced briefly at her, then began to speak. "Devlin, Lord Ishton, is here to be joined in marriage with Hermione of Morefy," he announced in a loud voice. "Does anyone present know of any impediment that prevents this marriage from being sealed?"

There was a pause. Hermione stared at Devlin's hand, fully expecting him her. He said nothing. "Do you, Devlin, take Hermione to be your wife?" the priest asked.

"I do." Devlin's voice was strong.

"Do you, Hermione, take Devlin to be your husband?"

"I do." She could manage only a quivering whisper.

It was done. She was wed to a man who must loathe her. Hermione raised her eyes to his. He no longer betrayed any emotion in his aloof features. The priest led them into the chapel and up the aisle to the altar, where he stopped and genuflected. Hermione was aware of the others following them into the church.

Devlin dropped her hand when they reached the prayer rail so she glanced sideways at him and witnessed him crossing himself and bowing his head. Hermione genuflected in front of the altar at the priest's signal. When Devlin knelt beside her, the priest began the words of institution. By rote she offered the correct responses and accepted the communion wafer from him. They remained on their knees as the priest spread a white veil over their heads before he intoned a blessing on their union.