Page 40 of Wolfehound (De Wolfe Pack Generations #11)

The air was full of tension. It bled from the walls, the table, the floor after that pointed and determined speech. Everything le Mon was repeating was nearly exactly what had happened, which could have only come from someone who had been part of it.

The reality of this situation was becoming clear.

Colm de Lara had stabbed his old allies in the back with his deathbed confession.

He’d started something in motion that could not be easily stopped.

Scott thought that if the man wasn’t already dead, then he would have surely killed him because of the trouble he had caused.

A young woman’s life hung in the balance, not to mention all of the collateral relationships and people involved.

As he struggled to come up with a steady reply, he heard a voice come from behind.

“If you would like to see Lord de Royans’ daughter, then I shall fetch her for you,” Liam said as he crossed the floor of the great hall, having come from the direction of the servants’ entrance.

“We have nothing to hide and you will tell the archbishop that. No one has done anything wrong except you, coming into a noble home and throwing around gossip and rumors.”

Seeing a very big knight coming in his direction with an enormous dog at his side, le Mon stood up. He also collected his sword, though he didn’t unsheathe it. He simply watched, tensed, as Liam came to stand between Scott and Carlton.

“I do not know you,” Tyrus said evenly. “Please identify yourself.”

Liam looked the man up and down as if sizing up the competition. “The man soon to marry Lord de Royans’ daughter,” he said. “I could hear what you were saying when I entered the hall. You have come to see my wife, so you will deal with me.”

“You still have not told me your name.”

“Liam Herringthorpe, garrison commander of Easington Castle. A royal property, in case you did not know.”

That seemed to bring some clarification to Tyrus, but he was still on his feet, ready for a fight. “Then you are Lord Herringthorpe’s son,” he said.

“Brilliant deduction,” Liam said sarcastically. “In fact, I stood at that doorway over there and heard nearly everything you said. That is one of the most outlandish stories I have ever heard. Are you mad? Or just ridiculous?”

“Liam,” War snapped softly. “Still your tongue, lad.”

“Or what?” Liam said, looking at his father.

“Or that man at the end of the table is going to fight me? It seems to me that he’s come to insult Lord de Royans, demean you, and call Lord Warenton’s father a traitor.

Someone has to stand up to him, and since he seems to be focused on the woman I am to marry, it is going to be me. ”

Tyrus remained standing, remained poised. He also remained calm. “It is a simple question with a simple answer,” he said. “All I am asking for is to meet de Royans’ daughter. Given the situation, I have been tasked with determining whether or not the rumors are true.”

Liam sighed sharply. “Did it ever occur to anyone that the ramblings of a dying man were just that—ramblings?” he said.

“Pure fantasies? You may not realize this, le Mon, but there is more than just one woman in this world with black hair and blue eyes, or indistinct brown hair and brown eyes, or however you put it. You cannot base your judgment solely on a physical description. And what you are doing now is accusing William de Wolfe, a man who is infallible, of treason. A dead man who cannot defend himself. I find that astonishingly cowardly.”

More harsh words. This time, War didn’t silence his son. He agreed with him. Everyone was looking at Tyrus now because the burden of proof was on him.

“No one is accusing de Wolfe of anything,” Tyrus said, maintaining his composure. “But I have been tasked with a job. If you show me de Royans’ daughter, we can just as easily be finished with this.”

Liam snorted, but it wasn’t a pleasant sound. “Very well,” he said. “I will bring her. But when you see that she is not the woman you are looking for, you will return to Canterbury and tell him. Let this nonsense be finished for good.”

Tyrus simply nodded, a gesture that suggested he understood and agreed. At least, that was how Liam took it. He pointed to the chair behind Tyrus.

“Sit down and wait,” he said. “I will fetch her now. This will only take a moment.”

As Tyrus slowly lowered himself onto the bench, Liam marched out of the hall with a purpose.

And what a purpose.

He was going to end this.

The idea had occurred to him as he stood in the shadows and listened to Tyrus explain why he had come.

The man had all of the facts straight, which was horrifying, and it seemed to underscore the fact that Colm de Lara was behind everything.

He’d confessed something, for an unknown reason, that should have never seen the light of day.

That meant they had to outsmart de Lara, which wasn’t going to be difficult. Liam knew exactly what he needed to do.

He headed right for the keep.

The door to the entry was bolted, but he banged on it and demanded entry. Nathaniel opened the door for him and he pushed inside, slamming the door behind him and throwing the bolt again.

“Where is Cambria?” he asked quietly.

Nathaniel pointed to the closed solar door. “In there,” he said. “She’s locked in.”

“Good,” Liam said. “But you must find Cassius. The man has run off and no one knows where he is, so find him and stay with him. Keep him out of sight and far away from the hall.”

Nathaniel’s brow furrowed. “ What is happening, Liam?”

Liam shook his head. “No time to go through it now,” he said. “Just do as you’re told. I’ll explain later.”

Frowning, Nathaniel slipped from the entry door as Liam closed it, and locked it, behind him. Then he headed up the stairs to the upper floor, where he knew his mother was along with a few other women.

There was one in particular he needed.

Making his way to the top level, he went to Cambria’s chamber door.

He knew the women had been in her chamber, helping her prepare for her coming wedding, so he assumed they were all still in there.

They’d been ordered to remain there but, knowing his mother, anything was possible.

Annaleigh didn’t like being told what to do.

Rapping softly on the door, he could hear a familiar voice on the other side.

“Who is it?”

“’Tis me, Mama. Open the door.”

The panel lurched open and Liam found himself looking at his mother, Fair Lydia, Lady Warenton, and Caria.

He crooked a finger at Caria.

“Cari,” he said softly. “Come here.”

Caria had been on the floor with a pile of clothing in front of her, but she leapt up at the sight of Liam and rushed to him.

They’d known each other for years since he’d fostered at Castle Questing, so she trusted him.

He was like a brother to her. Liam took her by the hand as she reached the door, pulling her out as he looked to his mother.

“Close this door and bolt it again,” he said. “I’ll explain more later, but please do it.”

Annaleigh didn’t argue with him. Once Caria was free of the chamber, she shut the door. He heard the bolt thrown. Then he looked at Caria.

“I need a great, great favor from you, lass,” he said quietly. “It is literally a matter of life or death, so will you help me?”

Caria’s eyes were wide on him. “Aye, I will,” she said. “What is happening, Liam? Why are we locked up in a chamber?”

He sighed heavily. “I will tell you, but I must do it quickly,” he said.

“We must get over to the hall. What I am about to tell you must never leave your lips, Caria. I know you are good at keeping secrets because I know yours. I always have, and in all of the years I have known you, you have never once mentioned it to me, so that is how I know you can keep a secret. Now, you must keep another secret that is just as volatile as your own. I know it is a lot to ask, but I must. Can you do it?”

She was looking at him with trepidation.

Caria was a woman with strength. It was innate, but she had also been raised by William and Jordan, so she was no shrinking violet.

They had raised her to be brave, to stand for truth and honor, and to be loyal to family.

She was also taught to trust, and she had known Liam, and had known his character, long enough to trust the man with her life. To his question, she nodded.

“I can,” she said. “Tell me what you need from me and I shall do it.”

He did.