Forbidden Legacy Read Free Page B

reflecting off the circlet of gold upon his head. “Below the castle lie hidden catacombs.”
    He frowned. “Hidden catacombs?”
    â€œWith your having lived there, I thought you knew.” He paused. “Nay doubt your father believed you were too young and had planned to tell you upon your being knighted.”
    At the mention of his father Stephan stiffened, then refocused his thoughts to the news of the catacombs. A perfect place to hide the precious goods within the galleys.
    â€œAs well,” the king continued, “there is a secret entry that will allow you and your men to slip inside Avalon unseen.”
    Stunned, Stephan nodded. “’Twould seem there is much about the castle to learn.”
    â€œIndeed, and we will discuss this more later, but now the bishop and Lady Katherine await our arrival.”
    * * *
    Like a death knell, bells tolled the passage of another hour as Stephan struggled to accept the catastrophe of his wedded demise. Buried beneath the scent of frankincense and myrrh, he plighted his marriage troth with the same sense of dread as Lady Katherine, sealing a union neither wished.
    Once the ceremony was over, he would have distance from his unwanted wife. He’d devised a strategy to delay the inevitable intimacy, one, judging by Lady Katherine’s withering glare, she would welcome.
    After he’d repeated his final vow, the bishop sprinkled holy water on them and recited a prayer of hope, faithfulness, and love. “God bless you both.”
    As if a curse, Stephan drank the spiced wine.
    Robert Bruce nodded to the bishop. “You have my gratitude, Your Excellency.”
    â€œAn honor, Sire.” The clergyman departed, and silence permeated the chapel.
    â€œSir Stephan,” the king said, “you will sail for Avalon Castle with the morning tide.”
    Relief swept over him. “My men and I will be ready.”
    â€œThere is one more detail that I wish to discuss,” the Bruce said.
    As if the turn of events this day had brought had been anything but disastrous? From the sovereign’s tone, whatever news he would impart, it wouldna be one of Stephan’s liking. “Your Grace?”
    â€œIt concerns Lady Katherine.”
    She stiffened.
    Mirth trickled through him. The Bruce believed Stephan would regret leaving her, when his sovereign’s order melded with his own plans to sail and leave her behind. “Once the stronghold is secured, I will return and retrieve my wife.”
    A trip he’d make once rebuilding the castle was completed. If reconstruction took a year or more, mayhap longer if his forces were sent to fight for the king’s cause, then who was he to argue?
    â€œNay,” Robert Bruce stated.
    Her face paled.
    A chill crawled through Stephan. God in heaven, whatever the reason, the lass knew.
    â€œWhen you depart,” the Bruce said, each word crisp, “as your wife is the sole person who knows the entry to the secret tunnel, as well as the hidden catacombs, and due to her refusal to divulge the information of either and insistence upon her immediate return to her home, Lady Katherine will sail with you.”

Chapter Three
    S ilence, thick and potent, filled the bridal chamber, the distance between Katherine and her husband nae far enough. Fighting for calm, through the window she scanned the trees in the distance, the barren ground exposed beneath the moonlight like a harbinger of her future. She didna want any part of this marriage, Sir Stephan, or the promise of their cold, empty life ahead.
    â€œWine, my lady.” Her husband’s deep voice etched with control sifted through the chamber.
    How could he be so calm after the chaotic events of this day? “Nay. I am . . .” She started to turn, stilled at the sight of the bed. The attack upon her at the age of fifteen summers raged through her mind. A tremor rent her body, then another, the horrific memories threatening to