Thank you again for beta reading, xxCee-Gisborne-Cullenxx. You were as quick as always. *sending flowers*
Illusions 36
Rhobert saw Guy's barely suppressed rage, his voice hard and his eyes cold. He had seen it before when he had told Guy about a young Englishwoman in a convent, who had turned out to be Marian exactly as he had thought. Glancing at his friend now, he knew that Guy could be a dangerous man, even if he was positive that this was only the ire of a moment. Yes, he had made a grave mistake; this he knew now – He should not have brought Marian here without asking Guy at first.
Guy was with his back to Marian, ignoring her. Without waiting for an answer, he ordered one of the soldiers to close the gate and dashed off, his fury obvious in each step he took. None of the men dared say anything; they eyed the young woman Rhobert had brought with him curiously. Obviously, she was a woman from Guy's past and no one he liked to remember.
Rhobert's sad eyes followed his friend. He would have liked going after him, but this was impossible. The mission Lord Rhys had entrusted to him concerned the future of Wales and he could not allow a quarrel amongst friends taking precedence over his assignment. He would have to wait until he had reported to Lord Rhys. Even Gwyneth, who was rushing towards him across the courtyard, would have to wait. The joy Rhobert had felt when reaching the castle had vanished.
"Rhobert!" Gwyneth beamed at her fiancé, but she hesitated when she saw his face. "Rhobert… What has happened?" Tenderly, she touched his arm and felt slightly at ease when she saw his warm eyes enveloping her lovingly. Yes, something had happened, but it had nothing to do with her.
"Gwyneth!" Rhobert's hand briefly touched her face and he cleared his throat. "I have to report to your father first. Would you…?... There is someone I brought with me…She is…Guy…." He faltered; how should he explain to her who this Englishwoman was? He looked at her pleadingly and pointed towards Marian, who was still standing beside her horse, her figure and mien petrified. "Would you take care of her? She's English and does not speak our language…"
"Rely on me," Gwyneth replied and nodded without asking further questions. Robert would explain everything later on and she already knew that there was a connection between this woman and the fact that Guy had strode off in fury. Then her breath caught: Could this woman be the one, who had left Guy standing at the altar and if so, where did Rhobert find her and why had he brought her here?
Marian followed the young woman Rhobert had addressed as Gwyneth and who seemed to be his wife. She was glad that she could leave the courtyard and was removed from the curious and distrustful glances she had met, but she knew speculations had only begun. Her heart had ached when she had seen Guy's face, contorted with hatred. Only for a short moment he had looked at her, but she had seen everything in his gaze. Her hopes to talk to him, to explain to him, to beg his forgiveness… they had been illusions like so many other things in her life.
Lord Rhys was more than satisfied with the intelligence Rhobert had conveyed to him. They would be able to deal with the English and would no longer be at their mercy. Rumours had been true; many of them had joined King Richard for his new campaign. At the moment, Wales was far too insignificant and too small to require their attention and Prince John would need time to secure his own reign. Only briefly Rhys had asked about Lady Marian, but had not asked any questions when he had learned of Guy's reaction. Obviously, the Englishwoman was of no consequence and would leave the country soon enough.
Guy was in his chambers as Rhobert had guessed and looked up when the door opened, his mien still grim. He remained silent and did not get up but only faced his friend, his eyes glittering.
"I owe you an apology," Rhobert said at last. "I should not have brought her without your consent. Still, I do not understand you. Please, hear her out and afterwards…"
"I'd thought that at least you would understand," Guy shouted at him, interrupting him rudely. "I don't need anyone manipulating me again. You are my friend and you knew that I didn't want to see her again ever and nonetheless… Did you think that, once I'd see her again, I would get down on my knees and make an idiot of me once more? What kind of sappy story did she tell you, Rhobert?" he sneered.
"You're too pigheaded to realise that she was probably sent to this convent because she pleaded for your life?" Rhobert shouted back. "She didn't tell me anything! Not a word! The only thing she wanted to know was whether you had sent me. You should have seen her, she…"
Guy's hard gaze softened and Rhobert saw the hurt in his eyes. "Believe me, I have thought long and hard about everything and sometimes I had wished…." He halted and shook his head. "But there is nothing that could explain why she was sitting on the dais when she King made a spectacle out of my reprieve. Why, do you think, was she there? If the king had been furious about her appeal, why was she among the spectators? Am I led to believe that he wanted to punish her by making her watch all this? Why did he grant her request then? Perhaps it was pity she felt for me, but perhaps my humiliation was more precious to her than my death. No, there are other reasons why she was sent to the nunnery."
Rhobert stared at Guy, unable to reply anything. Perhaps Guy was right, perhaps Marian of Knighton had only been too glad to get out of the convent and everything else had been his own wishful thinking.
Guy sighed. "I'm sorry, Rhobert. Nobody knows better than I do that you want to see good things in people. I should be grateful, but I think your kind heart has played a trick on you. – I take it your mission was successful?" He changed the subject and Rhobert knew that it was no use to pursue the matter further. He didn't even know what to think about Lady Marian; Guy's remarks had made him insecure. He would have to talk to the woman tomorrow; during the journey, she had avoided the subject of her past and the reasons why she had been in the convent, but he wouldn't let her get away with this.
Now, however, the only thing he needed was Gwyneth arms around him and afterwards a soft bed. He was deadly tired and unable to think straight.
Guy saw his friend's exhausted face; he rose and laid a hand on his shoulder. "We won't talk about it any more; I should not have insulted you. You are my friend, the best friend I can imagine and this won't change, no matter what may happen."
Rhobert blinked but didn't say anything and left shortly thereafter. He was on his way to his chambers when a sudden smile lit his face. Even if Guy was not aware of this, he had changed. The man Rhobert had found beside the way months ago would not have apologised, least of all if he had reason for his anger.
Gwyneth had waited for him in the hallway. She wore a cloak but shivered; obviously she had been standing there quite a while. "How long have you been waiting, Gwyneth?" Rhobert asked, concerned, and took her in his arms. She nestled up against him. "Too long," she said, smiling up at him. "But it was too long the moment you left for your journey."
Rhobert closed his eyes for a moment and relished in the feeling of Gwyneth in his arms; he was the happiest man in the world. Then he sighed and released her reluctantly. "I'm so tired; I can barely stand upright," he admitted. "Tomorrow we'll talk and I also have to explain and….Lady Marian?" he added.
"She is probably asleep in her chambers. She was exhausted and obviously glad to be left alone. Rhobert… Is she the woman you told me about, the one who left Guy…?"
Rhobert nodded and Gwyneth continued. "Before you left I told you that I was somehow afraid of Guy, but I have revised my opinion." Rhobert glanced at her questioningly. „You had merely left when Morgan, the captain of the guard, insulted me – and you – but Guy made him rue his words immediately. He has protected me all the time you were gone and I felt quite safe with him. He is not the person I considered him in the beginning and now I know why this friendship is so important to you, to both of you and I approve with all my heart. But this woman… Is it possible that you made a mistake?"
"It is possible," Rhobert admitted. "I will talk to her in the morning and if she is not what I thought…." He halted and then continued. "….I will make sure that she is leaving Wales on the next available ship.