A Knight of Temptation(8)

Grendell was grim faced.

Melina knew she wouldn’t blame him if he wanted revenge, in fact she’d understand it. Shakily she tried to think of some alternative that would see Grendell by her side, and her father still lord of his lands.

His stolen lands. Grendell’s lands.

She took a deep breath. “You say you want to marry me,” she said. “I will do that. I will marry you. But you must save my father.”

“You ask a great deal, lady.”

“Yes, I suppose I do. I know he has done a terrible thing but he is still my father. His blood must not stain any happiness we seek together.”

“Melina! My daughter, where is my daughter? What have I done!”

Her father was being bundled out of the keep, arms held behind him by a knight with blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

“Father!”

But Grendell was there first. “Let him go, Alric.”

The knight looked at Grendell and then his gaze slid to Melina. A smirk twisted his mouth. He released his prisoner and bowed to her.

“Lady Melina, I presume. I’ve heard a great deal about you from Lord Grendell here. I’ve never seen my friend so enamoured.”

“Alric.” Grendell’s growl was a warning, but his friend took no notice.

Melina’s gaze went to her bodyguard, full of hope that it was so, but then her father was before her, holding her hands and peering anxiously into her face.

“Melina, are you harmed? I have been a fool. I should never have agreed to Lord Saunders’ proposal.”

“No, father, I am not harmed.” She tried to smile. “I don’t think Lord Grendell would allow anyone to harm me.”

“Lord Grendell?” her father frowned. “He is no lord.”

“Father . . . Grendell is the rightful owner of our lands.”

Her father appeared shocked to silence.

Grendell bowed his head, but it was clearly less subservient than previously. Her bodyguard had come out of the shadows and here stood the real man. Looking at him, Melina realised that she’d always known he was more than he seemed; she’d always sensed the strong and powerful man behind the mask.

“I have asked the king for permission to wed Lady Melina, and he has given it.” He held up a hand as her father began to bluster his protests. “Our marriage will mean she retains the right to live in her home. Our home. And you will not be cast into a dungeon as a traitor.”

Melina saw her father’s face gradually lose its high colour as he considered what the other man was saying. After a moment he said quietly, “You are marrying her for the land, Grendell? I made the mistake of thinking I could force her into wedlock with Lord Saunders for the same reason. I do not wish to do so again.”

Grendell hesitated, and then several soldiers came running up and he stepped aside to speak to them. Her father stood alone, his worried face creased in thought. Beside her Alric kept guard.

“You and Grendell are known to each other?” she said nervously.

He quirked an eyebrow. “We grew up together, lady.” Suddenly he pushed the sleeve of his tunic up his arm, and she saw the same Celtic tattoo as was on Grendell’s. “We are brothers in all but blood.”

“You want a peaceful England, too?” she said with faint scorn, looking about at the fighting.

“Sometimes to gain peace we must fight.”

At last Grendell returned, just as the king approached.

“Grendell? I need to move on, there are other keeps wavering between myself and Matilda and I must secure them. Marry Lady Melina at once and consolidate our victory here. You will be lord of this place once more.”

Melina opened her mouth to protest but to her astonishment her father spoke first, his voice firm.

“It is my daughter’s decision whether or not she will wed Lord Grendell, Sir. But whatever she decides I swear that we will be your loyal subjects. I ask your pardon for my foolish rebellion.”

Stephen quirked an eyebrow and sighed. He turned to Melina. “Lady? Are you willing to marry Lord Grendell if I pardon your father?”

Melina felt herself trembling but stood tall and proud. “I am willing, Your Highness.”

“Then so it shall be.”

***

Melina stood by the fire, trying to warm her cold hands. Impossibly, she was now wed to Grendell. The rushed affair had taken only moments, the old priest murmuring the words over them, and then she was bustled away to her chamber, where their union   would be consummated.

She gave a little shiver. She had wanted this, wanted Grendell in her bed, but it seemed as if the whole matter had suddenly become a mere practical solution. He wanted to protect her, a noble aim but was that love? And because she wanted her father pardoned, then she had agreed. Was that love? Something she had longed for with all her heart had become a few cold words upon a document.