Page 56 of A Husband for Esyllt
There was only one way of knowing. He needed to hear her version of events.
“You need to understand...” Esyllt started, wringing her hands, the very picture of a distressed woman. He hardened himself against the urge to go to her. This could all be an act. He needed facts.
“Is it true?” he repeated. “Did you open the door to the rebels so they could get to me?”
The color invading her cheeks was the only answer he needed. Never had anyone worn their guilt more blatantly on their face, and his question had been too precise for misunderstanding. She had been the one opening the door, no one else.Thatwas a fact. When she started to answer, he interrupted her.
“It’s—”
“I should have guessed anyway. Having a man taken from his bed in the middle of the night seems to be your method of choice. I should know. How did I not see it coming?”
She took a step toward him. “No, you must listen to me!”
“I think I’ve heard enough for now. Matthew, will you go and get Jane please? I’ll meet you back at the stables in a moment. Have our horses saddled again and ready to depart. We’re going back to Sheridan Manor.” As he spoke, he kept his eyes firmly on Esyllt.
His brother left without a word, leaving them on their own for the more private part of the discussion.
“You cannot be leaving right now,” Esyllt gasped. “You’ve only just arrived. You need to eat, the horses need a rest, and we need to talk.”
“I’ve already eaten, the horses will only go at a walk, and we’ve done all the talking I needed to do.”
“Connor, please, you can’t go like this, you’re hurt!”
Yes, he could well guess he looked a fright. There would be cuts on his cheeks and at least a couple of bruises on his jaw. And this was nothing compared to how the rest of his body would look. Connor would be surprised if there was a single place untouched. What would have happened if Matthew had not found him in time? He might well have died, reduced to a bloody pulp by a mob of infuriated Welshmen.
The memory of what he had endured that day hardened his resolve. It was all because of her, the woman he had been married to, who was now acting the concerned wife, but who had opened the postern gate to his enemies, surrendered him to their cruelty for them to amuse themselves with. Gruffydd had given his orders, then inexplicably left at dawn. At the time, Connor had been relieved, as he’d guessed that the men would not resume the torture without him. But unfortunately, his absence had meant that Matthew and his men at arms had not been able to kill him, unlike they had his torturers.
Not to worry. He would find him soon, and get his revenge.
“It’s a bit late to worry about my health, don’t you think? I only got these injuries because of what you did.”
Esyllt opened her mouth as if to protest but no sound came. Good. So she did feel some shame over her actions. It did not exonerate her, but it proved she possessed some conscience at least. He turned around, determined to dismiss her from his mind.
“Wait! You cannot go like this!”
“I can and I will. I doubt you will miss me very much. After all, had Matthew not come for me in time, I would have been gone more permanently. You didn’t seem to have a problem with it then.”
To his surprise, she walked around him to come face him again. There was fire blazing in her eyes.
“You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew the truth about your rescue! But I see that your brother conveniently forgot to mention that I was the one who told him where to find you.” Connor stilled. Indeed he had not known that. But he would not let it bother him. Matthew was very good at extracting information from people. If she had given in to his entreaties or surrendered to his threats, then it was no cause for congratulations. Besides, her knowing where he had been imprisoned only made her guilt clearer. She’d known, and she’d done nothing to get him back. “That alone should tell you I had no intention of letting Gruffydd harm you.”
“It does not. Do I appear unharmed to you?” In an angry gesture, he lifted his tunic and undershirt, revealing his battered body. The beating he had received had been severe, even though he had not been cut. That had been reserved for the following day. He knew because his captors had delighted in informing him of their plans. Little by little they would increase the severity of the beatings, and see how much he could take.
When she saw his bruised flesh, Esyllt blanched so much he feared for a moment she would faint. He almost reached out to steady her.
Almost.
Instead he bunched his fists and covered his body once more.
“I knew they would not kill you outright,” she said after a while. “I knew they would torture you. That’s why after you left, I?—”
“It matters not what you didafteryou opened the gates to my enemies and allowed them to take me in my sleep!” he snarled. She’d known! Good God, all day she’d known he was being tortured and she had not lifted a finger. That blow hurt more than all the ones he’d received at the hands of the Welshmen. “The damage had been done by then. And don’t go accusing my brother of wrongdoing when he was the one who came to my rescue. I know who I can rely on in this castle—and you’re not one of them.”
That seemed to silence her. He’d thought she might faint a moment ago, now he wondered if she was not about to retch.
He stormed to the stables, followed at a distance by an unsteady Esyllt. Though he was the injured one, she seemed to be the one having difficulty to walk.
At that moment Matthew came back with Jane.
