Page 88 of Warrior’s Lady

"When we arrived at the Bishop Berwick's home earlier this evening, we found Mistress Berwick lying prostrate on the bed over her son's body, and a pistol on the floor. She claims you injured them both out of revenge."

"And why would I feel the need to seek revenge against these two?" Camden asked, so startled by the allegations that he reacted with a stunned, harsh laugh.

The man glanced at the bishop and his mother before continuing. "Because the bishop challenged you about the proper care of your niece along with your niece's caretaker, a woman of questionable character."

Everyone else in the room gasped, except Camden. Instead, anger singed the corners of his control. Praise the saints that Rhiannon and Violet were safely upstairs and unable to hear such bitter claims against them. "You can question my character all you like. But you will leave Mistress Rhiannon and Lady Violet out of this."

Camden strode toward the table where the Church council sat. "All of this is not because of my niece or her companion, but because of the bishop's greed to possess the Lockhart family's treasure."

Again the chamber filled with excited voices, gasps of horror and intrigue.

Bishop Berwick moved forward to meet Camden in front of the table. "If you know what is good for you, you will hand over that treasure," he said for Camden's ears alone. An evil smile spread across his thin lips.

"Never," Camden growled quietly.

The bishop's cheeks darkened in anger.

As Camden turned to the council, he caught sight of Rhiannon and Violet standing on the bottom step, watching the proceedings. He nodded at them, oddly comforted by Rhiannon's presence, despite what she may have heard the bishop say about her. "I can state, without any reservation, that I have never been deliberately cruel to a female before."

"Never?" the bishop drawled.

"Never." Camden's voice was hoarse with frustration.

"Was it kindness then that prompted you to hire an assassin to kill all of the Ruthvens, including Mistress Rhiannon Ruthven?"

Hushed silence filled the chamber. Not a sound could be heard except the pulse of Camden's own heartbeat in his ears. He shifted his gaze toward the stairs, to the pale look of devastation on Rhiannon's face. He stood stock-still, his face expressionless, his fists balled at his sides. Dear heaven above, how could the bishop know that?

A sneer cut across the bishop's face. "Do you deny it?"

"No." A cacophony of chatter filled the chamber. He couldn't care less what everyone else thought. He only cared about Rhiannon. "There is an explanation."

She stepped from the stairs fully into the chamber. "Rhiannon." His voice was thick and low as he strode toward her. "I was about to tell you the truth myself."

She lowered her lashes, hiding her eyes from him. "Did you succeed in killing my brothers?"

"Aye."

"You were responsible for the attack in the horse cart?"

"Aye."

"At the cottage?" her voice trembled, as did her hands.

"I tried to break off the attacks then." It was too little, too late; he knew.

She clamped her arms around her waist as though holding herself together. "You were responsible for those men who took me away and tried to burn me?"

He could hear the desperation in his own voice, but he didn't care. He looked back at the stairs, to the little girl who hid there in the shadows. He had to own up to all of it if they were ever to have a future together, the three of them. "Ultimately, aye."

"I feel like such a fool to have trusted you." Rhiannon closed her eyes. "How could I be so naive to let you manipulate me like that?" She opened her eyes to reveal a shimmer of tears. "What else have you lied to me about?"

He took a step closer and touched her arms. "I didn't lie about my feelings for you. My desire for you was more than sincere."

"Don't." She flinched, holding her hands out to stop his advance. Her eyes blazed at him from within her pale face. "You need no longer pretend you care for me."

"I do care for you, my love. More than anything." He took another step closer. He held out the Charms Stone to her. "You know how much this Stone means to the Lockharts. But you mean more." He pressed the Stone into her hand. "Give it to the bishop or keep it for Violet."

She stared down at the Stone in her hand. "This Stone is a blessing."