Page 25 of One Knight in the Forest

Chapter Nine

With Borden’s help, Cyn quickly restored the room to the way it had been moments ago. Voices sounded outside, along with hoof beats and the jangle of tack. Just as Cyn put the stag back on its shelf, a brisk knock pounded on the door.

“I will greet his lordship,” Borden said, collecting his basket on the way out of the room.

Cyn ordered the dogs to lie down at the hearth, as if they had lounged there all morning—and where William would expect to see them. Then, setting his hands on his hips, Cyn exhaled a harsh breath. He needed to be patient, to keep under control the fury that seemed to grow hotter within him with each passing moment: a rage entangled with his feelings for Magdalen.

He’d vowed not to care for her, but he couldn’t deny that he did. Never would he allow her out of his protection, even if that meant standing between her and William. Even—God help him—if it meant jeopardizing that old friendship and exposing the terrible secret William had kept for Cyn since that fateful day on Crusade.

The front door creaked open. “Good day, Lord Langston,” Borden said.

“Where is Cyn?” William spoke politely enough, but Cyn sensed the steel threading through the words.

“He is in the main part of the house, milord.”

Tension gathered between Cyn’s shoulders as William entered the room, his brown woolen mantle drifting as he walked. His fashionably-cut, wavy blond hair, tailored garments, and fine leather boots all added to the impression that he was a respectable nobleman of the realm, and yet, he likely was involved in a scheme to kill a crown official.

Cyn balled his hands into fists; he would have all of the details of that plot by the end of this meeting; if he couldn’t get them as William’s friend, he’d demand them as sheriff.

“Good morning, Cyn.”

“William.”

William’s assessing gaze took in the cot and the items on the table near it before returning to Cyn. Gesturing to the bed, William asked, “Is that where you tended Magdalen?”

“I did.”

“How is she? My men told me she was injured yesterday.”

“Her leg wound is healing well,” Cyn said, keeping his tone carefully neutral, “although ’twill be many days before she is fully recovered.”

Regret tautened William’s features, bronzed from days riding on his estate. “I am sorry she was hurt. If only she had not run from me and my men. Then she would not have come to harm.”

Cyn suppressed a rough laugh. Did William really expect him to believe that all would have been well if Magdalen had surrendered? In his years working as a sheriff, Cyn had investigated the slayings of men who’d died for far less damning information than she’d discovered. “Hellfire, William—”

“Edwina is very worried about her, as am I. I have come to take her back—”

“Nay.”

“Nay?” William’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean she is not leaving with you.”

William’s chest rose and fell on an irritated breath. “Look, Cyn—”

“Tell me what is going on.” Cyn held his friend’s stare. “I want the truth.”

William laughed, a sound devoid of mirth. “There is no need to be confrontational. There has obviously been some kind of misunderstanding. I do not know what Magdalen told you—”

“A misunderstanding? Shall we discuss what she showed me, then, that she found yesterday in your chamber? Borden would be interested to hear. No doubt so would your men-at-arms; I can call them in from outside.”

Anger flashed in William’s eyes. “Do not dare to threaten me.”

“If ’tis the only way to get you to tell me what is going on—”

“I do not have to explain my actions to you.”

Cyn didn’t flinch at the biting words. “In this instance, my friend, you do.”