Julie Garwood - The Prize

"No, of course not," she rushed out before her husband's feelings could become injured. "You must finish the black queen."

"Then what-"

"I was just considering ways to be devious," she said. "I also have a cunning mind."

Royce laughed. "You don't have to convince me, Sister Danielle," he drawled out.

Lawrence laughed, for he'd heard the tale how Nicholaa posed as a nun. He recounted the story for Justin's benefit.

Nicholaa drummed her fingertips on the tabletop until the laughter had subsided, then turned to Royce again. "Your worry was that the opponent would grab hold of the leather, wasn't it?"

He nodded. She smiled. "I think you should let them."

Lawrence and Justin didn't know what she was getting at. Royce caught on right away. He laughed. "Yes," he said then. "We should let them." He turned to look at Justin. "She's talking about a surprise," he explained. "Something sharp sewn into the leather that would even the odds."

Nicholaa was already blushing. "I wouldn't normally consider such trickery, but if someone is going to grab your arm to hold you down, I do believe a few blades in the leather would be a just reward."

"Go and put the possibility to Bryan," Royce told Nicholaa's brother.

Justin immediately stood up, winked at his sister, and then hurried out of the hall.

"Royce, you won't be taking part in the games, will you?" Nicholaa asked.

He shook his head. "The men act in my stead," he explained. "When they win, I win."

She was warmed by his arrogance. He hadn't said if he won but when he won, and she knew he believed his soldiers would be victorious no matter what challenges they faced.

Nicholaa turned her attention to Lawrence. The look of worry on her face surprised the vassal. She took his hand. That surprised him even more.

"Lawrence," she said, "Morgan and Henry are going to try to hurt Royce at the games. You'll have to keep your guard up at all times. If they can't get to him, they'll hurt you."

The warning wasn't necessary. Lawrence was well aware of Morgan's and Henry's black hearts. "You mustn't worry, my lady."

"Oh, but I do worry." She squeezed his hand affectionately and then let go when she caught her husband's frown.

"How would you know what they plan to do?" Royce asked.

"Henry told me," she answered. "He wants to get even with you. He's still angry because I didn't choose to wed his baron. I can't imagine why he thought I'd prefer Guy to you."

She sounded so bewildered that Lawrence couldn't help smiling. Her love for Royce was evident.

"Henry's jealous," she said. "He had the gall to bring up that sorry incident with the woman who told me to kill Royce. It was rude of him to mention it."

She let out a sigh, then dismissed Henry from her thoughts. She stood up, intent on helping Clarise clear the table. She wanted to praise Cook one last time too, for doing such a fine job of feeding all the men such a wonderful meal.

Royce grabbed her hand and forced her to sit down again.

He hadn't shown any reaction to her remarks about Guy's vassals. He seemed interested now, however. "Tell me when Henry said these things to you," he ordered.

"It was right after you tossed Morgan through the wall."

"He specifically mentioned the woman who threatened you when we were in London?"

"Yes," she answered. "He was trying to frighten me, I suppose," she said. "It didn't work, though. Are you finished with your questions, husband? I really must thank Cook again before I forget." As soon as he gave her permission, Nicholaa hurried out of the room.

Royce waited until he and Lawrence were alone. "Damn interesting, wouldn't you say?"

"Henry and Morgan could have heard about the incident," Lawrence interjected.

"The king wanted it kept quiet, remember? He didn't want the celebration tainted. Only a handful knew what happened, and Baron Guy wasn't one of them."

"But after we left London and the celebration was over, someone could have mentioned it," Lawrence said.

Royce shook his head. "The king was furious to learn that someone had actually breached his home. He took it as a personal insult, and he didn't want the news to spread. No, word didn't get out, Lawrence. There's something else, too," he added with a scowl. "When Nicholaa's older brother came here, I questioned him about the activities of the resisters in London. Thurston didn't know what I was talking about. I believed then and I believe now that it was an honest reaction on his part. He was too surprised. Damn it, my opinion is that Morgan and Henry sent that messenger to Nicholaa."

Lawrence nodded. "That is my opinion, too," he admitted. "Did they act on their own or did Guy have a hand in this?"

"It doesn't matter." Royce's voice turned as hard and as cold as ice. "He's responsible for his vassals' actions."

"Of course," Lawrence agreed. "Still, I'd like to know if he had a part in this treachery. I'm curious to know how far his malice extends."

"We won't have long to wait. In just a few weeks we'll have our answer."

"And then we retaliate." Lawrence hadn't asked a question but simply stated a fact. He'd served his baron long enough to understand how his mind worked.

"You'll have to take care of Morgan and Henry," Royce said.

"With pleasure, Baron."

"Damn, I wish I could fight the two of them."

Lawrence understood his baron's frustration. The king would never allow a baron to fight another baron's vassals in games of strength. It would be beneath his station. It was therefore up to Lawrence to right the treachery. And, Lord, how he was looking forward to the opportunity.

"There's still Baron Guy," Lawrence said, reminding Royce he wouldn't be completely left out.

"Yes," Royce replied. "That bastard's all mine."

The following weeks of preparation proved to be a torment for Nicholaa, and an enlightenment, too.

The torment came first. Nicholaa had to pretend to be happy whenever she ran into Justin or one of his friends. She also had to pretend she wasn't worried and didn't doubt her husband's judgment when she was with him.

There was a price to be paid for her feigned happiness. By keeping all her fears hidden, she made herself sick. Each morning when she opened her eyes, she was so sick to her stomach she could barely get out of bed.

The nausea would dissipate after an hour or two. She thought it was because once she was wide awake, she was able to push her fears away. She couldn't soothe her nerves when she was sleeping, however. She was vulnerable then.

And then enlightenment came. It took her a good week to catch on. She noticed how tender her breasts were. She noticed other changes, too. She suddenly couldn't stand the smell of quail. She couldn't stand to watch anyone eat the disgustingly greasy meat, either. She was sleeping longer, and more often than not she was sneaking in an afternoon nap when everyone else was too busy to notice.

She was going to have Royce's baby. Nicholaa was so filled with joy over the wonderful miracle that she got teary-eyed every time she thought about it.

When she wasn't occupied worrying about Justin, she was thinking about the perfect way to tell her husband he was going to be a father. She knew he was going to be surprised. He'd been so busy with his duties, she didn't think he'd noticed any changes in her behavior.

Royce worked with the younger soldiers from dawn until dinner. The two hours a day he'd promised to give the Doves had turned into nine.

Royce was clearly worn out by the time dinner was finished, yet he still took time to sit her down and lecture her. She thought it was probably the only enjoyment he gained during the day.

The topic of his lectures was always the same. He talked about her safety at the games. Night after night he made her promise him she'd take every care, that she wouldn't go anywhere without a proper escort, that she wouldn't take any unnecessary risks, such as even acknowledging Morgan or Henry.