Page 15 of The Tempest
Francis nodded. “Verily,” he said. “Are ye?”
“More than I deserve.”
Francis’ smile faded. “I would congratulate ye on being the new earl, but I dunna think this is a happy occasion for ye,” hesaid. “But dunna be troubled. Da dinna die a painful death. God was merciful and he was at peace. He spoke of ye, Payne. He told us tae tell ye that he was proud of ye.”
Payne’s joyful expression morphed into something sorrowful. “I wish I’d known he was ill,” he said. “I would have gone home. I would have rushed all the way.”
Francis shook his head. “It took him quickly,” he said. “We happened tae be at Achanduin when he became ill. In three days, he was gone.”
Achanduin. The great castle of Payne’s branch of the Matheson clan. There was a second castle on Lismore Island called Coeffin, plus a port that shielded Maude’s multitude of ships from the weather and other hostile seagoers. Payne was born at Achanduin. Even the mere mention of it brought a sense of longing.
“I’m very sad tae know that,” he said. “But I suppose it was a blessing if it was swift. I wouldna want the man tae suffer.”
“He dinna,” Francis said, but something behind his pale eyes hardened and his voice dropped to a whisper. “But much has happened since his death, Payne. Beware of Declan. He wants what ye have for himself.”
Payne didn’t react to the warning, but he also wasn’t surprised. Not in the least. “The man has always been ambitious,” he muttered. “’Tis nothing new.”
Francis shook his head. “It is different now,” he said. “He will take the helm of Medusa’s Disciples when Maudie is no more, but it may be sooner than ye think.”
“What do ye mean?”
Francis glanced at their mother, whose focus was on the wagon where Declan was. “I mean he pretends tae be protective of her,” he mumbled. “But I think he plots.”
“To harm her?”
Francis nodded but would say no more. Even so, he’d said enough. That put Payne on his guard against the brother who had always envied him. Always competed with him. But Payne felt as if no time had passed since the last time he saw his brothers, because nothing had changed. Declan was still dangerous and resentful and Francis was still the weak one, the brother who couldn’t compete against his older, more powerful brothers.
It certainly gave Payne something to think about.
Movement caught his attention, however, and he turned to see Declan carrying a small body over his left shoulder. That had Payne’s curiosity more than anything, and Declan hauled the figure over to Maude and plopped it down at his mother’s feet.
Payne heard a grunt as the body hit the ground.
“Ye dunna have tae be so rough, Declan,” Maude scolded, pulling the person into a sitting position. “Next time, I’ll send Francis tae do my bidding and ye can sit in the wagon and sulk.”
Declan was unapologetic. He folded his big arms across his chest, his focus on Payne.
“Just want a new earl needs,” he said. “A princess for a wife. Ye’ll have royal children, Payne. Does that not thrill ye?”
Payne was quite confused. He was also quite irritated at his brother. He went over to his mother as she helped the figure on the ground. He was about to ask her what Declan was talking about until he got a look at the face of the person his brother had manhandled.
A bolt of shock ran through him.
It was a woman. Not just any woman, but a beautiful woman with a sweetly oval face, very dirty blonde hair, and eyes with the longest lashes he’d ever seen. She wasn’t looking up, however, so he couldn’t see the color of her eyes, but he could see everything else about her.
She was exquisite.
“Who is this?” he finally demanded.
Maude pulled the young woman to her feet. “This is Maria Astria Julia, Princesa Real, Princesa of Beira, Duchess of Braganza, Duchess of Barcelos, Countess of Faria, Countess of Neiva,” she said. “She’s the only daughter of Sancho, King of Portugal, and she is my prisoner. Ye’ll marry her today, Payne, and she’ll become the mother of the next Earl of Lismore. She’s a magnificent prize, dunna ye think?”
Payne’s mouth was hanging open in shock. “Aprincess?” he repeated. “Ye’ve brought me a Portuguese princess?”
Maude was quite proud. “It’s not been easy,” she said. “This lovely lass is quite violent. She likes tae fight and she’ll bite ye if given the chance, so watch yerself. Dunna treat her lightly.”
Payne was appalled. He could see how tightly the woman was bound and she was absolutely filthy, like an animal. While he had no reason to doubt his mother as to the validity of her claims, he simply couldn’t believe that he was looking at royalty.
“How did she come intae yer possession?” he asked.
