Free The Crimson Castle by Samantha Holt

her.
    Saying goodbye to Isabel distressed her more than she expected for such
a short acquaintance and she felt truly alone once more. Isabel gave her hand a
squeeze as she left and looked at her with an uncharacteristic seriousness.
    “Be cautious, Evelyn, I fear you do not comprehend the danger you may
find yourself in.”
    Evelyn gave her a reassuring
smile as she watched them depart in spite of the anxiety pooling in the pit of
her stomach. An aching sense of loneliness threatened to consume her and she
held back the tears of frustration as she made her way back to her chamber, her
solitude seemingly emphasised with the thud of the door as it shut behind her.
    ***
    Up in the minstrel’s gallery, Evelyn stood watching Tibald and Gabriel with apprehension. She couldn’t see Tibald’s face but he could be heard throughout the keep, his voice echoing off the stone
walls and she had scuttled to the hall to see what the commotion was. Seeing
the scarper of servants and guests alike, she made her way to the gallery, her
sense of curiosity triumphing over her need for self-preservation, as it was
want to do on many occasions.
    Gabriel stood stoically in front of him, his face expressionless aside
from a weary cast to his eyes, probably used to Tibald’s ranting’s.
    “If I give you an order, I expect it carried out!” Tibald was pacing, agitated, his fists clenched at his sides.
    “My lord, the taxes were paid. There was no need to punish them.”
    He stepped towards him and a flinch from Gabriel brought a gasp from
Evelyn, as they both expected Tibald to hit out at
him. Instead he held his fists firm, glowering at the taller man.
    “Fear, Gabe! Fear is the only thing they know! Soon, they will all be
thinking they can do what they like.”
    “I am sorry, my lord. I thought it best-“
    “I do not pay you to think! I pay you to burn, to beat, to destroy!
What use are you if you cannot even do that? Where in the blazes did they get
the damned money from anyway?”
    “You have the money now, my lord, surely the
source does not matter.”
    Evelyn jumped back into the shadows as Gabriel’s eyes flicked up to
where she was standing, a cautioning look in them. Why did he not just say it
was her? Surely Tibald would not treat her so?
    “Are you trying to be facetious? You know better than anyone that the
rabble must be controlled and that I do not take kindly to orders being
disobeyed. Have you any excuse for your behaviour?”
    Gabriel cast his eyes down, resignation written in his body. “None, my lord.”
    Tibald circled him, like an eagle hunting his
prey. Evelyn saw his face as he moved slowly round him and the ice in his eyes
sickened her. In a flash of a movement, Tibald struck
out at Gabriel, a backhand to his face. Evelyn cried out at the crack of flesh
upon flesh and shot out of the shadows, unsure of what to do next, but knowing
she could not remain silent.
    Tibald looked at her in surprise as Gabriel
gave her a grim look of warning and an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
She dashed down the steps into the hall; heedless of the danger she was placing
herself in.
    “Please stop, my lord.”
    She hurried over to him and was about to place a placatory hand upon
his arm until she saw that look in his eyes now directed at her. She froze,
eyes wide, her heart hammering in fear.
    Tibald licked his lips, tilting his head back
so he could look down his nose at her. “Do you have something to say, Lady
Evelyn?” his voice hissed out through his teeth.
    Gulping, she drew in a calming breath and met his eyes. She would not
be intimidated by such a man. “’Twas my fault that Sir Gabriel did not act upon
his orders, I begged him not to.”
    He pressed his lips together, a finger coming upon them as he studied
her. “I had not thought Sir Gabriel could be so easily swayed by a woman…and
the money?”
    Briefly closing her eyes, she met his gaze reluctantly once more. “’Twas mine.”
    He let out a sharp