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  Broc went to the gate and one of the guards stuck his head over the wall. “State your name and business.”

  “I’m Broc St. Ceneri. King William summoned my companion and me to court.”

  The guard disappeared from sight. A short time later the gates opened to admit them. Once inside the fort the gates slammed shut behind Ariel and Broc. A feeling of being trapped swept over Ariel. She was now locked inside a fort with her enemy.

  A guard took their horses’ reins and led the animals to the stable. Ariel stood where she had dismounted not knowing what else to do. There were a number of smaller buildings inside the walls, but one stood larger than the rest, dominating the area. Ariel assumed that had to be William’s residence. Almost as if he knew she had been thinking of him, William himself walked out of the building.

  Ariel held her ground as the king greeted Broc. Seeing them together, she could tell they were close friends. Neither man paid any attention to her. She didn’t let that bother her. William already knew her secret. She just hoped he kept it that way—a secret.

  Ariel felt eyes on her and looked up to see William staring at her. He nodded in her direction then waved for her to come closer. Knowing it was an order, Ariel did as she was bid.

  With a bit of trepidation, Ariel went to stand before the king. He grabbed her by the shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Well, Wulf, it seems you have recovered from your wound nicely.”

  “Aye, sire.” Ariel relaxed. For some reason William seemed not inclined to expose her.

  “Good. I have informed Broc of the two chambers I had made ready for you both. I will let you get settled in and then I wish to speak to you.”

  “Just me, sire?” Ariel didn’t like the sound of that.

  “Aye. There are a few items I need to discuss with you.”

  After having said that, William left Broc and Ariel. Broc had a strange look on his face. Ariel knew he probably wondered what William needed to talk to her about. That same question kept running through her head as well.

  * * * *

  With a groan of pleasure, Broc sank down in the warm bath. It was just what he needed. If only it could clean away some of his memories as it cleaned away the dirt from his body.

  The days on the road alone with Wulf had been pure hell. Every time he looked at Wulf, memories of how his lips had felt under his flitted through his mind. He felt drawn to him. He had never kissed a man like that ever in his life. What made him feel sick about the whole thing was his reaction to it. He had liked it.

  Drawing his knees up, Broc ducked his head under the water. Surfacing, he found William in the room.

  “I see you’re making use of my tub.”

  Wiping water off his face, Broc smiled at him. “I figured this had to be yours. There aren’t too many tubs that accommodate my size.”

  “I thought you would enjoy it after your days of travel to get here.” William grabbed one of the stools in the chamber and sat down close to the tub. “I see our little Saxon survived.”

  “Aye, he is a fighter,” Broc answered blandly.

  “In more ways than one I imagine. I saw the shield slung on his shoulder when you arrived. Does it mean you have knighted the lad?” Broc stiffened at the mention of Wulf.

  “Aye, I did. I couldn’t let such talent be left to rot. The boy is a natural. He can disarm me without trying very hard.”

  “Really? Now that is interesting news.” To Broc’s surprise, William started to bellow with laughter.

  “Do you mind telling me what you find so funny about that?”

  William chuckled and shook his head. “I think not. Now let me tell you of the activities that have gone on since your departure.”

  Broc seemed to perk up with the change of subject as he sat up straighter in the tub. “Did you face much resistance?”

  “No, actually. Once the dead had been properly buried, including Harold, I went back to Hastings. I didn’t stay long though. Food became short in supply. We met no more opposition so I decided to move on.”

  William stood and went to the table that held a goblet and pitcher of wine. Pouring a goblet full he returned to Broc’s side. After he took a sip, he continued.

  “Finish your bath before the water cools.” Broc complied as William spoke once more. “We went to Dover and burned it to the ground. There, the army took sick. Most of the men suffered from cases of diarrhea and fever, which put most out of commission. Some recuperated, but I ended up having to leave a third of them behind. We next marched to Canterbury, which luckily turned out to be uneventful. The city surrendered without a fight. I have to rule these people, so I was happy for that. It would go much easier for them if they would just accept me.”

  Pausing, William took another sip of wine. “Then I got the blasted illness. It hit me hard. Laid me up for a month. Not pleasant at all, I might add. But once back on my feet, I headed toward London, and so here I am.”

  Water sloshed inside the tub as Broc stood. William picked up the toweling and threw it at him. Broc caught it and began to dry himself. “So how did the people of London take to you?”

  William shrugged. “Not well, I’m afraid. We arrived at Southwark, which is at the southern edge of the bridge, and met with some resistance there. The citizens of London somehow managed to form a so called army to fight me. They crossed the bridge to meet us and we fought them. Eventually we drove them back and I had Southwark put to the torch. After that greeting I had this fort built. Once completed, I entered London and claimed it as my own.”

  Broc had known William would not brook any resistance from the people of England. It was just his way of letting others know he didn’t relinquish what he called his. “So did they finally accept you as their king?”

  William smiled. “You could say that. I’m to be crowned on Christ’s birthday in Westminster Abbey. But I doubt it will be the end of any future resistance. I’m sure to spend many years to come exerting my rights.”

  Pulling on a fresh tunic and trews, Broc filled another goblet of wine for himself. “You know I will always be your man. I have land now and I can supply men for your endeavors.”

  William stood and returned his goblet to the table. “Does that mean I can have Wulf if I wish?”

  “Nay!” That one single word came out with far more force than Broc had intended to use. He took a deep breath to calm himself then continued. “Nay, I need the boy at Elmstead.”

  William seemed to study Broc intently. “I think you need him more than you would like to admit, dear friend. I will leave you now.” William then left Broc to ponder the true meaning of his words.

  Chapter 19

  Ariel had bathed and changed into fresh clothes. The evening meal would be served shortly, but at the moment she wouldn’t be able to eat a bite. She hoped William would send for her soon. Her stomach felt tied up in knots. She couldn’t think of any reason why the king wanted to speak to her alone.

  After a short knock on the chamber door, William stepped in and closed it tightly behind him. Ariel, who had been sitting on the bed, shot to her feet. “I thought I was to go see you, sire.”

  William moved closer to her. “Relax, Ariel. I just came to talk, that is all.”

  Ariel felt some of the tension leave her. “What do you wish to talk about?”

  “You and Broc.”

  Nothing like getting right to the point, Ariel mused. “Well, as you have probably seen, there isn’t much to say about us.”

  William clucked his tongue at her. “Oh, I beg to differ. You have come to my court as a knight, not as a Saxon without rank.”

  Ariel blushed. “That was Broc’s idea. I couldn’t pass up what he offered. I now have some rank in your society. A place in what England is coming to be.”

  “That is most true.” William paused and looked at Ariel. “You’re very beautiful. I don’t understand how Broc can’t see you as a woman.”

  Ariel quickly suppressed the urge to scoff at the king. “Because he’s b
lind. He hasn’t figured it out and he probably never will. Even during close contact, that man is too stupid to see what is before him.”

  From the look of interest on William’s face, Areil could see he was intrigued. “What do you mean by close contact, my dear?” Sitting on the bed, he patted the space next to him. Ariel couldn’t stop the flush that crept across her face as she seated herself next to William. She hadn’t meant for him to know.

  “On the night Broc knighted me, we both had a little too much to drink. There is a bond between us, even though Broc fights it with all his being and it grew stronger when he started to train me.”

  “Are you telling me something happened on that night?”

  Ariel looked into William’s face and rushed on. “Aye, it did. We kissed and now Broc refuses to talk to me.” She put it as simply as she could.

  William showed no outward show of emotion to her statement. “Did you tell him you were the girl he seeks during any of this?”

  Ariel shook her head. “I tried, honestly I did, but it was already too late. He is so filled with disgust he won’t even come near me.”

  “Now I see the problem here. Poor Broc thinks he kissed a boy. I have always found him to be very perceptive. It’s one of the qualities I’ve always admired in him. I can’t understand why he hasn’t recognized you.”

  “He hasn’t and I don’t intend to tell him either.”

  The man stiffened at her words. “But what about your son, Broc’s son? You cannot keep his son from him.”

  Ariel scowled at William. Even though he was king, he was crossing the line. “Aye, I can. He gave up that right when he left. I’ve kept him from Broc and I will make sure he never sees Colwyn.”

  William shook his head at her show of stubbornness not to listen. “Why? Broc would not do anything to hurt the boy. He has very strong feelings for you. When he returned from England he was not the same man. He kept to himself, more than he had usually done in the past. He seemed to pine for you.”

  Ariel felt all the blood drain away from her face. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “He may have felt that way at one time, but not any more. He never really did search very hard for me. How he felt before is irrelevant now. It just can never be. He is a Norman and I’m a Saxon, which is a very good reason for us to stay apart.”

  William shook his head. “For England to live in harmony, Norman and Saxon have to merge together. If you don’t do something you will lose him for good. After what happened between you, Broc will try to erase it from his memory by going to another woman. Or he could very well make you leave Elmstead.”

  “Then that is the chance I will have to take. I can always take my son and leave.”

  William stood up and looked down at Ariel with a sad look on his face. “I hope you choose not to do that. At the very least, living at Elmstead your son would be sheltered, protected. He won’t have to grow up with the word bastard on people’s lips whenever he is near.” He paused and reached out his hand to brush a lock of hair out of her eyes. “But if you do leave Elmstead, come to me. I’ll take care of you and your son. Broc has told me how well you handle a sword. I need all the skilled and trained knights I can get. It would do wonders for your people to see a Saxon knight presiding at my court.”

  Ariel could only nod her head in agreement then the king was gone.

  * * * *

  Half an hour later, Ariel went to the hall for the evening meal. Broc already sat next to William. Deep in conversation, the two men did not notice her arrival. Taking advantage of their inattention, Ariel slipped onto one of the benches closest to the doors.

  Some of the king’s men, who already sat at the table, got up and moved further down away from her. She let the insult wash over her. Instances like this were bound to happen as long as she stayed at court.

  Food and a tankard of ale were placed before her. Looking up and expecting to see a serf serving her, Ariel found a young Norman knight standing by the table. Smiling, he sat down on the bench next to her.

  “It looked as if you needed some company. You don’t mind if I sit with you?”

  Ariel turned to look at him. She guessed him to be a few years older than herself. He was tall, but not as tall as Broc. His body was welled muscled. Looking into his face, Ariel found grey eyes crinkled with amusement. No malice could be seen in them. His hair color was the opposite of hers, black, which he wore at shoulder length. “You can sit if you want, but I don’t think they would like the idea of you sitting with a Saxon.”

  The knight looked down the table at the other men and shook his head. “They can think what they like. I don’t care if you’re Saxon. My name is Ranulf FitzHugh.”

  Ariel smiled. “Wulf of Elmstead. I’m glad at least one person here won’t shun me.”

  The knight looked from her to Broc who sat with the king. “But I thought you came here with Broc St. Ceneri. Talk is he knighted you.”

  “That’s correct. Broc knighted me by his own hand. He just isn’t talking to me right at the moment.” The food sitting before Ariel made her stomach growl. It had been many hours since food had last passed her lips.

  Ranulf laughed. “Eat, my friend, then we will talk.”

  Ariel pulled out her knife and began to eat. The food was simple, but good. Taking a sip of the ale, she found it acceptable as well. Ranulf had brought food for himself as well and steadily devoured it. Ariel risked looking up at the dais.

  All the air left her lungs in a rush. Broc looked directly at her. From the look on his face he was not just mad, he was furious. He obviously didn’t like Ranulf talking to her. In turn, Ariel felt her own temper rise. Broc had no right to be angry. He wanted nothing to do with her and she would be damned if she sat alone just to please him.

  Seeing he had caught her attention, Broc motioned for her to come over to him. Ariel chose to ignore him and quickly looked down at her food. She was no longer his to control. Hell would freeze over before she went to him.

  Ranulf cleared his throat. “It seems Broc is not pleased with you. If looks could kill, you would no longer be among the living.”

  Ariel didn’t look up from her food. “Ignore him. It will do him good.”

  “I will try to take your advice, but I must warn you, he’s coming this way.”

  Just as Ranulf had said, Broc made his way over to their table. When he reached them, he put both of his hands on the table in front of Ariel. Leaning down so only a few scant inches separated them, he yelled right into her face.

  “When I motion for you to come to me, you will come! Is that understood?”

  The men at the end of the table snickered. Ariel’s face grew hot. “You have no right to talk to me this way.”

  “But I do, I am lord of Elmstead now. You will do as you are told or suffer the consequences.”

  Ariel’s temper exploded as she saw red. She would not let him demean her in this way. “I’m not one of your serfs to be bullied about! You don’t own me. So back off and leave me alone.”

  Before she could react, Broc grabbed Ariel by her upper arms and dragged her across the table. He then dropped her at his feet. Ariel jumped up and tried to leave, but Broc was not through with her. He turned her and the last thing Ariel saw was his fist coming straight toward her. When his fist connected with her jaw, her world went black.

  She couldn’t have been out for very long because the room sounded to still be in an uproar. Broc growled with rage as William tired to hold him back. He was clearly trying to get at her. Ranulf stood over her, ready to protect her if and when Broc managed to get free from the king’s hold.

  Ariel took this in with vague interest. Her jaw felt like one massive ache. She opened and closed her mouth a few times to make sure nothing was broken. It didn’t seem to be, but it still hurt like hell.

  Ariel stood and stepped around Ranulf. She pulled her sword out of its scabbard and calmly placed the tip of it against Broc’s throat. He instantly stopped struggling.

  “If you
ever strike me like that again, I’ll leave more than a bruise on your flesh.” To make Broc see she meant every word, Ariel applied pressure until a trickle of blood ran down his throat.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Ariel saw a flash of steel. Without taking her eyes from Broc, she swung up her sword and blocked the blade coming at her.

  Turning her body in the direction of her attacker, Ariel came face to face with one of the Norman knights who had been sitting at her table. His face was red with rage. Pulling his sword free of Ariel’s, he once more slashed out at her. She blocked his sword before he could complete the swing. After allowing him to take a couple more swings at her, Ariel finally ended it by disarming the knight. His sword flew out of his hand and landed at the king’s feet. Without a backward glance, Ariel stomped out of the hall and slammed the door behind her.

  Chapter 20

  Bending over, William picked up the sword and walked over to the knight who had lost it. The king’s displeasure was easily read on his face. “The next time you ever cross swords with a guest in my hall, other than on a practice field, you will no longer be welcome at court. Now leave me.”

  The knight gave a quick bow and left the room. William watched him exit the hall. He could not believe what he had just seen. She had disarmed a man twice her size, with a simple flick of her wrist. He found it utterly amazing.

  The other occupants of the hall left one by one until only Broc and Ranulf remained with William. Noticing Broc had moved to the hearth with his back to them, William quietly spoke to Ranulf. “Go find Wulf. He ran out of here without a cloak. If he stays out there too long he’ll become ill. Tell him I want to speak to him in my chambers.”

  Ranulf bowed and quickly left the hall to do the king’s bidding. William then turned to look at Broc. “I can understand why you knighted the boy. He is a natural.”