1606011324-Lady-Knight-Chenery Read online

  “Where is she?” Broc roared the question at her causing others to stop and stare at them.

  Flustered, Alwen lowered her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Aye, you do. We are going to talk and you will tell me what I need to know.” Tightening his hold on her, Broc led Alwen through the market until they came to an open stretch of lawn.

  “I will ask you again. Where is Ariel?”

  “Why should I tell you anything?” Alwen snapped.

  “Because if you don’t, it will go badly for you.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  Broc shook his head. “Nay, I’m only stating a fact. If you do not tell me I will take you to the king. He is very fond of Ariel. He’s not too pleased with you or your father at present. It would be best if you spoke to me instead.”

  That was all the convincing Alwen needed. All her aggressiveness drained out of her. “Then what will happen to me?”

  “Nothing, you will be free to carry on with your life. I only want your father.”

  Knowing it would be better for her to deal with Broc rather than the king, Alwen gave in. “Very well, I will tell you, only because it will do you no good.”

  “I will be the judge of that.”

  With a shrug, Alwen told Broc what he wanted to know. “My father was going to sell her. To whom, I do not know.”

  Broc sucked his breath in sharply. “By what right does your father have to do that?”

  Some of Alwen’s antagonism resurfaced. She laughed. “It’s simple enough. He made her a serf. Whoever he sells her to will believe her to be a serf. She is lost to you, Broc.”

  Broc scowled at her. “No one would believe Ariel to be a serf. Her bearing is not that of a slave’s.”

  “My father thought of that so he collared her. You know as well as I it’s a mark of a serf. As long as the collar is on her person she will not be believed.”

  Broc swore. The hand holding her shoulder tightened, with punishing force, causing her to shout out in protest. The child must have sensed his father’s mood because he now started to cry. The sound of his son’s sobbing seemed to bring Broc’s anger down to a simmering point. He released her and cuddled the child close as he reassured him by stroking his back.

  “Does your precious Ariel know you have a child?”

  “Of course. That is just another reason why I want your father. You see, he stole Colwyn’s mother away from me.”

  Alwen’s face flushed red. “She gave you a son? Then why the charade? You acted as if she was a man. You even knighted her.”

  “So I did. That is all the explanation you deserve. Are you sure you have no idea where Theodoric took Ariel?”

  “I told you, nay. He never spoke of where he was going. But I will tell you this, I’m glad my father’s plan worked.”

  Broc’s lips curled into a sneer. “You know Alwen, your looks could rival those of an angel’s, but inside, you really are a heartless bitch.”

  Alwen gasped at the insult. Without a by your leave she stomped away. Broc let her go.

  * * * *

  William lifted his face into the sun. He had been spending far too much time indoors. There was always someone demanding his attention, more so now with the work having begun on the stone tower that would replace the wooden fort.

  It was rejuvenating to be outside, breathing in the fresh spring air. Taking advantage of the time free from the demands of others, William leaned against the side of the hall enjoying the sights. It relaxed him just to see his people going on with their daily lives.

  Spotting Broc as he walked through the gates with his son in his arms, William straightened and walked out into the yard. Since Ariel had disappeared Broc was never far from his little son. Colwyn even slept in the same bed with his father.

  “How was your outing to the market place? See anything special?”

  “You could say that. Alwen was there.”

  The smile on William’s face vanished. “She’s back in London? She has more nerve than I had thought. What of Theodoric?”

  Broc shook his head. “Not with her, but Alwen did have some information that may help find Ariel. She says Theodoric has made Ariel a serf and has sold her.”

  “That bastard. Did Alwen know where he took her?”

  Broc’s shoulders slumped. “Nay. Theodoric made sure she was ignorant of his whereabouts. He probably wanted to make sure if we found her Alwen would not be able to lead us to Ariel.”

  “He is very apt at covering his trail.” At the look of hopelessness on Broc’s face, William gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Fear not, friend. We’re now one step closer than we were before. It’s time to send out some of my men. If they pose as peddlers they will be able to gain entrance to any hall. We will find her. It’s only a matter of time.”

  Chapter 32

  Life moved on. Two months had passed since her abduction by Theodoric. Ariel had finally eased into her new life enough for her to sleep at night.

  After her first night spent with Geoffrey she had withdrawn into herself. Even though she hadn’t made love to Geoffrey, in a small way she felt as if she betrayed Broc by accepting her fate. It didn’t sit very well with her. Ariel’s continued silence had worried Geoffrey. Being a patient man, he gave her the space she needed to adjust to her new life.

  But now Ariel didn’t find the nights quite so hard to bear. If anything, they gave her a degree of comfort from the harsh reality of what her life had become. To have a warm body to lie beside at night and not have to worry about being mistreated eased her mind, making it easier to accept what couldn’t be changed. During the day she was treated as any other serf would be. The only difference was Geoffrey forbad his men to abuse Ariel in any way.

  Today was more strenuous than the normal course of a day. The donjon of the castle had been completed and Geoffrey wanted everything moved out of the hall and to be placed in his new residence. The packing, therefore, fell onto Ariel’s shoulders.

  Watching the last few items being carried out the door by a couple of burly guards, Ariel stretched the kinks out of her back. Being only three months into her pregnancy it still wasn’t noticeable. Placing her hand on her stomach, she felt the slight rounding of her middle. The new life inside her thrived. It was the only link she had with her former life.

  Shaking off her musing, Ariel took a final look at the hall to make sure nothing had been left behind. Finding it empty, she stepped out the door and into the yard. The day was still warm even though the sun was on its decent. Summer was just around the corner.

  Taking the now well worn path to the castle, she headed to what was to be her new home. Geoffrey was at the gates waiting for her. She waved to him.

  “Is that the last of it?”

  “Aye, the hall is empty.” Ariel allowed Geoffrey to pull her close and softly kiss her forehead.

  “Good, I can’t tell you how glad I am to finally have stone walls around me again. I don’t know how you Saxons can feel protected in a flimsy wooden structure as your home.”

  Ariel shrugged her shoulders. “It’s all in what you are used to.”

  “I suppose.” Slipping his arm around Ariel’s shoulders, Geoffrey led her to the donjon.

  The square tower dominated the yard. Ariel wondered how anyone could feel comfortable living in such a cold looking dwelling. She would take her Saxon wooden walls any day over stone. Following Geoffrey up the stairs, she looked around the yard. Some of the outbuildings were completed, but construction still continued. The barracks, that were closest to the donjon, was one of the finished buildings. Ariel could see a couple of guards talking in front of it.

  Stepping through the tower door was like walking from the bright sunshine and into the dim light of darkness. The warmth of the day didn’t penetrate the thick walls and there were no windows to let in light. Taking the stairs inside the donjon to the second level, Ariel noticed the slits in the walls. Places for archers to fire their arrows dow
n on intruders.

  The hall was not as large as the one in the Saxon building since there was no need for a room that size. The guards would have their meals in the barracks. Only family and selected others would reside in the tower.

  This was the first time Ariel had been to the castle. She was impressed with its defenses, but coming to think of it as a home, she couldn’t see it as a place a family could live in comfortably. But as she had told Geoffrey before, it was all in what you were used to.

  Looking at Geoffrey, she found him standing waiting patiently beside her, watching her reaction to her first sight of the donjon. “Well? What do you think?”

  “I can see what you meant by being better protected here.”

  “I know it is harsh looking, but I’m sure you can make it into something livable.”

  Ariel smiled weakly, she highly doubted that would happen. She was not a miracle worker. “I will try.”

  Geoffrey beamed at her. “Good, do you think you can be finished in a month’s time?”

  “Possibly. What is the rush?”

  “That is when my wife will be coming. I want everything ready when she arrives.” Kissing her once more, Geoffrey headed back down the stairs leaving Ariel standing alone in the hall.

  His wife was coming. Ariel couldn’t see any good coming out of it. How would this unknown woman take to her? Especially when she found out her husband was sharing his bed with a serf.

  * * * *

  Later that evening Ariel lay in bed waiting for Geoffrey. He was down at the barracks talking to the captain of his guards. Now that the castle was occupied, guards needed to be posted on the walls. At the sound of his footsteps on the stairs, Ariel rolled onto her side feigning sleep. Closing her eyes, she hoped he would just let her sleep.

  Geoffrey stripped out of his clothes and slipped into the bed beside her. Rolling onto his side he cuddled up close to her. “What’s wrong, Ariel? I know you aren’t asleep.”

  Ariel took a deep breath and opened her eyes, but didn’t turn to look at Geoffrey. “I’m thinking about your wife.”

  “What about her?”

  “I’m worried about what she will think of me.”

  Geoffrey pulled her closer and kissed the back of her neck. “Have no fear. She won’t be sharing my bed.”

  What kind of relationship did Geoffrey have with his wife? Ariel wondered. “What about your wife? She hasn’t seen you for months. Maybe she would like to have you near her again.”

  Geoffrey grunted. “I doubt that, we have never met.”

  Confused, Ariel turned to her other side and stared at Geoffrey. “What do you mean you have never met? You did have a wedding ceremony?”

  “Aye, but I was not there. We were married by proxy.”

  Ariel had heard of marriages being performed with another standing in for an absent participant, but she had never seen it actually done. “When did the marriage take place?”

  “After William was crowned king. My parents thought it best for Lisette to be my wife instead of my betrothed when she made the crossing to England.”

  It was obvious this did not bother Geoffrey in the slightest by the matter of fact way he answered her questions. “So yours is not a love match?”

  “Hardly.”

  Ariel knew Geoffrey wanted to drop the subject when he closed his eyes, but she wasn’t ready to let it go just yet. “If she is unknown to you, she may not be what you expect. You could very well end up liking her you know. She may be the woman of your dreams.”

  Geoffrey threw his head back and laughed. “That’s not possible. I don’t believe there is a woman out there who could be my perfect match. It rarely happens where someone finds a love so great.” Seeing Ariel’s look of concern, he tried to lay her mind to rest. “If it will make you happy, I will try to look objectively at my marriage. I just hope my wife will be pleasant enough looking. That way I won’t find it hard to bring myself to consummate the marriage. Now that’s all I intend to say pertaining to my new wife. You have had a hard day, go to sleep.”

  Letting Geoffrey snuggle her against his chest, Ariel closed her eyes. She knew it was possible to find a person you could give your heart to. Broc already had hers in his possession. Ariel hoped Lisette would be to Geoffrey what Broc was to her.

  * * * *

  The sound of cart wheels rumbling into the yard took Ariel away from her work. She stood looking out one of the slits in the wall. Through the small space, she watched Geoffrey help a woman dismount her horse. Keeping his hands on her waist he smiled down at her. She had to be Lisette. His wife had finally come to England.

  The month had gone quickly for Ariel. There had been much work to be done at the donjon. A chamber had been readied for the new mistress of Kilsmere, along with a larger room for Lisette and her women to use. Everything had been completed at the expected date, but Lisette hadn’t come. Now, after another month had gone by, she had come to Kilsmere to be with her husband.

  Backing away from the opening, Ariel waited for the couple to come into the hall. The baby moved within her, which caused Ariel to smile. She was now five months along and her pregnancy was quite noticeable. She finally had to give up her tunic and trews. She needed the room only a gown could provide.

  They were laughing. Ariel could hear them coming up the stairs together. She took that as a good sign. Her biggest wish had been for Geoffrey to like his wife. Just maybe, if he grew fond of her, Ariel would be able to convince him to release her.

  Lisette stepped into the room first. She was tiny, only coming to Ariel’s shoulder in height. But what she lacked in stature Lisette more than made up for it with a large personality. This was no soft spoken lady. Even now she was talking excitedly to Geoffrey, making him laugh all the more.

  One of Lisette’s women, who had come up the stairs after her lady, noticed Ariel first. The woman stopped in her tracks and gasped, drawing Lisette’s attention.

  Taking control of the situation, Geoffrey took Lisette by the elbow and led her over to Ariel. “Lisette, this is Ariel. She does all the work inside the hall. I’m sure she will see to any of your needs.”

  Ariel watched Lisette’s deep green eyes look at her from head to toe. Ariel found Geoffrey’s wife to be beautiful. She had thick chestnut colored hair that fell in waves down her back. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Lisette addressed Ariel.

  “You are a serf?”

  “Aye.”

  Lisette’s eyes roamed down to Ariel’s protruding stomach then back up to her face again. “I see you are with child. I will tell you right now that will be the last child my husband will sire off of you. Henceforth, you will stay out of his bed.” Geoffrey just about choked when he heard Lisette’s words. Ariel smiled.

  “The babe isn’t Geoffrey’s.”

  Lisette blinked. “Are you telling me you have never slept in my husband’s bed?”

  “Nay, I’m not, but it isn’t what you are thinking. I will gladly step aside, I would not presume to take your rightful place.”

  Lisette smiled, taking no offense at Ariel’s straight forward manner. “I’m happy with your decision, but there is one thing. If the babe is not Geoffrey’s, then who is the father?”

  “That is something I keep to myself. I was already pregnant when Geoffrey bought me.”

  This last remark caused Lisette to blink then she smiled. “Whoever the father is, have no fear for your child. It will be well provided for.”

  Obvioulsy not liking how the conversation progressed, Geoffrey interrupted. “Don’t worry, Lisette. I already told Ariel that exact same thing. Now come, I’ll show you to your solar.”

  Watching Lisette and Geoffrey, followed by the other women, leave the hall, Ariel smiled. Geoffrey would have his hands full with his new wife. She would not stand to be ignored. Ariel knew Lisette and she would get on famously.

  Chapter 33

  As she had predicted, Geoffrey came barging into the small chamber Lisette had given Ariel for her use.
It had originally been intended for Lisette, but Geoffrey’s wife had moved into his chamber instead. She had told Ariel, Geoffrey would just have to get used to her being in his bed, because she had no intention of leaving it.

  Now, after darkness had fallen, Geoffrey stood in her chamber. He was not happy. “I thought I told you before, you will still share my bed.”

  “Aye, you did. Lisette decided otherwise.”

  “I don’t care what she wants.”

  Ariel shook her head. “It can’t be helped. What’s the matter, Geoffrey? Don’t you find Lisette appealing?”

  Geoffrey appeared to think about his answer before he spoke. “She does appeal to me. I just would prefer you next to me.”

  “Why? Your wife is beautiful and could make you a happy man if you would only let her. You two seemed able to get along. I think your problem is you’re afraid.”

  “I’m not afraid of Lisette.”

  Ariel smiled. “Oh, but you are. She’s not exactly what you expected.”

  Geoffrey’s brows drew together to form a scowl. “True. My father led me to believe she was a weak willed and easily controlled female.”

  Ariel burst out laughing. Lisette was nothing of the kind. She wondered how Lisette managed to fool Geoffrey’s father into believing she was weak willed.

  “Obviously your father only saw what Lisette wanted him to see. Be that as it may, she is your wife. You should at least spend tonight with her. Once you have consummated the marriage then you can decide who you would prefer in your bed.”

  Moving closer to Ariel, Geoffrey gathered her into his arms. “Maybe you’re right. I should share my bed with Lisette at least for tonight.” Pausing, he looked closely at her. “Is it true what you told Lisette, that you would never try to take her place in my bed? I thought you were comfortable with me now.