1606011324-Lady-Knight-Chenery Read online

“I want to see him. He probably will not remember me since I’ve been gone so long. Nothing went as planned.”

  “How were you to know the king would choose you to be one of his house carls. I must say I am proud of you. A house carl. I’m sure Osbern felt the same.”

  Ariel felt tears come to her eyes at the mention of her friend’s name. Over the last few months they had formed a bond and Ariel would miss him greatly. “I’m sorry father, about Osbern. If I had not wanted to fight with the fryd, he would still be alive.”

  Swein patted his daughter’s hand. “Now don’t go blaming yourself for Osbern’s death. He would not want that. As for Colwyn, he may not recognize you, but he’s still young. Though there is one problem with you being able to see him.”

  Ariel stiffened. “What could possibly stand in the way of my seeing my son?”

  “The Norman is in the guest chamber right beside yours. He also refuses to leave your side.”

  Ariel felt herself slipping into sleep. She had used up most of her energy by talking to her father. Sleep would help her body heal itself, but she had so much more she needed to say to her father.

  Seeing Ariel’s eyes flutter shut, Swein released her hand and stood up. He bent down and kissed her cheek. “Sleep, Ariel. I will figure out a way to bring Colwyn to you. All you have to worry about is letting your wound heal. Once you are up and about you’ll see Colwyn as much as you want at the hut.”

  Her father’s words were the last Ariel heard before sleep finally claimed her.

  Chapter 13

  Broc could not remember the last time he had been so exhausted. It was late, very late, but sleep eluded him. Being at Elmstead once again brought memories of the girl back in a rush, so vivid he could almost taste her. He could almost feel her body pressed against his own. Just thinking of her made his body ache. There would be no ignoring the pressure in his trews as his cock swelled.

  He gave himself a mental shake. Those thoughts had to stop, he had to sleep. A sound coming from the direction of the hall distracted him from his wayward thoughts. Broc wondered who could be moving about at this hour. He had thought the last of the inhabitants had retired hours ago.

  Broc opened his chamber door and saw a lone woman cross the length of the room. She headed toward the chambers with a bundle cradled in her arms. Peering closer he realized she held a baby. A blanket covered the child’s face obscuring it from view. Judging from the woman’s dress, Broc guessed her to be from the village.

  He watched the woman enter Wulf’s chamber. Broc had to wonder if the boy had already sired a child. Thinking it unlikely, Broc shook his head to himself. Wulf was too young. He was not even old enough to grow a beard. Besides it had never been mentioned, Wulf having a child.

  Whoever the woman and child were, Broc would find out. But it could wait until the morning. He had to get some sleep. For tomorrow he would start taking over the reins of Elmstead. The people had to know he now controlled Elmstead and not their one time thane.

  * * * *

  Ariel opened her eyes at the sound of her chamber door opening and being closed quietly. At the sight of Lily with Colwyn in her arms, she painfully raised herself into a sitting position.

  Lily came and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Are you sure you’re strong enough for this? You just came out of the fever.”

  Ariel smiled. “I will manage. Nothing is going to stop me from holding my son. It has been too long.”

  Lily nodded her head and gently placed the sleeping baby into Ariel’s arms. When she pulled the blanket away from her son’s face, Ariel found him still asleep. She felt tears come to her eyes at the sight of him.

  The similarity between father and son hit her first. The other was how much he had grown. Colwyn was not the tiny baby she had left behind four months before. Sadness washed over her, she had missed so much. She had missed his first smile, his first laugh, his first attempt at crawling.

  Placing a kiss on the sleeping baby’s forehead, Ariel wondered if he would hate her when he grew up. She had chosen to wage war instead of staying with him. How could she blame him if he did?

  Tears still shimmered in Ariel’s eyes as she looked at Lily. “I’ve missed too much of his life. I should have stayed in Elmstead.”

  Lily squeezed Ariel’s hand briefly. “Don’t say that. Aye, you missed some things, but you have years to make up for your absence.”

  Ariel pushed back her tears. “True. It is one thing that is making it easier to bear.” She once more looked down at her sleeping son. “What’s he like?”

  Lily smiled and gently stroked back the hair that had fallen over Colwyn’s forehead. “He’s a happy baby. Only cries when he’s hungry or tired. He smiles all the time. Don’t worry, Ariel. He will take to you very quickly.”

  Ariel let out a sigh. “Well I plan to spend a lot of time with Colwyn, even if I have to live in a hut with him.”

  Lily shook her head. “You’ll not have to do that. While you were gone your father had a smaller hall built for you and Colwyn.”

  That surprised Ariel. She hadn’t expected her father to do that. “Truly? He had not mentioned it before my leaving.”

  “He wanted it to be a surprise. But I figure it’s a blessing now. We will be able to keep Colwyn away from the Norman there.”

  Ariel had to agree with Lily. “Aye, but Broc has been given Elmstead. I have no idea what he has planned for father and me. For all I know he may send us away.”

  Sheepishly, Lily looked at Ariel. “Then maybe it would be better if you told him who you really are. He would not want to have his own son homeless.”

  Ariel shook her head vehemently. “Nay, I will not tell him. He hasn’t recognized me yet. I can only assume what we shared together must not have meant all that much to him. So what would be the point in telling him who I am? I meant nothing to him.”

  * * * *

  Silence fell in the hall when Broc entered. Obviously the inhabitants of Elmstead had heard of the change in ownership. And from the looks on their faces it did not sit well with them.

  He chose to ignore the scathing looks sent his way and went to sit next to the thane. The older man acknowledged him with a nod of his head.

  Once seated, a female serf placed some fresh baked bread and a couple of wedges of yellow cheese in front of him. She then placed a tankard of ale next to the food. Tasting the fare given him, Broc found it to be delicious, even the ale was good.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Broc noticed the thane watching him. “The food is very good.”

  “I’m glad it meets with your high standards.”

  Apparently Swein was not happy with his presence as lord here either. “I know you are not pleased with my being here. Let’s just make the best of the situation.”

  Still being barely civil, Swein answered the Norman. “Fine with me, but there is one thing I need to know. What is to happen to my son and myself?”

  “I’ll not expect you to leave Elmstead, if that is what worries you. You know this land better than I. I would like you to help me with the running of it.”

  “What of my son?” It seemed Swein was still not satisfied with his answer.

  Broc remained silent as he thought of the best way to word what he wanted to say. “I understand Wulf is very talented with the sword. Talented enough for him to have been chosen as a house carl. I would like to further his education in arms. I will make Wulf my squire and when I feel he has learned what he needs to know, I’ll knight him.”

  Swein did a double take, as if he didn’t think Broc was serious in his offer.“But why would you do that? Wulf is a Saxon, your enemy.”

  Broc shook his head at Swein’s statement. “Nay, he is not. Neither are you. I feel it would be a waste of talent if Wulf did not reach his full potential. Do you think he’ll accept my offer?”

  Swein took a few minutes to answer his query. “Aye, Wulf will do it. But I suggest you ask him yourself whether or not he’ll become your squire.”
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  “I’ll do that.” Broc rose after he finished his meal. “Now I think I will go to the village and have a look around. It’s time the people of Elmstead got to know me better.”

  * * * *

  The village of Elmstead was small, but it sported its own mill and salt-house. There were beehives as well. The honey collected from them was used to make mead that the thane and his family used. The villagers kept goats and sheep as well as farming the land.

  Broc felt the villagers’ eyes on him as he walked by their homes. He did not stop and talk to any of them. Even if they understood him, they probably would not speak to him. He was the outsider and they would not let him soon forget it.

  Two newer looking huts sat at the edge of the village. Broc figured there would not be much more to see beyond them. Just as he decided to go and inspect the fields, he noticed a woman sat on a chair in front of one of the huts with a baby on her lap.

  She seemed familiar. Broc was soon able to see that this woman had been in the hall last night the closer he got to her. Maybe he would get some answers from her.

  Occupied with the baby on her lap, she didn’t notice him until he stood before her. When she did, his presence seemed to startle her. A baby blanket was draped over the back of her chair. She reached for it and casually covered the baby with it.

  Broc watched the girl cover the baby. Now that he had a better look at her face, he saw how young she was. She had the typical Saxon looks, blond hair and blue eyes. Her gown was made of rough homespun. The blanket wrapped around the baby had been made of much finer stuff. Broc wondered how she came by it.

  “Can I do something for you, my lord?” The girl spoke in perfect French.

  “What’s your name?” Broc was surprised and pleased the girl understood him.

  “Lily, my lord.”

  Now that he knew he could communicate with the girl, Broc started to ask her some questions. Maybe she had the answers he sought. “Do you live here alone with your child?”

  She seemed leery of him as she hesitantly answered him. “Aye, my lord.”

  “What happened to your man?”

  “He died last winter. He took sick and never recovered.”

  Broc could not help but think it was very convenient, or the girl was not telling him the truth. “It must be hard for you, to be alone.”

  “My family lives in the village. The thane and his son look out for me as well.”

  “The thane must be a good man.”

  “Aye, he is. He always looks out for us in the village. We are his people.”

  The jab at his taking over Elmstead was unmistakable. “I’m sure he does. Do you know if the thane has a daughter as well as a son?”

  “I don’t know what you mean, my lord?” Lily looked up at him with a slightly confused expression on her face. Broc figured she had no idea where he was going with his line of questioning.

  “I came to Elmstead over a year ago and I met a girl. I think she lived in the village. She looked a lot like Wulf. It made me think maybe Wulf had a sister.”

  “Nay, my lord. The thane only has one child. Just one.” The way Lily stressed that the thane only had the one child, Broc had to think she was trying to tell him something. Maybe the thane did have an illegitimate daughter stashed away somewhere that the villagers wished to protect.

  “I thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Since I’m to take the thane’s place, we will see more of each other.” Broc then left Lily at the hut and made his way toward the fields.

  Chapter 14

  The move did not go as smoothly as expected. Ariel still could not believe the arrogance of the man. When he had found out about the new hall Broc had refused to let her leave.

  That morning everything had gone according to plan. That is until Broc had come to see how she was doing. He had not missed seeing the serfs had collected up her belongings leaving her chamber virtually empty.

  “What’s going on here, Wulf?”

  “Since you have taken over as thane of Elmstead, Father and I are moving to the new hall he had built for me while I was away. Father and I need not be under foot, the hall is yours.”

  Broc sat down beside her on the bed and signaled the serfs to leave them. Once alone, he turned and smiled at her. “Before you go I would like to ask you something.”

  “All right.” Ariel held her breath.

  “How would you like to be my squire?” At Ariel’s questioning look, Broc quickly added, “I forgot Saxons don’t have knights. As my squire, you would serve me at table and in my chamber. You would help maintain my coat of mail and sword. In return I will teach you how to fight on horseback and anything else you need to know. When you have learned all that I can to teach you, I’ll knight you.”

  Ariel felt her jaw drop open. Broc had just offered her something she never hoped to attain--knighthood. Now with the Normans ruling England, the Saxon order would not stay the same. If she became a knight, her father and son would never have to worry if they were forced to leave Elmstead. She could attach herself to some lord’s household and provide for them. The only part of Broc’s offer she felt reluctant about was serving Broc in his bedchamber. But if it would help her reach her goal she would manage somehow to get through it.

  “I accept. How long would I have to train before you knight me? Being a house carl that should give me some standing in the training.”

  Broc chuckled at her show of enthusiasm. “Let’s first see how fast you learn. But if you pick it up quickly enough, probably in a few months.”

  “When can we start?”

  “Wait until your shoulder heals.”Broc said with a laugh. “If we start too early you could do more damage than good.”

  “I could start with the other duties, the ones that don’t include arms training.”

  “All right. If you feel up to it you can serve me in the hall and bedchamber.” Broc stood and started toward the door. He stopped before he reached it. “I’ll tell your father you will not be moving with him.”

  “What do you mean?” Ariel had a bad feeling about this. She could see her well conceived plans falling apart.

  “As my squire you will stay with me at all times. I have to know where you will be. I will send the serfs back to finish packing your belongings.”

  Now very confused, Ariel asked “If I won’t be going with my father, then where will I be moving to?”

  “A squire sleeps on a pallet in his master’s bedchamber. I may have need of you in the middle of the night. It makes things easier. So you will be moving into my chamber.”

  Ariel wondered who it would be easier for. It sure as hell would be difficult for her. Watching Broc’s retreating back, she wondered how she would be able to keep her secret from him. They would be practically living on top of one another. She would have to talk to her father. He would know what to do.

  * * * *

  Swein did not give her the answers Ariel wished to hear. Her father had put it quite simply, if she wanted to be a knight she would have to work through the hard parts.

  Once all her clothes had been moved into Broc’s chamber which had at one time belonged to her parents, she had been allowed to go see her father. Broc only stipulated that she return by the evening meal. Using her free time she went to see Colwyn.

  The new hall was a smaller version of the main building. Ariel found it to be cozy and wished she could stay with her family there. But until Broc knighted her, she would try to spend most of her free time with her small family.

  Colwyn had been a little leery of her at first. This was understandable, considering how long she had been away from him. As an outgoing child it had only taken a few minutes of being around Ariel before he had reached out for her. She would never forget that moment. Holding her son close, Ariel made a vow to never leave him behind again.

  Mother and child played together until Colwyn grew sleepy. Ariel picked him up and cradled him in her arms. She gently rocked him until he fell asleep. Noticing her
charge had fallen asleep, Lily reached out her arms to take Colwyn. With a kiss across his cheek, Ariel passed him to Lily.

  Ariel felt her father gaze at her. There was wistfulness to his expression. She knew what he was thinking. The first time she had caught him staring at her so, she had asked what was on his mind. He told her he didn’t know if he had done the right thing by letting her go off to fight. She had changed, and it wasn’t because her hair was now shorter and she dressed as a man either. Inside she seemed changed. Ariel had quickly reassured him that the changes in her had been for the good not the bad. She was happy with the way she was now.

  Ariel stood up and stretched. She winced at the pain in her shoulder. It was mending, but she would carry a scar there to her grave. Her first battle scar would always be a reminder of what she had done.

  “Well daughter, now that you have a slight reprieve from the new lord, what would you like to do?”

  Since waking from her fevered sleep one thing had been on her mind. “I want to have a bath. I can’t very well have one with Broc around. That particular indulgence I greatly missed while away.”Her father laughed. “A bath it is then.”

  * * * *

  She was in heaven. Her father had arranged for a large wooden tub to be dragged into the hall. It now sat in front of a roaring fire. Since he had left the hall and Lily was watching Colwyn, Ariel had decided not to use the privacy screen. She was alone and did not expect anyone to bother her.

  She had washed her hair and body and decided a good long soak would be in order. It felt glorious. What she enjoyed even more was having the bindings removed from around her chest. She had to tie them so tight, she felt as if they were steel bands. She never could take a deep breath while wearing them.

  Ariel let herself sink under the water. Coming back up to the surface her body clenched at the sight that met her eyes. Broc stood with his back toward her. He faced the hearth watching the flames.