Midnight Warrior

by Iris Johansen

  He frowned. “Where are you going?”

  “I must go see if Adwen and Malik are well and then find a place to sleep.”

  “You’ll sleep here.” His lips twisted as he gestured to the bed. “You should be accustomed to Lord Richard’s bed.”

  “I’ve never been in this chamber before today.” She bent down and put on her shoes. “And I’ve never coupled with that snake’s spawn.”

  She wasn’t looking at him but sensed his sudden alertness. “No? He said you—”

  “Then he’s a liar as well as a snake.” She put on her other shoe. “And you were foolish to believe him.”

  “But you knew I believed him, didn’t you?” His tone was edged. “And you let me continue. Why?”

  She moved toward the door. “I had to get to Redfern. I wasn’t sure you believed in the treasure and you’re a warrior with a warrior’s instinct to conquer.”

  “So you used me.”

  “As you used me.”

  “I’d be curious to know why you were so desperate to reach here.”

  “Adwen.” She glanced over her shoulder. “It was always Adwen. She needed me.”

  “You could have told me,” he said roughly. “I’m not so vile as to let a woman die for lack of care.”

  “I couldn’t take the chance.”

  An undefinable emotion flickered across his face. “No, considering the lack of gentleness with which I’ve treated you, I suppose you were right not to trust in my benevolent nature.”

  For some reason she felt the need to reassure him. “You’ve not been unkind. Gentleness does not come easily to some men.”

  He smiled curiously. “Particularly when there is a battle both within and without.” He paused. “And I assume there is no treasure?”

  “Of course there is treasure. I don’t lie.”

  “And where is this proof you said was here at Redfern?”

  “Delmas has it. He took it away from me the night before we wed.” She opened the door. “But if you don’t want to see him, I don’t see how you can get it from him.”

  “I will wait.” He smiled sardonically. “For my temper to cool.”

  She had seen little sign of that occurring. “You don’t need Delmas. If you agree to free me, I will lead you to the treasure.” She frowned. “But we will have to wait until Adwen is able to travel. I will not leave her here to be abused.”

  “If I decide to go on this journey, I’ll make sure Lady Adwen is protected.” He suddenly frowned. “Go and see to them, but I want you to return and sit by my side in the hall tonight.”

  She looked at him, startled. “I cannot. A slave does not sit at the high table.”

  “She does if her master wishes it.” His gaze moved over her. “And borrow a gown from Lady Adwen. I weary of seeing you in those rags.”

  “I should not leave—”

  “If you don’t come, I’ll come after you. Do you want your Lady Adwen to be distressed when I drag you from the chamber?”

  “It makes no sense,” she said, exasperated. “Why do you wish this?”

  “It should be enough for you that I do.” He turned, facing away from her. “And I have every intention of satisfying my wishes. I’ll see you in the hall.”

  Seven

  “Where is Alice?” Brynn asked Malik as she entered Adwen’s chamber. “I told her to come and tend to your needs.”

  “I sent her to fetch broth for Lady Adwen,” Malik said. “I did not want to chance you giving her one of your concoctions.”

  “How is she?” Brynn studied Adwen’s face as she approached the bed. She appeared much better now that her hair and skin glowed with cleanliness. “Did she wake at all?”

  “Twice,” Malik said. “Once just after you left and once when Alice was bathing her.” He made a face. “She made Alice put a curtain between us so that I could not behold her.”

  “I see no curtain.”

  Malik grinned. “I jerked it down after she went back to sleep. I refuse to be denied such bounty. It is bad enough being confined to this bed. Surely I deserve a small reward.”

  “Not if it’s wrested from Adwen. She’s had too much taken from her already.”

  Malik’s grin vanished. “Poor lady. It is a cruel world that could do this to one so helpless.”

  Brynn had a fleeting memory of Adwen’s surprisingly fierce outburst in the stable. “Perhaps she’s not as helpless as you might think.” She went around the bed and checked Malik’s bandage; it had been changed. Obviously Alice had been speaking truly when she said she would work hard to make amends. “The world is seldom kind, but it was her lord and husband who did this to her.”

  “Then her lord and husband should be sent to burn in Hades,” Malik said pleasantly. “And I will be delighted to assist him there at the earliest opportunity.” His glance shifted to Brynn. “If Gage does not cheat me of the pleasure before I am able to rise from this bed. It could happen if he thinks you still have a fondness for Richard.”

  “I never had a fondness for that beast.” She looked back at Adwen. “How could I?”

  Malik nodded, understanding at once. “I thought it odd. It was the lady and not the master who drew you here?”

  She nodded. “I thought she needed me.”

  “It is clear she did need you.”

  She shook her head doubtfully as she remembered that impression of strength in Adwen. “Maybe.” She went to the carved oak chest that was under the window and opened the lid. “I must go to sup in the hall tonight. I will return as soon as I can.”

  He shook his head. “Gage will want you in his bed.”

  “Then he must do without what he wants. I have duties to perform.”

  Malik frowned in concern. “No, Brynn, I saw Gage’s face when you ran after Delmas today. You walk a very fine line if you wish to keep your husband alive.”

  Fear leapt within her. “Do you truly think he would kill a man for so little reason?”

  “I saw his face,” Malik repeated.

  “I don’t understand how men can take life and walk away. Don’t they know how it darkens their souls?” she said with exasperation as she rummaged through the gowns in the chest to find one that might fit. “I don’t understand him.”

  “At present I don’t believe he understands himself either,” he said quietly. “Which makes the situation more dangerous. From the time Gage was a boy, Hardraada took him on his raids, trained him in blood and violence, taught him to take what he wanted and let nothing stand in his way. In later years Gage learned other ways, but it would not take much to send him back to Hardraada’s teachings.”

  Piracy and blood and the huge shadow of Hardraada cast over Gage’s horizon.

  “Do not return to this room tonight, Brynn. Soothe him. Give him what he needs.” Malik smiled. “I don’t think that task is proving too unpleasant for you.”

  Not unpleasant but perhaps more dangerous than he knew. Every time she coupled with Gage, the bonding became stronger, the emptiness of separation more intense. She was beginning to wonder how long it would be before she no longer felt complete without him. She chose a gown the color of dark red wine from the chest, closed the lid, and walked quickly toward the anteroom. “Send Alice to the hall to get me if Adwen worsens.”

  “Don’t worry. I will care for her.”

  There was such gentleness in his voice that she glanced over her shoulder. He was looking at Adwen with protective tenderness, and she felt a pang of wistfulness. How wonderful it would be to be able to relinquish all burdens and nestle in the shelter of someone else’s strength. What was she thinking? She was not a nestler and she would quickly grow impatient of anyone who tried to make her one.

  But perhaps it would not be so bad for a little while.…

  “See that you do,” she said gruffly as she disappeared into the anteroom.

  A fire burned bright in the huge hearth, where a wild pig was being slowly rotated on the spit. A young boy sat nearby, strumming his str
inged instrument. Booming laughter issued from the high table.

  Brynn stopped uncertainly in the arched doorway of the hall. What should she do now? She had no place here. Lord Richard had evidently invited all his vassals and their ladies to the feast. She recognized only a few of them; Edmund of Danworth and his wife, Joan. White haired Cyril Montbor and his son, Herbert of Kenmal.

  “Come,” Lord Richard called when he saw her. He stood up at the long table on the dais and held out his hand. “I have never seen you look more winsome.” A brilliant smile lit his face. “Sit by my side, Brynn.”

  A sudden silence fell over the table. They were all staring at her. The men with curiosity, their ladies with haughty antagonism.

  “She sits with me,” Gage said from behind her. He took her elbow and urged her forward across the rush-strewn floor toward the dais. His touch was warm and comforting, and she felt a little of her uneasiness leave her.

  “I want to leave,” she whispered. “I don’t belong here.”

  “Of course you belong here,” he said roughly in a low voice. “You are wiser than any man in this hall and more lovely than any woman.” He glanced down at her. “Particularly in that gown. I … thank you for wearing it.”

  She looked at him in surprise. The words had come awkwardly and she could not remember him ever commenting on her appearance. “It doesn’t fit.” She looked down at the tight bodice. “Adwen is much smaller than me.”

  “On the contrary.” His gaze went to the bodice. “I ardently admire the fit of that gown. But, if you like, I will send a messenger back to my ship at Pevence Bay for material to have others made for you.”

  “Materials?”

  “Silk from Byzantium, laces from Damascus.” He smiled mockingly. “Like the money-pinching merchant I am, I never go anywhere without goods for barter.”

  “I don’t need silks. I’m content with my own woolen gown. I would not have borrowed Adwen’s if you had not insisted.”

  “I know.” His lips tightened as he helped her up the two steps to the dais. “Because you’re the most stubborn and willful woman in all this benighted country. Would it be too—”

  “I’ve had a feast prepared that will rival anything you’ve tasted in Normandy.” Richard gracefully gestured toward the high-backed chairs next to him. “You will see how diligently I’m trying to please you.”

  Gage glanced around the hall. “You’ve evidently done one thing to please me. Where did you send him?”

  “It is of no importance.” Richard waved airily. “But be assured you’ll be spared his presence for your entire stay here. I would have sent Delmas away before your arrival if I’d known how tender were the feelings of Normans. I fear we Saxons are a much more insensitive lot. Delmas was always very obliging when it—”

  “He is gone. We will not speak of him.” Gage seated Brynn on his left side before taking the chair beside Richard. “You can bring him back in a few days’ time, after we’ve left.”

  “Only a few days? I hoped for a longer stay.” Richard motioned for the serving to begin. “Oh, well, perhaps we can change your mind. Redfern is such a pleasant place.” He leaned forward and spoke to Brynn. “You must take him around the countryside and show him what a fine property this would be for him.”

  “I won’t have time.” She met Richard’s gaze. “Adwen is not well and must be cared for.”

  His bland expression didn’t alter. “Yes, Delmas told me you had moved her back to her former quarters. It was not well done. She is infectious, you know. I was forced to move her to the stable to protect us all from disease.”

  She stared at him in disbelief. “She’s only suffering from the same fever she had before.”

  “Really? But we did not know that, did we? You were not here to tell us.”

  Her hand tightened on the goblet. She wanted to throw it at him.

  Richard turned to Gage. “Brynn has a great fondness for my poor wife. She will not admit that Adwen was not meant for this earth.” He sighed. “I fear the angels may take her at any time.”

  “No!” Brynn took a deep breath and then said, “I realize Adwen is an inconvenience to you, but she will not die.”

  “Inconvenience? How could that sweet lady be an inconvenience?” He lifted his goblet to her. “Though I admit that my taste runs to more spirited women. Naturally, a man wants a woman who can sit by his side and match his strength with her own.”

  Lies. Richard had no desire for any quality but submission in a woman. First, a subtle threat and then flattery. What was he about?

  “Eat.” Gage deliberately leaned forward, blocking her view of Richard. He tore off a small piece of meat from the portion on his trencher and handed it to her. “I agree with Lord Richard. We must nourish your strength.” His voice lowered to sensual intimacy. “You will soon have need of it.”

  Heat flamed to her cheeks as she met his gaze. Nothing could be more clear than his inference. He had staked his claim before everyone in the hall. She could see by the lewd smiles on the faces of the men at the table that even now they were imagining her in the Norman’s bed.

  Richard laughed and lifted his goblet again. “Well said. How I envy you.” He drank deep before adding, “And regret the day I was forced to give up such a prize. A slave such as Brynn does not come along every day.”

  Slave. Property. Owned. They were all looking at her, and she suddenly felt suffocated. “I find I’m no longer hungry.” She jumped to her feet. “I must get back to Adwen.”

  “Brynn.” Gage’s voice was low but warning.

  She ignored him and ran from the room.

  He caught up with her before she reached the staircase. His hand grasped her arm. “Brynn!”

  “I will not go back,” she said fiercely. “You cannot make me. Find someone else to shame.” She tried to free herself. “But you did not succeed. I was not ashamed. It is you and the others who should be ashamed to keep human beings beneath your yoke. I will not—”

  “By God, will you be silent and listen?” He grasped her shoulders and shook her. “I didn’t mean to shame you. It was never my intention— He was looking at you as if—and I was angry.… It just happened.”

  “And that makes all well? Of course it happened. You bring your slave to sit at your side at the table. You display me before your officers and Richard’s vassals. I’m surprised you did not have me stripped naked before them.”

  “I did not display you,” he said harshly. “And you’ve learned nothing if you think I’d let anyone see you unclothed but me.” His hands tightened on her. “I meant to show you honor. I wanted to show them they must treat you with respect, that you were more than a slave.”

  “But I’m not more than a slave to you. You have proved that to everyone at Redfern. Slave and whore.” She looked up at him. “And you will prove it again when you take me back to your chamber. They will chuckle and sneer and talk among themselves about all the things you are doing to my body. You know it and I know it.”

  “I don’t know it.”

  “You do know it and you don’t care.”

  He glared down at her. “Damn you. I’m not perfect. Sometimes I grow angry and my tongue runs away with me.” He whirled and stalked back toward the hall. “But if I didn’t care, I would have throttled you by now.”

  She called tauntingly after him, “Shall I wait for you in your chamber, my lord?”

  “Not if you value your life. Go to Malik and that woman. Perhaps they’ll be safe from your poison.”

  She stared after him in astonishment as he entered the hall. She had not thought he would let her go back to Malik and Adwen. It was a most unusual thing for him to do.

  But then, his entire behavior tonight had been unusual. It had ranged from tentativeness to moody jealousy and then, at the end, perhaps … regret?

  Had he really meant to attempt to raise her to a place of honor to shelter her from calumny? She felt her anger ebbing away as she considered the possibility. He had said i
t, and he was not a man who lied.

  She felt a tiny bud of warmth unfold within her as she turned and started up the steps. He had tried to protect her.

  She should not be this content. After all, he had lost his temper and probably made things worse for her. He had not behaved in the gentle, knightly way in which Malik would have offered his protection. He had been rough and abrupt and unkind. She should ignore his intentions and think only of his deplorable actions.

  Yet he had tried to protect her.…

  A single candle burned in Adwen’s chamber, and Alice was curled beside the flickering flames in the hearth. Brynn put her finger to her lips as the servant scrambled to her feet. She glanced at the man and woman on the bed who appeared to be slumbering. “All is well?” she whispered.

  Alice nodded. “He was in some discomfort, so I gave him the same sleeping draught you taught me to make for Lady Adwen. Lady Adwen has been sleeping since you left.”

  “Good. You may go to your own bed. I will stay with them now.”

  “You will? I thought—” Alice broke off.

  Alice had thought what everyone at Redfern thought, that she would occupy the Norman’s bed. “Go to your rest. I will watch them.”

  Alice still hesitated.

  “What is it?” Brynn asked impatiently.

  “Could I stay here? I will be no bother. I will just curl here by the fire.”

  “Why would you—” Brynn stopped as she understood. Alice was safe here. “You believe Lord Richard will be displeased that you’re helping Lady Adwen?”

  Alice nodded. “He hurts me when he’s angry.” She shivered. “He always hurts me, but more then. If I leave here, he will find me and take me back to his bed.”

  “If you hate it so much, then you should have run away.”

  “Where can I run?” She bit her lower lip before she said, “I am with child.”

  Brynn felt a jolt of shock, mixed with anger. “Does he know?”

  “Yes. I’m in my third month.”

  “And he sent you to Lord Gage for him to use?”

  “I have barely started to round, and Lord Richard said I was still comelier than any woman at Redfern. He wanted to please Lord Gage and was not sure the Norman was still enamored with you.”