Hugh coughed, gaining her attention. ‘How old were you, my lady, when you lost your family?’ he asked.
‘My brothers and sisters all died through illness one terrible winter,’ she whispered. ‘For a few years it was just my father and I, until his death when I was in my eleventh year.’ A ghost of a smile played on her lips. ‘I remember the sound of his laughter. It was so infectious. And he was the most patient man. I could be quite a handful, you see...so eager to learn everything and nothing.’
Hugh chuckled. ‘He sounds like a man of true honour.’
Eleanor smiled weakly, nodding in agreement. ‘Yes, he was. As for my mother—she died before them all, when I was very young, in childbirth. I barely remember anything about her, although I have been told that I’m much like her.’
‘I’m sure you are, Eleanor.’ He scuffed his shoe absently against the edge of the stone wall before continuing. ‘My mother died in much the same way as yours, although I was much older. Even to this day the smell of lavender and thyme evokes memories of her. She was a gentle, kind soul.’
‘I’m sorry for your loss. It’s not easy, being left behind.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s not.’
‘That is why I find it difficult to come here. Because it reminds me of the enormity of my loss.’
‘I know—but that’s why it’s important to honour our loved ones in the most fitting way. By living life with grace, dignity...and courage.’
‘True... But those high standards are not always easy to live up to.’
‘Are they not?’ he asked, raising his brow. ‘We must always strive to be better, however hard it is and whatever life throws at us.’
She got up suddenly and smoothed her wine-coloured kirtle with her hand. ‘If you don’t mind, I would like a little time in solitude. I won’t be long.’
‘Of course. If there’s anything I can do...?’
‘Thank you, but, no, you have done enough. Until later,’ she said, nodding curtly at him.
* * *
Hugh watched as his wife met her maid and quickly hurried away, cloaked under a plain cape with a hood pulled high across her head, similar to the one she had worn that night when he had followed her outside Tallany Castle. When she’d met The Fox.
She stopped and looked over her shoulder, as if making sure they weren’t being followed.
Solitude?
Hugh followed his wife and her maid out of the little village of Milnthorpe as she surreptitiously made her way down the narrow, cobbled path with buildings and dwellings on either side. He had been right to wait and allow Eleanor to expose herself rather than make glib accusations straight away.
Where the hell was she going?
After her talk earlier, about her loss, Hugh had wondered whether Eleanor’s friendship with Le Renard, or whatever their relationship was, had started after the loss of her family—or possibly during her turbulent marriage to Millais. Not that it made him feel any easier about it, but he could grudgingly understand it.
What he couldn’t understand or accept was that she would still risk everything now to see the outlaw.
With his frustration mounting he followed them down the winding pathway as it opened out into the beautiful rolling countryside.
They continued to make their way until they stopped by what looked like a small stone priory or convent, which must instead be part of St Michael’s beneficiary hospital. The monastic institution had been founded by Eleanor’s late father. Hugh knew this because the priest had earlier informed him about the good work the sisters at the infirmary did for the sick and the needy.
His wife and her maid went inside the gate and pulled the bell rope and were soon met by an elderly nun who hugged Eleanor, cupped her face and planted a motherly kiss on each of her cheeks.
Together they went inside the walled gardens and through the cloister, where the light danced through the arches and onto the stone floor. Hugh watched as they entered a large chamber with a dozen pallets arranged against the walls, where elderly men and women lay. With the clear lack of beds, some had resorted to lying on sackcloth on the floor.
The space was basic, but clean, with a hearth on the adjacent wall offering warmth whilst younger nuns milled around, tending to the needy with industrious efficiency.
Hugh stayed at a distance as Eleanor gave three leather pouches of alms to the nun, opening one wide enough for him to see it was filled with silver. No doubt the silver the outlaws had stolen from him!
Then, to Hugh’s surprise, she went to tend to every incapacitated person, with purpose—talking to them, holding their hands, even mopping their brows and smoothing down their hair. Her thoughtful kindness and compassion for these poor souls brought a lump to his throat and humbled him as he stood and watched from the doorway.
Hugh had thought the worst of his wife but he had been wrong. She was not bent on another assignation with Le Renard.
Not this time...
Eleanor lifted her head and caught his eye, frowning. She moved towards him, seemingly not too pleased to see him.
‘Hugh? What are you doing here?’
‘Ensuring that you enjoy your solitude in safety, my lady.’
Eleanor shot him an exasperated look. ‘That’s unnecessary. We’re not, as you said earlier, always bound together.’
‘No, you’re right, we’re not.’ He smiled wryly. How like Eleanor to throw his careless words back to him. ‘I will leave you now and meet you for our departure.’
‘Wait. Since you’re here now, why don’t you stay? You can see for yourself all the marvellous work they do here.’
‘Yes, I can...’
‘This place was founded by my father, in my mother’s memory. The whole building was erected for the purpose of looking after the elderly, the infirm and the destitute.’
Hugh looked around and nodded his approval. ‘It is a fine legacy, Eleanor, you should be proud.’
She screwed up her face in self-conscious embarrassment. ‘There’s only so much we can do—people travel from far and wide to come here. We don’t turn anyone away, but it’s not possible to help everyone in the kingdom. We’re only modestly sized, with limited means.’
He nodded at the room. ‘That is a difficulty—but I see that they have a very generous patron in you, Eleanor.’
‘Yes...’ She flushed uncomfortably. ‘Come, let me show you around.’
They walked back to the cloisters and then from one chamber to another as Hugh listened intently to Eleanor with his hands behind his back. He saw with astonishment the unique work being done and his wife’s quiet satisfaction in taking her role as diligent patron very seriously.
As they passed through all the nuns, as well as the sick and the poor, lifted their heads and turned to greet Eleanor with a smile or a nod of recognition. She was evidently much admired here—but then Hugh could see the reason for that himself.
‘It’s very impressive. Why didn’t you tell me about this place before?’
She shrugged as they stepped out into the cloisters once more. ‘I wasn’t sure whether you’d approve or not.’
He frowned. ‘Why wouldn’t anyone approve of this place?’
Eleanor continued to stroll, with Hugh by her side. ‘When Richard Millais found out about this place he wouldn’t allow me to continue my work here and immediately stopped the precious funds being used for its upkeep. It fell into disrepair for a number of years,’ she said, looking thoughtfully at the tranquil gardens in the centre of the cloisters that edged it. ‘But thankfully after his death I was able to resume everything, making it exactly as my father would have wished it.’
Hugh sighed. ‘I see... And it seems that I have yet to convince you that I am nothing like your first husband?’
‘Oh, I know you’re nothing like him. I just didn’t get around to telling you about th
is place.’
Like so many things...
‘And now you don’t have to, Eleanor.’
‘No...’ She smiled hesitantly.
‘It’s fortuitous that I followed you here, then, is it not? Otherwise I would never have known.’ He glanced at her, watching her reaction.
‘I suppose so...not that I think you should skulk around corners watching everything I do.’
‘I’m sure you don’t,’ he retorted, but decided to change the subject...for now. ‘What has made you continue your family’s legacy?’
Her eyes scanned the garden before meeting his gaze. ‘My father always wanted me to continue the work he had established, and he taught me to take my responsibility and duty for our people seriously. Besides, I enjoy it. I feel I am being of some use.’
Hugh tilted his head slightly and regarded her. ‘They are lucky to have you.’
‘Yes, but it’s not enough. There are so many people like this, up and down the country, and far too few nobles who take their responsibilities seriously.’
‘Apart from you, Eleanor.’
‘And hopefully you too.’
He smiled ruefully. ‘I do wish to do more, and I will defer to you on this as my experience in these matters is limited. I’m only a soldier after all.’
‘No, you are so much more than that, Hugh,’ she murmured, looking away.
He swallowed uncomfortably and gave himself a mental shake. ‘I understand your concern, and it does you credit, but the kingdom at large is going through an exceptionally turbulent time. This is one reason we are venturing to Winchester.’
‘Yes—and yet with civil unrest and discord between King John and the Barons it’s the ordinary people who suffer the consequences. Especially with the King’s punitive taxes.’
Hugh inhaled sharply. ‘Eleanor, you should not be talking like this. It’s both dangerous and seditious,’ he hissed. ‘And you’re not in a position to blame or to pass judgement. You have no idea of the complexities of governance.’
‘I suppose I don’t—however, I’m not blind as to what is going on in the country.’
‘I didn’t say you were. I simply meant that no one should pass that kind of judgement. It’s not our place.’
She looked at him speculatively before continuing. ‘You can, though, Hugh...as Lord of Tallany.’
He watched her, his eyes narrowing. ‘What is it you’re trying to say, Eleanor? That I should turn traitor on my King, my Sovereign?’
‘Of course not. I mean that you have a voice, so use it. Use it for what is right and just.’
‘I may have a voice, as you say, Eleanor, but I am also sworn to my King,’ he said in a low tone.
He watched as she played nervously with her mother’s cross, the simple piece of jewellery she always wore around her neck.
‘Well, then he’s indeed fortunate to have a man as honourable as you by his side. But remember what you told me earlier.’ She took in a deep breath. ‘That we have to live with standards such as dignity and courage. You were right when you said that we could always do better. For me, that is all the work that’s being done here and elsewhere in Tallany.’ She flicked her eyes at him. ‘I hope that you know what it is...for you.’
How had she turned all this round on him? Yes, Eleanor might be right in that crippling taxes made life extremely hard, but with England’s coffers empty and the country on the brink of civil unrest with the Rebel Barons and the foreign threat from France, how was the kingdom supposed to govern and defend itself effectively?
Eleanor had started to walk away and Hugh caught her wrist and turned her to face him. ‘Yes, I do know,’ he said, scowling. ‘Why do you think I became a knight? Not to prove my valour, or for my own personal gain—even though I did want to make something of myself. No, I wanted to serve my King and country, Eleanor.’
She nodded. ‘That is admirable, Hugh, but ordinary people face the harsh realities of a life that you and I will never fully understand.’
‘How can anyone travelling up and down the kingdom fail to understand the misery people face? It’s something that I’m trying to readdress.’ His lips twisted. ‘And we all have to face the harsh realities of life.’
They stared at each other for a long moment before Hugh turned and walked away.
Chapter Fourteen
They had journeyed for almost two weeks, and had finally arrived just outside the walls of Winchester Castle. Before Eleanor had asked, Hugh had anticipated her request and directed their entourage to the river, allowing them all the chance to clean and wash away the road’s debris and dirt. She and her women were around the bend of the river, in a more private, secluded part.
Eleanor...
Hugh had purposely kept her at arm’s length, without inviting another exchange such as they had had over a week ago in Milnthorpe. There was still so much he didn’t understand or know about her. So much he was confused about.
He knew a few things, though. He knew he didn’t want to like her and he certainly didn’t want to desire her. He just wanted to be immune to her.
Hugh walked through the dense lush woodland, wondering whether Eleanor had finished her bathing. He tethered his horse to a tree and pulled back a branch. He glimpsed Eleanor in the distance, deep in the slow-streaming river that was edged by tall evergreens.
Her eyes were shut, as she savoured the delights of the cool water, and her hands ran through her wet unbound hair, and down over her shoulders. The sheer linen tunic she wore clung to every inch of her body. He stood transfixed, watching her bathe, his lips parted, his breathing hitched, knowing he should move...get far away from this enticing creature who had him spellbound.
No one except him was allowed to be anywhere near the women, but right now he wished he too had been barred from the area. It would have been best for his own peace of mind.
Eleanor’s maid Brunhilde came forward with another woman, holding up a large linen cloth, and his wife stepped slowly out of the river, her hands skimming the surface as she walked towards them.
Hugh continued to gaze at the scene before him, as Eleanor dried her body, dragging her fingers through her long, wet hair as her women helped her dress. He found it increasingly hard to breathe, felt blood pooling in his loins.
And it was naturally at that precise moment that she caught his gaze and held it, with a faint smile tugging at her lips. He groaned inwardly at his visceral reaction to his wife. Lord, he wanted her desperately—but then he always did.
No, he must find a way to resist temptation and be indifferent to her. He had to! He had to find a way to break this pathetic desire for Eleanor and continue to stay away from her.
The woman was an enigma, and every time his thoughts returned to her, and the man she had met the night before they’d left Tallany, he could feel the mist of anger rising. His thoughts and his better judgement were muddled and compounded by her betrayal.
Was she the compassionate patron, the dutiful daughter, or the traitor and temptress? Mayhap a bit of all...
He was torn between anger towards her and this longing to be with her. But he was shrewd enough to know that he needed to be careful not to reveal any of his feelings—it was a weakness he could do without. He had to shroud his anger, and even his desire, and think with his head...watch and learn more about the real Eleanor Tallany and find out who else was involved with the outlaws.
Only then would he know what to do. Well, he hoped he would...
He would conquer this hold she seemed to have over him. He would, damn it!
* * *
Eleanor had spotted her husband from afar and wondered how long he had stood there watching her bathe. She’d thought to have seen a spark of desire emanating from him, but the thunderous mood in which he had just left meant that she’d been wrong.
She sighed as she put her arms through the armho
les of the green woollen kirtle that Brunhilde had cleaned and brushed down. Her maid then combed through her hair with a special oil that she’d prepared herself, using flower petals and herbs, making it glossy and soft. Ah, the delicious scent always made her smile...
But thinking about the past ten days froze the smile on her face. It had been a difficult trial for Eleanor, since she had barely spoken to Hugh beyond platitudes. She barely recognised her husband as the man she’d thought she knew—the man who occupied her thoughts far too much of the time.
But then what did she know about men? Time and time again she had been lulled into a false sense of security and had put her trust in a man, only for him to let her down...badly. She had been taken in much the same way by Richard Millais, although she knew Hugh was nothing like him.
Yet here she was again...alone, confused and forsaken.
She nodded at Brunhilde, who had braided and bound her hair under a gossamer-light veil and put a silver circlet over it.
Whatever was wrong with Hugh, she would find out, and then she would do everything in her power to win him back. And hope to God it was not too late.
* * *
Many hours later the Tallany party arrived in Winchester. After the horses were stabled Hugh directed their belongings to be unpacked and settled Eleanor into a small chamber—which he was absolutely not going to share with her. He then made his excuses and swiftly left to find Will at the nearest tavern outside the castle.
He had to be apart from her. Even her evocative floral scent had wrapped around his senses enticingly and made Hugh long for her...desperately. If he spent another moment with her today his resolve would crumble away completely—not that it was far from doing that anyway. He needed to drown his sorrows again and he needed to do that now.
He found Will with a group of his men, already partaking of a few jugs of ale at the boisterous tavern. Hugh caught up with them and motioned to Will with a flick of his head to come to a more private table.
The Rebel Heiress and the Knight Page 16