A Winter's Knight

by Fiona Neal

  Alice was not inclined to be part of a match with anyone she did not love.

  Nevertheless, she was the granddaughter and heir of Lord De Winter. Any man she married, must be good to her.

  Still, Sir Edmund Moreton was such a handsome knight, she mused, wrapping another thick towel around her long hair.

  He was the kind of man about whom marriageable ladies dreamt. Sir Edmund had been kind and patient with her, especially when she was ill. He was the type of man a woman would want to cuddle with on a cold winter night.

  Sir Edmund Moreton was a winter’s knight, and that thought made her smile.

  Still, she had to put him out of her mind, though. After the attack she suffered from the drunken knight, she did not think she could submit her body to a man. Perhaps she could later, but not now.

  She dressed quickly and then stood with her back to the fire, running a comb through her hair. It would take quite a while for her long, thick tresses to dry.

  Alice knew that Sir Edmund was meeting with the grandfather again. She wondered what they were discussing.

  As her grandfather’s heir, shouldn’t she be there? She would someday be responsible for this manor. Shouldn’t she be privy to all information concerning this estate?

  Alice decided that since she was no longer to be a nun, she did not have to subdue her spirit. She could give it free rein. Still, that would be difficult after years of keeping a tight rein on it.

  * * * *

  “Thank you for delivering my granddaughter to me, Sir Edmund” Lord De Winter said later that evening. “I trust she did not make impossible demands.”

  “The Lady Alice did not make any demands, my lord. In fact, for most of the journey she prayed and stayed quiet, except she did get ill. I think she was over chilled when we travel through the snow. Of course, she was also shocked by the death of most of her family.”

  “Yes, that is understandable. I was shaken too. However, Lady Alice has always been, quiet and prayerful,” Lord De Winter explained. “Still, she has great spirit, Sir Edmund. She was very insistent about entering the convent. She is also a woman of deep feelings, and she is most skilled with a needle and thread.”

  “I think she still is suffering from the loss of her father and her young siblings,” Sir Edmund remarked. “She fainted when she heard the news.”

  “I do not doubt that, Sir Edmund. She has always fainted at bad news. Still, that loss is still difficult for me, but life goes on, and we must adapt to the changes, even though our hearts ache with grief.”

  “Yes, that was a deep wound you both sustained,” the knight replied.

  “Yes, Lady Alice is a sensitive person,” Lord De Winter remarked. “It may take her a while to recover.” His lordship gazed long and hard at Edmund, and then said, “How else did you find my granddaughter?”

  “She behaved with perfect decorum at all times, my lord.”

  “Yes, yes, you said that. What I want is your personal opinion about her. Did you find her beautiful and desirable?”

  The statement surprised Edmund. What did it matter if he found Lady Alice beautiful and desirable? He was a poor, landless knight, and she was one of the greatest heiresses in all or England. Even if he thought she was the most exquisite woman he had ever seen, which was the truth, he could never hope to become anything but her loyal servant.

  “Well, Sir Edmund, I asked you a question,” Lord De Winter said, with a twinkle in his sage-green eyes and a smile on his lips. “After all, the two of you pretended to be husband and wife for three whole days.”

  “The lady is most lovely and desirable, my lord. She is everything a lady should be. I am sure that you will have no problem finding her a husband. As for our pretense, we were following your strict orders, as you know, and she did take very ill, the first night. Furthermore, we most certainly didn’t need an attack and abduction. But I must assure you that the lady and I observed all the proprieties of an unmarried man and woman.”

  “Yes, I knew you would,” Lord De Winter added, still smiling. “Speaking of proprieties, I have a list of possible candidates for her husband, but I must make sure they are worthy of her. Lady Alice is a great prize in herself, but she will also inherit enormous wealth and power.”

  Edmund couldn’t miss the fact that Lord De Winter seemed to be toying with him, but he couldn’t fathom why.

  “But enough about my granddaughter,” the earl said. “I have a surprise for you, Sir Edmund. As you know, after twenty years of service, my captain of the guards has left my employ to enter the monastery. I think the death of his wife affected him. Anyway, I need another man to fill that position, and I have chosen you.

  “I have watched you for several years,” Lord De Winter continued. “You are a natural leader. The men like you, and they will be loyal to you. Of course, you will receive an increase in pay, and you will have your own quarters within the barracks. I hope you will enjoy your new position.”

  Edmund dropped to one knee. “Thank you, my lord. I appreciate the great honor of your trust. I shall do my best.”

  “And I want you to continue keeping the Lady Alice safe,” Lord De Winter said.

  “I most definitely will, my lord, but until I convince Camden that she is dead, and I get Edith returned to me, Lady Alice remains in great danger. Furthermore, she cannot stay hidden here in this castle forever.”

  Lord De Winter’s handsome face broke into a sardonic smile. “No, she cannot; and usually money can buy anyone’s loyalty, Sir Edmund. A servant can be bribed to leave a door unlocked, or perhaps let a spy inside to see that Lady Alice is very much alive.”

  “What do you suggest I do, my lord?” Sir Edmund asked.

  “Tomorrow, you must go to see Lord Camden and give him proof that Lady Alice is dead. If you succeed, you will bring your sister here, where she will stay until she weds. Unfortunately, I believe we must eliminate Camden,” Lord De Winter said.

  “How can we do that, my lord? We cannot commit murder.”

  “No, I prefer we wait and let him show his hand. He will try to get rid of me again, but he has to do it without implicating himself. My death must look as if it occurred from natural causes because I am an ally of King Stephen, and that royal personage will not like Camden to war with me.”

  “In the meantime, he may ask me to murder you. He may continue to hold my sister.”

  “If that is the case, we will then have to eliminate him in a wily manner,” Lord De Winter replied.

  “I shall do my best to bring Edith here, my lord, and convince Camden your granddaughter is dead.”

  “I know you will, Sir Edmund, and I’ll send a message to my sister, the abbess. I shall tell her to say Alice is dead if she is asked.”

  “You cannot request a holy woman to make an untrue statement, my lord.”

  “Well, then I shall say that Alice never arrived here. I have no trouble lying to save a life.” Lord De Winter smiled. “Now, I wish to see my granddaughter. There is much we need to discuss.”

  * * * *

  “Dearest Alice,” her grandfather said and enveloped her in a fond embrace.

  His gesture surprised her. Her grandfather was not a demonstrative person. Still, the loss of his sons and grandsons had probably shaken him and reminded him to be thankful for what God have given him. Furthermore, he was always kind to her.

  Alice enjoyed the affection. She had so little since her mother had died many years ago, and she clung to him.

  Lord De Winter kissed both her cheeks. He then held her at a small distance and said, “It is so good to have the last of my family at home.”

  “I feel the same, my lord.” A lovely family was so important, and she realized how much she had missed him.

  “Let me have a good at you, my dear child,” her grandfather said.

  Alice had time to bath, wash her hair, and dress in the clothes he had set out for her on her new bed in the secret chambers, so she wore a gown and mantel of light yellow.

&
nbsp; “You’ve grown lovelier since last I saw you. Oh, it is good you are a redheaded, just like your old grandfather once was. Now time has bleached my thatch to white, but I’m grateful I still have hair. How old are you now, dearest Lady Alice?”

  “I had my seventeenth birthday last October, my lord.”

  “Old enough for a husband, I think.”

  “Perhaps, my lord, but why must I hide in the place of my birth?”

  “You are at risk of being murdered or kidnapped and forcibly married to an enemy, Alice. As long as you are unmarried, you risk being kidnapped. There are those who wish me dead because they covet this castle. I regret to tell you that an attempt has already been made. That is how your family perished. God saw fit to help me survive, although I thought I never would.”

  “Surely, no one can come within these strong walls and take me against my will,” she replied, terror making her eyes wide. “Guards patrol the battlements. How would they get through the gates?”

  “A housemaid or manservant could be bribed to smuggle an enemy inside these premises.”

  “Oh, Grandfather, that prospect frightens me beyond anything my words can express.” But Alice realized this was all too true.

  “But if you are aware of the dangers, the risk will be less. For the moment, you must stay in hiding. I suppose I should have not frightened you, my dear,” Lord De Winter said and held her close. “I am sorry.”

  “It is all right, Grandfather. I believe it is best to know all the facts. Who are these villains who want to kill us?”

  “It is Lord Camden, my dear.”

  “Lord Camden, but why, my lord? I thought he was our friend.”

  “Believe it, Alice. He has taken Lady Edith, Sir Edmund’s sister, as a hostage in his castle. He tried to enlist Sir Edmund to kill you, but that knight is faithful to his vows and to me.”

  “Edith will die! Oh, Grandfather, we must stop it.” Alice put both hands over her heart.

  “Calm yourself, dearest. Lord Edmund has gone to get his sister. He will give proof to Camden that you are dead. That is why you must stay in hiding here for a while yet.”

  “Oh,” Alice said, calming somewhat, “now I understand.”

  “Understand what?” Lord De Winter frowned.

  “Sir Edmund asked for a long lock of my hair. He did not say why he wanted it, but he said it was necessary. I suppose he will give it to Lord Camden to prove I am dead.”

  “Perhaps so,” Lord De Winter replied. “Our shade of red hair is quite unique. Few people have it. That is why the color is called De Winter red.”

  “But what if Lord Camden kills Sir Edmund?” The mere notion horrified her.

  “I don’t think he will. He will use knowledge of your death to persuade the knight to carry out other evil deeds.”

  “Oh, Grandfather, I hope that is not so.”

  “So far, it is not, dear child. Edmund realized that Camden would try to use him. The knight is the best man I know. He could have killed you, but he did not, even though he may lose his sister whom he dearly loves. Instead, we made a plan to get the girl and bring her here. After Edith returns, you must marry. The risk to you then will be less than it is now.”

  “And shall I be able to be free, Grandfather? I do not wish to be...abused by a husband.”

  “Yes, my child, I understand, but you are a great lady. You will always have your freedom, according to the rule of this earldom, even if you marry a prince.”

  “But Camden will take his revenge, Grandfather.”

  “Yes, Alice, he likely will.”

  “I do not like this, my lord.”

  “Nor do I like it, Alice. Before I knew about Lord Camden, I wanted to observe a mourning period for our deceased family members before your wedding. I planned on six months. Besides, you cannot wed during Advent, which will be approaching soon. But now, you must wed as soon as possible.”

  That was true. The rules of the church forbid couples to marry during Advent and Lent. But the elimination of the mourning period gave Alice great anxiety. In truth, she did not wish to marry just to produce and heir. In fact, she did not wish to marry at all.

  “No, Grandfather. I do not wish to marry.”

  Lord De Winter stared at her. “Did you not understand what I just said?”

  “Yes, I did.” But her grandfather did not know of the attack on her person years ago. Alice thanked God that she was spared being defiled.

  Still, her grandfather had loved her grandmother, and her father had loved her mother and stepmother. But now that was all changed. Alice realized that she must marry to avoid being abducted and forced into a marriage she didn’t want.

  “Grandfather, please give me some time to contemplate and get accustomed to the idea of matrimony. I know you want only what is good for me, but I had planned to be a nun.”

  “Yes, darling, I know, and you have lost most of your family. I shall try to be patient, but you are in danger, dearest.”

  “I know,” she said.

  They hugged.

  “I think we should have our evening meal here,” Lord De Winter suggested, changing the subject. “I’ll order double portions of everything. I’ll say I feel unusually hungry, but keep out of sight, my child.”

  “As you wish, my lord,” Alice said. She quickly went into her chambers.

  Lord De Winter went to the door, opened it, called a passing servant, and ordered the meal.

  When he finished, Alice returned. “Have you chosen a husband for me?”

  “I am considering a few good men, but I shall postpone making a decision, since you are not used to the idea of matrimony.”

  His words calmed Alice, and then she said, “My lord, the three knights who brought me here went through considerable trouble and endured some hardship to escort me home. They are all landless knights, and should they wish to marry, they would need funds to provide homes for their wives and the children that may come. Could you not give them some compensation for their trouble?”

  “You have a kind heart, Lady Alice, but I compensated them for the assignment before they left for the abbey. I knew the task would be difficult because of the cold weather, and they could have been attacked and killed, too. The forest paths are dangerous, full of desperate men, for many who cannot find work will prey upon travelers who usually have funds or valuable goods.”

  “That was good of you to pay them, Grandfather,” Alice said.

  “I was young once, my dear. I know the longings of a young man’s heart. They wish for wives.”

  “I suppose,” she said. But she had no wish to wed and give her body to any man. She trembled, thinking about the attack she suffered. It was traumatizing and humiliating.

  “On the subject of marriage and your future husband, I should like you to wed a man who is virtuous and who will be able to protect you.”

  “I thought you would mention power and wealth, my lord.”

  Lord De Winter smiled. “I am not opposed to those things. They make life easier for those who have them. But you need a man who is kind yet strong. Besides, you also have the duty to provide heirs.”

  That notion shook her composure, but she kept her feelings well hidden. “The birth of a child is in God’s hands.”

  “Yes, that is true, but the De Winters are good breeders.” He smiled.

  Alice did not return the smile. She loved her grandfather, but she refused to be forced into a marriage—any marriage—for the sake of producing an heir. The whole notion that she must submit her life and her body to a man in such an intimate way frightened her. Perhaps if that soldier had not tried to debauch her, she would feel differently.

  Maybe she should tell her grandfather about it. The incident had not been her fault, after all. She had been hurrying home after a time of prayer and fasting. She did not try to entice the man. She didn’t even know he was waiting in the dark shadows.

  But he was, and he would have raped her. He had made his intentions clear. The physician said he
thought the man had died of some kind of brain hemorrhage. Oh, God, she could still see the blood gushing from his nose.

  She closed her eyes and prayed she would not ever see anything like that again.

  Besides, if Alice could not discuss that incident with the Abbess Enid, whom she trusted more than anyone, she could not speak of it to anyone.

  “I know I must marry, Grandfather, but I need time to get accustom myself to the idea. I think at the moment I have more practice at chastity than the business of marriage. Please give me some time.”

  “There isn’t much time, darling girl. You know you have a target on your back. But I’ve said enough about that. Aren’t you curious about the men I have chosen?”

  “I suppose, Grandfather.” But Alice wasn’t interested. She needed to love the man she must marry, and she wanted him to love her. That would make the intimacy easier. “Were you curious, Grandfather?”

  “I was very curious.” He smiled and his green eyes twinkled. “When I saw your grandmother, I was instantly smitten. We had a most happy marriage until she died.”

  “I remember her vaguely, Grandfather. She was a beautiful, kind woman.”

  “Yes, she was. I love her still. I think I always shall. That is why I cannot even think of marrying again.”

  A knock interrupted their conversation.

  “Hide, Alice,” Lord De Winter whispered urgently. “I believe it is our dinner.”

  Alice fled out of sight and heard the servants enter. When the door closed, she hurried back.

  “Let us dine,” Lord De Winter suggested.

  Alice sat and inspected the food. She recognized one of her favorites. It was a beef stew prepared with wine, honey, ground almonds, and bread crumbs. Despite the kitchen being far from her grandfather’s chambers, the bowls were still steaming because the servants had covered them. A trencher contained vegetables and slices of venison. Baked custard served as the dessert.

  “I’m sorry you didn’t wash your hands when the ewer bearer brought water and a towel,” Lord De Winter said.

  “It wasn’t long ago that I bathed, my lord,” she said. “I’m quite clean.”