Bold Conquest

by Virginia Henley

  May dipped her knee. "I will do my best for him, my lady.”

  "God bless you for your kindness," said Alison.

  As Aedward made himself known to Edgar and thanked him for his willing hospitality, Edwina sat in a trance. This was like a miracle! Here was that beautiful godlike creature who had rescued her brother from certain death. He was to stay here in their hut. She had dreamed about him so often that her dreams were beginning to come true! She tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone dry. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears so loudly, she was afraid the others would hear. Then they would know! For the first time in her life she blushed.

  Edgarson had also recognized Aedward. He thought this entitled him to familiarity

  "Let me have a look," he said, wide-eyed, pointing to the arm with breathless anticipation.

  "Forgive him, my lord!" begged May, horrified.

  Edgar cuffed his son with the back of his hand.

  "No, it is all right," said Aedward, "we all have to get used to it, myself included."

  "Please sit by the fire," said May, offering a rough stool. "I'll get food. Edwina, look after his lordship's needs."

  Shaken out of her trance, she came shyly forward and went down on her knees before him.

  'Please, don't do that," he begged, raising her up.

  "My lord," she whispered, "what are your needs?"

  He searched desperately for something the girl could do. Perhaps it would put her at ease if she had a task to perform.

  "Water," he asked, "could you bring me water, so I may wash before we eat?"

  She stared at him as if he had asked for the moon. Finally she brought him a cup of water. It was then it dawned upon Aedward that they did not wash. He realized that accounted for their darker skins and unkempt appearance, to say nothing of the miasma in the hut.

  May handed everyone a wooden bowl containing a deliciously fragrant soup. She served a coarsely baked barley bread with it. Aedward realized there was no table. They ate on stools drawn up to the fire.

  Edgarson had eyes for only the food, but Edwina had discovered food for her soul as she watched Aedward eat with rapt attention. They retired early once the fire grew low as there was hardly any light.

  May laid out rush mats on the floor. She shared her sheepskin with her husband so that Aedward could have one for himself. He lay hour after hour wondering what the morrow would bring, not daring to sleep for fear of the nightmares. Edwina drowsed instantly, her dreams filled with neverbefore-wished-for delights. Outside there was a new moon and the comet streaked across the skies.

  Chapter 6

  Guy de Montgomery rode at the head of his knights. He liked what he saw about him. The villages and countryside grew richer as they rode in the direction of London. As soon as he approached the lands surrounding Godstone, he knew this was his chosen place. He felt almost a welcoming, a homecoming. He regretted nothing he had left behind in Normandy, least of all his shrew of a wife. When the landowner who lived next to him had joined with him to defeat a common enemy and had lost his life in the cause, the young knight had felt a responsibility to the daughter who had suddenly been made fatherless, and he had married her. They soon discovered they were not suited. She was of a grasping nature, never satisfied with the living he provided and jealous that he made himself responsible for his young brothers, Nicholas and Andre. She had a sharp-featured face and a sharper tongue, and he found his soldiering took him farther abroad for longer and longer periods of time, which seemed to suit them both. She is even a bad-tempered bitch to our two little girls, he thought coldly.

  Lady Alison had sent lookouts to watch for soldiers approaching and when they brought back the word, she filled the courtyard with the household of ladies. All the young squires she positioned with white flags, and standing before the entrance to the hall with Lillyth beside her, she awaited the invaders.

  Guy rode with the main body of knights while Nicholas and Andre and their dozen knights were a few minutes behind with the wagon containing the spoils of their pillaging. As these giant apparitions rode into Godstone on their huge armored war-horses, the nose guards of their helms covering their faces, the assembled Saxons trembled like leaves in a storm.

  Guy rode straight up to Lady Alison, who stood out clearly as the head of this household. He reined in his mount, fixed her with a fierce, proud stare and in a loud ringing voice commanded, "l claim these lands for William, Duke of Normandy, by sovereign right" He looked at Lillyth and saw the exquisitely beautiful face and upthrusting breasts, and one word went through his mind— Mine!

  Lady Alison spoke up clearly and calmly in French. "My lord, I willingly surrender this town to you." She had the temerity to smile at him, and shrugging slightly she said, "I am a practical Frenchwoman, my lord. Will you parlez with me?"

  He bowed his head slightly. "I will, madame."

  He dismounted and turned to Rolf. "Hold your hand unless you find treachery afoot," and he followed Lady Alison into the empty hall. His tread was so firm, his spurs rang as they struck the flagstones.

  They sat down facing each other across a table.

  Lady Alison placed her chatelaine's ring of keys and her jewel case before him.

  "I hereby turn this fiefdom and all its people over to you, my lord. Likewise this hall and all I possess of any value. My daughter and I find that we are both widows since the Battle of Hastings, so since we have no protectors we shall have to bend the knee. I can only pray that you will be merciful." Her mouth was dry with fear. Her heart thumped so loudly, it almost deafened her.

  Montgomery removed his helm and set it upon the table and placed his huge gauntlets next to it. He ran his hand automatically through the short black curls, and Lady Alison was surprised to discover his eyes were as green as Lillyth's, with shrewd, slightly hooded lids. With his sun-bronzed skin he was a most attractive man, yet his expression was so fierce and his jaw so strong, the set of his head so proud and his eyes so piercing, that it took all the courage Lady Alison possessed to confront him in this manner.

  "Guy de Montgomery, madame," he said shortly, and waited for her to speak again.

  "I am Lady-- I beg your pardon, my lord— I am Alison, and this is Godstone."

  He nodded his head. He did not like women and had had scant dealings with them the past few years, except in bed. Women were only of use to assuage lust, yet here was one that he could not help but respect for her courage. She held herself like a queen before him instead of the defeated Saxon she was in reality

  "What do you mean by merciful?" he demanded.

  "You could slay us all and set a torch to the town, but I think you are too clever for such wanton destruction and waste. The harvest has just been gathered and we are a rich town. You could turn us all out to fend for ourselves, but I believe you would be wise to let us work for you. This is a large undertaking and I am used to running the household smoothly, no small feat, you will understand. Also I am wise in the ways of healing and medicine and am willing to look after the health of your knights. The women of this hall are expert weavers of beautiful cloth as you will perceive from our rich clothes. Other of the women are accomplished cooks— in short, my lord, a household with women in it can be made more comfortable for its men in many ways."

  "And in return for these— feminine ministrations?" He raised a questioning eyebrow, black and arched as a raven's wing.

  "A roof over our heads and a place at board— also protection against any further marauders," she bargained desperately.

  Nicholas and Andre rode into the courtyard, pleasantly surprised at the number of young women standing about. Their eyes fell on Lillyth at the same moment and they were immediately spoiled for all other women. In a flash, Nicholas dismounted and picked her up in his arms. She struggled frantically and suddenly found herself flung to the ground as André's fist smashed into his brother's face.

  "This one's mine, little Brother, choose elsewhere," he roared.

  She prepar
ed to flee, but Andre reached out a long arm and pulled her to him, ripping off her headdress in his rough handling of her. Her hair swirled about her like a glorious cloak. She raked her nails down his cheek, and with an oath and an iron-like grip, he bound her wrists with a rough rope and pulled her with him into the watchtower. Nicholas found his feet in a hurry and, drawing his dagger, followed in hot pursuit. Andre dragged her up the steps and pushed her into the room at the top, which contained only a bed. He quickly slammed the door on his brother and bound the rope holding Lillyth about the bedpost.

  Guy de Montgomery looked at Lady Alison and said shrewdly, "With your knowledge of medicine you could poison us all in our beds, madame, if I gave you the freedom of the place."

  "I could," she acknowledged, "and you could have us killed any day or night of your choosing," she countered.

  "I could, and will with provocation!" he acknowledged. "Therefore, if we do not underestimate each other, I think we should manage admirably," and picking up his helm and gauntlets he went outside. Lady Alison followed, her legs threatening to give way in relief.

  "My daughter Lillyth ..." cried Lady Alison. Guy looked at Rolf, who jerked his thumb in the direction of the watchtower.

  Guy took the steps three at a time.

  "You whoreson bastard, I'll gut you," snarled Nicholas.

  "She warms my bed, if I have to kill you for her," spat Andre, lunging at his brother's throat.

  "Splendor of God!" roared Guy, "you are supposed to be controlling your men, not whoring!"

  His anger at the two brothers who had never exchanged an unkind word before this day was something to behold.

  He saw Lillyth trembling before him, her breast bare, her golden-red hair tumbling to her knees. She was so exquisitely fragile; he saw before him the classic damoiselle en distrait, and the chivalry of his knighthood rose up in him. He quickly crushed the softening thoughts and took out his dagger to cut the rope from Lillyth's wrists.

  He took her hands, and upon contact green eyes looked deeply into green eyes, and suddenly they went tumbling down the eons and centuries in mutual recognition. He drew back sharply to deny the images of deja vu being thrust upon him.

  "She is mine," he stated flatly. "Get below."

  He picked her up and carried her down the stairs and across the yard to the hall. Her head pressed against his chest, she could feel the thud of his heart beneath her cheek while her own beat wildly in her ears. Without pausing, he took her up the stairs to the bedchambers. He chose the largest chamber and dropped her onto the bed.

  "Stay put," he commanded, and left, slamming the door behind him. He went below to Lady Alison.

  "The first obstacle to be overcome will be the language barrier. Until such time as my men learn the Saxon tongue and your people learn French, I will have to ask you to interpret for me. We will see to the horses first."

  He looked toward Nicholas. "I want the horses rubbed down well, fed and watered and their armor cleaned. You will see that the stableboys do their work properly and there will be no mistreatment. These people are mine now. Do you suppose I can entrust you to execute this duty?" he asked dryly.

  "Andre!" he bellowed. "I want the hall and all those outbuildings searched for weapons, also the mill and the church. The wench you covet is in my chamber, where she will remain— unmolested! See to it, sir."

  He turned to Rolf and Lady Alison, who seemed to be exchanging pleasantries. In her practical way she was almost relieved that the commander of these men had marked her daughter for his own.

  "Come, we will round up the peasants and search their homes for weapons. I must speak to them all and you will interpret for me. I will make plain what I expect from them and what they can expect from me."

  Lady Alison was impressed with Guy de Montgomery and his knights. They must have been tired, and she knew their full chain mail and armor were extremely heavy, but they moved about easily, completely used to the weight. Their bodies must be in excellent physical condition, she mused. No wonder our men were no match for them. She was also pleasantly surprised to see them drink water to quench their thirst rather than the ale that the Saxon men had swilled so freely.

  Methodically and thoroughly the buildings were searched for weapons, then the peasants themselves were searched. When they had been brought together in a group, Guy asked Lady Alison to tell them they were now his people and would be treated fairly if they obeyed him completely. He was well pleased with what he saw. They were handsome people, not scrawny or sullen as the peasants seemed in Normandy. They were well fleshed and well clothed.

  "Tell them there are many differences between us, but in time I will try to minimize these. They must make an effort to learn our language and our ways and we will do the same. If they have any grievances they must come to me. Treachery will be dealt with swiftly and surely." His expression was so stark, none doubted it.

  Lillyth sat motionless for a long time after Guy left. Her emotions were tangled like the silk threads on the back side of a tapestry. Her nerves tingled along her body with an excitement she had never felt before. A man had picked her up and carried her a short distance, and this brief encounter had changed her whole life. He was frightening, yet thrillingly so. He was strong enough to kill her with his bare hands, yet his hands were gentle on her body. His face was fierce and stark, yet he was so handsome that her heart turned over in her breast. He was all male, and he made her acutely aware that she was female. His nearness had been most pleasurable and arousing. She slowly became aware of her surroundings and her disheveled attire. Her clothes were in her own chamber next door to the one he had put her in; and she was almost afraid to disobey and leave, but her breast was bare and she must change her clothing. She listened at the door and, when all was quiet, slipped into her own chamber.

  She deliberately picked the plainest thing she could find, which was the brown linen kirtle and plain white headdress she had worn in the fields with Edyth that day that seemed a lifetime ago. She hated these overbold Normans who were come to put their heels on her neck. She would make herself plain and ugly so as not to invite their lustful eyes.

  All the other women will be in their finery in the hall tonight when we dine, he can look elsewhere.

  Why did this thought displease her so much? Quickly she took off the plain garments and instead picked a soft green, sheer silk underdress with a green velvet tunic and fastened her gold girdle about her hips. She replaced the plain white head covering with a matching pale green sheer silk which was most daring in the way you could see her hair right through the material. She even put on a touch of red lip salve and perfume, then, feeling more satisfied with her appearance, she prepared to slip back into the next chamber where he had bade her stay.

  She gasped as the tall figure of Andre loomed before her in the passageway. She opened her mouth ... "Please, mademoiselle, do not scream, I beg of you. I will not harm you, my word on it!"

  His face had taken on a grayish tinge; the scratches she had made stood out sharply and he looked unwell. Her eyes caught sight of the red oozing through his chain mail.

  "You are bleeding— come sit down," and she took him into her chamber.

  Lillyth looked into sherry-brown eyes and realized he was only a youth of approximately her own age. Some of her fear of him subsided and he smiled. "It is a wound I took for you, chérie."

  "Two grown men fighting over a woman, 'tis ridiculous!" she scolded.

  "Three grown men, mademoiselle," he said with a wicked glint in his eye.

  She tried to help him lift off the chain mail. "How do you walk about in such heavy garb all day long?" she marveled.

  He shrugged his shoulders and winced at the discomfort. She helped him take off the short tunic underneath and blushed as he sat before her naked but for his woolen chausses. She washed the shallow wound in his shoulder and spread on some of the green balsam from her mother's medicine box. She shook her head as she knelt before him. "Two brothers using daggers on ea
ch other. You should be ashamed!"

  "Three brothers, ma petite," and he threw back his head and laughed at his own folly.

  "By the Christ, what goes on here?" demanded Guy from the doorway. He strode into the chamber, his anger mounting with every step, until he saw the wound Lillyth was tending. Slowly the anger ebbed away and with a glint in his eyes he said, "By God's bones, Andre, you are going to have to give me lessons. Not five minutes with a woman and you have found an excuse to strip off and display your well-muscled chest for her. Out of here before I take my whip to you, you young dog!"

  Andre picked up his clothes, but before he closed the chamber door on them, he kissed his fingers at Lillyth.

  She lowered her eyes but could feel Guy's intent scrutiny of her. She felt her cheeks flush and busied herself, putting the ointment back into the medicine box and tidying all the little pots. Finally he broke the silence that stretched between them.

  "Why do you cover up your hair, Lillyth?"

  "'Tis the custom, my lord, all decent Saxon women do so," she explained.

  "Take it off," he said quietly.

  "My lord, I cannot! It would be an unseemly display," she protested.

  "We will start a new custom," he said softly, reaching up and taking the scarf from her hair.

  "Why?" she asked wildly.

  "Why?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Because it pleases me," he said simply, and made the color deepen in her cheeks.

  "Am I a slave to do your bidding?" she demanded hotly.

  "You have put your finger on it exactly, mademoiselle."