“Celestria!” called Katherine. “Stay. I will send a boy to fetch our brothers.”
Kezia walked up to Lora, whose perfectly beautiful face, usually unperturbed, looked anxious.
“What has happened, Lora?”
“Have you seen Rufus?” asked Lora.
“No. I’ve been walking. Why?”
Sir Harry, the castle steward and a cousin of Rufus’s father, emerged from the bailey and grabbed Celestria’s horse. “You will stay, my lady. It is no point in chasing after your brothers. They have work to do.”
“But we are endangered!” The fiery Celestria shot daggers through her eyes at Sir Harry, but when faced with his force, had no choice but to dismount.
“Not today, we’re not. And your brothers need to complete the work for our protection. They will be here before we know it and then will be the time for discussion. When your mother returns.”
“Mother!” scoffed Celestria. “You do nothing without Mama present. And we all know why that is!”
“Celestria!” admonished Katherine. “I’m sorry, Sir Harry. Celestria should not talk so.”
Sir Harry did not look best pleased and began to talk with Katherine in a quiet, urgent voice which Kezia couldn’t hear. But it seemed Sir Harry and Lady Charlotte were closer than was usual between the lady and her steward. But it wasn’t only that which had upset Celestria.
“Lora, tell me what’s happened?”
Lora turned to Kezia with her large eyes misted with fear. “It is Sir Gilbert de Montmorency. The father of Lady Maud, whom Rufus was to marry.”
“Aye, I know them.” How could Kezia forget? She’d nearly killed Sir Gilbert and had been lucky to escape with her life.
“He’s returned to Norfolk. Sir Gilbert has returned, and word has it that he wants vengeance.”
Kezia’s mouth dried. It seemed she wasn’t so safe here after all. “For what?”
“He claims you attempted to murder him.”
Chapter 11
Lady Charlotte surveyed the boats which lined the port of Yarmouth with satisfaction. The sight of so many ships, some being unloaded, others getting ready to sail, lifted her heart. It was all she knew, after all. Having been raised in the Normandy port of Calais by a mother who was left to run both their family’s lands and business while her father spent most of his time fighting, and the rest whoring, Lady Charlotte was glad her own husband had been equally averse to interfering in her trading decisions as her father. It gave her freedom; it gave her the only pleasure she’d had outside her children.
But it wasn’t about trade that she was there that morning, and she continued past the port to the inn, whose wooden sign roughly painted with an anchor swung in the brisk sea breeze. She was immediately shown to a private room. She accepted some refreshment while her contact was ushered into the room.
“Lady Charlotte, I trust you are well,” said the sea captain, looking at her with eyes that had seen the worst in the world and wouldn’t be surprised to see it again.
“Indeed. Please be seated.”
He did as he was told and took a long drink from the tankard which the innkeeper set before him, before turning to her once more.
“I understand you are seeking a place on a vessel. Where to?”
“Anywhere. It matters not.”
“And the person is…” The captain hesitated, as if trying to find the right word. “Not willing?”
“You understand correct.”
“And how will we get the person on board?”
“That is for you to organize. I will bring the person in question to Yarmouth. I will inform you when that will be done, and you must have a man, a respectable-looking man, take the person away after I’ve gone. And you will need to make sure it is done quietly with no connection to me.”
She withdrew a small bag of coin from her cloak and set it on the beer-soaked board between them. He pocketed it without comment.
“I’m captaining a vessel bound for Bordeaux. Will that do?”
She nodded. She had no interest in the destination, nor that the person in question would be alone and helpless to defend herself. Now wasn’t a time to be concerned with niceties; now was a time to rid her family of an encumbrance which threatened to derail her plans.
“That will do. When does it leave?”
“No date has been set. I can’t say. Maybe weeks.”
She pursed her lips, annoyed at the delay. “Why the wait?”
“Ships repairs and merchant’s orders. We await a shipment of goods. There are other ships leaving sooner if you prefer. Other captains who would be happy to take your coin.”
But none she could trust like this man.
“No, that ship will do. Send word, and I’ll ensure the person is on the Forlond in time for the sailing. I’ll leave the rest up to you.” She rose and walked across to the door.
“May I know the name of this man?”
Lady Charlotte turned to him. “Man? It is no man. It is a woman. And no, you may not.”
Rufus and William didn’t return until the sun had slid beyond the horizon, and the light was slowly draining from the sky and land. As they rode into the courtyard Rufus wasn’t surprised to see Kezia standing outside the hall watching them approach. She had the look of a caged animal, gazing out, longing to be free.
But, as he jumped off his horse, he couldn’t reassure her. A battle was looming and it was one from which none of them could turn. And, with the news of Sir Gilbert de Montmorency’s return to Norfolk, events had become more urgent still. His return didn’t surprise Rufus, but he’d hoped for more time. More time in which to mend the castle’s defenses, to gather men and devise a plan of attack which would take the enemy unaware.
But it wasn’t only Wanham’s security about which he was concerned. The kiss with Kezia had proved his own defenses needed strengthening if he were to resist her. Even now her gaze held an attraction from which he found it hard to look away. But he’d have to. He jumped off his horse. Kezia would have to wait; his family would have to wait; the grim specter of Sir Gilbert would have to wait. He needed to wash the mud from his body first. While his brother took the horses into the stables, Rufus walked over to the water pump, followed by Kezia.
“I’ll do it,” said Kezia firmly, taking the pump from the hands of one of the servants.
A chill had descended on the courtyard after the sun had disappeared, but a nearby brazier warmed the air while Rufus pulled off his muddied clothes and stood, dressed in his breeches as Kezia pumped water over him. He bent under the stream of water, his hair flattening against his head, the mud sliding off his face, neck and arms in dark streaks. When he stood straight again, his muscles gleamed under the light of the brazier and water ran in thick rivulets around the contours and muscles of his body. Boulon came and sat at Kezia’s feet with a sigh, and together they watched Rufus.
Kezia glared at the women servants whose eyes were focused on his impressive manhood, clearly outlined now that his wet breeches clung to him. She turned to see Rufus eyeing her with amusement.
“Why do you glare at those servants, Kezia?”
She scowled at him. “They were looking at you.”
He grinned and turned to her, his hands on his hips, his back to the light so only she could see. “And you didn’t like that, hey? And why is that I wonder?” His eyes narrowed dangerously, while his lips still quirked with amusement. “Remembering how our kiss felt?” She couldn’t help it, her eyes slid down. It was bigger now than before. “Remembering how I made you feel?”
She swallowed and reached for a cloth to wipe her hands. She shrugged and tried to look away but failed. Her eyes were drawn to his manhood as if it were the third person in the group. Someone who was silent but dominant and told of pleasures only dreamed of. She looked up suddenly to meet his eyes, which had changed from amusement to become dark and dangerous. Her heart beat more quickly, and his look did things to her, deep inside. But it was he who drew his eyes
away from her first, and she felt bereft.
“Rufus!” They both turned to see Lady Charlotte standing in the doorway, her expression disapproving. “Come. We have much to discuss.” She cast a cold look at Kezia and swept inside. Kezia looked at Rufus who’d reached for a drying cloth which one of the maidservants offered.
Kezia tidied her hair and adjusted the ruby brooch, which fastened her tunic. She’d rarely worn it, but now she wished to use it as a statement that she was entitled to her present position. She’d managed to avoid Lady Charlotte since her return from exploring the countryside, but it seemed her reprieve had come to an end. Everyone had gathered in the hall and was awaiting Rufus’s return before discussing the growing threat from the de Montmorency family. She just hoped that Lady Charlotte was still unaware that she, Kezia, had been partly the reason for his enmity toward Rufus.
She followed Rufus inside the hall. It was warm inside and the hall, lit by torches placed in sconces, was bathed in a yellow light which softened the stone and created mysterious shadows. At the far end of the hall, Lady Charlotte stood, hands clasped in front of her, and a severe expression on her face.
“Sir Gilbert has returned to Norfolk. What do you plan to do?”
“Fight,” said Rufus, as he walked toward the fire where Lady Charlotte stood beside Sir Harry. He accepted a cup of ale and drank it back in one. He held out the cup for refilling. “Attack before he does.”
“We cannot fight. We have not the numbers. No, we must defend.” She looked anxiously at Rufus. “Will the castle withstand an attack?”
William and Rufus exchanged a look. “Not a determined and sustained one, no,” Rufus replied.
His mother looked away, visibly deflated. “Then we need an army.”
“We will have one.”
Kezia made the mistake of moving, and Lady Charlotte noticed her. “Who? Your warrior wife who kills men?” She grunted scornfully. “Mayhap we’ll have use of her yet.”
Rufus gritted his teeth. “I speak of our neighbors. William and I have seen them today. We went to Ingham and met with Richard de Courcy. He has a vested interest in fighting the de Montmorencys and will fight alongside us.”
“They want their castle back.”
“Aye. And then there are the other barons. Gilbert de Montmorency’s ambitions are plain to see now. And all the Norfolk barons are worried. They’ll support us in an attack.” He cleared a space on the bench. “I will show you what I propose.” As Rufus proceeded to explain his strategy to retake the de Courcy castle which the de Montmorencys now held, Kezia edged closer, until she was standing in the circle of people, all looking at the cups being pushed around the board as Rufus moved his men.
She shook her head as she saw the plan. It was nothing like the way they waged war in the forest. The movement of her head caught Lady Charlotte’s attention. She looked at Rufus with a raised eyebrow. “Seems like your wife doesn’t agree with your plans. Pray, why don’t you inform us how you would win this battle?”
Katherine smiled reassuringly at Kezia and offered her a goblet of wine. Nervously, she took a sip and glanced up at Rufus, whose dark look she knew signaled danger.
“So, Kezia,” said Lady Charlotte, “why don’t you tell us what you would do?” She knew Lady Charlotte wished to make a fool of her, but she also knew that Rufus’s mother had no idea as to the extent of the battles in which her people engaged. Kezia suspected she had far more experience of warfare, albeit a different kind, than Lady Charlotte.
“What would I do?” She savored the rich red wine as she considered her reply. She knew what she would do, but she also knew that Lady Charlotte was playing with her like a toy, using her to annoy her sons. And she needed her sons’ support—one son in particular. “Why, I would listen to my husband in such matters. That is what I would do. He has the experience in battle on a scale I cannot comprehend.”
There was a pause, and for a moment Kezia wondered if she’d misplayed her hand. But then William whooped out a loud guffaw, and everyone relaxed.
William turned to Rufus. “You have a clever wife, brother.”
Rufus nodded and shot Kezia an appreciative look which made her blush and look down. He set aside his tankard of ale on the table. “We need to attack Gilbert de Montmorency before he attacks us. It is not far and we could leave here under cover of darkness and attack before dawn. We need to act soon, and we need to act decisively. I’ve asked our allies to gather here tomorrow night to avoid suspicion to discuss our tactics.”
Hope flared in Lady Charlotte’s eyes. “Do you think we can do it?”
Rufus leaned forward, holding his mother’s gaze. “I know we can.”
She nodded. “Good. Then tomorrow night we hold a council of war.”
The following day fled by in a frenzy of activity. As night fell they all gathered in Wanham Castle to await the arrival of their neighboring barons.
Soon, the dull sound of horses hooves cantering along the causeway reached the family.
“They’re approaching,” said Kezia, glancing at Rufus.
“Aye.” As he looked up from his maps, his mouth was grim and a deep groove lay between his eyes.
“She must not be seen here,” said Lady Charlotte to Rufus, indicating Kezia. “Even with the finery of her ruby brooch which she maintains is hers, though I doubt it is.”
“And what would you have me do, Mother? Banish her to the stables while our guests are here?”
“Anywhere. I care not where you hide her, but hide her you must.”
“It is common knowledge that she is here. The king has made it so. I see no point in hiding the truth from anyone.”
“But she will not be here for long.”
Kezia glanced at Rufus, who answered for her. “That is up to Kezia.”
Her heart leaped. Her husband was an honorable man. But she knew that she’d never be truly accepted by his family unless the threat to their home and family was eliminated. It all rested on the success of the forthcoming battle. She came and stood beside Rufus.
At that moment three men entered the hall on a blast of cold air and warm greetings by Lady Charlotte. Rufus also greeted them, but not with equal warmth. But then, since when did her new husband ever show much warmth toward his fellow man, or woman? Lightly, she swept her finger across her lips, remembering the heat of his pressed to hers. He had revealed his passion, she knew it lay beneath that hard exterior. Next time she wouldn’t stop him, because she didn’t intend to rely only on a fight with their neighbors to secure her future.
Kezia listened from a seat in the shadows as the men discussed their options, all focusing on the kind of attack which seemed strange to her ears. The only advantage that she could tell would be the timing—it would be at dawn and when the de Montmorencys weren’t expecting it.
Lady Charlotte called for more wine but, with the maidservant busy, Kezia rose and brought some to the table. She poured the wine and could feel the eyes of one of the men on her as she moved around the table. His name was Bayard, and she could tell that Rufus didn’t like him.
“And who is this, Lady Charlotte?”
“This, Sir Bayard, is my son’s new wife, Kezia.”
“Ah. I had heard that your plans didn’t come to fruition.”
Rufus looked from Kezia to Bayard. “There is always another plan, and, as it happens, my new wife is also a fighter.”
“Is that right?” Bayard asked her.
Kezia shot a look of gratitude at Rufus who nodded. She cleared her throat and poured Lady Charlotte a goblet of wine. “Aye, sir. I have some experience.”
Bayard leaned forward, showing interest, and glanced at Rufus. “So you married a great warrior, Rufus.”
Rufus’s expression didn’t change but Kezia felt a chill settle. Rufus truly didn’t like this man. “She is.”
“And what kind of warfare have you been involved in?” Bayard pressed.
Kezia felt emboldened by Rufus’s support. “Not your sort.
There are more ways to attack than by running straight at your enemy with a sword, shouting.”
William laughed, and Rufus’s mouth twitched into a grin, while the others shifted uncomfortably. Lady Charlotte was positively angry.
“And what, pray, is your sort of warfare? ”
“Forest warfare. And it would also work here,” she added quietly. “Ambush.”
“Ambush?” repeated Bayard, with a frown.
“Yes, ambush. We’d place ourselves where our enemies had to pass, where the paths were narrow and the trees high. And there we would wait.” Kezia glanced around to see that everyone was listening to her. She shrugged.
Lady Charlotte looked around at people’s faces, and Kezia could see her anger. “Don’t listen to her. What does she know?”
Rufus turned to Lady Charlotte. “We need every advantage possible to protect our lands, Mother. And if Kezia can help, then I will listen. And I suggest you do, too.”
Lady Charlotte lifted her face and closed her mouth firmly, which went white as she cast her gaze onto Kezia.
Rufus turned to Kezia. “And you think we should do something similar?”
“Aye. Use the water to move around. Wait for them to come to you.”
Rufus rubbed his chin. “And attack them when they’re least expecting it. Aye, it is sound. Especially if we have a force ready to take the castle at the same time.”
“It is a good idea,” said William, nodding at Kezia. “Mayhap you have the sea in your blood for all that you’ve lived your life in the forest.”
Kezia didn’t answer because her answer would have sounded crazy. She did feel it was in the blood. From the moment she’d seen the sea, she’d felt something chime within her. It was as if she knew this watery world.
“The only problem is that we don’t have the people to keep watch,” said William.
“There are enough people around,” Kezia answered.
“Yes, but they are freemen. It is not like the rest of England, here in Norfolk. There are more freemen here than anywhere else in England. They do not owe us anything.”
Defending His Lady (Norfolk Knights Book 4) Page 12