Renouf bristled at the reminder.
“Are you the steward who came to my manor two days since?”
Théo was enjoying the game. “Melton? Non, milord, that was my brother Barat.”
Renouf’s voice had risen to a shout. “And with whom did he speak?”
“I know not, milord, and he isn’t here today. He’s gone to Kingston Gorse for more rat poison. We have a significant rodent problem here. Is something amiss?”
Renouf looked perplexed. Théo bided his time.
“I will return, steward Cormant,” Renouf spluttered as he and his man rode away.
Théo watched them go. “And I’ll be waiting, raton.”
***
When Renouf rode into the courtyard of Melton Manor a short time later, Barat Cormant was waiting, leaning casually against the wall of the well.
“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Renouf demanded to know.
“I’m steward Barat Cormant—”
“But you’re supposed to be at Kingston Gorse!”
“I was, milord, and I thought to call in here on my way back to East Preston. I spoke with your man, Torod, the other day. Did he not tell you?”
Barat struggled to hide his amusement as he watched a furious Renouf almost fall off his horse when his foot caught in the stirrup as he dismounted, flinging the reins to the man accompanying him. Barat decided to keep talking. “I’ve been trying to find him here today, but he seems to have disappeared. No one knows where he is. However, now you’re here we can go over the accounts—”
“There will be no accounting done this day, I can promise you, Cormant,” Renouf retorted angrily, shaking his fist.
“I see, milord. Of course. This is a bad time? Perhaps on the morrow?”
Renouf waved him off, cursing as he strode into the manor house.
Barat remounted and rode away with a shrug and a grin. Compared to his father’s former masters, Guillaume and Arnulf de Valtesse, dealing with this man would be child’s play.
CHAPTER TEN
Devona could see her mother was exhausted, but she had so many things she wanted to say to her. Recriminations whirled in her head. On the other hand, she wanted to throw her arms around her parent and welcome her back to life.
“Devona,” Lady Wilona began, taking her daughter’s hand.
Devona pressed her mother’s hand to her lips. “Hush. You need to sleep. A meal is to be served in the Great Hall later. Till then, rest. You’ve had a difficult day!”
A tear trickled down Wilona’s cheek. “I’ve been such a coward.”
Devona kissed her forehead and wiped away the tear. “You’re back with us now. That’s all that matters. And you saved us from Torod.”
Wilona’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh God. I killed a man. I’ll burn in hell.”
Devona shook her head. “You did it to save us. God won’t punish you for that. You were defending your children.”
Her mother nodded and Devona tucked the bed coverings around her as her mother’s eyelids closed.
“Sleep peacefully,” she whispered, then tiptoed to the door of the adjoining chamber. Aediva and Bemia were curled up together on the same bed, still awake. She sat on the edge and stroked Aediva’s hair.
“Are we safe now?” Bemia asked.
“Yes,” Devona gasped, choking as it came to her she hadn’t breathed properly for many hours during the escape. Now the idea that they might all be free of Renouf’s cruelty hit her full force and she had to thrust her knuckles to her mouth to prevent a strangled cry.
Aediva reached up and put her hand on Devona’s face. “It’s all right to cry, Devona. It’s your bravery that has kept us all alive. Come, rest here with us.”
Her sister’s compassion and understanding was her undoing, and Devona sobbed. The three girls curled up together on the big bed and cried out the pain and loss of five long years, until exhaustion carried them into sleep.
***
After he and Antoine had paid their respects to their parents’ tombs in the crypt, Hugh went to rest in his own chamber, but the thought of Devona under the same roof kept him on edge. He wanted to go to her, to hold her and kiss away the years of pain and torment, but it wouldn’t be appropriate. Although her husband was a monster, she was still married to him. She didn’t belong to Hugh.
His heart was heavy as he looked to the future. Now he’d rescued these Saxons, what was he to do with them? They were suspect foreigners in his country. He would have to act as their protector. He wanted to be so much more as far as Devona was concerned, but the idea of an adulterous relationship and his fear of his own latent aggression combined to weigh heavily on him.
He could leave them at Montbryce, under the protection of the Bonhommes, but then they would be virtual prisoners. He could take them to Domfort, where they might enjoy a freer life with him as their champion, but then Devona would be an ever present temptation. Censure might fall upon them too from the Church once the Bishop learned Devona was married—to a Norman no less.
He wandered into Antoine’s chamber to discuss it with him, though he intended to say nothing about his fears that passion might arouse violence in him.
Antoine’s face showed his surprise. “I can’t imagine why you would want to leave them here at Montbryce. It seems to me that the ultimate solution is to get rid of Renouf.”
Hugh slumped onto the edge of Antoine’s bed. “I agree, but we can’t murder the man.”
Antoine sat beside his brother. “You’re right. But perhaps if we watch him, we’ll discover where he goes in Normandie and why.”
“What good will that do?”
“My gut tells me Renouf has something to hide. If we can discover what it is—”
Hugh felt a flicker of optimism as his brother continued. “—I’ll try out one of the birds we brought from East Preston with a message. Next time Renouf leaves, we’ll have him followed. Devona said he goes four times a year, so we’ve a while to wait yet. He’s probably back from his latest journey now, ranting and raving. I expect a message from the Cormants soon.”
“What do you think he’ll do about losing Devona?” Hugh asked.
Antoine shrugged. “He may have his suspicions, but there’s no proof we were involved, until it becomes known she’s in our castle. He may complain to his local bishop, or he may try to petition the King, or he may go to Ram.”
Hugh leapt to his feet. “Dieu! I hope not. I don’t want to involve Ram and Mabelle. This is my problem.”
Antoine came to his feet as well and put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Hugh, we knew when we embarked on this course of action there might be consequences. We’ll face them as a family. Ram will understand why we did what we did. The important thing is you love Devona, don’t you?”
Hugh exhaled loudly. “Oui, mon frère, I love her.”
Antoine smiled. “That’s all there is to say then.”
If only it were that simple!
***
When the Saxon women, Boden and Brigantia in tow, entered the Great Hall for the evening meal, Hugh could see they’d all been weeping. He and Antoine stood to greet them. The ladies seemed nonplussed and not sure where to sit. Their arrival had caused something of a stir among the assembled populace of the castle.
“Come, sit here with us,” Antoine indicated.
“My Lord Antoine,” Devona replied, “It isn’t our place to sit at the head table with you and your brother. We should be seated lower. Your people will be offended. We’re Saxons, and—” She was glancing around nervously as she spoke.
Hugh wanted to reassure them, but protocol demanded he defer to Antoine, the older brother. He need not have worried.
“Lady Devona, my brother Hugh and I will be offended if you don’t sit with us. You’re guests here, and will be treated as such.”
It elated Hugh when he saw the anxiety leave Devona’s face for a moment as she smiled and took her place next to him, but she frowned again when
she saw how nervous her mother was.
“Lord Antoine,” Lady Wilona stammered, “I haven’t sat at table for many a long year—I—”
Antoine held out his hand. “Lady Wilona, I insist you take your place by my side.”
Wilona bowed to Antoine and sat beside him. Aediva sat on his left side and Bemia sat on Hugh’s left side. The dogs lumbered off to investigate the other people in the Hall, Boden hobbling on three legs, and instantly made friends.
Hugh’s heart was full. As the meal progressed he felt he was sitting with his family. He longed to press his thigh against Devona’s and was elated when she moved slightly along the bench so they were touching. Her heat surged through his body.
“This is the first meal I’ve enjoyed for five long years,” Devona sighed as she licked the succulent juices of La Cuisinière’s roasted chicken from her lips.
Hugh made some mundane remark about the quality of La Cuisinière’s food as the subtle aroma of lavender tickled his nostrils, but what he was wondering was if Devona would taste of lavender if he applied his tongue to the task of licking her lips. Blood rushed straight to his groin and he felt his face redden as she glanced from his face to his thighs, as if reading his thoughts.
She smiled and said, “Lord Hugh, my family and I can’t thank you enough for our rescue. I know things may become difficult for you as a consequence.”
He wanted to tell her that all would be well, that she would be his and no one would ever come between them, that he would succour her family, that he would love her passionately every day of their lives together, that he would cherish her—but all that came out of his mouth was, “Possibly.”
He clenched his fists below the table and wanted to bang his head on the wooden surface. He could tell she was perplexed by his answer. “What I mean is—oui, there may be repercussions, but the important thing is that you’re all safe, for the moment.”
He groaned inwardly at his own ineptitude when fear flashed in Devona’s jade green eyes. “For the moment?” she murmured.
Hugh swallowed hard, praying this time he would say the right thing. “You’re all safe, Devona. I won’t allow Renouf to hold sway over any of you ever again. Antoine has a plan to investigate his activities in Normandie when he comes here. It may be the key to his undoing.”
Lady Wilona interjected, “If we could rid ourselves of Renouf we could return to Melton.”
Aediva asked, “Do you think we’ll ever go home?”
Although Devona had slept after their arrival, she was still exhausted and her emotions were confused. She desperately wanted Hugh to put his arms around her. She needed to feel his strength, the warmth of his powerful body. But he seemed nervous and unsure and she wondered if he was now regretting the impulsive rescue he’d undertaken.
Despite the outward friendliness of the people of the castle, she felt foreign and wondered what they were truly feeling about her and her Saxon family. The sheer size and magnificence of the castle was overwhelming and brought home to her just what a powerful and wealthy family the Montbryces were. She was far below Hugh’s station in life, never mind that she was a Saxon.
She loved him, but she was another man’s wife. She found the idea of going home to Melton hopeful, and yet she never wanted it to happen, because then she wouldn’t be with Hugh. But she was a woman who’d been brutalized by her husband, a woman who’d never known the loving touch of a man. Could she respond to a man’s caress, or would she always be reminded of Renouf’s cruelty?
“If we ever do go home to Melton, it won’t be for a long while, Aediva, and this is a beautiful castle,” she told her sister, wanting to reassure the child.
“But we don’t belong here,” Bemia whispered.
Devona saw sadness creep into Hugh’s eyes. She wanted to put her hand to his gentle face, to brush a kiss on his beautiful mouth, press her thigh more closely to his.
“It’s in God’s hands,” Lady Wilona affirmed. “This isn’t a day for sadness, but for elation. We’re free of the monster. We can live again as human beings instead of dogs.”
Antoine put his hand on Lady Wilona’s and squeezed it. As if conjured by her words, the two mastiffs reappeared, wagging their tails and barking and everyone laughed.
“I fear I must retire, my lords. This old crone isn’t used to polite conversation and good table manners,” Lady Wilona quipped. She’d drunk just a bit too much of the excellent Montbryce apple brandy, but didn’t care. Her beautiful children were safe, thanks to the incredible and unexpected humanity of two handsome and powerful men.
She sensed Devona’s intense feelings for Hugh de Montbryce, and prayed her daughter wouldn’t be hurt again. She’d already endured too much pain. There would be many difficulties ahead—but they could face them together, with the help of these Norman nobles whose integrity she didn’t question. If the problems could be solved, they would solve them.
“I’ll escort you ladies to your chambers,” Hugh offered. “I think we’re all tired. It won’t be long before I too seek my bed.”
Wilona saw his blush as he looked at Devona and she returned his gaze.
I’m surprised the two of them haven’t burst into flames!
Antoine said, “I believe I’ll escort mesdames Aediva and Bemia, if you don’t mind, brother.”
“And I’ll come with you, Lord Antoine,” Wilona said hurriedly. “Lord Hugh can escort Devona.”
They rose wearily from the table and left, leaving Hugh and Devona alone together.
Hugh took Devona’s hand from where it lay on her lap and pressed it to his lips, not caring if the few remaining servants who were clearing up the tables noticed.
“Devona,” he whispered, “I—there are things I want to say—and do—”
“I know,” she murmured. “I know it’s difficult.”
He placed her hand on his thigh and pressed down on it with his palm, so her fingers were kneading his muscles.
Her face reddened and he felt her nervousness at the contact. “I feel your heat, Hugh,” she murmured.
He didn’t want to frighten her, but couldn’t hold his tongue. “I’m burning for you, Lady Devona Melton.”
“I—oh, Hugh—this is torture. I need to draw on your strength. But—”
He took her hand off his leg. “I know. Come. We’ll get some air.”
Out in the bailey he helped her up the steps to the battlements. The wind was warm but blustery and he gathered her in his arms as they stood surveying the demesne.
“This is a beautiful place,” she whispered.
“Oui, it’s ironic that none of the Montbryce sons live here now. My brother Ram is obliged to live in England as the Earl of Ellesmere, helping King William subdue the Welsh. Antoine administers Belisle and I’m the seigneur of Domfort. The next Montbryce to be master here will probably be Ram’s soon-to-be-born son. But this is where our hearts lie. You can understand that. If you’re never able to return to Melton, your heart will always belong there.”
She shivered and he gathered her closer to his body, cupping her derriere with his hands, nestling his arousal into the warm place between her legs. He feathered her neck with kisses and she pressed her head tightly to his shoulder, giggling.
“I’m ticklish!” she admitted. His erection intensified. He’d never experienced this overwhelming need to possess a woman before. Could he be trusted not to unleash the violent side of his nature? How could he explain his problem to this brave lady who had already suffered so much violence?
“Devona, I—” he began, his heart pounding. “I want you so much, but—”
“Hush,” she crooned, swaying against him. “I know we’re honour bound to be chaste with each other now, but someday I will be rid of Renouf, and then—”
She was thinking of the consequences for her immortal soul of committing adultery, whereas he—
“Hasten the day, Devona. Hasten the day.”
He wanted to press her against the stone walls, lift her skirts
and take her where she stood, but that would cause more problems than it would solve. He turned her body so her back was to him and folded her in his arms, willing his heat into her. She reached up with one hand to trail her fingers through his hair and he moved his hands to cup her breasts. They filled his hands, and felt so—right. The nipples hardened against his palms, and he had to resist the urge to take them in his fingers and play.
“Your touch inflames me,” she whispered. “I never thought to want a man the way I want you. You must think me wanton for saying such things to you, but I’ve lived without love for a long time. I don’t know if—”
Hugh was so hot he was thinking he might have to go jump in the nearby lake when he left her. “You’re not wanton, Devona. You’re a beautiful and desirable woman who deserves—” He couldn’t continue.
They remained locked in their tender embrace for a long while, listening to the wind rustling the leaves of the apple trees, then he whispered, “It’s getting cool out here. I’ll take you inside.” He kissed her goodnight outside the door to the chamber she shared with her mother, just brushing his lips against hers, afraid to unleash the passionate kiss he longed to give her.
“A demain,” he whispered.
“Until tomorrow,” she echoed.
***
Hugh could tell Antoine was unhappy as he strode into the Hall the next morning to break his fast.
“I have to leave today for Alensonne. A messenger arrived late last night. Guillaume de Valtesse has precipitated another crisis there and Michel Cormant needs my help. You stay here for a few more days until the women are more rested. It has been an ordeal for them, I know. Once the problem is sorted I’ll proceed on to Belisle. It will be good to get back there. Feels like home now.”
Hugh judged this a good plan and agreed. “I know. I’m anxious to get back to Domfort, though I have confidence in my steward, Bileaud. I’ll stay with the Meltons, as you suggest. Did you send the message to East Preston regarding Renouf?”
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