Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03

by A Knight of Valour

  “Begging your pardon, my liege,” Guy said. “I have been doing some calculating. If Frederick and Caine were to wait until after the justice departs in the morn, chances are they will not catch Talan’s group prior to them crossing into Wales. Since we do not know their final destination, it could be a costly delay should we be fortunate to locate them at all.”

  “What if my brothers were to leave tonight?” Leofrick shifted in his seat to face Guy. “Would they then be able to reach them in time?”

  “That is what I was going to suggest,” Guy said. “Talan will likely insist upon stopping each day at dusk for Mylla’s benefit. If your brothers were to ride with only brief rests, they will run across the trio sometime afore they reach Avebury.”

  “I see an immediate problem with your plan,” Albin said. “The brothers rode here with the justice. What makes you think he will not expect them to depart with him?”

  “We have no choice, Fulke said. “If Talan is to be overtaken, we must follow Guy and Leofrick’s suggestion. Frederick and Caine must depart within the hour.” Fulke signaled to Rowan to attend him. “Anyone have any ideas on what to tell the justice when he remarks upon their absence?”

  “The brothers could come down with a sudden fever,” Gervase said feeling confident. “Impatient as he appears to be, I doubt the justice would await their recovery.”

  “I believe that to be a sound idea,” Leofrick agreed. “I can attest to the fact that the justice detests illness of any kind.”

  “What if he notices their horses are missing from the stables?” Lecie glanced around. “Nothing escapes the man.”

  “My liege,” Guy said, “If you were to loan the brothers a pair of chargers, theirs would not be missing.”

  “It could even be to our advantage,” Leofrick said. “The horses we rode here on were no match for the ones used by the justice and his men.”

  “That is all quite good.” Fulke nodded thoughtfully. “What if the justice demands to see the brothers? What do we tell him?”

  “Why not have two men of like size take the place of the brothers,” Bronwyn suggested. “Have them lay in a chamber beneath a pile of coverlets. If the justice were to open the door, they could begin to make retching noises.”

  “We could even say the men are contagious,” Gervase added.

  “I like the way you all think,” Fulke said before addressing Leofrick directly. “If you will, inform your brothers of the plan, and apologize to them on my behalf. I fear they will be getting very little rest this night. Rowan here will see to it that they have plenty of food and coin for the journey. When you are ready to retire, seek him out and he will see you settled.”

  Rowan dipped his head in acknowledgement of Fulke’s orders.

  “My thanks, Yo… um… Fulke.” Leofrick stood. “On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you.”

  “No thanks are necessary,” Fulke said. “We are all family now.” He glanced up and down the length of the table. “Anyone else have any concerns?” When no one spoke, he stood. “So be it. I suggest everyone get some rest now. The justice is sure to wake with the cock’s crow.”

  The couples held onto one another a little tighter when they made their way to the sleeping chambers that night.

  †

  Sealing their union with a symbolic kiss, Talan and Mylla clung to one another. Regardless of what the future held for them they would face it together as man and wife.

  Reality intruded upon the couple far too soon when Edmund cleared his throat to speak. “Now that the deed is done, we need to speak, Talan.”

  “Edmund, please do not treat my wedding so lightly.” Mylla smiled up at her husband. “I have looked forward to this day for quite some time.”

  “If it were to occur under a different set of circumstances perhaps I would feel more festive, sister.”

  “In this particular instance, I must agree with Edmund, mon coeur. We shall have to forego our wedding revelry for a later time.” Easing away from Mylla, Talan kept his arm protectively wrapped around her shoulders. “Shall we return to the inn?”

  “That will not do.” Father Godfrey shook his head. “That will not do at all. There are far too many prying eyes and listening ears about in public inns. Come with me.” He gestured toward the back of the chapel. “I have separate quarters for myself in the back. We shall have a small wedding feast to celebrate your union whilst you talk, thus making everyone present merry.”

  “No disrespect intended, Father,” Edmund said. “What I have to say is not for the ears of my sister.”

  “Mylla is now more than your sister,” Talan said, “she is a lady, and my wife. Whatever you have to say to me, concerns her as well.”

  “Wife or not, you would involve a woman in the affairs of men?” Edmund could not conceal his surprise.

  “Aye, I would.”

  After a lengthy pause, Edmund dipped his head. “If that if your wish. Father Godfrey, will you lead the way to your chamber?”

  “I shall do so most gladly, my son. All of this furtive rushing about has left me nigh famished.” Holding aloft a rush light, the priest led the trio through a narrow archway to the back of the altar. Shuffling along a wood-paneled passageway with closed doors on either side the floorboards creaked beneath his weight. “Our quarters will be much finer once the abbey is complete, not much mind you. We are expected to live a humble existence,” he finished with a mumbled, “and most of us do.”

  “Are you implying that some in the church do not live a humble existence, Father?” Directly behind the priest, Edmund overheard his last words.”

  “Never mind the ramblings of an old priest.” Father Godfrey led them through the door at the far end. The small tidy chamber was bare except for a small wardrobe, an uncomfortable looking cot, and a rickety table set with two roughhewn chairs. “After the evening mass, my holy brothers will be supping in the main hall. We shall not be disturbed until after compline when they retire. Please seat yourselves whilst I prepare our humble wedding feast.”

  Edmund occupied one of the chairs. “I am sure my sister would agree that no matter how humble, your kindness is greatly appreciated.”

  “I do agree.” Mylla lightly touched Father Godfrey’s sleeve as she squeezed past him to reach the cot.

  Talan shifted his sword to perch on the cot beside Mylla. Still wary of Edmund’s intentions, he faced his new brother-in-law. “You seem to have had a sudden reversal with regards to Mylla and myself. Might I ask why?”

  “Many thanks.” Accepting an earthenware cup of mead from Father Godfrey, Edmund waited for Mylla and Talan to be served. “First, I am beholden to apologize to you both. Prior to your leave taking, I was unaware of the justice’s true character.” He held up his cup. “I wish you both a happy, blessed, and long life together.”

  Accepting the wedding toast with a nod, Talan sipped the sweet drink.

  “Have you heard the tradition behind drinking honeyed mead?” Father Godfrey’s inquiry eased the tension between the two men.

  Talan reluctantly quit his study of Edmund to acknowledge the priest. “I did not know there was one, Father.”

  “Indeed there is.” Father Godfrey began rummaging through a trunk. “It is tradition for newlywed couples to share a cup of mead each day for a full moon after reciting their vows. It is called the honeymoon, and it is purported to be lucky. I often keep a small stock of the drink in the event I officiate at a wedding. I do so like to gift the newly united with a small token to remember me by…”

  “I did not think priests believed in such a thing as luck,” Edmund said.

  “If you have not already discerned for yourself, I am not like most priests, my son. Whilst the pope would frown upon such a thing, I choose to embrace the lighter side of life.”

  “I wholeheartedly concur with your view on life,” Mylla said, sipping from her cup, “and the sharing of mead sounds like a lovely tradition.”

  “Then we shall see what we can do
about keeping to it.” Talan lightly caressed her back and shoulder.

  Uncomfortable with the affectionate display, Edmund looked away.

  “So Edmund,” Talan said noticing his discomfort, “if not to stop us, why have you come?”

  Father Godfrey busied himself with serving maslin bread, cheese, and almonds while Edmund broke the news of Chaucey’s slaying at the hands of the justice. When he finished, he set his empty cup down. “It seems I must ask your forgiveness once again. It was not my intent to ruin your wedding celebration.”

  “You cannot change what happened to Chaucey.” Having lost her appetite, Mylla gently waved away all further offers of food. “The clerk was kind to me.” Tears slipped down her cheeks and she lowered her head to conceal them.

  “You have my thanks for journeying so far to warn us.” Talan passed Mylla a square of linen with a tender look.

  “I did not only come here to warn you,” Edmund said. “I came to offer you both my sword. If you would allow it, I will ride with you as far as the Welsh border.”

  Talan was about to decline when Mylla’s look of relief changed his mind. “We would be glad to have you accompany us,” he said grudgingly. “We depart at first light.”

  “Then I shall be prepared at that time.”

  After seeing them served, Father Godfrey fell into the remaining seat. Mumbling to himself, he bent his head and closed his eyes in prayer. After a moment he straightened, having decided on a course of action. “With your permission, Sir Talan, I will travel to Castell Maen to inform Baron Erlegh of your intent. I am sure he and the Lady Reina would be pleased to learn you are properly wed, and have a plan to reach safety… Baroness Reina, I should say. She was not even a lady when first I met her. She was a delightful little thing as a child. I was so pleased when Sir Fulke, now Baron Erlegh arrived at Kenwick Keep to rescue her. Although, it did not appear he would—”

  “I could not ask you to do such a thing, Father,” Talan gently interrupted. “You have already risked so much on our behalf.”

  “You are not asking, I am offering.” Raising his cup, Father Godfrey smiled. “I was also fortunate enough to offer my services to Sir Euric and his lovely wife, Lady Bronwyn. I happened to be visiting with Father Farus at his parish church of Saint Materiana at Tintagel in Cornwall. It was he who I was referring to in the passageway, in the event you would like to know. He covets wealth in the most un-Godliest of fashions. A lovely parish church for a most disagreeable man. To be sure, the now Lady Bronwyn had unpleasant words with him on the day of her wedding. Let me tell you, she is well versed in biblical passages. Had I not been there, it is unlikely the ceremony would have taken place at all. Fortunately it did.”

  “I am sure Lady Bronwyn and Sir Euric feel the same,” Talan said when the priest paused long enough to catch his breath.

  “Indeed.” Father Godfrey nodded. “May God’s grace shine upon your union and protect you along the way. Shall I tell you what I conveyed to Baron Erlegh after his union?”

  “Uh.” Talan looked over at Mylla.

  “We would be pleased to hear it,” Mylla finished for him.

  “Le mariage sans enfants a lieu comme un jour sans soleil.” Father Godfrey beamed.

  “Mayhap that will be a more fitting sentiment in the future,” Talan said. “Regrettably, we currently have more pressing matters to attend to, Father.”

  “Forgive me,” Mylla said. “Edmund and I understand very little of the French tongue. Would you share what you said with us in English?”

  Talan kept his gaze fixed on Edmund when he responded to Mylla. “Father Godfrey said, ‘Marriage without children is like a day without sunshine.’”

  Edmund’s eyes flared at the topic of his younger sister and sex. “I agree with you, Talan. There are more pressing matters to attend to.”

  “Unless you plan on remaining chaste, some things cannot be helped,” Father Godfrey chortled. “Give me but a moment and I shall think of something more fitting.”

  “Your continued prayers for our safety will do us well enough, Father,” Talan said rising from the bed. “You already know how truly grateful we are for your help.”

  Tears sparkled in Mylla’s eyes when she stood to embrace her brother. “Thank you, Edmund. I dared not hope to ever see you again, and here you are.”

  “Yes, well, you are my only sister.” Edmund stepped awkwardly out of her embrace. “If Father Godfrey will have me, I shall bed down on his floor for the night.”

  “You are most welcome,” the priest assured him. “I only hope you sleep deeply. For you see, there is a reason why I have quarters to myself. It appears the other priests are all in accord that if I am not chattering, I am snoring. Why they detest conversation so very much is anyone’s guess.”

  “I have three brothers, Father. I doubt it shall be a problem.” Edmund extended his arm to Talan. “I shall have the horses saddled and waiting in front of the abbey at first light.”

  Talan briefly clasped Edmund’s forearm. “We shall see you then.”

  It was pouring rain when Talan and Mylla left the abbey. Clasping hands, they rushed along the empty road to the inn. Due to the inclement weather, it was standing room only when they slipped inside the common room. Talan stiffened when he recognized the crest worn by a small group of men gathered at the bar. Blocking Mylla with his body, he led her to the sleeping chambers.

  Sensing Talan’s urgency, Mylla hastened her step. In the silence of the upstairs corridor, she glanced over at him. “Who is below that has you so alarmed?”

  Opening the door to their chamber, Talan whisked her into his arms to cross the threshold. He slowly released her so her body made contact with his on the way down. Throwing the bolt, he moved away from the door. “It is nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Talan.” Mylla crossed her arms. “You said we are to be equals. Have you changed your mind so quickly?”

  “You know better than that.” Talan handed her a piece of linen to dry off. “In my need to protect you, I often act not myself.”

  “Who did you see below?”

  “I spotted men wearing the Archbishop of Canterbury’s crest. He must have sent them here to check on the abbey’s progress.”

  “Did you recognize any of them?”

  “I did not,” he said. “Fulke has had dealings with Archbishop de Corbeil, yet I have never personally met the man. Nevertheless, we should be safe here for the night. The news is unlikely to have reached this far into the country yet.”

  “Should be safe here?” Mylla set the damp linen aside. “Talan, do not take risks on my account. If you feel uncomfortable with our staying, let us seek out Edmund and be on our way.”

  Pulling her into his arms, Talan smiled. “Are you forgetting this is our wedding night?”

  Mylla reached up to cup his face. “Of course I have not forgotten. Only I would like to have more than just one night as your wife.”

  “And if I have any say in it, you shall.” Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her up against his chest. “Promise me something?”

  “I will promise you anything.”

  “For the rest of this night, I ask that you not think of anything beyond this chamber.”

  “Then all you have to do is kiss me.”

  His response was to capture her lips in a searing kiss. Breaking apart only to catch their breath, they struggled to rid themselves of their wet clothing.

  Bare-chested, Talan paused in the act of pulling off his boots when Mylla let her chemise pool around her bare feet. Naked to his gaze, he stared in awe at her as she worked to loosen her damp braid. “God blessed me the day I met you.”

  “On that day he blessed us both.” Shaking out her hair, she crossed to him. Her hands began to work the lacings on his woolen breeches. Easing them down his muscular thighs, Talan’s manhood strained against his braies. A slight sound of yearning escaped Mylla as she caressed the thick length of his rigid arousal. “Is it wicked of me to lust af
ter my husband?”

  “I would not have it any other way.” Forgetting for a time the danger they were in, he dropped his usual restraint. Seizing her lips, he backed her to the bed. He eventually broke the kiss to gaze down at her with passion-filled eyes. “I need to taste you.”

  Her look of confusion switched to one of surprise when Talan began kissing his way down her writhing body. Pausing to suck on each of her pert nipples, his lips trailed along her abdomen. Out of breath and flushed from wanting him, she gripped Talan’s shoulders. “What are you going to do?”

  “You explored me at your leisure, now it is my turn to explore you.” Situating himself between her legs, his hands slid the length of her shapely legs to her ankles. Forcing them up, he laid them flat on the mattress so that she lay completely exposed to him. He stilled her hands when she moved to cover herself. “Please do not keep yourself from me. You are my wife and I would know every inch of you.” Kissing her inner thigh, he met her uncertain gaze. “Do not think, mon coeur, only feel.” Latching onto the pert bud of her woman’s center, he suckled her until her hands twined in his hair to hold him in place. Emboldened by her response, Talan shifted to enter her with a finger. Working it within her moist heat, he entered her with another when Mylla began to thrash beneath him. Crying out his name, she gripped the sheets. Her inner muscles contracting with wave after wave of pure pleasure when he brought her to climax.

  Grinning at his success, Talan kissed his way up her limp body. “Do not think of resting yet, wife. Our night has just begun.”

  †

  Fulke intentionally waited until well after sunrise the following morning to enter the hall. Knowing Reina would not have the meal served until he joined the table, he arrived stifling a yawn. He looked like he did not have a care in the world when he slipped onto the bench beside his wife. “Good morning-tide, my love. I hope I did not keep you up too late.”

  Reina signaled Rowen to have the meal served before smiling up at her husband. “If you kept the justice waiting any longer, I swear he would have sought you himself.”

  Fulke’s blue eyes were alight with mischief when he greeted his extended family. Responding to their conversational banter, he had a lengthy discussion with Albin regarding the spring crops.