Loaded down with packages, Fulke escorted Reina from their chamber to their celebration that evening.
Hearing the men’s laughter outside the door, he gazed tenderly down at his wife. Never before had he so looked forward to Christmastide.
He noticed Albin drinking ale as he greeted the group. “No wine for you this eve, my friend?”
Albin scoffed, “Vilest of brews, that. Fat Louis must have sent it to Henry in the hopes of poisoning us all.”
Talan poured himself a cup of wine. “King Louis was not the one pouring it down your gullet, Albin.”
Fulke laughed as he poured Reina a cup of honeyed mead.
Laden with an array of sumptuous dishes that included swan, peafowl, lamb, veal and wild boar, they shared the feast.
Taking in the faces gathered around the table, he raised his cup. “To family, a man could ask for none finer,” he recited solemnly.
Cups held high, a chorus of voices seconded. “To family.”
After a dessert of dragees, aged cheese and a variety of mulled wines that remained largely untouched, the group moved to sit around the fire to exchange gifts.
Reina placed a kiss on each of the men’s blushing cheeks as she handed them their gift.
Placing several packages before Fulke, she kneeled. Sitting back with a smile, she waited for him to open them.
Unwrapping the cloak she bought for him, he swung it around her shoulders to pull her close for a kiss. “You spoil me, my lady.”
“That was my intent, my lord,” she said before kissing him.
Cuddling against his side, they watched the rest of the men open their gifts. They held their silver knives almost reverently as they admired the detailed engraving on the handles.
Unwrapping his knife, Talan moved to catch Reina’s attention. Holding it up, he dipped his head. “Thank you, my lady.”
“Returning his smile, she caught Fulke looking at her. “I had fun shopping, my lord.”
“I did as well,” presenting her with a small wrapped package. “A mere token of what I feel for you,” he said softly.
Sitting up, she accepted the silk wrapped gift, before returning her gaze to him. “Your heart is the only gift I shall ever need,” reaching up for his kiss.
He reluctantly pulled back when the whistles started. “It seems our audience is anxious for you to open your gift, my lady.”
Untying the red silk ribbon, she uncovered a small metal box inlaid with an array of vibrant colors forming strange, exotic flowers. Holding the box lightly against her, she turned to him. “It is beautiful, I shall treasure it always.”
Enchanted by her innocence, he said, “Your present is inside.” She blushed as he ran a finger lightly down her nose. “I am very pleased you like the box. It is my hope that you like the gift even more.”
Lifting the lid, she gasped. Slowly withdrawing a long strand of precious pearls, so costly and rare, only a select few women at court possessed them. Holding them carefully beside the fire, she gazed at the beauty of their luminescence.
He reached out his hands. “May I?”
At her answering smile, he took them from her outstretched hand. Securing the gold clasp, he smoothed the strand where it rested over her heart.
She was winding her arms around his neck when a throat clearing made him scowl over his shoulder. Standing with his arms full of wrapped packages, Albin asked, “Do you mind if the lady opens the rest of her gifts before sweeping her off to your chamber?”
“Remind me again why I put up with your insolence, Albin?”
Placing the packages before Reina, he smirked, “For my sweet disposition of course.” Genuflecting his way back to his seat, everyone laughed.
Reina blushed as the men gathered around her. Opening each gift, she rose to kiss the cheek of the man who had given it to her.
Seeing the men stammer their way through her thanks, Fulke chuckled.
Albin’s gift was a pair of brown doeskin gloves.
Gervase, a set of scented bath oils, to which Fulke quirked a brow.
Guy gave her a silk scarf that came so close to matching her eyes, Fulke glanced at him as Reina stood to thank him. Seeing him flame red at her thank you kiss, he shook his head resignedly.
With a smile, she settled back down beside him to open Warin’s gift of a bolt of deep green velvet.
Osbert bestowed her with a bar of costly lavender scented bath soap. Seeing Reina approach, he thought for sure his squire was going to faint.
Talan’s gift was a small silver hilted dagger in a soft leather sheath. “You are to carry it at all times, my lady,” he instructed.
“At all times, Talan?” Fulke chuckled to see Talan turn the same shade of red as Guy.
Wrapping his arms around Reina, Fulke gazed tenderly into her eyes. “Shall we tell them the news, my lady?” At her excited nod, he turned to call the rowdy men to attention. Grabbing a cup, he raised it in toast as the men scrambled for their own drink of choice. “Here is to a peaceful new year, while we await the birth of Castell Maen’s heir.”
Albin raised a cup. “God has indeed blessed us this day. To Castell Maen’s heir,” he called.
The rest raised their cups high, shouting, “Castell Maen’s heir!”
Wrapping his arms around Reina, Fulke found a touch of sadness in her answering smile. “What is it, love?”
“It is nothing Fulke.”
“I do not wish anything to come between us, Reina. What troubles you?” he mouthed.
“Hylda. It is the first Christmastide we have been apart.”
“And the last,” he replied softly.
SEVENTEEN
Early the next morning, Fulke slid from the bed to dress. They made love by the fire upon returning to their chamber the previous eve. Making promises to Reina for the future, he now prayed he would be able to keep them. Their future hinged on the whims of a fickle king. Leaning down, he gently kissed her lips.
She blinked tiredly up at him. “Good morn, my lord.”
“Go back to sleep,” he whispered, before kissing her once more.
When he pulled back, she caressed his brow with her fingertips. “What is it, Fulke?”
Forgetting for a moment how intuitive she was, he cursed himself for waking her. Running a finger along her pouting bottom lip, he said, “Not a thing, my lady. I must meet with the men before the king arrives and just needed to see you smile.”
She caught his hand. “Then all you have to do is look at me.”
Kissing her brow, he wrapped his arms around her. “You are my life,” he breathed into her hair. Tucking her back in, he whispered, “Go back to sleep.”
She smothered a yawn. “Wake me when you return?”
He bent to kiss her. “Without a doubt.”
* * * *
Late morning found Fulke going over the last details of the plan. Pulling Albin aside, he gripped his shoulder. “If things go awry, I ask for your pledge to protect Reina.”
“You know me better than to think otherwise,” Albin scoffed.
Nodding, he turned back to address the men. “If for any reason, suspicion falls my way, you are to deny all knowledge.” He held up a hand to forestall their angry outburst. “It is not your honor that you will be risking. As your liege, I command this of you.”
In various defiant stances, they stood silent.
“Your loyalty is not at question here. But know you this, I shall not go forth with the plan, if I do not have your vow.”
Seeing nothing would sway him, Talan stepped forward. “I vow it, my liege.”
“Aye, I vow it,” said Gervase.
“And I,” Guy said softly.
Fulke stared hard at Albin, forcing him to mumble, “I bloody well vow it.”
He addressed Warin and Osbert. “You will both be relieved of your allegiance to me, should trouble befall us. Castell Maen is mine by deed. Albin will hold it in trust until my heir comes of age. If it is your wish to stay on, he will comple
te your training.” He placed a hand on Warin’s shoulder. “I know I do not have to say it. Reina and the child will need you, lad.”
“Should it come to that, I shall protect them with my life,” Warin replied low.
Loud horn blasts announced the king’s impending arrival. They stood silent as a servant raised the flag on the round turret to proclaim Henry’s residence.
Fulke turned to face his men, feigning a confidence he did not feel. “So it begins.”
One by one, they raised their fists to cover their hearts.
Excusing himself, he raced back through the passages to be with Reina.
Charging into the chamber, he startled her. The look on his face answered any question she may have had as she dropped her hands from the act of braiding her hair. She rushed to fling her arms around him afraid this would be the last chance they had to be together.
Fulke lifted her into his arms, finding her lips as he carried her to the bed. Briefly stepping back to undress, he returned to hike her gown up to enter her in one quick thrust.
Reina hiked her legs high up around his back to grab the back of his thighs needing to be as close to him as possible.
With a searing kiss, Fulke leaned back to hold her shoulders, branding her with the heat of his possession as she gazed up at him with desire.
Near to climax, he kissed her again, driving his tongue into the sweet warmth of her mouth in time to his driving thrusts.
They climaxed together, Reina scoring her nails along his thrusting buttocks, arching her back against him.
He throwing his head back, roaring his release as his hot seed filled her.
Collapsing winded beside her, he gathered her in his arms to hold her against his heaving chest while they caught their breath.
Returning more to normal, Reina glanced up at him with a wry smile. “I take it the king has arrived?”
The men were standing on the ramparts staring off into the distance when Fulke assisted Reina up the steep stone steps to join them. Together they watched as Henry’s extended entourage approached the castle with a score of bloodhounds racing ahead.
Coming to stand beside him, Albin said, “I overheard King David of Scotland is to arrive on the morrow.”
He nodded. “I was expecting as much.” The wind gusted, sending icy currents of air swirling around them. Pulling Reina closer into his side, he asked, “Any word on the bishops and abbots?”
“They are expected at any time. Rumor has it the Archbishop of Rouen will be stirring things up before the meeting.”
“I have no doubt,” Fulke sighed. “The clergy believe the king to be ordained by the will of God. They would never acknowledge a queen when they still debate whether or not women possess souls.”
Albin looked surprised. “You do not believe the king to be ordained by God?”
“No more than I believe women lack souls, my friend.” A note of bitterness entered his voice. “The things I have heard and done in the name of the king, does not speak to me of being Godly.”
“Yet, you still side with him?” Albin asked softly.
“Regardless of my opinion in religious matters, my loyalty still lies with the crown. Henry counted on that very fact when he titled me. In this, I shall not fail him.”
“You have never failed him, Fulke. The Henry we fought with years ago never would have used your lady so.”
“What are a few to Henry, when compared to the many?” Fulke replied softly.
Bristling in anger, Albin stared hard at him. “I spared you how often Talan and I bore witness to malicious slurs spoken not two feet from your lady. Do you now seek to justify what Henry has forced her to endure?”
“There is no justifying Henry’s treatment of my wife, Albin,” Fulke scoffed.
“I am glad to hear you say it. Yet you were not the one who watched her walk through a gauntlet of derision each day.” Albin pressed his point. “Do you think Henry gave a thought to her at all?”
“No,” he replied softly. “It was all I could think of.”
“Then what you do here for your lady as a knight and her husband is a loyal act. Do not think less of yourself for it.”
Pressing a cheek to the top of Reina’s head, he asked, “How can I, Albin? I would willingly lay down my life for her.”
“We all would, Fulke. To the last man.”
They grew silent as the wagon bearing King Henry came into view.
Fulke felt Reina’s arms instinctively tighten about him. Glancing down, he caressed her cheek to gain her attention. “Have you no faith in me, my lady?”
Her answer blazed from her eyes. Reaching up to kiss him, words were not necessary.
As the entourage began to arrive, the men drifted towards the steps.
Trailing behind, Talan said softly, “God be with you, my liege.”
“God be with us all,” Fulke grimly replied.
With an arm around her waist, Fulke led Reina back through the winding passages to their chamber.
“I was hoping to find you, Fulke. It has been far too long since last we met.” Hearing the silky smooth voice behind him, he stiffened.
Drawing to a halt, he guided Reina around to face Reynold’s wife, Arabella. Nodding coolly, he greeted her. “Your ladyship.”
She briefly assessed Reina before sweeping him with a sultry gaze. “I have missed you Fulke. Why did you not seek me out during your stay at the Hall?”
Feeling Reina tense, he gently squeezed her waist. “I do not find this a fit conversation to have in front of my wife, your ladyship.”
“You cannot be serious,” Arabella, laughed. “Even if she were able to hear me, she could hardly refuse to share you. She is warming the king’s bed after all, is she not?”
“She is my wife,” he snapped. “Whom I share her with is my concern and mine alone. As for her sharing me with another, I do not have to hear the words to know it is not something she would look favorably upon.”
“Then we shall be discreet Fulke,” she purred. “I shall leave my door unlocked this eve. Come to me,” she pleaded.
“You assume too much, your ladyship. I suggest you put our liaison in the past as I have,” he replied coldly.
“So what we shared meant nothing to you?” She asked in disbelief. “I pleasured you on my knees in a filthy garderobe.”
Feeling Reina stiffen beside him, he gave a bitter laugh. “If I recall correctly, it was you who cornered me in the garderobe. It was also you who willingly fell to your knees without any encouragement from me.”
“You did not seem to mind at the time,” she said bitterly. “Besides, from what I hear your wife needs no encouragement either.”
Furious, he stepped forward as Reina tugged on his sleeve to restrain him. “You go too far, Arabella. You will not speak another word against my wife.”
She stepped back in surprise. “My God, you love her,” she whispered.
“I do,” he replied proudly. “I suggest you seek out your husband.”
Escorting Reina into their chamber, he guided her to the bed. Kneeling, he rested his hands on her knees. Before he could say anything, she reached her hands up to cup his face. “Have you ever felt for any of them, Fulke?”
“Are you asking me if I felt anything more than physical pleasure?” He asked brokenly.
“Yes. Have you?”
He shook his head. “Not once, never. This I vow to you, Reina.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “It is true that Lady Arabella pleasured you with her mouth?”
He lowered his eyes, unable to face her. “I am no longer that man, Reina.”
Cupping his cheek, she waited for him to look at her. “Did you enjoy it?”
Unwilling to answer, he averted his eyes.
Gently forcing his head back up, she said, “Well, if you are not willing to tell me, I shall just have to find out for myself.”
It took a moment for her words to sink in. Astonished by the depth of her understanding, he drew her forwa
rd for a long kiss. Easing back, he said humbly, “I do not deserve you, Reina.”
Running her fingers through his hair, she pulled him back. “Aye, you do.”
* * * *
When the summons came, they were expecting it.
Seeing the unease in Reina’s eyes, he turned to the footman. “Await me in the passage.”
Reaching for her trembling hands, he said, “Whatever you become privy to from this day forth I need you to remember things are not always what they seem. I vowed to you we would return to Castell Maen. Have faith to believe that now.”
“Whatever happens, you will always have my faith and love. Never doubt it.”
Bending to give her a quick kiss, he held her a moment before releasing her. “I love you, Reina.”
He nodded to a few acquaintances without slowing his pace as he followed the footman through throngs of arriving nobles.
Holding out hope that Henry would choose to do the right thing, he entered his private quarters. “You sent for me, Sire?”
He waved a hand to the chair beside him. “Take a seat, Fulke.”
Dismissing the servants, Henry waited until they were alone to speak. “I find myself in a quandary when it comes to your lady, Fulke. The clergy shall be arriving shortly and I am loathe to parade a favorite before them.”
Angered by his choice of words, Fulke asked, “Shall I keep my lady from attending the festivities?”
“Of course not,” Henry snapped. “I have need of her. The only solution is for you to receive her back. I realize there is bound to be unpleasant talk, yet fear there is no help for it.”
Fulke fought to conceal his contempt. “After the assembly?”
“In due course we shall return to the way things were. We have already discussed this at length,” he said impatiently.
“My lady is with child,” Fulke said softly.
Henry slammed his fist onto the arm of his chair. “Zounds,” he swore. “Must every woman in my life be such a burden to me?”
“You did command that I set about begetting heirs,” Fulke reminded him.
“Do not overstep yourself by being insolent,” he warned. “The babe will be fostered in the country. My physician shall do all to ensure she survives the ordeal.”
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