by Amy Mullen
"James," Andre said loudly.
The man jerked back, startled. He studied Andre for a moment, obviously unsure of what was required of him, and then his eyes fell.
"Are you James, stable-hand of the king, and brother to Lady Geva?"
The man nodded slowly, his eyes now darting from Andre towards the large tent a hundred paces away.
Andre followed his eyes and guessed what James was thinking. "You can forget William Rufus. You will come with me now. You will be returned before nightfall."
"B-but my d-duties," James stuttered.
"I am Andre de Grelle, an agent of King William. You will come with me. There are plenty of men here. The king's horses will not be neglected."
Andre was not sure what spooked James, but the man attempted to run. "Stop him," Andre commanded. A few men eyed James momentarily, and then did as Andre asked. James did not make it far. It was easy to see the man's best days were behind him.
Andre drew his sword as James was presented to him again, "Get your horse. You have one, do you not?"
"Aye, milord," James muttered.
"I shall explain your absence to the king when we return. We'll not be gone long. Try to get away again, James, and I'll make you regret it."
****
Andre trailed right behind James so the man could not slip away. As they neared the manor where Tillie waited, James became increasingly agitated.
They came to a halt beside the barn, and James slid from his horse to face Andre. "Whatever I have done, milord, please, I beg of you, don't kill me."
"Kill you?" Andre said, momentarily stunned.
"If you do not mean to kill me, why are we here then?" James said.
Andre shook his head as he stared at the man before him. He was so close to answers, and he could not believe the stuttering fool standing before him had any of them.
"We have to talk." Andre alit from his horse. "We need something from you and a place to speak in private. So, here we are. Please, go inside the barn, and we'll speak there."
"The king…" James said, his voice faltering.
"The king will not care. If I tell the king I need something from you, I can assure you he will allow it."
The expression on the older man's face resembled one of a child caught being naughty. His shoulders slumped. He ambled toward the door, limping with each step, and stopped before the opening, squinting to look inside.
"There you are!" Andre heard Tillie's voice call out. He took James' elbow and escorted him into the structure where Tillie waited with his men and Acton's wife, who then excused herself.
Andre watched Tillie for a moment as she stood and studied James. He could not read her thoughts, and her face remained blank. Other than her tight lips, she gave away nothing.
James pulled his hat down over his forehead, reducing his face to the tip of his nose and his taut mouth. Andre sighed. What was going on here? Why did this man appear so frightened?
Reluctantly, James stepped closer to Tillie, but refused to make eye contact.
Clearing her throat, Tillie touched Andre on the arm. "May I?"
He nodded and stood back as Tillie gawked at the man now standing in front of her. "Tillie, 'tis good to see you," James said. His voice was deep and gravely. It sounded as if he desperately needed to clear his throat.
"James, good to know you remember me," she said sweetly, but her face did not match her soft voice. "I need to know a few things, and you are the only one who can tell me."
"I cannot imagine what," James said. "We have no business together."
"Aye but we do," Tillie said, her voice getting stronger as she stood up straighter. "I think we have a lot to discuss. You realize this is Andre, widow of the late Geva, aye?"
James gulped. He appeared visibly shaken. "Aye," was all he said.
Andre was unable to breathe for a moment. Geva? He was her brother, Tillie had said, but Geva had never spoken of him. What did this short, sloppy man have to do with his marriage to Geva, and what did all of this have to do with Rayne? Nothing going on around him made any sense.
It was apparent to him, however, that it made total sense to both Tillie and James. The air was thick, and both were tense. Andre waited for an eternity for someone to speak, or at least it seemed that way.
"Someone had better explain what is going on here," Andre said with an even voice. His patience was slipping. It seemed everyone held secrets, and he was the last to know.
"Milord," Tillie said. "I know I already told you this, but it bears repeating so you will understand. James is brother, was brother, to Geva."
Andre lifted an eyebrow as Tillie continued.
"I had heard rumors about the time Rayne lost her second baby, but 'twas nothing I could piece together. It took me years to finally see what I should have seen right away, but if I am right, James knows something which may change Rayne's life. I hate it has taken this long, but 'tis better than never figuring it out."
James shifted, eyeing those around him as if looking for an ally. He let out a deep sigh and removed his hat, which he then crumpled between his hands.
"William Rufus said I would never have to answer for this! I had to do it lest I lose everything. Geva had the secret on him. I only done what I was told. Let me be. Let the king explain."
Andre's curiosity was now heightened to the point where he felt he would punch someone if he did not get answers soon. "Someone had better tell me what is going on right now," he said, grounding out the last two words between clenched teeth.
"I believe, milord," Tillie said as she straightened her back again and stood as tall as she could, "two of Rayne's babies are alive, and I think they live with you, Andre. I believe Jenri and Hamon are the children of Rayne and Claude."
"That cannot be," Andre said. "Geva brought the boys with her, their father is…"
"Is who?" Tillie said, facing him. "Did she ever talk about him to the boys? I know they were young, but did you ever hear his name?"
"Nay, but I know she was married."
"To a man, Lord Andre, who spent more time with William Rufus than he did his own wife. At times, he was gone for a fortnight or more leaving Geva alone. She barely saw him."
"How do you know all of this?" Andre said.
"Their cook was one of my closest friends at the time. If you think your servants do not talk to each other about their work, you are mistaken, milord."
Again, he said nothing as she continued. "You see, Rayne was sick when she had two of her children. So sick she could not rise from her bed for days. She was too weak. Neither she nor I saw the babies buried, and it nearly killed her. In fact, the Rayne you know today is a result of that. I suspected Claude poisoned her, but I had no proof. I think James was involved, milord, in securing the babes for Geva, who had no success in having her own. One cannot have babies when they are not sleeping with their husband."
"This cannot be," Andre said. His astonishment went beyond any anger he was feeling. Could Jenri and Hamon be Rayne's children? "James, explain yourself!"
James stood rooted to the spot. His face paled as his gaze went from Andre to Tillie. He took a step backward but had nowhere to go. "I have nothing to say," he said.
"You will tell me, or I will make you talk. 'Tis up to you." Andre said, his hand firmly on the hilt of his sword. He stepped closer to James, who had begun to visibly tremble.
"Claude poisoned her, didn't he?" Tillie demanded an answer from James. "She was too sick to bury her babies, but there was no burial was there? They were taken. You took them and gave them to your sister!"
"I-I-I want to s-s-see W-William R-Rufus," James said with a stutter. "H-H-He will put a stop to this!"
"You think Rufus cares for you and your secrets? He cares for no one but himself," Andre said with a sneer. "He will give away anyone's secrets to see himself out of trouble. Speak, man, before I go to Rufus myself!"
James allowed his shoulders to slump. "'Tis all true. The babes belong to Lady Ray
ne. Her first died after birth. Upon her second pregnancy a plan was formed. Having already lost one, it would be easy to convince her of the death of the next. Geva knew of a secret over the king, and she used it to get the babies. Tillie is right. Her husband rarely touched her, so she could not have babies of her own."
Aghast, Andre interrupted him. "What secret? What did she know?"
"I do not know what she held over his head, but even before he became king, she could get anything she wanted from him."
Tillie sniffed. "Clearly, as Rufus was not yet king when Rayne lost her babies."
"How did he do this? This seems so ridiculous." Andre's fingers shook, and his rapid intake of air sounded like a drawn out hiss. His head felt hot, his temper was rising. He knew Rufus was ruthless and cruel, but this was too much.
"As far as I know, Claude gave his wife a posset of some sort to start her labor and sedate the babies so they would not cry when born. It was made with mushrooms from the back hills, pennyroyal, and some type of bark. I cannot remember it all. He mixed it with mead and gave it to her. Claude said it would leave her sickly, and it worked. Geva took the boys as her own. The mid-wife never knew, she handed the babies to Claude, and he ordered her out."
As James finished, Tillie collapsed to the ground. Andre went to her side as she sobbed. Her chest heaved as she tried to collect her breath, but she could not. She made a noise, not unlike that of a wild animal as she tried to regain control of herself.
"Is there more?" Andre demanded as he stood and faced James again.
"Nay, 'tis is all I know. William Rufus promised me protection and employment in exchange for my help. I did it for my sister, and I am sorry."
"Get out!" Andre said forcefully. "Get out. Just get out. I will return you to your station. Wait outside."
James departed with more haste than Andre thought the man had in him. He returned to Tillie's side. The woman was now breathing more easily, but she was still in a prone position, unable to stop her crying. "You must calm down, Tillie. Why did you keep this from Rayne?"
"I could not…" Tillie said and gulped, "could not prove… anything… hurt her more. Looking for answers… for years…" the woman managed to spit out between sobs.
He waited for her to calm down, awkwardly patting the woman on her back as she let her anguish out. "Let's get some air, aye?" he said.
Nodding, Tillie stood and walked out into the sunshine. The glaring light from the sun jarred them. "We have to get back to Rayne."
"To be clear," Andre said, clearing his throat, trying to rid himself of the lump which was rapidly forming there, "those boys are Rayne's children. Jenri and Hamon."
"It appears so," Tillie said and then nodded. She held her hand up over her eyes to look into his. "I wish I could have known sooner. Rayne's life would be so different. I knew it the moment I saw those boys, I just had to put it together. I had to know. The moment I saw them, the blond curls, the eyes… she is their mother!"
"That concoction, it could have killed her," Andre said. "We are lucky she is alive. If Claude were not already dead, I would have him hanged!"
"But none of this matters now. She does not know her children live!"
"Then I think the next logical step is to return to Cuxton," Andre said. "But first, I must see William Rufus. There are a few things I wish to clear up before we return to Rayne."
Chapter Eighteen
Andre took Tillie into the manor house to sit with Acton's wife until his return. He promised to return James to the king, and then he would be back to escort her to Cuxton so they could tell Rayne. Andre had a few things he wanted to say to the king, and they could not wait. If he moved quickly, they could return home by sundown.
James was already gone when Andre mounted and left. Andre did not care. He wanted to see William Rufus and then get back to Rayne. The small delay was necessary. He wanted the king to verify the story. It would be tricky, but he would see if the king would hint either way. He was not sure how to face the king now, as enraged as he was, but he wanted some assurances before they told Rayne.
The swarm of soldiers around Pevensey Castle was growing. Smoke billowed into the air, and the stench of unwashed men grew as the sun still burned relentlessly in the western sky. Hammering could be heard in the distance, the sound bouncing from the walls of Pevensey Castle. Near the far wall, men were attempting to build a siege tower, but the moat was impeding their progress.
Andre wasted no time. He moved through the masses with Nigel behind him. Without hesitation, he marched into the king's tent. Andre had chosen the right one, and he saw Rufus immediately.
"What is going on?" William demanded. He was near the back of the roomy tent bent over a table, reading papers spread out before him when Andre entered. The king stood, looking much like an ordinary man. Andre did not let his appearance fool him. In that moment, Andre fully understood how having this man as a relative had ruined Rayne's life instead of enhancing it.
"What now, de Grelle?" he said. "I have things to attend to. Why are you not out rounding up more men? I am in the middle of a siege, if you have not noticed."
"I've already brought your men, and you know that," Andre said, his voice flat and lifeless as he struggled to digest all he had learned that day.
Andre walked up and stood closer to the king. His arms crossed over his chest, a small tick near his temple warned all of his mood. The king was upset, and at last his patience had run out. "Where is your lady? I hope you have not brought her here."
"You have destroyed her life, William Rufus."
"Lady Rayne? I have had enough of her already," Rufus took a small step forward, his face reddening as he spoke. "I have no time for this nonsense."
"You will hear me out!"
The king shot a look at Andre. "Indeed?"
"Aye," Andre said as he shook his head, "I need confirmation, and I will be on my way."
"Get on with it then," the king said.
"You took her children from her," Andre said, not caring who else might hear his words. "And you did it to hide your own secrets."
"I sent her back to them, did I not?" the king said. His voice was now calm, as if nothing was wrong with what he had done. "She is with them now. Yet you stand here squawking at me. You knew this, Andre. Geva did not confess to you?"
"Nay, milord William," he said through clenched teeth. "She never told me. You let Rayne believe her children were dead, and then sent her off to Cuxton Castle, not bothering to tell her those boys are hers."
"You should have told her," William said and then shrugged his shoulders. "Do you honestly think I have nothing better to do than soothe her suffering?"
Andre's fists clenched at his side. He was torn between lashing out at the king for the entire mess, and biting his tongue so he could go back to Rayne. Should he say the wrong thing, the king might detain him indefinitely.
"'Tis wrong to play with her life as such," Andre said. "You should have told her. Nay, you never should have done it!"
"Watch your tone, de Grelle. Unless you would like to find out what my dungeons are like."
Andre moved, but then stopped abruptly as the king chuckled. He kept his anger in check lest the king make good on his words. "You need me. You won't do it. The lady will know about her children before sundown, and she will want to know why. How could you treat her with such disgrace?"
"Look, if I had no heart at all, I would not have sent her to them. What has been done is done. I had my reasons, and you have no right to question me. I am your king!" he shouted so loudly everyone except Andre cringed and backed up a step.
"She will react badly. This is not the way to fix things, William."
"I have given Rayne her life back," the king said as he took a step toward Andre. "She is ungrateful and willful."
"Jenri and Hamon are her sons. You took them from her and gave them to a mad woman."
"You will be grateful and leave here, now," he said.
"'Tis worthless," An
dre said. "You will not admit to wrongdoing, nor will you apologize. I will go now. Should you need further assistance, you know where I am."
"You are excused," the king said tonelessly.
This angered Andre all over again. "Do you have any idea how deeply bruised she is? How she has done all that she can to get me to reject her because she fears giving birth to another baby who would die? She is miserable, and even after this I do not know that she will be happy with me. You owe her."
"I owe her. Sure. I owe her. She can take back her manor if you do not wish to marry her now. Whatever you want, Andre, except I retain the hunting grounds. Now leave me be."
"That makes up for nothing."
"You may go," the king said, his voice terse and raspy.
"With pleasure," Andre said.
Chapter Nineteen
Rayne watched as Andre and some of his men came through the gate of Cuxton Castle. She stood where she often did, near the window in the solar, outside her quarters. It was late, and the sun was already setting. Her heart lifted when she recognized Tillie riding with them. The urge to run to Tillie was strong, but she hesitated, unsure if she was welcome.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she wished everything were different. In a different life, at a different time, she could have run out to greet them. Today, she still felt the sting of Andre's words. He had not outright rejected her, but his feelings were clear enough. The last week had been hard. It was as if she had been waiting around for him to return and kick her out.
The back and forth in her mind about what she wanted was over. Rayne wanted to stay. She was smart enough to realize it could never be, but at least now she knew. When he told her to leave she would not cry. She would accept her fate as she always had. Now, she would leave love behind and even worse, she would leave the boys. That would be the hardest part of all, for they were now dear to her.
Before she could decide what to do next, whether to wait for him to come to her or to go outside, a breathless Nigel appeared.