One Winter Knight

by Townsend, Lindsay

  Chuckling, she sobered quickly when she realized she had to return to her mother. No’ only had she no’ obtained money for medicine, she had left her mother for far too long. She could only pray the several friends who stopped in to comfort her mother throughout the day would realize she was no’ close by and ’twould know to offer care. Dismayed, she poured a goblet of wine, took a cautious gulp that went down with ease, and ambled to the window to view light flakes accumulating on fading gardens. She undressed to enjoy a bath while she could. Dear God, if ye be having an extra miracle up Yer mighty sleeve, ’twould more than pleased I be if you could see me out of here.

  ****

  After donning the borrowed kirtle of deep blue with black lacing over a white, full-sleeved chemise that showed through, and a pair of soft kid slippers, the young maid, Lytha braided her hair. Ahna again gazed outside barely able to see the continued snowflakes as they rode a light breeze under the starlit sky. She felt apprehensive about going below to join the others in the great hall for supper. Would Royce’s mother, who hated the sight of her, demand she be put in chains when she saw her? She still questioned why she ’twasna in the dungeon.

  At the sound of the door opening, Ahna swung around from the window. Neither announcing his presence nor rapping on the door, Royce entered the room, slammed the door shut and strode several steps across the chamber, then halted. Silence, so still it sizzled with frightening tension, hung in the air. Their gazes met—hers wide-eyed and questioning, his assessing and full of anger. And something else she could not quite decipher. Mayhap confusion, pain? No’ hardly.

  Royce crossed the room farther, veering left to the table. He poured mead into a mug, drained it in one full swallow, slammed it down, then spun around to face her. And wasna’ it verra lucky she had no’ be using the pot as he strode in so boldly? Ha! He wouldna’ have been so bold, now would he? God help me, for I must fear his wrath, so much I have become witless.

  “I need to know how you heard I carried the Chalice. But first, I ask once more and expect an honest answer…why?” He crossed the room to stand directly in front of her, his gaze fixed on hers.

  She swallowed, squared her shoulders, held his gaze and answered in truth. She could do no less. Dear God, how she loved this man. “Cancer eats away at my mother’s stomach and now her lungs. She has no’ many more days left. If ye want honesty, the past few sennights have been living hell on earth for her and me. The pain be uncontrollable. She screams day and night, or simply shakes and gasps.”

  At his puzzled frown, she clasped the goblet with two hands to stop their shaking, and battled back tears for mother’s unbearable suffering. “I have tried all methods to relieve her suffering but canna’ begin to control, or even ease it, in any way. Her pain be so agonizing she canna’ eat. She barely takes sips of water. The physics say opium ’tis the only hope for any relief, but the cost is more than I can raise. I searched for anyone to sell it cheaper and found no one. I manage to support us with what I earn at the abbey, from my trade as a fletcher and other odd jobs, but ’tis not enough to add opium to the list.”

  His frown increased. At first, she thought him angered, but realized he looked more confused.

  “What say you?” He gestured with his hands out at his side. “Can you not sell her house for the money, then move her in with you? Does your husband refuse coin to aide your very own mother?”

  His words baffled her. She took a step back and smacked into the wall, almost spilling her wine. “I have no husband.”

  His eyes rounded as he clenched his fists at his sides. He appeared more stunned than before, more shocked than she at his words.

  “Yet, you have a child.” His face drained of all color as two deep lines of worry appeared between his eyes. “Tell me your hard times did not see you raped or at the mercy of some—”

  “I…have no child,” she barely managed to whisper, feeling as though someone had punched her in the abdomen, as if cobwebs filled her mind. A chill swept through her. Something ’twas verra wrong here.

  Thankfully, she managed to clear her mind and reached down deep for inner strength so they might talk sensibly. “Where did you hear such untruths?”

  Chapter Six

  Royce felt as if someone had cleaved his chest wide-open with a broadsword, and then split his skull in two by a well-aimed flail. He turned, and with two hands, grabbed the lip of the table, fought to catch his breath, and prayed his weak knees did not leave him flat on his arse.

  He was not accustomed to having his senses rattled and today had been one major rattle after the other. He needed answers, demanded truths, and desired them now. He could not allow hope for any kind of life with Ahna to gather until he could think sensibly, until he had all questions and mysteries unfolded and solved. But he could dream.

  Taking a deep needed breath, he exhaled, turned slowly to face her, and prayed he could rationalize all this craziness before he completely felt too inadequate to think straight. I have no husband. I have no child. He questioned how this could be. His heart sang a melody as light as a fresh spring breeze on a sunny morn. He cleared his clogged throat.

  “You are truly not married? Have no child?” He knew he sounded as befuddled as he felt and most likely looked. He wanted to grab her, embrace her, and swing her around until they both could laugh at the absurdity of this whole mess. Yet, he needed facts so he could comprehend what had happened. What their future might, indeed, hold.

  “I have always spoken the truth. I have neither.”

  Her words were no more than whisper as she faced him with head held high and looking beyond beautiful in the borrowed clothes. She should always wear such clothing. Actually, she belonged in fine silks, satins, and lush velvets.

  At her words, he regretted his severe scowl. “It appears my mother paid good coin for a poor and incorrect report.” At her deepening frown, he explained. “After you and I parted ways, my mother realized I more than regretted my decision. She feared I would reconsider and seek you out. Unbeknownst to me, she hired a local man to go to Selkirk to watch you, to see if he could uncover something else that would show me I had made the right decision.”At her deep frown, he longed to pull her into his arms and hold her tight.

  “I still do no’ understand, why would he say I was married? And have a child?”

  “He reported you with a thin man slightly older than you more often than not who held your hand in town, who would accompany you back and forth to your small home. He said on several occasions, you embraced and you would…kiss. He also observed you either carrying a young girl or leading her by the hand when you visited the market, the abbey, and again—more often than not. A young girl who closely resembled you.”

  Though touched by his disclosure that he regretted turning his back on her thus denying their love, Ahna’s inside shook with rage. How dare Lady Rosemond have her watched and followed? How dare that man relay falsehoods that were so far from the truth? Oh! Would that Merlin could come and turn the witchy woman into a toad.

  With hands nigh shaking as well, Ahna drew a needed breath. She knew her eyes shot daggers and she did no’ care one wee bit if he saw them.

  “Yer mother dinna have any right to have me followed, to watch my ever’ move. ’Tis rude…she had no right at all. And ye can tell her ladyship she wasted her money. The little girl be Kyra, an orphan at the abbey. I visit there ever’ day, either helping them out with something or teaching the children painting, music, or reading. I often take Kyra with me to town to purchase items the nuns need, and to check on my mother throughout the day. My alleged husband be none other than the good doctor who visits my mother often, and gives me free advice. Aye, I kiss his cheek on occasion, and he gives me a hug. He has been a wonderful family friend for years—who happens to be in his fifties. He be like a father to me.” She took a deep breath, then released it before she could continue, so riotous were her nerves and emotions.

  “Kyra mayhap be small for her age, but she be
almost four—and if that fool her highness hired had any sense, he would have mentioned she be no baby but well past being a toddler. We last saw each other two years past and…ye knew I…cared for ye. How could ye think I could simply fall out of…forget ye so easily? Did ye really no’ know me at all?”

  Royce watched her blush throughout her entire speech. She was amazing. She had no husband or lover. She was available. And her tear-filled eyes ’twould be his undoing. He came to stand in front of her, love bursting in his chest strong enough to send him to his knees. Crushing her against him in a bear-tight embrace, he shook with nerves long pent-up, and experienced a feeling of finally coming home.

  When her arms snuck around his torso to embrace him, as well, he thanked the Holy Father he had her back where she belonged. He pulled back far enough to bend his head down to reach her lips, meaning to give a tender kiss. Instead, he nearly devoured her lips in one long, breathless attack. He savored her honeyed sweetness, inhaled her clean scent of soap and lavender, and caressed the baby-soft skin at the nape of her neck. God, how he loved this woman. All the wrongs in the world faded to be replaced by a love so potent, so right, it flooded his mind like a tall ocean wave.

  A knock on the door had them pulling apart, both flushing like two children caught stealing a sweetmeat. ’Twas hard to gather his wits, release her lips, and pull his arms away. Yet, he did.

  “Enter,” Royce called as he made sure his tunic covered his obvious reaction to Ahna’s nearness, of the want that coursed through him.

  Lytha took one step in to ask if Ahna needed anything else before they retired downstairs.

  He gazed at Ahna and thought she couldn’t look more beautiful and poised than she did standing beside him. “Ahna?”

  “Thank you, Lytha, you’ve been more than helpful. I think I be more than ready to go below, and will do so anon.” That irresistibly devastating grin and those vivid eyes sparkling like deep emeralds threatened to steal away Royce’s next breath.

  “Then, I be seeing you both below.” Lytha tipped her head in farewell, turned and closed the door behind her. Thank goodness Lytha had broken the spell, or he’d be panting at Ahna’s skirts like an eager pup, pulling the ribbon from the end of her braid and running his fingers through her long, luscious tresses.

  “Did I mention how lovely you look tonight? I believe you be more beautiful now than when I last cast eyes upon you so long ago.”

  She laughed, yet he caught the flush that fanned her face. “And since I last saw ye, ye have gained the slippery tongue of a bard. ’Tis but the pretty clothes and Lytha’s talent with my hair that has loosed your tongue. I be far more comfortable in my tunic and hose to face those below…especially your lady mother.” She eyed him to see if he took offense.

  “I ordered the change of clothes. You will not have my men ogling your shapely legs throughout our meal this evening,” he said, with more of a huff than he preferred.

  She chuckled. “’Tis it jealousy I hear from your roar?”

  “Nay, I ’twould simply not have my men panting like wolves at a chicken coop.” When his face flushed, she chuckled harder, her eyes twinkling with delight. He laughed along with her.

  “Before we go below, I must needs explain a few things,” he said. “Then we must talk more, anon.” When she nodded for him to proceed, they each took a chair and he did just that.

  For the short time this night and then on the morrow, rather than have his mother rant and rave, he would seat Ahna at the far end of the table just below and to the left of the main table on the dais. She wholeheartedly agreed they had enough to contend with without causing a scene. His mother hated her, and even with Ahna sitting elsewhere, she might howl like a banshee. Ahna welcomed being as far away from the bitter woman as she could possibly get.

  Explaining time be of the essence and it nearly broke his heart to relinquish her for even a moment until they might fully discuss their future, he must needs leave no later than two days hence to deliver the Chalice to Bishop Francis in Edinburgh before he headed back to Rome. The man would then try to find out if it were truly the Sacred Chalice.

  They discussed everything from her hearing of the Chalice being transported through Scotland—of course, it had been the servants’ extensive grapevine—to her mother needing expensive opium, to his bedridden father. She explained their home had been confiscated for taxes and they now dwelled in a small cottage, stretching the truth a wee bit.

  They shared a few kisses so steamy and sensuous it was a wonder the room did not ignite before leaving to join the others. Ahna gazed into his eyes, overcome with wonder of rekindling their love…though neither had spoken the word outright, as yet. “I would have never been able to release my arrow. I know that, now. I know no’ why I ever believed I could.”

  His smile came readily. “I would like to believe you are right…but we will never know for sure. You were desperate, and had been devastated after I had hurt you badly. “

  “Shh,” she said, placing two fingers against his lips, loving the feel of them against her skin. “We will no’ ever know for sure.” Her eyes danced with mischief.

  “Do you really make your own fletches? A lady fletcher?” he asked, his eyes showing how incredulous he found that to be.

  “Aye, I do. I make two and three feathered fletches that bring in good coin, but I have only recently started doing such, so I still dinna have enough money to live on and purchase the opium.” He clasped her hands. His dazzling smile sent heat surging through her blood, and pulled hard at her heartstrings.

  “Allow me to make some inquiries, and we will find you the opium you need. On the morrow I will choose three or four men to take you back to Selkirk the morning I leave so you may join your mother. I will be in Edinburgh but for one day, then will head back here. I will stop here to rest men and horses for one day, then travel to Selkirk to see how your mother fares…and to hopefully discuss what our future might hold.”

  No words had ever sounded so wonderful.

  Chapter Seven

  As men and ladies took their seats, throughout the room fragrant odors tantalized Ahna’s nostrils. Pages hustled from table to table serving wine, hot beer mulled with apples and mead while servers dashed about delivering trenchers and carrying chargers of cheeses, assorted brown and whole grain breads. Others paraded trays of succulent fowl, stag, joints of mutton, and eel, all obviously cooked with basil, boiled onions, thyme and other aromas that permeated the air until Ahna’s mouth watered. Bowls of steaming carrots, parsnips and turnips, and greens followed suit.

  She chose portions wisely, allowing herself to ration amounts so as not to become sick. She had not been privy to such an array or amounts of foods in a very long time. As she took a small sip of mulled wine, she watched the boisterous crowd in amazement at the turmoil, jesting and overall deafening din, especially at the next table to her left where sat many of the warriors, gruff and obviously more than hungry and thirsty.

  ’Twas no wonder several wives of men at arms chose to sit at her table away from the rowdiness to enjoy each other’s conversation as well as be able to eat in somewhat more peace. They weren’t a talkative group while eating, yet they made her well come.

  Savoring another bite of chicken she scanned those seated at the end of her table to her left. Her eyes rested upon Royce’s older cousin, Malcolm. Royce had introduced him upon their entry. The two had joked and talked as if more like brothers. ’Twas not difficult to take an instant liking to Malcolm since the two men held such great fondness for each other.

  Malcolm’s glare fixed on something across the room and to their right. It held such malicious hatred it stole her breath. A frisson of ice sleuthed through her veins at witnessing such evil and vicious hostility. The chicken lodged in her throat. Too stunned to lift her goblet, she swallowed again and thankfully cleared her throat. Had she ever seen such animosity? Her eyes followed his focus. She nearly screamed aloud.

  Royce bore the honor of Malco
lm’s contempt, though he failed to notice. He laughed and conversed with Emlaine, his eight-year-old sister, who sat to his immediate right, and Geoffrey next to her. Lady Rosemond, as stone-faced as ever, ate in silence to his left.

  Dear Lord above, how could this be? What did it mean? She fought for a breath and trembled at a loss to make any sense of what she had witnessed.

  Slowly, fearful of what she would again see, she turned her gaze back toward Malcolm. His head was turned left and slightly inclined as if listening to what the next person was saying. She inhaled, long and deep. But it wasn’t enough to stave off the shakes that began to grip her.

  ****

  Throughout the meal, Royce glanced Ahna’s way to reassure himself she was eating and not being ostracized after the word got out as to her presence. He breathed easier each time he noted the other women conversing with her. Yet, a few minutes past, he had witnessed her stark pallor, her agitation as she glanced his way, and then looked away again.

  He felt ready to do battle if need be, and intended to go to her side when their gazes locked and held from across the room. Her fearful scowl gave him pause. If one of the women had insulted or defamed her in any way, he would see they were properly reprimanded.

  Then, she smiled, and his heart hammered against his ribs and his loins tightened. He longed to rush to her side, sweep her into his arms and carry her to his chamber. He sat up straighter to ease the discomfort of his hose and gain some sanity. Much needed to be discussed after they parted for a few days, and then and only then could they possibly step forward in their relationship. But what bothered her so? Mayhap he had become too protective of her and he had imagined her dismay. No, he would question her strange behavior as soon as he could politely leave the hall.