Windsong

by Allison Knight

  “Why have you brought me here?” Fear made her tones little more than a whisper. “Nay, I can not stay here. We must leave.” She couldn’t stop the panic in her voice nor could she stop the memories.

  De Bain was such a noble, Gilbert’s friends were also nobles and she had witnessed their cruelty. She trusted none of them. Some of them threatened her very existence. No matter that she believed in Alwyn’s sincerity to try to keep her safe, she could not allow him to take her into the home of another noble.

  “Nay,” he said. “You will be safe here. My sister will see to it.”

  To Milisent’s surprise, he grabbed the reins of her horse and although she protested, he led her forward, over the wooden drawbridge to the stone gatehouse, again the largest she had ever seen, then through a courtyard to the very portal of the castle.

  Before her was the entrance itself, its wooden door open to the great hall. On the steps stood a knight, a lady and enough men to comprise a small army. The man and woman were both dressed expensively. Nervous now, Milisent smoothed the fabric of her own simple gown with one hand as she clung to the saddle with the other.

  Strands of dark brown, curly hair strayed from beneath the woman’s wimple; her blue eyes held a look of censure. The neck and wrists of her blue bliaud were trimmed with silver in the form of leaves and the chainse beneath appeared to be of the sheerest fabric. Her mouth dropped opened as she realized Alwyn had brought her to the home of a princess.

  “Good day, Rhianna, Garrett,” Alwyn’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  He said these royals were related to him? Who was this man who had taken her from Fenton and was now intent on keeping her from de Bain’s hand?

  “Welcome, Brother.” The woman’s husky voice carried a questioning tone. Milisent sensed Alwyn’s tension as he lifted her from her horse.

  She refused to look at the man Alwyn addressed. He was a noble, and from the dress of the woman at his side, a wealthy man. But he was still a noble, and she had yet to meet a noble she could trust. She looked past the woman to another woman, of an age, standing behind the couple, holding a blanket of what could only be a babe.

  This woman had a child? Another child, this one about ten summers bounced at the side of the older woman. Mayhap this was the mother.

  Milisent should have insisted Alwyn tell her something about this household. The younger woman was his sister; the man at her side must be her husband and lord of the castle, but who else lived here and what was going to be her own position? From the looks directed at Alwyn, she doubted they were welcome.

  “‘Twill take time for you to explain all of this to your sister,” the man on the steps replied to Alwyn’s greeting.

  Milisent was surprised at the humor lacing his rich, deep voice. However, t’was clear from his tones, he was amused.

  Her gaze flew to his face. She found herself staring into intense blue-gray eyes. And, aye, he was laughing.

  That could not be, for nothing of this was funny.

  Her faced heated at that thought. Did they question her presence with Alwyn? Did they think she was a kept woman? The thought made her face warm as it she was next to Throsle’s ovens. Surely the woman on the stairs could see she was no mistress, but then she knew nothing of Alwyn’s family, except Arvel had been pleasant to both Ella and her. Mayhap they did see her as his latest bed partner. Oh, why hadn’t she insisted he answer her questions long before they arrived at this place?

  ~ * ~

  Alwyn tried to effect a relaxed demeanor as he reclined in a chair next to his brother by marriage.

  “Her brother? I had no knowledge of a sister.” Garrett looked shocked.

  “Oh, what have you done?” Rhianna, who had been pacing the solar from one end to the other, stopped before him. “You abducted the sister of a baron, one of Edward’s barons? Alwyn, how could you do this? Think of Arthur, Garrett, your brothers. Oh, Edward will not take this kindly.” Rhianna stood wringing her hands.

  Alwyn glanced at Garrett who sat in a high backed chair, one leg crossed over the other, a perplexed expression on his face.

  Garrett spoke as if to himself. “I had no knowledge of any relatives.” He looked at Alwyn. “Chelse’s father died years ago. Are you certain she is his sister?”

  Alwyn nodded. “Aye. She has been in his care for at least ten summers.”

  “You have to take her back to her brother,” Rhianna announced.

  “I can not take her home. I have told you her brother—”

  “He has the right,” Rhianna shouted. “That is English law. He is allowed to select her husband. Indeed it is his duty.”

  “Nay, not according to Ella. She says Milisent may say who she will accept as husband.”

  Rhianna shrugged. “You would believe the word of a servant?”

  “She is not a servant,” Alwyn muttered.

  “Why? Why did you do this thing? Your reasoning makes no sense.” She stopped her pacing and glared at him. “And do not tell me you can not explain. You can and you will. You are not to place my family in danger for purposes of lust.”

  Alwyn sighed. She was not going to stop her questions until he told the whole of it. Besides, he did not want her to think badly of Milisent. He sighed again.

  He rested his elbows against his knees and clenched his fists. The plan had seemed so simply at the time. Now his sister was furious, Milisent was in danger and he had no doubt angered his new liege Lord.

  “If you stop pacing I will tell you some of it.”

  “Nay,” she said. “You will tell me all of it. If I am to shepherd the woman I must know the whole of it.”

  “Aye, if you will sit.” Alwyn chanced to look at Garrett who no longer had a concerned expression on his face. Now his brother by marriage looked amused.

  Alwyn sighed again. Rhianna would not understand his motives and he really did not want to explain his actions knowing her as he did. He gritted his teeth. It was a good thing Rhys had taken Milisent and Ella to inspect Garrett’s stables and visit with Pernith and the children. Having either woman witness to his words was the last thing he wanted.

  “Revenge. I took her for revenge.”

  “What?” Rhianna shouted.

  “Rhianna!” Garrett admonished.

  Thank the saints, Alwyn thought, his brother by marriage would say nothing until he heard Alwyn’s reasoning.

  “Aye, revenge. Chelse was the one who led the raid against my home. He killed Essylt.”

  Rhianna stared at him. “But how can you know this? You said— Owain said you were out hunting the day of the raid, that you came home to the slaughter. That Essylt’s life’s blood was gone from her before you returned.”

  “Aye, I was too late. She was dead, the babe with her.”

  “Babe? She was to have a child?”

  “Aye. She would bear a child in five more months.” He swallowed the lump in his throat, remembering how she had died with her hand over their unborn child. He took a deep breath. “A few of the servants were still alive, at least conscious enough to tell me who had committed this murder and when.”

  “But why take Milisent?”

  Alwyn hung his head. Rhianna might be willing to accept his need for revenge, but she would never understand how he thought to punish Chelse through Milisent. Mayhap Garrett would, but not Rhianna. And now that Alwyn knew of Milisent’s innocence, his whole reasoning made little sense to himself either. He swore softly. This was the part he did not want to tell.

  “She is important to Chelse.” Alwyn clinched his jaw. Mayhap his sister would not accept his words.

  “A sister is not that important to a man like Chelse. There is more.” Rhianna, tapped her index finger against her chin. “What are you not saying?”

  “She is important.” He was not saying more. What position Milisent held in Chelse’s castle was of no importance now and if he had to admit his mistake to his younger sister, his pride would suffer greatly. Fortunately she changed the subject.
<
br />   “Did you bed her?”

  “Rhianna!” Garrett stood. “‘Tis not for you to know.”

  “Sister, you have no right to ask such a question,” Alwyn muttered at the same time.

  “Then the answer is aye, you have bedded her.” She turned to Garrett. “What make you of this stupid brother of mine? Has he destroyed this family in the eyes of the king?”

  Alwyn glanced at Garrett. He did not seem as distraught as Rhianna appeared.

  “One thing must be done,” Garrett directed his comment to Alwyn. “Despite the revenge, you must ask for her hand.” He started for the door. “And you must determine if what this Ella claims is truth for I knew nothing of a sister for Chelse. Then pray Milisent will accept you.” Garrett held his hand out for his wife. “Come, your babe will need you soon.”

  Rhianna stomped toward the door of the solar. She turned and offered another disgusted glanced in his direction.

  Alwyn grimaced and leaned back into the chair. The thought of taking Milisent to wife did not bother him at all. In fact, it felt right. That is if she would accept him.

  What would he do, however, if Milisent refused his hand? Edward would be more than displeased, of that he was certain. And what of Chelse? Would the Baron allow such a union given that Alwyn had been the one to seize his castle? He had his doubts and he suspected an apology would not be enough.

  There was de Bain as well. He seemed to think he had claim to Milisent. Alwyn shook his head. T’was a mess of his own making. Revenge had been the only thing on his mind, and now, there could be no revenge, no ransom. If fate were kind, he would still have his knighthood and a forest to tend. He hunched forward, allowing his head to rest in his hands as his shoulders sagged. Mayhap he had doomed his own family to exile.

  ~ * ~

  Milisent sat with Ella as they played with the little girl named Lily. She had the look of Alwyn and a spear of jealousy snaked up Milisent’s spine as she watched the child play with her doll. Could Alwyn have fathered this child with another? Another question sought an answer. What was she doing with Rhianna if Alwyn was her sire?

  Of course, she had no intention of asking those questions. Not when she could only guess what Rhianna and her husband thought of her. Traveling with a man who was not kin, nor to whom she was betrothed! No wonder his sister looked so disgusted with them both. A man did not bring his bedmate into his sister’s home.

  Her thoughts led her to thinking of the time in his bed. Rhianna and her husband were correct in their disgust, for now she was little more than a whore. A sad smile touched her lips. Marriage to any man was no longer something to concern her. Gilbert would have to send her to a convent when they returned to Fenton.

  Rhianna, came toward her, the babe in her arms. “I see you have met Lily. Are you entertaining our guest, sweetheart?”

  “Yes sister, I am. As you can see they wanted to see my doll. This is my Gwendolyn and that Gwendolyn belongs to my sister.”

  Milisent started at the two. If Rhianna was her sister... Then this was not a child of Alwyn. She suffered a relief great enough to make her sag against the back of the chair. Nay, the information should mean nothing to her. But it did.

  “Actually,” Rhianna said and sat beside them. “She is my half sister. We share a father. Her own mother died shortly after she was born.” She rocked the bundle in her arms and signaled to one of the servants standing in one of the openings in the cavernous chamber.

  Milisent looked around the room at the display of weapons on the wall. This was truly the home of a warrior, a very wealthy warrior. Large oak beams were strung across the ceiling and a huge fireplace held a whole side of ox, probably meant for the evening meal. The amount of food being cooked must mean a great household. But Rhianna had a look about her that said she could care for this house and more.

  This Garrett was a man even mightier than her brother. He must possess all kinds of power to hold over his wife and his holding. It was an unpleasant thought.

  “How old is your babe?” Milisent asked to quiet the sudden fear that threatened to consume her.

  “She has nearly a year now.” Rhianna beamed as she talked about her babe. “Garrett has promised me several more.”

  The maid Pernith walked toward them. “She is fed?”

  “Aye, time for sleep I think. You can take her now.”

  Pernith lifted the bundle and disappeared in the direction of the stairs that dominated one end of the hall.

  “Now.” Rhianna smiled. “Tell me about your home and what you do at my brother’s house.”

  Once again Milisent’s face felt as if a torch had been set under her chin. Ella opened her mouth to reply, but Milisent glared at her. Ella would tell this Rhianna more than Milisent wanted her to know.

  “I-I— ‘Tis the house I oversee. I served as his chatelaine.”

  When Ella clamped her mouth shut with enough force to hear the click of her teeth, Milisent smiled for the first time since de Bain stopped at Throsle. Never before had Ella kept her words behind her teeth. Her companion had to fear Rhianna and Garrett de Shay as much as she did. It was no wonder, for compared to Fenton this place was a palace. Milisent could not imagine that Edward had a castle grander than this.

  “You are responsible for his entire house?

  “It is a small holding. He has good servants, so there is little I must do. I-I only direct.” Yes, that was a good description of her role at present. Little more than a servant, truth be told.

  “Then there is much here you can help me with. And Ella, do you aid your mistress in her tasks?”

  “Nay, but I do much of the mending at Throsle. I also help with the sewing.”

  “She has a fine stitch,” Milisent added.

  “Oh, wonderful. I find any kind of sewing a task greater than I want to tackle. There is much more with which I must concern myself. Oh, I do believe we will get on very nicely.” She stood and smiled at both of them. “I am glad Alwyn thought to bring you here. It will be nice to have other young women in the house. Now, I must see to the meal.” She gestured toward the fireplace and the roasting meat. “Today you both must rest. Tomorrow I will tell you how you can help me.”

  With that she was gone out of the hall.

  Milisent could not hold her shock. Rhianna had not reacted as expected.

  “That went well,” Ella commented.

  “It was not as awkward as I feared. But I can not feel comfortable here, Ella. He should have taken us back to Fenton. That is where we should be.”

  Ella said nothing but shook her head.

  ~ * ~

  Over the next week, Milisent worked along side Rhianna. They got on well. Milisent was surprised to learn Garrett had kidnapped her as well.

  “‘Tis a long tale. One day I will share it with you. Our beginning was not pleasant.”

  Milisent was full of questions, but Rhianna didn’t seem inclined to tell her story now, so Milisent kept her inquiries to herself. During the day, she seldom saw Alwyn. He and his brother by marriage traveled around the holding, visited the tenants and even at night, much of the supper conversation was about improvements Garrett had made or wanted to make.

  Milisent listened intently, but much of what they discussed was foreign to her. She had never farmed, never been responsible for cattle, and her only concern was the quality and quantity of the produce the tenants' efforts provided at the harvest.

  She had a small herb garden for what little bit of nursing she could do. Any serious illness had to be tended by Ella, the midwife or the barber.

  Part of the day was spent with the children. Lily was absolutely adorable. Rhianna admitted the child had been in her care since the day after her birth so Rhianna was mother and sister to the child. The baby named Gwendolyn spent much of the day sleeping for she had not reached her first year.

  Her nurse, Pernith, allowed Milisent to hold her the third afternoon of their arrival when she admitted she had never held a babe before. Now a week after
their arrival Milisent spent a while every afternoon holding and cooing to the babe. There was such a sweet, fresh smell to her, a new smell. Milisent loved everything about the little girl.

  She found herself wishing things were different for her. Now, she would have to insist Gilbert allow her to go into the convent because marriage was no longer for her. Therefore, the possibility of children no longer existed. Her heart ached at the thought, but she had allowed Alwyn a privilege he should have been denied.

  She had been too weak-willed to stop the pleasure she experienced at the time. Now, she found herself wanting to enjoy those sensations one more time. So what kind of a wanton did that make her?

  They had just settled for the last meal of the day, when a commotion signaled an interruption. One of Alwyn’s soldier rushed forward to the dais.

  He bowed low to Garrett and then address Alwyn. “M’Lord, Owain sent word. You are needed at Thosle. De Bain has returned and it appears the Baron spoke to Sybil.”

  Alwyn rose from the table. “Aye. So what else did Owain say?”

  “That you should return. The Baron is threatening to destroy the house and slay your servants. A number have already fled into the forest.”

  The soldier cleared his throat. “There is one more thing m’Lord.” The soldier hesitated, stuttered and hung his head to deliver the next part of the message. “Owain says to bring Milisent back and give her into the Baron’s care. It will save the house. And your people.”

  Alwyn’s expression turned grim. “Brother.” He indicated he needed to speak to Garrett.

  Garrett rose from the table and stepped away from the dais. “Come.” The two men stomped off in the direction of the solar.

  Milisent shook. If Alwyn took her back to Throsle and de Bain was there, her life was forfeit, especially when he found she had already been bedded. He would want a virgin for wife, but she could no longer claim such an innocence. And knowing de Bain as she did, Alwyn would pay dearly for what he had done. De Bain would want him dead. She was so chilled with fear it seemed to her all blood seemed to have left her body.