Her Father's Daughter

by Jennifer Mueller

  "If that is the case, Gwenhyfer, I thank you very much. You'll be well paid."

  She rose quickly as she said, "I do not need money, but you'll need something to eat. You need to get your strength back if you ever hope to rise from bed once more. You're not out of danger yet."

  He nodded vaguely, settling his head back on the pillows as she left. She puzzled the Norman, for very few could ignore the possibility of money in this time of high Norman taxes. Instead, she seemed more worried after his welfare. Many, if nothing else, would have used the chance to get into good graces with one of the conquerors. After several minutes, Gwenhyfer came back with a thick stew and dark rich bread.

  "I am Robert," he offered the woman, who looked nothing like she should be serving him. Despite the leather tunic, she was no peasant.

  Gwenhyfer smiled vaguely. Robert narrowed his eyes, unsure of the reason until she opened her mouth. "Your coat of arms is on your surcoat, but, as for your given name, welcome to my home, Robert."

  Robert narrowed his eyes. "You know my coat of arms? What kind of Saxon manor house is this?"

  "As my father told me, knowing whom you deal with is always a smart thing, especially when amongst your enemies. Do you not agree, Count d'Urbanville?"

  Suddenly Robert felt he might not have landed in such a secure place after all. His hand went for the sword at his waist only to find bare flesh.

  Gwenhyfer batted his hand away from his waist so she could set the tray on his lap. "Fine thanks I get. I let you feel my breasts without complaint to keep you quiet and you go for your sword. You must've been delirious."

  "You mean that was not a dream from the fever?"

  Gwenhyfer laughed as she sank into the chair at his side. "Nor the result either. It has been a long time for you, and any woman would do, or you really like the looks of me. Your lady should be jealous that you're thinking such things either way."

  "Trust me, you're a woman to give any man dreams, fever or not. If I had a lady, she should be jealous."

  "So I've seen. Now eat your meal."

  She held secrets in that grin of hers. Robert knew that much. She took the compliment, off-hand or not, too easily. Robert could only take several bites of the stew without his curiosity getting the better of him. "Is there a title that goes with that shield I saw downstairs?" he asked cautiously. He hoped if he could at least find out a name, he could decipher her actions. A Saxon who knew Norman heraldry was not a common find, even less so in the middle of nowhere.

  "My father's shield and sword He was the Eoarl of Moerhab," she said in passing, without mentioning that she held a title of Lady.

  "And you know who I am and my rank?"

  Gwenhyfer folded her hands in front of her face and promptly hid a smile behind them. "If you mean that you're the cousin to King William and the head of his armies, yes. I knew that as soon as I saw your crest when you stood dripping on my clean floor."

  "Then you're holding me for your Saxons to come and take me for ransom."

  Gwenhyfer started laughing, but did not explain her fit of hilarity. "They would have you already if I intended such. I told you they came through the same night you did." She got up and walked over to a chest where she pulled out some clothes. "I'll get these shortened, so you can have something to wear when you're up to leaving bed. You'll not attract so much attention in them. I think that it may be a good while before you're up to traveling home." She left, and Robert heard the murmur of voices from the other room. He resolved to keep his voice lowered in the future, if there were indeed others around. On a chest near the bed, he could see all his weapons and belongings cleaned and waiting for him, perhaps even sharpened as they shone brightly. They should be long gone, but even his pouch of coins sat there, apparently as full as when he collapsed. Gwenhyfer soon returned.

  "Then I am not to be held for ransom?" he asked immediately.

  She chuckled once more. "You do not know with whom you deal, but that does not surprise me."

  "You expect to be rewarded for your care of me, then?"

  Her eyes flitted to him for a moment, anger flashed in them as if the thought offended her. "My father left me a sizable estate, some five thousand acres on top of my own monies. I've little need of more unless your visit here is to levy higher taxes on my lands."

  "I am only lost and wounded, nothing more. Do you wish to be introduced at court? A beauty such as yours, you could be the center of every nobleman's attention, find a fine match."

  "I am a Saxon Lady." As if it explained everything, she said nothing more. Perhaps it did. It was a Norman court.

  Robert could only shake his head. "Since the thought of money or notice seem not to interest you, is there anything I can do to repay you for this? And, indeed, not turning me over for ransom."

  Gwenhyfer looked at him, thoughtful for a moment. "If it is within your power to see that I keep what is already mine then that is all I ask. I am a woman running this manor alone. It would be easy enough for your William to take it from me when he wishes to grant one of his lords or knights properties in the land he has just conquered. Even with me being as far away from everything as I am, this is a manor the King visited."

  He crooked an eyebrow. "King Edward visited here?"

  "Yes, of course. The hunting is quite good."

  Robert remembered his meal before he collapsed. A manor, not to mention a title, the right to kill the deer had been hers long before William set foot on the island. In truth, they were her animals to do with as she pleased. But then again, when a conqueror comes to power, everyone assumes the worst, truth or not. "I believe that is something I've the ability to see to."

  "I ask for nothing more than to keep my home." She opened the window to let in sunlight to sew by. It also let in a blast of warm air that swept away the stale smell of sickness.

  "Would you be offended if I told you something personal?"

  She did not look up from her work. "You've the right to say as you wish, my Lord."

  "I remember you saying you had no husband. I cannot think of any reason that you've not married. Any man would have to be crazy if he thought not to marry you. My dreams do not lie."

  Gwenhyfer smiled prettily. It had been far too long since he had seen such a smile.

  "You're not from this area. Now I've a question for you. How did you come to be here? There is only the monastery and the village within a few miles then nothing for over two days' journey, not even a main road."

  Robert eagerly took the mug of ale she handed him from the side table. "I found that out. I rode for close to two days after I separated from the skirmish. I hoped to spend the night and then ride on before I caused you any trouble. You may be in some danger keeping me here." Gwenhyfer started to grin. "What is so funny in my misfortune?"

  "I live in danger every day. Do you think it is safe for a woman to live alone so far from anyone? I would make as good a captive as anyone else. Women are an especially favored commodity. That I am not plain only makes it worse. My father left a house that can keep most out. You'll be safe enough until you're able to protect yourself again, at least if you can keep from yelling out Norman in your sleep." Robert tried to speak, but grabbed his side in pain from the strain of just being awake. "You're not well enough for this. Perhaps it would be better for me to work elsewhere."

  "No, please stay. It is rare that I have the chance to talk to a woman, let alone a beautiful one. Fighting leaves little time for it."

  Gwenhyfer sat back down, shaking her head at him. She said nothing for a good while, though, letting him rest and eat.

  * * * *

  Almost two weeks passed. Being a Sunday, no one came visiting the house. For once, the yard outside stood quiet. As Robert walked slowly, venturing further, he saw all that Gwenhyfer did and that she did not benefit from her request alone. There had to be very few farms on her property, the land not good for it. The taxes that William levied might very well ruin them all.

  The route grew thick
with trees that blocked the light except for dappled ripples of sun that broke through and checkered the ground below. There, hidden in the depths of a pool, Gwenhyfer swam, its brownish hue disguising her bare form. The glimpses he caught were more than enough to make him rise again.

  "So you do know how to rise before midday after all, but you should be back at the house. You're not strong enough to be out alone," she said to him. Could she see his state? No, she spoke Saxon words, not Norman. She asked if he woke before midday.

  He looked at his reflection in the water. Brown hair awry, he badly needed a shave. A tall man with broad shoulders and dark coloring, being in his mid twenties made him several years older than Gwenhyfer. His high post he credited to being cousin to William. The King wanted those he trusted beside him. "Why do you come here to bathe instead of doing so at the house?"

  Gwenhyfer swam lazily across the pool. Only a splendid back remained in sight. Then she kicked off, and he caught sight of her full length. Lord, what a view. He had known she was tall, but to see legs of such length still surprised him. Not to mention her backside. Only a deep breath kept his thoughts from showing.

  "When my parents died, I wanted to see someone. Even if it is only my reflection in the water. That is why I've gone out of my way to have the villagers help with the sheep and the weaving. I am lonely. Besides, I do bathe once a week. My stench I keep to myself."

  Robert sniffed and, despite his insensitive nose, smelled himself. The week of fever only made him worse. "Point taken, once you've gone, I shall clean as well as I can with such a wound. But you could've gone to court, been the King's ward, if you wished to have others around?"

  Her color rose from that comment, yet not from being found nude in a pond by a strange man. "I do not fancy marrying whomsoever the King chooses to suit his agenda, to make some peace, or fill someone's coffers. Besides, I'll not be settled with some man treating me as his property, only to breed his heirs and look pretty at his side, while he cares nothing for me."

  "Gwenhyfer, you're a rare woman. Now what is your plan for me? I am not a complete invalid. I have to start earning my keep somehow."

  "Sire, your only duty to me is to get back to the house and rest. I can go with you if you wish to take some short walks, but it is not good for you to tire yourself too much. Otherwise you may not be able to make your way back. The Saxons have not left the area completely, even though your attack sent most of them away. It may be they're the ones that find you, or someone in need of the reward they've offered. This is a poor area. The people may be proud, but they need food more. You're a stranger to them, even if I told them you turned up for a few days' work and fell ill. It is not the first time someone has wandered across my door for such. If the Saxons tell them who they're looking for, and have any description to give, they may think you're taking advantage of my hospitality. Turn your back while I get out. I'll wait here until you're finished."

  "Yes, Milady." Robert could not help but peek out of the corner of his eye as she raised herself out of the water. No gentleman should think the thoughts going through his head about a lady. Never did he see a woman at court like her, long dark hair to her knees, full breasts, not to mention the face of an angel.

  Robert repaid his care and board only by talking with his angel of mercy once the others left for the day. He could make her accept no more. Gwenhyfer would not even accept his doing small chores around the manor that he saw needed to be done, or ought to be done. When he mentioned them, she refused his help, but within a day of his asking, he would find it done either by her or one of men from the village who made extra money doing chores.

  * * * *

  Gwenhyfer worked in the garden, a space filled with vegetables, fruits, nuts and berries enough to feed many. Beehives dotted the enclosed area, providing not only honey, but wax for candles. The whinny of a horse alerted her as someone approached, and her head jerked up. Several men rode up toward the house, Saxon soldiers again. Not the same ones as before. Gwenhyfer purposefully got up and walked into the kitchen where Robert sat eating his meal. The last of the sheep were shorn, leaving him free to wander as he pleased within the walls. Only the shepherd remained, and he had wandered far from there with the flock. Gwenhyfer slipped the girdle from her waist and removed her jewelry. They did not fit the part she meant to play.

  "Do not open your mouth, even if they find out you're here. Your speech will give you away," she whispered before she went back out with a digging stick and began working once again as they came closer. Her actions looking natural as could be.

  "Woman, have you seen a Norman come this way in the last few weeks?"

  "No one comes this way much. Only a traveler now and then looking for work. The Lord and his Lady when they come once or twice a year and want their money, and the Lord wants in my bed." She kept working as if they were any other person come to visit. "Oh, would you look at that. The gophers have been at my carrots again." She threw down the damaged carrot with a frown. Then a noise came from the kitchen.

  "Who else is here? Perhaps they've seen someone."

  "Only a man that came looking for work a few days ago. All he talks about are those damn sheep. Except when he tries to plead his way into my bed. He is good enough looking, but I ask you, would you want someone that smells like sheep's dung in bed with you?" She stood with an armful of vegetables. "Would you care for something to eat? I just fed the workers, and there is still some left. I can fill your bellies before you're on your way again."

  "Thank you kindly. We've not had a hot meal in many days."

  "Come and sit then. You'll find there is plenty of room to rest yourself in the great hall. I'll be out shortly with the food." She disappeared into the kitchen as they headed around to the great hall.

  Gwenhyfer stirred the pot at the fire when Robert silently walked up behind her. She could feel the heat of him close to her, but he didn't touch her. "Mon ange, you have to be the smartest woman I ever met," he whispered. His breath rustled the hair where it came loose from the braid. Before her parents died, men praised her for being beautiful all the time, but somehow getting a compliment on her mind meant more. No man ever dared to touch her with her father around, but Robert's war callused finger traced the edge of her tunic, and she savored the feel of another person. Was it her imagination, or did his mouth caress her ear faintly?

  "Have you any water?" a call came from the other room. "I can get it if you just tell me where."

  Robert did not move his finger away from her though. Gwenhyfer whispered, "That does not say much for the women you've met then. My father always taught me that the best weapon a person has is his mind. A sword should be the last resort."

  "A very wise man," he replied. It wasn't her imagination; she felt him pulling the edge of her tunic aside. "I may not smell like sheep dung, but I'll gladly plead my way in your bed to help your story." The bite to the skin he uncovered came as a complete surprise, and she yelped. His lips burned hot against her skin as they soothed the hurt he made. Her breath came short when he kept going up her neck. She should stop him, but could not bring herself to do it. "A wise woman would stop me."

  She turned with the pot in her grasp. He wanted her, but she wondered would he still if he knew the truth? Would she scare him as well? "Opinionated, headstrong maybe, I've never claimed wise as a virtue." His hands framed her face, brushing the hair away, and Gwenhyfer closed her eyes. Then his lips touched hers. So that was what it felt like to kiss a man. For a warrior, he fought no battle, gentle in every movement, but the touch of his tongue made her open her mouth. The invasion took her breath away. The scrape of a bench from the other room brought him up short. Gwenhyfer opened her eyes slowly.

  "There is something you do not know," she forced herself to whisper.

  "That you've never kissed a man; that part is obvious."

  Between the kiss and fear, her heart beat hard. "No, the reason no man has married me, let alone kissed me."

  "Do you need help
, my lady? I am sorry, but I am hungry enough to eat a horse." The voice sounded close, making Gwenhyfer jump.

  "How dare you talk to me that way! Get out of here, you lazy oaf. That fence won't fix itself." She feigned loud enough, hoping the soldiers would hear. Laughter rewarded her from the other room.

  "Yes, Milady." Robert whispered, with a grin, before slipping out.

  * * * *

  The act that afternoon saved Robert. However one of the men that worked with the sheep was drunk in the village when the Saxons arrived. He contemplated the source of the fine sorrel horse in the barn when the Mistress never traveled anywhere to buy such a horse, a horse finer than he ever saw.

  Gwenhyfer returned from a trip to the kitchen to find Robert gone. "Mother of God, You'll get yourself killed!" she muttered as she ran outside through the open door.

  The same three Saxons kept Robert backed against the wall. One beat directly on his wound while the other two held him.

  "I would thank you kindly to leave my guest be. My word will mean nothing should he come to harm," Gwenhyfer called out of the gloom.

  "The ransom we receive off this one is fine profit to pay for your word. The word of a traitor means nothing." One of the men holding him let go to find her, but the darkness kept her hidden.

  "It is me you want. Leave her out of this! She knows nothing of me." Robert yelled, his reward another blow.

  "No, I think you'll both die this night, the invader and the traitor." The Saxon took a few more steps toward her voice, but before he could do anything, he lay dead on the ground, an arrow between the eyes.

  Only then could Robert see the glint of her eyes in the faint moonlight peeking from behind a heavy cloud. It did little to illuminate the darkened forest. She moved, and he had no idea where she'd vanished.

  "Go find her and that bastard archer she has helping her," the Saxon hitting Robert ordered. The other let go, and Robert fell to the ground, feeling his wound reopened, blood dripping. The searching Saxon took several steps, and he too joined his friend with an arrow in the neck. The last man kept his sword at Robert's neck and, at the second man dead, brought the sword closer.