He brought his belt down twice, in rapid succession. Elvina shrieked loudly and tried to pull herself forward across the bed, away from the torturous instrument, but Arthur quickly pulled her back in place and pressed his hand down on her back again, only this time, further up.
"Remain still, Elvina!" he commanded, holding her firmly as he raised the belt again.
"I cannot, Arthur. It doth hurt so!" she cried.
Thwack!
"Thee will obey me, wife, or else!"
After twenty strokes, her bottom sported several raised welts, and he could hear her muffled cries as she buried her face in the coverlet.
Throwing the belt down on the bed, Arthur gathered her into his arms. She laid her head on his chest and clutched her slim body to his. When her breathing returned to normal, she spoke in a small voice.
"I am truly sorry, Arthur. My intention was innocent, I assure thee."
"Be that as it may, thou will never step foot in that witch's house again, doth thou hear me?"
"Aye, Arthur."
He stroked her arm. "A babe will come when 'tis ready. 'Tis God's will. Sulis is in partnership with the devil, 'tis wherefore she has been outcast. A woman of her ilk can never be trusted, and Cynwise was wrong to mention her to thee. 'Tis a matter Renaud will be discussing with her when he is recovered." He gently moved her away. "Now, get thee to bed. I will check on Renaud and return anon."
Elvina slowly began to unlace her bodice as he left the room, a contrite look upon her face.
Two weeks later…
"I am with child?" exclaimed Elvina, staring at Morleth in amazement.
"Aye, my lady. I would say thou art two months gone."
"Two months? But my flux hath only recently stopped."
"Aye, it sometimes happens thus. I can assure thee, my lady, that a child grows within thy womb. 'Tis why thee hath been so sick."
"I thought I had an ailment. What wondrous news, Morleth!"
"Aye, wondrous news indeed, but thee will hath to look after thy health. Plenty of bed rest and fresh fruit, whenever possible."
Elvina hardly heard him, such was her excitement. She placed a hand on her midriff and smiled happily. She was finally pregnant, and they had done it all on their own, without Sulis the witch's help.
"Go and tell Lord Arthur, my lady...he will be overjoyed," Morleth suggested.
Elvina thanked him and rushed from the room, in search of her husband. Finally, she could give him an heir.
She found Arthur walking along the parapets. When she told him her news, he was elated and hugged her slim frame to his. "When will the babe arrive, Elvina?"
"Seven months nigh."
"Mayhap our new home will be built by the time he arrives?"
"He? Mayhap, 'tis a she!" Elvina exclaimed with a laugh.
"Aye, perchance, although methinks 'twill be a boy. A fine, strong boy whom we shall name William, after our king."
"Aye, husband, a perfect name for a union betwixt Saxon and Norman." She pulled his head down and kissed him deeply. "I love thee, Arthur."
"And I thee, Elvina."
Together, they looked out across the fields to the setting sun, happy and content in their marriage to one another and the knowledge that their two would soon become three.
Chapter Six
Saxon Mischief
Dunster Castle, Somerset, England 1072
Elvina stared across the small table at Cynwise with irritation. "What dost thou find so amusing?"
Cynwise giggled. "There is no need to be so indignant. 'Tis just thy face shows every emotion."
They were playing nine men's morris in the great hall and, despite her best efforts, Elvina was losing. She huffed loudly and moved another piece on the board, to which Cynwise immediately did a counter attack and stole two of her pieces.
"Oh,' tis unfair!" exclaimed Elvina. In a fit of pique, she pushed the board away, causing some of the pieces to roll onto the floor. She turned her body away, folding her arms across her chest.
"Hmm, someone got out of bed today on the wrong side," noted Cynwise, stooping to pick up the fallen pieces before they rolled off, never to be found again. She placed them back on the board and stared at her sister in law. "Dost thou miss Arthur? Is that wherefore thou art so glum?"
Both their husbands were away, patrolling the next county for Saxon rebels. They would be gone for several days until they deemed the area secure.
Elvina slumped her shoulders. "I apologise, Cynwise. I am just in bad fettle today. Aye, I am missing my husband, but my emotions seem all over the place. One minute, I feel happy, the next, vexed."
Cynwise nodded knowingly. "I will warrant 'tis thy pregnancy. Methinks we should do something outside today. The fresh air will do both the babe and thee the world of good."
Elvina placed a hand over her rounded stomach. At three months gone, her body was already filling out. "Aye, mayhap we should travel into the village. We could visit Orva at the mill – she bakes the tastiest bread."
"Oh, that is another thing – pregnancy makes thee verily hungry. Be careful what thee dost eat, Elvina. Arthur may find himself married to a sow!" Cynwise's mouth twitched with mirth, and Elvina quickly rose, ready to make her regret her words, but Cynwise was already heading for the door. "I jest, Elvina, I jest!"
* * *
That afternoon, they travelled to the village in the cart with two men-at-arms by their side, for safety, and their driver, Drew. The air was a little chilly, and they sat next to each other, their legs wrapped in a fur blanket and their thick woollen cloaks around their shoulders for warmth.
When they reached the outskirts of the village, they could hear music. Elvina leaned forward, straining to hear more, her face lit up with excitement. "That sounds akin to Milo, the travelling minstrel. Dost thou think it is he? I do so love his voice."
Cynwise smiled wickedly. "Dost thou not also like his handsome face, for I knowest I do!"
Elvina's eyes widened. "Cynwise! Do not let Renaud hear thee speak so. Not only because he will punish thee for thy wicked thoughts but he wouldst ban poor Milo from the castle and then neither of us could look upon his handsome face," she added, her eyes sparkling with merriment.
"Ha! I knew thee were not immune to him."
The carriage clattered through the wooden gates into the village and came to a standstill. Drew jumped down and then helped Elvina and Cynwise onto the ground. There was a small crowd gathered in the middle of the green, and the two women quickly joined them, peering over their shoulders to get a look at the handsome Milo.
He held a lute in his hand, and his sweet voice filled the air, singing about a fair damsel and her broken heart. Elvina sighed softly. "His voice could melt the hardest of hearts. 'Tis so pure."
"Aye, I could listen to him all day. We should invite him to the castle to entertain everyone," Cynwise suggested, playing with a strand of her hair whilst her eyes roamed over his fine physique.
"What a wondrous idea," Elvina agreed. "When he takes a break, we shall ask him." She glanced at Cynwise. "Desist staring at his muscles, Cynwise, else people start to notice!"
"I am not staring at his muscles – I am merely watching him play his lute!" Cynwise declared, her voice rising a little.
"Liar!" accused Elvina, smirking.
Suddenly, Elvina felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find a well-dressed woman glaring at her. "I am trying to listen to the music, and all I can hear are thee two babbling away. Dost thou hath no respect for others?"
Her beady eyes pierced Elvina's, and she immediately bristled. She shrugged her hand off angrily. "Of course, we do. Mayhap thou art too deaf to hear the music easily. I suggest thee should stand at the front, away from us!"
"How rude!" the woman declared, her jaw dropping open in surprise.
"Nay, thou art rude," agreed Cynwise, listening to the exchange. "Thou art eavesdropping. Be gone, and take thy foul mouth with thee!"
The woman looked from one to the
other, her face almost puce with anger before she stalked off. Elvina shook her head. "Horrible old hag. We were not loud, were we?"
Cynwise thought about it for a second. "Nay, at least, I did not think so. Anyway, she needed a flea in her ear with her attitude. Odious woman."
"Aye, I am in agreement." Elvina glanced back to Milo to see he had just finished singing. "Come, let us forget her and follow after Milo before he leaves."
A little while later, they both left for home with the promise that Milo would be arriving at the castle on the morrow to entertain everyone.
* * *
The next morning, the castle constable, Guillaume approached Cynwise and Elvina as they stood together in one of the storerooms sifting through fabrics.
"My lady, the family Riffaud are at the gates."
Cynwise's threw the fabric down and pulled a face. "Oh, Lord! What do they want?"
"I presume they hath come to visit, my lady. He did not say otherwise."
Cynwise turned to Guillaume. "Who is in the party?"
"There is a carriage and several men-at-arms, my lady. Sir Albus Riffaud rides astride his own mount and did not declare the occupants in the carriage."
Cynwise slumped her shoulders. "Very well, allow them entry. I will greet them in the great hall."
"Aye, my lady."
When he had gone, Elvina asked, "Who are they, Cynwise?"
"A family that Renaud has known for several years."
"But thee dost not approve?"
"Nay, the daughter is a jezebel!"
Elvina bit her bottom lip. "What willst thou do if the daughter is with them?"
"Take a broom to her and shoo her from the castle!" Cynwise threatened, her lip curled in disgust.
Elvina laughed. "Nay, truly, Cynwise, is she as awful as thou doth portray?"
"Aye. Her name is Claudette, and thee hath just as much reason to dislike her as I, for it was not only Renaud that she hankered after but Arthur, too."
Elvina gasped. "Harlot!"
Cynwise proceeded to tell her how she had dusted Valerian on her clothing and had therefore made her unappealing to Arthur.
"She cannot stay here," declared Elvina, her face set in stubborn lines. "What if she is still here when our husbands return? If she starts making eyes at Arthur, I shall be more than vexed, I can tell thee!"
"Aye, I am of the same mind. We shall hath to be verily sneaky, though, Elvina, for her family are allies of the de Clairvoys, and it would do us well to have caution. Renaud and Arthur will not stand for them to be insulted."
Elvina chewed her bottom lip. "Thee will hath to accommodate them. Thee hath no choice. Mayhap, this Claudette will hath changed? Mayhap she may even be wed?"
"I doubt it. No one wouldst wed her, with that temperament!"
"Come then, put on a brave face, and we shall greet them together."
Exiting the storeroom, they made their way down the winding stone staircase and headed towards the great hall.
When they entered, they both stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes widening in shock as they looked upon their guests.
"Good Lord, Elvina! That's the horrible woman from the village!" Cynwise said,under her breath.
The woman in question was staring back at them, her face set. It was obvious from the scathing look in her eyes that she recognised them. Elvina chewed her bottom lip nervously.
Sir Albus stepped forward and kissed Cynwise's hand. "My Lady Cynwise. I hope we do not intrude, but Renaud didst mention that we would be welcome at any time."
"Of course, my lord. We hath plenty of room and 'tis never a hardship to entertain allies of the de Clairvoy family." She turned to Elvina. "This is my sister-in-law, Elvina. She is married to Arthur."
He kissed her hand. "Arthur is a fortunate man, my Lady Elvina."
She blushed. "Thank thee, my lord."
Cynwise held her hand out towards the hearth. "Prithee, take a seat by the fire and warm thyselves. I will order some refreshments."
He smiled and beckoned to the woman behind him. "First, I wouldst like to introduce my dear wife, Helena, and thou knowest my fair daughter, Claudette, already."
Elvina gulped. So the odious woman from the village was his wife. If she mentioned their interchange to their husbands, then their bottoms were history. She watched as Cynwise plastered a smile on her face. "Indeed. My Lady Helena, 'tis a pleasure to receive thee…and Claudette, how wondrous to see thee again."
They coolly nodded at one another. Lady Helena spoke, "I do hope thee will keep a civil tongue in thy head, my lady. I do not wish to hath a repeat of our encounter yesterday!"
Lord Albus frowned. "What is this thee speak of?"
Before Cynwise or Elvina could reply, she did it for them. "'Twas just a little misunderstanding, husband. It can be forgotten." Her eyes flashed at them both, and they had the distinct feeling that she was going to make them pay for her silence.
Elvina spoke up quickly. "Dost thou intend to stay awhile, my lord?"
"A few days, mayhap a week. 'Twill not inconvenience thee too much, I hope?"
Elvina shook her head. "Nay, of course not."
Damn. She was hoping they would be gone by the time Renaud and Arthur returned. "Cynwise, wouldst thou accompany me to the kitchens? I knowest not what to prepare."
"Certainly." They left the Riffaud family to settle on the chairs before the fire and quickly made their way towards the kitchens. Outside in the corridor, Elvina spoke in hushed tones. "Wherefore art they staying so long?"
"I know not! Arthur and Renaud will be returning in a couple of days – what if that odious woman tells them what occurred in the village?"
Elvina shivered, picturing exactly what would happen to her backside if Arthur found out. She ground her teeth angrily. "There is only one solution, Cynwise. We must get them to leave!"
"How can we do that without appearing rude – again?"
"I will think on it. But I do not wish to hath either of those women under the same roof as our husbands."
Cynwise rolled her eyes. How on earth were they to know that the woman at the village had been the Lady Helena?
* * *
Milo arrived mid-morning, to the delight of both Cynwise and Elvina. He smiled easily, flashing his pearly white teeth when they both ran up to him in the bailey.
"Milo! I am so glad thou hast come," gushed Cynwise, her eyes flashing saucily.
"I would never refuse either of thee – or thy coin!"
Elvina pulled a face. "Surely 'tis our company and not our coin thee prefer, Milo?"
"Of course." He took their hands and steered them over to a stone bench. "Take a seat, and I will sing thee a song."
Pulling his lute from where it hung on his shoulder, he began to sing them a love song. They were both doe eyed by the time he had finished.
"Thou hast the voice of an angel, Milo." Cynwise sighed.
"Mayhap he can calm the dragon inside the castle!" Elvina suggested, pointing over her shoulder.
"What dragon dost thou speak of?" Milo enquired, nestling himself between the two comely women. "Dost she breathe fire?"
"Aye." Elvina giggled. "Tis the Lady Helena Riffaud."
He rolled his eyes. "I know of whom thee speak. She is quite fearsome, her daughter even more so. Mayhap my singing will bring out their sweet natures hidden so deep within?"
"I wish thee luck, dearest Milo," Cynwise exclaimed, pulling a face. She stood up and grabbed his hand. "Come and take some refreshment afore luncheon. Thee can entertain everyone after we hath eaten."
* * *
It was whilst Elvina watched Milo play his lute after lunch that an idea formed in her mind. She leaned nearer to Cynwise, sitting next to her and whispered, "I think I knowest how to make the Riffaud family leave the castle."
Cynwise moved her ear closer to Elvina. "What dost thou hath in mind?"
"Noise and lots of it! We can make a din outside their room – choose a moment when they are either napp
ing or mayhap, even when they hath retired for the night, and I can play Milo's lute and thee can sing."
"I cannot sing!" hissed Cynwise.
"Exactly my point. Thee can sing as well as I can play the lute – both equally bad!"
Cynwise raised an eyebrow and sniggered. "Surely that will drive them away if naught else will. Thy plan is splendid, Elvina. I cannot wait to put it into action."
Elvina glanced at Claudette and raised her goblet of wine. "Some more wine, Claudette?"
She shook her head. "Nay, thank thee. Methinks I will take a little nap – the travelling this morning hath left me most fatigued."
"Methinks I will do the same," said Lady Helena, looking at her husband. "My Lord, will thee join me?"
"Nay, wife. The castle constable hath offered to take me on a hunt." He rubbed his hands together gleefully. "The grounds here at Dunster offer plenty of sport. We shall eat well this eve."
Elvina exclaimed under her breath so only Cynwise could hear, "Perfect timing."
An hour later, and the castle corridors were quiet as the occupants slumbered peacefully. Elvina slipped from her bedchamber and returned to the great hall where Milo was sleeping peacefully in front of the hearth on a straw pallet, his head lolling against one of the chairs.
She crept towards him and, taking his lute from his sleeping form, she tiptoed back up the winding narrow staircase and tapped on Cynwise's bedchamber door.
Cynwise opened it quickly and stepped outside, leaving baby Hubert asleep in his cradle, his nursemaid lying asleep next to him on a small pallet on the floor.
"I do hope this works, Elvina." She sniggered.
"Even if it doth not, at least we hath the satisfaction of irking her."
They walked down several corridors until they came to the west wing where they knew Claudette and Helena would be dozing. Placing her hand over the strings, Elvina looked at Cynwise to see if she was ready. With a quick nod, they both began to sing and play.
Arthur: Knights of Normandy Book 2 Page 8