1606011324-Lady-Knight-Chenery
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A wave of pain washed over Ariel. He wouldn’t listen to her. “Did you not hear what I just said to you?”
“Aye, it changes nothing. Now get off.”
Devoid of all feeling, Ariel slipped off of Broc. As she climbed to her feet, Broc stood up and retrieved his horse from William. Mounting, he left the clearing.
When Ariel could no longer see Broc, she allowed herself to look at the king. He had left his horse with the knight and came to her side. Geoffrey and Lisette had also moved closer to her. Ariel just barely managed to pull herself together.
William looked Ariel up and down then glared at Geoffrey. “You have not done well by this, Geoffrey de la Roche. Give me the key to this collar. I can no longer stand seeing it around her neck.”
Reaching into the pouch that hung at his belt, Geoffrey pulled out the key and handed it to William. “I wish to seek your forgiveness, sire. I knew nothing of Ariel’s past and Theodoric didn’t inform me. I only wished to keep her at Kilsmere.”
Removing the collar, William disgustedly threw it to the ground. His eyes narrowed at the mark the collar had left around Ariel’s neck. “The woman next to you must be your wife. Was she not good enough for you?”
“I bought Ariel before Lisette came to England. I have kept only to her. Concern for Ariel made me hesitate in removing the collar. I was afraid if I did she would try to make it to her home alone. With her this far gone I planned to release her. She’s smart enough not to endanger her child.”
William nodded. “So, Colwyn is to have a brother or a sister I see.”
“How is my son?” Both Geoffrey and Lisette turned shocked looks in Ariel’s direction.
Smiling, William answered. “He is fine, my lady. Broc has kept his son at his side since your disappearance. The boy even sleeps in the same bed as he.”
Ariel closed her eyes on the tears that welled to the surface. “I have missed him so. He probably won’t remember me. I’ve been gone too long.”
Seeing the tears in her eyes, William pulled Ariel close to him and held her in his arms. “He will quickly learn you are his mother. In time this will only be a memory. Broc will come around.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Do not fret, I will handle Broc. Everything will be put to rights. I will personally see it comes about.”
Chapter 37
Broc sat in the donjon in the hall drinking a tankard of ale. Ariel didn’t seek him out. She needed the solitude of her chamber to think out what she would do about him.
The brightness of the day turned into the shadows of evening and Ariel stayed in her chamber. When the evening meal came and Ariel still didn’t come out, Lisette went to her. At her knock, Ariel bid her enter.
“Ariel, you can’t stay in this chamber indefinitely. You will have to face Broc at some point.”
Ariel sighed. “I know. I just don’t have the energy to fight with him today.”
Lisette slipped onto the bed beside her. She put her arm around Ariel’s shoulders. “You have to eat. Think of your baby.”
Smiling weakly, Ariel agreed. “I know. Could I have some food brought here?”
“Nay. If you hide in here, Broc will think he’s right. That you did something you are ashamed of. You’re stronger than that and you will not be alone. Geoffrey and I will be there, along with the king. He has been scowling at Broc. He believes you.”
Knowing Lisette had made a valid point, Ariel stood up and brushed at her gown. “I guess I do need to show him he has not brought me low. Lead on.”
Linking her arm through Ariel’s, Lisette led her out of the chamber and into the hall. She did not stop until they reached the head table. All conversation ceased. There were two empty seats. Lisette took the one beside Geoffrey, leaving the chair between William and Broc for Ariel. Squaring her shoulders, Ariel went and sat down. Ignoring Broc, she smiled at William as he filled a trencher of food for her.
“Here you go my, my lady. I’m pleased you decided to join us.”
“Lisette has a way of changing one’s mind.”
William glanced over at Geoffrey’s wife. “You like the Lady Lisette?”
“Aye. I’ve come to think of both Geoffrey and Lisette as friends.”
“I bet you do,” Broc said condescendingly.
Choosing to ignore him, Ariel began to eat her meal, but Broc did not let her get away that easily.
“Come on, Ariel. He means more to you than a friend. He had you, for Christ sake.”
Ariel spoke each word carefully. “You can believe what you will. I’m not in the mood to argue with you.”
“What if I am in the mood? Maybe I’m in the mood to take you to bed. You seem not to mind whose bed it is you jump into.”
Ariel stared at her food while she tried to hold her temper in check. She would not give Broc the satisfaction of seeing her succumb to anger.
“What, nothing to say? If I treat you like a serf, would you accept my offer?”
William slammed his fist on the table. “Enough, Broc. Ariel deserves better from you. I thought you loved her. This is no way to treat your future wife.”
Broc snorted rudely. “Who says I will take her to wife now. What I felt for Ariel before, she killed when she went to another man’s bed.” Pushing back his chair, Broc nodded to William and then stomped out of the hall.
* * * *
The remainder of the night Ariel spent tossing and turning on her bed. William had tried to reassure her Broc would eventually come around. He said once back in London everything would be taken care of. They would be leaving early the next day. Ariel doubted Broc would be in a more agreeable mood anytime soon, no matter where he happened to be.
Still tired from lack of sleep, Ariel gathered up her pitifully few belongings and went to the hall. William was there with Geoffrey and Lisette, but Broc was nowhere to be seen, which pleased her. If he had been present she more than likely would have tried to take his head off, metaphorically speaking.
Seeing the sword slung over Ariel’s shoulder, William smiled. “I see my Lady Knight has her sword.”
Giving a noncommittal shrug, Ariel joined them. “I don’t look much like a knight with my stomach sticking out before me.” The others laughed at her quip.
Broc stepped into the hall at that moment. “How nice. I’m sorry to break up this little tête-à-tête, but the horses are ready and I would like to leave.”
With an apologetic look, Ariel bid Geoffrey and Lisette farewell. Kissing Lisette’s cheek, she told them to come to Elmstead and visit her when they had the opportunity to do so. Broc cleared his throat in an effort to hurry her along. Lisette glared at him.
“We would love to come. When your time of lying-in is near I will make sure to be at Elmstead.”
“I would like that.”
Ariel moved to Geoffrey next. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she reached up and kissed him on his cheek. “You may come to Elmstead as well.”
Before Geoffrey could answer, Broc grabbed Ariel by the arm and herded her down the stairs. He didn’t stop until he had her mounted atop a horse and her belongings strapped behind her.
William entered the yard a minute later. Seeing Broc and Ariel already mounted, he jumped onto his horse’s back. He could only shake his head at Broc’s behavior.
* * * *
By the end of their first day of travel, Ariel was so tired she barely could get off her horse. Thanks to William who helped her to dismount, her legs didn’t collapse under her. Tsking, he led her to a fallen log and gently helped her to sit down. He then moved to set up a fire while Broc took care of the horses. Ariel curled her lip at his back. He obviously didn’t care she tired faster than he and William. With each league traveled, Ariel began to feel something akin to hatred for Broc. She had also come to a decision. If he wouldn’t treat her civilly, why should she act any different around him?
All three ate in relative silence, only speaking when they wanted something passed to them. Whe
n the meal finished, they lay down around the fire and fell asleep. The coming dawn they set out once more.
The days flew by with Broc never once slowing their pace. He didn’t seem to notice Ariel barely made it through her meals without nodding off to sleep, but William did. By the end of their journey, he was sending just as many scathing looks in Broc’s direction as Ariel did.
Reaching the city gates, William left Ariel’s side and rode past Broc. He soon disappeared leaving her and her unwanted companion to make their own way through the city. Looking neither to the right nor left, Ariel blindly followed Broc through the busy city streets.
At the fort they were met by Sir Thomas. He had left Kilsmere the evening before their departure. William, who had decided his presence had not been needed, had given him leave to return to London. Helping Ariel dismount, Sir Thomas informed them the king awaited them in the hall.
Taking her belongings off her horse, Ariel pushed past Broc and walked into the hall. She heard Broc’s heavy tread behind her. William met them at the entrance.
“There have been two chambers readied for you. I’ll give you a half an hour to change and refresh yourselves then come to my chambers together.”
Before either Ariel or Broc could voice any protest, William led them to their chambers. Ariel was ushered into her chamber first. Once she crossed the threshold the door firmly shut behind her.
Moving over to the bed she found a gown spread out on top of it. She next noticed the steaming bowl of water that sat on a table beside the bed. Cloths were piled neatly beside it. Ariel would have preferred a bath, but she would make do with the water she had been given.
Throwing her belongings on the bed, Ariel stripped out of her travel stained gown. She dipped a cloth into the warm water and quickly ran it over her body. She felt a little better now that some of the dirt had been sponged away.
Her hair now reached past her shoulders once again. She gathered it together and pulled it back with a piece of leather so it hung in a tail down her back. It needed washing, but it would have to wait.
The gown was made of light weight wool, dyed a pale yellow, which complimented Ariel’s fair coloring. It was of much finer quality than the gown she had been given to wear at Kilsmere.
Slipping the gown over her head, Ariel found the size to be a perfect fit. Right down to the extra material that allowed for her expanding girth. After a check to make sure she was presentable for her interview with the king, she left the chamber and went to see William.
She knocked on the door and stepped through it. William wasn’t alone. Much to her surprise Ariel saw a priest standing next to William. She turned to look questioningly at the king. He was up to something. Something Ariel was sure both she and Broc would not particularly like.
Moments later Broc entered the chamber. Seeing the tableau of William standing next to a priest with Ariel standing before them, it didn’t take him long to figure out what the king had in mind. Wanting no part of it, Broc spun on his heel to leave, William stopped him before he could reach the door.
“I did not give you permission to leave.”
Broc stopped in mid-stride. “Don’t do this to me. If you are my friend, you will not make me go through with this.”
William didn’t relent. “I’m sorry. I cannot allow you to walk away from this. You already have one child who is illegitimate. This time you are able to prevent another from being labeled a bastard.”
Broc whipped around to face William. “This child is not mine! I will not claim another man’s child as my own.”
Sighing, William turned to Ariel. “How far along are you?”
Not looking at Broc, she answered the king. “I am six months gone.”
“You were a month gone when you were taken?”
“Aye, sire.”
Broc interrupted. “She could be lying. If the child does not come in four months, she will only say she is late while all along that was really when the child was due.”
William’s face grew stern with impatience. “Are you saying before coming to London to annul your marriage you didn’t in any way become intimate with Ariel?”
Broc flushed. “Aye...aye, I did. But that doesn’t mean much. It was only one night.”
Ariel shook her head in disbelief then put Broc in his place. “It only took one time for me to become pregnant with Colwyn. How do you explain that?”
Watching Broc open and close his mouth like a gasping fish, Ariel knew she had him backed into a corner. She could only hope he changed his mind about who fathered her child.
Chapter 38
“Be that as it may, I want this marriage to take place and I will do everything to see it done.” William ended the discussion before it could progress any further.
Knowing there would be no swaying William from this course of action, Broc moved to Ariel’s side. The priest started the ceremony that would bind them together for life.
The vows were exchanged with neither participant looking at the other. There was no love shining in their eyes as the words were said over them. What should have been a joyous occasion was nothing more than a task set before them to be completed and endured.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Ariel received a quick peck on the cheek and Broc’s unicorn ring on her finger to seal their vows. His services no longer needed, the priest bowed to William and quietly left the room. Broc and Ariel tried their hardest to ignore each other.
Unable to bear another minute of William’s smug looks, Broc spoke to his friend. “If you have gotten all the enjoyment you can from this charade you concocted, I wish to leave now.”
“You may go.” Broc stalked to the door, but William delayed his departure. “There is one more thing. Don’t try to seek an annulment, I will not allow it this time. I will brook no defiance from you concerning this matter.”
Broc bowed to William. “As you command, sire. Just because I’m stuck with this marriage, it doesn’t mean it will ever be consummated.” He left, slamming the door behind him.
* * * *
Ariel kept her eyes averted away from William. She focused intently on the floor, but when an arm came around her shoulders she looked up to find the king standing beside her. She gave him a weak smile.
“I thank you for what you tried to do for me. I just don’t think Broc will.”
William flashed a smile. “He’ll come around, Ariel. He loves you. Just give him time to figure that out and all will be well.”
“I hope you’re right. But I have a feeling it will be a very long time before Broc gets over this.”
The king didn’t try to change her prediction on that particular matter. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Aye, there is. First I would like to see my son and second, I would be in your debt if you could arrange an escort to take me back to Elmstead. I need to be with my father right now.”
William seemed to understand because he quickly agreed to her requests. “Of course. I sent word to your father when we found you before leaving for Kilsmere. He stayed at Elmstead in the hopes you would be able to find your way home on your own.”
“If I had been able to that is exactly what I would have done.”
“The escort will be ready whenever you decide to leave.”
“Thank you, sire. I would like to leave for Elmstead tomorrow. You can tell Broc, I’m sure you will see him before I do.”
Ariel curtsied and walked out the door. She now had a husband who hated her. At least she still had Colwyn and her father. They would always be there for her.
* * * *
The reunion with Lily and Colwyn ended up being a tearful one. Ariel could not believe how much her son had grown during her absence. He was no longer a baby. If it possible, he looked even more like his father. Seeing Colwyn walk on his cubby legs, Ariel felt the loss of all the time spent away from him. But when her little boy toddled over to her and allowed Ariel to pick him up, it helped to ease some of the pain she felt.
Once Colwyn was put to bed, Ariel and Lily took the opportunity to talk. With Colwyn not around to hear, Lily gently broached the subject of Ariel’s disappearance.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you unharmed. When Broc told me Theodoric had made you a serf I feared the worst.”
“Geoffrey treated me fairly. Theodoric probably expected him to abuse me. He would not be too happy to see I was not.”
Lily glanced down at Ariel’s stomach and smiled. “How does Broc feel about being a father again?”
Ariel shook her head at first unable to answer. “He’s not very happy about it.”
Lily seemed puzzled by her answer. “Whyever not? With you gone he tried to fill the void in Colwyn’s life. He loves the boy, they became inseparable.”
Ariel sighed and thought of how best to word her response to Lily. “I was a serf, Lily. Broc assumes Geoffrey made use of my body. He hasn’t given me a chance to explain.”
Lily’s face flushed at Ariel’s words. “Ah, I see. So Broc thinks the child is Geoffrey’s. Did you not tell him you were with child when you were taken?”
“Of course, but he doesn’t believe me.” Ariel paused and stared at Lily. “How did you know I was already pregnant?”
“I live with you. I helped you with the washing and such. You didn’t have your monthly flow that month. The last time was before Broc left and sought an annulment from Alwen. I had a feeling you were.”
Ariel just shook her head. “As you can see your suspicions turned out to be correct. Now all you have to do is convince Broc. He will no longer listen to me. Especially now, since William forced him to do something he didn’t want to do.”
“What could be so bad that he will no longer speak to you?”