1606011324-Lady-Knight-Chenery

by Lady Knight (lit)

“After assuming the child was not his, he retracted his offer of marriage. So William took matters into his own hands. He had us married shortly after we arrived in London.”

  Lily sadly shook her head. “Oh, Ariel. I’m so sorry. I know that was not how you wished to be married. So I take it Broc is even madder than he was before.”

  Ariel nodded. “Very. After the ceremony he walked out and I haven’t seen him since.”

  “What do you plan to do now?”

  Shrugging, Ariel said, “There is nothing left to do but to go home to Elmstead. Father will at least be happy to see me.”

  “When do we leave?”

  “William has arranged an escort. We will leave as early as possible on the morrow. The king said he would tell Broc where I went.”

  Seeing the heartache in Ariel’s eyes, Lily gave Ariel a hug. “Maybe the separation is what Broc needs. Give him time to think things over. He’s just jealous. His anger won’t last long.”

  “Time will tell, Lily. Time will tell.”

  * * * *

  The escort consisted of two guards with one unexpected surprise. Ranulf stood next to her horse waiting. When he saw Ariel walk into the yard, he threw his arms open wide. Needing no further invitation, she stepped into his embrace.

  Ranulf pulled Ariel close and held her tightly against him. He seemed almost afraid to let her go, afraid she would disappear once again. Ariel let him hold her until Ranulf felt comfortable with letting go.

  “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you again, Ariel. When I arrived here late last night, William told me you had been found. He had to stop me from rushing to your chamber to see for myself.”

  “Have you been out searching for me all this time? On your own?”

  “Aye, I couldn’t sit here and do nothing.”

  Ariel smiled warmly at Ranulf. “You probably have heard I’m leaving for Elmstead today.”

  Ranulf nodded his head. “Aye, I think it’s for the best. With the babe on the way you need to be where you are most comfortable.”

  Averting her eyes, Ariel shrugged her shoulders. “I guess.”

  With a finger under her chin, Ranulf made her look up at him. “William told me about Broc, I know everything. That is the reason why I asked to be part of your escort. I also plan to stay at Elmstead for however long you have need of me. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

  “Broc will not be at pleased.”

  Ranulf waved her concerns away. “Do you think I care? You need a friend right now, someone to lean on for support. Think of me as your shoulder to cry on.”

  Ariel chuckled. “I can’t say I will make much use of your shoulder, but I will probably have use for your sword arm. I have a feeling Broc will do all he can to make me angry, which means lots of sword practice.”

  Ranulf smiled in return. “Well then, my lady, I’m yours to do with as you wish. Now if you will allow me, I will assist you onto your horse. The rest of our party is ready to depart.”

  Realizing Lily and Colwyn already sat on a horse, Ariel let Ranulf help her mount up. Looking back at the hall she saw William standing at the entrance.

  “All ready to leave I see.”

  “Aye, I’m most anxious to see my father.”

  William bowed his head. “Then I bid you adieu, my Lady Knight. You are welcome to come to court any time you wish.”

  “Thank you, sire. I’ll send word when the babe is born. Until we meet again.”

  Kicking her horse into motion, Ariel surveyed the yard. There was no sign of Broc. She did not need him. She managed to have Colwyn without him. She could have this babe on her own as well. There were plenty of people at Elmstead who cared about her.

  Chapter 39

  Every afternoon since the messenger had come from London, Swein stood at the edge of the village waiting. He knew he looked foolish, but he couldn’t help himself. His daughter was coming home. He needed to see her first before anybody else in the village.

  Swein looked into the distance and saw a cloud of dust rising in the air. Blinking, he looked a second time, to make sure he had actually seen it instead of his mind playing tricks on him. The cloud didn’t disappear under closer inspection.

  With each minute that passed the cloud moved ever closer. When shapes could be discerned within, Swein recognized Ariel in the forefront of the group. His heart skipped a beat.

  Her hair had grown long during her time away. Swein swallowed convulsively. Ariel looked so much like her mother; it hurt to look at her. The older Ariel became the more she resemble her dead mother. Waving at the riders, Swein caught her daughter’s attention. Detaching herself from the rest of the group, Ariel cantered her horse over to where her father stood. In a cloud of dust, she eased herself from her horse’s back and threw herself into Swein’s arms.

  Maybe it was from the familiar sensation of her father holding her, or the tiring days of travel, Ariel burst into tears. It was some minutes before her tears stopped. “I’m sorry, father. I don’t know what came over me.”

  Placing his hand on his daughter’s expanding waist, Swein felt the unmistakable feel of the child kicking. “Much of it probably comes from this little one. Your mother used to burst into tears at the slightest incidences when she was carrying you.” The child gave another hearty kick, making Swein smile. “I presume the child is Broc’s?”

  “Aye.”

  Looking over the group of travelers who waited on the road, Swein noticed Broc was absent. Seeing Ariel shake her head, he motioned for Ranulf to take the others to the hall. Linking Ariel’s arm through his, Swein led her to the meadow.

  Picking one of the colorful flowers that grew in abundance, Swein sketched a bow and offered it to Ariel. “A flower for, my lady.”

  Laughing, Ariel accepted the bloom from her father. Closing her eyes, she breathed in its rich scent. “William calls me Lady Knight.”

  Swein smiled at her. “It suits you. How else is one supposed to address you respectfully? We can’t go around calling you Sir Ariel, now can we?”

  “Nay, but you can call me Ariel St. Ceneri.”

  Turning his back on Ariel, Swein bent down and picked up a stone. Before he answered, he threw it across the meadow. “So he married you before he abandoned you. That is what he did, right?”

  “I guess you could put it that way. William didn’t give him much choice in the matter though.”

  A silence stretched between them before Swein spoke again. “What happened?”

  “Theodoric sold me to a Norman. Geoffrey is young and his wife, who he hadn’t met, had not yet come to England. To make a long story short, Broc believes the child is not his.”

  Swein snorted. “I thought the lad was a lot smarter than that. Theodoric made you a serf. You lost all your rights from that point on until you were released. If you disobeyed this Geoffrey in any way he could have killed you if he wished.”

  Ariel started to walk. Swein followed beside her. “Be that as it may, Broc has no intention of forgiving me. He may be my husband, but he will never fill that role in my life.”

  “I had the hall rebuilt while you were gone, you can live there with me. With the new baby coming I will gladly have another chamber added.”

  Kissing her father on the cheek, Ariel said, “I love you, father. What would I do without you?”

  * * * *

  That evening the villagers had a celebration in honor of Ariel’s return. Tables were set up out in the yard and everybody contributed food. When put together there was more than enough for all present. The fare was simple, but tasty.

  There were kegs of ale and mead to help wash down the food. Swein feeling generous retrieved a keg of French wine Broc had stored in the main hall. His reasoned if Broc didn’t deign to put in appearance, then his good wine could be appreciated in his place.

  It didn’t take long for everyone to hear the tale of her abduction. All Ariel had to do was tell the story to a couple of villagers and it spread like fire through
out the entire gathering. All agreed, Ariel being married to Broc was exactly what Elmstead needed.

  It kept the thane on the land while making the Norman knight one of them. Not that anyone had much to complain about Broc. It was only before the marriage he was still considered an outsider. Ariel didn’t have the heart to tell them Broc was not thrilled with the bond their marriage created.

  Part way through the meal Colwyn fell asleep in Ariel’s arms. She was surprised he had lasted as long as he had. The days of travel had worn him out. Seeing her charge had fallen asleep, Lily left her place at the table and went over to Ariel.

  “Here give him to me. I’ll put the young master to bed.”

  Ariel shook her head. “Nay, you stay and enjoy the festivities.”

  Not paying her any heed, Lily lifted Colwyn into her arms. “I will hear none of that. The villagers arranged this for you. It would not do for the guest of honor to leave so early. I do not mind staying with Colwyn.”

  “Don’t worry, Lily will not be alone.” Ranulf had come up to them while they had been talking. Lily blushed. Ariel nodded her head. There was no point in arguing.

  Watching how close Lily and Ranulf walked together, Ariel shook her head. If she was correct in her thinking, her two friends would find companionship in each other, which pleased her immensely.

  Turning back around, Ariel found the villagers’ attention fixed on something near the yard. Craning her neck around, she strained to see what had caused everyone to grow so quiet. It would have to be something intriguing to put a stop to all the drink they had been consuming. Catching a glimpse of what held such fascination, Ariel quickly looked away. The object of all the attention was Broc. Without bothering to dismount, he walked his horse over to where she sat. From his superior height he looked down at her. Ariel glared back at him.

  Standing, Swein went to confront Broc. “It’s good to see you again, Broc. You have been missed. Let me take this opportunity to welcome you into the family.”

  Broc smirked. “I’m happy to be back at Elmstead. As to my marriage to your daughter, you should thank William. It was his decision to have me wed Ariel, not mine.”

  A gasp rippled through the villagers. Their loyalty to Broc was tenuous at best. His rejection of Ariel would not endear him to them. They would take Ariel’s side before they ever would take his.

  “What is done is done. You’re now married to my daughter; can you not try and make the best of it?”

  “I’m afraid that is beyond my capabilities.”

  Swein gave up any pretenses of civility and glared at Broc. “I know what has caused this change in your feelings for Ariel. My daughter has suffered enough these last few months. She should not be punished for something she had no control over. Since you can’t abide being around Ariel, she will move into my hall.”

  Broc shook his head in denial. “I will not allow it. Ariel is now my property through marriage bonds. I will treat her however I deem fit. I can treat her like a serf and none could say me nay.”

  While he had been speaking, Broc hadn’t notice the hostility that had come over the men of the village. These were the men who had followed Ariel to fight with the fryd. Being a Norman was just another notch against Broc. His last statement caused the men to move against Broc.

  “I’m afraid, my lord, that will not be allowed. You are one against many. I would rethink your position before you make any moves toward my daughter.”

  The village men surrounded Broc’s horse. The blacksmith, who was the largest man of the village, watched Broc intently. The situation was getting out of hand. With no other alternative avaliable, Broc backed down.

  “I concede to your superior numbers. Ariel may live where she wishes, I will not interfere.” Backing up his horse, Broc left the revealers to continue with their celebration.

  Chapter 40

  Two weeks went by after the celebration of Ariel’s return and nothing had changed. Ariel lived with Colwyn and her father in the newly built hall. Meanwhile, Broc shared the main hall with Ranulf much to his displeasure. Ranulf wasn’t a very good live-in companion. He ignored Broc whenever they met and spent most of the day at the other hall.

  From the start Broc had been disgusted by Ranulf’s presence at Elmstead, he figured Ranulf went to Ariel’s hall just to be close to her. But when Lily could be seen more and more at his side, Broc began to realize the other knight’s attentions were focused on the girl and not on his wife. Broc watched them with envy. This was how his relationship with Ariel should have started. He had done everything wrong.

  When William had told him Ariel had gone home to Elmstead, Broc had decided to follow. He had left London the very next day. On the road he had had time to go over the events that led to his and Ariel’s separation. Before reaching Elmstead he had promised himself to be more objective with Ariel. Her story did have a ring of truth to it, but Broc still couldn’t bring himself to forgive her. The thought of her in another man’s bed hurt him deeply. Picturing Ariel taking another into her body, the place where Broc had been the only one to have gone before, made his blood boil. Ariel was his and no one had the right to take from her what was for him alone.

  Sighing, Broc looked down at the letter that lay before him on his desk. He had come to his chamber to read it in privacy. It was from his mother. His mother and father were coming to Elmstead.

  While in London seeking an annulment, Broc had dispatched a letter to Normandy. In the letter he had briefly described his life in England and his good fortune in acquiring Elmstead. He had also mentioned his impending nuptials to Ariel. Having sent the letter, his parents now were coming to see their second son’s new wife. They would arrive any day.

  Putting the letter away, Broc decided to go and see his son. At least Ariel had not stopped him from being with Colwyn. When he had asked why she allowed it, she had only said that Colwyn should not be deprived of his father just because his parents didn’t get along. Broc was grateful for that one small concession.

  Thinking of his son brought a smile to his lips. Now that Colwyn had mastered walking, he now had started to run. He would take off in a burst of speed only to lose his balance and fall flat on his face, but that didn’t stop him. Broc only had to put him back on his little feet and Colwyn would be off again.

  His son was another thing Broc would have to explain to his parents. In his letter he had made no mention of Colwyn. He had felt it would have been better to inform his parents after his marriage to Ariel.

  Reaching the smaller hall, Broc peered inside. No one seemed to be around. There was only one other place they could be—the practice field.

  Every day Ariel could be found at the field crossing swords with Ranulf. She had flatly refused to stop when Broc had told her to leave off such strenuous activity. She had asked him why he cared considering he held onto his belief that the child was not his. He hadn’t known what to say to that.

  More worried Ariel would do damage to herself, Broc had gone to the village healer with his concerns. She had laid his fears to rest. She had assured him the exercise would keep Ariel strong for the delivery, making her time of trial go quicker. The woman had placed both hands on his arm and told him Ariel had done the same when she had carried Colwyn. If he had been here then, he would have realized she was always careful.

  At a short distance away, Broc stood and watched Ariel. Her pregnancy did not hinder her movements at all, the rise and fall of her sword never faltered. Smiling to himself, Broc could see Ranulf give way to Ariel.

  They fought without armor. Each hit was carefully placed so as not to harm their opponent. They went through the movements strictly for exercise and not to see who could bring the other down. The healer had been right. Ariel didn’t take any unnecessary chances.

  Broc had no idea how long he stood there enjoying the sight of his wife. It wasn’t until he felt someone returning his stare, did he realize Ranulf and Ariel had finished with their practice. Ariel stood away from the others, si
lently staring. The urge to go to Ariel was almost too great, but the ghost of what she had done rose up between them. Unable to bear it anymore, Broc turned his back on her.

  * * * *

  Three days later Broc’s parents arrived at Elmstead. Ariel was in the village with Colwyn at the time. Broc was working in fields with the villagers.

  Ariel knew they were expected, Broc had briefly mentioned it to her the other day, but she hadn’t realized they would arrive so soon. Seeing no way out of it, Ariel sent one of the village boys to fetch Broc and prepared herself to greet her parents by marriage. Adjusting Colwyn on her hip, she moved to stand in the middle of the path.

  Lord Eustance St. Ceneri was a large man, his height a match for his son’s. His hair, though streaked with grey, was the same tawny color that both Broc and Colwyn shared. The St. Ceneri males all seemed to have gold eyes. Right at that moment, a set of those said eyes looked down at Ariel. There was no mistaking this man as Broc’s sire.

  Broc’s mother, Lady Mary, was quite beautiful. Even age had not dulled her looks. At first glance she didn’t appear old enough to have a child Broc’s age. Her skin was smooth with only a few laugh lines at the corner of her eyes. Her auburn hair was gathered into a single braid that hung down her back. Intelligent green eyes skipped from Ariel’s face and then to Colwyn’s. She seemed to be fixated with Colwyn.

  Walking closer, Ariel smiled up at Broc’s parents. “My lord, my lady, allow me to welcome you to Elmstead.” The couple returned her smile.

  Much to Ariel’s surprise, Lady Mary dismounted and came to stand before her. Her eyes never left Colwyn. Ariel started to feel uncomfortable. Not knowing all that much about the St. Ceneris, she was unsure what to do next. Before Ariel could think of something else to say, Broc’s mother reached out and took Colwyn from her arms.

  At this point Broc had arrived to greet his parents. “Hello, mother.”

  Without taking her eyes off of Colwyn, his mother returned his greeting. “Broc. In your letter you failed to mention you had a son. If it was because you didn’t feel confident enough to tell us he was illegitimate, you should have known better. It does not matter.”