1606011324-Lady-Knight-Chenery

by Lady Knight (lit)

  Brushing a kiss across his mother’s cheek, Broc chuckled. “You always have a way of bringing everything out in the open, mother.”

  “Well you should have told us. Say hello to your father, dear.”

  Broc looked at his father. “Nice to see you, father.”

  Lord Eustance dismounted. After looping both sets of reins through his hand he went over to Broc. He clapped his son on the shoulder. “Your mother is quite right, this is our first grandchild. No matter he was born on the wrong side of the blanket, he’s a part of our family. From the looks of him, the St. Ceneri blood runs strong through his veins.”

  Completely ignored and forgotten, Ariel watched the family reunion with distaste. It was bad enough Broc’s parents saw through her. What really infuriated her was his behavior. He made no move to introduce her. If he wanted it that way, he could have it.

  Clearing her throat loudly, Ariel interrupted. “Now that you’re here, Broc, I will leave you to settle your parents in. Since our son seems content to be with your mother, you can watch Colwyn as well.” Before Broc could refuse her, Ariel walked away.

  Broc called after her. “Ariel, wait. Where are you going?”

  Ariel threw over shoulder, “Where else do I go when I need to work off a little anger? To Ranulf, of course.”

  As she left, Ariel heard Broc say, “Don’t worry, mother. That was Ariel, my wife.”

  His mother then replied, “Oh my, I didn’t even think. Why did she not say anything?”

  Ariel didn’t wait around to hear what Broc’s response would be.

  Chapter 41

  “This tale you have told us is fantastic and to be quite frank, hard to believe. I know there are women who are strong willed and independent, your mother can be included in their ranks, but I have never heard one take it as far as your Saxon wife,” Broc’s father said with some disbelief.

  “On the contrary, I find it quite believable.” This came from his mother. She sat in the middle of the hall floor playing with Colwyn.

  “I’m glad to see at least one of you believe me, because it’s true, all of it.”

  “Never mind your father, Broc. He needs to see the facts with his own eyes before he takes anything to heart. But I only have one question for you, how can you be so sure Ariel does not carry your next child?”

  His mother’s eyes seemed to bore right through him. Broc knew that look. He had seen it many times as he grew to adulthood. There would be no sidestepping away from her question. She would not allow it.

  Broc sighed inwardly. “She went to another man’s bed, Mother. I was only with her that one time.”

  A very unlady-like snort came from his mother in response to his comment. “That proves nothing. It only took one time for me to become pregnant with both you and your brother. The St. Ceneri men are known for their virility. How far along is she?”

  “Six months.”

  His mother nodded her head. “She was forced to be a serf for five, it adds up. A woman knows these things. The child is most assuredly yours.”

  Broc could only shake his head. Once Lady Mary made a decision she stuck to it, no matter how others felt about it, but his mother was right about his father. He needed to see how correct Broc was in his tale.

  “If you need further proof, father, then come and I will show you.”

  Not one to be left out of anything, Lady Mary quickly gathered Colwyn into her arms and followed the two men out the door.

  The sound of clashing swords could be heard before the small group reached the practice field. At his mother’s questioning look, Broc nodded his head. Elbowing ahead, Lady Mary arrived at the field before the men. She stood watching in utter amazement.

  Ariel and Ranulf moved across the field with swords flashing. Unlike the other times Broc had watched them, Ariel was not taking it easy on Ranulf. Granted Ranulf let Ariel gain the upper hand, but he still had to fight to keep what ground he had. It didn’t last long. With a savage thrust of her sword, Ariel ripped the sword out of Ranulf’s hands.

  Lady Mary cheered and Lord Eustance’s jaw dropped open in astonishment. It was obvious his father had gotten the proof he had wanted.

  * * * *

  Alerted to the presence of others by the cheering, Ariel lowered her sword. She was surprised to see Broc’s mother clapping her hands. She didn’t seem like the same woman who had ignored her an hour before.

  Unsure of what to expect, Ariel stood beside Ranulf making no move to go to Broc and his parents. Lady Mary took the initiative. Striding across the field, Lady Mary walked over to Ariel. She looked her up and down then with her free arm pulled Ariel close. “It’s so very nice to finally meet you, my dear. Broc wrote to us about you. Our earlier meeting, accept my apology. Your son here overwhelmed me. He’s our only grandchild, but from the look of you, our second will soon come into the world.”

  Ariel could only nod her head, she had been rendered speechless. Broc had to have told his parents all that they had gone through, but his mother had taken Ariel’s side. She didn’t know what to say.

  Lady Mary laughed, making her eyes crinkle with amusement. “Have I shocked you, dear? That is something you will just have to get used to. I always speak my mind. Now, as to my son accepting the child you carry as his, he will see how wrong he is. The St. Ceneri gold eyes are very prevalent in the family. When this child is born with the same eyes your son has, Broc will realize what an ass he has been.”

  Without further ado, Lady Mary linked her arm through Ariel’s and led her away. As they walked away, Lady Mary asked Ariel where her father might be.

  * * * *

  Swein hadn’t been so entertained in a very long time. Mary St. Ceneri was a joy to watch. She kept the men in her family on their toes.

  When Swein had first seen Broc’s mother striding to his hall with Colwyn in one arm and her other linked through Ariel’s arm, he was a little apprehensive. Taking Broc’s almost violent reaction to Ariel into account, he didn’t have much hope in the younger man’s mother siding with Ariel. Broc was her son after all. So it was a nice surprise to find he had misjudged the Lady Mary.

  The first thing she did was to leave Ariel’s side and kiss his cheeks in welcome. She then said she was happy her son had married Ariel. Regardless of how her son felt, she formed her own opinions.

  Putting Colwyn down so he could toddle about, Lady Mary put the hall under close scrutiny. It must have past muster, because she helped herself to a goblet of mead that sat on a table and took a seat on a bench. Ariel and Swein joined her.

  “Ariel you live in this hall with your father and not with Broc?”

  Ariel’s face flushed as she nodded. “I know Broc is your son so you will find this hard to hear, but I couldn’t live under the same roof with him.”

  The hall filled with Lady Mary’s laughter. “I have lived with Broc’s father for over thirty years. Broc is very much like his sire. I know exactly how you feel. There have been times during my marriage I would have gladly gone to live elsewhere. The St. Ceneri men are a stubborn lot. Once they make their minds up, whether they are right or wrong, it’s extremely hard to sway them. Broc’s older brother, Matthew, is the same way. The three of them get on famously of course, where as I irk them on occasion.”

  Ariel smiled at the older woman. “I thought you would shun me.”

  “Why should I? I must admit I envy you. Look at you, a woman who can handle a sword as well as any man, and a knight on top of it all. I would have loved to have seen Broc’s face when he realized he had knighted a woman. If I was twenty years younger, I would be out on that field with you.”

  Cutting into the conversation, Swein said, “Ariel’s mother would have been proud of her. But I’m sure she sees what her daughter has become.”

  Looking over at Swein, Lady Mary patted his hand. “What happened to your wife?”

  Swein still found it painful to speak of his wife, even now more than two years after her passing. “Beth became ill on
e evening. Throughout the night her fever rose. The village healer tried everything she knew, but nothing seemed to help. By morning, she was gone.”

  Lady Mary shook her head in sympathy. “It must be hard to loose a loved one so unexpectedly.”

  “Aye, it is. I took her death very hard. I shut out the world, even Ariel for a time. When Ariel became pregnant with Colwyn, I pulled myself together. It was my turn to be the strong one.”

  “Obviously that is when my son came crashing into your lives.”

  Swein looked over at Ariel and nodded. It had been a turning point for both of them.

  * * * *

  It became decided everyone would partake the evening meal in the main hall. Ariel was not at all sure Broc would like the arrangement. She even went as far as to tell his mother that very thing, but Lady Mary would hear none of it.

  At the appointed time, Swein, Ariel, Colwyn and Lily stepped through the hall doors. Lady Mary came and took Colwyn from Lily and told her to sit with Ranulf. It would seem Lady Mary’s keen eyes missed nothing. She winked at Ariel as she gently pushed Lily in Ranulf’s direction.

  Her next act was to seat Ariel beside Broc at the head table. He instantly bristled at Ariel’s intrusion. He would have risen to leave, but his mother placed a firm hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down into his chair.

  With everyone seated, Lady Mary motioned to one of the serfs to being serving. Platters of food were placed on the table along with trenchers to hold it. Everyone was given a trencher, all except for Broc and Ariel. One trencher was placed between them, the intention quite clear. They were to share. Along with the trencher only one goblet was placed next to it.

  Broc craned his neck to look down the table at his mother. She smiled sweetly at him. Ariel could see he was tempted to summon a serf to bring him another trencher when his eyes skipped over one of them. Lady Mary cleared her throat to gain his attention and shook her head. Broc sighed and made no move to have one of the serfs come over to him.

  Tentatively, Ariel filled the trencher with food that sat on the table. There was roasted venison and pheasant. Another platter held boiled greens covered in a creamy sauce. Fresh bread rounded off the meal. Allowing for Broc’s greater appetite, Ariel took large portions of all the fare offered.

  Taking out his eating knife, Broc cut off chunks of meat and placed them in his mouth, he didn’t offer any to Ariel. She had to cut her own between his mouthfuls. They both reached for the goblet at the same time. When their fingers met they drew back their hands as if they had touched a live coal. Grunting, Broc allowed her to drink first. To add insult to injury, he wiped the rim of the goblet with his sleeve before taking his drink.

  For the sake of his parents, Ariel was willing to let it slide. Acting as if she had not seen what he had done, she continued to eat. When Broc didn’t reach for more food, Ariel cautiously looked over at him. His attention seemed to be caught on an area near her lap.

  Following his gaze, she realized Broc watched her stomach. The baby shifted around so much her stomach visibly moved with each kick it gave. So used to such activity, she had paid no heed to it.

  Without thinking, Ariel took one of Broc’s hands and placed it on her stomach. The baby obligingly gave a hearty kick, lifting his hand. The joy Ariel felt at having Broc share a moment with their unborn child burned to ashes under his stern scowl. His face contorted into a mask of rage.

  In an instinctive gesture, Ariel released his hand. Broc quickly snatched it back. His eyes burned a brighter gold. His anger could be easily seen by everyone present in the room.

  Feeling the full force of his temper directed at her, Ariel pushed back her chair and left the table. Giving Lady Mary an apologetic look, she hastily made her way out of the hall. She had tried to at least be civil to Broc while his parents were at Elmstead, but no more. That he could hate an innocent babe so, made her think he was not the man she had first thought him to be.

  She crossed the yard and made her way through the village. Once inside the comforting walls of her father’s hall, Ariel began to relax. The door crashed open behind her, shattering her feeling of contentment. She didn’t need to turn around to see who had come through the door. Her body became instantly aware, no other but Broc could cause her to feel his presence in a room before she could see him.

  Ariel pulled herself up to her full height and turned to face her enraged husband.

  Chapter 42

  “How dare you walk away from me? Especially in the middle of a meal my mother went to great lengths to arrange.”

  Not one to be outdone, Ariel equally raised her voice to yell back at Broc. “How dare you treat me like I’m not even in the room? Your mother’s idea was for us to share a trencher, probably in the hopes your attitude would soften toward me. If I remember correctly, you taught me when a knight is in that situation, he is to cut the meat for the lady and offer her the choicest cuts. I could take umbrage with your conduct this evening.”

  Broc’s anger seemed to dissipate. Bending at the waist, Broc bowed. “I’m sorry, you are correct. I will try not to insult you in the future.”

  He would have left then had Ariel not called out to him. “Broc, I need to know. Did you ever really love me?”

  Gold eyes moved over Ariel’s face. “Of course I did.”

  “Then why do you not believe me when I say the babe is yours? If you truly loved me, you would never have questioned my word.”

  Pain was etched on Broc’s face. “I can’t.”

  Ariel tried to push back the unshed tears that threatened to spill. “I still love you. How I feel will never change. I endured having you take two women to your bed. In that instance you made that choice to bed them. I wasn’t given that freedom. My love didn’t die for you. You have my heart. It’s yours to do with as you wish. But let it be known here and now, I will fight you if I have to. My love for you will not make me weak.”

  Broc swept her form with his eyes once more. Without a word he silently left the hall.

  * * * *

  One month passed and then another. The hot summer days gave way to the cooler nights of autumn. It also became a busy time at Elmstead. The fields had to be harvested and winter stores had to be prepared. All did their part to insure the winter months would find the larders well stocked.

  Ariel’s time drew nearer. She no longer had the energy she once had, her added bulk made her tire easily. She still kept up her sword practice, but she had to limit the amount of time she spent doing it. Ranulf would only shake his head and tell her she should be resting. Every day Ariel would tell him she knew when it was time to call it quits and now was not the time.

  After their heated discussion in her father’s hall, Broc avoided Ariel whenever possible. The only thing that brought them together was their son. Ariel had stopped going to the main hall for her meals. Thankfully, Lady Mary made no more overtures to bring them together. Their marriage had become a farce.

  Ranulf and Lily grew quite close over the passing months. One was hardly seen far from the other. Many times Ariel found Ranulf helping Lily care for Colwyn. Those times were few though, Ariel had immersed herself in the raising of her son.

  At this time a priest came to Elmstead. The village was not considered large enough to have their own priest to minister to them, so they relied on the priests who traveled the countryside. At these times, marriages would be performed and children born in between visits would be baptized. So it was not surprising when Ranulf and Lily announced their intentions to wed shortly after the priest’s arrival. Both Ariel and Broc were asked to act as witnesses.

  The night before the ceremony, Ariel left Colwyn in Lady Mary’s care and went to Lily’s home. In her arms she carried a gown. It was a wedding present for her friend. Lily’s mother and a couple of girls from the village were visiting the soon to be bride. Stepping up to the door to knock, Ariel heard a burst of laughter coming from within. They were probably giving Lily advice on her soon to be nuptials. Ariel
regretted she had not received such treatment before she had wed Broc. Sighing, she knocked on the door and the voices fell silent.

  Lily’s mother, Edna, opened the door. When she saw Ariel standing there, she clucked and pulled her into the hut. “What are you doing, my lady? You should be resting, not walking around in the night.”

  “I’m fine. I came to give Lily something for the morrow.”

  Unfolding the gown, Ariel held it out to Lily. It was one of her best. The gown was a pale blue and had been made with the softest wool. When Lily didn’t reach out to accept it, Ariel held it up against the other woman’s chest to make sure it would fit her. Lily made no move to claim it.

  “Take it, Lily. I want you to have it.”

  Lily shook her head in denial. “I can’t accept this, Ariel.”

  “Why ever not? I have no use for it.”

  “It’s too fine for the likes of me.”

  Slipping the gown over Lily’s arm, Ariel smiled into her friend’s face. “I will not take no for an answer. Every bride should have a beautiful gown on her wedding day. I brought it here tonight so you could make any alterations that may be needed. I want you to keep it.”

  With tears in her eyes, Lily hugged Ariel. “This means so much to me. I only wish you could have had what I will have, you deserve better.”

  “Forget about me and think of tomorrow. It marks the start of your new life with Ranulf. Now I will leave you ladies. I will see you in the main hall come the morn.” Even before Ariel left the hut, the others had gathered around Lily to get a better look at the gown.

  Once outside the night closed around her. The nights were definitely cooler. Wrapping her arms across her chest, Ariel wished she had brought a cloak along. Increasing her stride, she hurried in the direction of her father’s hall.