Word of Honor (Knights of Valor Book 1)

by Lauren Linwood

  She reached beside her and found the bed empty.

  Again.

  Merryn drew the bed curtain aside and looked upon Geoffrey, asleep on the floor next to the fire as he had slept his first night back at Kinwick. At least he’d taken his pillow with him and made use of a blanket she kept tossed over a chair. Though he started in their bed each night, many times he moved from it. She wished she understood why.

  The candle next to him burned low, as did the others that surrounded his side of the bed. Whatever he experienced in his years away from his home, it had brought a childlike fear of the dark. Merryn wondered again why the dark bothered him so. He also hated to be confined in any way, insisting that the curtains on his side of the bed never be closed. With the candles burning and the curtains opened, she’d had to learn to sleep with light surrounding them.

  Geoffrey murmured in his sleep, frowning slightly. When he did remain beside to her, he woke her several times each night with his mumbling. Sometimes he shouted out nonsense in his sleep. At other times, she would awake to find him fast asleep, tears streaming down his cheeks. The sight broke her heart in two.

  Merryn knew he’d been abused physically, but she realized he’d suffered deeply into his soul. She did not have the key to unlock his traumatized mind.

  Yet.

  Trust had never been an issue between them. From childhood, they had been as one. She hoped someday her husband would come once again to trust her enough to allow her inside so she could share the heavy burden he believed he must carry alone.

  Merryn gazed upon Geoffrey with love. As a healer, none of her herbs or potions could change what had happened to him, much less bring him comfort. But she knew with time—and her great love for him—that all would be well. She resolved to keep her faith in him. God had brought her husband home to her. She would continue to care for him the best she knew how and leave the rest in His merciful hands.

  A pain of regret filled her as she thought about Symond Benedict’s presence. Geoffrey somehow discovered the knight had been slated to wed her and become master of Kinwick. She’d hope to keep that information from him as something he need never know, but she supposed it was for the best that he did. Though she hadn’t shared with anyone why Symond had delivered his message from the king and then remained at Kinwick, her people had surmised the circumstances. It did worry her, though, having Symond around. She didn’t want Geoffrey uncomfortable in the knight’s presence, and she hoped no trouble broke out between them.

  It would be bad enough with the king and his entire court present. Geoffrey did best with small groups of people and quiet conversation. Merryn could only imagine how he might respond to the hectic atmosphere that surrounded a royal visit, something he’d never witnessed and had no familiarity with, even prior to his long disappearance.

  She slipped from their bed and crept toward him, lowering herself to kneel beside him. Geoffrey stretched lazily in his sleep as she brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and pressed a soft kiss upon his brow.

  Suddenly, hands clasped her waist and drew her down till she sprawled atop him. His lips thoroughly explored hers.

  “Good morn,” he finally said after some minutes. “So today is when our king arrives. Is everything in place for his visit? I am sorry to have left those affairs to you.”

  “Kinwick is more than ready. Having hosted him twice before, ‘twas easier this time to make preparations. Cook and I have every menu decided, with suggestions from your mother as a welcomed addition. Rooms have been prepared. I hired extra hands from the village for the stables and inside the keep. Especially in the kitchen. We needed many more workers to help prepare the meals and serve them, much less to clean up afterward.”

  He cupped her face and pressed a gentle kiss upon her mouth. “You are a treasure, my love. I’ve heard tales of estates going bankrupt with a royal visit, but after I have studied the ledgers from past years with Diggory, I see you have kept Kinwick profitable and then some, even after the court twice blazed a trail through our lands.”

  She glowed at his compliment and then remembered what she needed to share with him. “I must warn you. Though most of the court will stay in luxurious tents in the meadow, Edward always has taken the solar as his own. ‘Tis custom on royal visits, and Lady Elia was only too willing to make the king happy in this matter. We should vacate our belongings this morning before he arrives.”

  “You can sleep with Mother in our old room. I’ll bed down with others in the Great Hall.”

  “As you wish.” Merryn tried not to show her concern. While it made perfect sense for her to sleep in Elia’s room and Geoffrey to be with various guests and servants in the Great Hall, she worried about his nightmares and fears. Especially since she would not be nearby to comfort him. She realized he didn’t actually know what occurred during the times he slept. Mayhap she would slip down and watch over him tonight. She pushed those worries away and readied herself for mass and then broke her fast afterward.

  As expected, the news came mid-morning as a rider appeared on the horizon, the Plantagenet colors flapping in the breeze as he approached. The knight informed her that the king and his party would arrive in two hours’ time.

  Merryn turned to Tilda. “Send word to Hugh and the earl, and tell them to make haste. Then send a rider across Kinwick lands so all can gather to greet our king once he’s reached the estate.”

  Alys piped up, tugging on Merryn’s cote-hardie. “I drew the king a picture, Mother.”

  Ancel, not wanting to be topped, added, “I shall draw the king two pictures and fight for him!”

  Merryn patted the twins on the head and nudged them aside. She wanted to make a final sweep throughout the entire keep to ensure all was as ordered. She huddled with Cook a final time before Tilda told her that her neighbors had arrived and awaited her in the Great Hall.

  She spotted all four of them in conversation with Elia as she entered and greeted them.

  Hugh told her, “We met riding in. All your tenants are gathering, lining the road to the gates outside and spilling into the outer bailey. Everyone looks to be in his finest clothes, with smiles on every face.”

  “And I must say all you ladies look lovely,” Hardi said. “Especially Lady Milla. You have quite a glow about you.”

  Milla blushed prettily. “I am with child, my lord. ‘Tis said it gives women a certain radiance.”

  The earl wrapped an arm around Johamma’s shoulder. “I hope we shall be blessed in the same manner. And soon. Johamma is an only child, but we hope for many sons and daughters.”

  Geoffrey entered, greeting Hugh and Milla warmly. Merryn noted his stiff, formal welcome to Hardi. She wondered if now that Hardi was the earl, Geoffrey simply showed him more deference due to his lofty title. He gave a kind word to Johamma, whose eyes were large.

  “I’ve never seen a king in person,” she said.

  “Well, neither have I,” Geoffrey shared. “I did meet his son, the Black Prince, when I fought under him in France.”

  Johamma shuddered. “I hope Hardi never goes to war. I could not stand waiting at Winterbourne for word if he lived or died.”

  “You never know. Sometimes war can come to your very gates without warning.” Geoffrey’s eyes darkened.

  Merryn found his response odd, but Tilda rushed in at that moment, distracting her.

  “The king’s banner has been spotted, my lady.”

  She slipped her hand through Geoffrey’s arm. “Shall we greet our liege?” She spied her children. “Ancel. Alys. Come along, now. And remember how you are to behave. ‘Tis not every day one meets a king. Remember all we spoke of.”

  They exited the Great Hall and moved outside. Their entire party paused to wait at the top of the steps. Within minutes, the inner bailey became a pageantry of color, with hundreds of soldiers and finely dressed noblemen with their ladies arriving.

  Merryn spied Queen Philippa of Hainault and was pleased to see her. She’d been ill and missed the la
st visit to Kinwick. Merryn found the queen’s reputation for kindness and compassion to be utterly truthful. At over two score and ten, she remained a regal beauty with a fine figure, despite birthing fourteen children.

  She leaned into Geoffrey. “The king and queen have a very happy marriage,” she whispered. “He is also more likely to behave properly with her present.”

  “Then ‘tis happy I am that she is in attendance.”

  They descended the stairs and arrived at the same time Edward and Philippa did.

  Merryn curtseyed as Geoffrey bowed. Edward commanded them to rise.

  “I am happy you could come, my queen,” Merryn said. “We missed your lovely company on the last royal visit.”

  The queen’s laughter tinkled lightly like small bells pealing cheerfully. “The king insisted I accompany him despite the fact that I have a new grandchild I need to visit.” With a sparkle in her eyes, she confided, “He told me this visit he intends to abscond with your cook.”

  Edward gave her a mock look of anger. “You act as regent when I am gone from the country fighting. You accompany me on expeditions to Scotland, Flanders, and France. You give away no state secrets, yet you immediately spill what you know to Lady Merryn before we’ve had time to catch our breath?”

  Philippa grinned shamelessly. “I must give Lady Merryn fair warning. I’d hope she would return the same courtesy to me if in my position. A good cook makes for a happy home.”

  Merryn relaxed. The royal visit was starting off well. “Sire? I would present my husband to you since you have yet to meet. Geoffrey de Montfort, baron of Kinwick.”

  Pride grew in her breast as her husband took a step forward and bowed again to the royal couple. He wore the dark blue gypon and cote-hardie he’d worn when they married. He looked even more handsome today than he did on their wedding day.

  “Rise,” Edward commanded. He studied the man before him. “My son told me of you, Geoffrey de Montfort.”

  “The Black Prince is a natural leader who inspires loyalty. ‘Twas an honor to be under his command, your majesty.”

  “But you came across one who was not so honorable, according to my son. You exposed a traitor if I remember correctly.”

  Merryn looked to Geoffrey, wondering of what the king spoke. She saw him wince. In the two weeks before they’d married, he’d spoken little of his time on the battlefield in France and none at all since his recent return.

  “I see by your wife’s face that you haven’t shared with her this tale.”

  “Nay, sire. ‘Twas of no consequence.”

  The king’s face grew stern. “Weeding out a traitor is always of utmost consequence. Winterbourne’s eldest was a threat to my throne, consorting with the French.”

  Shock ran through Merryn. She’d heard some rumors amongst the servants of Barrett’s death in France, hushed whispers about some type of betrayal. She never gave it much thought. She’d only seen him twice in her life. She had never been fond of the very arrogant Lord Berold, the previous earl of Winterbourne, and felt Berold and Barrett were cut from the same cloth and not men to her taste.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Hardi, who stood some ways behind her. A deep red flush covered his entire face. Johamma clung to his arm in fright, looking as if she wished the ground to open and swallow them whole.

  Edward pushed on. “Lady Merryn, your husband—or rather your future husband, at that point—exposed one of my nobleman for the traitor he was and then dueled in the name of the Plantagenets in a trial by battle against him. His victory resulted in the beheading of this fool.”

  The king shrugged. “A pity. Winterbourne never seemed the same after his son’s death.” He clapped Geoffrey on the shoulder. “Enough of the past. We are here to enjoy our visit to your lovely estate.”

  Merryn had no idea how to smooth over the brewing situation. She realized now why Geoffrey had been reluctant for the twins to foster with Hardi. The new earl must be aware of what his older brother Barrett had done and how Geoffrey had been the one who brought the treasonous behavior to the notice of the Black Prince. She couldn’t understand why Hardi would want their twins fostering under his care.

  Unless it was to show Geoffrey that he was nothing like his traitorous brother. That’s all she could surmise.

  Merryn stepped forward. “Sire.” She indicated Hugh and Milla with a sweeping hand. “May I present my brother, Sir Hugh Mantel, who has fought with you in northern Scotland. And my sister-in-law, Milla. You met them on your last visit here, as well as my mother-in-law, Lady Elia.”

  The couple and Elia acknowledged the royals and chatted briefly with them, the queen smiling knowingly at Milla’s rounded belly.

  Then Edward looked over and pointed at Hardi. “I don’t know you.”

  Hardi moved forward. “I am Hardwick, neighbor to the north of Kinwick. And earl of Winterbourne.”

  The king’s brows shot up upon hearing that news. He glanced from Geoffrey back to Hardi. “Hmm. Interesting.”

  Merryn reached over and thrust Johamma forward. “This is Lady Johamma, sire. The earl’s betrothed.”

  Without warning, the twins rushed up and made their curtsey and bow. Merryn apologized for their eagerness.

  Alys handed some posies she’d gathered to the queen and her picture to the king without a word, shyly stepping back and clinging to her mother’s skirts.

  Ancel yanked his wooden sword up and declared, “I will fight with my king to the ends of the earth for England’s honor.”

  Edward laughed heartily. “I see you’ll make a fine knight. Just like your father.”

  Ancel glanced over to Geoffrey and then shrugged. Merryn watched as Edward frowned at the exchange. Though Alys had warmed quickly to Geoffrey, Ancel still acted a bit standoffish to his father at times, not sure if he could trust him.

  She interjected, “I have several entertainments planned for your visit, your majesty. “A hunt. Feasts.” She named several of the courses she planned to serve and watched the king’s eyes glow in approval.

  “I also have a request.” Merryn paused, working up her courage in light of what she had learned minutes ago. “Lady Johamma has no living family, neither parents nor brothers and sisters. I had hoped you and the queen would grace her and the earl with your presence at their marriage. They could marry here at Kinwick during your stay and celebrate with their wedding feast in our Great Hall.”

  Edward rubbed his jaw in thought. “I shall consider it.”

  She decided to sweeten the pot. “We also would like to hold a small tournament, your majesty. Nothing fancy. Just our local knights involved.” Merryn looked to Geoffrey for support.

  “My men at arms have been training for weeks in anticipation of your arrival, sire. They want to show off their jousting and sword skills to you and Queen Philippa.”

  The queen smiled. “I do enjoy a good joust.” She gave her husband a pointed look. “And I adore weddings.”

  That decided Edward. He clapped his hands in delight. “So be it. ‘Twill be a hunt for our first day here in the morn. The day after we shall celebrate a wedding. The following day will be the joust.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now show me to your Great Hall, Lady Merryn. I grow faint with hunger.”

  She and Geoffrey led the way as Edward took the queen’s hand and escorted her up the steps.

  On the way, the king told Merryn, “We shall have a walk and talk, my lady. You too, Lord Geoffrey. I have several questions that need to be answered regarding the state of affairs at Kinwick.”

  Merryn dreaded lying to the king about Geoffrey’s missing years and wondered what her husband would tell Edward.

  It surprised her when Geoffrey smiled. “Think not to distract me, your majesty. For even as we talk, I shall have a guard of ten sworn to protect Cook.”

  Edward dropped his wife’s arm and paused. Merryn thought his look of outrage a bad sign that a tantrum would follow.

  Then he burst into raucous laughter. “I rather
like you, Lord Geoffrey. And as a man of your word, I believe you will most certainly protect your cook.” He slapped Geoffrey hard on the back, and the two of them continued on their way.

  Merryn breathed a sigh of relief as Queen Philippa linked an arm through hers, and they followed their men into the keep.

  CHAPTER 28

  They dined in the Great Hall, Edward in a jovial mood. The king’s appetite remained enormous, and he consumed vast quantities. Merryn was shocked at how he quickly he downed the various flavors of tarts.

  “I declare, these fruit tarts are even better than I remembered.”

  “You most certainly would know,” Philippa retorted. “You have sampled a good five or more,” she gently scolded.

  “Do you chide me, Wife?” Edward turned to Geoffrey for support. “Surely, my lord, a man should be able to eat a few simple tarts without worry.”

  “I could not agree more, sire,” Geoffrey responded. Merryn saw him hide a grin behind the hand he brought to his mouth.

  “’Tis stuffed to the gills I am.” Edward looked at his wife. “Shall we retire to the solar? I am not as young as I once was. I feel the need for a long rest after our journey.”

  “I am most agreeable to that plan, Husband.” As they withdrew, Philippa winked at Merryn. She had a feeling the king had more than rest upon his mind for the afternoon.

  As they rose, Hugh caught her elbow. “Milla and I have decided to head home. She needs her rest, as well.”

  Milla nodded. “I seem to tire easily.”

  “’Tis a part of it,” Merryn agreed. “I was never as tired as when I carried the twins. The larger I got, the less energy I possessed. I swear that they snatched it from me deep within my womb and held it in their greedy little hands.” She looked to her brother. “Will you return for the hunt on the morrow?”

  “Nay.” Hugh looked off in the distance. “My presence is not required. And the hunt, frankly, reminds me of all the bad aspects associated with war. I shall pass on that activity. But we shall return the day after it for the wedding. I may also compete in the joust. I haven’t decided yet.”