Word of Honor (Knights of Valor Book 1)

by Lauren Linwood

  Benedict’s lips curled into a snarl. “The likes of you had everything handed to him. Your father was a titled nobleman, and you gained the title simply by being his first-born male. Me? I’ve had to work for all. I rose through the ranks. The king recognized my skills in warfare and keen intelligence. He knighted me on the battlefield. And I have served him loyally for many years.”

  Benedict leaned closer. “And now I want what he promised me. The time for my reward is at hand.”

  Geoffrey finally spoke. “So you would actually leave me here to rot. And claim the bounty you think you deserve.”

  A harsh laugh burst from the knight. “You are beginning to understand your predicament, Lord Geoffrey. Desperate men will do just about anything to gain what they believe to be theirs.”

  Without warning, he slammed a fist against the bars. “And the Lady Merryn was mine. Mine! The king vowed she would belong to no other. The most beautiful, seductive lady in the land. He promised me her hand in marriage—and the castle and land at Kinwick. Not the title of baron, mind you. Your little brat was to retain that. But I would have shipped off those damned twins to foster as far away as possible and coupled with my wife a thousand times till she birthed many children carrying Benedict blood.

  “And if an accident happened to wee little Ancel?” He shrugged. “Then the king would have no choice but to give me the title, and my sons will reign supreme once I am gone.”

  Fear for Ancel’s well-being coursed through Geoffrey at the bold statement. Before he could react, Benedict stepped away.

  “Merryn—and Kinwick—will be mine now. ‘Twill be as it should before you showed your ugly face again. You appeared as a ghost from the past, barely flesh and blood, and ruined all my plans.” The knight gave him an eerie smile.

  “This time there will be no feeding and cosseting you. You will die on your own estate. Lady Merryn will believe you’ve run away, your shame so great at her having learned the truth of those missing years. Her husband—the man too weak to fight Lord Berold. The man who could not convince a young, impressionable Hardi to release him from his prison so he could return to his lovely wife of a single day and night. This time you will die as you should have all those years ago. And ‘twill be me who comforts Lady Merryn.”

  Benedict chuckled and began to retreat. He called over his shoulder, “I can’t say which will last longer. The torch burning yonder—or you.” He swept a bow in mockery. “A good eve to you, my lord. I look forward to returning and taking command over all of Kinwick. Especially the prize of my wife.”

  Geoffrey roared in despair, but Edward’s wicked knight kept walking.

  ***

  Merryn rose, careful not to disturb Elia’s sleep. Her mother-in-law had been restless throughout the night. Mayhap she would need a sleeping potion tonight. She dressed and went to check on Hardi, though she still had mixed feelings about their neighbor after his ghastly admission yesterday.

  As she entered the room, she brushed against Sir Alard, standing duty near the door. He greeted her with a nod of his head and brought a finger to his lips. Merryn looked over at the bed. Johamma lay curled next to her husband, both sound asleep.

  It hit her as a bolt of lightning, come from nowhere. Geoffrey was right. She had been wrong to blame a boy, one raised—and most likely terrorized—by a brutal father. Hardi had dared to go against his father’s command and visited Geoffrey throughout his long imprisonment. He offered physical goods and his own company, never knowing if he might be found out.

  And Hardi released Geoffrey once Berold died. He was trying his best to correct the mistakes of the past, not ones of his making, but those which had nearly ruined Geoffrey’s life. Hardi had married a sweet girl. He’d offered to train the twins so they would be in close proximity to Kinwick, making up for the time Geoffrey had been separated from them. Many children fostered hundreds of miles from their homes. Some never returned once they left, going into service as knights or marrying far from their loved ones.

  Merryn dug deep into her heart and found she could forgive Hardi, though in truth, she had nothing to forgive. Berold had been the sinner and abuser, and he had answered for his actions when he met his Maker. She hoped he burned in agony in the eternal fires of damnation after what he had done to Geoffrey.

  Her next mission would be to convince the king that the twins should foster closer to home. It helped that Hardi held the title of earl and would already be a valuable supporter of the king. Merryn knew Edward had a soft spot for her. She wasn’t above playing upon his sympathies where her family was concerned.

  She nodded at Sir Alard as she passed and met Hobard entering the solar as she left.

  “I will check on the earl once more before we depart, but I feel my job is done.”

  “He—and Lady Johamma—are sleeping, sir. Mayhap you can look in on him after breaking your fast?”

  Hobard agreed and accompanied her to mass and then into the Great Hall to dine. Merryn excused herself, wishing to check on Elia and take her something to eat. The royal visit had taxed everyone’s nerves, and Elia seemed to find it more stressful than most.

  She arrived to find her mother-in-law sitting up in bed but looking a bit flushed. Merryn felt her brow and thought she might have a slight fever.

  “I think not,” Elia said. “I am simply tired and hot. You know I am older than the king and queen. Not by much, but all the same, their time at Kinwick wore upon me.”

  “Then let me sit with you a few minutes. I’ve brought some ale and bread and a small wedge of cheese.”

  Elia nibbled at the food and allowed Merryn to bathe her face in cool water as a precaution. As they chatted, Merryn thought how Elia—and others—could never learn the truth behind the years of Geoffrey’s disappearance. She did not know how her husband had withstood such an ordeal, much less how he had kept the secret to himself upon his return home. She’d always admired his physical strength and good character, but to realize what he had survived and the desperate loneliness he endured during the time he was locked away from the world was almost more than she could bear.

  Merryn still believed that the king should be told of such treachery. She might have to fight Geoffrey on this issue, though it occurred to her that with Berold dead, sharing that kind of news with Edward would truly serve no purpose. ‘Twould be better to let the matter die—even if she believed justice had not been served. At least she had her husband back, and she would hold fast to him till eternity and beyond.

  “I feel a little better, child,” Elia said. “I wish to close my eyes and rest a bit longer. Will you see our company off?”

  “Of course.”

  Merryn waited till Elia’s breathing slowed and soft snores began. She slipped from the room and hurried downstairs, hoping she would catch their guests before they departed.

  A wagon sat in the inner bailey, Hardi already stretched out in it.

  The earl’s eyes met hers. He’d begged her to keep the secret, much as he had Geoffrey, though Merryn had no knight’s oath to swear. She stepped closer and glanced around.

  Lowering her voice, she said, “I know you do not want Johamma judging you for your father’s actions, but you must tell her one day. And soon.” She paused. “Some secrets can eat you alive. You do not want anything to come between the two of you in your marriage. Geoffrey’s oath to you caused a rift in ours. That is no way to start your union. I beg you. Tell her.”

  He clasped her hand. “I shall find the strength of heart to do so. Thank you for everything, my lady.” Hardi looked over her shoulder and smiled.

  Merryn turned and saw Johamma making her way toward them, accompanied by Symond Benedict.

  “Please, Lady Merryn. Come visit us soon. I have so many things to ask you about running a household.” The young bride blushed. “I do not know where to start.”

  “I would be happy to assist you in any way, Johamma. I hope that we will be good friends and good neighbors as the years progress.”

/>   Johamma smiled. “I would like that.”

  Merryn looked at Hardi. “I wish you a continuing, speedy recovery, my lord. I look forward to seeing you soon.” She gave him a genuine smile from the heart.

  Hardi received her message, a look of relief on his face.

  Symond assisted Johamma into the wagon, and she nestled against Hardi, pulling his hand into her lap and holding it tightly. The couple waved as the wagon moved off, a driver and guard of ten knights from Winterbourne escorting it from the yard.

  Merryn looked at Symond, hoping to smooth over any awkwardness between them.

  “’Tis the first opportunity I’ve had to speak with you,” she said. “I hope that your visit to Kinwick was a pleasant one.”

  Symond gave her a shy smile. “’Twould have been nicer if I could have spent time with you, Merryn.”

  She frowned at not only his words, but the soft, loving tone in which they were spoken.

  “’Twould not have been appropriate, Sir Symond.” She emphasized his title and the fact that she did not call him by his Christian name as he had her. “My husband has returned and taken his rightful place as lord of Kinwick. You were here in service to the king, not as before when you were our special guest. While ‘tis nice we share an acquaintance, I would not expect us to spend time alone together,” she admonished.

  He gazed at her longingly. “Mayhap the time shall come when we will be able to be together, my lady. You never know what the future holds.” He bowed. “Until then, I bid you adieu.”

  Merryn found his attitude odd and wanted matters clear between them before he departed. “I do know what my future holds, sir. A lifetime with Geoffrey. I hope my husband and I fill Kinwick with many children and that we live a long, happy life. Together.”

  Symond nodded and moved off without further conversation. He mounted the horse that had been brought around. Merryn noticed that Hobard and Sir Alard were also saddled up, ready to ride.

  “Godspeed on your journey,” she told the physician and knight. “Please give my best to the king and queen, and I hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer progress.”

  She waved as they galloped away. Someone came and stood next to her. Expecting it to be her husband come to bid their guests farewell, it surprised her to find Raynor at her elbow.

  “Where’s Geoffrey?” he asked. “’Tis strange that he would not come to see his visitors off.”

  CHAPTER 33

  “I also leave today,” Raynor continued. “’Twould be nice to give my cousin a hearty hug and a handshake before I get on the road.”

  A moment of doubt filled Merryn. She had learned the worst last night. Between Hardi’s confession and Geoffrey’s confirmation, she knew all that her husband had suffered.

  What if in retelling her of the horrific events, it had unhinged his mind?

  No. She resolved not to think of that. They loved one another. Sharing in the truth, no matter how ghastly it was, should bring them together. They were two made one, by their marriage vows and the passion they shared. He would not leave again of his own accord.

  Then it occurred to her that Sir Alard had been on duty this morning when she’d gone to check on Hardi.

  And that meant Symond Benedict had been standing watch last night.

  Merryn did not remember the knight present while Hardi poured out his heart to her, but he’d made a habit of lingering in the shadows of the room the last few days. She realized Symond had born witness to everything Hardi revealed about Geoffrey’s hardship. He also would have heard every word spoken between her and Geoffrey in the aftermath.

  It infuriated her that the knight did not make his presence known. And it frightened her with how obsessed he seemed with her. What if he had confronted Geoffrey about what he overheard? Mocked him for being a helpless prisoner for all those years?

  Would that have been enough to drive Geoffrey over the edge? Would Simon have tried to convince Geoffrey that she was better off without him?

  Again, she rejected that. In truth, the husband who returned to her after his long incarceration might have believed Symond. He’d come back timid. Afraid of his own shadow. But through her love and encouragement, Merryn had seen him grow in spirit and confidence. She believed if Symond had confronted Geoffrey last night in such a manner, he would have sported a black eye and split lip today. Her husband would not have tolerated such taunts.

  Yet where was he?

  Concerned, she said to Raynor, “We need to find him. Let us ask a few of the servants if they have seen him. Meet me in the Great Hall in half an hour. You check the stables and both baileys. I will ask inside the keep.”

  They met up at the specified time and found neither had come across anyone who’d laid eyes upon Geoffrey since he left the Great Hall last night bearing a tray of food.

  “We must search the entire castle then,” she proclaimed. “Something is very wrong, Raynor. I feel it in my bones. I cannot share the whole of it, but know that when Geoffrey left me last night, he had much on his mind.”

  Alys tugged on her cote-hardie. “Mother, where is Father? He promised to help me ride my pony and pick flowers for you.”

  Merryn gave her daughter a hug. “Your father had some business to take care of, love. I shall be sure and remind him of your plans when I see him. Now run along.”

  She went up to the second floor chambers and decided to search room by room. The solar was empty except for Tilda and a maid cleaning it. Elia still napped in her room. Raynor’s chamber held his packed bag sitting atop the bed.

  Then she reached the twin’s room. She found Ancel playing with the small, carved figures that Geoffrey had once enjoyed as a child. She had given them to him in hopes he would feel close to the man he’d never known.

  “Ancel, have you seen your father this morning? I have need of him.”

  Her son gave her a sour look. “Not since he was drunk last night.” His nose wrinkled in disgust.

  Merryn hurried to him. She grabbed his shoulders. “What? Drunk? ‘Tis impossible. Where did you see him?”

  Ancel’s bottom lip stuck out as stubbornly as she knew her own did at times. “I cannot say. I gave my word.” He shrugged from her grip. “I plan to be a knight, Mother. I shall serve and protect the king. I must be honest and never lie. My word is my bond. ‘Tis important that I keep it.”

  “Christ’s wounds!” she proclaimed. She was so tired of hearing about how important keeping an oath was to a man.

  Merryn glared at her son. “You are not a knight, Ancel de Montfort, and you shall never be a knight unless you first learn obedience to your elders. Especially your parents. Father Dannet has told you to honor your mother.

  “So tell me. Now. I command you.”

  Her forceful words and tone caused her son’s eyes to fill with tears. He buried his face in her cote-hardie, his small arms wrapping tightly about her. She knew she had pushed hard enough. She would allow him to speak in his own good time.

  Merryn drew him to sit upon the bed. Ancel snuggled next to her.

  After some minutes, she asked quietly, “Where did you see your father? And why did you believe him to be drunk?”

  He sniffed. “Tilda put us in bed, but I forget my sword in the Great Hall.” He dropped his eyes. “I forgot it before, and Raynor threatened to take it away. He told me I was careless and that knights could not afford to be careless.”

  Ancel shifted and looked back at her. “I did not want him angry with me. So though ‘twas late, I slipped out of bed and went to fetch it.” He paused. “When I left the hall, I saw Father in the hallway. He was so drunk, he could not stand.”

  “Was he sitting on the ground?” she asked, gently prodding him.

  “Nay. Sir Symond had both arms about him, holding him up. He dragged him along. Sir Symond asked me to give my word and tell no one that I saw them. He said ‘twould embarrass you, Father being in his cups. He said the lord of Kinwick should be held to a higher standard. And that you deserved
better.”

  Right away, Merryn knew something was wrong. Geoffrey had not the time to become that inebriated. In fact, she had never seen him behave in such a manner. And for him to be in Symond Benedict’s company, knowing he was the man Edward had chosen for her to wed?

  Never.

  Besides, Symond had said naught to her when they spoke this morning. Her suspicions grew.

  She turned to Ancel. “Did you see where Sir Symond took your father? To bed down in the Great Hall?”

  Ancel frowned. “No. They passed it by. They went toward your herb room.”

  Merryn dug her fingernails into her palms. She contained the angry shriek that longed to escape from inside her, not wanting to frighten her son.

  Instead, she smiled at him reassuringly. “’Tis a good boy you are, Ancel. And ‘tis a great knight you’ll make someday. Thank you for honoring the vow of honesty. ‘Tis a quality each great knight possesses. Your father is one such knight. He shall teach you all you need to know about being a true knight and a fine man of character.”

  She took Ancel’s face in her hands. “I know you still have doubts about your father, my boy. But he is the best of men. The best I have ever known. Even our king and the Black Prince have the utmost faith in him and trust him with their lives. They know Geoffrey de Montfort to be a man of honor, and his word is truth. You will do well to learn from him.”

  She kissed her son’s forehead. “Trust in him, Ancel. I promise you will not regret it.”

  With that, Merryn picked up her skirts and flew from the room.

  ***

  Geoffrey thought back years ago to the siege of a castle in France. After weeks of attack, the commander stood firm and would not surrender. The Black Prince had said the castle would yield when enough of its inhabitants starved.

  It had taken three months.

  But those people had been able to seek out resources within the castle itself. They could find scraps to gnaw upon. Even resort to eating dogs.