Desperate and about to lose what he coveted most, Hamon interjected, “The child could be mine just as well.”
“You lying bastard,” Albin snarled leaping sideways to wrap his hands around Hamon’s scrawny neck. “Lecie was a maiden when I took her.”
Lecie’s look of shock was not lost on the priest as Leofrick, Edmund and Talan struggled to separate the two men.
Edmund managed to pry Albin’s fingers from Hamon’s neck as Talan and Leofrick forcefully dragged him away.
“Ease up, Albin,” Talan hissed in his ear. “You are not helping your chances.”
His face an unhealthy shade of red , Hamon inhaled deeply as he kept a wary eye on his adversary. Gingerly touching his neck, he sought protection by moving to stand beside the sheriff. “Are not you going to do something?”
“We are doing something,” Sheriff Richard bent a disgusted look on Hamon. “We are trying to discern the truth from bold-faced lies.”
Swallowing painfully, Hamon averted his eyes. “It is he that lies.”
Finished with his ale, the priest waited patiently until he had everyone’s attention. “Now then,” he called. “If we have concluded with the theatrics, we shall finish with this sordid business.”
Albin crossed his arms before his chest the moment Talan and Leofrick released him. His narrowed gaze on Hamon, he waited for the priest’s next words.
Father Bartholomeo pinned Lecie with his gaze. “I would normally hear your confession in private, however, the circumstances being what they are…” he trailed off.
“I understand, Father,” Lecie’s voice shook as she responded. “Ask of me what you would.”
“Would you tell the truth?” Albin blurted unable to stop himself. “If you do, I swear by the Almighty that he shall not harm what you hold dear.”
Meeting his steady gaze, Lecie forced herself to feel nothing. “On top of everything else you have faultily laid at my feet, do you now accuse me of being a liar as well, Sir Albin?”
“If in so doing you are under the assumption it would protect someone you love, aye,” he responded softly. “I do so accuse you.”
“My father was wrong about you. You are not an honorable man.” Her lip trembling, she returned her attention to Father Bartholomeo. “I understand that a woman’s word is nothing compared to that of a man’s, yet you have mine that I shall answer truthfully.”
“Have you dishonored yourself with Sir Albin, as he claims?” Father Bartholomeo asked abruptly.
“Yes I have,” Lecie responded, boldly meeting Albin’s gaze. “How I wish it were not so.”
“And Hamon?” the priest pressed. “Have you also shared your pallet with him?”
“No,” Lecie spat. “I have not, nor would I ever willingly do so.”
“In that case, I suggest you take a private moment to prepare yourself for your wedding to Sir Albin.” Father Bartholomeo slightly softened his words. “Regardless of what you now think, he has proven himself to be an honorable man in upholding your father’s wishes. Given the situation, you could do much worse.”
“I do not see it as such,” Lecie numbly replied. “Yet what choice do I have?”
Ignoring everyone but Hamon, she made her way to his side. “Get your things and be gone by the time I return.” Regardless of the sheriff standing only feet from her, she added, “And know you this, if any harm comes to the children, there is nowhere on this isle you can hide that I will not find and slay you.”
“You impertinent wench,” Hamon hissed as he lifted a hand to strike her. “I warned you about crossing me.”
Suddenly finding his hand held in a viselike grip, Hamon shrieked in pain as the bones in his fingers threatened to break.
“You heard her,” Albin sneered, twisting Hamon’s arm. “Be gone with you.”
Surrounded by towering men, Hamon nervously glanced around for an ally. Met with animosity at every turn, he turned a spiteful look upon Albin. “Release me and I shall.”
Albin shoved him away, blocking Lecie from Hamon’s view. Folding his arms over his chest he quirked a brow, waiting for compliance.
“I offer my congratulations to you, Sir Albin.” Hamon performed a mock bow. “Your fondest wish has been granted this day.”
His eyes darting to Lecie, Albin smiled. “You are right, it has.”
“Your gluttony for ale has led you to covet Lecie’s hand, whereas I only coveted her heart.”
“Get. Out,” Albin snarled.
“Until we meet again.” Hamon dipped his head with a mocking smile.
“I look forward to that day.”
“Do not think it has escaped my notice that you lied to a man of God,” Father Bartholomeo called to Hamon as he was about to enter his small chamber beneath the steps. “I shall expect to see you in the confessional come Sunday.”
Without responding, Hamon slammed his chamber door.
“Excuse me while I prepare myself,” Lecie murmured to no one in particular. “It shall not take me long.”
Avoiding Albin’s remorseful gaze, she brushed past him to race up the steps.
She angrily brushed at the tears slipping from her eyes, refusing to think about what was to come. Hamon’s words replayed themselves in her head as she entered the children’s room to dismiss Betta. While she refused to believe Albin was marrying her for the inn, she knew he would honor his vow to her father.
“Now then,” she began in a falsely bright voice as she perched on the edge of Clayton’s bed. “I know you must be confused by what transpired below, so I would like to have a word with the three of you.”
“Betta said you are to be married,” Osana interjected. “We think you should choose Sir Albin over Hamon.”
Taken off guard, it took Lecie a moment to respond. “Do you say that because you do not like Hamon?”
“No,” Sabina spoke up. “It is because we like Sir Albin.”
“You do?” Lecie questioned softly.
“Oh yes, ever so much,” Clayton exclaimed. “Even Tugger approves of him.”
“Well in that case, I suppose it will be easier to explain things to you,” Lecie said half to herself. “For it is Sir Albin I am set to wed.”
“There was no need to explain anyway,” Osana replied. “Betta told us everything.”
“Everything?” Lecie’s eyes flared. “What exactly did Betta say?”
“She said you had little choice in the matter since you are now a woman alone without a man’s protection, and we should support your decision, whatever it may be,” Sabina recited verbatim.
“I see,” Lecie responded with a grateful smile. “I suppose I shall have to thank Betta for being so considerate.”
“Why do you look so sad?” Clayton passed her the kerchief he had balled in his fist. “Do you not wish to marry Sir Albin?”
Accepting the damp piece of linen, Lecie shrugged. “It is hard to explain.”
“You can try,” Clayton coaxed. “We shall be quiet and listen.”
Despite her circumstances, Lecie smiled. “I meant it is hard to explain adult matters to one so young.”
“Do you love him?” Osana spoke up.
“Yes,” Lecie admitted. “I love him very much.”
“Then what is so hard to explain?” Sabina looked puzzled. “You are marrying the man you love.”
“It is more complicated than that.” Lecie heaved a sigh as she took in their solemn faces. “I do not think it is something Sir Albin wishes.”
“Why not?” Clayton replied. “You are comely and the nicest girl I have ever met.”
“Thank you. I think perhaps you might be a tad biased on my account.”
“Why would he marry you if he did not want to?” Osana asked. “He is a man and has a choice.”
“He made a promise to Da,” Lecie replied softly fighting back tears.
“Well, if he does not love you now, he will,” Clayton responded matter-of-factly.
“Mayhap you are right,” Lecie a
greed to end the subject. “We best go below for the ceremony now so we can see Da put to rest.”
“Lecie?” Clayton’s face fell. “Must we go to the churchyard after dark?”
The late afternoon sun cast shadows on the planked flooring as Lecie stood with a resigned sigh. “Not if we hurry. We can say our farewells to father as the sun sets. It was he and mother’s favorite time of day.”
“How come?”
“Every day at sunset, our parents would take a stroll together by the river. Regardless of what kind of day they had, they would return after twilight to greet us with smiles.”
“I love when you tell us stories like that,” Sabina said wistfully. “They must have loved each other very much.”
“They did indeed,” Lecie replied, reaching for Clayton’s hand. “And now they are once again reunited.”
“I no longer can picture what mother looks like.” Osana brushed at her cheeks.
“Then I shall always tell you stories to remind you.” Pulling Osana into a hug, Sabina and Clayton joined in.
After a moment, Lecie eased away to stand. “Now then, if we are to catch the last of the sun, we must be on our way.”
“Must the wedding be today?” Following the children down the hall, Sabina glanced back at her. “It seems like a bad omen so soon after Da’s death.”
Not what she had in mind for her wedding day, Lecie responded with a heavy heart. “Under the circumstances, today is as good as any.”
“You are not even dressed in your best.” Osana stopped abruptly to eye Lecie’s charcoal gray kirtle with a skeptical eye. “How can you marry a knight dressed as you are?”
“I think Lecie is beautiful whatever it is she is wearing,” Sabina put in softly.
“Thank you, Sabina.” Nudging Osana forward, she added, “Were it a happier occasion, I would take the time to change. As it is, I am in mourning for our father. I would not disrespect him by celebrating the day.”
“We shall have the ceremony now and celebrate another day then,” Sabina replied.
“Thank you.” Lecie smiled. “I would be lost without the three of you.”
“Do not worry,” Osana called over her shoulder as she followed her siblings down the steps. “We shall always be with you.”
“I pray you are right,” Lecie whispered behind her.
TEN
Albin did a double take when Lecie returned wearing the same clothing. Her tresses escaping her silk snood and her eyes red and swollen from crying, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Resigned to her cold aloofness, he stepped forward to present his arm. “Shall we see the matter done, lass?”
“If we must,” she murmured without meeting his gaze.
Father Bartholomeo stood to give her the once over, yet refrained from saying anything to her. “Very well, shall we begin?”
He took a swallow of ale as Talan, Sheriff Richard, his sons and the children took their places behind Lecie and Albin as they solemnly faced the priest.
Betta, slipping in from the kitchen to stand along the back wall, caught Lecie’s attention. Motioning her forward, she waited until Betta hesitantly stepped up to stand beside Talan.
When Father Bartholomeo opened his mouth to protest her presence, Lecie calmly met his disapproving gaze. “I am just as fallen as she in the eyes of God. Betta has been like a mother to me and I would have her here, Father.”
“You are marrying a knight of the realm and should learn to act accordingly. This woman is not only fallen, she refuses to repent for her sins by attending mass. She is unworthy to be present at this solemn occasion.”
“Yet I would still have her here to bear witness.” Refusing to back down, Lecie stood motionless in a staring contest with Father Bartholomeo.
“As would I,” Albin broke the uneasy silence. “Daylight is wasting, Father.”
“You do not object to the wench’s presence, Sir Albin?”
Albin reached his hand to cover Lecie’s where it rested lightly on his forearm, grateful she did not pull away. “I have no objection, it is what my betrothed wishes.”
He exhaled a slow breath of relief when Lecie turned thankful eyes upon him. With a slight smile, he once again faced the priest.
“Very well then.” With a slight dip of his head, Father Bartholomeo intoned the words that would bind them together as husband and wife for as long as they lived.
In a clear sure voice, Albin recited his vows and managed to hide his disappointment behind a stoic mask when Lecie faltered when asked by the priest to repeat hers.
Sealing their vows with a kiss, Lecie’s soft gasp had him pulling her up against his chest to hold her closer. Slowly releasing her, he searched her eyes for some sign of warmth, only to be disappointed when she stepped out of his arms to face the priest.
“Shall we depart for the cemetery now, Father?”
Obviously surprised by the request, Father Bartholomeo glanced towards the bar. “I believe a toast of good fortune for the couple is customary.”
“If we must,” Lecie conceded.
The assembled group extended subdued congratulations as Betta passed out cups of honeyed mead for a celebratory toast wishing the newlywed couple long life, prosperity and an abundance of children.
Holding his cup high, Albin acknowledged the well wishes. “I count no man more fortunate than I this day.” Tipping back his cup, he drained the contents.
Lecie swirled the amber liquid in her cup lost in thought. Slowly bringing it to her lips, she took a deep swallow.
Accepting a tithing from Albin, Father Bartholomeo set his cup down. “Shall we depart for the burial?”
Reminded the day was not yet over, the men set their cups down to stand.
Lecie placed one last kiss on her father’s brow through the linen shroud as Albin and Leofrick prepared to move his body to the horsedrawn wagon waiting outside.
Struggling to contain her tears, she followed behind the wagon with the children as they slowly made their way to the church at the end of the rutted road. Villagers returning to their dwellings for the night stopped and bowed their heads as the small procession passed.
His head held high, Father Bartholomeo regally acknowledged the show of respect.
The sun’s last rays found the priest somberly intoning one last prayer for Edric’s eternal rest. Once the service concluded, the sheriff and his sons once again offered the family their condolences before heading off with the priest for their own homes.
Holding Clayton’s hand, Lecie walked alongside Betta and the twins as Albin and Talan brought up the rear.
“You children have eaten very little today,” Lecie spoke to fill the silence. “How about I fix us all something to eat when we get home?”
“I am not hungry,” Clayton responded tiredly.
“Me neither,” Sabina replied softly.
“I for sure am not.” Osana cast a furtive glance back at Albin and Talan. “I would think Sir Talan and Sir Albin are, though.”
“What would make you think that?” Lecie inquired, casting a furtive glance back. Finding Albin’s gaze on her, she jerked her head forward.
“Knights are always hungry,” Osana replied. “Especially knights of their size.”
“Do you think I will grow as tall as they, Lecie?” Clayton stifled a yawn. “I would be a fearsome knight to behold if I did.”
“You will grow no taller than Da,” Osana spoke up.
With a disapproving look at Osana, Lecie responded, “Which is tall enough to be a fearsome knight.”
“I think so too.” Kicking a stone out of his path, Clayton fell silent.
Relieved to reach the inn, the group filed through the door currently crisscrossed with a swatch of black linen. Lightly touching the sign of mourning as she passed, Lecie’s thoughts turned to the only other time they had closed the inn: after the death of her mother.
“I shall be up in a moment to bid you good night,” Lecie called to th
e children as they filed up the steps to seek their rest.
Undecided on what she should do, she began to tidy up the common room.
“I cannot tell you how sorry I am, Lecie.” Albin’s soft words interrupted her troubled thoughts.
“Thank you, Sir Albin,” she murmured as Talan slipped from the room to give them privacy.
“I was left with little choice.”
“You still had more of a choice than was given to me.” Willing herself to feel nothing, she paused in her task to meet his warm brown gaze. Failing miserably, she resumed her task of straightening the tables. “Who will protect the children once you depart for Castell Maen?”
“Once I depart?” Confused, Albin attempted to catch her eye. “Why would I do that?”
“Why would you not?” Confused herself, she stopped to look at him. “You are under obligation to Baron Erlegh, are you not?”
“No, lass.” Albin smiled to allay her fears. “King Henry has officially given me leave. I am no longer under obligation to Fulke. I am in town as a favor to him.”
“So you plan on staying in Rochester?”
“You were present at our wedding, were you not?” Albin teased. “I have no plans on leaving Rochester.”
“But your family…” Lecie trailed off. She knew so little about the man she had wed. “Would you live so far from them?”
“You and the children are my family now,” he replied softly. “I had hoped you would have realized that.”
“Actually, I had not given it much thought.”
“I can understand that. Had the circumstances been different, I would have proposed to you properly.”
“As to that, I must apologize to you. Had my father been in his right mind, he never would have coerced such a promise from you.”
“Your father did not coerce me into marrying you, Lecie.”
“Oh? Then why would you do it?”
Gently cupping her face, Albin searched her eyes. “Cannot you think of another reason?”
“Aye, I could. If not for my father’s request, you felt you had no choice.”
Dropping his hands, Albin stepped back. “Explain yourself, please.”
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