by Regan Walker
Alex pursed his lips and let out a breath. “Well, we shall say no more of it, for your deed, good or bad, saved our lives. And frankly, I would not put either treachery or cruelty past Earl Hugh.”
“We have you to thank for our lives, Merewyn,” said Guy, finding his voice. His smile told her he did not hold her action to free the Welsh king against her.
“You continue to surprise me, wife,” said Alex. “I suspect with you, life will never be dull.”
They rode on in comfortable silence. At Wigan, the priest was welcoming and again provided them with lodging. Merewyn was glad to be out of the cold. When Alex told the priest they were wed, he was happy to show them to a chamber they could share. Alex did not make love to her that night but wrapped his body around her and, with one hand possessively on her breast, told her, “Get some rest.”
CHAPTER 15
Two days later, on a dreary afternoon, Alex and his companions rode through Talisand’s gate. He had accomplished his purpose and rescued Merewyn from the clutches of the Welshman, but none save Rory and Guy knew he had rescued his wife. Even Merewyn refused to agree they were wed. She still kept the ring he had given her on a riband around her neck, hidden beneath her clothing.
He felt a scowl building as he recalled their last conversation.
“You will wear my ring. I will not have the likes of Owain or Ranulf thinking you are available for their pursuit.”
“Nay, I will not! Not until I know your parents have accepted the idea of our marriage. They may yet expect you to wed a noble born woman. And then there is the king. Oh, and Alex, please say nothing of the babe until you have their answer.”
He knew she was resisting for his benefit but he liked it not. In his mind, they were well and truly wed and there was no way she would be slipping out of it. She was the only woman he wanted to be mother to his sons. The only woman he would have in his bed. The only woman he loved with a passion.
He cast a sharp glance at her belly before raising his gaze to her face. “Already you swell with my child,” he whispered, leaning in close so only she could hear. “You cannot hide the truth of it for long.”
She turned her head forward, stubborn as always, and said nothing.
He would see an end to her defiance. Tonight, he would raise the issue of their marriage with his father.
* * *
Jamie was in the bailey talking with Lora when Alex and Merewyn passed through the palisade gate, followed by Rory and Guy. “By all the saints, he has brought her back,” Jamie muttered under his breath.
“I am not surprised,” said Lora. “When you told me Alex had gone after her, I did not doubt he would bring Merewyn back. He can be very determined.”
Jamie turned to the dark-haired woman at his side, aware she had once harbored a tendre for Talisand’s heir. “Alex has decided on the woman he wants. Does his choice concern you?”
Lora watched Alex and Merewyn dismount. “If what you suggest is true, I am happy for them. They make a fine couple, he so dark and she so fair. Alex needs a strong woman like Merewyn and I think she has always cared more for him than she was willing to say.”
“And you? Did you not find Sir Alex a handsome knight?”
She turned to face him. Nearly as tall as he, she had only to tilt her chin slightly to meet his gaze. “Once, like many of the girls at Talisand, I might have allowed myself to dream of Sir Alex, but I am no longer a girl. I have seen the man I would call husband, a knight who is much admired. And he is not Alex.”
The sparkle in her brown eyes brought a smile to his face. “If that be so, Mistress Lora, with your permission, I would speak to Sir Alain when he returns. Should your father agree, you and I will be wed.”
“Aye, Jamie,” she said, “you have my permission.”
He was so intent on Lora, so thrilled with her answer, he had not detected Alex’s approach, but the familiar voice drew his attention. “Will you stare at each other all afternoon or will you join us for some ale?”
Jamie turned to see Alex supported by Rory on one side and Merewyn on the other. “Of course, we will join you.” Then looking down, he noticed Alex stood on only one leg, the other bent at the knee as if injured. “What has happened?”
Alex let out an exasperated sigh. “I caught an arrow from a Welsh bow.”
“Well, no matter whose arrow it was, we had best get you off your one good leg,” Jamie said. Replacing Merewyn on one side, Jamie helped Alex into the hall.
Lora took Merewyn’s arm and followed closely behind them.
“It is so good to have you home. Jamie thought you did not go willingly with Owain. Is it true?”
“Aye. Poor Owain. He believed he was doing right by me.”
“Was it Owain who shot Alex?”
“Aye and Alex meant to take his head but I persuaded him to let Owain go. Imagine how Rhodri would react to Alex’s killing one of Powys’ princes.”
Jamie smiled to himself hearing the women’s conversation. Merewyn would make an interesting Lady of Talisand.
When the six of them were in the hall and Alex was seated, Jamie drew Merewyn aside. “I have said nothing to Alex of the child.”
“I thank you for keeping my secret, Jamie, but Alex knows and I suspect, very soon, all of Talisand will know as well.”
* * *
After Jamie left her, Merewyn went looking for Lady Serena, to let her know they had returned and that Alex had taken an arrow in his leg. She found her in the kitchen with Maggie.
Before she could open her mouth to speak, Lady Serena rushed toward her. “Merewyn! You are back!”
“We thought ye’d run off with that Welshman,” said Maggie with an expression that spoke of her disapproval.
“Nay, I did not. I was taken, but Alex rescued me.”
After she told them about all that had happened, well, except for the nights she shared his bed and her freeing the Welsh king, she assured them Alex was on the mend. “The earl’s physic said he will recover. The wound still pains him, but ’tis healing well.”
“Where is he?” asked Lady Serena, wiping off her hands on a cloth.
“In the hall, drinking with Sir Jamie and the others.”
“Go to yer son, milady,” Maggie urged her mistress. “I will see if I can find the crutch Earl Renaud used when he injured his leg. ’Tis around here somewhere.”
* * *
Alex did not intend to ask his father about Merewyn becoming his wife. He preferred to announce it as an accomplished fact. Because of the importance of what he was about, he had asked Merewyn to wear the blue velvet gown she had worn that first night in Chester when she had defeated him in chess, for he would have all of Talisand see their new lady. He dressed in the midnight blue tunic his mother had given him.
When supper ended and the minstrels finished their songs, he rose and, with the crutch Maggie had given him supporting his wounded leg, he took Merewyn’s hand to walk the short distance to the dais. “Come!”
Merewyn was none too pleased. “You know I do not want to be with you when you speak to your parents,” she whispered as he limped forward with her in tow. “It will make them feel awkward.”
“You must be with me,” he hissed back. He loved her with all his heart but, at times, his fierce archer could be stubborn. “I do not intend to ask, but to tell.”
When they arrived before the dais where his parents sat with Sir Geoffroi, his wife, Lady Emma, and Maugris, Alex said, “I have a declaration to make.”
A hushed silence followed as everyone in the hall turned to listen. He felt the eyes upon him and stiffened his resolve.
“First,” nodding to Sir Geoffroi and Lady Emma and then to his parents, since all four might claim Merewyn as their ward, “I must ask your forgiveness for not having sought your permission, but I have taken Merewyn as my wife.”
Gasps of surprise echoed around the hall. Alex kept his eyes on the five people before him.
Maugris and his mother smiled in what
he hoped was evidence of their approval.
Sir Geoffroi frowned. “When?”
“In London,” he said, squeezing Merewyn’s hand. Giving her a sidelong glance, he saw the fear in her eyes.
“But there was no ceremony, no blessing. I was there!” insisted Sir Geoffroi.
“Since there would be no dowry and thus no contract, it seemed a simple exchange of our intent sufficed. Our love made us eager to bind ourselves to each other.”
Merewyn’s hand moved to her belly where the babe was just beginning to make itself known beneath her velvet gown.
Alex did not fail to note the move nor, apparently, did his mother.
“You are with child, Merewyn?” the Lady of Talisand asked.
Merewyn flushed and nodded.
“You have dishonored my ward?” protested Sir Geoffroi. His wife, Lady Emma, patted his hand. “Perhaps not, my love.”
“We exchanged the required words. Only then was the marriage consummated. Father Bernard has assured me such is sufficient to see us wed.”
Father Bernard rose from his seat. “If I might, my lord, my lady…”
The lord of Talisand gestured the priest to approach the dais.
“Sir Alex speaks the truth. All that is required is for the two of them to make present statements of their intent. When followed by their physical union, the bond is completed. No witnesses need be present and a formal blessing, though not required, can follow.”
Behind Alex, he heard the voice of his mother’s maidservant. “My lady, I overheard their vows spoken in London.”
Alex’s mother acknowledged Nelda’s statement with a nod. “Well, and ’tis obvious the bond has been sealed.”
Alex snuck a look at his bride. Merewyn’s cheeks were flaming, her lips tightly pressed together and her eyes lowered.
All this time Alex’s father had remained silent, his expression inscrutable. Now he spoke. “What about the king? Does he know of this?”
“I have yet to speak to William about Merewyn. When I left him in Durham, he was in no mood to hear it.”
“Well, first let me say, you are wrong on several counts, my son, which in this case is to the good. First, Merewyn will have a dowry. Geoff and I spoke of it before we left for London, thinking she might find an acceptable suitor there, which apparently she did.”
His stern look passed from Alex to Merewyn, who lowered her eyes.
His father continued. “Geoff and I will see she brings coin to her marriage. We had even thought of land, but that will no longer be necessary. It seems you will have plenty. And perhaps I can help you with the king.”
Alex’s spirits rose. His father would not oppose their marriage. He shot a glance at Merewyn. She, too, appeared hopeful.
“It seems both the king and his brother were taken with the young page who shot the deer,” said his father. “Duke Robert, in particular, was delighted when the page turned into a lovely young woman. After we left the barons’ meeting, William and Robert inquired about Merewyn’s sire. Eude de Fourneaux was the only son of a nobleman, who recently passed. His lands in Fourneaux are among those William now controls by virtue of the treaty in Caen. When William called me back to the palace that morning it was to tell me he wished me to betroth Merewyn to one of my sons. Whichever son I chose would be given the Fourneaux lands near Falaise.”
Beside him, Merewyn’s right hand flew to her throat. “Lands in Normandy?”
“I have no doubt William expected me to wed Merewyn to Raoul, but since he failed to dictate my choice, I will advise him I have given Merewyn to you. With the lands in Normandy she brings you, he should find the match acceptable.”
Alex pulled Merewyn into his arms and kissed her.
The hall erupted in loud shouts of congratulations.
When he ended the kiss, her eyes were glistening with tears. “Now will you wear my ring, my lady?”
“Oh, yea, I will!”
Alex held out his palm. She lifted the riband from her neck and removed the ring, placing it in his hand. He slid it on her finger and looked into her teary eyes. “With this ring, I proclaim you mine for always.”
“Well done, Alex!” cried Rory.
Cheers erupted from the people behind them.
When the hall quieted, at the head table, Maugris leaned across Alex’s mother to speak to Talisand’s lord. “My lord, do you know the animal on Fourneaux’s banner?”
Alex’s father shrugged and turned to Sir Geoffroi. “Do you know, Geoff?”
“As I recall from Eude’s shield, Ren, ’tis a red hart bearing many prongs on its antlers.”
A broad smile spread across the wise one’s face and his pale blue eyes twinkled with mirth. “All is well,” he pronounced. “Did I not say it would be so?”
CHAPTER 16
Merewyn loved the end of autumn when wheat seeding was completed and everyone was busy with preparations for winter. The air was brisk, gusts whipping leaves to the floor of the woodland. The old stock and swine were slaughtered and salted to supply meat, villeins cut reeds and sedges for thatching so no roofs would leak when the rains came in full force and herdsmen gathered bracken for the cattle’s winter bedding.
Added to that was the candle making that the women did together to assure Talisand had a goodly supply of light for the short winter days.
But this year, an excitement filled the air beyond the normal preparations for the Martinmas feast because they were to celebrate the marriage of Talisand’s heir. Father Bernard had agreed to bless their marriage on St. Martin’s Day and Maggie assured Lady Serena they would have enough roast goose to feed all of Talisand.
Alex had joined the men hunting geese for the feast and Merewyn was helping Lady Serena and Lady Emma with the candle making. Cecily and her two ever-present companions were gathering wood with the other children.
By now, the half-dozen women making candles just outside the kitchens had filled many racks of the long tapers. Merewyn had just dipped her candles into the hot tallow mixture for the third time when the babe quickened within her. The flicker of movement made her start. She brought her hand to her slightly rounded belly waiting for the next movement.
“The babe?” Lady Serena asked holding up a rack with a half-dozen candles she had just dipped. The honey-colored candles were nearly done.
Merewyn smiled at her mother-in-law. “Aye. ’Tis the first time I have felt the babe move.”
Lady Emma left the candles she was dipping and came to join Merewyn. Like Serena, Emma, who was also in her fourth decade, barely showed her years. Her skin was smooth and her blue-green eyes clear and beautiful. “I feel as if this child will be my first grandchild as well as yours, Serena.”
Lady Serena shook her head. “Two grandmothers and Maggie to dote on him.”
Hearing her name, Maggie raised her head from where she was working. “And why not?”
Merewyn was delighted to have so many she cared for look forward to the birth of her child. “I think he will be much loved,” she said.
Lady Serena wiped her hands on her linen apron. “You said ‘he’. Do you believe the babe will be a male child?” Emma and Serena paused in what they were doing to wait for her answer.
Merewyn smiled remembering her encounter with the wise one after morning prayers. “Maugris told me this first child will be a boy, one with a will to match his father’s and his grandfather’s.”
Maggie looked up from where she was inspecting the candles drying on the long rack. “Another wolf?” she asked, resignedly. “As if the pack we have is not enough. May the Good Lord save us.”
“Mayhap this one will encourage my Tibby to be responsible,” said Lady Serena. “After all, he will be the babe’s uncle.”
“Your daughter, Bea,” Merewyn said to Lady Emma, “has already offered to help me with the babe.”
“Aye, she would. Bea loves children.”
Lora, who had just dipped her candles in the hot mixture, laughed. “She will have a time of
it fending off Cecily. I expect the imp will take charge and command her two swains and everyone else concerning the babe. My brother, Ancel, will not question her dictates.”
Merewyn laughed with the women. Surrounded by so many she loved made her feel like she really had come home. Maugris had been right. Her future was at Talisand.
Maggie issued instructions to the servant women, then walked to where Merewyn stood with Serena and Emma. “I’d best see how Cassie is coming with the feast preparations. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”
“Maggie reminds me that time is short,” said Lady Serena to Merewyn. “I would show you the gown I have for you to wear tomorrow. Would you like to come?” she asked Lady Emma and Lora.
The faces of the two women lit with interest. “Oh, yes!” said Lora.
Wiping off her hands, Lady Emma said, “Indeed, I want to see it.”
The four women walked to the chamber in the manor Merewyn now shared with Alex, the one that had once been her own. Lying across the large bed was a shimmering blue silk gown, the neck and sleeves embroidered with golden thread.
“Oh…” Lady Emma and Lora exclaimed together.
“It is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen!” said Merewyn.
Lady Serena smiled. “I do not wonder but that I was thinking of this day when I purchased the silk and thread in London. I could not be more pleased with Alex’s choice for a bride.”
As Emma and Lora stood admiring the gown, Lady Serena reached for a circlet of silver intertwined with intricate gold leaves. Presenting it to Merewyn, she said, “This was a gift from my father. I wore it on the day I wed the Red Wolf many years ago. And I would have you wear it tomorrow.”
“I have never seen that circlet,” said Lady Emma. “ ’Tis beautiful.”
Lora just stared at the beautiful circlet.
Merewyn took the delicate piece in her hands, tears filling her eyes. “You have been so good to me, my lady. To let me wear your own circlet is a gift I would never have expected.”
“ ’Tis yours, Merewyn. You are the only daughter I will ever have. And now you are my daughter-in-law as well. Mayhap one day, it will grace the head of your own daughter.”