by Regan Walker
Rhodri sat up and rubbed the back of his head.
The Red Wolf stood over the small group. His fierce gray eyes held Serena’s gaze for a long moment, then glancing at her handmaiden, he said to his knight, “Geoff, get the bandages from my bag before the girl bleeds to death.”
“Aye,” Sir Geoffroi acknowledged, and strode to their horses.
“Sir Niel,” said the Red Wolf to the younger knight, “make yourself useful and find some water to clean the wound.”
Without a word, Sir Niel took a skin from his saddle and headed for the stream.
“What has happened here?” the Red Wolf demanded of Serena. There was more than anger in his eyes now. Was it a look of concern? Knowing he was close made her feel safe, no matter he was displeased. Relieved at seeing him returned from Exeter a whole man, she wanted to fly into his arms but his forbidding manner kept her still.
“We were attacked by the mercenary you sent away from Talisand, the one called Sir Hugue.”
“Sir Hugue?” asked Sir Geoffroi, incredulous as he handed Serena an oilcloth containing fresh bandages.
“What was the mercenary doing with you in the woods, Serena?” the Red Wolf asked.
Serena felt the cold chill in his voice. “He followed me,” said Serena, realizing that told him little.
Rhodri, still rubbing his head, asked, “Who hit me?”
“Sir Hugue, the Norman mercenary,” said Serena, shooting a glance at the Red Wolf.
“There will be time later to hear the full tale,” said the Red Wolf. “We must get your handmaiden back to Talisand.”
“First, let me try and stop the bleeding,” pleaded Serena. Asking the men to turn their backs, Serena stripped the top of Cassie’s tunic and undertunic from her, and with the water Sir Niel handed her, cleaned the wound.
Cassie moaned.
Rhodri spoke from where he was rising. “Serena, Cassie had some herbs with her. Agrimony was one of them. It will stop the bleeding.”
“I’ll get it,” said Sir Maurin. He rose from Cassie’s side and hurried to the horse Rhodri directed him to.
When the knight returned, Serena lifted the cloth she had used to cover Cassie’s chest and sprinkled the dried herb over the wound.
Still conscious, Cassie winced.
To Sir Maurin, who stood looking grief-stricken, Serena said, “’Tis not good, Sir Maurin, but hopefully not so grievous as to take her life.”
Cassie’s eyes fluttered and then closed.
Sir Maurin stared fixedly at the redhead, then dropped to her side to hold her hand once again. The Red Wolf hovered above them like a dark threatening angel.
When the flow of blood slowed, at Serena’s signal, Sir Niel and Sir Geoffroi gently lifted Cassie into the arms of Sir Maurin where he sat upon his horse. The knight balanced her on his lap, one arm around her shoulders and the other on the reins, allowing her body to rest against his chest.
Watching Sir Maurin’s embrace of the handmaiden, the Red Wolf said, “We’ll have to travel more slowly.” Then looking at Serena and Rhodri, “There will be time for the tale.”
They mounted their horses, Sir Niel leading, followed by Sir Maurin holding Cassie. Next came Serena and the Red Wolf riding abreast. Sir Geoffroi and Rhodri brought up the rear.
Aware of the Red Wolf’s anger, she managed to say, “I am glad to see you safely returned, my lord.”
“Are you, indeed, my lady?” The tone of his voice told her he was unconvinced. “As you must have discerned, I came from Talisand where I found you missing once again. It seems you have a penchant for stealing away.” He did not hide his displeasure.
“I only escaped this morning,” she explained.
“Escaped? I was told you left Talisand days ago.”
“I was abducted days ago. Surely you do not think I left on my own?”
She could plainly see that is just what he thought.
“Abducted? Do you expect me to believe such a story when Sir Niel was given a sleeping potion? Surely it was your doing, my lady, or someone aiding you, mayhap the Welshman.”
Serena knew he had not trusted her, and with good reason. He could not know her heart had changed. Before the abduction, she had decided to accept her duty and take her place at his side as the Lady of Talisand, but now it was more. It had taken an English earl to show her she wanted only the Norman knight.
His jaw flexed, as if barely suppressing his wrath. She desperately wanted to make him understand. “I, too, must have been given a potion, my lord.”
“By Sir Hugue? What was his role in all of this?”
“He was working for my abductor. I thank you for sparing us the mercenary’s wrath. Cassie threw her knife into his shoulder, but he pulled it out and sent it into Cassie’s flesh. He was very angry when he fled at hearing your horses.”
“What about your handmaiden and the bard? Were they a part of this?”
“Nay. They went in search of me and only crossed my path a short while before you did.”
“Surely they aided your escape.”
“They did not. Ask Rhodri for yourself.”
The Red Wolf turned in his saddle to glance back at the Welshman. “She speaks the truth, my lord,” said Rhodri. “Cassie was eager to go in search of Lady Serena and I insisted on joining in the hunt.”
“Mayhap they do speak the truth,” offered Sir Geoffroi from where he rode next to Rhodri.
The Red Wolf huffed, and turned back to Serena. Beneath his anger she saw a weariness she had not observed before. Likely, he had not rested when he returned to Talisand.
“Go on then, out with the rest of your story,” he said, appearing resigned to hearing it.
“I will tell you if you promise not to take revenge on the one who took me.”
“And why should I make such a promise, my lady? If, indeed, you were taken against your will, and Sir Hugue had a hand in it, such a crime would be deserving of the severest punishment.”
She knew he meant death. But Serena could not let him kill Morcar and his brother. “Because the ones who took me were of my own people and believed they acted in accordance with my wishes and my father’s.”
“I will shelter no traitors at Talisand!” the Red Wolf declared.
“I know of none, my lord.” But even as she said the words, Aethel’s face came unbidden to her mind. Still she could not think of the herb woman as a traitor. Instead, she was sorry for what the woman’s life had become. “Tell me you will not take revenge and I will tell you from whom I escaped only this morning.”
“Did he touch you?” the Red Wolf asked, his gray eyes clouded, his voice stern. “That I could never forgive no matter his motive.”
“Nay, he did not. He intended to wed me and that is why I left, and why I must ask for your word that you will not seek to harm him. He was a friend of my father.”
The Red Wolf stared at her as if weighing her request. Finally, he said, “You have my word. Now tell me, who would dare steal from the Red Wolf? Tell me, and I will decide if you can be believed.”
Knowing him to be a man of honor, Serena trusted him not to seek vengeance for her disappearance. “’Twas Earl Morcar.”
The Red Wolf’s frown deepened. “…the English earl?”
“Aye. When my father still lived, the earl asked for my hand. Morcar believed he was doing what my father wanted. What I wanted.”
“It matters little.”
“I suppose you are right, and anyway, there was no contract. But Morcar had spoken to my father and had hoped one would follow.” She looked into the Red Wolf’s gray eyes. The anger she had seen only moments before seemed to soften. “He could not have known that I wished to wed a Norman, that my heart had changed. And I did not tell him. He would not have believed me any more than you do. Instead, I sought to escape and return to Talisand.”
“You are practiced at escape, my lady.” The Red Wolf’s gaze lowered to her lips, still stained, she knew, with the juice of the red berries.
“Mayhap I believe you,” he said. “Or mayhap I merely want to. How were you taken from Talisand?”
“I know not, though I suspect Sir Hugue played a role. He now serves Morcar. I went to sleep in my chamber and awoke in another, one I came to learn was in Earl Edwin’s manor in Mercia.”
“Earl Edwin had a part in this treachery?” he asked with a look of surprise.
“You must understand,” she said, trying to convince him of the truth. “The earls feel betrayed by your Norman duke who would be England’s king. He demanded their fealty and then broke his promises, taking his daughter from Edwin and Northumbria from Morcar. Then, as if that were not enough, he built castles on the Welsh border of Mercia and gave his abbot control over some of Mercia’s shires.” Looking directly at the Red Wolf, she said, “It seems your king does not keep his word, my lord.”
“Enough of this!” he shouted. “I’ll not listen to you criticize William and defend the English who defy him. The king has had enough of such treachery.” Then looking away, he added, “After Exeter, he will show no mercy.”
Ignoring his disparagement of her people, she asked, “Did all those you took with you to Exeter return?” She had to know if any had been lost. She could not bear to see any killed, particularly not Jamie.
“They did.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. Despite his anger and mistrust, Serena was comforted by his presence and glad he had found her, especially with Cassie bleeding from a knife wound. She needed the Red Wolf’s strength. Although she trusted him, she had purposely not spoken of Morcar’s intention to travel to York. It might only draw the Red Wolf into what could become another battle, this time one involving her brother.
Trying to appease his lingering anger, she said, “Thank you, my lord. I was worried about Jamie especially.”
From behind her, Sir Geoffroi said, “You have his lordship to thank for the lad’s health, my lady. He took an arrow for the boy.”
Alarmed, Serena turned to face the Red Wolf. “You are wounded?”
“Yea,” he said looking down at his left arm, “but not grievously.”
She could see no bandage but she remembered his wince when he mounted his stallion, and he now held the reins in his right hand. “You protected the lad. And you have spared me the wrath of Sir Hugue. For both, I am most grateful.”
“What about the mercenary?” he inquired. “You cannot tell me it was chance he encountered you and the others in the woods.”
“Nay, it was not. As I said, he has pledged his sword to Morcar and his words to us suggested he was sent to find me.”
Chapter 17
By the time their cavalcade arrived at Talisand, a host of people had gathered to meet them.
Maggie was one of the first to approach, a worried look on her face. Her eyes scanned the horses crowding the yard. Alighting on her daughter, carried in Sir Maurin’s arms, she screamed, “Cassie!”
Sir Maurin gently handed the girl to the waiting Sir Geoffroi and Sir Niel, who had dismounted and come to his aid.
Serena dropped from her horse and watched the knights. Maggie ran to Serena as the men carried the handmaiden into the manor. “I will tend her myself, Maggie. Fetch Aethel and tell her to bring the herbs.”
“Cassie was supposed to be at the west manor,” Maggie said, her voice desperate. “What happened?”
“She and Rhodri came after me. She was stabbed with a knife.”
“Who would do such a thing to me lass?” The cook’s green gaze followed the knights as they carried Cassie through the front door of the manor. “Will she recover?”
“’Tis serious, Maggie, but I pray not fatal. I can explain later what happened. Right now I must make sure the bleeding has not begun again.”
Serena followed the knights into the manor and directed them to take Cassie to Serena’s bedchamber. Sir Maurin followed and now stood by the bed looking down on the unconscious girl. Cassie’s skin, usually glowing with health, was nearly colorless, a stark contrast to her flaming red hair.
“Sir Maurin, I ask you to leave us alone for a time. I must undress her and see to the wound. I will call you when I have finished.”
He nodded. “I will be waiting downstairs, my lady.” He turned to go. Serena had never seen the knight looking so forlorn.
As he reached the door, she said, “I will do my best, Sir Maurin. I know you care for her, as do I.”
“Aye, I do,” he said and left, closing the door behind him.
Aethel came in after the knight departed, her satchel of medicines and herbs with her. “Maggie is half out of her wits,” said Aethel. Then seeing the handmaiden lying as still as death, she asked, “What happened to her?”
Serena looked up from where she was carefully cutting away Cassie’s tunic. “You are not the first to ask. We were in the woods, on our way back to Talisand when the mercenary, Sir Hugue, found us.”
“The knight who attacked Eawyn did this?”
“Yea. He is now with Morcar, who I doubt is aware of the snake he shelters.”
Aethel, Serena noted, did not looked surprised at the tidings.
Since Serena had worked with the herb woman before to tend the sick and wounded, they now quickly fell into their prior routine. Serena prepared the wound and Aethel took from her bag the herbs she would apply. As they worked, they talked.
“Ye came back, m’lady,” Aethel said.
“Yea, I did. Did you doubt I would?”
“I thought ye wanted to leave.” Serena watched the herb woman’s dark eyes carefully, noting the sincerity.
“Once that might have been true, Aethel, but no longer. I meant what I told the people of Talisand. I am their lady and I will wed the Red Wolf. Earl Morcar wanted to marry me but that was not my will. Were you not aware I was resigned to becoming the Norman’s wife?”
“Nay, I thought ye would be happy to leave. Happy to wed the English earl.”
“I know you were a part of it, Aethel.” Then looking down at Cassie, “But you see where Morcar’s abduction has led.”
“I am deeply sorry,” said Aethel. The woman looked contrite.
“If you are, Aethel, then end your traitorous behavior and help me to care for the people of Talisand.”
“Aye, m’lady, I will.” Her dark eyes filled with tears.
“Then I will protect your secret.”
While Serena would keep a careful watch on the woman, she would give her the chance to change. How could she do less when her own heart had changed from wanting to flee the Normans to wanting to wed one?
Before they finished, Maggie rushed in to check on her daughter. Assured Cassie was doing well, she kissed her daughter’s forehead and hurried out to see to the returning men.
Serena rose from Cassie’s bedside. “I must speak to Sir Maurin.”
“I will sit vigil through the night,” Aethel volunteered.
* * *
“Can I believe her?” Renaud asked Geoff as they ate the evening meal. He had watched Serena ascend the stairs, knowing she went to tend her handmaiden, and he had wondered then if she was back to stay.
“Only time will tell,” said Geoff. “Her tale was plausible. If Morcar and his brother seek vengeance on William, what better way to exact it than to rob one of his knights of his bride, as Edwin claims he was robbed of the king’s daughter?”
“A foolish thing for Edwin and Morcar to do if it happened as she says,” replied Renaud, still angry at having to track his bride through the woods.
Maugris, who sat with them, leaned in to whisper. “Men behave foolishly when it comes to beautiful women.” He sat back, his wizened face crinkling in a smile.
“Indeed they do,” said Geoff with a chuckle, “especially if they can cook.”
“The both of you too easily excuse a man’s folly that nearly deprived me of my bride,” said Renaud impatiently. “And now I have the mercenary to contend with again.”
“Aye,” agreed Maugris. “That one is worthy of your v
engeance.”
Renaud still seethed at the knowledge the mercenary had been a part of stealing Serena. The bard had posed no obstacle to Sir Hugue’s evil intent. Would Serena have been the mercenary’s next victim had he not run at the sound of their horses?
He had mixed feelings about Serena’s sincerity. She seemed firm in her conviction to wed him yet he knew from William’s court that betrayal could come from one who feigned loyalty.
He had been eager to bed her when she was a mere servant with dull brown hair and dressed in an ill-fitting tunic. Stripped of her disguise, she was beautiful beyond compare. Standing in the woods in her green tunic, her violet eyes blazing and her red lips beckoning, he had fought the urge to take her into his arms and crush those lips beneath his. Had his men not been with him, he might have done so. Yet he had also been tempted to shake her for he had been maddened by the possibility she had lied once again.
Mathieu came to his side and whispered a message that brought a smile to his face. Turning from his companions, Renaud said, “If you will forgive me, I’ve a mind to be alone with my lady.”
Leaving Geoff and Maugris with startled faces, his gaze drifted up to his chamber.
* * *
Serena sank into the steaming bath letting the water bring relief to her aching muscles. The fight for Cassie’s life, which had only begun, had taken much from her. She loved the girl like a sister and the thought she could lose her weighed heavy on her mind.
Since Cassie was sleeping in Serena’s bed, Maggie had arranged for Serena’s bath to be placed in the lord’s chamber. Seeing his warrior things strewn about she was instantly uncomfortable and wondered if Mathieu’s assurance that she would be left alone could be counted upon. There was no guard at the door.
Thoughts of the knight who slept here plagued her. She knew he was angry even after her explanation. During their brief exchange of words on the way back to Talisand, his steel gray eyes, as threatening as the blade secured at his waist, portended ill. Might he still believe she left Talisand of her own accord? She had no desire to fight with him now, not when she had finally accepted the truth of her feelings. She had wanted to explain all that was in her heart, but the presence of his men and the concern for Cassie had kept those thoughts locked within her.