Her Norman Lord: Norman Lords: Book One

by Hannah West

  Sarina cared for her people; it showed in the way they acted around her. You would not be able to tell her royal blood from their lowly blood. She saw no colors or classes; she saw human to human, a rare thing indeed. Not only for a lady, but for just about anyone.

  Looking in the muck for her horse’s shoe prints he followed her tracks to the farming fields, a quick canter brought her into his sites and a gallop put him just behind him. He was surprised she did not startle as he rode up next to her.

  "Can I help you, my lord?" she ask politely with a raised brow in question.

  He glowered. "What, may I ask, are you doing outside the castle without a guard or escort?" His voice came out harder then he intended.

  "I am going to check on my people and see how they and their work fairs. I am not yet your wife and these are not yet your lands. I will do as I see fit until you can tell me otherwise." She raised her chin stubbornly. "They need me. We had all had a rough year of it and we were not one of the lucky estates during the war. What food we have is shared as long as all pull their weight."

  Adrian smirked. "And how, my lady, do you keep your people fed when I know your harvest was burned?"

  She glared at him. "I sold my mother's jewels and mine as well to buy supplies. We still have enough coin left that we are building on it. We may not be full, but we are not starved."

  That was an answer he hadn't been ready for. She had given up her fortune to see her people survive. Mayhap she was a saint. Or an angel like he first thought.

  Regretting his harsh words he bowed his head. "I am sorry, my lady. I had no idea the lengths you had gone through for your people."

  She smiled at him, just a little. "My father was a good lord. He knew each of his people by name, knew every babe born and every life lost. We are much like a clan here, a family in a strange way. I had hoped to be the same way."

  "What do you get out of this ride?" he asked, curious now.

  She laughed. "Nothing other than peace of mind."

  "Nothing?"

  "Nothing."

  He rubbed the back of his neck with a scarred hand. "You are very strange, even for a woman. The king warned me I would not find another woman as pure as you, now I know your heart is whole and good."

  Sarina gave him a funny look. "My lord, why have you come with me? I know it is not for your peace of mind or for the people. I can tell."

  He smiled slightly under his beard. "I do not come to trust easily and am suspicious to a fault. That is why I have lived for so long. But you are different, the opposite of me. You trust openly and forgive quickly. I find I am puzzled."

  She settled herself into her saddle and relaxed. They had a good quarter half before they reached the first farm.

  "You, yourself, are not the man I thought you to be. Sure you are still hard, but you are not stone and ice like I thought. You care for a few others; you care about what happens to your men. I know you will come to care for the people and them for you. I had feared you at first, you know."

  He relaxed a little too, the line on his face softening. "Many a maid fears me."

  "I like to believe there are two sides to you. That you are not cruel by nature but by choice." She ran the reins threw her palms.

  He smiled then, a full smile and her pulse jumped nervously.

  "So you believe everyone has well in them?"

  She shook her head slowly. "I like to think so, but that could not be true. There are some who are born without in their souls."

  A silence spanned between them for a few minutes and she pulled her horse to a stop to address him face to face.

  "My lord, are you sure you want to marry me?" she asked it plainly, but there was a sad edge to her voice.

  "My king has told me I must," Adrian answered, puzzled by her train of thought.

  She sighed. "That is not what I meant. I asked if you wanted to marry me. Your desire on the subject not what your king has told you."

  "Our king," he corrected.

  "Your king. He has my oath, but he does not have my trust until he proves this country is better off with him as king. I reserve that right for myself."

  Wise, he thought. If she were a man she would have been a great advisor and warrior. He thought on the matter for a moment. Marriage had never been in his plans, but if he had even had the thought of it he knew his wants would count for nothing. Having her as a wife would surely be no different if he had to marry another.

  He shook his head, that was a lie. If it were not she he was to marry, he knew he would have protested to his king. He was not the kind of man you marry to a lady, any lady. But this one made him feel young again, before he had turned hard against the world.

  "My lady, if I may be so bold to say, if it were not you I was to marry I would have refused. I feel I am not the kind of man who should marry. But you, my lady, make me feel as if I could be a good husband and lord to you and your people. Duty is duty, but to marry you is not a duty, but an honor," he said quietly looking in her green eyes.

  Sarina blushed. "Such sweet words from a man like you."

  His expression was serious. "I never lie, my lady. Any words said between us is a serious matter. I never say something I do not mean or do not believe in to my core."

  "Then we are in agreement," she said with a grin.

  The impish grin was nearly his undoing. His heart beat picked up, his palms going damp. His hands never went damp, not even in battle; she was wreaking havoc on him and his poor self. Her face lit up as she smiled, her mood spreading. If he was not careful he may indeed start believe in love rather than attraction.

  It was official, he was losing his mind. But if he were to become insane he doubted there was a better way.

  Their trip was a wealth of information for him and gave him the proof he needed even though he had already known. They visited farms up to four hours away and it was evident that they loved their lady. She was welcomed in all homes, bombarded by children, welcomed by wives and husbands. They offered food, a chance to rest, anything and everything they could. Most feared him as he followed her, but after a few soft words from Lady Sarina they smiled and welcomed him as well.

  He sat as far away from them as he could, watching.

  She was right; it was like a family no matter who she saw. That was something he didn't know how to deal with either. It had been just him and his father since he was three, and as fair as his father had been, he had never been a good parent. Adrian had been treated more like a possession then a son.

  Now back at the keep the evening meal had passed but as they walked up the steps of the hall in silence she turned to him.

  She gifted him with a smile that smote him to his soul. "Would you care to share a meal with me in the solar?"

  Before he could think better of it he nodded. "I would be so honored."

  Sarina found herself grinning on her way to the kitchens. After securing a tray of food and drink she headed for the great hall to collect Lord Adrian. She saw him sitting in an armchair by one of the smaller fire places, looking in to the flame deep in thought.

  She called to him softly, but he didn't hear her. So she set the platter on a table and went over to him, gently touching his shoulder. He whipped around to glare at her, but when he saw who it was his face softened. She just about fainted.

  He had given her that softened look she had longed for.

  "Are you ready, my lord?" she asked softly.

  He patted her hand and rose. "Let us see this solar of yours, my lady. I find myself about to naw off an arm due to hunger."

  She mock scowled at him. "No one starves here, my lord."

  He grinned under his beard. "So I have heard and seen. Your people truly love you."

  She nodded as she picked up the platter of food and drink. "As I do them."

  As I might you, he silently added as he took the tray from her.

  "Lead the way, my lady."

  She looked up at him from her tiny height and smiled softly and led
the way.

  The solar turned out to be rather large with three stuffed chairs, a writing desk and wall of books and ledgers. It had once been her mother's then later on her father's and now hers. She stroked the fire in hearth and sat in a chair behind the desk and served them both food and a goblet of wine.

  "How do you find your stay with us at Castle Kildenry?" she asked him.

  He took a drink of his wine and nodded his head. "In truth it is a great holding. I am honored that William granted it to me."

  Sarina worked up her courage to ask her most feared question. She had wants she wanted out of the partnership, but would he be willing was the question. She would have to tread softly.

  "I am glad. But, my lord, I have a question to ask of you?" she took a deep breath.

  Turning serious he looked directly at her and nodded his ascent.

  "You said that your words are always true. I would know something of you," she asked softly looking away from him as her cheeks heated.

  He leaned into her, getting closer to hear her words. "Yes?"

  She could feel the slight warmth of his breath by her cheek. "You require an heir, yes?"

  He nodded slightly, not sure where this was going.

  "I would ask you give me other children as well to love," she said quickly. There she had said it!

  His expression cleared and settled into an unreadable mask. Thinking he would deny her, she gave him her reasons.

  "As the only child left of my father, it is lonely. Even when my brother had been alive, he was away most of the time. I would wish for more than one child to fill this home and make a family. I promise you that if children are not your wish I will keep them to myself and out of the way," she babbled.

  He silenced her with a finger to her lips. Her heart jumped as he moved his hand away.

  "Family is a foreign thing to me as are women and children. But I would think it be a welcome change. Strapping boys like me and beautiful little girls like you." He nodded his head warming to the idea. "At least two of each."

  So great was her joy that she launched herself at him and grabbed him in a tight hug.

  "Thank you," she whispered in his ear and sat back down when he sat unmoved.

  She could tell he was hesitant about physical contact.

  "Can I ask you another question?"

  He nodded and said, "You may ask anything you wish. I am a private man and talking of personal matters if not my strong suit, but we will make this work." He swallowed passed the lump in his throat. "I am growing fond of you, my lady."

  She blushed a pretty pink. "Oh!"

  "Aye, oh!" he said with a smiled. He rose from his chair. "The hour grows late, my lady. I shall escort you to your room and see you on the morrow."

  She nodded raising, too embarrass to say anything else, but inside she was jumping for joy over his words. He was fond of her, just as she was for him!

  Chapter Eleven

  Another set of the banns were read and with only a sennight night left neither one of them could have been more pleased. Or at least they couldn't have been until a group of soldiers rode into the castle bailey baring the colors of silver and green. The mailed knights sat atop their noble steeds in stone silence as their leader requested an audience with the lady of the keep.

  Sarina had been in her solar going over the accounts when the news reached her at the same time it reached Lord Adrian in the lists. Dread filled Sarina, this was not something she had expected nor wanted to believe. She raced for the great hall in hopes she could be rid of this problem before Lord Adrian found out, for it would not end well.

  Little did she know it was already too late and a dark cloud was about to settle over them all.

  Bursting out the doors of the great hall she strode up to the leader of the band of warriors and glared up at him.

  "I demand you leave this instant! Get off of my lands or I will have you tossed in the dungeons!" Sarina screeched at the man.

  He lifted his helm and eyed her as if she were a bug under his boot.

  "You have no power, my lady. You are but a woman and I have heard the news your father has died. I came back from the East as soon as I could. We shall marry by week's end and I shall have the castle under control. Never you fear," the French noble said as he dismounted his horse.

  "Guy deFlair, you get back on that nag and begone!" she screamed at him. He had her trembling in anger.

  Her father six years ago had betrothed her to this French monster and when he had seen she wasn't pretty enough he had left her three days before the wedding taking her dowry with him. The betrothal had been annulled by the Church and she had never heard from him again.

  "What you heard was I am now well dowered and the key to an Earldom, a jewel for a French Count," she seethed.

  He waved her words away. "Non, mon cher. I heard the new English king is forming alliances and I came to take what was promised to me. But, bon, you have grown beautiful. No longer the ugly duckling you were." He took off his helmet. "Now show my men to the sleeping quarters and give us food."

  "Never," she hissed.

  His grey eyes flashed and he grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her close. "Oui, you will."

  Instead of saying it again she used her free arm to aim a balled up fist to his face. It hurt, by thunder, but when she saw a bloody nose she smiled. However her moment was short lived as he violently tossed her to the ground with a howl of pain and a strain of curses.

  The Frenchman had no idea that he had crossed the line for a very tall giant of a man shadowed him from behind. As Guy deFlair turned to push the man away he was picked up from the ground.

  Seeing red Adrian lifted the small man from the ground and landed a solid fist in his face, sending the man to the ground.

  "Do not touch her," he growled.

  The Frenchman struggled to get up, but when he did he glared at the giant, blood flowing freely down his face.

  "You dare touch me!" he screeched, "I will have you hung!"

  Adrian lifted a brow at that. "You may try, but I doubt your plan with come to fruition." He went over to Sarina and gently lifted her up to her feet.

  She was cover in dust, blood dripped from a busted lip and she had tears in her eyes. She look up at him with wide fearful eyes. He gently dusted her off and asked, "Are you well, my lady?"

  Before she could answer she was ripped from his arms and pulled behind Guy.

  "Do not touch my woman," he snarled.

  This was news to Adrian. "She isn't yours, you dirty frog. I will warn you again do not touch her and let her go. I do not think kindly on men who touch my betrothed."

  "Betrothed," scoffed the Frenchman. "She was promised to me six years ago."

  "It was annulled and you left!" Sarina cried.

  He jerked her until she fell silent and cry of pain coming from her as her wrist popped.

  A dark look crossed Adrian’s face and a chill ran down her spine. She fought to be free of the man’s grip but he tightened his hold.

  "By decree of the King of England, she is mine," Adrian roared before he came at the man again and ripped him away from her. The fight was short lived as Adrian beat the man within an inch of his life, but was only stopped by the touch of gentle shaking hands.

  He glared at Alrek. "Put them all in the pit and let them rot," he snarled and turned to Sarina.

  Without a word he swept her up into his arms and carried her inside and up the solar. She clung to his neck and began to cry. He only held her tighter.

  Chapter Twelve

  She sat in silence as Lord Adrian gently wiped her face with a cloth dipped in warm water. She winced when he got to her lip and his face darkened dangerously.

  "Tis okay," she mumbled.

  "Nay," he said, clipped.

  "I think he made out for the worst of this deal," she sighed. "I'm sorry I've cried on you. I was just beyond the point of-"

  "Never say you are sorry for crying, tis your right too." He bent and
wetted the cloth again.

  When he pronounced her done he finally asked his questions.

  "Who was that man and why did he call you his betrothed?" He leaned back on the stool and crossed his arms, the muscles strained under his tunic.

  She swallowed. "My father had betrothed me to that monster six years passed. When he saw I was not pretty and I refused him what he called his right before marriage he left breaking the agreement. My brother had stopped him from forcing me and the agreement was annulled. I had heard that he died a few years back. I vow to you I did not know he was coming and I never wanted him." She looked into his eyes begging him to understand. "Please believe me."

  Adrian drew in a calming breath to still his anger at the whoreson of a man. He looked into her dazzling green eyes and found truth there and trust.

  He nodded. "I believe you, but why did you stop me from killing him?"

  "You need not kill, unless he committed a crime," she reasoned.

  "He struck you!" he bellowed, "He bruised you!"

  She flinched and he grew quite. He touched her face gently looking at the areas turning purple. "He touched you," he whispered, "its unforgiveable."

  She wrapped her small hand around his and held it to her face as she closed her eyes. "Hmm," she sighed. Slowly her eyes opened and she gazed at him softly. "Your hand is warm."

  He felt a blush creep up his cheeks. He cleared his throat and removed his hand. She felt the cold seep back in. He distanced himself away from her.

  She frowned. "What will we do now?"

  "What do you mean," he asked.

  "Will you still have me? Marry me, my lord?" she asked quietly.

  "Try and stop me, lass. You will be mine," he swore to her furiously. "No man will take you from me. Any who try will die."

  Satisfied she nodded. "Thank you, my lord," she said upon rising. She kissed his cheek in passing. His whiskers tickled her cheek. She opened the portal and left to seek her chambers and some rest.