by Wood, Lynn
“No, it did not,” Melissa sighed resigned and finally admitted. “I don’t have a plan. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. Everything’s different. How am I supposed to face Luke’s father when I was the one who killed his son and heir?”
“I imagine the Michaels lord knows what his son was or suspects, but there’s no reason for him to ever know your part in his death. It would serve no purpose but to bring him additional pain to confront him with the undeniable truth about his son’s abominable lack of honor.”
Melissa considered his point, and knew Luke would agree with it. Amele had given her a lot to consider, and as if sensing he made his point, he left her alone with her thoughts.
Chapter twenty
As Melissa watched the hawk circle Heaven’s Crest in a signal promising a Salusian guard would be waiting to escort her to her grandmother’s tents, Luke sat astride his mount, his eyes scanning the Saxon wilderness for a hint of which direction would prove a more fruitful avenue in what he was willing to concede would likely prove a futile search for his new brother-in-law. Though by the count of days spring had arrived in Saxony, the temperatures in the northern climes had barely budged from their winter lows, and the wind still whistled briskly across the plains. In his weeks of searching he’d seen no sign of Michel or anyone else for that matter, except for scattered scouts and refugees fleeing the ravages of war on both the eastern and northern fronts. Though the war was all but over there remained pockets of resistance from the Saxon faithful, and evidence of those who were forced from their lands in the fighting and were seeking a new lord to serve.
From an opening in a nearby cluster of trees the object of his search watched his new brother-in-law’s approach with a critical eye. He turned to the older man at his side. “What have you learned?”
“As I’ve told you, he is the Michaels’ heir. The younger son, thank the good Lord, your sister dispatched the first one straight to hell with your blade.”
“Are we certain this one is any different?”
“Melissa seems to believe so.”
“I don’t discount my sister’s instincts, but I would still like to know what you’ve been able to discover of him from your own inquiries.”
“He is well regarded among his peers and the family retainers, as well as in the villages near the numerous Michaels estates. His men appear sincerely devoted to him. Frankly, I am not certain his older brother would have managed to keep the empire together after his father’s death. The truth is the elder son, Mason, was universally disliked. He was growing increasingly jealous of the respect Luke garnered among his father’s men, particularly among the soldiers responsible for keeping the peace and guarding the family’s interests. I’m not suggesting there would have been an insurrection but there’s no doubt your sister did the world a favor and the majority of the Michaels’ family retainers would agree with me.”
“And his reputation with women? Does it mirror his brother’s?” Michel asked the question he most wanted the answer to.
“No.”
Michel remained unconvinced, even after Amele’s definitive denial. “Then why did Melissa run from him?”
Amele lifted one shoulder, as if to express without words the singular mystery of a woman’s motivation for the silly thoughts she takes into her head. “Your sister only shared the briefest details of their acquaintance, but I imagine the fact her new husband is a Norman was enough to set the two of them on a collision course.’
“No doubt.”
“She did marry him,” Amele reminded Michel, seeing he remained unconvinced by his disclosures.
“You also said my sister told you she had little choice in the matter.”
“Yes, but I don’t believe even the Norman duke who now sits on the Saxon throne could have forced Lady Melissa to exchange vows before a man of the cloth against her will.”
Michel considered the matter. If Melissa thought she was protecting someone she loved, he could think of nothing his twin would be unwilling to sacrifice, but since Rhiann was apparently happily married to her new Norman lord there was no one left for Melissa to sacrifice herself for. Deciding he’d done enough scouting and that he would learn no more from where he waited in the shadows, he urged his mount out from behind the cover of the trees.
From across the distance of the clearing between them Luke watched the approach of the small company of Salusian warriors. He did not doubt it was his wife’s brother who sat astride the dazzling white mare whose graceful movements beneath him brought to mind the smooth dance of a wispy cloud on a spring day. The Salusian company halted their progress halfway across the distance separating them. Though no one of either party reached for a weapon, Luke could feel the threat in the air, the affront that he had taken something precious from this man, younger by half a decade than himself yet with a battle hardened mien to match his own. He sat upon his horse as if it was an extension of his own lithe form, like one of those mythical beasts that were half man and half horse.
Rafe drew him from his nonsensical thoughts with his serious observation. “It only just occurs to me there is another way for your wife to free herself from the bonds of an unwanted marriage.”
Luke didn’t take his eyes from the approaching party when he responded to his friend’s dark comment. “Yes, the same thought occurred to me.” He could feel the tension in the air, building between them as the two sides faced each other. His men’s hands were itching towards their swords. Despite their lack of heavy broadswords and shields to see to their defense, Luke recognized the two sides would prove evenly matched if it were to come to a battle. The blades the Salusians carried were light and thin, but sharp and lethal just the same. He suspected the Salusians also carried concealed blades beneath the light cloaks they wore. He sincerely hoped this confrontation did not come down to a battle. He doubted very much he would win his wife’s love and trust by killing her beloved twin.
His glance met that of the object of his search. He was momentarily aware of an odd sense of intimacy between them, as if his close bond with Melissa somehow allowed him to share in her unique connection with her twin. As if he could read his thoughts, Michel’s lips curved up in what a more objective man might interpret as a derisive smile. Luke understood the next move was his to make, and it had better be a good one. For all he knew his wife’s brother was able to learn of how Luke all but forced his sister into an unwanted marriage. No doubt he was also privy to the knowledge that his younger sister was also wed, again with her largely coerced consent to another Norman knight. All in all Luke knew the man he faced possessed a multiple of reasons to hate any man who rode beneath a Norman flag. If their positions were reversed, Luke might be tempted to take the revenge upon his family’s murderers their current circumstances afforded him while at the same time freeing his twin of her inconvenient and unwanted husband.
An amused sparkle entered his new brother-in-law’s eyes, as if he was once again privy to Luke’s silent musings. Luke was beginning to question his own conclusion Melissa was indulging in a woman’s fantasies when she claimed to see and hear what others did not. He was quite certain Michel shared her gift and for the first time in his life he felt at a distinct disadvantage when facing an opponent. He thought it very possible his actions over the next few minutes might very well set the course of his entire life. An intimidating thought to be sure, considering how much he recently discovered his life meant to him. His father’s estates he welcomed though he never expected to be the recipient of them. He was still coming to grips with just what it meant to be the future lord of the Michaels’ estates. No, the reason his life had become so precious to him lately was the anticipation of spending it with Melissa.
He’d never before been a man to dwell on a woman’s charms except in expectation of the immediate prospect of bedding one. With Melissa, his thoughts were constantly twisted up in her. Even though they were separated by several weeks of tiresome journey she was with him always, as if he could loo
k over his shoulder and find her there smiling up at him, laughter in her blue eyes, the light of combat in her proud shoulders and in the tilt of her impudent chin.
The same fiery spirit was reflected in the man he faced. Brother and sister were like opposite faces of the same coin, male and female, the sun and the moon, bound together by some invisible force Luke recognized he would never share completely in. He wasn’t certain how he felt about being excluded from such an important facet of his wife’s life. Even though her twin was not a sexual rival for his wife’s attention, he was man enough and proud enough to want to be his wife’s only love and her sole model for male admiration. Luke knew he needed to decide now whether or not he could accept the fact his wife’s love would always be divided between him and the man he faced.
Looking back over their argument on their wedding night, Luke was surprised at the depth of Melissa’s perception. As if she comprehended well before he did he would be forced to confront this very issue and it would not be an easy struggle for him to resolve. He belatedly acknowledged Melissa was right to be concerned that he would be unable to accept this side of her. He recognized she was also correct when she informed him he would have an easier life with a more biddable, or to use her word, more compliant wife.
Unfortunately Luke recognized too late the justness of his wife’s concerns, but to dwell on the matter now would be a waste of time. Like his good friend, Nathan, who he mocked for being besotted with his lovely, young wife, Luke was already so firmly under Melissa’s enchantment no other woman held, or would ever hold, the same appeal for him. If to claim his wife’s love he had to relinquish a share of it to her twin, he would do so, because he understood only now that if he attempted to drive a wedge between the two he would lose any chance he possessed of gaining his wife’s trust.
Luke returned his attention to his new brother-in-law realizing the silence between them had extended for an uncomfortable amount of time. As Michel appeared prepared to sit astride his magnificent mount all day, Luke knew he would be the one forced to break it. Sighing, he fell back on his usual lighthearted repartee, a lightheartedness that was belied by the sick feeling in his stomach, and shouted across the distance separating them. “This is rather awkward, brother, but it seems I must beg a favor of you on the occasion of this, our second meeting.”
Michel’s dark brows arched above his deep blue eyes so like his sister’s. “Second? I apologize for my own breach in manners, but our initial introduction escapes me at the moment.”
Luke nodded as if in gracious acknowledgment of the other man’s apology. “Perfectly understandable, as it so happens you were no more than a boy at the time.”
Michel’s glance turned inward for a moment and then Luke watched the memory of that early spring day, not so different from this one, come to mind. “You asked me who the pretty little ladies were I was tasked with keeping an eye on.”
“Yes,” Luke agreed with a smile, recalling his wife as a young girl, with her dark curls a wild tangle about her delicate face, and her skirts tied up around her knees so she could stand in the shallow stream she and Rhiann played in, searching for pretty stones to take back to impress their grandmother. “And you told me they were your sisters.”
Michel continued recounting their initial meeting. “And you advised me to keep them out of sight for the next few days. In fact, you recommended my family leave the area for a while.”
“Yes.” Luke acknowledged gravely.
Michel turned to regard the older man who rode at his side and then the two urged their mounts forward, separating themselves from the others who rode with them. Luke, with only Rafe by his side, met them halfway across the clearing. “You were protecting my sisters from coming to the attention of your brother.”
Even though the words were spoken quietly, the shame of his brother’s depravity swept over Luke at the realization he knew even then, recognized even in his boyhood his brother could not be trusted around woman, or even very young girls, or perhaps especially young girls. “Unfortunately, I was only partially successful,” he replied in a voice of bitter regret.
“I am grateful.” Michel responded, surprising him.
Luke felt both the compassion and understanding in the other man’s expression of appreciation and surprisingly felt no sting to his pride at being the recipient of it. Instead it was with a slight smile curving his lips that he met Michel’s direct glance and offered hopefully, “Well, as long as you’re feeling beholden to me perhaps we could get back to the matter of the small favor I spoke of earlier.”
Michel laughed and Luke felt the force of the younger man’s charm in his amusement and the light dancing in his merry eyes. It was a hint of the same charm his sister held over him, or perhaps he was simply more susceptible to it because he was so firmly under his twin’s spell. Regardless of its source, Luke recognized it for what it was…a powerful weapon in the hands of the young Salusian lord. For a moment his thoughts were distracted by the mystery of what kept Michel occupied these past months he was presumed missing. Luke recalled Michel was thought to have been killed in the war on the northern front, and Luke could not help but wonder what occurred to him in the interim.
As if aware of his curiosity, Michel grinned and offered, “Well before we get to the matter of favors, let us first share a meal together like civilized men.” He turned to the older man at his side and said, “Amele, I do not believe you’ve had the pleasure of the acquaintance of Melissa’s new husband. This is Lord Luke, heir to the Michaels’ expansive estates and wealth. Brother, this is Amele, my grandmother’s commander, and the one tasked with the unenviable task of keeping watch over us all.”
“My lord.” Amele responded with a slight, respectful bow.
“Sir,” Luke responded, and added in all seriousness, “An unenviable task indeed you bear, and one I have proven woefully inadequate for to date. Perhaps you would be willing to share your secrets.”
Amele considered Luke’s generous words of praise and replied with the same seriousness, “Perhaps in time we will share what we have both learned, but I have always found love to be the most effective weapon in keeping watch over a priceless treasure.”
Surprised, Luke met the older man’s eyes and instantly understood that while Melissa’s true father might be dead; this man stood in his place and looked at Luke with the same misgiving in his eyes any father would when he was regarding the man who would take his daughter from the safety of her family’s loving arms. For this reason he answered in all honesty, “I assure you, there is no lack of that particular weapon at my disposal.”
Amele’s intent gaze searched his and as if satisfied by what he read there, he condescended to nod in Luke’s direction. Luke felt as if he had passed some silent but crucial test and turned back to find Michel regarding him with an amused and almost friendly expression, but his next words were addressed to his companion. “Let us prepare a meal to share with my new brother and his men before we get to the matter of the boon he seeks from me.”
Amele replied in all seriousness, “As you command, my prince.”
Luke was startled by the title the older man bestowed upon his wife’s brother, but Michel merely grinned at his confusion and turned and held out his hand in a friendly gesture towards Rafe. “I suspect you are the one charged with the unenviable task of keeping your lord alive.”
Rafe laughed and accepted Michel’s outstretched hand and returned his grip firmly. “Yes, indeed, a both burdensome and tricky task to be sure.”
Luke, observing the two men’s instant camaraderie, performed the introductions. “Brother, this is my good friend, Rafe. Rafe, my wife’s brother, Michel.”
Rafe replied, “It is certainly a pleasure to meet you at last, my lord, as we’ve been chasing what feels like your shadow for the past several weeks.”
“My shadow indeed. Admittedly we perhaps enjoyed some small entertainment at your expense, but so little is reserved for us lately, you cannot blame us for
taking it where we will.”
Rafe laughed. “I suspected as much.”
Smiling, Michel remarked. “You remind me of your father, whose footsteps you are no doubt now destined to follow.”
Shaking his head at Michel’s astonishing reference to his father, Rafe merely grinned and replied, “If I become half the man my father is I shall consider my life a success.”
“A noble and honorable sentiment.”
The parties merged together and the Salusians produced fine, colorful tents from out of their packs and set about the chore of preparing the mid-day meal Michel commanded. Luke watched the expertise and care they afforded the task, and took note of the way they interacted with their lord. Luke discovered over the years you could tell a lot about a man by the respect he was accorded by those who knew him best. If what he witnessed in the way his men treated Michel, they not only accorded him a deep respect bordering on awe, but it was bound apparently with equally deep affection. Luke realized he was not the only one who was easy prey for Michel’s inherent charming manner. Within moments, his wife’s twin had introduced himself and taken the measure of each of the men who rode with his new brother, no doubt affording himself the same opportunity to glimpse into Luke’s character that Luke was performing with him.
Luke awoke the following morning with a splitting headache and only a vague recollection of the previous evening. He turned his head to take in his surroundings and discovered he was lying in a soft pallet in the spacious confines of one of the Salusian tents. The sound of muffled voices outside told him he wasn’t alone and he cursed himself for his foolishness. Apparently Michel was not yet done taking his revenge against his country’s invaders. Luke was rather surprised to find himself still alive. It would have been a fitting price for his recklessness to be lying there dead with a sharp Salusian blade between his ribs. With an effort, he struggled into a seated position, wincing at the sharp stab of pain in his temple. He was convinced his head was about to split open and he half expected the contents to gush out and spill around him. He closed his eyes against the dim filtered sunlight peeking between the opening of the tent, then immediately clutched his head when the covering was thrown back and a brighter light assaulted his protesting senses.