“He has not, and I do not intend to tell him, either.”
He stiffened. “What about your son? Broc’s son? You cannot keep his child from him.”
Ariel scowled. Even though he was king, he had crossed a line. “Aye, I can. He gave up that right when he left. I have kept him from Broc, and I will make sure he never sees Colwyn.”
William shook his head. “Why? Broc would not do anything to hurt the boy. He has very strong feelings for you. After he returned from England, he was not the same man. He kept to himself, more than he had usually done in the past. He seemed to pine for you.”
She felt all the blood drain from her face. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “He might have felt that way at one time, but not anymore. He never really did search very hard for me. How he felt before is irrelevant. It just can never be. He is a Norman, and I am a Saxon, which is a very good reason for us to stay apart.”
William shook his head. “For England to live in harmony, Norman and Saxon have to merge as one. If you do not do something, you will lose him for good. After what happened between you, Broc will try to erase it from his memory by going to another woman. Or he could very well make you leave Elmstead.”
“Then that is the chance I will have to take. I can always take my son and leave.”
William stood and looked at Ariel with a sad expression. “I hope you choose not to do that. At the very least, living at Elmstead your son would be sheltered, protected. He will not have to grow up with the word bastard on people’s lips whenever he is near.” He paused and reached out to brush a lock of hair out of her eyes. “If you do leave Elmstead, come to me. I will take care of you and your son. Broc has told me how well you handle a sword. I need all the skilled and trained knights I can get. It would do wonders for your people to see a Saxon knight presiding at my court.”
Ariel could only nod, then the king was gone.
* * * *
Half an hour later, Ariel went to the hall for the evening meal. Broc already sat next to William. Deep in conversation, the two men did not notice her arrival. She took advantage of their inattention and slipped onto one of the benches closest to the doors.
Some of the king’s men, who already sat at the table, got up and moved farther down from her. She let the insult wash over her. Instances like that were bound to happen as long as she stayed at court.
Food and a tankard of ale were placed before her. Ariel looked up, expecting to see a serf serving her, but found a young Norman knight standing by the table. Smiling, he sat on the bench next to her.
“It looked as if you needed some company. You do not mind if I sit with you?”
Ariel turned to look at him. She guessed him to be a few years older than herself. He was tall, but not as tall as Broc. His body was well-muscled. His gray eyes crinkled with amusement. No malice could be seen in them. His hair was the opposite of hers—black, which he wore at shoulder length.
“You can sit if you want, but I do not think they would like the idea of you sitting with a Saxon.”
The knight glanced down the table at the other men and shook his head. “They can think what they like. I do not care if you are Saxon. My name is Ranulf FitzHugh.”
Ariel smiled. “Wulf of Elmstead. I am glad at least one person here will not shun me.”
The knight looked from her to Broc, then back again. “I thought you came here with Broc St. Ceneri. Talk is he knighted you.”
“That is correct. Broc did. He just is not talking to me at the moment.” The food sitting before Ariel made her stomach growl. It had been many hours since any had last passed her lips.
Ranulf laughed. “Eat, my friend, then we will talk.”
Ariel pulled out her knife and began to eat. The food was simple but good. She took a sip of ale and found it acceptable too. Ranulf had brought food for himself as well and steadily devoured it. She risked looking at the dais.
All the air left her lungs in a rush. Broc stared directly at her. From his expression, she could tell he was not just mad. He was furious. He obviously did not like Ranulf talking to her. In turn, Ariel’s temper rose. He had no right to be angry. He wanted nothing to do with her, and she would be damned if she sat alone just to please him.
Broc motioned for her to come to him. Ariel chose to ignore him and quickly looked at her food. She was no longer his to control. Hell would freeze over before she went to him.
Ranulf cleared his throat. “It seems Broc is not pleased with you. If looks could kill, you would no longer be among the living.”
Ariel did not look from her food. “Ignore him. It will do him good.”
“I will try to take your advice, but I must warn you, he is coming this way.”
Just as Ranulf had said, Broc walked to their table. Once he reached them, he put his hands on its surface in front of Ariel. Leaning down so only a few scant inches separated them, he yelled right into her face.
“When I motion for you to come to me, you will come! Is that understood?”
The men at the end of the table snickered. Ariel felt her face grew hot. “You have no right to talk to me that way.”
“I do. I am lord of Elmstead. You will do as you are told or suffer the consequences.”
Ariel’s temper exploded as she saw red. She would not let him demean her like that. “I am not one of your serfs to be bullied about! You do not own me. So back off and leave me alone.”
Before she could react, Broc grabbed Ariel by her upper arms and dragged her across the table. He dropped her at his feet. She jumped up and tried to leave, but he was not through with her. He turned her, and the last thing Ariel saw was his fist coming straight toward her. As it connected with her jaw, her world went black.
She couldn’t have been out for very long, because the room sounded to still be in an uproar. Broc growled with rage as William tried to hold him back. He was clearly trying to get at her. Ranulf stood over her, ready to protect her if and when Broc managed to get free from the king’s hold.
Ariel took that in with vague interest. Her jaw felt like one massive ache. She opened and closed her mouth a few times to make sure nothing was broken. It did not seem to be, but it still hurt like hell.
Ariel stood and stepped around Ranulf. She pulled her sword out of its scabbard and calmly placed the tip of it against Broc’s throat. He instantly stopped struggling.
“If you ever strike me like that again, I will leave more than a bruise on your flesh.” To make Broc see she meant every word, Ariel applied pressure until a trickle of blood ran down his throat.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ariel saw a flash of steel. Without taking her gaze from Broc, she swung up her sword and blocked the blade coming at her.
She turned her body in the direction of her attacker and came face-to-face with one of the Norman knights who had been sitting at her table. His face was red with rage. He pulled his sword free of Ariel’s and then once more slashed out at her. She blocked his strike before he could complete the swing. After allowing him to take a couple of more swings at her, she finally ended it by disarming the knight. His sword flew out of his hand and landed at the king’s feet. Without a backward glance, she stomped out of the hall and then slammed the door behind her.
Chapter Eleven
William picked up the sword and then walked to the knight who had lost it. “The next time you ever cross swords with a guest in my hall, other than on a practice field, you will no longer be welcome at court. Leave me.” The knight gave a quick bow and then left the room.
He could not believe what he had seen. She had disarmed a man twice her size with a simple flick of her wrist. He found it utterly amazing.
The other occupants of the hall left one by one until only Broc and Ranulf remained with William. Broc went to the hearth and kept his back to them.
William quietly spoke to Ranulf. “Find Wulf. He ran out of here without a cloak. If he stays out there too long, he will become ill. Tell him I want to speak to him in my chambers.”
Ranulf bowed before he quickly left the hall. William turned to Broc. “I can understand why you knighted the boy. He is a natural.”
“Aye.” Broc appeared lost in thought. Once he seemed to get his emotions back under control, he turned around. “I would like to apologize for my actions this evening.”
William casually waved Broc’s words away with a swipe of his hand. “You should be saying those words to Wulf. You hit him, not I. What I do not understand is why. I thought you liked the boy.”
Broc shrugged. “I do, maybe more than I should.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” William could see how affected Broc was by all that had taken place as his friend tugged at his sword belt.
“Not particularly, but there is one thing you can do for me.”
“What is that?”
“I have come to the decision that I am ready to take a wife. I should start begetting heirs now that I have land to pass on. Do I have your permission to marry?”
“Of course. Do you have anyone in mind?”
“Not at the moment. I will tell you when I have made my choice.”
Broc left, and William shook his head. That did not bode well for the girl. He only prayed Ariel would reveal herself to Broc before it became too late. If she did not, his friend would not have a very happy life ahead of him.
* * * *
It took a few minutes, but Ranulf finally found Wulf in the stable. He sat inside one of the empty stalls in the clean straw with his legs drawn to his chest. His head rested on top his knees. At the sound of footsteps, he jerked his head up. Tears streamed down his face. With a jolt, Ranulf realized Wulf was not what he first appeared to be.
Ranulf wondered why he had not seen it before. “Wulf” was too pretty, even for a boy. Her features too delicate for a man’s. Those eyes, shimmering with tears, were a breathtaking blue. All he could do was kneel before her. The girl automatically tensed.
She guardedly looked at him. “What do you want?”
“The king sent me to fetch you. He wants to speak to you in his chamber.”
She closely eyed him. “All right.”
She stood and scrubbed her face with her sleeve. Ranulf watched her every move. She gave him a questioningly look, then brushed past him and headed to the hall. He matched her pace so he could walk beside her. He was still at her side when she reached the king’s chamber. At her knock, William opened the door and stepped aside for her to enter. Before he could close it, Ranulf stepped inside as well. William stared at him, then shut them in.
“I see you have made a new friend. May I ask why you have decided to stay, Sir Ranulf?”
Ranulf pulled himself up straighter. “Aye, sire. I think Wulf is not what he seems.”
The girl gasped in surprise.
“At least one of my knights can see what is staring him in the face. It looks as if young Ranulf has seen through your disguise, Ariel,” the king said.
Shock shot through Ranulf. “You know her, sire?”
The king chuckled. “Aye, I do, Sir Ranulf. I see you have made the girl quite speechless.” William stepped closer to Ariel, put his arm around her shoulders, and turned her to face Ranulf. “Sir Ranulf, this is Ariel of Elmstead, or should I say Sir Ariel.”
Ranulf opened and closed his mouth a few times before he could bring himself to speak. “You mean she really is a knight?”
“That she is. You saw her performance in the hall. It would be a shame to waste such talent.”
“Sir Broc willingly knighted a woman?” Ranulf was scandalized, thinking such could take place.
The king pulled Ariel even closer as she stiffened under his arm. “Sir Broc turns out not to be as observant as you. All he sees is a young Saxon boy, not the woman.”
“How?”
William shook his head. “I have no idea. Let us talk about what happened in the hall. How is your jaw, Ariel?”
Ariel pulled out of the king’s grasp and stepped away so she faced both of them with hands on her hips. That position made the curves of her body seem more pronounced. There could be no mistaking her for anything else than what she was—a woman.
“My jaw is not broken, but it still hurts.”
“Excellent. Are you going to tell Broc who you are?”
“Nay! You know I will not tell him.”
“Your silence will only escalate this situation into an unmanageable problem if you do not speak now.”
“I have done some thinking. I would like your permission to go home. You are correct. If I stay, everything could easily get out of hand quite quickly. The less I see of Broc, the better.”
William’s brows drew together. “Then what will you do when Broc returns to Elmstead?”
“My father has a separate hall from the one Broc occupies. I will live there with my father.”
Sighing, William appeared to think over Ariel’s request, then nodded. “You may leave, but only on the condition you do not go alone.”
“That is not necessary, sire. I can find my own way to Elmstead.”
“I realize you can protect yourself. I would just feel better knowing you did not travel alone, that is all.”
This was a chance to get to know this unusual woman better, so Ranulf spoke up. “If it is acceptable with you, sire, I would like to accompany Ariel to her home.”
A smile formed on the king’s lips. “All right, Sir Ranulf. You may go, and you may stay at Elmstead for as long as you wish. I have heard of your interest in learning more of the Saxon way of life. What better way to learn than from Lady Ariel?” William put up his hand before Ariel could protest. “I will hear no more. I suggest you leave with the dawn. Both of you get some rest. I will tell Broc on the morrow of your departure.”
* * * *
The hall was empty, except for the king, who sat in his chair on the dais. He sipped ale from a tankard. He motioned Broc to sit with him.
“Well, Broc, how do you feel this morn?”
“As well as one can feel after making an utter ass of oneself.”
William chuckled. “Do not beat yourself up too much about it. I am afraid the others are applauding you for striking a Saxon, especially one who had the impertinence to become a knight.”
Broc’s face became grave. “They really think that way about Wulf?”
“Aye. I have to admit I made a mistake asking you to bring him to court. At least the problem has been rectified in a way that will suit everyone.”
“What do you mean?”
“I sent the boy to Elmstead. After how you treated him last night, he asked to go home. To avoid any more problems, I gave my consent. Do not worry about him going off alone. I sent Ranulf with him.”
Broc did not seem all that relieved that he would not have to confront Wulf. “Why did Ranulf go with Wulf?”
“The pair has struck up a friendship. Ranulf asked to accompany Wulf, and I could think of no reason he should stay here. I gave him permission to remain at Elmstead as long as he wished.” William knew what he was doing to Broc, but the man needed a little prodding in the right direction if he was to be happy.
A full range of emotions flitted across Broc’s face—regret, anger, then finally acceptance. “Since you wish him to stay at Elmstead, I have no objections. If you will excuse me, I would like to reacquaint myself with London.”
“Go ahead, my friend. We will talk later.”
* * * *
At the sight of Elmstead, a sense of wellbeing washed over Ariel. She was home and there she planned to stay from now on. She had been away from Colwyn too much in his short life. He was her future, and he deserved better. Starting now, her son would be her first priority. Reaching the outskirts of the village, she pulled her horse to a halt. Ranulf brought his mount up next to hers.
“This is where you live?” Ranulf asked as he looked around.
“Aye, this is Elmstead. I know it is probably smaller than what you are used to, but at least the food is good and the people will w
elcome you.”
“I will be glad for the change. Court life loses its luster after a while.”
Ariel understood exactly what Ranulf meant. “My short experience there has led me to believe it is not all pomp and glitter.”
She turned in her saddle and looked at Ranulf. On their travels he had treated her with respect. Not once had he tried anything inappropriate toward her. Having reached her home, Ariel felt she had gained a new friend. So much so, she felt she could trust Ranulf.
“Ranulf, there is something I must tell you before we go to my father’s hall.”
He had twisted around in his saddle and intently looked at her. “What might that be, my lady?”
Ariel took a deep breath and then spoke. “There is a reason I hide my true self and pretend to be a man. It is in my father’s hall.” She looked right into Ranulf’s eyes before she plunged ahead. “I have a son, and his father is Broc.”
Ranulf’s eyes widened. “I do not understand. You told me Broc knew you only as a man. How can you have had a son by him?”
“I first met Broc when he came to England when Edward was still king. He simply does not recognize me this way.”
Ranulf shook his head in what appeared to be wonderment. “To put it quite bluntly, Broc is a fool. If it had been me, I would be able to see through your disguise. You are too beautiful to be a man.”
At his words, Ariel felt herself flush. “Well, Broc must not think the same way you do. For after taking what he wanted from me, he left without so much as a backward glance.”
“All the more fool is he. I never would have left you.”
Ariel grew uncomfortable at Ranulf’s words. She had to admit she did find him attractive. He was a good-looking man. If she had met him before Broc, she might have let nature take its course. After all she had gone through with Broc, she did not think she could give herself to another man.
Ariel sighed. “Be that as it may, Broc must never know about Colwyn. I trust you to keep my secret.”
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