"Gunther, we must talk," she interrupted, latching onto his arm and firmly pulling him away.
"But right now?" he objected with a laugh. "What could be so important that you would drag me from my friends before their words have reached their sum?" A thought struck him and he sobered instantly. "Prithee, 'tis not our children. Are they ill?"
"Nay, Gunther, they are fine. 'Tis I who feels my food turn about in my stomach," she answered, miffed.
A sympathetic frown wrinkled his brow and he stopped suddenly to study her face. "Then perhaps you should go to our chambers. I will make the excuses."
'"Tis not something rest will cure, my husband," she said irritably. "Only an explanation from you."
Confusion distorted his lean features as he searched his mind for her meaning, but when he opened his mouth again to declare his ignorance, he drew back once he saw the angry look on her face. "And I will gladly enlighten you, my love, if you will only tell me what it is that I should simplify."
Not yet having found the privacy she sought, Anne refused to answer but merely took her husband's arm again and pulled him toward the corridor that led to the kitchen. "Tis not something I wish all of Burchard to know," she muttered as she hurried along, "though by morning light there will belittle chance that tongues will not wag."
"What?" he demanded impatiently. "Have you found cobwebs in some corner? Has the milk soured in the pail? What?"
"Oh, if only it could be that trivial," she snapped, shoving him into the darkened hallway ahead of her. "Tis Lady Jewel of whom I speak, Gunther. Why is she here?"
Hoping to soothe his wife's distress, he grinned impishly, unaware of the seriousness of the matter, and said, "Art thou jealous?"
"Gunther!" she shouted, clubbing a small fist against his chest, brown eyes blazing. "Dost thou see me laughing? I will know the truth! Hath Lady Jewel been brought here against her wishes?"
All sign of merriment vanished from his face. Uneasy, he glanced down the narrow passageway as if to avoid the issue. He had known from the first that Anne would not approve once she learned why Burchard was being graced with the presence of Lady Jewel. She would not understand until he revealed the whole of it and he could only pray she would forgive him then for his part in it. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his head and reached out to cup her hands in his.
" Thou hast heard of the slaughter at Harcourt?" He waited until she nodded, then continued. "Amery is guiltless. I was with him on the road to London at the time, but no one else can make that claim except a beggar along the way. After speaking with the dowager queen, we traveled to Wellington, for we had learned of Lord Ryland's death and that Amery was now the lord. But when we arrived, we were told of the slaying at Harcourt and that a reward for Amery's capture had been posted. All at Wellington believed the lie and we knew the danger should someone recognize us. I begged Amery to come here to Burchard with me where we would be at ease to find a way of disproving this awful thing. He agreed, but would only do so after we had visited Harcourt. He wanted to hear the serfs' telling of the tale." He paused to catch his breath and search her face for any doubt she might be harboring and noticed the impatient lift of one brow.
"Doth not explain why lady Jewel is here," she said quietly.
Wrapping his arm around her slim shoulders, he guided them both further down the hall. "Amery is certain his half brother, Radolf, is the one responsible and that Jewel was spared only because Radolf wants her as his wife. With Amery accused of the deaths at Harcourt, it will leave Radolf free to claim everything—Wellington, Harcourt, and Amery's betrothed. We have merely delayed it awhile."
"Then Lady Jewel does not believe Sir Amery's innocence?"
"Nay, she does not. And if she is allowed to return, to Harcourt, she will lead Radolf to Burchard. Tis for her own protection that we brought her here with us."
"Protection?" Anne laughed sarcastically as she slipped from beneath his arm and turned to face him. "Sir Amery is with her now and sent me from the room. He intends to share the chambers with her. She is his betrothed, Gunther, not his wife, and you shall remind him of the fact."
A vague smile lightened his eyes as he stood quiet for a moment. Anne bristled all the more.
"Gunther! Art thou deaf?" she snapped.
"Nay, love." He grinned.
"Then you shall speak with him?"
Gunther shook his head, the smile widening. "Tis what they need," he replied more to himself.
"But they have not spoken the vows, Gunther! Lady Jewel will live in shame. Prithee, you must forbid it," she begged.
"Nay, I will not, good wife," he answered firmly. "And thou wilt not interfere."
"But he will surely abuse her," Anne pressed, her lovely face wrinkled with her distress.
"Then I would step between them," he replied, gathering her in his arms again and starting them back toward the great hall and their friends. "But I think not. Whether Amery will admit it or not, this damsel has unknowingly planted a seed of tenderness in the hard-hearted knight. He will soften in his thoughts of women, and what better one to show him. the way than his own betrothed? She will tame the mighty warrior, my sweet, and in return bask in the warmth of his love." He smiled broadly and let out a long, satisfied sigh. "Yea, 'tis best we do not separate them, for 'twill be a long battle to win and time grows short."
Chapter 9
"Come, little one, the water grows cold."
Jewel glared angrily at Amery, watching him trail a fingertip through the surface of water in the tub the servants had brought. "Unless thou wilt allow me privacy, it can turn to ice," she snapped. "I am not a whore to strip for you."
He shrugged his wide shoulders. "Tis your loss if your modesty forbids your pleasure. What you have, I have seen before."
"And now thee wishes all of Burchard to know as well?" she questioned acidly.
He glanced over at her for a moment, then went to the chair near the hearth and sat down. " 'Twas not my intent. I do not care what others think and 'twould do you a kindness if you felt the same."
"If I did, I would not be here but in London, where I would ask many silver marks for the spreading of my skirts," she railed hotly.
"Is that what sparks thy temper?" he mocked. 'That I did not pay for your favors? Is that what you seek ... to be different from the rest? I have never paid for a romp with a vixen." He glared coldly at her, then bent to remove the chain mail from around his leg.
"Yea, I wish to be different," she snapped. "I long to be the one who had never shared your bed and could thank Cod for the blessing."
Pausing in his task, Amery smiled up at her. "Most, would say 'tis the other way around. But then how wouldst thee know since I was the first. Perhaps you will come to know the truth once my half brother beds you."
"You braying jackal," she fumed. "Your conceit outshines your rancor for womankind."
Chuckling, he dismissed her and finished loosening the leg armor, carefully placing it aside once he kicked free of it. Next he pulled off his boots, stood, and unfastened the catches of his tunic, sliding the garment from his shoulders. This he folded neatly and laid with the rest of his raiments before he caught sight of the shocked look on his companion's face as she observed his undertaking.
"Twould be rude to allow the bath to go to waste," he said with a lopsided grin. "I do not share your modesty."
Jewel shrieked and flew to a darkened corner when his hands moved to his chausses and he proceeded to disrobe, his laughter echoing loudly in her ears. Turning her back on his brazenness, she waited until she heard the splash of water as he lowered himself into the tub, then bravely stole a peek at him. The firelight gleamed golden against his bronze skin, the firm muscles of his arms and shoulders flexing with each move he made, and Jewel experienced a strange desire to trace a fingertip along the sinewy ripples. Her heart beat faster, her mouth went suddenly dry, and she forced herself to look away, wondering how this man could excite her by his mere presence. Slowly moving to the
bed, she sat down on the edge and studied her hands clasped in her lap.
In the passing of one week, her life had changed drastically. She no longer sat with the dowager queen listening to poetry, nor laughed happily at something Dawn said while she awaited the return of her betrothed and contemplated her forthcoming marriage. Her family was dead, her betrothed accused of their murders, and the man she had thought to marry now made it quite clear that he would never speak the vows. He had stolen her maidenhood, laughed at her shame, and pledged to give her to another once he had grown tired of her. Tears filled her eyes, her shoulders drooped, and she felt the weight of her day's journey press down on her. Curling her feet beneath her, she leaned against the headboard and her eyelids drifted shut. And now this very man had sparked odd yearnings. What could it mean?
* * *
"Lady Jewel."
Roused from a dreamy slumber, Jewel stirred and burrowed herself deeper into the warm comfort of the fur pelts.
"Lady Jewel," the voice said again.
Moaning her objection, she rolled to her side, the bright sunshine flowing in from the window playing heavily upon her closed lids. She squeezed them shut even tighter, her lip curling disapprovingly, then she bolted upright in the huge bed as reality crashed down upon her. Her auburn hair falling in wild disarray about her shoulders, her amber eyes frantically surveying the room for Amery's presence, she let out a long sigh when she discovered they did not share the space. Cool air touched her bare arms and chest, and, glancing down to view her nakedness, she quickly grabbed a rabbit skin blanket and hugged it to her, one hand drawing the long strands of coppery hair from her brow.
"Lady Jewel?"
Startled, Jewel jerked her head around to find a young maid standing near the foot of the bed and, noticing the worried look on her face, Jewel managed a smile.
"I ... I didn't mean to frighten you, Lady Jewel," she said, "but Sir Amery bade me wake you and aid in your bath. I am known as Aselma."
Jewel's mind rushed with confused thoughts. Bath? Amery? She looked at the sunlight streaming in through the window. Morning? Where had he slept? Here? With her? As she remembered her nudity, her face glowed warmly with visions of who had undressed her. Where was he now? Her head spinning, she touched shaky fingertips to her brow. '
"Art thou ill, Lady Jewel?" Aselma asked, concerned.
Remembering the girl's presence, Jewel forced a weak laugh. "Nay, Aselma. I am fine. Have I slept the morning away?"
"Nay, Lady Jewel. Tis early," Aselma assured her, rounding the bed to offer her help when Jewel attempted to rise. "And the water is warm and scented with Lady Anne's favorite fragrance. If thou wishest, I will wash your Hair."
Jewel smiled appreciatively, allowing Aselma to take the fur pelt from around her as she stepped into the tub.
"Are you hungry, Lady Jewel?" the girl continued with a comforting smile, watching her mistress sink lower into the bathwater. "I could bring a tray to your chambers."
Jewel closed her eyes, breathed in the sweet scent that floated up to greet her, and sighed, for it seemed every muscle in her body ached. "Nay, Aselma," she answered contentedly. "I will join the others if they have not already eaten."
"Yea, m'lady." Aselma nodded and turned away to straighten the bed:
Resting her head back against the edge of the tub, Jewel relaxed, feeling the weariness slowly ebb, and set her mind to wondering at Amery's odd behavior. She had expected to share his bed, fend off his advances, and endure his insensitive remarks. She had not anticipated sleeping alone and even less awakening and finding a bath awaiting her, one he had ordered brought to her chambers. It puzzled her and at the same time bade her beware.
"Aselma," she called, sitting up to scrub her arms with the small piece of linen she found draped over the edge of the tub, "where did Sir Amery spend the night?"
"Where, m'lady?" the young maid asked, the color in her cheeks darkening.
Noting the embarrassed tone of her response, Jewel paused in her bathing and glanced up. "Yes, Aselma, where."
Uneasy, Aselma looked away. "Here, m'lady."
Jewel's own face flamed. She had assumed since he had not forced himself upon her during the night that he had elected to find some other haven for his rest. Frantic, she searched her memory. Could it have been that she had slept so soundly ... ? She shook her head. Nay. He never would have allowed it. He enjoyed tormenting her. Concentrating on her bath again, she scrubbed her flesh more vigorously than before until it had a rosy hue and she was satisfied that his scent no longer clung to her.
"Lady Anne hopes you'll be pleased with the loan of her gunna," Aselma announced suddenly, intruding upon Jewel's thoughts.
With stunned surprise she looked up to find the serving girl holding a velvet gunna in a bright shade of gold for her to appraise. Fox fur lined the collar and cuffs of the full sleeves as well as the hemline. Though simple, Jewel doubted she had ever seen such a beautiful gown.
"M'lady says I am to shorten it if need be," Aselma continued, "and to tell you that the tailor will come this afternoon to take your measurements. She knows you left your home rather hurriedly and if you will allow her the honor, she wishes to see you properly clothed."
"Tis beautiful," Jewel whispered, "but—"
"And m'lady instructed me to tell you that she would be greatly injured if you refused," Aselma finished before Jewel could object. With a sigh, the young girl gently stroked the fine cloth she held and added, "I would gladly accept."
"Then so shall I." Jewel smiled. "And to do justice to such a noble gown, I must complete my bath before the velvet lies in creases for all the wrinkles I shall have."
"Yea, m'lady." Aselma laughed, gently spreading the gunna on the bed. "And if thou wilt permit, I have a most fashionable way to arrange your hair." Moving to the tub, she knelt down beside it and lifted a heavy strand of auburn curls. "If I can dry it before the sun sets again. 'Tis thick."
"Yea," Jewel said. "'Tis a curse."
"Nay, m'lady, hardly that," Aselma argued. "Not many have such thickness and it shines with the firelight. 'Twould catch the eye of any knight."
"Tis why it's a curse," Jewel mumbled as she watched the maid go to the hearth and lift the bucket of warm water from the hook.
"But why, Lady Jewel?" Aselma asked in surprise. "I would be honored if a knight looked a second time at me." Gathering a stool on which to sit, she returned to the tub and sat down. "Twould be wonderful to change places with you, m'lady."
"To marry someone not of your choosing?" Jewel posed, tilting her head back as Aselma poured water down the long, coppery tresses, then worked up a thick lather in her hands from a bar of soap and vigorously rubbed it into Jewel's hair.
"If it meant wearing beautiful gowns, having someone do the chores, attending court, and being the envy of every woman, yea, Lady Jewel, I would most willingly marry the man my father chose for me."
"And be unhappy for the rest of your life?" Jewel asked quietly.
"Art thou unhappy, m'lady?" Aselma queried. "Sir Amery does not seem to be an unfitting choice."
Jewel waited until Aselma had rinsed the soap from her hair and had wrapped its great length in a linen towel before she twisted in the tub to look at her. "How old art thou?"
Aselma's lovely face mirrored her surprise. "I have seen my fourteenth summer, m'lady."
"Then prithee, hast thou seen thy father fight a battle? Defend his lands and people? Give all he had to his wife and children only to lay down his life to the very man he had chosen for his eldest daughter?" Jewel proposed. "Nay, Aselma, I doubt you have. And I doubt thou could know of the grief I suffer, the hate I feel for this man, my betrothed."
"Sir Amery?" Aselma gasped, then quickly stood to help Jewel from the tub and drape her slender form in a linen wrap.
"Yea, Sir Amery," Jewel replied acidly, wiping the moisture from her arms as she went to the hearth and let its warmth dry her.
"But Sir Amery is guiltless, m'lady,"
Aselma said emphatically.
Jewel was surprised by her own laughter. "Guiltless? Prithee, how hath thee come by such knowledge?"
" Tis simple. Lady Jewel," Aselma continued. "The lord of Burchard would not have offered his protection if he believed Sir Amery was to blame. And I have heard the men of our village talking. Sir Gunther and Sir Amery rode together the night Harcourt was attacked and were many miles away ... on their way to London. M'lord would have no reason to tell an untruth."
Amber eyes gazed back at her with cold disbelief shining in them. "Unless, of course, the two had, ridden first to Harcourt."
"But . . ."
"They are friends, are they sot?" Jewel interrupted. "Each has proclaimed it to be truth. Would friends not share everything? Even secrets? Would they not protect each other?"
"But not Sir Gunther, m'lady," the young maid argued. "He' is a fair and honest lord. He would never do such a thing."
"Sheep," Jewel muttered, turning back to the fire.
"M'lady."
"The people of Burchard are sheep ... easily led to the greenest pastures. But I will not be fooled and in time prove them worthy of the title murderers.?"
"But . . ."
Jewel shook her head to silence the girl. "We shall speak of it no more, Aselma. Now help me clothe myself," she ordered sullenly.
* * *
Nearly an hour passed before Jewel slipped the borrowed gunna over her delicate frame and stood patiently waiting for Aselma's finishing touches. The young maiden had braided the thick auburn hair and intertwined it with a strip of gold lace to match the gown, and over each of Jewel's ears Aselma had allowed a stray tendril to fall. The hemline had been raised and the bodice taken in a bit to fit Jewel's narrow waistline, and satin slippers were hurriedly sewn to shape her tiny feet when none the girl had brought were found to be the right size.
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