Forbidden Magic

by Catherine Emm

  "Well?" Jewel asked, rising to twirl before the maid, yards of emerald cloth billowing out from her narrow waistline. "Dost thou approve?"

  "Yea, m'lady." Aselma sighed. "Thou art the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Suddenly her face whitened and she glanced over at the door nervously. "Oh, m'lady, please do not tell Lady Anne what my careless tongue has spilled. I mean her no disrespect."

  "And I'm sure you misjudge her," Jewel said comfortingly. "Lady Anne is not'the sort to let vain thoughts fill her head. She would not take offense."

  "Yea," Aselma readily agreed, readjusting a ribbon in Jewel's hair. "Unlike Lady Mertice."

  "Lady Mertice?"

  "Yea, m'lady. Lord Gunther's sister."

  Jewel's brow knit. "But I have not met Lady Mertice."

  "Oh, 'tis because she is not here, ray lady. There has been thieving in our hamlets and robbers prowl the roads of late. Lady Mertice has gone to London to live for a time. But I think"—she glanced at the closed door again—"I think she goes only to find herself a knight to wed."

  "To find one?" Jewel repeated.

  "Yea, Lady Jewel, it's the only way she will ever stand before the altar again." Aselma's nose wrinkled disdainfully. "I pray he is deaf. 'Tis the only way he could escape listening to her constant nagging."

  "Aselma," Jewel said with a laugh, "thou makest her sound as if she were a—"

  "Yea," she replied, cutting her off, "she is. Her first husband died and many of us think he marched into battle without his sword just to bring an end to his existence." She let out' a long sigh. "It has been so peaceful with her gone. Everyone has said a prayer that someone falls into her trap and she will stay in London."

  "And what of Sir Gunther?" Jewel asked, hiding her smile. "What doth he think?"

  "Sir Gunther has been gone these past three years. He doth not know how cruel his sister has become. And Lady Anne would not tell him. She is too kind." Aselma shook her head and smoothed a wrinkle from Jewel's skirt. "If Lady Anne had not been here to soothe the other's sharp words, many of us would have endured great wounds at her expense. But come"—she smiled brightly in a sudden change of mood—"let us talk no more of Lady Mertice and show the rest what has taken us all afternoon."

  Crossing to the door with her, Jewel paused when they reached it. "Thank you, Aselma," she said; smiling softly. "For everything. Thou hast made me forget my sorrow for a time and lightened my heart with your gaiety";"

  Blushing, Aselma shrugged. "Some say I talk too much."

  "Then they are envious," Jewel said with a nod of her head. "And I say I am fortunate to have found a friend like you. We can be friends, can't we, Aselma?"

  The serving girl's brown eyes widened, then gleamed with pleasure. "Oh, yea, m'lady. Twould be an honor."

  "Then come with me. I want to thank Lady Anne properly and make certain she knows thou art responsible for the finished me." Taking the young woman's hand, Jewel opened the door before Aselma could protest too much and led her companion toward the stairs.

  They had nearly reached the bottom when the huge oak door of the great hall swung wide and a cold draft of wind assailed all within the room. Gunther, dressed in full armor, preceded the rest, followed closely by Amery, Rickward, Stafford, and Hadwin, and all were clothed in a similar manner to that of the lord of Burchard.

  "Has there been trouble?" Jewel asked in alarm.

  "Nay, not at present," Aselma assured her. "The eve before you arrived one of the hamlets was attacked and several houses burned. M'lord has gone to inspect the damage, 'tis all."

  "Dost thou know who it was?"

  "Yea. Sir Orton of Terrell. His lands share this island. He and Lord Gunther have been enemies for a long time." Turning to face her, Aselma begged, "If thou wilt grant my leave, Lady Jewel, I am needed in the kitchen. The men will want food."

  "Yea, Aselma, of course." Jewel nodded, her attention centered on the knights crowded near the hearth to ease the chill of their long ride.

  Though Gunther and his' men were tall and broad shouldered, Amery seemed to tower above them all, his blond hair gleaming in the firelight once he had removed his helm and pulled the coif from his head. Jewel lingered near the foot of the staircase covertly watching him, for he had yet to look up and notice her since he appeared preoccupied in removing his mantle, gauntlets, and sword. He stood with his profile to her and she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she recalled the thick muscles of his wide chest now hidden beneath the sleeveless leather tunic. Absently she raised the fingertips of one hand to her lips, vividly recalling the warmth of his mouth pressed to hers, the way his tongue had explored inside, and even at this moment she experienced the same tingle of excitement coursing through her as she had then. Hugging her arms to her, she suddenly felt the need to be enveloped in his embrace, and she wondered at the ambivalence of it.

  "Methinks Orion's men will not be so quick to step on Burchard lands again," Rickward declared with a laugh as he stood before the hearth rubbing his hands together.

  "Yea," Stafford agreed, turning to Amery. "My friend, thou swingest a mighty sword." He reached out to slap his companion on the shoulder, then retreated sharply, his hand held in midair, his face crimping in surprise as if what he saw displeased him. "Good lord, man, you've been wounded."

  Jewel's heart lurched in her chest, for she had heard their conversation, and when Amery turned toward the fire, she could see the dark red stain that covered his arm just above the elbow.

  "Anne!" she heard Gunther shout. "Bring hot water and bandages."

  Suddenly the place was astir with activity. Hadwin quickly seized a huge chair and shoved it toward the hearth for Amery to sit in while Rickward and Stafford gently guided him to it. Two serfs came to stoke the fire with more togs, doing so at Gunther's instruction, and all crowded around to watch their lord tend his friend. Kneeling before Amery, Gunther could only stare helplessly, for the wound had dried and the cloth of Amery's sleeve was stuck fast. Gingerly, he tested a corner of it, cringing when it would not budge.

  "Leave it, Sir Gunther, or thou wilt tear it anew," came the soft tones beside him.

  He looked up to find Jewel frowning back at him. "Soak a cloth in hot water and set a dagger's blade among the coals of the fire," she instructed,1 then turned to Hadwin. "Fetch Sir Amery a tankard of ale and see that it is always filled. The cure will cause this foolish knight as much pain as the wound itself." Looking back, she cast Amery an irked glance, then motioned for Rickward and Stafford to remove his tunic. "How much time has passed since this happened?"

  "We drew our swords upon the road not far from here," Rickward volunteered while doing as she had bidden. "But 'twas shortly after we left, not upon our return. Most of the afternoon has passed since then."

  Jewel settled her gaze upon Amery once more and noticed the pallor of his complexion. One brow lifted with her annoyance. "Doth seem, Sir Amery, thou carest more for thy horse."

  Green eyes reflecting his discomfort smiled back at her. "Perhaps. But had I had Conan beneath me instead of the nag my friend offered, this would not have come about."

  "Nag?" Gunther interrupted, then caught sight of Anne hurrying toward them. Taking the pail of water she carried, he hung it over the fire in the hearth, tossed in a large piece of linen, then turned back to confront Amery. "The steed is the best I have. Mayhap it was the one who held the reins."

  "Many a battle hath been won by a sure and quick steed, my friend." Amery grinned, accepting the tankard of ale Hadwin brought him and downing a long draught. "Prithee, wouldst thou consider an ass over your destrier?"

  Studying the gash that nearly extended from Amery's shoulder to his elbow. Jewel said, "Doth appear the nag held one upon her back."

  Hearty guffaws filled the room, though she had not intended her words to be entertaining, and Jewel bravely met Amery's amused smile before turning from him to go to the hearth. With a stick, she withdrew the steaming linen from the kettle and brought it dripping
to stand before him once more. Only he could see the devilish gleam in her eyes and he wondered fleetingly at its cause before he guessed her intent and gritted his teeth to endure the torture she had in mind. Without hesitation, she dropped the cloth over the wound and silently marveled at his ability not to call out his distress.

  "'Twill loosen the fabric," she said dully, sitting down next to him in the chair Hadwin had drawn up for her.

  "What happened, Gunther?" Anne asked worriedly, giving her husband a quick examination for any wounds he might have suffered.

  "We surprised some of Orton's men on the road," he replied, wrapping his arm around his wife as he watched Jewel gingerly test the cloth lying across Amery's arm. "We allowed one to escape without harm so that he would return to his lord and spill the news that I have returned. Twould seem, my sweet, that Orton has not given up trying to take my lands."

  "Yea, Gunther." Anne nodded. "He became braver with each day that passed and you were not here to protect us."

  The chatter of the servants coming from, the kitchen with platters of food and pitchers of ale broke the mood and the men moved away from the couple seated before the fire to sate their hunger and quench their thirst. Anne and Gunther remained.

  "Is there something I can do?" she asked when Jewel had removed the wet linen and was cautiously peeling the fabric from Amery's wound to expose a long, clean gash that she discovered was still oozing.

  "Yea." Jewel nodded, studying the injury. "Bring the dagger from the coals."

  "The . . . . dagger?"

  "To seal the wound and drive the poison from it," Jewel replied, then glanced up with a confused frown to watch Anne do as she had bidden.

  "Methinks she fears you might slip it between my ribs," the deep voice beside her offered, and Jewel looked back to see the firelight gleaming in Amery's eyes.

  '"Tis tempting," she mumbled and concentrated on her work again.

  "Then why hath thou chosen to tend me? I wouldst think thou wouldst prefer to see me dead."

  Light brown eyes flecked with golden lights peered up at him. "And cheat the executioner's ax? Was that not what you suggested ... that I spare my life to see my father's murderer brought low?"

  A grin stretched across his lips. "And no doubt you would turn the stone to sharpen his blade."

  "Yea, m'lord."

  "Even if thou findest one other than I with his head upon the block?"

  "Put there by your tricks?" she challenged.

  Resting hack against his chair, Amery closed his eyes, the smile lingering, and answered softly, "No tricks will catch the villain, but his own carelessness."

  "Art thou careless?"

  Chuckling, he opened one eye to look at her. "Twould seem so today."

  Jewel frowned, watching him close his eyes again, and wondered at his evasive manner. He neither confirmed nor denied his guilt in what had happened at Harcourt. Surely if he were innocent he would state it, especially to her. Why would he keep it a secret? Aware of Anne's presence beside her, she pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind and focused her attention on the task she was about to perform.

  "'Twill hurt," she informed him, taking the dagger Anne held out to her.

  "Then do thy worst, fair Jewel," he replied without looking at her. "But beware that Gunther watches."

  Remembering the other's presence, she glanced up at the man who stood silently observing and saw him nod, and she gave a short laugh. "Methinks he isn't the kind to murder women," she said derisively and laid the glowing dagger against the wound.

  Amery's body stiffened immediately though he made no sound, and Jewel quickly drew the blade down the length of the lesion as the sickening stench of burning flesh filled the air. When it was done, she laid aside the dagger and went to the hearth where she dipped a clean piece of linen in the water, then rung it out. Gathering several more dry ones, she returned to her place beside Amery and proceeded to gently wash away the dried blood from his arm. Once she had finished, she wrapped the injured limb in the clean cloths and stood, taking his tankard of ale from his hand.

  "I will get more," she said when he lifted pain-filled eyes to her. "Its effect wilt ease thy distress." Not allowing him the chance to answer, she walked away.

  "Doth surprise me somewhat, Amery," Gunther said as he watched the young woman go to the long trestle table filled with a variety of food, "that she chose not to test the blade against your throat." He shrugged. "But then, there have been many I thought should have tried and did not." Sending his friend a playful smirk, he bowed mockingly and left to join the others dining at the table.

  Amery followed his departure with a vague smile on his lips, then he lifted one brow in bemused curiosity. Would his companion have foiled Jewel's attempt had she tried to bring an end to his life? Deciding it was something he would never know for sure, yet certain Gunther would have stopped her, Amery let out a tired sigh and shifted the throbbing arm to a more comfortable position, catching sight of Lady Anne as she gathered the soiled scraps of cloth from the floor and put away the dagger. She was indeed a beautiful woman with her hair the color of the morning sun, and he immediately knew why she had lingered in Gunther's thoughts day and night. She had not allowed the passing of years to spoil her figure or turn her into a nag, and he suddenly wondered what it would be like to have a woman so truly devoted to him.

  And be a constant chain about my neck? he thought, looking away. Always wanting more ... never satisfied ... and forever with a wandering eye.

  A twinge of pain shot through his shoulder and he leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes, listening to the laughter and merry voices of the others who shared the room. It would feel good to return to Wellington once his half brother and Lady Edlyn were made to pay for their wrongdoings. He would enjoy the leisured life of lord. If only Gunther would come with him ...

  "Canst thou feed thyself or shall I do if for you?"

  Recognizing Jewel's voice, Amery opened one eye to look at her. In her hands she held a plate filled with a sampling of dried fruits, a crust of bread smeared thickly with marmalade, two boiled eggs, and a piece of roasted chicken.

  "Thou hast been too kind already," he mocked. "Set it down and I shall help myself. Did you bring more ale?"

  Jewel nodded to his right and Amery turned his head to see a tankard sitting on a stool next to his chair. Reaching for it, he lifted the cup to his lips and took a long drink, feeling its dulling effects course through him.

  "After you have eaten, you should take your rest in the bedchamber," Jewel added, depositing the plate of food on the spot where the tankard had been. "'Twould be best if thou slept a while."

  A lazy smile twinkled in his eyes as he watched her, noticing for the first time the emerald gunna she wore, and he decided his pain had been his only reason for not having done so before now. "The color suits you, little one," he murmured, longing to undo the auburn curls tied with lace.

  A light blush rose in her cheeks and she chose not to look at him or acknowledge his compliment, "When you have finished with your meal, I will help you to bed."

  His grin widened. "And how will I rest then?" he teased suggestively.

  Jewel's color deepened to a scarlet hue. Glancing about for any who might have heard, she spotted Anne near the hearth, her head down as she bent over some task she performed, and Jewel breathed a little easier when she knew she had been spared the humiliation. "Thou hast no shame, Amery of Wellington," she hissed, still watching Anne.

  "Shame?" he questioned. "Nay. My loyalty to England and my lust for you are all that drive me."

  "Shhh!" Jewel urged desperately. "Lady Anne will hear." Enjoying how effortlessly he could provoke her, he set aside his drink and reached out to trap Jewel's waist and pull her onto his lap, easily subduing her struggles when he slipped his good arm around her waist and held her steady. "Dost thou think she does not already know we have shared a bed?" he asked, savoring the sweet fragrance of her. "Mayhap we should t
ell her to be certain. Twould ease your distress."

  "Nay, Amery," Jewel begged frantically. "Lady Anne will only be embarrassed by your brazenness. Tis mine alone to endure. Do not force it upon others."

  "Strange," he murmured. "I did not think the woman who clung so desperately to me a few hours past felt anything but passion."

  "'Tis the fact we have not wed of which I speak," she snarled. "Now unhand me, knave."

  "And were we to wed, wouldst thou come willingly to my bed?" he asked, ignoring her demands.

  Her mood changed suddenly and she sat perfectly still, glaring into his eyes. "Tis something we shall never learn, Sir Amery, for I would see you dead long before a priest could be summoned."

  His laughter unnerved her and she quickly left his grasp when he released his hold, turning away in the hope that the heat of his scorn shining brightly on her face would fade before anyone noticed. Spotting Anne as she made ready to return to the kitchen, Jewel straightened and called out to her, longing to put the confrontation with Amery behind her.

  "May I walk with you and find work for my idle fingers?" she asked, forcing a smile.

  "Of course, Jewel," Anne replied happily as they started across the hall, "although there really isn't much to do at present. Most of the daily chores are finished and I thought to give Ella a bath before I put her to bed. If you'd like, you could assist me. Sometimes she fusses."

  "I would love to help," Jewel said.

  "Of course, our greater task will be in finding her." Anne laughed. "She may be only three, but there are moments when she can outsmart me. She always seems to know when it's time to have her hair washed."

  "It must be an instinct they're born with." Jewel smiled. "Ivy and Edwina were the same." A moment of silence passed between them as they neared the wide archway leading to the kitchen, and before they reached it, Jewel paused, touching her hand to Anne's sleeve. "I want to thank you for your generosity, Anne. As soon as I am able, I will see you and Gunther are repaid the cost of the gowns. And perhaps someday the two of you will come to visit Harcourt."