Forbidden Lady

by Anne Herries

  ‘Perhaps,’ Owain said. ‘I do not know if he loved her or if she merely wounded his pride, but I know that he never loved your mother, Melissa. He married her for the fortune she brought and he treated her badly, cruelly—and when your grandfather made you the King’s ward he felt cheated.’

  ‘Yes, I understand. I always wondered why he hated me.’

  There was more, but Owain judged that she had learned enough for the time being. She needed to come to terms with things he had told her—the rest would keep.

  ‘Rob believes that I betrayed him to my father, but it was not so. We were spied on by one of my women and she went to my father on his return. Had I been given the chance, I would have warned him not to come that day, but I was locked in my chamber until the last moment.’

  ‘I believe you,’ Owain said. ‘I have always thought you innocent of any involvement in what Lord Whitbread did that night—but you cannot expect Rob to believe you so easily. Your…Harold of Meresham said that you were insulted by his attentions, and Rob believed him…though whether he does so in his heart I do not know. He was badly injured—not only the wound to his face, but another to his head. He was thrown over the back of a horse, his head down as if he were a beast killed in the hunt. Imagine the hurt to his pride as well as his face. It was a terrible humiliation for a young man—perhaps worse than the injuries he sustained.’

  ‘Yes, I know that he suffered greatly that night,’ Melissa said, a break in her voice. ‘I would have taken my own life before I let my brother bring me here—but my father kept my woman Rhona as hostage and threatened that he would give her to Harold if I escaped him before I was wed. I had no choice but to come here, because I did not want her to suffer for my sake.’

  ‘Lord Whitbread will take no more revenge,’ Owain told her. ‘He received a wound in battle that laid him low, and has since died of it. I have heard that Harold of Meresham claims his estate and means to petition the King.’

  Melissa made the sign of the cross over her breast. ‘I am sorry for Lord Whitbread’s death,’ she said, ‘though he was never kind to me.’

  ‘Harold claims what should by rights be yours, for he is a bastard. Do you not wish to make a counter claim?’

  ‘I know that he has long been anxious to lay hands on my father’s wealth,’ Melissa said. ‘He would have taken my own inheritance if he could, but my grandfather made provision, as you know. I do not grudge him my father’s lands. After all, I have my own.’

  Owain nodded. He would have expected no less of her. ‘I believe Sir Robert has asked Henry Tudor to become the guardian of your grandfather’s estates,’ Owain said. ‘But I do not know whether your father’s wish will stand in law regarding the marriage…’ He hesitated, overcome with the desire to tell Melissa the secret he had kept close so long. He must wait until he returned from his quest. If he found Elspeth everything would be different.

  ‘Rob…Sir Robert says that I am his prisoner,’ Melissa said. ‘I think he intends to subdue Leominster for he is a traitor to the new king.’

  ‘Yet if he treats for pardon and swears loyalty it may be that Henry will allow him to retain at least some of his lands—and marry.’

  Melissa was startled. ‘Surely I shall not be forced to marry him now that my father is dead?’

  ‘I cannot be certain,’ Owain said. ‘I tell you only what is possible. Kings are no more to be trusted than ordinary men when it comes to such things. If it suits him, Henry may give you to any of his lords who have fought for him. Your lands are a rich reward for any knight. It is the custom of kings to reward those who serve them—and this one needs to keep the loyalty of his supporters, perhaps more than most. In England the custom of wealth and privilege is strong, and many nobles keep court and numbers of armed men that make them almost as powerful as the King himself.’

  ‘Yes, I know. My father was one of them, I think.’

  ‘He gave his loyalty to King Richard and for that his lands may be forfeit—but you played no part in the struggle and if Henry is fair he will return them to you or your husband.’

  ‘Sometimes I wish that I had nothing.’ Melissa sighed, looking so sad that Owain longed to put his arms about her and comfort her, but knew that she would be disturbed by such an act. ‘But it makes me happy to see you, sir, for I have been much concerned.’ She smiled at Owain suddenly. ‘You know that you have always been dear to me.’

  ‘I thank you for your kind words,’ Owain said. ‘There is something more I would tell you, but you must understand that it may come to nothing…’

  ‘What is on your mind? I can see that it troubles you.’

  ‘I am not sure that I should speak—perhaps it would be best to wait and see if I discover her…’

  ‘Now you intrigue me,’ Melissa said, and smiled. ‘Pray, tell me what you mean.’

  ‘I have been told something…concerning your mother.’

  ‘I know that my father killed her. The Abbess gave me a letter describing my mother’s murder before she died.’

  ‘It is not that, though that is grief enough to bear,’ Owain said. ‘I have believed it these many years and sworn that he shall not lay his hand on you…but this may hurt you even more. Alanna says that she thinks Elspeth may yet live…’

  ‘My mother still lives?’ Melissa looked at him in bewilderment. ‘How can she? I have visited her tomb every week for as long as I can recall…how can she live?’

  ‘The story is thus…’ Owain explained what Alanna had told Rob. ‘I cannot say if there is a grain of truth in her suspicion, but it may be so.’

  Melissa turned away and went to the window to look out. Her mind was whirling in confusion, her eyes burning with the tears his story had aroused. If her mother lived…How often she had prayed that they might meet, might talk and embrace!

  ‘Why has she not come to me in all these years?’ she asked as she turned. ‘It surely cannot be true?’

  ‘If she lives she must have run away,’ Owain said, and his face twisted with grief. ‘She was afraid of him. I would have helped her but I was not there at that time. I had returned to my home, for my family needed me—and, when I returned, it was to learn that she was dead. Alanna told me that he had beaten her and I would have taken revenge then, but there was a child—you. I vowed that I would protect you with my life.’

  ‘Yet she might have sent me some word…a sign that she was alive.’

  ‘I do not know whether the story is true or false,’ Owain admitted. ‘It might have been better had I not told you…’

  ‘No! I am glad that you did,’ Melissa said, and her face lit up. ‘Oh, if she lives…I must know it. I want to see her…to ask her all the things I have longed to know.’

  ‘It is my intention to look for her,’ Owain said. ‘My reason for telling you was because I must leave you. I think you safe enough now that Robert of Melford has the castle secure. But I promise to come back to tell you what I have found.’

  ‘Yes, thank you,’ Melissa said. ‘I wish that I might come with you. If I could I would ride away from this place now and never return.’

  ‘But you are not free,’ Owain said. ‘Rob is a good man—but do not try his patience too far, my lady. There are others concerned in this and these are uncertain times.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ Melissa said, and sighed. ‘Lady Gifford fears for her son and his inheritance…’

  ‘Could you not tell him the truth, as you have told it to me?’

  ‘No! He hates me and would accuse me of lying. I beg you, do not tell him for he will think that I have sent you to plead for me.’

  ‘You know I would never betray you, my lady.’

  ‘Yes, I know it.’ She smiled at him for he had been her constant friend.

  ‘And now I must tell you that Sir Robert bids you come to dine with him at table this night.’

  ‘He sent you to ask me?’ Melissa wondered that he had not mentioned it himself. She looked thoughtful. ‘Tell me, where is Lady Gifford and
her son?’

  ‘Confined to her chamber for the moment, I think,’ Owain said. ‘She will remain there until after her husband has left on his journey to the Tower.’

  ‘But that is unfair,’ Melissa cried. ‘She must wish to say goodbye to her husband, for she may never see him again.’

  ‘Sir Robert is not minded for such leniency,’ Owain said, and sighed for he had seen the look in his leader’s eyes when he inquired if Melissa were still in the castle.

  ‘Then I shall ask him to change his mind,’ Melissa said. ‘To prevent a wife saying goodbye to her husband is a wicked thing.’

  She walked past Owain to the outer chamber before he realised what she intended. As soon as he understood what she meant to do, he followed, catching her arm.

  ‘Have a care, my lady. He is very angry.’

  ‘Then I can do no harm. He is already angry with me, let him be more so—but show kindness to others.’

  ‘My lady…’ Owain protested, but she would not listen. He followed her along a narrow gallery and down the stairs to the main chamber below. It was possible to see that Robert was standing there in conversation with the earl’s steward, Sandro of Hale. Melissa hesitated as she reached the bottom stair but then went up to them, her head held proudly, her expression angry.

  ‘Go, sir,’ Rob said, dismissing Hale with a wave of his hand. ‘Do all that you have promised and you need fear no harm to you or your people.’ He frowned, his gaze narrowing as he looked at Melissa. ‘What business have you here, lady? My orders were that you remain in your chambers until we dine this night.’ It was dangerous for her to walk alone until he had things settled, for tempers were roused and in times like these men might do things that would shame them—and her.

  ‘I came to plead with you to allow Lady Gifford to see her husband before he leaves for London,’ Melissa said, but there was no hint of pleading in her voice. Her tone and manner was imperious and she was every inch the noble lady, for she had determined not to show weakness in his presence. ‘She may never see him again and it is only fitting that she should take a proper farewell of her husband.’

  ‘Indeed?’ Rob glared at her, his mouth set in a thin line of disapproval. ‘And who gave you permission to make this plea, lady? I think you forget your position here.’

  ‘I may be your prisoner, sir,’ Melissa said. ‘But that does not make me your serf. I am still a lady to whom you owe at least courtesy—and I think you are too hasty in your commands.’

  ‘And who told you what I command?’ Rob asked, gaze narrowed, icy. ‘I think you take too much upon yourself. Return to your chamber and stay there until I bid you leave it.’

  Melissa turned, but even as she did so, she saw her aunt enter the great hall from a different direction. Lady Gifford went up to Robert of Melford, curtseying before him and smiling. She was dressed in a gown of blue silk, her head dressed with a chaplet of silver and looked very fine. She did not seem to be in any distress, and was clearly not confined to her chamber despite what Owain had believed. Melissa nodded to her and went past, climbing the stairs that led to the upper floor.

  Owain met her as she reached the top. ‘It seems that he has changed his mind,’ he said, and frowned as he saw the lady of Gifford speaking with Rob. ‘I should not have told you anything. Now he will be even more angry with you.’

  ‘I care not for his anger,’ Melissa said stiffly, for in truth she was feeling a little foolish. It seemed that Sir Robert was politely attending Lady Gifford, and as Melissa set foot on the landing immediately above, she heard her aunt laugh. ‘I am content as long as she is not being treated harshly.’

  Owain studied her proud profile as she passed him and went into her chamber. She had not made matters easier for herself—and yet he wondered what had made Sir Robert change his mind, for he had commanded that the earl’s wife be confined to her room at the start.

  Below in the hall, Lady Gifford was listening to the proposal made her by the man who had assumed command of her home.

  ‘You are asking me if I would prefer to accompany my husband to London or remain here?’ Rob nodded and she hesitated. ‘What becomes of my son if my husband does not keep the terms of his bond?’

  ‘If you go with him, you might find yourself imprisoned with the child somewhere. If you stay here, you are under my protection. For as long as you behave modestly and make no attempt to leave or to incite rebellion, you will be safe. These lands are now the property of the Crown, but Henry may decide to leave them in your care, lady. In time, your son may inherit, though that is for the King to decide. I do not know what is in his mind. If he gives the earl’s estates to one of his knights…’ Rob shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘I think that I prefer to stay here,’ Lady Gifford said. ‘If we are under your protection we are safe for the moment. I have some modest lands that were left to me by my father. If it were permitted I might choose to retire there one day, sir.’

  ‘All that is a matter for Henry,’ Rob said. ‘For the moment you may remain here. Once the earl has left for the Tower, you will be free to move as you wish within these walls and to run your household as before.’ He hesitated, remembering Melissa’s anger. ‘Do you wish to take a private leave of your husband?’

  ‘No, Sir Robert. All that I have wished to say to the earl has been said before you came. We understood how it would be…’ She hesitated once more. ‘If I give my word that I shall not try to leave or to incite rebellion, please, may it be considered apart from the oath my husband may swear?’

  Rob’s gaze narrowed. ‘Do you believe that he will break that oath?’

  Lady Gifford was silent for a moment, and then, ‘I do not know what he intends for he has not consulted me—but I do not wish my case to rely on his.’

  Rob was thoughtful. She would not go so far as to betray her husband, and he could not demand it, but she had given him a hint of what might be expected.

  ‘The earl has given me his solemn vow that he means to surrender his person to King Henry, and for that I have allowed that he ride like a man instead of being conveyed in chains like a felon. If he should break his oath to me, his life would be forfeit. Do you understand, lady?’

  ‘Yes.’ Lady Gifford raised her head, looking into his eyes. ‘I care only for the life and future of my son. I would be content to retire to my late father’s manor and live there in peace. A king is a king while he holds the throne, sir. I care not in what name he rules and shall never raise my hand against any that wear the crown of England.’

  ‘Very well, lady. You may retire to your chambers until the earl has left these walls. Your word is given and I shall trust you for the sake of your son. But I warn you not to play me false for then I should not be so lenient.’

  Rob watched as the lady walked away. He had sent for her before Melissa’s outburst, but he was not sure if he would have spoken to the countess so fairly had she not accused him of being harsh. He knew that he had been cruel to Melissa at their first meeting, but the sight of her had roused such feelings that he had not been able to control his anger. Such a fierce desire had rushed through him that it had been all he could do to control it, and a kiss was the least he had wanted of her—but feeling her softness and the tasting the sweetness of her lips had thrown him into confusion.

  Was she honest or a consummate liar? She had been angry in her turn when she thought he meant to treat Lady Gifford harshly. Her eyes had flashed green fire and she had looked magnificent. Her beauty stirred him, but, he realised now, it was her spirit and her courage that made her the woman she was—the woman he wanted above any other.

  A wry smile touched his lips. He ran a finger down the length of the scar on his face, feeling the thick welt that of late had become inflamed once more. The bruises and slight cuts received in battle were healing—but the anger and grief at her betrayal still swirled inside him, eating at his pride.

  He was not sure whether he wanted Melissa for herself or because he wished to take his reven
ge on her. She had humiliated him, even if she had been innocent of all that happened afterwards. If she loved him she would not have said the words that struck him to the heart.

  He could live with what her brother had done, even with the knowledge that Harold had been the cause of his father’s seizure—but he could not live with her betrayal.

  Chapter Five

  ‘Sir Robert has sent for you,’ Agnes said as she came into Melissa’s chamber later that afternoon. ‘You are to dine with him in the hall this night.’

  ‘I am not hungry,’ Melissa said, a stubborn look on her lovely face. ‘Send him my apologies but I do not feel well enough to come down this evening. And why are you here? I told you that I shall not have you serve me. In future, send one of the other women to serve me. You are a traitor and a murderer and I do not want to see your face again.’

  ‘Forgive me, my lady. I did only as your father bid me. He would have punished me had I not obeyed him.’

  ‘I do not wish to hear your excuses. Leave me and give my message to Sir Robert.’

  Agnes shot her a scared look. ‘But he will be so angry. You cannot refuse him, my lady. It was an order not a request.’

  ‘I shall not come,’ Melissa said. ‘If you dare not tell him yourself, tell Owain. He will pass on my reply.’

  Agnes shook her head and went away. Melissa got up and went over to the window, gazing out at the scene below. It was still light—the moon had not yet chased the sun from the sky—and she could see men walking about. It seemed that the livery of Melford was everywhere, and her uncle’s men had either been disarmed, allowed to leave or perhaps imprisoned. It did not occur to her that many of them might have wished to throw in their lot with the King’s commander and were even now sporting his colours of green and gold.

  ‘Melissa—what nonsense is this?’

  She heard her aunt’s voice and turned to see Lady Gifford. She was a little surprised to see that her aunt had dressed in her best green gown with a sideless surcoat of cloth of gold. She was wearing her gold chaplet, her hair caught in a jewelled net.