Forbidden Lady

by Anne Herries

  He longed to take her home, to show her the house and lands he loved, and to live with her in peace and happiness. She turned her head and smiled at him, and he felt the last vestige of bitterness fade away. If Melissa could forgive and be happy again then he could do no less.

  Chapter Ten

  ‘Come, Melissa, we are home at last,’ Rob said as he lifted her down from her palfrey, holding her in his arms to kiss her briefly before letting her go. ‘This is my house—pray, tell me if you think it will suit you to live here, my dearest.’

  Melissa looked at the vista before her. They had stopped a little distance from the house for Rob had told her that this was the best place to see it, and, she suspected, he had wanted to be alone with her before they arrived. They were standing on a slope looking down at the valley, which was just now bathed in a rare moment of winter sunshine. The house and surrounding walls were built of a yellowish stone in the midst of rolling parklands, with a dense wood to the east. On the horizon far beyond lay a dark smudge, which she knew were ridges of mountains in Wales.

  There was a gatehouse with two towers arching over the entrance to the courtyard. Beyond that she could see the roof of a fine hall, which consisted of one long structure facing the south and another wing to the west. It had arched windows and had been designed in the modern way for living rather than as a fortress, though the walls were stout and would withstand anything but a determined assault.

  ‘It is beautiful,’ Melissa told Rob with a smile, for she had seldom seen a finer hall. ‘I like it very well.’

  ‘It has replaced a much older hall that once stood here,’ Rob said, and she could hear the pride in his voice. ‘My father had the old building pulled down when he inherited Melford from his father. He built the main hall first and then added the west wing. It was his intention to add another when he could, but he never did it. I shall finish what he began.’

  ‘It will be a grand house then,’ Melissa said, and smiled up at him. ‘We shall need a big family to fill it, Rob.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps,’ he agreed, and stroked her cheek with his fingertips, sending a tingle of pleasure down her spine. ‘But we shall have our friends to stay and you have Alanna to be your companion. There may be others you would wish to live with us.’

  ‘I do not think so…unless…’ She sighed for there had been no word from Owain and she was afraid that his search would come to nothing. She lifted her head, refusing to dwell on something that could only spoil the happiness she felt in coming to her home at last. ‘Shall we go now, Rob? I am longing to see what it looks like inside.’

  ‘You will wish to make changes I daresay,’ Rob told her with an indulgent look. ‘My mother died too soon, Melissa, and my father lost interest in the house. I believe that there is much a woman might do to make it more comfortable.’

  ‘That will be my pleasure,’ Melissa told him. ‘It will be exciting to have the ordering of a house for I was never allowed my way in my father’s house.’

  ‘Now you have your own home,’ Rob said. ‘One day we shall ride over to visit your own estate for it lies only twenty leagues to the west and is, as you know, in Wales.’

  ‘My mother came from there,’ Melissa said. ‘Owain told me tales of her so that I felt I knew her, but I have always wished that I might have known her.’

  ‘It is sad that you lost her so early in life,’ Rob said. ‘I can remember my mother when I was a lad and those memories are happy ones.’

  ‘It was generous of Owain to go in search of her,’ Melissa said, and frowned. ‘He has always been so kind to me. I have often wondered why he was content to stay in my service when he might have returned to his own estates.’

  ‘No doubt he has his reasons,’ Rob said. He had his suspicions, but Owain had not confided in him and he could not be certain. He would say nothing for it was Owain’s secret to tell, not his.

  Owain looked at the Abbey that stood just a little distance ahead. He had that morning come from the Isle of Ely, his inquiries there having been of little help. No one had heard of the lady Elspeth of Whitbread—nor yet of Elspeth Davies. He had been on the verge of giving up his quest when one elderly woman had told him that some twenty leagues farther on there was an Abbey, which took in homeless women and cared for them in a hostel.

  ‘Some years ago I remember a woman who came to pray at the shrine of Saint Ethelreda,’ the woman said. ‘She was sitting in the road and begging for food. I gave her a coin and directed her to the Abbey for I felt pity for her, but I do not know her name. Many pilgrims come to pray at the Cathedral, but there are so many sick and weary and the miracles do not happen for all. They travel elsewhere looking for shrines where their prayers may be answered.’

  Owain thanked her and set out for the Abbey. It was a small chance but he had nothing more to guide him. As the old crone had said, pilgrims came and went to all the important shrines and churches. He had passed several on the roads on his way here. Many went to foreign lands in search of forgiveness for sins or a cure that might come from a powerful saint.

  Approaching the Abbey, Owain dismounted and went to ring the bell for admittance. A monk came in answer to his summons, unlocking the heavy oak gate before asking his business.

  ‘I would have shelter for the night, brother,’ Owain said. ‘I have been searching for a lady and I was told that there is a hostel that cares for the homeless here.’

  ‘That is run by the Abbess,’ the monk said. ‘Come in, traveller, and we shall give you food and a pallet for the night. In the morning you may ask if the Abbess will see you. I know that many women have received her care. Some stay but a night, others remain for some days or months—some have died here.’

  ‘Thank you for your kindness,’ Owain said. He was feeling weary for he had not spared himself on his journey here. He had set out full of hope, but that flame had died and now he believed that his search might well be in vain, though he would go on searching. If Elspeth had come here to pray for help, she might have visited the many shrines up and down the country. He would keep searching until he found her or heard news of her death.

  ‘It is good to meet you at last,’ Megan said to her new mistress as she took her upstairs to her chamber. Her eyes went over Melissa, warm with approval. ‘I hoped that Rob would find a lady who would love him. I thank God that he has found her, my lady.’

  ‘I believe it was you who nursed my husband when he was so badly hurt,’ Melissa said. ‘I must thank you for all that you have done for him, for without your care he might have died.’

  ‘I use only simple cures, my lady,’ Megan replied. ‘I do not have any of the special skills that are granted to some. But I knew that he would live despite his hurts, for none has a braver heart or a stronger will.’

  ‘He is brave and strong,’ Melissa agreed, but smiled because it was the tender, gentle side of Rob that made her love him. ‘This is a fine house,’ she said as they went up the grand stairway. ‘I have never seen so much beautiful carving in the woodwork—and the panelled walls must make the house so much the warmer in the winter.’

  ‘We are sheltered in this valley,’ Megan told her. ‘The house is solid and withstands even the worst storms, but when it is cold we have fires in all the chambers. You will want to see the rest of the house, my lady—though perhaps my lord will wish to show you himself?’

  ‘Yes, perhaps,’ Melissa said, and looked thoughtful. ‘Can you tell me where the nursery is situated? I should like to see that now if I may?’

  ‘Before your own chamber?’ Megan looked at her intently and then smiled and nodded. ‘Yes, I see it. Does my lord know that you are carrying his child?’

  Melissa flushed a delicate pink. ‘I am not yet sure for we have been travelling and I thought it might have been some of the rich food we were given that made me a little queasy of late.’

  ‘You have not been sick?’

  ‘No, though once or twice I felt as if I might be,’ Melissa said. ‘Are women always sic
k when they carry a child?’

  ‘It is usually the case,’ Megan said, ‘though I have heard of cases where it is not so very bad. It may be that you will carry your babe easily—or the sickness may come upon you at any moment.’

  Melissa nodded and smiled. ‘I have hoped that it might be so for my courses have not come this month. Though I was ill, and they might have been delayed because of my illness.’

  ‘Yes, it is possible,’ Megan said. ‘But I have seen the signs many times, and now I look at you I see them in your face. I think there will be a child.’

  ‘I shall pray that you are right,’ Melissa said. ‘I would give my husband many sons—but I would like a daughter, as well. It is my hope that we shall have a large family.’

  Megan’s knowing eyes went over her slender form. ‘It may not be easy for you to give birth, my lady, but I shall be with you when the time comes. As for how many children you will bear, that is in God’s hands.’

  ‘Yes, I know it,’ Melissa said. ‘But if my prayers are answered we shall have at least four children.’

  Megan laughed. ‘I see that you are as brave as you are beautiful, my lady. I think that Lord Melford has chosen well.’

  ‘Pray, do not call him by that title if you do not wish to see him frown,’ Melissa said. ‘Rob is new to his honours and prefers to answer to his name or sir.’ Her laughter rang out for she was feeling happy. ‘As for me, I want no more than to be the wife of Robert of Melford.’

  ‘Did I hear someone call my name?’ Rob asked, coming up behind them at that moment. ‘You dawdle on the stairs, Melissa. Come, I would show you the rest of the house…’ He took hold of her arm, taking her with him. Melissa looked back at her housekeeper and made a face.

  ‘I shall see you later, Megan,’ she said. ‘I must go with Rob now.’

  ‘What were you talking about so earnestly?’ Rob asked as he took her along the gallery to a room at the far end. ‘These are your chambers and mine are beyond them, though actually in the west wing. We are connected through a room where clothes are stored on shelves, which means I can come to you at night in private whenever I wish.’

  ‘I like you to stay with me all night,’ Melissa told him. ‘I want to wake with you beside me.’

  ‘As I shall for most of our lives, my love,’ Rob said, and smiled. ‘But there may be times when you need to be alone or to rest and then I shall leave you to sleep in peace.’

  ‘I can think of no reason why you should not be with me,’ Melissa said as he opened the door and drew her inside. ‘Oh, Rob, this is so lovely…the colours are so bright…’

  ‘I had it refurbished for you,’ he said. ‘Green is the colour of your eyes, and they range from light to dark with your moods. Sometimes they are almost blue but they can be as green as emeralds.’

  She laughed, for he looked at her as if he would like to devour her and she knew that his hunger for their loving had grown stronger with the days and weeks.

  ‘Tell me,’ he said, because it had puzzled him ‘why did you keep that fairing. You wear it sometimes still…’

  Melissa smiled and drew the tiny jade heart from inside her gown. ‘I keep it to remind me that love is fragile, as fragile as this trinket that you gave me long ago, Rob. It is as precious to me as the emeralds you gave me on our wedding night.’

  ‘You say that love is fragile, but our love was surely put to a harsh test…and in the end we found happiness.’

  ‘Yes, we found happiness,’ Melissa said, and smiled. ‘And now we have so much—but still I shall keep my trinket.’

  She looked at the silken drapes about the bed, which were sea-green and shot through with silver. The coverlet was a slightly deeper shade and matched the drapes at the window, which were looped back with cords of silver thread. A stool had been covered in a deeper green and looped about with silver braid and the coffer on a stand that would be used to hold her combs and brushes had a cloth of green and silver to soften its hard lines. There was an embroidery frame of twisted wood that had a stand formed like an X and two hutches with carved panels to hold her possessions. Also a chair with a high back, which was carved with a religious scene, and smooth arms, and since it was new, must have been commissioned for her. Above the bed were draped more silken swathes and a large silver cross was fastened to the wall.

  ‘This is perfect, just perfect,’ she said. ‘thank you so much for having it done for me, Rob.’

  ‘It is not finished,’ he told her with a smile. ‘You have enough to make you comfortable, but you will want your own things about you. You must tell me what you need for your pleasure, Melissa, and it shall be ordered.’

  ‘I shall make cushions for the chair,’ Melissa said, ‘and hangings for the wall, but there is little else I need to order. I have my harp and my writing materials and all the trinkets you have bought for me in London, Rob. Once they are unpacked I shall have all I need here.’

  ‘I am glad you are content, but I fear that the rest of the house may need your touch, Melissa. My father built it but left many rooms unfurnished. You must tell me what you think we need and I shall send to town for them.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ she said. ‘If it pleases you, I should like to see the nursery next…’

  ‘The nursery?’ Rob was surprised, his gaze narrowing as he looked at her. ‘Are you telling me…you carry my child?’

  ‘I am not certain,’ Melissa told him, laying her hand on his arm. ‘You must not hope for too much just yet, my love—but I think I may have conceived your son as we journeyed here.’

  ‘Beloved,’ Rob said, and caught her to him, holding her pressed close to his chest. ‘It is wonderful news if it be true—and if it is not, it will happen soon for why should it not?’

  ‘I do not know,’ Melissa said. ‘I have thought—and Megan says that she can see the signs.’

  ‘If Megan says it is so I think you may rest easy, my heart,’ Rob said. ‘For there are few wiser.

  ‘She will take care of you,’ Rob said. ‘And you have Alanna and Rhona to bear you company. I do not think you need to fear it when the time comes.’

  ‘I do not fear it,’ Melissa said, smiling up at him. ‘I want to have at least four children, perhaps more if God wills it.’

  ‘Whether it be one or six, I shall be content, as long as I have you,’ Rob said, and drew her to him, kissing her long and sweet before releasing her. ‘And now I shall show you the nursery and the rest of the house before we dine…’

  Owain rose early the next morning, breakfasting simply on bread and water as the monks did and joining them for prayers. Afterwards, he went out into the gardens, which were divided into squares. Some had beds of herbs that the monks used for making the cures they sold to support their way of life. In other squares they grew food and others were the home for various flowers, which gave food for the bees that provided honey. The monks made wine from the honey and other ingredients, most of which was sold and the money used for charitable purposes.

  The Abbey was like a small hamlet, providing work for all kinds of trades and making the monks completely independent. Next to the infirmary, where the sick were tended was a wall and a gate. It was through this gate that Owain was taken the next morning by one of the monks. A nun, who greeted him with a nod of the head but did not speak, led the way to the small, dark room where he was to have his meeting with the Abbess.

  Owain stood looking out of a narrow window at the garden. It was very much like the one the monks tended, but there were no hives. The nuns grew food and made ale for their own use, but did not have all the skills of the monks.

  ‘How may I help you, sir?’ A woman’s voice made him turn suddenly. His heart leaped as he looked into her face, a finger of ice trickling down his spine for despite the years he knew her. ‘Owain…’ The colour faded from Mother Abbess’s face and she seemed to sag for a moment, though as he would have moved closer to her she held up her hand to ward him off. ‘No, do not try to touch me. I am no longer of
your world. My life is given to God.’

  ‘Elspeth,’ he cried, his voice hoarse with emotion. ‘All these years I believed you dead. Why did you not come to me when you ran away that night? Why did you not tell us that you were alive? Melissa has grieved for you these many years…’

  ‘Do not reproach me, Owain. You do not know my story.’

  ‘Will you tell me?’ he asked. Again he moved towards her, but she held up her hand to ward him off once more. ‘Forgive me. It is seeing you so unexpectedly…’

  ‘I have seen you since that night,’ Elspeth said. ‘I saw you with her…my daughter…and I knew that she was safe. I would have come to her if I dared but he would have killed me had he found me. He beat me that night for I would not tell him the name of my lover. I was left for dead, but I still lived and I recovered my senses. I sneaked away under cover of darkness and I ran until I could run no more. Then I became ill and I wandered for a long time…’

  ‘You should have come to me, Elspeth.’

  ‘I am Mother Abbess now,’ she said. ‘I could not come to you, Owain, for I was too ill to know what I did. I should have died had a good woman not found me. She took me in and nursed me back to life…’

  ‘But why did you not send word to me then?’

  ‘Because when I was well enough to understand, I knew that she had taken me to join a leper colony in her house. She was a woman of some wealth and she cared for twenty poor souls. She was in the early stages of the disease, but she knew that by taking me to her home she might have given me her disease.’

  ‘A leper…’ Owain looked at her face. She was standing in shadows and he could see no sign of the dread disease. ‘Are you telling me that you…’

  ‘I did not take it from her,’ Elspeth said, ‘though I stayed there for two years until she died and I nursed her. She was the last and after she was buried, I left her house. I thought that I might have taken the sickness and I made a pilgrimage to various shrines praying for a cure.’