"But, Matilda, I could not possibly wear these…."
"Nonsense, Isabeau. You are marrying my most precious gift and bearing his child. ‘Tis only right that you should wear these." Before she could protest, Matilda swept aside her hair and clasped the collar behind her neck. The stones felt heavy as they lay against her collarbones but at the same time, they made her feel more regal.
Matilda stepped back and clasped her hands in delight against her bosom. "I knew they would look wonderful on you! Now ‘tis time for you to see them." Matilda’s slender hands landed on her shoulders and propelled her to the waiting mirror. Once there, Isabeau was stunned by what she saw. The woman staring back at her no longer bore the stamp of hardness and cruelty. Her features softened into that of a graceful young woman ready to stand against what life held. Trembling fingers brushed across her cheek as if to discover her own flesh for the first time. It was soft and warm, almost welcoming. Her hair turned to a stiff gold and she noticed her eyes appeared to have gained wisdom. When did that happen? The first time she made love with Kendrick or did the child in her womb cause all the changes?
Isabeau turned slightly and admired the way the jewelry looked. "They are most beautiful, Matilda. You can trust I will take care of them until after the ceremony."
Matilda stepped forward and laid a warm hand her shoulder. "They are yours, Isabeau. I want you to have them. Perhaps, someday you will give them to your child."
Isabeau turned and drew Kendrick’s mother into her arms. "You are so good to me, Matilda, almost like my real mother. I know not how I will repay you for your kindness."
Matilda pulled away slightly amidst the rustling of their gowns in conjunction. "First, you may call me Mother if you so desire and second," the slender hand lay gently against her rising belly, "give my son a healthy child. That is all I require in payment."
"Much thanks, Ma … Mother." Her heart fell as though it swelled to three times its normal size and was ready to burst through her chest at any moment. Finally, she knew what it was like to belong.
Chapter 18
The scraping groan of the cartwheels reminded her slightly of the day she rode to the waiting ship. Strangely, it all seemed as though it was a dream and she was really here all along. Her vision of that time grew hazy with each day that passed though her heart still remained in Castile. A slight frowned down turned the corner of her lips. Were her people faring well under the strong hand of the King of England? With all the love in heaven, she hoped so for her own sake.
Dreamily, Isabeau laid her hand on the door and rested her chin on it. The vegetation seemed to slip in a methodical movement as the fragrant leaves blended all into one. Ahead of the carriage, she could hear the crunching of twigs as the soldiers moved over the stretch of thicket as they blazed a trail for her. The same sound echoed from behind. Garlands and ribbons, shades of white, swung gaily in the breeze as the party lumbered through the lush green forest.
"Is something wrong, my dear?" Matilda’s voice pierced the aura of thought surrounding her head.
Isabeau withdrew and leaned against the deep springy, cushion, resting her hands on her rising belly. "Nay, there is nothing. I was just admiring the beauty in the land and wondered what it will be like when winter comes."
Matilda laughed softly. "Do not fear, Isabeau. With Kendrick at your side, you will never be cold."
Isabeau let a smile creep across her lips. Matilda was right. Not matter how cold the winter became she would never feel it because the warmth of Kendrick’s arms would block it out.
* * * *
At the feast, there was a never-ending stream of people wishing them well and many children. She stood and accepted each hearty well wish with graciousness all the while a wary, uneasy feeling gripped her. Why could she not let it go?
Her glance flicked to Kendrick. He stood, surrounded by the men. Most of them clapped him heartily on the back and congratulated him on a fine marriage as well as many sons. They were loud but became more raucous when he told them she was already with child. She frowned as the flames of anger fanned slightly inside of her but she quelled them easily. In a few months, everyone would know about the child so what was difference if they knew now?
The feel of a small warm hand on her shoulder caused her to turn around. Matilda, dressed in her best scarlet gown embroidered with beautiful designs, stood there with the man she sat with in the chapel. "Isabeau, I would like you to meet Kendrick’s father, King Edward." Edward’s hand was lightly and lovingly draped on Matilda’s shoulder though he towered over her. A crown of gold rested in his close cropped hair and glittered in the flickering light of the torches. His tunic, nearly the same color as Matilda’s gown, stretched over his wide frame. It was clear Kendrick inherited his size from him and the dark hair from Matilda.
Isabeau curtseyed then extended her hand to the King. "Your Majesty. I am truly honored to meet you."
His green eyes crinkled in delight as he kissed her hand. "’Tis I who am honored. I am finally meeting the woman who has tamed my wild son."
Kendrick’s laughter resounded over her shoulder as he walked up behind her and encircled her waist. "I am still a little wild, Father, but I have enjoyed being tamed. Did Edmund decide not to come?" She was only dimly aware of Kendrick’s hand on her belly and his thumb moving in slow circles. Exhaustion crept in like a thief in the night and drew away all the energy she had. If tonight were not her wedding night, most assuredly, she would be sleeping at this moment.
The King shook his head. "He will be here tomorrow." The smile spread even wider. "It seems you angered him but I think one of the servants has managed to quell that anger for now." Isabeau felt the close kindred spirit of father and son pass subtly between them. Would Kendrick hold the same relationship with their child?
Kendrick’s laughed infected them all. "I suppose I owe the woman a debt of gratitude. Come, let us enjoy the feast." His grip tightened on her slightly and she was grateful. Her strength was at low ebb now.
Edward looked down to Matilda with a sensual glow to his eyes. "I grow weary, Matilda. I think we should retire for the night." Matilda peered up at him with love shining in her eyes. Nothing was said for several long moments as the unspoken words of love passed between them.
Matilda turned and gazed at her and patted her arm reassuringly. "I wish you and Kendrick all the best and happiness. I think for now, though, his Majesty and I will retire for the night." She nodded at her son. "Kendrick, if you have need of your father or me, we will be in the chamber two doors down from yours."
"Matilda, he is a grown man," Edward chided lightly as he tried to propel her toward the stairs. "If our son had need of us on his wedding night, I fear for his bride!"
Kendrick joined in the laughter while she could only manage a slight smile. "I cannot help it, milord. I still worry about him so," Matilda stammered as she brushed a kiss on Kendrick’s cheek.
"Come to the chamber and I will make you forget about our son, at least for a little while," he promised as he urged her toward the stairs. From the way they walked, hand in hand, one would have thought they were wed to each other. Silently, her heart broke for the woman who had treated her so kindly these last days. Perhaps someday, Matilda and Edward would have nothing to stand in the way of their love.
Kendrick’s hand swept to her shoulders and turned her around. His finger pushed her chin upwards as he studied her face. A dark eyebrow rose. "Do not tell me that you regret the marriage already?"
The jesting in his voice forced a tight smile to creep across her lips. "Nay, Kendrick. I am tired, ‘tis all. With the babe growing larger, I seem less and less inclined to stay up at night."
His kiss brushed her forehead. "Then you will only stay as long as you need to. When you feel as though you need to rest, I will make your excuses and see you to bed. Everyone knows about the child so there are no hard feelings if you leave early."
Isabeau wrapped her arms around him and buried her nose in hi
s chest. That strong, familiar masculine scent was potent tonight and encouraged slivers of desire to course up and down her veins. She leaned into him as his arms closed tightly around her. "Much thanks, Kendrick."
Kendrick’s hand tumbled through the length of blonde curls and smoothed them down. "There is no need for thanks, Isabeau. I am your husband and the father of your child, just as I told you I would be. The only task in my life is making you the happiest woman on earth."
She peered up at him as she felt the love swell in her heart. "And so is mine, Kendrick"
* * * *
Gardana watched from her spot near the kitchen door with her gaze trained on Isabeau. The woman’s eyes slowly closed and it seemed within moments, the new Duchess was asleep. Good. Let the little wench sleep while she put her plan into action.
Gardana turned her attention to the two goblets sitting on the table. Her task was to fill both with wine and present them to the Duke and his new Duchess. The line of her mouth turned into a severe frown. If there was only another way to get rid of Halden! With his incessant whining about the Fates, she knew it was time to get rid of him. He was a stone about her neck. Thankfully, she had thought far enough ahead to weaken him both mentally and physically. Hence the reason he aged faster these days. She had discovered the fact when he gathered herbs for one of his strange concoctions. Before he left, Halden had asked her to clean his cottage. With a calm façade, she had done so, with the thought that there must be a key to Halden’s magic. She was right. There was. It was hidden among his many books of spells, some of which were bound in human skin. Through this, she had learned all his secrets and found the way to destroy him, which she started from that day forward. Now it was time for her dénouement.
Taking the vial of poison from her gown pocket, Gardana was careful only to drop a few bits of the potion in, just enough to make it smell awful. It really was not poisonous but would make the drinker ill for a few hours. She brewed it strong so the smell would be the first thing to be detected.
Gardana picked up goblet and swirled the mixture around the bottom. The stench was terrible but would mire down when the wine entered the glass. Picking up the pitcher, she poured the sweet wine into the goblet. The smells mixed together and formed a sickly sweet odor. She grimaced. This way she would know which was to be Isabeau’s. With deft movements, she poured the wine into the remaining empty cup. She gazed down at the blood red liquid in the goblets as her lips stretched into a smile. By tomorrow, Halden would no longer be a thorn in her side and she would be free to do things her way.
* * * *
"Isabeau, wake up. Our wine is here." Kendrick’s finger nudged under her chin gently and urged her to open her eyes.
Sluggishly, she blinked away the sleep forming in the corners. "Forgive me, Kendrick. I did not know I fell asleep," she mumbled as she moved to sit up straight in her chair. She widened her eyes and gazed at the girl standing before her. Mud brown hair, tied in neat braids, hung on either side of her sweet, young face. In her dainty hands, she bore a tray with two golden goblets, filled to the rim with wine.
Kendrick nodded then took one cup and handed it to her. Isabeau lifted the cup to her lips and grimaced. A foul odor clung to the rim and inhabited the wine. Her belly churned. "Kendrick, there is something wrong with this wine," she murmured as she leaned next him and held the goblet to him.
He inhaled the scent, grimaced and turned to his own wine. Suddenly, his cheerful mood darkened dangerously. "There is something wrong with this wine," he growled then turned his attention to the girl, "What have you done to it?"
"N … nothing … milord … I … just … brought … it … from … the … kitchen," she stammered nervously as the tray began to shake in her tiny hands.
By now, the music stopped and everyone turned to see what was happening near the raised dais. Isabeau’s heart pounded in her chest as the anger rose in Kendrick’s eyes. Impatiently, she tugged on his arm. "Perhaps the wine has gone sour. Let her get a fresh batch."
His head whipped around viciously. "’Tis poison, Isabeau. I can smell it anywhere," his fingers snapped in the direction of his guards. "Take her to the dungeon. I will deal with her later." A clatter then a scream arose as the girl dropped the tray then fell to her knees as she begged for his mercy.
Isabeau felt her blood settle to her feet. "Nay, Kendrick! She is just a child…."
Her words were cut off by the appearance of Gardana pushing through the throng of people. The woman’s movements were slow and methodical due to her expanding belly. With deliberate hands, Gardana picked up and smelled the cup then viciously threw it against the wall. "’Tis poison, milord! And of the worst kind! ‘Tis good that your bride did not drink from it."
His eyebrow rose. "You know of such poison?"
Gardana nodded as the dark gaze slipped to her. "I know of its origin. There is only one man who knows how to create it."
"Who would that be?"
"Halden, milord." As the name crossed Gardana’s lips, Isabeau felt a shiver crawl up her spine. Who was this strange man and why did he want to kill her?
As if reading her mind, Kendrick posed the same question to Gardana as he leaned forward. "Why would he wish to harm my wife?"
Gardana clasped her hands behind her back as though she were a demure maiden and stared at both of them through softened dark eyes. "Halden raised me from a child when my parents died and he had grown to care for me over the years. Since it is no secret that I once shared your bed," Gardana shot her a look of triumph as those words spilled from her mouth, "Halden took it as insult that I did no longer. I overheard him concocting the potion a few days ago. I was cleaning his chamber when I stumbled upon his ‘secret’ room. When I heard the words ‘Let the blonde woman and her bastard child die for what they have done to Gardana’, I grew frightened. I left after that and I swore never to return."
Kendrick leaned dangerously back in his chair, his elbow on the armrest while his finger supported his chin. Fury rose like a high tide in his eyes as he glared at Gardana. "Why should I believe you, Gardana? You have threatened Isabeau before. How do I know ‘twas not you who put the poison in the wine?"
A smile crept across the slash of her red lips. "Because I treasure my neck," she stated primly as her hand stroked the slender white flesh. "And because I have other reasons. I know that the Duchess and I have had our differences in the past but I have come to realize that she is more worthy to share your life than I am." Sincerity dripped in Gardana’s voice but it was not enough to put her at ease. Something was completely wrong with this situation but Isabeau was unable to decipher why. Perhaps it was something in the girl’s voice or mayhap it was the way she smiled. Whatever it was, a voice inside told her that Gardana could not be trusted.
Kendrick waved the guards away from the cowering young servant girl. "Let her go," he ordered as he sat forward. "Take Gardana so that she may lead you to Halden then bring him back here. Before you leave, burn his dwelling and all the evil it contains."
Suddenly, Gardana paled and laid her trembling hands on the table. "Is that wise, milord? He will be in your custody and rendered harmless."
Kendrick shook his head angrily. "’Tis my decree. Let Halden and all his evil be destroyed."
With that, he motioned for his guards and they stepped forward, grasping a semi-resistant Gardana. When she was in their hands, she promptly bowed her head. "As you wish, milord."
Kendrick waved them away with a swift movement of his large hand. "The sooner Halden is in the dungeon, the better I will sleep."
Isabeau felt the pressure of his hand on her thigh tighten, almost to the point of pain. Anger thrummed through those long fingers and seared into her thigh. She shivered at the thought of how many men had died at that hand. One more will surely follow "Wha … what are you going to do with that man?" Isabeau felt her bottom lip quiver and she sank her teeth in slightly to get it to stop.
His arm went around her and drew her close. "Noth
ing you need to worry about. Come, ‘tis time for you to go to bed."
"But…." she protested like a child. The swift descent of his lips on hers demanded a submission that she gave most readily. Like two dancers moving in the same rhythm, their tongues moved to the sound only they could hear.
Kendrick pulled away and let his finger trail down the side of her face. "I will not take no for an answer, my love. You are tired and so is he." His hand moved to the hardening area of her belly. "So I want you to rest. I will see you to the chamber then I will return and enjoy a little more of the feast."
"Do you not wish to…?"
A sensuous flame smoldered behind the dark blue orbs and highlighted his handsome features. "We have consummated our marriage long before the wedding. The proof grows in your belly. Now stand."
In a childlike fashion, she obeyed him and rose. Effortlessly, he swept her into his mighty arms and strode with her toward the stairs amidst the catcalls from the other men.
"See, Kendrick cannot wait to get his bride alone!"
"If he cannot satisfy you, my lady, you know where to find me!"
Those words echoed through the merry air as she felt the warmth seep from Kendrick’s skin and into her forehead. Silky black shanks of hair threaded through her hands locked around his neck. His strides were long and comforting, nearly lulling her back to sleep again. She snuggled deeper into his thick neck. There was no where else in the world she wanted to be.
* * * *
"Go to sleep, Isabeau. You need your rest." Kendrick’s lips brushed a soft kiss on her forehead that encouraged those wanton slivers of delight to course up and down her veins. Dreamily her arms went to him and sought his kiss but he laughed softly as he placed them under the covers. "Isabeau, you truly are an incredible woman. If you keep this up, I may not leave the chamber."
Her lips curled into a smile. "Would it not be worth it if you stayed?"
Drawing back the covers and pulling his tunic over his head, Kendrick returned the grin with the same intensity. "Mayhap it would." She pulled him into her arms with a ravenous grip and drowned him with kisses that seemed to satisfy the growing need inside her. Without regret, she sank beneath those blessed waters of passion.
Desires Promise Page 27