by Amanda Quick
“By the Saints’ eyes, sir, how many times must I tell you that I will not be wed simply because you find such a marriage efficient and convenient?”
“Believe me, madam, efficiency and convenience are not proving to be your strongest points. Oh, there is one more thing.”
“What is that, my lord?”
Hugh came to a halt. He removed the heavy black onyx ring from his finger. “You will take this. ‘Tis an emblem of my authority. In giving it to you, I would have you comprehend that I trust you and rely on you as I would a true wife—”
“But Hugh—”
“Or a sound business partner,” he finished wryly. “Take it, Alice.” He placed the ring in her hand and folded her fingers firmly around it. He held her small fist for a moment. “I would have you remember something else equally important.”
Her heart leaped. “Aye, my lord?”
“You are never to go into those caves alone. Do you understand?”
Alice wrinkled her nose. “Aye, sir. Allow me to tell you that ‘tis just as well you chose a career as a knight. You would not have been a success as a poet or troubadour. You have no talent for graceful words.”
Hugh shrugged. “If I ever need such words, I shall employ a skilled poet or troubadour.”
“Always employ the most expert craftsman, eh, my lord? Is that not your favorite rule?”
“Alice, there is one thing I wish to ask you.”
She glanced at him. “Aye?”
“A short time ago you said that as you had never intended to wed, you did not feel obliged to save your virginity for a husband.”
Alice studied the landscape of Scarcliffe. “What of it?”
Hugh’s harsh face was fixed in an intent frown. “If you saw no reason to avoid such intimate embraces, why did you do so until now?”
“For the obvious reason, of course,” she said gruffly.
He looked blank. “What is the obvious reason?”
“I had not encountered a man who appealed to me until now.” She strode off down the hillside, leaving Hugh to follow in her wake.
Alice turned the heavy green crystal over and over in her hands. For the hundredth time she watched the way the light from her study-chamber window moved across the heavily faceted surface. As always, she sensed that there was something she did not comprehend about the stone. It was as if it harbored a secret, one that awaited her discovery.
She had the same feeling about Hugh.
She told herself she should be glad that she would be free of his overwhelming presence for a few days. She would be able to consider her situation in peace and tranquillity. Mayhap she would be able to come to an intelligent decision.
A brusque knock on the door of her study chamber roused her from her thoughts. “Enter.”
“Alice?” Benedict stuck his head around the door. His face was alight with excitement. “You will never guess what has happened.”
“What is it?”
“I am to travel to London with Lord Hugh.” Benedict’s staff tapped eagerly on the floor as he came into the chamber. He had Hugh’s abacus tucked into his belt pouch. “London, Alice.”
“I envy you.” It occurred to Alice that she had not seen such glowing pleasure on Benedict’s face for several months. Hugh was responsible for this sudden change in her brother, she thought. “You are most fortunate. ‘Twill be a wonderful experience.”
“Aye.” Benedict balanced on his staff and rubbed his hands together with satisfaction. “I am to assist Lord Hugh with his business dealings.”
Alice was astonished. “In what way? You know nothing of business.”
“He has said he will teach me the ways of the spice trade. I am to be his assistant.” He tapped the abacus. “He has already begun to instruct me in the use of this amazing instrument. One can add and subtract and even multiply and divide on it.”
“When did Lord Hugh tell you that he would take you with him to London?” she asked slowly.
“A short while ago while we were dining in the hall.”
“I see.” A thought made Alice pause. “Benedict, I would like to ask you a question. You must give me an honest answer.”
“Aye.”
“Has anything been said about the fact that I do not dine in the great hall?”
Benedict started to speak and then appeared to change his mind. “Nay.”
“Are you certain? No one has suggested that my failure to eat with the others is a mark of disrespect to Lord Hugh?”
Benedict shifted uncomfortably. “Sir Dunstan told me that one man made such a comment yesterday. Lord Hugh heard it and ordered him out of the hall. Sir Dunstan says no one else will dare to speak of it again.”
Alice tightened her mouth. “But they are all no doubt thinking such thoughts. Hugh was right.”
“About what?”
“Never mind.” Alice got to her feet. “Where is he?”
“Who? Lord Hugh? I believe he is in his chambers. He said something about dismissing the new steward, Elbert, from his post.”
“He said that?” Alice forgot about her intention to apologize to Hugh for any humiliation she might have caused him. “He cannot do that. I will not allow it. Elbert will make a perfectly good steward.”
Benedict grimaced. “Today he himself served Lord Hugh and managed to drop an entire flagon of ale in his lap.”
“‘Twas surely an accident.” Alice rounded the edge of the desk and went to the door. “I must set matters straight.”
“Uh, Alice, mayhap you should leave well enough alone. Lord Hugh is master here, after all.”
Alice ignored her brother’s warning. She picked up her skirts and hurried down the hall to the staircase. When she reached the level below, she turned quickly and went straight along the corridor to the chamber where Hugh conducted his business affairs.
Alice came to a halt in the doorway and looked into the chamber. Elbert stood in front of Hugh’s desk. The young man was trembling. His head was bowed in utter dejection.
“I pr-pray your forgiveness, my lord,” Elbert whispered. “I have tried very hard to per-perform my duties as Lady Alice instructed. But something seems to happen whenever I find myself in your presence.”
“Elbert, I do not wish to dismiss you from your post,” Hugh said steadily. “I know that Lady Alice selected you personally for the position. But I cannot tolerate your clumsiness any longer.”
“My lord, if you would gi-give me one more chance,” Elbert began.
“I think that would be a waste of time.”
“But, sir, I want very much to be a steward. I am alone in the world and must make a career for myself.”
“I understand. Nevertheless—”
“This keep is the only home I have. My mother came here to Scarcliffe to live after my father died. She wished to enter the convent, you see. I found a place in this household with the last lord, Sir Charles. But then he was killed and you came here and—”
Hugh broke into the rambling explanation. “Your mother is in the local convent?”
“She was, but she died last winter. I have nowhere else to go.”
“You will not be forced to leave Scarcliffe,” Hugh assured him. “I shall find another position for you. Mayhap in the stables.”
“The st-stables?” Elbert was clearly appalled. “But I am af-afraid of horses, my lord.”
“You had best overcome your anxiousness quickly,” Hugh said with no sign of sympathy. “Horses sense fear.”
“A-aye, my lord.” Elbert’s shoulders sagged. “I shall try.”
“Nay, you will do no such thing, steward.” Alice picked up her skirts and stalked into the chamber. “You have all the requirements to fulfill your present post and you shall do just that. You merely need some practice and experience.”
Elbert turned to her, a desperate plea in his eyes. “Lady Alice.”
Hugh eyed Alice. “I shall deal with this matter, madam.”
She walked to the desk and cur
tsied so low that her gown puddled on the stone floor. She bowed her head in graceful supplication. “My lord, I ask that you give Elbert time to adjust to his present duties before you dismiss him.”
Hugh picked up a pen and absently tapped the tip of the quill against the desktop. “I don’t know why it is, lady, but for some reason I am most cautious around you when you are displaying your most graceful manners. The last time you did this, I found myself making a bargain that has brought me nothing but trouble.”
Alice felt her cheeks burn. She refused to be disconcerted. “Elbert merely needs time, my lord.”
“He has had several days to adjust to his post and there has been little improvement. At the rate things are proceeding, I shall need to order several new tunics to last the winter.”
“I shall see to the new tunics, if necessary, sir,” Alice said. “‘Tis Elbert’s desire to please you that makes him awkward, my lord.” She rose from the deep curtsy. “I feel certain that all he needs is some instruction and a bit more practice.”
“Alice,” Hugh said wearily, “I do not have time for this. There is too much to be done around here. I cannot afford an ill-trained steward.”
“Sir, I ask that you allow him to become comfortable with his responsibilities while you are in London. I myself shall instruct him in those duties. When you return, you may judge him again. If you still find him lacking, you may dismiss him then.”
Hugh leaned back slowly in his chair and studied her from beneath half-lowered lashes. “Another bargain, madam?”
She flushed. “Aye, if you wish.”
“What have you to trade this time?”
She caught her breath at the sight of his gleaming eyes. Outrage swamped her fine manners. “I am offering to produce a good steward for you, sir. I should think that would be enough.”
“Ah.” Hugh’s mouth curved. “That sounds more like the lady I have come to know. Very well. You shall have the next few days to turn Elbert into a master of his craft. When I return, I shall expect to have this household supervised by an expert. Understood?”
“Aye, my lord.” Alice smiled confidently.
“Elbert?” Hugh prompted.
“A-aye, my lord.” Elbert bowed several times. “I shall practice very hard, sir.”
“Let us hope so,” Hugh said.
Elbert fell on his knees in front of Alice, grabbed the hem of her skirt, and kissed it with fervor. “Thank you, my lady. I cannot describe to you how grateful I am for your confidence in me. I shall exert every effort to succeed in my quest to become a great steward.”
“You will make a fine steward,” Alice assured him.
“Enough,” Hugh said. “Take yourself off, steward. I wish to be private with my betrothed.”
“Aye, my lord.” Elbert shot to his feet and bowed himself toward the door.
Alice winced when he accidentally backed into the wall. She saw Hugh raise his eyes toward the heavens but he did not say anything.
Elbert straightened abruptly and fled.
Alice turned back to Hugh. “Thank you, my lord.”
“Try to keep him from demolishing the entire keep while I am gone.”
“I’m certain that Scarcliffe Keep will still be standing when you return, sir.” Alice hesitated. “I am told that you intend to take my brother with you.”
“Aye. Benedict appears to have a talent for numbers. I can use an assistant with such skills.”
“I had intended that he study the law,” Alice said slowly.
“Do you object to his interest in accounts and business matters?”
“Nay. In truth, I have not seen him as happy as he is this afternoon for a long while.” Alice smiled. “‘Tis your doing, my lord.”
“‘Tis no great thing. As I said, it suits me to encourage his skills. They will prove useful.” Hugh ran the quill through his fingers, aligning the feathers. “Will you miss me while I am in London, Alice?”
Sensing a trap, Alice took a quick step backward. She summoned a brilliant smile. “That reminds me, I must send word to Prioress Joan. I wish special prayers to be said at mass tomorrow morning before you leave.”
“Special prayers?”
“Aye, my lord. For your safe journey.”
Alice turned and hurried out of the chamber.
That evening, Alice paused in the act of moving one of the heavy black chalcedony chess figures and frowned at Hugh. “You do not appear to be paying attention to the game, sir. I am about to claim your bishop.”
Hugh gazed down at the inlaid black crystal board with a brooding eye. “So it would seem. A clever move, madam.”
“It was child’s play.” Alice studied him with growing concern.
Hugh was acting oddly in her estimation. He had invited her to join him for a game of chess in front of the hearth and she had accepted with enthusiasm. But it had been evident from the opening move that his thoughts were elsewhere.
“Let us see if I can recover.” Hugh rested his chin on his hand and studied the board.
“Your preparations for the journey are all in order. You will be able to leave directly after mass tomorrow. What troubles you, sir?”
He flicked her a startled glance and then shrugged faintly. “I am thinking about my liege lord.”
“Sir Erasmus?”
“I intend to visit him while I am in London. Julian tells me that he went there to consult some more doctors.”
“I am sorry,” Alice whispered.
Hugh’s hand curved into a fist. “There is nothing to be done, but God’s teeth, he seemed so strong and healthy only a few months ago.”
Alice nodded sympathetically. “I know how much you will miss him.”
Hugh sat back and picked up his cup of spiced wine. He gazed into the flames. “All that I have today is owed to him. My knighthood, my learning, my lands. How does a man repay such a favor?”
“With loyalty. And the whole world knows you have given Erasmus that, sir.”
“‘Tis little enough.” Hugh sipped from the cup. His face was shadowed in the firelight.
Alice hesitated. “What are his symptoms, my lord?”
“What?”
“The symptoms of his grave illness. What, precisely, are they?”
Hugh frowned. “I’m not altogether certain. Some are vague. He startles easily, as though he were a wary hart rather than a trained warrior. That is the thing I noticed most when I was last in his presence. He is always anxious now. He cannot sleep. He has grown thin. He told me that at times his heart pounds as though he were running.”
Alice grew thoughtful. “A man of Sir Erasmus’s renown must have known a great many battles.”
“He has seen his share, beginning with the Crusade he undertook when he was barely eighteen. He once told me that his journey to the Holy Lands was the worst event of his entire life even though it brought him glory and wealth. He said he saw sights there, terrible sights that no decent man should see.”
Hugh’s words stayed with Alice until late that night. Unable to sleep, she got out of bed and slipped into her night robe.
She lit a candle and let herself quietly out of her bedchamber. Then she padded down the cold hall to her study chamber and went inside. Setting the candle on her desk next to the green crystal, she reached up and plucked her mother’s handbook from the shelf.
She pored over it for an hour before she found what she wanted.
“’Tis a woman’s natural weakness that leads her into temptation,” Calvert roared from the pulpit of the small village church early the next morning. “In her silly arrogance she seeks to raise herself above man at every opportunity and thereby puts her very soul in jeopardy.”
The crowd that filled the church stirred unhappily. Alice sat seething at the center of the uneasy waves. She had not been this angry since the day Sir Ralf had installed his eldest son in her family’s manor hall.
This stupid lecture from Calvert was not what she had ordered for this morning’s service. Ye
sterday she had sent word to Prioress Joan that she wanted special prayers said for Hugh’s journey to London.
The news that the new lord and his betrothed would attend morning mass in the village church rather than in the keep’s private chapel had spread swiftly. Virtually the entire population of the tiny hamlet of Scarcliffe and all of the nuns from the convent had turned out to enjoy the exciting event. It was not every day that they were invited to pray in the company of the lord of the manor.
Alice, seated beside Hugh in the front row, had been pleased with the turnout until disaster, in the form of Calvert of Oxwick, had struck.
Joan had just finished the opening prayers and was launching into a very nice homily on the dangers of the road when the monk strode into the church.
Calvert banged his staff on the stone floor as he forged his way to the front of the crowd. His brown robes billowed around his scrawny, sandaled feet. When he reached the pulpit he ordered Joan to sit with her nuns. The prioress hesitated and then, tight-lipped, obeyed. The Church insisted on a man in the pulpit when one was available.
Calvert had promptly seized the wooden lectern and launched into a tirade against the evils of women. It was a tried-and-true theme, one familiar to everyone present. Visiting priests and wandering monks were excessively fond of sermons that chastised women and warned men of their temptations.
“Ye frail, sinful daughters of Eve, know ye well that your only hope of salvation lies in submitting yourself to the will of your husbands. You must accept his power over you for it is ordained by the Divine Creator.”
Alice fumed. She glanced at Hugh out of the corner of her eye. He looked bored. She crossed her arms and began to tap the toe of her soft boot.
“The fires of hell burn hottest for those weak women who dare to raise themselves above men.”
The women endured the monk’s tirade with barely concealed disgust. They had heard it all before, many times over.
Joan shifted slightly in her seat and leaned forward to whisper to Alice. “My apologies, my lady. I know this was not the sort of preaching you wanted this morning.”