“You have my word,” Andreas said. “What has happened?”
Lukas took a deep breath. “Falstone has three villages within her domain,” he said, barely audible. “Deadwater, Liddel, and Larriston. Deadwater is the largest, named for the lake to the north that tends to stagnate in the summer. The village is a busy one and a peaceful one. We have never truly had any issues with Scots, although about six years ago, a raiding party passed through. Reivers. But until last year, that was the only real trouble we’d ever had. ’Tis as if we live in a land with secret borders, repelling all evil.”
“Until last year.”
“Aye.”
“What happened last year?”
Lukas pondered the question before continuing. “De Leia’s daughter was in Deadwater with two of her maids,” he said. “She’d been traveling to the village for years without an escort, so this was not unusual. But there was a group of knights in town and they abducted her. She was beaten and violated. When we found her, she could not tell us who had done this heinous thing, but she could identify the brand on one of the horses. She drew it for us and it was a brand we recognized.”
Andreas got the message. “De Soulis.”
Lukas nodded sadly. “Aye,” he muttered. “De Soulis.”
Andreas frowned, distressed by the tale. “And your lord did not seek to punish them?”
Lukas shook his head. “He was so ashamed by what had happened that he did not want to summon his allies, de Wolfe included,” he said. “It was strange… he turned into a man who simply wanted it all to go away. We do not have a large enough army to go after Hell’s Guardhouse on our own and he would not let me summon help, afraid this terrible secret would become public knowledge. And when he realized that attack resulted in a pregnancy for his daughter… God, it was a nightmare. He kept her hidden away as if she had somehow been a willing party to all of it. He was so ashamed of her that when the child was born, he sent the infant away to Edenside and sent his daughter to London. He was trying to erase all evidence of what had happened. He refused to acknowledge anything.”
It was quite a tale. Andreas shook his head slowly. “My father knew nothing of this,” he said in a low voice. “If he did, I am sure he would have told me. I am sure he would have encouraged your father to seek vengeance. What happened is not right.”
Lukas shook his head. “Nay, it is not right,” he said. “And Lord de Leia’s daughter… she is the victim in all of this. Gavriella did not deserve any of what happened to her and her father made her feel as if it were all her fault. But none of it was. That’s the sad part. She’s such a sweet, beautiful woman and now… now, there is no chance she’ll ever find a decent marriage after this, although I suspect that is why de Leia has been keeping it all a secret. He does not want a prospective husband to know.”
It took Andreas a moment to process the name of de Leia’s daughter. Gavriella. It was such a unique name that, surely, there couldn’t be two women with the same name in Northumberland.
Could there?
Andreas didn’t hear much after that. He felt the room rock. In fact, he found himself gripping the table until his equilibrium returned. He was in such disbelief that although he heard Lukas as the man continued to speak, he didn’t really comprehend the words. He just sat there, feeling as if a wall of stone had just fallen on him.
My God…
Gavriella!
When he had returned from London, he’d started his search for the woman he knew as Gavriella, but he’d been starting towards the east. His plan was to ask every priest from Castle Questing to the sea, hunting down anyone who might know of a woman named Gavriella.
But he’d been searching in the wrong direction.
She had been at Falstone all along.
He suddenly felt sick.
Sick enough that he hung his head, struggling with his composure as Lukas rattled on about Lord de Leia and the way he treated his daughter like a disease. What happened to her wasn’t her fault, he’d said.
An assault…
A child…
Andreas remembered thinking in London how Gavriella gave every indication of someone with dark secrets. With something to hide.
Now, he knew why.
He put a trembling hand to his mouth, his face, as if trying to wipe away his shock.
His utter despair.
“My lord?”
Lukas’ voice broke through his haze of disbelief and he suddenly looked at the man, realizing he’d been lost in his thoughts.
“Aye?” he said simply as a reflex action, then realized he looked foolish. “My apologies. I was thinking of… of de Soulis. They have a reputation for being brutal and unsavory, but usually only to their vassals. They do not venture out of their properties too often.”
Oblivious to the fact that Andreas looked somewhat pale, Lukas nodded. “That is true,” he said. “Unfortunately, they ventured into Deadwater and the results were catastrophic. For Lady Gavriella, anyway. I was saying that it is very possible that they sent this woman who calls herself Giddy, but I do not know their purpose behind it. I suppose it’s possible they are trying to get their hands on Falstone somehow. In that sense, I am grateful you have come, my lord. Lord de Leia would not let me summon you.”
Andreas was still reeling, trying to pretend that he wasn’t. It took him a moment to focus and collect his thoughts, made extremely difficult by the fact that he knew Gavriella was here, somewhere.
He had to find her.
“It seems as if there is far more going on here than meets the eye,” he said as steadily as he could. “Thank you for taking me into your confidence and telling me. I will tell my father, but without Lord de Leia’s cooperation with de Soulis, you know that there is very little we can do.”
Lukas nodded. “I know,” he said with regret. “But you cannot imagine how good it feels for me to actually tell someone what has been happening here. I am the only knight here and there are very few people I can speak in confidence to.”
Andreas took a second look at the man. All shock of Gavriella’s revelation aside, he took a brief moment to focus on Lukas de Dere. He realized that he felt sorry for him. Andreas had any number of cousins, friends, and uncles he could speak with. Even a father and grandfather that he adored. But Lukas evidently had no one at all.
A difficult situation, indeed.
“I hope this establishes trust between us, de Dere,” he said. “I do not want you to feel as if you are alone in the world. I am the garrison commander of Monteviot Tower, which isn’t terribly far from here, and I embarrassed to say that I’ve not taken the time to become acquainted with my neighbors such as Falstone. Most of my family’s properties are concentrated to the east and that is where our focus lies, but I fear we have forgotten our western neighbors in the process. You have my apologies for that. I will make sure we make amends.”
Lukas smiled weakly. “Thank you, my lord.”
“You will call me Andreas, please.”
Lukas’ smile grew. “I am appreciative, truly,” he said. “I will answer to Lukas.”
Andreas returned his smile, but it was hollow. His mind had all it could take of focusing on de Dere and was now whirling back to Gavriella.
He had to find her.
“Now we can move forward, Lukas,” he said. “I understand the situation here and the issues with de Soulis, for which I am most grievously sorry, but my focus for now is on the movements of the Scots.”
“Understood.”
“That does not mean we will not deal with de Soulis at a later time.”
The way he said it came out as a growl, causing Lukas to peer at him rather closely. “Deal with them?”
Andreas couldn’t put it into words. He had too much else going on in his mind. “Do not ask me to elaborate at the moment,” he said. It was the truth. “Not until I speak with my father. Meanwhile, I would like to settle my knights. Where are we to bed down?”
Lukas stood up. “I will summon
Lady Gavriella,” he said. “She is chatelaine and she will show you the hospitality of Falstone. And, please… do not ever mention to her what I told you. She would be greatly shamed that I confided something like that to a stranger.”
Andreas shook his head. “I would not dream of betraying your confidence.”
Satisfied, Lukas headed out of the hall, but not before he ordered a servant to bring food and drink to the commander of the de Wolfe army.
I will summon Lady Gavriella.
All Andreas had to do was wait and she would come right to him. After all these months, he could hardly believe it. What would he say to her? What would she say to him? His heart was thumping against his ribs and his palms were sweating as he thought of her, feeling the same way he did the moment he went to meet her at The Fox and The Wolf.
Excited.
Hopeful.
Happy…
Even though he knew something terrible had happened to her, something that most men would look upon as a disgusting event that would easily change their minds about a woman, Andreas didn’t look at it that way. Gavriella had been forced to endure something no woman should have to endure. When he thought about that sweet, beautiful woman being abused, he could feel the bile rising in his throat.
The anger rising in his heart.
Pure, black rage.
Aye, she’d been hiding something. Now, he knew what it was.
And he didn’t care.
But it was quite possible she didn’t feel the same way about the situation, or about him. She was the one who left him sitting there, after all. She was the one who had run out.
He was going to find out why and hope it didn’t emotionally destroy him forever.
He braced himself.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Gavy?”
Lukas was standing in the kitchen doorway as Gavriella stood with the cook, both of them sampling the stew the old woman had made from a wooden bowl. Spoon in hand, Gavriella looked up when she heard her name.
“I am here, Lukas,” she said, peering around one of the pillars that held up the low, barrel-vaulted ceiling. “Do you require something?”
The doorway leading into the kitchen was low and he was hunched over as he stood in it. “The de Wolfe army has arrived,” he said. “I promised them a hot meal within the hour. Are we close?”
Gavriella nodded, licking the spoon. “Almost,” she said. “We have a nice stew and plenty of bread.”
“Are you cooking the stew in the yard?”
“Aye.”
“Then you’re going to have to cover it because it is going to snow soon,” he said. “Be ready to start serving the meal in about an hour.”
“We will.”
Lukas threw a thumb over his shoulder. “The commander of the de Wolfe army is in the hall,” he said. “Will you please show him where his knights will sleep?”
Gavriella nodded quickly, removing the apron she was wearing. As Lukas headed off, she hung her apron up on the peg as she left the kitchen, heading into the ground level of the keep. She wanted to check on the chambers before she attended the commander, so a quick perusal of the rooms showed that they were indeed prepared, if not a little crowded. There were three beds in each chamber, all six with comfortable mattresses and blankets. A fire burned in the hearths, so the chambers were nice and warm.
Satisfied, she headed towards the hall.
Gavriella was clad in a heavy woolen dress against the cold temperatures, a garment made out of undyed wool. It was a pretty garment, with long sleeves that she could wrap her hands up in to keep them warm. As she came out of the keep and noticed the snowflakes starting to fall, she smoothed at her hair, which was braided and gathered at the nape of her neck. Since she’d been working in the kitchens, and around fire, it was best to keep her hair out of the way. She continued to smooth at it, tucking strands behind her ear, as she reached the door to the hall.
There were a few servants moving about the great hall and the hearths were blazing, making it almost cloyingly warm. She could see a figure sitting near the southernmost hearth, his back to her. As she drew closer, she could see that he had a cup of something steaming. Warmed wine, she assumed. He was a very large man, she could see from the breadth of his shoulders, and his head was lowered so she couldn’t get a good look at him.
She came up behind the man, clearing her throat softly.
“My lord?” she said politely. “I am Lady Gavriella. My father is Lord de Leia. Welcome to Falstone.”
The man stood up and looked at her, tall and imposing, like a god from Olympus. Everything about him radiated power. Though the hall was dimly lit, even with the blazing hearths, there was no mistaking the features.
For a moment, Gavriella thought she was dreaming.
Then, reality hit.
“Andreas!” she gasped.
He smiled faintly and her knees collapsed. She ended up on the bench next to her, but had Andreas not grabbed her to help her find it, she would have ended up on the floor. As it was, they sat down together, staring at each other, gripping each other.
The shock in the air was palpable.
“Greetings, my lady,” he said softly. “You look… beautiful.”
Gavriella’s mouth was hanging open as she looked at him. Then, she looked at his arms, his chest, squeezing and poking as if to convince herself that he was real.
“It really is you,” she whispered, trembling. “Andreas… how is this possible? How did you find me?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment. He didn’t even answer her question. He simply sat there and looked at her.
“Will you answer a question for me?” he asked quietly.
“Anything!”
“Why did you not show up in the tavern those months ago?”
As he watched, tears filled her eyes. Little did he know that, at the time, she had resigned herself to never seeing him again, thinking it was for the best. Had the situation kept going the way it had, the lady with secrets would have had to reveal them.
Damaged goods.
But here he was, as big as life, and she didn’t think that way anymore. She was so glad to see him that she was nearly faint with it. Perhaps it was foolish of her, but she couldn’t help it.
“Because my aunt sent me home the very night we returned from Southwark,” she said, trying not to weep. “My cousin saw you and I return together and she told my aunt… terrible things. I was sent home against my will, I assure you.”
“Your cousin saw us?” he said. “What did she say?”
She let go of him with one hand, using it to wipe the tears that were starting to trickle. “Awful things, Andreas,” she said. “They knew that I had been missing all day and they were waiting for me when I returned from our most remarkable day. When I told them where I had been, I was accused of terrible things. Such horrible things. My cousin and I fought, and my aunt banished me from The Asher as a result. She sent me home that night.”
He stared at her a moment before sighing heavily. “Is that what happened?” he said. “But why did you not send word to the tavern? You knew I would be there.”
The tears were spilling over. “I knew you would be there, but it was impossible to send you a missive,” she said. “I was locked in my chamber until my escort took me away. I had no way of sending you word. Not even the servants would come near me, so there was no one to ask. Andreas, I am so sorry. I know it seemed as if I did not come to you deliberately, but I swear to you that is not true.”
He began to nod his head as if the events were becoming clear now. He mulled it over, finally snorting with realization. “So that’s what happened,” he said. “It was not because you did not wish to see me again.”
Her hand found his and she squeezed it tightly. “Nay,” she said softly, her eyes alight with warmth and joy. “That is not true, I swear it. You are all I’ve thought of for the past several months, but I did not know if I would ever see you again because I was so foolish.”
“What about?”
“For playing that foolish game and not telling you everything about me. I should have told you everything the first night I met you.”
He grinned. Then, he chuckled softly, taking her hand and bring it to his lips. He very much wanted to do more, to take her in his arms, but he didn’t dare. Not when there was a chance someone would see them.
“It does not matter now,” he breathed, kissing her hand tenderly and feeling her warmth against his flesh. “You are here. You have been here the entire time.”
“I have,” she said. “And you… you are from the House of de Wolfe.”
He nodded slowly, her hand still at his mouth. “My father is Troy de Wolfe, Lord Braemoor,” he said. “My grandfather is William de Wolfe, the Earl of Warenton, and my garrison is Monteviot Tower, which is a day’s ride from here. I was so close to you the entire time. I still cannot believe it.”
She was in full agreement. “Nor can I,” she said. “I swear to you that I was going to tell you everything you wanted to know on that morning. I… I was going to tell you who my father was. In case you wanted to speak with him, still.”
There was a question in that statement. She was asking him if he was still interested in her after everything that had happened, after all these months. As he looked at her, he felt as if the separation had never happened. He was here, she was here, and that was all that mattered. All of the confusion and disappointment he’d felt faded away.
His eyes glimmered with mirth.
“You’re not meant for the veil,” he said.
It wasn’t a question. The smile faded from her lips. “Nay,” she said. “But… but there is something…”
“There you are!”
A booming voice interrupted them. Startled, Gavriella yanked her hand out of his grasp and as she quickly stood up, several big knights entered the hall, all of them bearing de Wolfe tunics. Gavriella had seen Andreas wear the same tunic in London and he wore it now. He’d told her that it had been of a wolf, but she had never made the connection to the House of de Wolfe and she should have. Living in the north her entire life, she knew the name well. Now, she was surrounded by de Wolfe knights, Andreas included, and she dipped into a polite curtsy as the knights came near the hearth.
WolfeBlade: de Wolfe Pack Generations Page 26