A Warrior's Heart

by Laurel O'Donnell

  “Where is that great beast that usually follows at your heels?”

  “I left him at home. I feared he might be speared by one of your French swords.”

  “And so he might have been. As might you.” It concerned him that she had been so foolish. “Why did you come?”

  “To seek your help in saving the life of a man taken prisoner. But when I saw the knight called Eude, I could think of nothing else but to kill him for what he has done.” When he raised his brows, she explained, “He raped my friend, Inga, the daughter of Feigr, the sword-maker. When her father tried to protect her, Eude’s companions beat him and took him prisoner. I assumed they brought him here. I would free him and see Eude dead.”

  “And your life would be lost in the process had you been successful with the mercenary.”

  “My anger has cooled but only just,” she said, setting down the goblet and turning to pace. “The man deserves to die!”

  “Aye, likely he does. I would not put rape past him. I like him not.”

  She paused in her pacing to gaze at him. “Inga was young, untouched,” she explained, her distress showing on her face. “Feigr’s only child and much loved.”

  “What would you have me do?”

  Her beautiful, tear-filled eyes fixed on him, desperation in their depths. “Find Feigr, save him, protect him, as I will now protect Inga.”

  Seeing her tears, he could deny her nothing. “All right. But you must stay here until I locate him.”

  “My family will worry. Ottar is still recovering and now I have Inga to see to.”

  “I will send my squire to tell them you are safe. Latch the door after I leave. When I return, listen for three knocks. I myself will take you home.”

  He went first to Mathieu to dispatch him to Emma’s house, to tell her servants she was safe. Once that was done, he went looking for the sword-maker. He found him with the other prisoners who had been taken that day, now sequestered in a building in the outer bailey.

  * * *

  Emma paced in Sir Geoffroi’s small chamber, keenly aware she was confined inside the Norman castle where the French knights gathered like wasps around a hive.

  The smell of metal, leather and horses filled the room, a masculine smell she recognized as belonging to the blond knight from when he had carried her home from the clearing earlier in the day. The candles set about the chamber made it seem somehow intimate and, because it was the abode of a Norman knight, more threatening. Could she trust him to find Feigr and bring him to safety? Did she have a choice? She could not very well leave on her own now that the creature Eude knew she was here. To approach him had been a mistake. She would not have succeeded in killing him. Sir Geoffroi was right to scold her. Surely if she had killed Eude, the other knights would have killed her. But the mad impulse had seized her when she recognized the monster who had raped her friend.

  She touched her fingers to her lips, still swollen with Sir Geoffroi’s kiss. Since his reason for kissing her had been to protect her, she did not resent it. But she had not expected to like it so well. His mouth had been gentle on hers and his tongue… Oh God. The memory of his seductive tongue exploring her mouth made her tremble even now. Had it only been for show? Mayhap he had kissed many women. The thought did not please her.

  When he had taken her into his arms, she had felt protected, not threatened. It disturbed her that she should find a Norman so desirable. She did not like that her reaction to him seemed to steal away the hatred that gave her the strength to fight. She did not like the way her body still craved his touch.

  Her pacing stopped. Would he help her to take vengeance on the one called Sir Eude? She suspected the answer was no. But if she could leave with Feigr, if he were still alive, then she would have accomplished her purpose in coming. The rest she could see to another time.

  Some minutes later, three knocks sounded at the door. She unlatched it and pulled it open.

  Sir Geoffroi strode into the chamber.

  Closing the door behind him, she asked, “Where is Feigr?”

  “You did not expect me to bring a rebel prisoner to the hall where the king himself dines?”

  “No, I suppose not,” she said, disappointed. “But did you find him?”

  “Yea. Alain is guarding him now. We will collect him when we leave the tower. He is too weak to ride alone.”

  She inhaled sharply. “Will he live?”

  “I cannot say what injuries lie beneath his skin. He has been badly beaten and his body is all cuts and scrapes. He might have a broken arm as well, for he cradles it close to his chest. I have asked the king’s physic to see what can be done.”

  “Poor Feigr. He was only trying to protect his daughter. Inga will be despondent.”

  “William does not countenance rape but even he cannot control so many knights and men-at-arms. Some are mercenaries with no care for anything save what they can gain. ’Tis a bad time to try to protect a young woman in York.”

  She could tell by his expression he included her in his statement. As she considered what had happened after the battle the full scope of the truth came to her. Inga was likely not the only woman raped by the Normans this day. She shuddered. “When do we leave?”

  “Now if you like, but we may have to wait for the physic to complete his work.”

  She drew her cloak around her, eager to leave and wanting to assure herself Feigr would be well.

  “Keep your hood pulled over your head, stay close to me and do not look at the men.”

  Emma was only too happy to oblige. She had seen the lust in the knights’ eyes when they had discovered her in the hall. Never did she want to draw their leers again. They were like the hungry wolves that hid in the forest.

  When they reached the part of the bailey where prisoners were housed, the knight with the scarred face, the one called Sir Alain, waited for them with horses. Torches illuminated the bailey and the face of the huge knight. He no longer appeared so formidable to her, his scar now merely part of a familiar face.

  “The physic is near finished,” he informed Sir Geoffroi. “The arm was broken, but not the flesh. The physic has set the bone.”

  With anxious eyes, Emma looked up at the huge knight. “What does the healer say about Feigr? Will he recover?”

  “If it is God’s will, lady. Only time will reveal the outcome.” His voice was surprisingly kind. “Some of the sword-maker’s wounds are inside, but the physic was encouraging. You should know he does not usually see prisoners, but Sir Geoffroi asked on your behalf and, given the circumstances, he did not refuse.”

  Emma turned her gaze to the blond knight. “You have come to my aid once again. Why, I cannot imagine.”

  “Can you not?” he whispered. His blue eyes teased but she detected a seriousness there that belied the laughter in his eyes.

  “If your interest is in me, sir knight, it is misplaced.”

  He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, sending a shiver coursing through her, making her breasts tingle. “We will see, my lady.”

  She turned her eyes from his intense regard and pulled back her hand. “No matter, I am in your debt once again. Thank you.”

  “I will always come to your aid,” he said.

  The connection with the French knight embarrassed her. She had sought his help so she could hardly fail to thank him, but there was more between them than his kindness and her gratitude. There was that kiss she could not forget and the unmistakable attraction that grew with his nearness. She was more conscious of his presence than other men.

  She waited until the Norman physic was done and the knights had collected Feigr. They rode across the bridge over the castle’s moat, she in front of Sir Geoffroi on his chestnut stallion and Feigr with Sir Alain on his huge gray horse. Mathieu, the squire, had returned from his messenger duty to ride with them.

  Sir Geoffroi’s mailed chest was hard at her back and his powerful arms braced her as he held the reins of his horse. His head was so close to hers she
could feel his breath on her temple. She had not been this close to a man, save her father, since her husband, Halden. Remembering Sir Geoffroi’s kiss, her heart quickened its pace. Halden had loved her but had not kissed her like that.

  A moan from Feigr drew her attention to where he slumped against the chest of the huge knight. The sword-maker’s eyes were closed and his bandaged arm rested in a sling across his chest. Only the arm of the knight kept Inga’s father from falling.

  Before they had left the castle, she had explained to Feigr that Sir Geoffroi and his companions had aided her and were taking him to her home. But his eyes had been glazed from the pain-dulling potion the physic had given him and she could not be certain he had understood her words.

  She was grateful for the blond knight’s help. Whether his motives were pure she did not question. For now, she needed him and so did Feigr. She would take him at his word and hope he did not betray her.

  As they rode through the city, an eerie silence pervaded the town. The only sound was that from the horses crushing snow and ice beneath their hooves. Above them the stars appeared like sparkling jewels scattered over a midnight blue cloth. In its center was a pale half-moon.

  There were no townspeople on the streets, no laughter from taverns, no light from cottages. The men of York who had not been killed had escaped into the woods or were in hiding, their homes closed to all. She did not dare think of the women.

  Now that the tension she had held inside for so long had subsided, exhaustion overtook her. The wind blowing off the ice made her shiver despite Sigga’s cloak. Sir Geoffroi must have felt it for he drew her back against his chest and wrapped the edges of his cloak tightly around her. It was a caring gesture, one she had not expected from the enemy. She gave in to her desire to be sheltered in his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. What makes him so different than the others?

  The street was dark when they arrived at her home. No light came from behind the window coverings of her neighbors’ dwellings.

  Artur admitted them and Magnus came to nuzzle her hand. “Sorry, old boy, but it was safer for you here.”

  Standing next to her husband, Sigga raised her brows. “Safer for him mayhap, but we were worried when we saw you had left the hound behind. The squire, Mathieu, brought us word you were well and with his master.”

  “I could not take Magnus where I was going,” she said, as Sir Geoffroi followed her inside.

  Sigga looked from Sir Geoffroi to Emma and raised her brows with what Emma knew to be a fellow woman’s insight. Sigga and Artur might be servants but they were her family, too.

  Sir Alain carried Feigr into the house. She was impressed with the huge knight’s strength for Feigr was not a small man. Her two servants raised their candles high and stared wide-eyed as Sir Alain passed them.

  Emma directed him up the stairs and to the chamber her father used. The knight laid the sword-maker on the bed and stood back.

  Artur and Sigga then went to work, first lighting candles and stirring the fire in the brazier, then stripping the soiled and bloodstained clothes from Feigr, carefully lifting his bandaged arm. He moaned when they touched it.

  “His arm was broken,” she said to Artur, “but Sir Geoffroi asked the physic at the castle to tend him. He set the bone and gave Feigr a sleeping potion.”

  Magnus strolled into the room and sat at her side, his dark eyes watching the servants.

  Neither of the Norman knights commented on the few things her father had left behind in the room he usually occupied, but they had to wonder at the extra shield, a pair of boots and a few pieces of his gold jewelry he had left on the shelf. The light from the candles made the gold glisten. Of course, there were more of his things they could not see in the chest at the foot of the bed.

  Emma turned to Sir Geoffroi. “I must see how Inga fares. You need not stay.” She knew her servants would be uncomfortable with the Normans in their home. Emma was not at ease with their presence either, though she was coming to realize Sir Geoffroi presented no threat.

  “I will remain until I am assured all is well,” he remarked and sent his fellow knight, Sir Alain, to wait below with the squire.

  Emma slowly walked to her chamber and opened the door, keenly aware Sir Geoffroi followed close behind her. A warm light from the coals in the brazier allowed her to see Inga still slept. She paused for a moment and then closed the door.

  “When she wakes,” she said to Sir Geoffroi, “it will comfort her to know her father is near and his wounds have been tended. Once again, I am in your debt. You have carried those I love to safety.”

  “As I told you, my lady, you may call upon me anytime.”

  In the dim light of the passage, his blue eyes appeared like pools of dark water, his lips curved in a seductive smile. Against her will, she was drawn to him, attracted to his courage and his kindness, no matter he was a Norman. When he smiled, as he did now, his chiseled jaw softened, along with the look in his eyes. Underneath his smile, she sensed there lay a man of unfailing strength and an iron resolve.

  Her husband, Halden, had been a free-spirited adventurer who loved the sea. Sir Geoffroi was a steady river whose waters ran deep.

  “I hope I will not need to ask you for aid in future,” she told him. Pulling her thoughts away from his eyes and his lips, she walked toward the twins’ chamber. Weariness settled into her bones, but she had to look in on them before she retired.

  “Do you know if the sword-maker was among those fighting today?” he asked.

  “I doubt it. Feigr may be a supplier of swords but as far as I know, he has yet to raise one against anyone, let alone a French knight. He is an artist, devoted to his craft and to his daughter. But after what happened to Inga, he may have a new use for his swords.” Even to her own ears the words sounded like an accusation. She was frustrated she had not been able to sink her blade into the flesh of the man responsible.

  The knight was silent for a moment, then his gaze met hers. “I am sorry for what happened to your friend. Any of the Red Wolf’s knights would feel the same, but then Talisand is a very different place.”

  “Talisand?” She could not recall hearing the name before.

  “My home, two days’ ride west of here. ’Tis a very pleasant shire where both English and Normans live together in peace.”

  “I cannot imagine it.”

  “Given the violence you have witnessed, I can well understand.”

  Reaching the twins’ chamber, she silently opened the door and peeked in, Sir Geoffroi looking over her shoulder. Magnus, who had followed them, padded in and sniffed at the children. Both slept, the white bandage around Ottar’s head clearly visible in the light of the glowing coals in the brazier. She tiptoed into the room and kissed each child. Retreating quietly to the open door where the knight stood, she waited for Magnus to join her and then pulled the door closed.

  Sir Geoffroi scratched Magnus’ ears in a gesture that was oddly reminiscent of her father’s affection for the hound.

  “’Tis good the children sleep,” she whispered.

  “How is the lad?”

  “He seems to be well. I have chided him for following after the men. I do not think he will be so foolish again. Not after he endured his sister’s tears. They are twins, you know.”

  “Nay, I did not know but I did observe they were about the same age.”

  The light in the narrow space in which they stood was dim and the knight was very close, his shoulders nearly spanning the corridor. When he dropped his gaze to her lips, without thinking she opened her mouth to expel a breath. Heat flowed between them. He wanted to kiss her, she could feel it. For a long moment, neither said a word.

  “You are very beautiful, Emma. Be careful.” Then he clenched his jaw and turned, walking toward the stairs. She was amazed when Magnus followed him.

  She did not move at first, but watched him walk away and felt a pain in her heart she had not felt in years. A remembered parting. The memory of saying goodbye t
o Halden the last day she would ever see him as he blithely stepped onto his ship and sailed away. Would she see Sir Geoffroi again? Did she want to? He was a Norman, after all, one who had killed some of her countrymen this very day. Yet he was an enemy who had shown her kindness. No other man had caused her to want again something she had once lost.

  She and Halden had been young when they came to realize their love for each other. They had wanted to marry then, but her father had bid them wait. And they had. They were wed but a year when Halden died. A trader whose other loves were his ships and the sea, it had been those other loves that had taken him from her. When his ship was lost in a storm, she had been so distraught, she lost their babe she had only recently become aware was growing within her. Halden was her only love and she had thought not to wed again. With Ottar and Finna, she believed her life full. Now she had to wonder.

  She followed the knight to the stairs. As she had once missed Halden, she would miss Sir Geoffroi and the sound of his knight’s spurs in her home. The realization was troubling. She hardly knew him.

  Suddenly curious to know what his king would do in York, she asked, “What will happen now?”

  He paused and looked over his shoulder. “William would have another castle.”

  A sigh of frustration escaped her lips. She hated the wooden edifice that stood above the river at the south end of the city, a symbol of the hated Norman king. “A castle the people of York will no doubt be forced to build.”

  He ignored her statement and paused at the top of the stairs. “Stay away from town for the next few days, Emma. William’s army will be seeking revenge for the death of FitzRichard and until they are gone, no woman will be safe.”

  She thought of her friend lying hurt and defiled in the bed where she herself would sleep this night. “Your advice is well-taken.”

  “In war, not many innocents are spared,” he said with a glance in her direction as he descended the stairs to where his men waited, the sound of his spurs on the steps ringing in her ears.

  She watched them leave, wondering if she would see the blond knight again.