Read Margaret Moore - [Warrior 14] Online

Authors: In The Kings Service

Margaret Moore - [Warrior 14] (5 page)

Steeling himself for that eventually, he turned around to look for her—and realized she’d already gone.

That was a relief in some ways, yet in another, he feared it was only delaying the inevitable. If he had to leave in disgrace, he’d rather get it over with at once.

Perhaps this was her idea of retribution, to drag out the wait and torment him with uncertainty. If so, she was going to learn the folly of that plan, for Sir Blaidd Morgan allowed himself to be played by no man, and no woman, either, he thought as he followed Lord Throckton and Lady Laelia from the chapel. He spotted Lady Rebecca talking with some soldiers outside the barracks, and decided to find out if he was in trouble or not. He told Lord Throckton and Laelia that he wanted to ask Lady Rebecca something about his baggage, then excused himself and headed toward her.

She looked only mildly surprised to see him. “If you’ll pardon me, Dobbin,” she said to the older soldier, “I believe our guest wishes to speak to me.”

The man nodded and, after giving Blaidd the once-
over, meandered away, his men with him, leaving them alone near the barracks door.

“I do wish to talk to you, my lady,” Blaidd agreed as he came to a halt. He struggled not to sound impatient, although his nerves were taut as a ship’s rigging in a gale. “Is there somewhere more private we can speak?”

She raised one brow in query. “Do you think I’ll risk being alone with you again?” she asked quietly. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can do so here.”

He subdued a scowl. “I’d like to know if you intend to tell your father about…” Rather than be specific, he gave her a look that she had to comprehend.

“Why wouldn’t I?” she asked evenly, regarding him as steadily as Sir Urien Fitzroy on the training field after Blaidd had blundered.

“Because I give you my word that I won’t do it again.”

“It shouldn’t have happened the first time.”

She must like watching him twist in the wind, he decided, but she had the upper hand, and they both knew it. “I agree, and I’m sorry. Sometimes desire overrules the head.”

She snorted in a most unladylike manner. Her glance darted below his belt before returning to his face. “
Something
overrules your rational mind, Sir Blaidd. In that, you are like many men. However, since you’ve apologized
again,
I’ll be lenient.” Her gaze hardened. “But don’t take that as a sign that you may do as you please, with me or anyone else here.
And might I suggest that, in future, you avoid situations that later require apologies.”

He bowed and tried to make light of the situation. “I’ll try.”

“You’d better do more than try, or you won’t get far in your wooing of my sister. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must see to the day’s meals.”

With that, she walked past him, her head high and her bearing as regal as a queen’s.

Even if she limped.

Chapter Five

S
everal days of rainy weather passed, during which Blaidd did his best to avoid Lady Rebecca while everyone was more or less confined to the castle. It was rather obvious she was of the same mind about him, for although they were often in the hall at the same time during the day, they spoke only during meals, and only when it was necessary. She dutifully played her harp for dancing when her father made the request, and Blaidd dutifully danced.

He spent most of his time with Lady Laelia, as a man courting a woman should. Despite her outward beauty, however, this felt more and more like imprisonment. She asked very little about him personally, and didn’t seem to want to talk about anything to do with her family or her home. If he tried to ask questions, she appeared bored and listless.

Finally, after several fruitless attempts to find a subject to spark her interest, he’d finally found one when he began to speak of the court. Then she grew
more animated, asking questions about the king and queen, the lords and ladies, the entertainments, the royal apartments.

When he wasn’t being interrogated by Laelia, he attempted to engage Lord Throckton in games of chess or draughts, hoping to sound the man out about his politics, to see if he could find any hint that Throckton was discontented enough with Henry’s rule to foment actual rebellion. Unfortunately, Lord Throckton usually insisted Blaidd stay with Laelia, as if this was a great favor, and spoke only vague generalities when he did not.

In spite of these impediments and distractions, Blaidd kept an eye on the man as well as he could and discovered Throckton didn’t appear to do anything remotely suspicious. If he was planning rebellion, he was being very careful about it.

Still, there were things that made it difficult for Blaidd to dismiss talk of traitorous plots completely. There was the man’s astonishing fortress, for one thing, constructed with as much expense and care as if he was expecting a war any day. The garrison had to number a hundred at least, and they were well trained and well armed. Blaidd had spent years with fighting men, and these were some of the finest soldiers he’d ever seen. Men that skilled and well trained didn’t come cheap.

A lord could, of course, plead the necessity of guarding his land, but few put so much of their resources into it. Where was the man getting the money to pay for
his soldiers, their weapons, and this castle? To be sure, the estate looked moderately prosperous, but even so, it didn’t seem possible that Throckton could afford such a fortress and provide for so many soldiers unless he had another source of income.

Yet the man himself was so friendly, so pleasant….

His father would tell him to utterly disregard that; nevertheless, Blaidd found it hard to accept that a man could be so hospitable and encouraging to a courtier of a king he despised and hoped to ruin.

The other thing Blaidd had come to realize, although it had nothing to do with his mission, was the unusual position of Lady Rebecca in the household. By rights, and as the eldest, Lady Laelia should be the chatelaine, overseeing the food and linen and everything else in and about the hall and apartments. However, those tasks seemed to fall solely to Lady Rebecca. Keys jingling as she moved, she went from the kitchen to the storeroom to the buttery with seemingly tireless energy. She gave orders to the servants and spoke with the merchants who came to sell their goods. She apparently organized everything.

Blaidd had yet to discover exactly what Lady Laelia did except look lovely and embroider.

He wasn’t the only one getting restless here, either. Trev was clearly beginning to wish he had more to do than polish Blaidd’s sword and shield. He’d been good about obeying Blaidd’s admonitions concerning the serving women, but a bored youth and a pretty maidservant who always had a smile for him could
find themselves in mischief soon, if the weather didn’t clear.

Then, after a tedious evening during which Blaidd decided he and Trev would ride out the next day, rain or not, the morning dawned sunny and warm—a beautiful spring day. Blaidd felt years younger, and he was determined to get out for a gallop across a meadow.

Blaidd was in such a good humor, he whistled as they left the chapel after Mass and headed toward the hall to break the fast. Lord Throckton walked beside him on his left, Lady Laelia glided along on his right and Trev brought up the rear. Lady Rebecca had disappeared, probably into the kitchen.

“I feel as merry as your tune, Sir Blaidd,” Lord Throckton said with a deep chuckle. “It looks to be an excellent day for hunting. Will you join me?”

“I’ll be delighted to, my lord.” Blaidd smiled at Lady Laelia. “Maybe you’ll accompany us?”

He was surprised to see her dart an uneasy glance at her father.

“Of course she will!” he cried. “Have no fear, Laelia, I’m sure Sir Blaidd will keep a moderate pace if you ask him.”

A moderate pace? Blaidd had to struggle not to betray any disappointment. But he’d been hoping for a wild gallop, and he was quite sure Aderyn Du would be wanting that, too.

Lady Laelia stared at him woefully with her big green eyes. “I’m afraid I’m a timid horsewomen, Sir
Blaidd. If you’d rather not ride with me, I’ll understand.”

Being a gentleman, Blaidd battened down his frustration. He could always exercise Aderyn Du later. “Of course I won’t mind. Besides, how could I truly appreciate your beautiful countryside at a gallop? Or if you prefer, we could stay behind,” he finished, remembering he was supposed to be courting her, although this meant losing an opportunity to speak with her father.

“That won’t be necessary,” Lord Throckton said. “She’ll ride, won’t you, Laelia?”

“Yes, Father.” She looked up at Blaidd. “I’m sure you’ll be considerate of my maidenly fears,” she murmured.

Blaidd immediately thought of another young woman, one he couldn’t imagine having “maidenly fears.” He could more easily picture Lady Rebecca glaring an opponent into submission.

He tried to put her, Throckton’s other daughter, out of his mind. “Naturally, my lady. My greatest pleasure will be your company.”

God’s wounds, that was a bit much, but Laelia beamed, gazing at him with gratitude and admiration. One would think he’d offered to sacrifice his life for her.

 

A little while later, Blaidd stood near the stable beside a restless Aderyn Du, waiting for the rest of the hunting party to assemble. The beaters and other servants who would travel on foot were already as
sembled near the inner gate, talking and laughing among themselves. A groom had led out a fine brown gelding sporting an expensive looking saddle and bridle, and a white mare that was surely for Lady Laelia. Trev was still in the stables, saddling his horse and taking his own sweet time about it. Perhaps he’d gotten a bit lazy these past few days, and a reprimand would be in order. Or at least a pointed remark.

Blaidd’s gaze roved over the buildings, and he noticed scaffolding on the eastern wall, which obviously still needed some work. There were no workmen there now. Perhaps they’d gone to work on another part of the castle. Lord Throckton had mentioned something about a gate the other evening.

Blaidd should have paid more attention to that and less to Lady Rebecca’s playing.

Aderyn Du tossed his head and shifted his feet, obviously anxious to run. Blaidd wished he didn’t have to keep a tight rein on him, but there didn’t seem much help for it. Maybe after the noon meal they could go out again. Surely Lady Laelia and her father wouldn’t miss him for a few hours.

Tapping his foot, Blaidd continued to watch the stable door, wondering if he’d have to go in and urge Trev to get a move on.

Then, to his surprise, Lady Rebecca appeared at the entrance to the stable, leading a remarkably fine roan. She was as plainly dressed as always, except that she wore a long gray cloak and gauntlet gloves of leather. Obviously, she was going riding. With them?

Why not?

Because she’d never appeared anxious to spend time with them before; her household duties seemed to occupy all her time.

She caught him watching, and his first impulse was to turn away, like a little boy caught with stolen sweetmeats.

He wasn’t a little boy, though, so he didn’t.

Then he expected her to ignore him.

She didn’t.

“You look surprised, sir knight,” she coolly noted as she led her horse near the excited Aderyn Du, who got more excited. It was as if he were anticipating a race. “Having one leg shorter than the other doesn’t prevent me from riding.”

“I’m sure, my lady, it would take a great deal to prevent you from doing whatever you set your mind to,” he replied. “I didn’t think you could spare the time from your many duties.”

A smile twitched at the corner of her lips and her blue eyes sparkled. It struck him that she seemed as anxious to be out of the castle as he and Aderyn Du were. “I’m not indispensable. I’ve been cooped inside for long enough, and I think the servants will be happy to be rid of me for a little while.”

“Command can be onerous,” he agreed. “And the weather has been dismal.”

“I thought the Welsh were used to rain,” she replied, her intriguing smile growing a little wider. It was like seeing the sun peeking out from behind a storm cloud—just as lovely, just as welcome.

“Used to it we may be, for fine sunny days are
rarer in Wales than here. But that means we appreciate the sunny days even more. I’m anxious to enjoy this one.”

“Your horse seems anxious, too.”

Blaidd ran his hand down Aderyn Du’s strong neck. “Aye, he is. He needs a good gallop to calm him.”

She cocked her head and her smile altered to a rueful one. “If you’re riding with Laelia, that’s not likely.”

“So I understand. I hope to have the chance later.”

She nodded and eyed his horse again. “That’s a very fine animal. May I?” she inquired, moving forward to pet Aderyn Du’s muzzle.

“He cost me a small fortune, I admit, but he’s worth every ha’penny,” Blaidd said proudly.

Aderyn Du didn’t suffer the touch of strangers gladly, but he accepted her stroking with excellent grace. Meanwhile his master was mesmerized by the sight of Lady Rebecca’s slender, strong gloved fingers moving slowly down his horse’s smooth face.

“What’s his name?”

Blaidd stopped staring and focused his attention on her gleaming, intelligent eyes. “Aderyn Du.”

“That’s Welsh, isn’t it?”

“Aye. It means black bird. Because he flies when he runs, you see.”

She laughed, a merry sound even prettier than her eyes. “It suits him.” She nodded at her horse. “This is Claudia. I didn’t choose that mundane name,” she
hastened to explain, as if he would think the less of her. “She’s fast, too.”

“What would you have called her if you’d had the naming of her?”

Lady Rebecca pondered a moment, her brow wrinkled with concentration, her full lips pursed. Then a smile bloomed and her eyes lit up. “Firebrand.”

Oh, God help him, as she smiled at him, so pleased and happy, he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until neither of them had breath to whisper.

“Ready on time and waiting, too!”

As startled as if he’d kissed the man’s daughter right there in the courtyard, Blaidd spun on his heel to see Lord Throckton trotting down the hall steps. The man was attired in his usual fine garments, and his cloak was lined with what looked like wolf’s fur.

Blaidd immediately covered his discomfort with a genial grin. “Aye, my lord. I’ve been admiring your buildings, too.”

Lord Throckton gestured for the groom holding the reins of the brown gelding to come toward him. Then he glanced up at the walls. “Not finished yet, but I haven’t got the coin to complete it all. Not with this year’s taxes being what they are, eh? I’m sure your father’s noticed the increase.”

“Yes, he has,” Blaidd answered honestly.

“More money for the crown, less for me, and so I have to wait until next year to finish the postern gate and some of the merlons on the eastern wall. Pity, but what can you do?”

Blaidd shrugged. It seemed an odd thing to be glad
that the man might not be as prosperous as he appeared, but he was.

“Laelia will be along shortly,” Lord Throckton said. He gave Blaidd a wink. “You know how women are.”

Some women, Blaidd thought as he noticed Lady Rebecca move away toward the gate without speaking to her father.

“Where’s your squire? Isn’t he coming, too?”

“Here he is now, my lord,” Blaidd said, nodding at Trev as he appeared at the stable door leading his horse. “He’s as anxious for a ride as I am.”

“His father’s quite the famous fellow.”

“Justly so.”

“Did Urien Fitzroy train you?”

“Aye, my lord, and my brother, Kynan, and Trev, of course.”

“Perhaps one of these days you’ll have a chat with Dobbin, my garrison commander. Maybe you can teach that old dog some new tricks.” Lord Throckton chortled at his joke.

“I’d be glad to, and in truth, I should have some practice myself, or my sword arm will be getting as rusty as a blade left out all winter.”

That got another laugh from the lord. “Oh, I doubt that!”

More anxious than ever to be on his way, Blaidd glanced at the gate. Lady Rebecca was there, talking and laughing with the soldiers and servants, clearly in high spirits.

And yet there was something about her that simul
taneously made her seem aloof and apart, as if try as she might to be one of them, she never would be. She was a woman, of course, but there was more to it than that. It was as if she had a maturity and wisdom they didn’t share.

“I understand your other daughter will be joining us, too,” he said, turning his attention back to Lord Throckton.

“Eh?” The man looked taken aback, until he followed Blaidd’s glance. “Oh, she is, is she?” he said, sounding neither pleased nor otherwise. “She’ll probably not stay with us for more than a little while. She’ll go galloping off and return when she wills.”

The man’s matter-of-fact tone prompted Blaidd to say, “With an escort, I assume.”

Lord Throckton frowned and shook his head. “She’ll lose ’em before they know she’s gone. Always has, always will.”

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