A Bit of Heaven on Earth (18 page)

Gavin smiled pleasantly, pushing aside the sudden hostility he experienced toward his old friend.

“Rufus is in charge today. I gather the men were ready for a respite, as hard as I have driven them these past few weeks. By accompanying Elizabeth myself on her errands, it saved from providing a guard of men better left to their exercises.” Gavin leaned against the door. “And so what brings you to Kentwood in such inclement weather?”

“An invitation.” Robert turned to Elizabeth. “My father wished to express his condolences to you in person. He was far too ill to attend Lord Aldred’s burial, but he would have you come to Fondren and visit with him.”

She nodded. “I would very much like to spend time with Lord Baywith. ‘Tis been far too long since I last saw him.”

“Then ‘tis agreed. Would you come for supper tonight? You may stay the night, and I shall see you returned to Kentwood early on the morrow.”

Gavin’s instant protest died on his lips. Who was he to tell Elizabeth what she could and could not do? Robert and his father were her equal. He, on the other hand, was but captain of Kentwood’s guard, a man of little consequence in the eyes of nobility.

And jealous to the very bone that Robert would be with the woman Gavin now knew that he truly loved.

Elizabeth faced Robert. “I would be happy to accompany you back to Fondren this eve.” She fingered her clothing. “’Tis a mess I am, though. Mayhap I can return to Kentwood and change my gown beforehand. I would hate to frighten Lord Baywith with such a scraggly appearance.”

She smiled at Robert, who took her hand. “Come, then. We’re a ways from Kentwood. Let us ride there now since the storm has passed on.”

She frowned. “I had wanted to visit a few more tenants this day.”

Gavin looked at her. “How many more cottages are left to see?”

She thought a moment. “If I return early on the morn and you can attend me again, my visits will be complete by early afternoon. Is that convenient for you, Lord Gavin?”

He saw a tenderness in her eyes as she looked at him and had to tamp down the stir of desire he felt.

“Of course, my lady. What is agreeable to you is to me, as well.”

“Then shall we venture out?” Robert inquired. “’Tis certain the rain has now stopped.”

Gavin reached down and scooped up Homer, who yowled in protest of leaving the fire’s warmth. He slipped the growing cat into his sack and doused the fire.

The trio exited the abandoned cottage and untied their horses. Robert’s hands quickly and possessively went to Elizabeth’s waist. He lifted her into the saddle before he swung up into his own. Gavin remounted his horse and kept a pleasant look upon his face as he boiled inside.

They ventured back to Kentwood in silence. Gavin struggled to tame the waves of jealousy that flooded him every time he looked at Robert.

Elizabeth waved away the servant. “I am ready to burst, I fear,” she joked, “but I thank you all the same.” She looked to Baywith. “You truly outdid yourself, my lord. What a sumptuous feast! I expected but a quiet supper.”

Baywith’s smile trembled, as did the hand he placed over hers. The constant shaking had set upon him nigh on three years ago. It pained her to see him suffer so.

“Anything for you, my girl,” he replied. “I feel so honored you would come and see me.” He frowned, and she knew he concentrated on his words. He seemed to have a hard time getting them out at times. “I was saddened to hear of Aldred’s passing. I know you miss him a great deal.”

“Indeed I do, my lord.” Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked hard to hold them back. “My lord husband was a good man. He is missed by many.”

“But you still have a long life ahead of you, my lady. I hope it ’twill be a happy one. One with the right man.” Baywith smiled and looked over at his son. “Robert is a good man, too.”

“Yes,” she replied, hesitating a moment as the pieces suddenly fell into place. Did Baywith think she would marry Robert? Was this why he requested her to visit? Yes, she cared about Robert, but she saw herself with no man.

None except Gavin,
that is.

And that could never come to pass. The king would exchange the freedom she now knew for a prison with some favored nobleman. Kentwood would be a jewel given to another courtier that pleased him, one who had helped England onto victory in a battle against her nemesis or simply a man who made Edward smile for a moment or two. She was but a victim in a political game of favorites, powerless to sway the king’s opinion as to her preference.

Wouldn’t Edward laugh to learn she wanted a bastard, one who had no idea as to his father’s identity? When she, Elizabeth of Aldwyn, had been married to one of the leading noblemen in the kingdom. She had lived on one of the most prestigious estates in England, yet now she longed for a penniless man that would be seen as having no real worth in the eyes of many.

Baywith patted her hand. “I grow weak, I’m afraid,” he told her. “I must retire for the night. Will I have the pleasure of seeing you on the morrow, my child?”

She took in his pale skin and glassy eyes and shot Robert a look. He immediately headed their way. “Nay, my lord, I must return to Kentwood very early tomorrow, for I have tenants to visit. Mayhap we can visit again sometime soon.”

“Yes, of course.” Baywith looked up to his son. “I tire, my boy.”

Robert gestured to two servants hovering nearby. “Please see Lord Baywith to his chamber.” He leaned down and kissed the old man’s cheek. “Good night, Father. Sleep well.”

They watched as the men helped their liege from the room.

Robert turned and smiled at her. “Thank you for putting up with an old man’s ramblings. He thinks the world of you, Elizabeth.” Robert took a sip of wine from the cup he carried. “Would you care to adjourn to my study? We can have a quieter conversation there.”

She decided to do so. If Baywith had put any notions into Robert’s head of their marrying, she wanted them dispelled. Now.

She followed him down the corridor to the small room. A fire burned in its grate. A chessboard sat on a small table, its pieces ready for two players. Nearby was a carafe of wine and two cups with a wedge of cheese and some apples. Elizabeth had no doubt Robert was up to something.

He ushered her in and closed the door behind him. “Would you care to match wits?” He motioned to the chessboard.

“No, thank you. I am rather tired from making the rounds of the estate these past few days. I fear my concentration would not do justice to our game. Mayhap another time.”

She sat in one of the chairs by the game board, though. Robert ambled over and stood with his back to the fire.

“There’s wine if you’d like some.”

“No, I have had my share of food and drink for today. You have been a most excellent host.”

A silence fell between them. She studied her hands lying in her lap. She’d never experienced being uncomfortable in Robert’s company before. She thought it possible she had misread the situation entirely. If so, she was being grossly unfair to her good friend.

“Elizabeth?”

Robert’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked to him and saw a longing on his face. After having been with Gavin, she could not mistake it. Had she been blind all these years? When did Robert gain an affection for her? Had it always been there, hidden away till Aldred was gone?

And how would she handle it now?

“Yes, Robert?” She tried to still her heart, which beat uncomfortably against her chest.

He stepped away from the fire and sat across from her. “I would speak to you about something of great consequence. Something that might take you by surprise.”

She decided not to mince words. “That you fancy yourself in love with me and wish us to marry?”

His jaw dropped open, and then a brilliant smile stole across his features. He swept chess pieces from the board and reached across to take her hands in his.

“Oh, my dearest one, I had no idea that you knew. I was to keep silent but have been eager to share my devotion to you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? Keep silent?”

He chuckled. “I thought perhaps Aldred changed his mind and spoke to you after all.”

“Told me what?” She cocked her head to one side. “Of what do you speak, Robert?”

He studied her, a solemn look now upon his face. “Then he did not, as we had agreed.” He gave her hands a squeeze. “Before he died, Lord Aldred and I discussed your future.”

Anger swept through her. “You deliberated my future? Did either of you think to include me in such discussions?” Her tone was sharp as she withdrew her hands from his.

“Oh, Elizabeth, you know how Aldred worshipped the very ground you trod upon. He only wanted to see you adequately cared for when he was gone.”

She crossed her arms in front of her. “I see. And you are the one appointed to care for me?”

He smiled. “’Tis only natural, Elizabeth. I’ve been in love with you from the moment I laid eyes upon you, years and years ago.”

“But,” she stammered, “what of your betrothed? The one who died of plague? I thought you carried such strong memories of her. You would choose never to marry because of her. You told me so yourself.”

“Do you think I could reveal to you how I felt?” He stood. “I can see how you would be confused. You were married to Aldred. I was betrothed to another. When she died, I gave thanks to God in His Heaven. I led everyone to believe I mourned deeply for her, when she was but little more than a stranger to me.”

He paused and gazed at her with an intensity that frightened her. “You are the only one I have loved, Elizabeth. I knew the day would come when Aldred would no longer stand between us. When he told me our marriage was the very thing he had in mind, I could have cried tears of joy.”

She stood and began pacing the small room. “So the two of you decided what my life would be, without regard as to how I felt? You plotted and schemed? Did you ever think the king might be averse to your plans?”

He came and stood before her, grasping her elbows in his hands. “Aldred wrote Edward before his death, asking that he consider our marriage and the joining of our estates, in part as a show of respect for Aldred’s many years of good service. He felt certain that Edward would look favorably upon such a wise union.”

She started to pull away, but Robert held fast to her. “Elizabeth, you need never leave Kentwood. We can live there the rest of our lives. You will be safe and not bartered about. I will show you love and devotion like no man has ever shown a woman. I love you, Elizabeth, dearest. I will do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

She shook her head from side to side in refusal, her fists balled at her sides. “But Aldred said his letter was to ask the king to allow Gavin a place in his royal guard. I saw it, Robert. Aldred would not have lied to me. I knew him too well. I would have known of such a scheme.”

Robert shook her gently. “Listen to me, Elizabeth. He gave the letter to me. He refused to have you to worry about him. He knew it depressed you when he spoke of his ill health. I sent the
courlieu
myself. The missive had Aldred’s seal, but it was my messenger that reached the king.”

He sighed. “’Tis sorry I am that this has taken you by surprise. I am sure Aldred did write Edward of Gavin, whatever the case might be. Gavin’s been so secretive since he arrived, nothing like he was in the old days. I cannot understand why he will not simply return home to Ashgrove. Why does he insist upon hanging about Kentwood, acting as head of the guard when one day he will inherit Ashgrove? Why does he wish a place among Edward’s guard?”

Her temper flared, but she reigned it in, not wanting to betray the history of Gavin’s two years of imprisonment in France and rejection by his father. Instead, she dropped further discussion of Gavin and returned to the problem at hand.

”’Tis more than surprise I feel now, Robert. ‘Tis anger. I am furious that you and Aldred plotted with the king behind my back.”

He gave her a sobering look. “You could very well go to a stranger, Elizabeth. The king may marry you off to whomever he chooses. Think, would you? You are an intelligent woman. I offer you a life that you have known, in a place that you love, with people who adore you. I have loved you for years and kept my distance and my silence, but now I will speak and be heard. I want you, Elizabeth. You
and
Kentwood. ‘Tis within my grasp. Aldred believed Edward would allow you the time he asked for so you could adjust to this idea.”

She straightened her spine, her chin rising. “Did you not think I should have a hand in what happened? You and Aldred treat me as a child. I am a woman, Robert, a strong-willed woman who will—”

He grabbed her by the shoulders, his fingers painfully keeping her in place. “We can be happy together, you and I. I know it. You will grow to love me. I have never been more certain of anything else.”

Robert pressed his lips to hers. Elizabeth squirmed, turning her face away from the unwanted kiss. When she met his eyes, he was no longer the charming man she’d known for so many years, the one who’d been like the brother she’d never had. A maniacal light glowed in his eyes. It frightened her.

He took her face between his palms and forced another kiss upon her, holding her still under his grasp. She chose not to fight him this time. She went totally still instead, numbed by all that had occurred.

When he finished, she raised her gaze to his. He looked down upon her, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “We are meant to be together, Elizabeth. You shall see.”

CHAPTER 20

Gavin pondered Elizabeth’s silence. Every time they reached a tenant’s cottage, she was all smiles and courteous charm. The minute they left, however, she fell mute. So far, he hadn’t asked what was wrong. He sensed she would tell him in good time.

Something troubled her, though. He thought it had to do with Robert’s father. Mayhap seeing the man in such ill health brought a painful reminder of Aldred’s last days. Still, he hoped she would shake off these feelings. They had so little time to spend together, alone in this way. With a castle full of people, he couldn’t fathom another way of being alone with her after they completed their rounds today.