Forbidden Magic (31 page)

"Methinks she fears you might slip it between my ribs," the deep voice beside her offered, and Jewel looked back to see the firelight gleaming in Amery's eyes.

'"Tis tempting," she mumbled and concentrated on her work again.

"Then why hath thou chosen to tend me? I wouldst think thou wouldst prefer to see me dead."

Light brown eyes flecked with golden lights peered up at him. "And cheat the executioner's ax? Was that not what you suggested ... that I spare my life to see my father's murderer brought low?"

A grin stretched across his lips. "And no doubt you would turn the stone to sharpen his blade."

"Yea, m'lord."

"Even if thou findest one other than I with his head upon the block?"

"Put there by your tricks?" she challenged.

Resting hack against his chair, Amery closed his eyes, the smile lingering, and answered softly, "No tricks will catch the villain, but his own carelessness."

"Art thou careless?"

Chuckling, he opened one eye to look at her. "Twould seem so today."

Jewel frowned, watching him close his eyes again, and wondered at his evasive manner. He neither confirmed nor denied his guilt in what had happened at Harcourt. Surely if he were innocent he would state it, especially to her. Why would he keep it a secret? Aware of Anne's presence beside her, she pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind and focused her attention on the task she was about to perform.

"'Twill hurt," she informed him, taking the dagger Anne held out to her.

"Then do thy worst, fair Jewel," he replied without looking at her. "But beware that Gunther watches."

Remembering the other's presence, she glanced up at the man who stood silently observing and saw him nod, and she gave a short laugh. "Methinks he isn't the kind to murder women," she said derisively and laid the glowing dagger against the wound.

Amery's body stiffened immediately though he made no sound, and Jewel quickly drew the blade down the length of the lesion as the sickening stench of burning flesh filled the air. When it was done, she laid aside the dagger and went to the hearth where she dipped a clean piece of linen in the water, then rung it out. Gathering several more dry ones, she returned to her place beside Amery and proceeded to gently wash away the dried blood from his arm. Once she had finished, she wrapped the injured limb in the clean cloths and stood, taking his tankard of ale from his hand.

"I will get more," she said when he lifted pain-filled eyes to her. "Its effect wilt ease thy distress." Not allowing him the chance to answer, she walked away.

"Doth surprise me somewhat, Amery," Gunther said as he watched the young woman go to the long trestle table filled with a variety of food, "that she chose not to test the blade against your throat." He shrugged. "But then, there have been many I thought should have tried and did not." Sending his friend a playful smirk, he bowed mockingly and left to join the others dining at the table.

Amery followed his departure with a vague smile on his lips, then he lifted one brow in bemused curiosity. Would his companion have foiled Jewel's attempt had she tried to bring an end to his life? Deciding it was something he would never know for sure, yet certain Gunther would have stopped her, Amery let out a tired sigh and shifted the throbbing arm to a more comfortable position, catching sight of Lady Anne as she gathered the soiled scraps of cloth from the floor and put away the dagger. She was indeed a beautiful woman with her hair the color of the morning sun, and he immediately knew why she had lingered in Gunther's thoughts day and night. She had not allowed the passing of years to spoil her figure or turn her into a nag, and he suddenly wondered what it would be like to have a woman so truly devoted to him.

And be a constant chain about my neck? he thought, looking away. Always wanting more ... never satisfied ... and forever with a wandering eye.

A twinge of pain shot through his shoulder and he leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes, listening to the laughter and merry voices of the others who shared the room. It would feel good to return to Wellington once his half brother and Lady Edlyn were made to pay for their wrongdoings. He would enjoy the leisured life of lord. If only Gunther would come with him ...

"Canst thou feed thyself or shall I do if for you?"

Recognizing Jewel's voice, Amery opened one eye to look at her. In her hands she held a plate filled with a sampling of dried fruits, a crust of bread smeared thickly with marmalade, two boiled eggs, and a piece of roasted chicken.

"Thou hast been too kind already," he mocked. "Set it down and I shall help myself. Did you bring more ale?"

Jewel nodded to his right and Amery turned his head to see a tankard sitting on a stool next to his chair. Reaching for it, he lifted the cup to his lips and took a long drink, feeling its dulling effects course through him.

"After you have eaten, you should take your rest in the bedchamber," Jewel added, depositing the plate of food on the spot where the tankard had been. "'Twould be best if thou slept a while."

A lazy smile twinkled in his eyes as he watched her, noticing for the first time the emerald gunna she wore, and he decided his pain had been his only reason for not having done so before now. "The color suits you, little one," he murmured, longing to undo the auburn curls tied with lace.

A light blush rose in her cheeks and she chose not to look at him or acknowledge his compliment, "When you have finished with your meal, I will help you to bed."

His grin widened. "And how will I rest then?" he teased suggestively.

Jewel's color deepened to a scarlet hue. Glancing about for any who might have heard, she spotted Anne near the hearth, her head down as she bent over some task she performed, and Jewel breathed a little easier when she knew she had been spared the humiliation. "Thou hast no shame, Amery of Wellington," she hissed, still watching Anne.

"Shame?" he questioned. "Nay. My loyalty to England and my lust for you are all that drive me."

"Shhh!" Jewel urged desperately. "Lady Anne will hear." Enjoying how effortlessly he could provoke her, he set aside his drink and reached out to trap Jewel's waist and pull her onto his lap, easily subduing her struggles when he slipped his good arm around her waist and held her steady. "Dost thou think she does not already know we have shared a bed?" he asked, savoring the sweet fragrance of her. "Mayhap we should tell her to be certain. Twould ease your distress."

"Nay, Amery," Jewel begged frantically. "Lady Anne will only be embarrassed by your brazenness. Tis mine alone to endure. Do not force it upon others."

"Strange," he murmured. "I did not think the woman who clung so desperately to me a few hours past felt anything but passion."

"'Tis the fact we have not wed of which I speak," she snarled. "Now unhand me, knave."

"And were we to wed, wouldst thou come willingly to my bed?" he asked, ignoring her demands.

Her mood changed suddenly and she sat perfectly still, glaring into his eyes. "Tis something we shall never learn, Sir Amery, for I would see you dead long before a priest could be summoned."

His laughter unnerved her and she quickly left his grasp when he released his hold, turning away in the hope that the heat of his scorn shining brightly on her face would fade before anyone noticed. Spotting Anne as she made ready to return to the kitchen, Jewel straightened and called out to her, longing to put the confrontation with Amery behind her.

"May I walk with you and find work for my idle fingers?" she asked, forcing a smile.

"Of course, Jewel," Anne replied happily as they started across the hall, "although there really isn't much to do at present. Most of the daily chores are finished and I thought to give Ella a bath before I put her to bed. If you'd like, you could assist me. Sometimes she fusses."

"I would love to help," Jewel said.

"Of course, our greater task will be in finding her." Anne laughed. "She may be only three, but there are moments when she can outsmart me. She always seems to know when it's time to have her hair washed."

"It must be an instinct they're born with." Jewel smiled. "Ivy and Edwina were the same." A moment of silence passed between them as they neared the wide archway leading to the kitchen, and before they reached it, Jewel paused, touching her hand to Anne's sleeve. "I want to thank you for your generosity, Anne. As soon as I am able, I will see you and Gunther are repaid the cost of the gowns. And perhaps someday the two of you will come to visit Harcourt."

Anne's fair complexion seemed to lighten and she glanced nervously away, bringing a frown to Jewel's brow.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, noting the woman's apparent distress.

Anne's soft brown eyes looked up at Jewel and she hesitated a moment before replying. "Only that I cannot take your thanks when none is due me."

Confused, Jewel opened her mouth to question her meaning, but Anne continued on before she had drawn a breath.

"Gunther made me promise to hold fast to our secret, but I cannot.. . not when the telling of it might soften your feelings for Amery." Taking Jewel's hand in hers, she hugged it to her and said, '"Tis Amery's coins that purchased the cloth and paid for the tailor's work, Jewel. He instructed Gunther to let others think as you, and 'tis why I suspect he cares more for you than he would admit."

Jewel felt as if a cold blast of winter wind had torn open the shutters of the great hall and beseiged her, its icy fingers tracing a path down her spine. Her lips parted but no words passed them, and she could hear her heart pounding wildly in her ears. Why? What, had been his reason? Unable to fathom the cause, she turned slowly to look at him and a new curiosity arose, for there, by the fire, this giant knight sat holding Ella on his knee, a tender smile on his lips and a huge hand stroking the golden strands of the child's hair.

J
ewel shifted uncomfortably, drowsily opening one eye at a time to view the pale morning sunlight streaming in through the tall windows of the room. She had spent the night sleeping in the chair before the fireplace and only a moment or two exhausted themselves before she came fully awake. As she recalled the reason she found herself curled up by the fire instead of being stretched out in the softness of the huge bed, her gaze darted to the unmoving form covered with furs and she relaxed. Amery still dozed. Glancing at the hearth when a chill tingled the flesh on the back of her neck, she discovered that the fire had dwindled to faint embers and she quietly left her chair to add logs to the coals, lingering beside it until she had stoked it into a crackling blaze once more. Its heat warmed her immediately and soothed the ache in her stiff muscles, and she twisted to sit on the floor before the hearth, captivated by the dancing flames.

Only her insistence that Amery needed to rest had prompted Gunther to help his friend—much to Amery's dislike — up the stairs and into bed long before the others had decided to retire. All who observed the trek fought to hide their smiles when the knight ordered his companion to release his hold on him; stating that he was not an old man who needed support but could manage on his own. Not discouraged, Gunther retreated only a step, staying close by Amery's side should he stumble, and once they had disappeared into the bedchambers, Amery's demands that he be left alone to shed his clothes boomed out for all to hear. A trickle of laughter floated through the great hall but quickly faded when the lord of Burchard suddenly materialized in the corridor outside the bedchambers with a frustrated look on his face. Jewel had seen Gunther mutter something beneath his breath before he leaned in to close the door on his friend with a loud bang, and she had wondered why the man tolerated so much from Amery without retaliation. She doubted fear was the cause and decided that only the bonds of brotherhood between the men had stilled Gunther's tongue.

She had waited long enough for Amery to disrobe and slip beneath the covers of the bed before she refilled his chalice with wine and lifted the tray of food he had left untouched by his chair. He would have to eat if he was to regain his strength, and, she decided, if he refused, she would force it down his throat any way she could. But once she had opened the door to their room, she hesitated when she saw the firelight falling softly on his sleeping face. All evidence of the fearless knight had vanished with his surrender, and Jewel felt a strange warmth spread through her, something akin to compassion for all the adversities he had encountered in his life. She had lingered in the doorway a moment, then quietly stepped inside, closing the portal noiselessly behind her, and had gone to the chairs before the fire. Deciding not to allow the food to go to waste, for her own stomach rumbled its hunger, she had placed the tray on the stone slab of the hearth and set about banking the fire for the night. When she finished, she had settled herself in one of the chairs and quietly eaten her meal. The last thing she could remember before falling asleep was drinking the remainder of wine and setting the chalice back on the tray.

She had awakened only once during the night and that had been when Amery had called out in his sleep. Hurriedly leaving her spot by the hearth, she had gone to him, thinking his wound had troubled him, but his eyes closed in slumber had told her that he had only dreamed and she had silently returned to her chair. Now in the light of early morning as she sat watching him, she wondered what it had been that had disturbed his peaceful repose. She shrugged dismissingly, knowing she would never learn of it, for even if he could recall the dream, she doubted Amery would ever allow himself to be vulnerable enough to reveal his secrets.

And he must have many, she thought with a sigh. No man could be as callous as he if he weren't fighting to shield his feelings from others who might hurt him. But why? What could have been so evil in his past as to set him against those who only sought to be his friends and nothing more? Her father had spoken little of Lady Edlyn, but she had sensed even at a young age that Amery's stepmother had not been the kindest woman. Could this possibly be the cause for his caustic attitude toward women? Surely he did not judge them all by her. One brow rose curiously. And what had been his reason for seeing her properly clothed?

Frowning, for the effort to understand this knight was proving too much at the moment, she made to rise and noticed the wrinkles in the linen fabric of her gunna. Glancing over at Amery to find that be still slept, she decided to change into a fresh gown and to go to the kitchen. When Amery awoke he was sure to be ravenous inasmuch as he had not eaten since the morning past. One corner of her mouth crimped sarcastically. And no doubt his hunger for other things would soon surface once his injury healed and lying about in bed grew tedious. Slipping the emerald cloth up over her head, she paused when a thought struck her. Mayhap she could persuade Gunther to allow her the use of another bedchamber, claiming Amery needed undisturbed rest. New hope bringing a smile to her lips, she quickly exchanged the soiled gunna for an ivory-colored wool, pulled the ribbons from her hair, then shook the long strands free and hastily left the room.

The men of Burchard had already begun to fill the great halt when Jewel descended the stairs, and were crowding around the trestle tables to await the serfs bearings trays of breads, meat, and pitchers of fresh milk to break the fast. She spotted Gunther almost immediately, but a frown settled on her brow when she realized it would be difficult to speak with him since Rickward, Stafford and Hadwin had already engaged him in conversation. Above all else, she did not want anyone to hear her refer to the indecent situation Amery had forced on her. She was certain everyone knew, though she foolishly reasoned that if no one talked about it, it would lessen her shame.

"Good morn, Jewel," she heard an excited voice call out and looked up to find Gunther rising from his chair, a smile stretching across his mouth. "Come sit with us and share a humble offering of food."

Jewel returned his greeting with a smile of her own and felt a light blush warm her cheeks when the others at the table rose in polite respect for her presence. Reluctantly, she took the chair Rickward quickly vacated next to Gunther and nodded over at Hadwin, who sat across the table from her.

"I have not heard the roar of the beast this morn," Gunther continued. "Doth Amery still sleep?"

"Yea," Jewel replied quietly, unable to cast her gaze upon any of the men who studied her, for she was certain she would see a knowing gleam in their eyes.

"Then we shall offer a prayer of thanks." Gunther chuckled, winking at the others. "Did he eat the food you took to him last ever ^;

"Nay," Jewel said with a shake of her head. "He had already fallen asleep."

"Then we shall tell the cook to prepare two portions to fill his stomach lest we suffer his ill temper for the lack of it," he replied. "His mood is difficult enough when nothing plagues him."

"And what makes it so, Gunther?" she dared to ask. "Thou knowest him better than we."

Reaching for the pitcher sitting before him, he filled a cup with milk and handed it to Jewel, a sadness reflected in his eyes. He remained quiet for a moment, then sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I have known Amery for five years and can call him friend. He saved this worthless life of mine when foolishness blinded me and 'tis a debt I will always owe. Would that I could ease his distress and bring joy to his heart. But to undo the happenings of a lifetime is a formidable task and ' would only fall on deaf ears." A frown darkened Gunther's blue eyes and he suddenly twisted forward in his chair to look at her, one arm resting along the table's edge, his other hand lightly touching Jewel's. "He is innocent of the charges brought against him. Jewel. He and I traveled the road to London the night Harcourt was attacked. 'Twas his want to come here, but not as many assume. We needed shelter and protection, and time to untangle the evil web spun around us, not flee the punishment all say we deserve."

"We, Sir Gunther?" Jewel asked. "Thou hast not been accused."

"Yea, I have," he exploded. "To accuse Amery is to accuse me, for I will not let him stand alone before his justiciar. If he is guilty, then so am I." He paused a moment to calm himself, but when he saw the doubt in Jewel's eyes, he rushed on. "I say this, Jewel, for several reasons. But the most important is that we had no army with us. Amery and I had just returned from the Crusade and were traveling to London. We were alone. And those who attacked Harcourt counted many times two. To have defeated your father and all of his men would have taken a great number of knights. Where would we have gotten such an army? Yea, Amery and I are skilled with the sword, but no man has the prowess to reign victorious against such odds."

For some strange reason Jewel wanted to believe Gunther, yet something inside her refused to allow it. "Then explain how my father came to have an emerald necklace clutched in his hand ... a gem that belonged to Amery's mother?"

Gunther's features relaxed with her question and when he spoke again, his words came softly and with tenderness. "In all the time I knew him, Amery never showed me that necklace. Tis because he did not have it with him. 'Twas a trap, Jewel. Another placed it in your father's hand."

"Then who?"

Meeting the interested looks of his men as they sat by, quietly listening, he shrugged with a sigh. "Tis an answer I do not have ... nor doth Amery. We can only guess."

"And that would be?" she asked but quickly raised her hand to stop him. "Thou dost not have to say it, Gunther. A hatred eats at Amery. I have heard it many times and even without proof he would say his half brother rode to Harcourt that night."

Gunther glanced at Stafford sitting across from him, then reached for the spoon lying on the table and idly began toying with it. "Yea. Tis whom we suspect."

"And canst thou name the reason Radolf would want his half brother accused of such an evil deed? He doth not hate Amery as you all believe. In fact, Radolf was the first to deny Amery's guilt."

Amery had warned Gunther that Jewel would not accept his cry of innocence by mere words alone, but Gunther would not be discouraged. He knew the truth about his friend and was determined that she knew it as well. Glancing at the men who surrounded them with a silent request that he and Jewel be left alone, Rickward, his brother, and Hadwin quickly excused themselves using the pretense of work to be done and politely left the table. Once they had gone, Gunther reached for Jewel's hand and gently held it in his own.

"We have not known each other long enough for me to expect you to believe anything I might tell you. Thus I would ask that you listen with an open mind." He smiled tenderly at her nod and added, "I will not try to sway your thoughts, only offer both sides as they have been told to me. Amery is a man who hides the pain he feels and only at a rare moment will he reveal the truth about himself. And he would be furious with me if he knew I spoke of the private things he has told me, but I feel you have the right to hear them."

Letting go of her hand, he glanced over his shoulder at the stairs to make certain Amery had not risen and already ventured to the hall, then settled back more comfortably in his chair.

" Tis difficult to know where to begin, but 'tis best, I suppose, to tell you of the child growing up at Wellington many years ago. Amery's thoughts toward women were twisted in their logic by an evil, uncaring stepmother who fought at every turn to play her true son the favorite in their father's eye. Lady Edlyn whispered lies in Sir Ryland's ear about Amery and because of his love for his wife, he turned from Amery. She beat the child and he still carries the scar on his cheek to prove it."

"As a young man, Amery heard of Lady Edlyn's unfaithfulness to his father, that she had taken many lovers, and since he had no other with whom to compare her, Amery decided all women were as she. 'Tis unfair, but understandable once you know his reason. Many years of hatred have hardened him against those who claim to be of a different mold.

"He left Wellington to join King Richard and escape the torment he endured there. Upon his return from the Crusade, he learned of his father's death and sought to claim the lands that were now his. But when he ventured to the castle grounds, a lifelong friend warned him of the danger he would find within its walls. Harcourt had been attacked and Amery had been named the villain. Twas enough to break any man's spirit, but Amery vowed to prove his innocence and in time carry the rightful title of lord of Wellington."

Gunther paused to catch his breath, recalling the words the old serf had recited to them as if it had happened only yesterday, and he glanced over at the woman by his side who had remained quiet through the entire narration. A hint of uncertainty still lingered in the soft shade of her eyes, though he could not fathom why, and he lifted questioning brows her way.

"Doth explain his nature, Gunther, and raise a doubt or two, but still I cannot cite Radolf as the one who murdered my family," she stated calmly. "And there is yet the matter of the necklace."

"Yea, Jewel, I will not deny its presence, only offer a possibility. No one witnessed the awful deed, thus none can say 'twas torn from Amery's neck. I say him innocent. Therefore, who could have put it in thy father's hand but one who knew the gem belonged to Lady Sigrid and knew where to find it?" He waited for her to answer, but when she only frowned and slowly began to shake" her head in denial, he continued on more urgently. "Jewel, the same serf who warned Amery of the treason within Wellington also told us that his father died before his time. Lord Ryland was poisoned by his own wife, Lady Edlyn."

Jewel's face paled with the news and she raised a hand to her mouth, unable to hold back her startled outcry.

"Tis our thought that she wanted Wellington for her son and the only manner of achieving such an end was to first get Amery out of the way. What better method than to have him accused of murder and then hanged?"

Tears glistened in Jewel's eyes as she stared at Gunther, her mind awhirl. "But... but why did she choose Harcourt?" she choked out. "And why did she have to have them all killed?"

Gunther's heart ached for the pain he could see in her eyes, and he leaned forward to gently stroke her arm. "Greed, Jewel. Not only would Amery be disposed of, but Harcourt. would be without a lord. Her son would have that as well."