Heartsong (26 page)

At Garrett’s direction all the camp stirred and they were soon on their way. Garrett rode beside Rhianna for a space, then left her side to check on his men. It had been a tiresome journey for all of them. He knew they could continue through the evening hours and reach Knockin long after the sun set, but that would be too much for Rhianna. Why she had become so important to him, or why he now thought of her health, he was not about to question. He’d think on that another time.

They stopped late in the afternoon. Garrett left Rhianna talking once again to her brother. Nay, talking was not the proper word. They were arguing. For a moment, he gave thought to interfering, but decided against it. Brothers and sisters often argued. He had himself and Margot as great examples. He moved on. There were duties he must attend before they arrived at Knockin.

More than an hour passed before he chanced to seek his tent. He was still a pace from the shelter when he froze. Someone was singing a quiet tune. It had to be Rhianna, but never before had he heard her sing. Her husky voice carried to him in a quiet, lilting cadence as if she didn’t want anyone to hear. However, her dulcet tones touched him deep, stirring his soul. What a magnificent voice. And why had she never sung before?

He was loath to enter the tent, instinctively knowing that when he stepped inside she would stop. The crinkle of leaves behind him had him turning. Lydon approached. Garrett held up his hand and Lydon obeyed the command without a word. Then his knight’s mouth dropped open as he too heard the song she was singing.

Garrett nodded his head toward a scattering of trees some distance from the tent. Lydon understood and the two men moved away from the tent.

“You didn’t know about that, did you?” Garrett asked.

“Nay. Nor did you, it seems.”

Garrett wondered if his expression was as stunned as Lydon’s. “Aye, the lady can sing.”

“Will you now admit that she is a lady?”

Garrett shook his head. “Nay. Just because she can sing like an angel and lived in the keep does not make her kin to the men there.”

Lydon gave a sound of disbelief.

“Knight, we will discuss her heritage no more. Is that understood?”

After Lydon nodded, Garrett stalked off to his tent. There were times when friends could ruin everything.

Garrett suffered through a quick meal. When Rhianna seemed content, he was unwilling to say anything about hearing her sing in case she reacted badly. Nay, it would be his secret for a time. He did tell her about Moirant, surprised someone in the group had not mentioned it. Mayhap Rhianna not knowing was no surprise, for she did keep to herself.

After darkness enveloped their camp, Garrett again took Rhianna to his furs. Once her voice rang out in satisfaction, but now the sound was music to his own ears. For the first time, he wondered how she might feel if she knew her pleasure was known by all. He had never given the thought credence before, nor did he want to examine it too closely this night.

He drew her close and together they slept, arms and legs intertwined.

The rough jarring of his shoulder startled him. He dragged himself into a sitting position, instantly aware of his surrounding. He tossed the furs around Rhianna and glanced up at Lydon who stood beside the bed.

His knight said nothing, but signaled he and Garrett needed to speak. Now! Garrett glanced at the woman at his side and Lydon shook his head so vigorously Garrett feared it would separate from his body. This had something to do with Rhianna.

Garrett leapt from the bed, threw on his tunic and gathered the rest of his garments with as little noise as possible. Outside, a weak sun had peaked over the horizon. He led the way to the cluster of oak where they had talked the previous eve.

“Mayhap you have a good reason for waking me?” he glared at Lydon.

“Aye, my Lord, the best.”

~ * ~

Someone was yelling at her. They were shaking her as if she was a twig used to fan a flame.

“Nay,” she growled, unhappy with being forced from

sleep.

“Where is he? When did he leave?”

Garrett’s angry face appeared above her.

“Who? Of what do you speak? Who left?” The words had scarce left her mouth when she knew. Arthur!

“I see by the look on your face, you have knowledge. Tell me.”

She stared into angry blue-grey eyes, more gray than blue with his anger. He was furious and it pulsed from him.

“I—I did not think he would do it. He said he would wait.”

“You will tell me every word he said,” Garrett demanded.

Rhianna’s throat closed over the words. She couldn’t tell him. There was no way she would expose her brother to the wrath of Garrett deShay. But she had to tell him something.

“He wanted to go home.”

“When? I want to know when he left?”

Rhianna gazed at him, not able to answer this question with any more ease than the one before. At least in this, she could tell the truth. She had no idea what hour he had chosen for his escape.

“I don’t know.” She swallowed hard.

“What path did he plan to take?”

She felt the color drain from her face. Garrett planned to go after Arthur. But she could not allow that. Arthur should be allowed to find his way home.

Why, oh why, had she not listened when Arthur told her Alawn had sent a message they should travel through the forest to the west. Eventually, the message had said, someone would meet them. She had no idea how a message had gotten through to Arthur without Garrett discovering it. Yet, when the time came, Arthur had not bother to come for her.

It could only be because she had told Arthur her one experience running from deShay was the only one she would ever attempt. That she would not go tramping through a forest with no clear idea where she was going. Getting lost once was enough. She would not go through that again.

Arthur had not listened then and he obviously had not intended to listen. He had left without her. For the first time in weeks, she blinked against the moisture forming behind her eyes. She would not cry—would not shed the first tear for what happened to her now.

She sat in the furs, drawing on her courage to face Garrett. “I know nothing of his plans. All I know is he wanted to go home. Just as I do, even though you have made me your leman.” Realizing just what her words would tell him, she added, “Once in the forest, alone, not knowing what direction to take, was enough for me. I have no wish to be attacked by more of your kind. I thought I had convinced Arthur to wait until we could form better plans.” In this she spoke the truth.

She saw him wince at her words, but they did not bring the satisfaction she’d hoped. She sighed. Glaring at the furs, she could only pray he did not notice the distress in her eyes. If she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to leave him. Even knowing she must didn’t ease the pain. Somehow, she had fallen in love with an Englishman.

She didn’t raise her head as Garrett stomped out of the tent. Her heart tripped in relief as she heard him mutter, “To hell with the boy.”

~ * ~

Miles away, in Edward’s castle, Margot stood as Willa, her maid, helped her into her gown.

“Lord Richard looked satisfied this morn,” Willa said.

Margot turned quickly, giving Willa a reproachful look.

“You speak out of turn.”

“Aye, my Lady, but many heard the argument between you and your Lord. Oh, my Lady, what are you to do?”

Margot fought the depression that descended. Willa had been with her for almost fourteen years now. She had no secrets from the little maid. In fact, if not for Willa, she just might have died when her attempt to rid herself of the unwanted child had produced such horrible results.

“I don’t know,” Margot whispered.

After Willa glanced around the room, she whispered back, “The midwife told you other children were not possible. Mayhap if you tell your Lord...” Margot stared at Willa. “Tell him what? That the child was not his, that I let myself be seduced by a visiting knight, that I was lonely? Nay, I cannot. My lord would do what he was threatening to do last eve. Mayhap he would beat me to death.”

“Oh, nay.” Willa blanched at those words. “Lord Richard would never harm you, my Lady.”

“Well, I would lose my place at his side. I would no longer control his household.”

“You should have let me bathe that knight,” Willa mused.

“Nay, it was my place. And letting him bed me was my choice as well. Lord Richard had been gone for months. Women can also desire satisfaction.” She paused for a moment then added, “Despite what men think.”

“But, what of now? If you do not give him a child...” Again her voice trailed off.

“We have to think of something. I know my lord will be with the king for weeks, mayhap months. Besides, he no longer seeks my company, not as he did when we first married.” Margot sighed and let Willa dress her hair in coils at the side of her head.

“Could you...” Willa paused as she adjusted Margot’s veil.

“Say it,” Margot demanded.

“I was thinking. Many babes lose their mothers at birth. Mayhap you could buy a child. Girl children are never wanted.”

“A servant’s child? The child of a serf?” Margot couldn’t contain the harsh laugh that bubbled up inside her. Oh, what justice. Richard stuck with the child of a serf for an heir. Nay, if she bought a child, someone would surely tell her husband.

Also, how could she keep her supposed condition a secret if he returned to the castle? She couldn’t pretend to be with child, could she? Nay, ‘twas not something that would work. Besides, as the child grew, he would know it resembled neither of them. It simply would not work.

“My Lady, you must do something.”

“Aye, it will come to me in time. Now, I am expected to join the king, my husband and other guests for mass. I will pray for divine inspiration.” Margot swept out of the room, trying hard not to laugh hysterically. Her, asking for divine inspiration? The God men worshiped never listened to the pleas of a woman. After all, had not the bishops themselves said women were lesser creatures than men? Aye, what she wouldn’t have given to be a man instead of a woman.

Fifteen

Late that day, the caravan arrived back at Knockin. Rhianna escaped to her chamber as soon as she dismounted. All through the morning she had felt somehow abandoned. Garrett said nothing to her, in fact he had chosen to ride ahead with his knights. She had suffered her own company for the rest of the journey.

Over and over she told herself she should have gone with Arthur. But, if she were truly honest, she couldn’t leave Garrett, not just yet. She had to prepare herself for his loss.

Of course, that was foolish, but it was how she felt. She would leave him—had to leave him—but not until she was convinced it was time. Arthur didn’t understand that. In truth, she didn’t either, but she wasn’t going to ask herself any more questions. She’d done enough of that.

Mildred came to the chamber as soon as they arrived. Rhianna saw that her maid wanted nothing more than to chatter away about Edward’s castle, all the invited guests, the journey itself. Rhianna pleaded exhaustion. Mildred left, disappointed.

She gave serious thought to supping in her room, but she had seen so much of this chamber when Colvin held the castle, she couldn’t bear to stay behind the door. After a quick wash, she donned a fresh gown and went down to dinner.

The gaiety in the hall surprised her. Everyone talked loud enough so she heard and understood half of the conversations. Garrett beamed at her as she descended the

stairs.

“Wench, come join us,” he called.

Lydon, Edina and Joseph were all seated above the salt. She smiled her thanks and made her way through the tables to the dias. When she had seated herself, Garrett leaned forward to say something for her hearing only.

“Sorry, Wench. I know you had no say over your brother.”

He was apologizing? The English Baron, Garrett deShay
apologized
? Her expression must have registered her shock.

“‘Tis of no great harm,” he said, then chuckled.

She tried to smile. She really did. If he only knew who Arthur sought, such words would never have passed his lips. She knew if Arthur found the other sons of Alwyn ap Brynn Ffrydd they would be enraged when Arthur told them all that had happened to them. If Arthur could find their brothers?

But all of Alwyn’s sons had an excellent sense of direction. Arthur would succeed, then they would come for her. Soon! Somehow, she must prepare herself to leave Knockin and Garrett. It would happen any day now. She must be ready.

The day ended as most of the days now ended, with Garrett taking her by the hand and leading her to their chamber. Once again she melted into his arms. But their lovemaking was bittersweet to her. Soon it would end. As she drifted off to sleep, she told herself she must prepare.

Morning arrived and with it another surprise for Rhianna.

“Wench,” Garrett announced after they had broken their fast. “I promised you a day of hunting, then I carted you off to Wales. I owe you some entertainment. Would you like to hunt today?”

The weather was clear, cold, as only an English winter could be, but the thought of hunting brought a gleam to her eyes.

“I’d love to hunt.”

“Then we’ll be off as soon as the horses are readied. Today we will take Joseph and let Lydon entertain his new wife.” He chuckled at his own remark and Rhianna had the feeling her face was as red as Edina’s.