Heartsong (27 page)

“What will we hunt for today?” Rhianna asked after she summoned Mildred. “My cloak,” she murmured to the maid.

She awaited Garrett’s reply as Mildred ran up the stairs.

“Oh, mayhap, a deer, some grouse. The squirrels and rabbits will not be plentiful now. How good are you with birds?”

“Falcons?”

“Nay, I told you I do not use birds of prey. I hunt with bow and arrow.” The way he said the words told Rhianna it was not a subject she could pursue. But she thought all English lords hunted with birds. Some of her own countrymen had taken up the sport, cruel though it was. In fact, she had heard much talk at Edward’s castle about certain birds. Even the women wanted to talk about their own feathered creatures.

“So, answer my question, Wench. Can you hunt birds with your bow?”

“Aye,” she replied. He would know soon enough that she could do almost anything with bow and arrows. She wondered what he would say if he knew she could release two arrows from her bow at once and still hit the target.

When Mildred arrived with her cloak, they left the hall. The horses were waiting and they rode from the bailey with a contingent of horsemen. They headed east.

Rhianna breathed in the sharp, crisp air of England. She felt guilty, enjoying the air of England when both of the men she had loved had been sent to their graves by men who grew up breathing this same air. Suddenly, the day did not seem so pleasing.

They found little game that day, but the thrill of the hunt was not lost for her. And she did enjoy Garrett’s company. They returned to the keep in the late afternoon.

Lydon was pacing the steps leading to the castle as they came into the bailey. He looked so relieved to see them that Rhianna was suddenly afraid. Something had happened. Did it involve Arthur, her brothers? Or had the king sent for Garrett once again?

“My Lord,” Lydon rushed to Garrett’s side.

“Man, what has gone awry?”

“A messenger arrived this afternoon,” Lydon gestured toward the hall. “I expected you to return much earlier.”

Rhianna bit her lips to keep from smiling. It almost sounded as if Lydon was admonishing Garrett for taking a day to spend in leisure.

“The king?” Garrett asked, his voice not sounding pleased.

“Nay, the message is from Colvin.”

“Oh, my brother seeks to complain that he was not invited to the king’s new castle?” Rhianna realized for the first time that Colvin had been excluded from the baptism. Garrett’s doing? Aye, she supposed it was. Colvin had taken much into his own hands.

“Nay. He says nothing about the ceremonies. Instead, he wants you to raise his banishment. Come, you must hear the words from his page yourself.”

Rhianna slid from her horse, smiled at the groom, then followed Garrett up the steps. Didn’t Colvin write his messages for Garrett to read in private? Frowning, she considered what having the words spoken before the castle folk might mean. Colvin was much a seasoned manipulator, it seemed.

The page was waiting. At Garrett’s signal, he intoned a long list of reasons why Colvin’s banishment should be revoked, starting with the death of Moirant. Colvin was willing to place all responsibility for what had happened to her on the deceased lord, taking no blame himself. She wasn’t surprised.

Garrett instructed the page to go to the kitchen for food.

“You can stay the night and return to Sanford in the morning. I’ll have my message ready for you then.”

Rhianna smiled. Garrett was not willing to play Colvin’s game. His response would be written, for Colvin only.

She asked him what he intended to say to his brother when they adjourned to their chamber later that night.

“I won’t play his game. I know that Moirant had not the skill nor the cunning to plan a witch trial. Colvin’s scheme has fallen back on him. He is never to darken my gates again. We can meet but only in a neutral place.”

“But don’t you fear he will seek you out, try to cause your—your death?” Just the thought was painful to her. Oh, how much this one man had come to mean to her. She squared her shoulders. It could not be. She had to remember that.

“I know he will seek to do me harm, if he can. He has always wanted me gone, because he covets Knockin. It is larger and more productive than Sanford could ever be. He also envies my position with my king. But enough talk of my brother. Come. Let’s to bed and share some kisses.”

Rhianna giggled. “Aye, but you want to share more than kisses, my Lord.”

“That I do, Wench. Come. I will help you disrobe.”

~ * ~

The next two weeks passed in almost tranquil joy for Rhianna. The thought of leaving Garrett was pushed to the back of her mind when on the third night of their return to Knockin, while they were at table, he told her he had heard her sing.

“Do you play an instrument?” he asked.

She nodded.

“A harp?”

Again she nodded.

He raised his hand. Mildred suddenly appeared at his side with a beautiful stringed instrument in her hands.

“‘Twas my mother’s. I’ve had it restrung. Would you sing?”

He asked with such sincerity she could not refuse. For several minutes she strummed the harp, then picking out a melody, she began to sing. As her voice rose, the conversation in the hall dimmed until the only sound was her voice and the strings of the instrument in her arms.

From then on, after dinner each night, Rhianna played and sang. She quickly exhausted the songs she knew, but the castle folk soon requested one or another of the songs she had already sung. By the end of the first week, nearly all those in service to Garrett found a reason to gather in the great hall.

A few days later, Garrett was heard to ask Joseph after the evening meal, “Are there any men posted on the battlements? What if an enemy approached?”

Joseph’s reply stunned Rhianna.

“Why, my Lord, we have naught to fear. At first, they would stop in their tracks with her voice. We could take them in a thrice because they would be too stunned to move until every note has died.”

Rhianna moved freely around the keep, her position in the castle accepted by everyone. No one questioned her place beside Garrett, nor were there any snide remarks as they took the stairs arm-in-arm each night. Rhianna was more content than she knew she had a right to be. And though she kept reminding herself that it would end, she rejoiced in each new day. She tried hard not to worry about Arthur and whether he found their brothers, for if he had her time at Knockin would be finished.

But she would not, could not think on that now. She was happy, truly happy for the first time in years. Each day dawned bright, clear and filled with joy.

~ * ~

The time passed swiftly since they’d left Wales and Caernarvon Castle. Garrett gave little thought to Arthur and his disappearance. Rhianna was happy. He was happy. She did not seem to miss her brother overmuch. Although the lad was good with the horses, there were others in the stable just as talented. Garrett’s was a good life.

Colvin had received his message. Garrett knew his brother would never be satisfied with his own estates, but neither was Garrett going to let him have Knockin. With the necessary guards posted Garrett felt fairly secure. Colvin would try to do something to him again, of that Garrett was certain, but, with the saints’ help nothing would come of it.

He began the morn training with his men in the bailey. Earlier, he watched Rhianna, several of the women, and a small guard of men head for the field of herbs Mildred had told Rhianna about. What she expected to do at the start of an English winter, Garrett had no knowledge, but he sent them on their way, listening to Rhianna instruct them as they went.

He was bared to the waist and covered with sweat when Lydon approached.

“My Lord, you have a visitor.” Something in Lydon’s voice should have alerted him.

Garrett spun around, expecting to see anyone but the person standing before him. Arthur, clothed in garments as luxurious as his own, stood before him, a roll of parchment in his hand.

“I come in peace,” Arthur said.

At first Garrett could not respond. A thousand thoughts besieged him. This was no stable boy. Instead, this was a young man born to royalty. If Rhianna claimed this lad as brother and was related to him by blood...

Stunned, he could not finish the thought. Some of Lydon’s words about Rhianna being a lady pounded through his head. An intense cramp seized him. He staggered in pain. She was royal, Welsh royal blood.

“What do you do here?” Garrett heard the harsh demand in his voice, but he had no control over it. There could be only one reason why this lad would come. Garrett did not want to hear it.

Arthur put Garrett’s thoughts to words.

“I have come for my sister.”

“And if I will not release her?”

Arthur handed him the parchment. “The answer is there. I will be back tomorrow.”

He turned away, mounted a black beast Garrett hadn’t even noticed and rode out of the bailey. Garrett stared after him, his thoughts still reeling from Arthur’s revelation.

By the time Garrett recovered from his shock, it was too late to close the gate. He glanced around at his men. They seemed disinterested. Garrett suspected they had no idea who the man on the horse could have been.

At least Rhianna would not know of Arthur’s return.
And he would not tell her. Unless...

Garrett glared at Lydon. His knight would not tell her, would he?

“You are to say nothing.”

Lydon nodded. Garrett almost expected him to offer a comment, something about how he’d always known she was of royalty. But, fortunately for Lydon, he refrained from a word.

“Nor are you to tell your wife,” Garrett added for good measure. Lydon nodded and Garrett strode toward the castle doors. He would see what Arthur was demanding. But he doubted he was going to like any of it.

He didn’t.

After he bathed and dressed, he unrolled the parchment and read the Latin words. Five brothers were offering to exchange themselves for her. If Garrett did not comply, they would take their case to Edward and plead their cause.

He could not allow that to happen. Edward’s respect, his favor, had been Garrett’s goal all of his life. There was no way he would countenance anyone destroying what he had worked to gain. There had to be another way and he had to find it.

He rolled the parchment and carried it down to the alcove used by the castle steward. He didn’t want Rhianna to see it and she would never find it there. Nor did he intend telling her until he had some idea what he was going to do. He did know he would not surrender her to her brothers.

Lydon approached as soon as he left the alcove.

“It is a day for surprises. Richard Parrish is here.”

“Richard? Show him in. Have a servant inform the cook we have guests.” Garrett strode toward the dias, holding out his arms, “Richard, good day to you. I didn’t expect to see you this soon after the baptism. Join me for the nooning.” Garrett shouted for one of the servants to prepare a room.

“I have come to ask a favor.”

“Anything. You have only to name it.” After a hug and pat on the shoulder, Garrett pressed a cup of ale into his hand.

“Your sister has sent word she is expecting my heir.” Richard did not look as pleased as he should be Garrett thought. His next words offered an explanation of a kind.

“She claims this has happened before, but because it did not go well she never told me.”

“Congratulations are in order then.”

“We can only hope. Unfortunately, Edward has a mission for me. I am to go to France. He needs to know what is transpiring there. I’ll be gone for some time, but I cannot leave knowing that Margot is finally bearing my heir. I want her to have the best of care, and I know you have some feelings for your sister.”

“Richard, fear not. I will see to her care. In fact my leman, Rhianna, can leave immediately for Fiston. I, myself will follow within the month. Go, take your leave without worry. We will see to Margot.”

Garrett was almost as relieved as Richard appeared, for here was the answer he sought. He would send Rhianna to Margot. After he had convinced Arthur she was no longer in residence, he could go to Fiston himself and bring her back to Knockin.

“I must also decline your invitation for a meal. I must make my way to the sea as quickly as possible. A ship is waiting. But I could not leave until—”

Garrett interrupted, “God’s speed then. Do not fear. I will care for Margot and any child she bears. Do you think you will make it back to England in time for her deliverance?”

“Mayhap. I will try. You can assure Margot I will return as quickly as circumstances allow.”

“Then go. Be about Edward’s task. I’ll send Rhianna with an escort at dawn. Fiston is close enough. Your wife will have company before night falls.”

The two men exchanged another quick hug and Richard was gone. Garrett squelched a touch of guilt. Richard needed help, and if indeed Margot had never managed to birth a living child, she too needed help. Rhianna knew something of herbs and healing. It was a perfect solution.

He didn’t tell her until he pulled himself from his bed the next morn.

“I’m sending you to the castle Fiston.”

“Where?” Rhianna asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her stunned expression said it all.

“Margot is with child and according to Richard she has always been unsuccessful in carrying to term. She needs you. I will come to you there as soon as I have things arranged here in Knockin.”