Heartsong (28 page)

“I can’t leave,” Rhianna whispered.

Garrett wasn’t going to ask why she looked so stricken. “You must go to help my sister. Please. But don’t worry. I’ll travel there in weeks, mayhap even in days.”

“Why can you not come with me?”

“You forget Colvin wants this land. I have to make certain he cannot take it.”

She sighed. “How soon must I leave?”

“Lydon and a guard are waiting for you now.”

“Now?” She sounded bewildered.

“Aye. I promised Richard you would go today. Mildred packed for you last evening while we supped. After we break our fast, you must go.”

“And you will come?”

“As soon as I have things arranged here,” Garrett replied.

Rhianna dressed as Garrett rushed off to see to the horses. Mayhap it was for the best, Rhianna thought, this leave taking. She had a feeling it would not be much longer before her brothers sent some directive. Then she would have to leave him. She swallowed against a sharp pang of apprehension. At least, if she left him here, she could begin to grow accustomed to surviving without him. But to send her to Margot?

Still, Garrett had said Margot needed her. He trusted her to help his sister. She had often left the keep at Brynn Ffrydd to help their people. Mayhap, Garrett had more feelings for her than she knew, asking her to help his sister. Mayhap a future together might be possible.

Oh Rhianna, you dream impossible dreams. Your brothers will never allow it.

With her heart heavy, she descended the stairs to the hall for the first meal of the day. She would ask Garrett if Mildred could go with her. That would make the stay a little more tolerable. Something told her Margot was not going to welcome her arrival.

“Mildred cannot accompany you.” His voice carried regret.

“Why?”

Garrett looked glum. “You know not that Edina is breeding also. Lydon says she is not faring well. She needs her sister.” He turned away and she heard him mutter, “It means to be a busy year ahead.”

“Oh, I did not know.” No wonder Mildred had not been attending her much of late.

He patted her arm. “Do not worry so. I will come to Fiston soon. If Margot requires more care, I will stay with you.”

His words were reassuring. Still, Rhianna picked at her food, her own appetite gone.

In a short time, he escorted her to her horse, while Lydon and his guards stood at attention. Lydon wore an expression Rhianna had never seen before, a look of intense disapproval. She smiled at him, understanding at once that he did not want to leave his wife. Then Garrett drew her into his arms for their good-bye.

Rhianna and the guard rode out of the bailey, then started north. She rode in the middle of the group of men, and although she had never been accompanied in such a manner she gave little thought to the arrangement. Garrett was not with them, so she supposed it made sense.

~ * ~

It was late afternoon when they arrived at Fiston. Rhianna was almost as surprised at her sight of Margot’s castle as she had been when she first saw Knockin. She could understand why Garrett thought Margot should tend to her own keep.

The stone walls enclosed a structure of light gray stones that almost gleamed white in the winter sun. Dozens of small huts lay to the east and the west of the walls and fields of prepared land waited for the spring warmth. In the distance she could see clusters of what she guessed might be sheep and behind it all, a dark foreboding forest. As she gazed at the environs, she realized Fiston was massive. She didn’t doubt it was a great deal wealthier than Knockin. Margot was a lucky woman. A beautiful home, a handsome husband and now, a child on the way.

As the group rode through the gates, several servants rushed out to greet them. Obviously, Garrett had sent word they were coming and Rhianna smiled at the welcome. Mayhap this would not be as difficult a time as she’d imagined.

When Margot came down the steps of the castle, Rhianna gazed at her. She was dressed immaculately, with no sign of any distress in her appearance. Mayhap the first stage of her confinement had already passed and she was now feeling fine. The thought brought a bubble of hope. Mayhap she wasn’t even needed. After they stayed the night, she could return to Knockin.

Margot welcomed them into the great hall. Fresh rushes crinkled under their feet. The smells of cooking meat swirled through Rhianna’s senses. Her appetite had returned with the thought she would go back to Knockin on the morrow.

After they supped, Margot showed her to a small chamber and Rhianna slept well. The sun was full up when she rose and quickly dressed. The sounds of a busy keep greeted her as she hurried into the hall. Of Lydon there was no sign. But she wasn’t disturbed knowing he had to prepare for the trip home.

Margot waited for her at the main table. There was no dias here, but the main table was even more impressive for its size.

“Good morn,” Rhianna greeted her hostess.

“So, Garrett sends me his whore. Whose idea was that?”

Stunned, Rhianna froze. She shook her head, trying to dislodge the words Margot had just offered.

“I beg your pardon.” Rhianna had no other words to say.

“I want to know who decided you should come to Fiston.”

Still in shock, Rhianna could only stare at the woman.

“I see you can’t answer a simple question.”

Rhianna bristled. “I’ll ask one of my own. Where is Lydon?”

Margot smiled. Rhianna did not like the expression.

“Why he is on his way back to Knockin of course. He says his woman is bearing him a child. He cannot stand to be away from her. Isn’t that sweet? They left before dawn.”

Rhianna squared her shoulders. She didn’t like this woman, and most certainly did not want to stay here. “You don’t need me. Why did you not wake me so I could return with them?”

Margot chuckled. “Don’t you think it obvious? Garrett is obviously tired of you. He wanted to get rid of you. But why he chose to send you here I’ll never know.”

“Nay.” Rhianna breathed the word. Garrett had assured her he would come himself. If Margot needed no more care, they would return to Knockin.

Pain, unlike anything she had ever experienced, lanced through her. It could not be. Garrett would not have lied to her. He was many things, but a liar he was not.

“Garrett is coming himself in a short while. He believes you need care. Are you, in fact, even breeding?”

“That is none of your affair. You say my brother is coming? I don’t believe that for a moment. Lydon would have told me to expect him. He said nothing. Nay, I have the right of it. He is tired of you. Still, I don’t know what I’m to do with you.”

She turned away from Rhianna toward her maid perched on a stool behind her. “Willa, take the baggage and some scrapes upstairs so she can’t claim we are starving her to death.”

Margot turned back to Rhianna.

“I’ll send word to Garrett. I don’t want his leftovers. Meanwhile, stay away from me. I don’t want to see your face.”

Before Rhianna could react, Margot spun away from the table, marching toward one of the beautifully decorated screens that surrounded the hall.

Sixteen

While Rhianna traveled to Fiston, Garrett met with Arthur. It took a time, but Garrett finally convinced him Rhianna had left with a guard provided by him, of course, several days before Arthur had arrived. Garrett tried to give the impression she intended to travel to Wales. He mentioned he knew how much she was missing Arthur, how he suspected she wished she’d gone with her brother instead of returning to Knockin.

“I didn’t want to see her so unhappy.”

Garrett consciously avoided implying the direction she traveled. Arthur looked relieved, but Garrett sensed some skepticism in the lad.

“Why say naught to me yestermorn?” Arthur asked.

“You shocked me into silence at first. Remember, you appeared a gentleman, something I didn’t expect. And you were arrogant, at that. The words I offered were a result of your attitude.”

Arthur left, giving Garrett the impression he would return if they didn’t find Rhianna. Garrett breathed a sigh of relief. The brothers would look for their sister before they ventured back to Knockin or go to Edward. He had time.

Time for what, he asked himself. To get Rhianna out of his blood, he mentally replied. A small voice, deep inside, mocked him but he refused to allow the words to penetrate.

Still, she beset his dreams. He couldn’t count the number of times each night he rolled over in his bed, reaching for her. The memory of her soft song came at him, and ofttimes during the day, he spun around expecting to see her coming toward him. She had become a fever in his body, something he needed as much as he needed the respect of his sovereign.

Less than a week after Rhianna left Knockin, another messenger arrived. This one from the king. Garrett met the king’s man with a groan. But Edward needed his service again. Another band of Welsh rogues plagued the countryside. Edward wanted Garrett to join a group of barons to quell the disturbance. It would only take a week or two, the message assured. He decided he could be gone that long before he traveled to Fiston.

Garrett enlisted the aid of Joseph this time, intent on leaving a disapproving Lydon at Knockin, so he could hold the hand of his ailing wife. His close friend did not like what Garrett had implied to Arthur. The angry words his knight had spoken haunted Garrett.

“You lied by implication. Garrett, you are a knight, the king’s man. How could you do what you did?”

“I did not lie. I never said she had gone to Wales. I said she left with a guard. You were a member of that guard.”

“It matters not,” Lydon had recanted. “I do not like what you did. You should have said Rhianna had gone to care for your own sister. He would have understood.”

“I’ll take her back to Wales,” Garrett promised. “When it is time for her to leave Knockin, I’ll take her back. I’ll even provide her with the kind of dowry to tempt the best of men. I’ll help her brothers find her a worthy mate.” The words cut into his heart to such extent he wondered, if inside, he bled.

“The matter is finished. We will not speak on it again. You know my feelings,” Lydon said before he turned away.

“Aye. The subject is closed.” Garrett did not like the scowl that creased his friend’s face. He tried to excuse Lydon’s words, knowing of his knight’s concern for Edina, but those words played through Garrett’s mind, nonetheless.

Joseph, other knights, archers and Garrett left the keep early the next morn. It was a day that promised rain. Garrett marched through his gate, realizing the weather matched his mood. He didn’t want to leave Knockin. Indeed, he wanted to pack his garments and leave for Fiston, to be with Rhianna.

As they traveled after the rebels, the long nights were bad. When he lay wrapped in his furs, her deep blue eyes beckoned. Before sleep claimed him, he replayed their time together in his bed. He recalled the way she reacted to his caresses, the sweet taste of her flesh on his tongue, her hot, tight sheath wrapped around his manhood. Groaning, he willed his erection into submission and sought the oblivion of slumber. Yet, her soft voice curled around him as he tossed in his sleep.

During the day, the forest, the few animals that scurried from their path, the crispness of the air, all reminded him of her. He remembered how she loved the hunt, how she attempted to flee from Knockin, even her care of him when Moirant’s poison arrow had almost felled him. The vision of her face tantalized him day and night.

Despite Edward’s assurance it would take only a short time, the rabble led them a merry chase. They searched the countryside for over a week before they found the first trace of the Welshmen. Several days later, Garrett knew they were close but he could not wipe Rhianna’s face or form from his mind.

He was thinking about her when the battle began. It took him precious seconds to respond to Joseph’s call to arms. By then it was too late. Two arrows pierced his armor, but it was a blow to his head that felled him. He remembered only the face of Rhianna, waiting for him at Fiston.

~ * ~

“He will not quiet. If he keeps tossing like this, he will tear out his stitches.” Edina told Lydon as she stood beside Garrett’s sickbed.

“It’s been three days. Shouldn’t there be some improvement?”

Edina shook her head. “I’m not a healer, not like Rhianna. Where is she? She will know what to do.”

Lydon nodded. “He’s called for her constantly. He still mutters her name.”

“Then why isn’t she here? You said you sent for her when Joseph brought him home.”

“I did. Well, I sent Joseph for her yesterday. I didn’t think it was that serious at first.”

Edina gave a snarl. “You didn’t think it was that serious? Your Lord comes home with two holes in him, his head bashed in and you don’t think it’s serious?” She bit her lips. “Where is that girl?”

Joseph returned that afternoon.

“The news is not good,” he said.

“What say you?” Edina demanded as she applied cold wet rags to Garrett’s raging hot torso.

“Margot met me in the bailey. She thought mayhap I brought a message from her husband. I told her Rhianna had to leave Fiston immediately, to come back to Knockin with me. That Garrett had been injured. She was needed.”

“So! Where is she?”

“There is more. Lydon, why is she barking at me?”