Strangclyf Secret (29 page)

Medwyn set the boy on the
ground and he shyly toddled over. Barwolf swept him into a hug.
“How is my new big boy?”

“
Do I call you Mama too?”
Karl asked, leaning his head on her shoulder. “If you want to.”
Barwolf caressed his cheek. “’Tis much friendlier than
milady.”

“
I miss Mama,” he muttered,
fisting his hand against her shoulder.

“
That’s good, Karl.” She
kissed his brow. “It means you both loved each other a lot. Someday
you will look back and you will always have happy thoughts about
your mother. I will never take her place in your heart, but I’ll
try to love you just as good.”

“
You have a wonderful
heart, milady,” Medwyn said. “I could have used you when I was his
age.”

Barwolf’s cheeks burned at
the compliment. She was not sure how to handle praise. These
Normans lavished her with flattery and she was just realizing they
were serious. “Have you seen Bernon?” she asked, hiding her
confused feelings. “I’ve something important that I need to speak
with him about.”

“
He and Geno left by way of
the gorge. I’m not at liberty to discuss the reason, but ‘twill be
an hour or more before he returns.”

“
Thank you, Medwyn. Well,
children, after I check on Jerold, I’ll have some time with nothing
to do until your Papa gets back. Would you like to go down to the
shore and build a sand fort and find some pretty
seashells?”

“
I want one of the big
ones, so I can hear the sea even when ‘tis quiet,” Genius said and
the others excitedly chimed agreement.

Barwolf smiled at them.
Joy warmed her heart from their happy response. “Then shell hunting
we shall go.”

~ * ~

Barwolf left her
sand-covered brood bombarding Lori with enthusiasm as they showed
off their seashells and one dried starfish. Trailed by Medwyn, she
went in search of Bernon, unmindful of her own appearance. Wet sand
caked in several patches on her kirtle and wet leg prints trailed
her skirt—knee to hem. The sea wind had whipped up her color and
happy sparkles frolicked in her eyes. She looked very much like a
sea imp who had been up to playful disruption.

She entered the hall and
saw Manuel dogging Ardith’s steps and most likely driving the poor
woman batty. Ardith dashed about directing the setup of the hall to
accommodate the guests for the evening’s celebration. Thank the
Lord, there were servants to help now.

“
Manuel, have you a
message?” Barwolf called, dragging the boy’s attention away from
the frenzied housekeeper.

“
I already gave it to
Papa.” Manuel ran to Barwolf and threw his arms around her waist.
“I was trying to get Aunt Ardith to take me to the shore
too.”

“
Why did you not go back
upstairs in case the king has further need of you?” Barwolf asked
in her strictest voice.

“
He says I’m too little to
hear what he is going to yell at Papa about. He made me come down
here, but I already know.” Manuel winked at her smugly.

“
What do you know?” she
asked, frowning. Why should the king yell at Bernon?

“
What he is yelling at Papa
about.” Manuel narrowed his eyes and scrunched his face in a mean
expression. “’Tis because of what that nasty Lady ‘Cretia told our
queen about you and Papa not doing anything but sleeping in bed.
She wants to get the king to get rid of you and make her Lady
Strangclyf.”

“
That conniving bitch!”
Medwyn exclaimed, then he looked at Barwolf and flushed. “Beg your
pardon, milady.”

“
She cannot do that, can
she, Mama?” Manuel demanded.

“
Nay, and the king is
yelling at the wrong person.” Barwolf snapped her brows together.
“How long has your papa been up there?”

“
Not too long.”

“
Thank you, Manuel.” She
glanced across the hall as Ardith dashed toward the common
corridor. “Ardith, would you please ask Mae to see that Manuel gets
a special treat with his dinner tonight?”

“
I will take care of it,”
Ardith called back, disappearing down the corridor.

“
Manuel, go visit the
stable and see if Leof needs any help.”

“
Welladay!” Manuel grinned
and dashed off toward the front door.

Barwolf spun about and
headed toward the king’s tower. Medwyn hastened after her. “Milady,
you cannot burst in upon a meeting between King William and
Bernon.”

“
Watch me,” she ground out
without a break in stride.

“
They will both be angry if
you do,” Medwyn warned.

“
Not nearly as angry as I
am.” She picked up her pace.

Medwyn raised his eyes and
hands in supplication to Divine Providence. “They will also be
angry at me.”

Barwolf stopped and faced
her guard. “Medwyn, I like you, but before you try to stop me, you
should know that I do not always control my impulses well when I am
angry.”

“
I’ll not stop you,
milady,” he said in a resigned tone, “But I’ll not stand between
you and Bernon again either.”

“
I’m not asking you to do
that, but you should know one other thing. ‘Tis worse to be
confronted by an angry lamb than an angry bear, because while the
bear may go straight for the kill, the lamb knows its
limits.”

“
Then how is it
worse?”

“
Instead of fearing death
as with the bear, the lamb uses her brains and makes you wish for
it.” She arched a canny brow. “Just ask Balen and
Damon.”

“
Lead the way, milady.”
Medwyn swept his arm toward the steps in a flourish. “I have no
desire to spend a day in the privy."

They soon arrived at the
king’s chamber and four guards stepped into their path, blocking
access. The king’s angry shouts could be heard through the closed
portal.

Barwolf narrowed her eyes
and glared at the guards. “You may as well let me pass. I have only
to enter through the maze if you refuse me.”

“
Lady Strangclyf speaks the
truth,” Medwyn informed them. “She can enter from any room you lock
her in, including the dungeon.”

“
But we do not have
permission to allow her entrance,” one confounded guard
replied.

Barwolf felt fairly
confident that they wouldn’t harm her for fear of Bernon’s wrath
and marched through their ranks. “I will tell them I punched you
all down.”

Pushing open the door, she
stepped into the huge chamber and slammed the door behind her with
a bang. “Don’t you dare yell at my Bernon!”

“
Stay out of this, wife,”
Bernon replied through clenched teeth

William, dressed in a
royal-blue robe and bare feet, broke off his tirade and pacing, and
look in amazement at the incensed woman striding toward him. “You
have the audacity to bellow at me! How did you get past my
guards?”

“
I punched them, and I’m
going to punch you too if you don’t stay out of this,” she
threatened, waving her fist under the king’s nose. “’Tis between me
and Bernon.”

“
Not when I have given him
a direct order and he did not obey it.” William frowned, placing a
hand on each hip and glowering down at her.

“’
Twas not his fault,” she
said, raising contrite eyes to her monarch. “’Twas mine. I forgot
about his control problem.”

“
What?” William
bellowed.

Bernon rolled his eyes.
“You are not helping,
ma
petite.”

Barwolf ignored Bernon and
placed her hands on her hips, facing the king. “I do not see what
difference it makes where we have magic, Your Majesty. But if it
will calm you down, I’ll take Bernon to bed now.” She glared at her
husband while William stared at her, appearing stunned. “And from
now on I’ll move and moan all night, so you won’t need Lady
Lucretia.”

“
I thought you said you
have a mighty ache, wife,” Bernon replied, suppressing a sudden
desire to laugh. Her cheeks were sure to burst into flames if they
got any hotter.

She narrowed her eyes.
“I’ll grit my teeth so we can get this done. ‘Twould help if you
don’t move this time.”

Did she truly believe that
possible? “I don’t know if I can keep from moving, considering my
control problem.”

“
Well if you had let me
know we had to be in bed,” she huffed and poked his chest with a
brave finger, “then I would not have asked you to kiss me in the
bath.”

“
Wait just a moment!”
William shouted, then took a deep calming breath and looked at
Bernon. “Has your marriage been consummated?”

“
To my satisfaction and
pleasure,” Bernon replied without hesitation.

“
It has?” Barwolf’s eyes
widened with surprise. “But you did not bed me.”

“
True.” A wicked grinned
crept across Bernon’s face. “I bathed you. I will bed you next.
After that I may tumble you in the grass or ride you on
horseback.”

“
I am through with this
discussion,” Barwolf said, turning to leave.

Bernon caught her by the
wrist, made her face him, and encompassed her with his arms. “What
about me? You just told our king you were taking me to bed. You
cannot make such a promise and just walk away.”

“
I’m still sore from last
night, so I can if we are consummated,” she whispered through
gritted teeth, pushing away from him.

He caught her by her
forearms. “We are not. Our marriage is.” He ran his hands up and
down her arms and frowned. “What do you have up your
sleeves?”

“
A couple of daggers for
protection.”

Bernon’s face transformed
into an irritated scowl. “I am all the protection you
need.”

Barwolf snorted and
scowled back. “They are not for my protection. They are for
yours.”

“
From whom?” he asked,
grinding his words.

“
Lady Lucretia, if you do
not call off your nocturnal tryst with her.” Green eyes narrowed.
“Now that I think about it, I should be furious with you.” She
punched him in the chest then shook her aching hand. “I told you I
didn’t know anything about magic and you would have to teach me, so
I can please you.” Bernon caught her wrist as she tried to struggle
free. “How could you seek out that harpy without giving but one
lesson?”

“
I never—”

“
She told me so. ‘Twas why
she was snooping around outside your chamber. So she could figure
out the best route.”

“
Lady Strangclyf, before
you get too angry at Bernon,” William interrupted, suppressing his
mirth. “Let me point out that ‘twas Lady Lucretia who said he had
not bedded you.”

She snorted. “He hasn’t.
Have you not been listening? He bathed me.” She turned anxious eyes
to Bernon. “Does it really not matter where?”

“
Nay, and I thought I told
you not to wear that gown again. How in perdition did you get so
dirty when you were supposed to be resting?”

“
I went to play on the
beach with the children and didn’t want to mess up my fine gown. If
you will excuse me, I’ll go change so we can match. ‘Tis almost
time for dinner.” She headed for the door, then spun about,
returned to Bernon’s side, and tugged on his tunic until he leaned
down. “Bernon, I’m sorry I lost my unfortunate temper, especially
because you didn’t deserve it. I’ll try to do better next time, but
‘tis nice to know you’ll not knock me upside my head if I
forget.”

She placed a quick kiss on
his cheek and fled the chamber.

~ * ~

William watched Bernon
watching his wife. “Tell me something, Bernon.”

Bernon turned his gaze on
William. “What do you wish to know?”

“
Your lady, she is jealous
and protective of you. Most men wouldn’t risk my wrath by yelling
at me as she just did in your defense. I think she is losing her
heart to you.”

Bernon raised a brow. “So
what is your question?”

“
How is your heart
surviving her charms?”

Bernon wiped all
expression from his face. “Does it matter?”

William shrugged and
clasped his hands behind his back. “To your king, ‘tis of no great
importance. To the man who raised you, I find this matters a great
deal, and I could wish for you the kind of love and passion I have
found with Matilda.”

Bernon hesitated then
answered, “I care for her. More than that I cannot say.”

Without another word or
permission, Bernon left the king’s chamber. William stared at the
closed portal and grinned. “Cannot or will not, Bernon?”

He chuckled and crossed
the chamber. Entering the bath, he smiled upon his queen, who was
turning into a prune in the sunken tub. “You were right, my
love.”

Matilda turned shocked
eyes on him. “You mean the marriage isn’t consummated?”

“
Nay. She has given him
back his heart. He just is not ready to admit it yet.”

“’
Tis a problem your gender
suffers,” she muttered then arched an interested brow. “Do you
think he has given her pride?”