The Beast of Renald (The Northern Knights) (28 page)

Caroline held her hand out and watched him wipe his soiled one on his clothing before he took hers.

She gave his a hearty shake and said, ‘Nice to meet you Cal. You must forgive me, I still have quite a few homes here I need to visit. Which home is yours?’

‘That one, my lady.’ He dropped her hand and pointed a long arm to a nice sized hut about five huts back which sat off at a distance away from the others.

A grey-haired rotund woman stood in the doorway watching them for a second before she headed their way in a huff. Her gait hurried and what looked like to Caroline, a disgruntled expression upon her face.  

‘Is that your mother, Cal?’ Caroline asked though one could tell the woman looked a bit old to be.

‘My Mama’s dead. ‘Tis my grandmamma.’ 

Sadness laced the boys tone and Caroline gave him a long look.  He was no longer looking at her but at the woman barreling down on them. 

‘My lady.’ The older woman muttered when she reached them and gave the boy a hard nod in the direction of the hut.  The others around them had gone quiet.

Cal turned back to Caroline with a nod and bid her farewell before he walked off toward the hut.  His grandmother gave a well-executed curtsy and Caroline found it too perfect.  The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention as the woman turned to follow after the boy, Caroline called out. ‘Your name, madam.’

 The woman turned, all color drained from her round face and she voiced at once, ‘‘Tis Agnes, my lady. Pardon me that my boy was pestering you.’

Caroline narrowed her gaze on the woman. ‘He was not.’

‘Is there aught else, my lady?’

Caroline studied the nervous woman. The woman refused to meet her gaze.  She wanted to question her further. Then noticing that all were watching she felt this was not the time. She said firmly, ‘That will be all, Agnes.’

‘Thank you, my lady.’ The woman muttered and hurried away in the direction the little boy had gone. The guards looked at Caroline, awaiting her order and she shook her head and turned to thank the woman who had cleaned her slippers and headed back toward the castle.

Her mind turning over her run in with the older woman. Something did not sit well in her gut over it and Caroline made a promise to herself that she would discover more about this strange woman and her grandchild Cal.

The clang of steel from the smithy’s hut broke through the calm of the early dawn before the cock crowed and Darc entered the hut to see his blacksmith and a young apprentice banging out fire-hot and glowing red-orange steel for new weapons.

Darc inspected the weapons forged and cooled standing in the corner.  Satisfied, he stepped out of the hut and walked toward the practice field.

Crossing a short path near the curtained wall, something odd among the throng of peasants gathered down below in the village drew his attention and had him turn his head to watch the crowd of activity. After a moment an oath exploded from his lips and he turned full circle to get a better view.

Damn defiant and lying woman!

Darc stalked his way past his men and headed in that direction.

Caroline knew something was wrong from the expressions on the faces around her. She knew before she turned around to look over her shoulder why for that odd feeling only her husband stirred within her arced up her spine.

She turned to see him headed directly for her, his handsome face set in a dark scowl. She rushed away from the group of villagers as hastily as she could. If he was going to yell, she did not wish for all to hear. And from the look on his face, Caroline did not think he would care if they had an audience.

When he was in front of her the deep breath of his sigh bathed her face and stirred the hairs on her brow. She looked up at him with what she hoped was a look of innocence. It failed.

‘Wife!’

His voice boomed and Caroline cringed feeling her cheeks burn. She need not turn to know many had heard that deep bellow. ‘Must you be so loud? I am right in front of you!’ Now she was shouting. She tilted her head and said calmly to the affronted expression now on his face. ‘I can explain. If you would kindly join me in private. Inside, mayhap.’ She waited to see if he got her meaning. When he planted his large fists on his lean hips, she blew out her own hot breath of air.

‘Nay. You openly defy me. We openly talk of it right here.’ He growled in a low voice.

Caroline attempted to close her mouth twice before sputtering. ‘Nay! You left me little choice but to defy you. I had wished to tell you, but you stormed out before I had a chance to speak it. Oh, I will not do this here.’

She marched around him and she thought he would stop her, but he did not. She heard him stomping behind her, his long strides right on her heels and Caroline picked up her pace for fear he would catch her gown with his big feet.

They were only just inside the castle doors afore he exploded. Caroline rounded on him and just stared. ‘Twas the most animated emotion she had seen from the man outside of when they were intimate.  And she found it amusing and heartwarming. Though anger blazed in his eyes, ‘twas the genuine concern in his tone that warmed her heart.

How dare she look at him like that when he was yelling at her? Darc fumed.  And how dare she smile at him when she had outright defied him?

Darc slowed his tirade and asked her. ‘What do you find so amusing, wife?’

She tried to stop smiling by pulling in her bottom lip and his eyes followed as her pink tongue darted out when she failed. ‘I-I…’Tis naught. I am sorry for defying you, husband.’

‘And well you should be!’ Darc yelled back but not with much effect this time for he was distracted by other things he was feeling now. And unprepared for her quick apology. It had been too long since he’d been close to her. God’s teeth! Why did she have to smell so good?

Caroline took his moment of distraction to continue.  ‘As you can see with your own eyes no harm has befallen me. I am quite safe and sound.’

He grabbed her by the elbow and dragged her into a room off the hall. Mildred and another maid stepped out of the way as they passed. Darc slammed the door behind them. Caroline waited for him to shout some more, but he did not.

He hauled her up against him and kissed her hard. Caroline was breathless when he set her back down. He left her to stand on shaky legs as he walked over to the window.

‘I will not have you disobey me, Caroline.’

Caroline found her voice. ‘I told you I did not mean to. But if you recall during our last conversation you walked out without hearing what I had to say.’

He turned and faced her. His dark expression was one of passion and anger. She held her breath, waiting.

‘The conversation had ended when I walked out.’

She stepped to him and he could see the fire burning in her eyes and it reminded him of when they’d first met.  ‘Does that mean I am to have no say in this marriage then?’

Darc inhaled sharply. ‘You will do as I say. Did you not say yourself you wished to be a good wife? Your own words.’ He reminded her harshly. Her eyes widening with hurt and the slump of her shoulders made him feel bad. He sighed, continuing. ‘What do you want from me, Caroline?’

She took a step away, shaking her head. ‘That we be cordial to one another if we are to survive this marriage.’

Darc did not like her acid filled tone, but he knew he had hurt her feelings. ‘Done. And I accept your apology.’

Caroline could only stare at him. She was hurt and mad. She asked, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her tone. ‘Will that be all?’

He bristled and looked out the window.  ‘How do the families fare after your visits?’

She had not expected that. She swallowed and replied. ‘They are doing better. They missed their loved ones a great deal but they have deep faith in you that you will find and punish those behind the deaths.’

He was quiet for a long moment before he nodded. Then he asked her to tell him more. Caroline found herself eager to share and sat on the stool next to him. He said nothing as she went on with tales of this family and that one.

When she was finished, he faced her asking, ‘Do you know how to ride?’

She frowned. ‘Of course.’

‘Good. We will take a ride later today and introduce Kelbie to it.’

Caroline watched him walk to the door where he turned and said over his shoulder. ‘You can continue your visits to the village under heavier guard.’

Then he was gone leaving her smiling. Caroline was pleased he had given in and allowed her to venture back out to the village.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Today Darc found Caroline in the candle making hut. It had been two days since he’d agreed to allow her to return to the village. He learned she spent most of her time after the noonday meal down in the village. The guards heavy presence followed her every step.

In the past two days they had spent quite a bit of time together, mostly during their rides along the river. She was quite the horsewoman and Kelbie enjoyed the outings. She could not claim he kept her locked away now.

Now, Darc told himself he was checking on his tenants and not that he was following his wife around like a starved pup.

A front door led to the large space inside, but the rear was without a roof and fenced in to air out the dipping stands, fumes and smoke. Several candles burned atop a trestle in one corner and ones waiting to dry hung from the dip rack strung together. The aroma of wax and oil hung heavy in the air.

To Darc’s horror, he ended up with animal fat on his hands and making a candle of his own. How the fast-talking women and his wife managed to engage him in the process he had little time to ponder once he viewed the upside.

Aye, it was a good thing. She wanted him to be cordial then cordial he would continue to be, even if it meant forcing himself to do women’s work. He refused to admit he enjoyed any part of it. The expression upon her face as she looked at him was worth it all however. And the sound of her soft voice and sweet words could make him do anything. Darc grunted, irritated and surprised at the way he was acting.

With a jerk, he took his still warm candle stick and held it out to her for her inspection with a snap of his wrist. 

After a long while, she said. ‘‘Tis sufficient.’

‘Your satisfaction is my goal, Caroline.’ He remarked coolly, his brows winged. ‘
Cordial
. Continuing to tell me untruths will not build our trust.’

Caroline swallowed and dropped her eyes to the candle. Was he truly that sensitive over his try at candle making? The thing was ugly, bumps and ridges in areas where it should have been smooth and even. Ah, if he wanted the truth, she would let him have it.

Him being here had made her nervous enough. She was a bit miffed that he had appeared. Had he come to the village to ascertain that she indeed was following his orders?

Feeling the heat of anger sting her cheeks, she lifted her eyes back to his. Those blue depths watched her with a steady gaze. Aye, that was why he had come. Cordial and trust, my arse! Caroline screamed inside.

But aloud she uttered, ‘I have seen worse, but ‘twill still burn. Your attempt is much appreciated, my lord.’ She said bitterly. ‘Mayhap on the morrow we shall try the bake house.’

He shocked her with his robust laughter as he threw his head back. That thick throat, muscles working made her fingers itch to reach out and touch his skin. Damn his hide for making her gaze linger there and for making her miss the sound of his laughter. She’d not heard that throaty sound since Rourke had been here. Her heart warmed over the sound of it and she fought to keep her feelings from showing in her eyes. ‘Twas bad enough her heart beat erratically these past couple of days in his attempt to be cordial and everywhere she looked. She did not want to admit how much she enjoyed it.

He gave her an unconvinced look then went and scrubbed his hands in the washbowl in the cleaning area. The other women nearby kept their eyes on their task, but Caroline knew they watched and listened.

Darc joined two of his men-at-arms at the exit, where he turned back to her and said sweetly, ‘Baking. Very good, wife. Very good.’ 

When he and the men were a good distance away the women looked in her direction. Their smiles warmed her heart even more.

Darc knew she was in the room before her sharp intake of breath caused a smile to spread upon his face. She did not want to be here with him, but she had little choice. He’d demanded her presence and it was his right. And he would not be denied. He did not quite understand her upset with him still. He had agreed and given in on her argument about the village and he thought he was handling this cordial part of her request rather well.

Yet he knew something still bothered her. Oh, she spoke politely and pleasant enough when they were together, though at times he heard the snappiness in her tone. And she gave a warm smile every now and then. But he knew something was not right.

He glanced in her direction, her side profile to him as she fidgeted with his clothes and other items sitting atop his trunk.

Darc turned his back to her and began to remove his tunic and hose across the room. He had not asked for his squire this eve for he wanted her to assist him this night. 

He had peeked in on Kelbie in her chamber and the little boy's even breaths told he slept soundly and the kind maid, Mildred watched over him and Darc had told her to send his wife to his chambers.

He had his wife all to himself this night. And he was excited.

Was not long before he heard noises over his shoulder as she moved around loudly deliberately. He still did not turn around to see what she was about. He thought back to the first time she had come into his room. The difference since then.

Finally naked before the hot bath, he let out a sigh at the affect she had on him. . As the warm water closed over his hips and stomach, he let out a loud exaggerated sigh knowing she heard it. Darc rested his head back against the rim of the tub and closed his eyes. He was more tired than he’d thought.

‘Come wash my back, wife.’