By Right of Arms (12 page)

“My lord,” the woman’s voice interrupted, causing them to stop on the third step.

Hyatt turned toward her.

“My lord, I have need of another servant, and your lady wife will not give me one.”

“Oh?” Hyatt questioned.

“I had ordered a maid to help me in the care of your son, but your lady wife took her away and will not allow her to serve me. I have explained my need, but she refuses.” Faon placed her hands on her hips and looked up at the twosome. “She makes her decisions in your name, Hyatt.”

Hyatt crossed his arms over his chest, leaned against the staircase wall and looked suspiciously between Aurélie and Faon. Aurélie met his gaze without a tremor. “I have offered to look for a woman to help, but there are so many needs in the hall, it has been difficult to find the right one.”

“Return the girl to me,” Faon said, smiling victoriously at Aurélie.

“Sir Hyatt, ’tis Baptiste she wishes, and the girl knows nothing about tending to children. I’m certain her work would not please Mistress Faon.”

“I will attend to that,” Faon said. “I do not like it when I am chastised by your lady wife, Hyatt. It places me in a poor light among your people. You said you would not have me ridiculed.”

“I did not …” Aurélie stopped herself. She chewed her lip in indecision, realizing she would be treading on shaky ground by either defending herself from Hyatt’s lover’s accusations, or by criticizing Faon’s actions. “Perrine,” she finally said, her eyes brightening as the thought came to her. Perrine would not allow herself to be abused, as Baptiste had. She could smoothly duck an angry slap and would not be easily frightened. She unconsciously placed her hand on Hyatt’s arm, excited and pleased by the clever way she could keep Baptiste safe. “Let me give her Perrine, milord. She knows much about caring for children. She would serve better than Baptiste.”

Hyatt frowned. “You have only one attendant, and you would give her to Faon?”

“I will have Baptiste,” she said victoriously.

“She is only a child. She will be of little help to you.”

“She will learn. Please, milord? I do not need so much.”

Hyatt’s frown darkened. “The girl will not be very useful in our bedchamber, Aurélie. She quivers and shakes each time she passes me in the hall. She sets me on edge.”

Aurélie laughed suddenly, an amused ripple that brightened her face. Her smile, which had been rare indeed in the past week, was captivating enough to melt even the armored heart of the warrior. “Oh Hyatt, she is frightened of men. When she discovers you mean her no harm, she will be at ease as my servant. You’ll see. Please?” She tilted her head and lifted a brow. “ ’Tis better than what you will endure with Perrine’s motherly fussing. At least Baptiste is shy.”

Hyatt sighed. “I dislike problems between women.” He looked pointedly at Faon. “You now have four servants. Treat them well or you shall have none. And bring as few complaints to my ears as possible.”

He took Aurélie’s arm and began to climb the steps again. Aurélie looked over her shoulder at Faon and met with the woman’s venomous glower. Aurélie felt as if she had won. Hyatt had not actually taken her side over his mistress’s, but she was learning that there were some things she could wheedle out of even this stubborn knight. She allowed herself a winning smile and took great pleasure in the way Faon huffed away from the stair.

The sight that greeted her in the bedchamber caused her smile to fade as amazement took over. Two pages whom she had seen in the hall were hurriedly stacking Hyatt’s things in her room. They had even brought in the writing desk from the lord’s chamber. Hyatt viewed the chaotic scene and threw his arms wide. “Can you do no better than this in two hours’ time?”

“Pardon, my lord, but we should have it set aright shortly.”

“Come tomorrow after I have gone. I am not going to sit about and watch you …”

“Hyatt? What is it they are doing?”

“I told them to bring my belongings and some of the furniture into this room, since it is where I shall remain. But they cannot accomplish even the simplest …”

“But Hyatt, do you not desire your own chamber?” she asked.

“It is a luxury I cannot afford. Have you noticed the numbers we house?”

We? She almost started at the sound. He meant to stay with her, night after night? She was surprised speechless.

“The … the lord’s chamber is larger.”

“I have an aversion to Giles’s bed. And the room will hold ten men-at-arms. This will do nicely, when it is in order.”

“It will take only a few moments, with their help.”

Hyatt looked around the room, frowning his irritation. “How long?” he asked.

“Less than an hour, surely. But alone it will take me half a day.”

Hyatt whirled away from her and went to the door. “Have it done, then. You may instruct these morons before they do any real damage to my things.”

Aurélie smiled at him. He dealt very poorly with domestic problems. “I shall see to it, Hyatt. May I ask Perrine to help me before I send her to Mistress Faon?”

“Madame, I don’t care if you require Perrine for the next month. Faon does not need another servant and I know what game she plays. In fact, if it will get me sooner to bed, you may go to Faon’s chamber to get the help you need.”

“Thank you, milord, but I think we shall be able to manage.”

He looked into her eyes with intensity and she knew it was not for want of sleep that he was impatient. Strangely, Aurélie felt a swell of pride in his act of moving permanently into her room. And she felt certain victory in his denial of his mistress. She admitted to herself, however, that this was beyond her own understanding.

“It is a minor chore, Sir Hyatt.”

“Good,” he said softly. “See it done in minor time.”

* * *

Spring faded into summer and a meager planting was begun. There had been so much hardship and resettling to be done that those farmers who would have tilled the land were fewer than on the previous year. Yet the available labor and skills were so well organized that to Aurélie’s amazement, a larger portion of land was utilized. The weather warmed and would soon give way to a scorching heat, but De la Noye was becoming more settled, more resigned. Lady Aurélie suspected that there were a few peasants and serfs, if not her own men-at-arms, who would rather abide this Englishman with his strange ways than endure any more conflict … or return to the unsubstantial methods of Giles’s rule.

Hyatt worked them hard, overzealous in his demands and control, but improving results were already within sight.

An early evening fire was allowed to die as darkness fell and residents slept, for the winter chill had left for good. Aurélie had begun opening the heavy shutters at nightfall to let the June breezes freshen the bedchamber while she slept. She had lain beside her conquering knight for over one month. It did not seem possible.

Hyatt had forgotten to extinguish the single candle beside the bed and she took advantage of the light. It was not frugal to let the candle burn low, but she raised herself on an elbow and studied the features of the sleeping knight. In his state of rest his face had a boyish innocence, yet she of all people knew his implacable strength.

The coverlet rested at his waist and she marveled at the finely developed muscles of his upper arms and chest. His brown hair was overlong now and streaked by the sun, as was her own. Their labors were driven outdoors for the planting and breeding of the stock. This knight, she mused, had a definite love of physical labors. She had watched him, albeit from a safe distance, at work in practicing arms, overseeing the pasturing of animals, directing the assarting of the wooded land, and inspecting the maintenance of the castle. In every task he displayed a singleminded attention, a fervor and commitment.

And remarkably, he had energy left when he came to the bedchamber. She nearly chuckled in recollection. The first time she had eyed him sleeping he had bolted awake as if her eyes were needles that pricked him. The second time he had roused to find her watching him. But now he slept. His sleep appeared peaceful.

She sighed heavily. Had his army not slain her husband and others of her house, making this home a booty of war, there might be no rift between them. He had not spent one night in his mistress’s bed. If he visited Faon by day, he was discreet and it did not deplete his desire for his wife. She doubted the mistress was kept to her liking. And he showed fairness to the villeins, although he was stern. And he treated her well. He had rescued her, with his sword, from a lifetime of loneliness and longing. But she could not thank the English army, nor could she let herself be trapped by any deep emotion for him.

Ah, but he was a magnificent man. If he were French, he would be perfect.

Aurélie cautiously extracted herself from the bed and took light steps around to the commode. She blew out the candle.

“Aurélie? Why are you about?”

“The candle, Hyatt,” she whispered. “It would have been a waste to let it burn.” She gently crept back into the bed.

He opened his arm to her. “Come,” he said sleepily. “Closer.”

She hesitated for a moment and then snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. There was little point in fighting him in the dark of night. Here, where they were only two people and not two countries opposed, it would be acceptable to share his warmth. No one would see that she indulged in the new feeling of a protective arm, though this arm belonged to the enemy. No one would know that she sometimes pretended, late at night, that this was a union of love, and not bondage.

“Ah, wench, you are the softest thing. Do you think that I am unaware when you watch me sleep?”

“Oh Hyatt, does nothing escape you?”

“Nothing. What rouses your curiosity so?”

“You are a curious man, Hyatt. You conquer, then coddle your prisoners. You make high demands, but demand as much of yourself. I do not know when you will be cruel or kind, harsh or soft.”

He chuckled and hugged her close. “Be careful, Aurélie. If you find some tenderness for me they will call you traitor.”

“I shall be careful,” she promised.

“Perhaps you cannot help yourself. Women have this affliction; they fall in love with the nearest available man, exercising very little wisdom. Trouble is stirred by these feeble notions. It will be better for you if you realize that I cannot be controlled; not by brute strength nor love.”

“Oh, Hyatt, you need not warn me. It is not too late for me yet.”

“Beware,
petite.
Women are foolish bondslaves to this malady; they crave this love and delude themselves that it cures some ill. Then they become vicious when it only brings pain. I warn you freely—I am not a likely victim.”

“And men, Hyatt?”

“Men work. Women pluck the strings of hearts. ’Tis the way.” A sound escaped her, but there was no word. “What say you, woman?”

“Naught, Hyatt. Go to sleep.”

* * *

Hyatt stood in the open window and watched the sun rise over the farthest knoll. The countryside did not appear war-torn or ravaged, yet not far behind them there were battles between the forces of Edward and John. Other keeps were falling … or English knights and soldiers stained the fields in blood of failure. He feared for Aquitaine; Edward’s forces were fewer than John’s. Aquitaine was Prince Edward’s possession now, but the rest of France resisted.

Yet De la Noye had passed from the French to the English. Hyatt had planned it well; through Lord Lavergne he had learned that the Sire de Pourvre had been a weak, strange, incompetent lord. And he also knew that De la Noye, if managed properly, could be rich. He looked at the makings of such richness from the window—the grove of fruit trees, the good roads, the stout wall, the fertile acreage. Had Giles put energy into work rather than prayer, money into seed and stock rather than the buying of benefices, Hyatt would not have been able to take the castle.

What he saw from the window was not unlike his homeland. The fine sight that spread before him turned his memory to a time early in his youth. It was faint, now, but buried in a private place whence he could still retrieve it, if he dared. The remembrance of lush fields, blossoming trees, strong horses, happy villeins, and family love came to mind. He chose to ignore the memory because all that had been lost to him and was painful to recall.

He had had joy as a small child, as a second but favored son. He was stronger and quicker than his older brother, Ryland. He vaguely remembered the warmth of his mother’s arms, and a vision of her sweet face would not be subdued, no matter his desire to forget. He was only ten when she died and Lachland Castle and towns fell into mourning, into a long-lasting despair. His father seemed to have lost his will to live and ruled poorly. Ryland was too young, at thirteen, to take responsibility. And Hyatt remembered being jolted more by what his mother’s death had done to destroy the happiness of everyone, than by the pain of her loss.

Both Laidley sons were sent away to earn their knighthood as squires to neighboring barons and, upon returning to Lachland, found the place deteriorated.

And then a new woman came to the castle. Faustina, a strong young woman from a rich Welsh chieftain’s family, married Lord Laidley and changed the face of the castle and towns. Hyatt was pleased, at first, that his father’s spirits were lifted, but his comfort was temporary, for Faustina was treacherous, selfish, and cruel. She had a harsh, punishing hand that Lord Laidley would not attempt to stay. She was possessed of a brutal greed and squeezed every family in their domain for more wealth. And while Lord Laidley had been satisfied to answer the king’s call, Faustina urged him closer to the king and counseled him in politics. Her schemes and plots were many; she once had a Welsh heiress whom she had hated since childhood kidnapped and ransomed at a high sum.

Hyatt was appalled by her, but his father and Ryland allowed her and even took her advice. And of course, Lachland was returned to its former wealth and status. But there was no happiness. Hyatt quietly disapproved until his scorn for her vile habits burst from him in a temper, winning only his father’s anger. Not long after, Faustina claimed herself with child and named Hyatt as the sire. Lord Laidley punished his wife severely and banished his son. Hyatt was then sixteen years old.