De Warenne Dynasty 01 - The Conquerer (10 page)

She had not seen him. He couldn't breathe, he was so strangled with thick, hot need at the sight of her.

She was practically naked. Her wet undertunic clung to her full breasts and her lush derriere, leaving little
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to his imagination. 'Twas white, and opaque. He could just see a hint of her skin's color-that unusual creamy gold.Rolfe forgot all his vows and started his mount forward.

Ceidre suddenly paused in the center of the yard and had a fit of coughing, bent over double.Rolfe leapt from the stallion and seized her, holding her upright until the spasm had passed. She was trembling and weak, leaning heavily against him. His lust had vanished; in its place was abject fear.

"I'm all right," she said hoarsely, still allowing him to support her. She looked up. Her eyes went wide.

So did his.

Her face was flushed crimson and gleaming with perspiration. There was a bruise on her jaw. He could see circles of fatigue beneath her beautiful eyes. Her hair was soaking wet, pinned in coils atop her head.

She drew away from him as if repulsed. He let her go. She paled and swayed precariously.

He caught her. "You are ill!"

"Let me go." She gasped. "I am fine." She was panting from the slight exertion of trying to remove herself from his grasp. She was so weak, like a newborn kitten. He kept one arm around her. "Let me help you, Ceidre. You must sit down."

Her chin lifted. "'Tis only from the smoke."

"The smoke?"

"Within."

Rolfedid not believe her. He was appalled at her condition, but, certain she could stand on her own, he left her and entered the kitchen. There were four serfs inside, including a naked boy stirring a cauldron.

He had thought it hot outside. Here it was unbearable, dim and dark, and the smoke was so thick it was a miracle anyone could breathe at all. He returned to Ceidre grimly. "'Tis abominable in there."

She shrugged. "'Tis how it is, how it always has been. Where there is fire there is smoke, every fool knows so." She brushed damp wisps of hair away from her face.

Rolfehad never entered a kitchen before, and he wondered if the kitchens on the estates he had possessed inSussex were as badly ventilated. "The smoke can be lessened."

Ceidre regarded him warily.

"With windows and a fitting on the roof."

"There is no such thing as windows in a kitchen."

"There is now." His gaze swept her. He noted the flour on her nose, the stains on her gown. And that darkening bruise on her face. "What happened to your jaw?"

" 'Twas an accident."

"You look like any kitchen wench."

"What do you expect? I am any kitchen wench. I work in the kitchens, after all, 'twas your decree."

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Rolfestared, his anger increasing, roiling, like a storm. "You do not supervise?"

"Supervise?" She laughed. "Do I look like I'm supervising?" She gestured down at her soaking body.

Her hand trembled slightly.

"You are exhausted."

She raked him with her own contemptuous gaze. "I am not tired, and I've forgotten, dallying here with you so. I still have much to do." She turned her back abruptly on him and began to march away.

That she would do so, leave him before he had ordered it, and in such a manner, was unbelievable. Yet this was less significant than the issue at hand and her well-being. He caught her wrist, jerking her to a halt. "You will not go in there. And what is this nonsense-I decreed your place here?" "My penance-my lord."

"I have decreed no such thing,"Rolfe said furiously. "But I decree this. You are to rest for what remains of this day-and you are never to work in the kitchens again. Do you understand?"

Ceidre stared.

"I see that you do,"Rolfe said. "Then understand this as well. You do not turn your back on me, Ceidre.

You are not nobly born."

She bit her lip. Her flush increased. He saw the defiance in her eyes, and the mingling of apprehension before she lowered her head. She mumbled an affirmative. "Yes."

He stared at her. Her anger was arousing-she was arousing. She would fight him regardless of her fear and he knew she feared him. He felt the soaring of some emotion like respect, which could not be, of course, for she was only a woman, and another he understood well, annoyance. He did not like her afraid of him. He touched her chin, lifting it with one forefinger. He saw the startled light in her eyes and felt the impact of their touching just as, he knew, she had.

"My lord," he said softly.

Her bosom rose and fell. She was ensnared, unable to withdraw her gaze.

"You cannot beat me, Ceidre,"Rolfe warned softly.Defiance flared. "Yes-my lord."

He smiled, satisfied, but did not drop his hand. His

finger stroked her jaw. "Was it so hard?" She winced and pulled away.

Rolfecursed, furious with himself for catering to his own base, male instincts, and forgetting her bruise.

"Go to your grandmother," he said harshly. "Have her make a poultice before it swells further."

She was gone before he had finished, holding up the hem of her gown and running-from him.

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Chapter 14

"Lady, I would have a word with you."

Alicestood near their two chairs at the head of the table within the hall, waiting forRolfe before seating herself. His men had already come in, sat, and were busily eating.Rolfe 's eyes were bright blue and cold like the sky in January. She glanced around to see who had heard his tone. His man,GuyLe Chante , was studiously watching every mouthful he ate, but oldAthelstan was slow (and insolent) to withdraw his regard.Alice seethed, but hid it behind a pretty smile. "Can it not wait, my lord? The food is hot."

"No." He took her elbow rudely and propelled her up the stairs.

Alicewould not show her anger at being treated this way-like some field wench. She kept her lashes demurely lowered. And she reined in the little knot of fear he inspired.

"How is it,"Rolfe growled, "that you told me Ceidre supervises, when in truth she is reduced to the task of any common serf?"

Alice's lashes flew up. "But she is any common serf! "

"She is your sister."

"My half sister-some serf's brat."

"She is still the eaorl's daughter, Lady, and that raises her above the place you would have her. She will not work like a common peasant in the kitchens."

"Yes, my lord."Alice waited a beat, until he had relaxed slightly. "My lord?"

He waited, impatiently now.

"What tasks should she perform, then? She is a mouth to be fed. Every serf at Aelfgar works for his fare, this you know."

"I will find her other duties. Enough of this topic." He started down the stairs.

Alicetouched his sleeve. "My lord?"

He made no effort to hide his annoyance. "What now?"

"You have not said"-she took a breath-"when we will be wed."

A frown flitted across his features. "I have not? I thought I had. In a fortnight, if it suits you."

Relief brought a wide, happy smile toAlice 's face. "Oh, yes," she cried. "It suits me well!"

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Ceidre did not appear for thenoon meal, butRolfe assumed she was resting, and was satisfied. However, at supper there was no sign of her either, and he began to worry. He knew she was not well. Anger rose in him again at the thought of his bride's little scheme, for he was certain she had abused her power over her sister in her jealousy. He wondered if it had always been this way,Alice ordering Ceidre to unpleasant tasks, the girl, being low-born, having no choice but to obey. It was only natural that she obey, but it botheredRolfe and he had never in his life questioned the natural order of things, nor sympathized with a serf's plight.

He had not been aware of the fact that she was a serf untilAlice had mentioned it. Now he felt pleased with the thought-she belonged to him. Before, when he had erroneously assumed her to be just another member of his household, she also had to obey his authority, but this was entirely different. She could not travel without his permission, not one foot off his land. To do so would be considered running away, a severe breach of the law. She could not leave Aelfgar without his permission, to reside elsewhere. She could not marry without his permission, and she owed him a certain amount of services each year-services he had not yet determined the nature of. She was his complete responsibility. Legally she belonged to him.

Perhaps the reason she had not come to sup with them was because she was ill, even with fever.Rolfe lost his appetite. He knew he should send someone to check on her, but he decided to do so himself. He left his wife at the harp, his men dicing. He knew she often spent time with her grandmother, who lived in the village, and guessed she was probably there. However, first he would inquire of the servants.

For the second time in his life,Rolfe entered the kitchens, now lighted with oil lamps. He would not have been more shocked if he had seen a ghost. For there she was, hard at work. Ceidre sensed his presence, and from where she was cleaning up, she half turned.

He was so stunned at her complete defiance he gaped.

Ceidre, already flushed, went crimson.

He found his voice. "You dare," he managed, livid, "you dare to defy me this openly."

She clutched the cutting table. "I can explain." It was beyond belief. "My men do not defy me." "Truly, there is a reason."

"My men fear just chastisement." He was actually shaking.

"My lord-"

"But you-you do not fear me?" He stepped forward.

Ceidre stepped back, holding her hands up as if to ward him off. She was too exhausted for a fight, and had dearly hoped he would not find out she had continued in the kitchens. "My lord! 'Tis Tildie she has begun her labor. We are short of hands here, I had to help!"

The anger was replaced with puzzlement. "You would work yourself to death in another's place?"

"She is about to have a babe, my lord," Ceidre said softly. "She is my friend."

He shook his head. "Enough! You cannot disobey my commands, Ceidre. I cannot countenance it."

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"Will you beat me?"

He clenched his jaw. "I would dearly like to! This time, Ceidre, only this time, do you escape punishment. But harken well. The next time you disobey me . (is at your own risk-for the price you pay will be most severe."

Her mouth trembled, and she consciously straightened her spine.

"Enough. You are finished here. If ever aught like this happens again, you come to me-do not take it upon yourself to decide whether to continue or no, especially if it means defying me. I will see you to your

..

She felt relief and was angry for feeling so. "To it or in it?"

"Are you suggesting the latter?" His tone was mocking. .

"No."

"You have only to invite me. You know I am will mg." Silky, now.

"Well, I am not!"

He almost smiled, and his gaze stroked over her breasts. "Your mind, perhaps-but your body is most willing."

Ceidre folded her arms. "Not true."

"Do not think you can ever spar with me and win,"Rolfe said softly. "What you begin, I will finish.

Always."

"I hate you," she said, low. "Norman!"

"'Tis what I am. Where do you sleep?"

"In the hall," Ceidre said, dodging his proffered

hand. When, in truth, she would have liked nothing

more than to lean upon his solid, powerful frame. They stepped outside into the night, bright with stars and a three-quarter moon. Ceidre lifted her face to the air and sighed.Rolfe could not take his eyes

. away from her uplifted profile. He was mesmerized,ensnared. She caught him staring, and she blushed.

"Come," he said gruffly, taking her elbow. She trembled, but she came.

Ceidre was in that strange state of exhaustion that makes sleep difficult to come by. She had just, finally, managed to drift off when loud voices and strange hands awakened her. "Ceidre, Ceidre, awaken! You
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must awaken!"

Ceidre blinked and became aware ofAthelstan and another man, a serf from his attire, bending over her, a rushlight in one hand. "What is it?"

One of the hounds began to bark. The men began to stir. Someone called out angrily for quiet, and another dog yelped.

"'Tis my wife," the serf said, and Ceidre recognized him. "She is in a bad way, Ceidre! The babe won't come! 'Tis her fifth and all the others came so easily, but this one won't! Please, help her!"

Ceidre was standing, her mantle already around her shoulders. "Of course I will come,John ," she said soothingly. But her mind was racing. She undoubtedly needed her herbs.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Ceidre whipped her head around at the sound of his voice.Rolfe was poised halfway down the stairs, clad only in woolen hose, but he held a sword.Athelstan answered. "'Tis the woman, Tildie. She's birthing a babe and it's not going well."

Ceidre was already pushing past the men, sprawled on pallets everywhere, to confront theNorman

.Rolfe said, "Send someone else. The wench is overtired."

Ceidre felt a rush of anger, and paused before the stairwell to face him. "There is no one else, my lord,"

she said very firmly. "I need my pouch."

Rolfestared, then barked a command atAthelstan . The Saxon hurried upstairs to fetch the herbs while Ceidre waited, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. If he would order her to remain abed and not tend Tildie, she would disobey, but he said nothing-he only stared.Athelstan returned and handed her the pouch.