De Warenne Dynasty 01 - The Conquerer (18 page)

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

imagined, and now he understood what most men suffered from time to time.

"Are you not hungry, my lord?"Alice asked, for the third time.

"No."

"Does the feast not please you?"

"It pleases me," he said, wishing she would not bother to make aimless conversation. He was most distinctly not in the mood.

"Perhaps some wine?" She held up the bag.

He lifted a hand. "No, Lady, please, my head aches and I am most tired. Eat as you will, but leave me to my preferences."

Alicereplaced the bag and restrained herself from scowling.

Rolfefolded his arms and stared, unseeing and bored, out at the crowd.

And so the celebration went on.

It had been endless, but now it was finally over. -

Rolfepaced the solar, waiting for word that he could enter his chamber where his bride readied herself.

Never had he been so tired, his every joint aching, his head now, thankfully, numb. It was not late, but he longed to lie down and embrace the comfort of sleep. Yet this was his wedding night. He would be, he thought, very lucky if he could find any desire for the wench who was his wife. In truth, he was not just too tired to bed her, he was too tired to deal with this entire new circumstance of wedlock.

Alicewas shaking. She could not help it. She had finally attained her heart's desire, to be theNorman 's wife. But now, now she was clad in her finest nightgown, all sheer lace, awaiting him in his bed. Now she must pay the price-and she dreaded it.

She recalled very clearly his thick body, overly large with muscle and sinew. He was repulsive. At least her betrothed,Bill , now dead, had been more pleasing to her eye. He had been slim and slender and graceful not in the least frightening. Nor had he been a boor! Oh, God, how she wished she could close her eyes and sleep through the upcoming ordeal. But she couldnot. Nor could she cry and scream.

Ceidre enjoyed her husband's embraces, so she must prove herself equally receptive. She must bear it, and pretend to be well pleased. AgainAlice shuddered.

He entered.

Aliceclutched the covers and stared. As usual, he had been rude and withdrawn all day, and now, now he was no different. He did not spare her even a glance! He began to strip, unashamed, right in front of her.Alice got a glimpse of his broad, hard chest and lean flanks and immediately turned her face away.

She would not look if she did not have to.

The bed shifted under his weight as he climbed in from the other side.Alice froze, unable to breathe. He
Page 90

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

groaned and sighed. She waited, perspiring now. He did not touch her. In fact, he was absolutely still.

Slowly, carefully,Alice moved her head.

He was lying on his back, one hand flung across his eyes, sound asleep.

Alicestared, shocked.

Her first reaction, relief, fled. On its heels came disbelief-he did not even desire her-then anger. He would brand her sister with his hot looks and his big lance, but her he would ignore! She was his bride, but until he lay with her, they were not truly wed, not in God's eyes or the church's.Alice seethed.

Rolfeawoke gradually, the deep sleep he had entertained leaving slowly. He was aware of the warmth emanating from the other side of the bed, and, groping, his hand touched the soft flesh of another, of a woman.

His first thought was ecstatic Ceidre. She was here, in his bed, awaiting his pleasure. Then disappointment and remembrance reared itself at once.

'Twas not Ceidre.

He had only to turn his head to see his bride. The ladyAlice .

Rolfesighed, completely awake now. As usual in the mornings, his manhood was throbbing, hard and ready. He remembered all too well that last night he had not consummated the marriage, being impossibly weary. And already, aware now of the identity of the woman who lay next to him, who was his wife, his blood was beginning to slow, his ache to ease. He would consummate this marriage now, quickly, before he lost his desire.

It should be Ceidre here, he thought grimly, reaching for his bride.

She gasped as he pulled her close, rolling on top of her. He kneed her legs apart, pulling her gown up and out of his way. He kept his eyes closed. He focused on the other-that bronze-haired witch who haunted him day and night. His need increased.

Alicelet out a sob as he probed her dry flesh.

A horn of alarm sounded.

On top ofAlice , but yet to make entry,Rolfe froze, all thoughts of bedding his bride fleeing, and then he was on his feet and lunging for his sword. The sound of alarm was called again.Rolfe threw on his tunic and yanked up his hose. He heard someone pounding up the stairs. He had his chausses on but not gartered whenGuy banged upon the door.

"Enter,"Rolfe roared as the horn sounded again.

"My lord,"Guy shouted, panting upon the threshold. "I am sorry-"

"What passes?"Rolfe demanded.

Page 91

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

"The Saxon has escaped!"

Rolfefroze.

"Morcar has escaped,"Guy repeated. "He is gone!"

CHAPTER 24

"What happened?"Rolfe demanded.

"'Twas just discovered when a serf brought his breakfast, my lord.Louis opened the door to hand down the fare-but the prisoner was not there."

Rolfewas already heading out the door.

"My lord,"Alice cried, clutching the sheets to her neck.

Rolfepaused, tension rippling visibly through his body. "Not now, Lady."

"You know who had a hand in this,"Alice said triumphantly. "You know well it could only be my sister!"

Rolfescorched her with a look and ran downstairs, followed byGuy . "Divide up the men into four groups to search for a sign. When didLouis begin his guard duty?"

"Last night atmidnight ."

"Was the prisoner there then?"

"He does not know,"Guy said grimly.

"And it wasJean who had duty that day?"

"Yes. They are both awaiting you,"Guy said as they entered the hall. "As you can see." The two apprehensive men stood alone in the halt.

"Who was the last to see the prisoner?"Rolfe demanded.

Jean, flushed, stepped forward. "I did, my lord."

"When?"

"When I first took guard, yesterday morning."

"And did you know if the prisoner was there when you left your post?"

Page 92

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

Jeanhung his head. "'Twas late. I thought he slept."

"So you" -Rolfeturned toLouis- "did not inspect to see if the prisoner was there either?"

"No, my lord,"Louis said, standing straight and tall. "I too thought he was asleep. But-"

"What?"

"He could not have escaped during my watch. I did not close an eye, nor did I take one step from my post. This I swear, and if I speak false, let God smite me as I stand."

Rolfebelieved him, and he turned toJean , who was crimson now. "What have you to say?"

"'Twas me," he croaked. "I was deathly ill, my lord. All of a sudden I had a severe cramping. I could not hold my bowels."

Rolfestared. "You deserted your post."

"I was sick, so sick I could not control myself."

Rolfe's face was hard and rigid, but he contained his wrath well. Only his eyes showed his emotions.

They blazed. "At what time were you sick?"

'Just after I took my dinner, my lord, during your wedding feast."

"Strip him of his sword,"Rolfe said toGuy . He then looked atJean . "You are relieved of duty until I deem it otherwise."

Guyturned toRolfe . "Do you think ...?"

"I am almost sure of it--he was poisoned. Have there been any other reports of this strange illness?"

"No."

Jeanjerked upright. "My lord?"

"What?"

"She brought it to me."

Rolfethought the hall had become strangely still. "Who?" And he knew.

"The witch-my lady's sister Ceidre."

For a momentRolfe didn't breathe, didn't move. Then his heart picked up its beat. His face was devoid of expression, of emotion. "And you were not suspicious-after she poisonedGuy at Kesop?"

"Aye, I was. But she took a bite of everything, my Lord, to prove 'twasn't poisoned. Yet now I think they were small morsels, my lord, very small."

Rolfe's nostrils flared. In his mind was hard, hard anger. She understood well what she had done, and
Page 93

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

the consequences, but she had done it anyway.

Treason.

And in his body there was sickness, deep, reaching from his heart straight into his soul.

"I knew it,"Alice cried from behind them. "She asked me the other night, my lord, to help her plan Morcar's escape. Of course, I told her she was a fool."

Rolfehad been about to tellAlice to be quiet, but now he was all ears. "And you did not inform me?"

"You were sleeping from the effects of the wine, my lord,"Alice said with the faintest of smirks. Her eyes glowed. "I commandedGuy to put her in the dungeons for treason, yet he would not!"

Rolfelooked atGuy .

Guyshifted. "The ladyAlice thought she had poisoned you, my lord, and thus accused her sister of treason. I determined you were in your cups, so did not lock up the wench. If I have behaved wrongly, I will gladly accept just punishment."

"You did rightly."Rolfe held up a hand, taking a breath, mouth tight. "There is no need to hunt for Morcar the Saxon is long gone."

Guynodded.

"Find Ceidre,"Rolfe said. "And chain her in the stables, with a guard."

"Yes, my lord,"Guy said.

Rolfeturned and walked to the large trestle table, his back to the company. He stood unmoving, and then his arm rose. His fist came smashing down. All his raw power was in the blow. The noise was deafening; the table cracked.

Ceidre shifted and tried to find a more comfortable position upon the straw. Her wrists were tied behind her and from there secured to a post in the stable. Her guard sat upon a bale of hay, ten yards from her, arms folded, watching those who passed by. And the passersby were many.

She no longer flushed as, upon one pretext or another, the villagers strolled by to gawk and stare. She had been sitting here for half the day. She was used to their slack jawed gaping and even to their pity.

Everyone had made a point of coming to see this new attraction, and the whispered word treason abounded.

Alicehad come too. Her stride had been hard and purposeful, eyes dark and bright. Ceidre had stiffened instinctively, the movement causing the rope to dig into her flesh and burn. She sensed the worst. "Now you will pay, witch,"Alice had hissed. "Now you will pay! „

Her sister had shaken her already shattered nerves as no one else had. Thankfully, she did not pause to stay and taunt, but hurried on. Ceidre blinked back tears, trembling. Her own sister hated her enough to gloat. AndAlice was right, now she would pay. She knew the price well, she had been warned.

Page 94

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv
erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

Oh, sweetMary , what would he do?

Ceidre was afraid.

She had known the instant she sawGuy approaching this morning that he had come for her. There had been no point in running-where should she go? She had waited, near the village well, facing him valiantly, head held high. She had been very certainGuy would take her to theNorman . So despite her outward poise, there had been thick unease within her. Her heart had wings and fluttered like a trapped bird. She must not show fear. She must not shiver like a stray in winter. Yet instead she had been escorted to the stables and tied up. And here she had been all morning and all afternoon. With no food, not even a blanket to sit upon. Not that she could eat, she would surely vomit if she tried. An hour past she'd been brought a cup of water to wet her dry, parched throat, and was finally allowed to answer her body's needs.

When would he come?

Fear lurched in her breast again. It was a formidable lump that she could not swallow. With the passing of time it grew, expanding uncontrollably. His rage would be beyond anything she had ever seen before.

If only he would come and the confrontation could be gotten over with! This waiting was torture of the worst sort, and she could not stand it another minute! Perspiration had long since gathered under her arms and between her breasts and upon her brow. She knew, with certainty, he kept her waiting like this apurpose, to feed her fear. And it succeeded.

And her worst fears began to rear themselves in the darkest hours of the night.

Would he hang her?

She prayed for mercy.

Ceidre would not beg information from her guard, although she desperately wanted to. She would not beg for audience, or to know her fate. Yet the thought came-if she begged theNorman , if she wept, if she clung to him, perhaps he would show mercy. She imagined him standing there, stone-faced, ruthless, cold-hearted, while she clutched at his tunic, begging for leniency. She knew positively then that he would not spare her this time. Her mind, traitorous to her soul, sped on. What if she tried to use a woman's wiles to gain his mercy? No! She could not! She could not weep, beg, or seduce! No, she would never beg-she would staunchly bear whatever she must, even if it were her own death.

She was going to be hanged.

She had committed treason, her life was forfeit.

She could not sleep. Nor could she cry. Instead, she sat huddled and frozen, her mind conjuring up the worst images of herself-dangling at the end of a rope.

Chapter 25

Page 95