If Love Dares Enough (20 page)

“Where is—”

Before Antoine could finish, there was a sudden commotion as two frantic women burst into the Hall, pursued by a screeching Oda. One of the women clutched a bundle.

“Murderers, Norman murderers!” Oda shouted. “You cannot kill the child.”

“He’s a monster,” one of the women screamed back at her.

Antoine strode in front of the women and held up his hand. “What is going on here?”

The woman clutched the bundle more tightly as she bowed. “The Angevin has birthed a monster,
milord
, an abomination. It’s an omen.”

Oda fell to her knees at Antoine’s feet. “No,
milord
, I beg of you. Spare the child. I will tend him. My mistress and I will take care of him. You cannot allow the murder of an innocent child.”

A piercing wail emanated from the bundle. “You have the child there?” Antoine asked the midwife. “I would see him.”

The woman turned away from him. “It’s bad luck to look upon one such as he.”

Antoine noticed Bretel’s nervous expression. His own heart was thudding in his ears, but he insisted. “Nevertheless, I will see him.”

Oda struggled to her feet and snatched the baby away from the agitated midwife. She cuddled the child to her, walked over to Antoine and opened the blanket.

His heart broke for Sybilla. The babe’s head was too big for the body, the legs stunted and bowed. Still streaked with the blood of his birth, he looked like a macabre goblin.

Antoine inhaled a deep breath and turned to his steward. “Bretel, please see that these women are paid well for their services and escorted home.”

“But
milord
,” both women protested at once.

“Bretel,” Antoine insisted, turning away to look at Oda.

He waited until he heard the door of the Hall close behind them, leaving him alone with the maidservant. She was still panting, her eyes wild. “Oda,” he began.

The maid’s mouth fell open at his use of her given name, and she clutched the bundle more tightly, shaking her head.

Antoine held out his arms. “Give him to me. I’ll not hurt him.”

Oda hesitated, then slowly released her grip and gathered up the child to give to Antoine. He pushed the blanket away from the baby’s face. A fierce desire to protect this deformed infant swept over him, and he took hold of the stunted fingers. He would have to choose his words carefully. “Lady Sybilla has survived?”

“
Oui, milord
.”

“Has she seen her son?”

“
Oui, milord
.”

He felt the baby try to squeeze his fingers. “She knows he lives, that he is—?”

“She knows. When the women seized him, she struggled to stop them, but was so weak she swooned. I had to leave her so I could follow them and protect him.”

Antoine felt relief flow through his veins, followed by alarm. “She’s alone still?”

Oda’s hands flew to her mouth. “My lady,” she cried, turning to hurry out of the Hall. Antoine followed close behind, clutching the infant to his chest.

Life is suddenly more complicated.

When they arrived at the chamber, Sybilla was lying in a dead faint close to the birthing stool. She was clad only in a bloodstained chemise. With a strangled cry, Oda fell to her knees beside her mistress. Antoine felt an urge to lash out at something, anything. As if sensing his agitation, the baby began to squirm and scream loudly.

“Get up, Oda,” he ordered. “Take the child.”

He bundled the baby into Oda’s arms then scooped Sybilla up from the floor. She felt so light in his arms, and her body was warm. Her dishevelled red hair hung like a thick curtain. She was as pale as death. He put his ear to her mouth. “She breathes still,” he exclaimed, laying her on the bed.

Oda was trying unsuccessfully to calm the infant.

“Give the child to me,” Antoine growled. “See to your lady’s needs. You must save her.”

Oda nodded and gave him the wailing bundle. He strode to the door and shouted for Bretel, who was hurrying down the corridor.

“
Milord
?” the steward panted.

Antoine stuck the end of his finger in the boy’s mouth, and he tried to suck. “Find a wet nurse.”

Bretel’s mouth fell open. “It won’t be easy,
milord
. He has two marks against him. He’s an Angevin
nabot
.”

Antoine’s first instinct was to strike the man, but he realized Bretel was speaking the truth. “Do what you can. If Oda can save her lady, we’ll hope she can suckle the babe. And ask your wife to come and assist Oda.”

Bretel nodded and left.

Antoine had never felt so helpless. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to. He looked over to where Oda was frantically trying to revive her mistress. Alise Bretel came hurrying into the chamber, accompanied by a servant carrying a bowl of water, linens and clothing. Antoine turned away, sickened by the sight of Sybilla’s blood. He was a warrior, used to seeing blood, but this—

He chivvied the child, but nothing would soothe him. In frustration he handed him over to the maidservant. Time dragged by. Antoine paced in the hallway. Agitated by the screams of hunger, he strode back into the chamber and took the child again.

“
Milord.
” Alise’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Bring the child. He may suckle. We must try.”

Antoine’s heart lifted when he saw that the women had managed to cleanse Sybilla, but then he realized she was still in a stupor. Oda had bared her mistress’s breast, but was shielding her from Antoine’s view. He gave the child over to Alise who placed him at Sybilla’s breast. Though his view was blocked, his erection soared. Alise tried to get the infant to suckle. She glanced up and must have noticed Antoine’s stricken expression. “Don’t worry,
milord
, I’ve yet to meet the babe I couldn’t coax to the teat. If we can get him to suck, it might revive her.”

Antoine felt his face redden, swallowed hard and was about to take his leave from the chamber before he volunteered to help with the sucking. Sybilla stirred and gave a low moan. Her arms folded around her child as if by instinct. She opened her eyes and her confused gaze fell to the babe at her breast. Then she looked up at Oda and smiled. Alise seemed to suddenly realize that Antoine’s eyes were fixed on the scene before him and she draped a cloth over the child, hiding Sybilla’s breast from his view.

Sybilla noticed Antoine then and blushed. He cleared his throat. “I’m glad to see you are recovering from your ordeal, Lady Sybilla,” he rasped. “I’ll leave you and your babe in the good hands of your ladies.”

He turned to Alise. “Make sure food is brought for our guests.”

Alise nodded. “
Milord
.”

His legs trembled as he left the chamber. He closed the door behind him and leaned back against it, willing his heart to stop racing and his arousal to subside.

***

A day later, Antoine was pacing the hallway outside Sybilla’s chamber, his emotions in knots. He wanted to see her, yet didn’t. What could he say to her about her child? How was she coping with the reality of birthing a boy who would be an outcast all his life? But he had to find out about Renouf. Did she know him? Why had he been a frequent visitor to Grandegué? Taking a deep breath, he tapped on the door.

Oda appeared, bowed and ushered him in.

Antoine noted her new deference. “How is your lady?’ he enquired, keeping the emotion out of his voice.

“I am feeling stronger,” Sybilla said.

She did indeed look a great deal better. She wore a clean veil over her hair, but he could see the fiery redness of it through the gauzy material. He swallowed hard. “The babe?” he asked.

“Denis is asleep—at last,” she said with a smile. Oda had gone to sit on a chair by the side of the cradle.

She’s undergone an ordeal that would have broken most women, yet she looks radiant.

He opened his mouth, but no sound seemed to want to come out.

“I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Sybilla whispered. “Oda told me what happened. You saved my child’s life.”

Suddenly Antoine knew what had to be said. He judged her strong enough. “I saved him for the moment, Lady Sybilla, but the worst is not over yet, as you know. Discontent is growing in the village about the boy. It doesn’t help that he’s the son of Angevins, as well as—”

“—a monster, a
nabot
? Is that the word you were seeking?”

Resentment rose in his throat. “I’m not the one whose opinion you need to fear. I’ve protected the boy, and will continue to do so. But I’m here only briefly. Soon I must return to Grandegué.”

Sybilla looked away, and he saw a tear trickle down her cheek. “I’m sorry,
milord
Antoine. I’m very grateful for your actions. I suppose I’m—”

Antoine smiled. “You have undergone many ordeals in the last while, Lady Sybilla. You are permitted to be testy, only now and again though.”

She smiled in return, but then grew weepy again. “If my husband were still alive, he would have killed Denis as soon as he set eyes on him.”

Antoine nodded, knowing she spoke the truth. He wondered what he would have done if it was his babe. He decided to change the subject. “Lady Sybilla, forgive me, I know you are tired, and I have no wish to impose upon you too long, but I have some questions.”

She arched her brows. “Questions?”

Antoine noticed Oda had moved to sit on the edge of her chair. “What can you tell me about Renouf de Maubadon?”

Sybilla cast a nervous glance at her maidservant.

“You do know the man?”

“I—do,” Sybilla stammered.

Antoine felt his heart skip a beat. Perhaps there was hope yet for Hugh and Devona. Oda had risen and come to stand at the edge of the bed. Antoine gave her a stern look, then turned back to Sybilla. “I don’t have time to play games. My brother’s life may depend on what I find out about this man, so tell me now what you know of him.”

Sybilla looked stricken. “To do so would betray my husband.”

Antoine didn’t want to distress her further, but he had to know. “Tell me, Lady Sybilla. I saved your child’s life, now you can repay me by saving my brother. Your husband didn’t care that he trapped you in a smoke-filled
donjon
. I’m the one who brought you here when I could have sent you to my Duke.”

A choked sob escaped Sybilla’s lips, and she shook her head. “I cannot,” she murmured.

“Tell him,
milady
.”

Antoine couldn’t believe Oda had spoken so forcefully to her mistress. The maid repeated her words. “Tell him.”

Sybilla sniffled and blew her nose. She didn’t look at Antoine as she spoke. “He is—was—a friend of my husband’s.”

A chill crept up Antoine’s spine. “Friend? What kind of friend?”

“She doesn’t know,
milord
,” Oda said quietly. “But I do.”

Sybilla gave her maid a curious look. “What do you mean?”

Oda sighed. “Renouf de Maubadon was the kind of friend who brought money.”

Sybilla looked confused, but he was beginning to understand.

“Money for what?” Sybilla asked.

Antoine spoke before the maid could answer. “I suspect for armaments, horses, payment for mercenaries. Am I right?”

Oda nodded.

So this is where the money has gone from Melton Manor—to support the Angevins
.

Sybilla suddenly looked afraid. “You know where the money came from, don’t you?”

“I have a suspicion,” he replied. “Thank you. I must leave for Grandegué and thence to Le Mans to speak with my brother.” The fear in her eyes intensified. “I’ll leave orders with Bretel that you and the babe are to be protected.”

He wanted to wipe away Sybilla’s tears, to embrace her, give reassurance and solace, but was afraid she would recoil at his touch, the touch of her enemy. “I’ll return home as soon as I can, but it may be a fortnight or more.” He bowed to Sybilla and then strode over to the cradle. “Oda, take good care of your mistress, and little Denis.”

Oda nodded.

“Safe journey,
milord
Antoine,” Sybilla rasped as she watched him leave.

“We had to tell him,” Oda exclaimed as soon as he had left. “I never did trust that Renouf.”

“I know,” Sybilla whispered. She was tired and confused. Antoine de Montbryce seemed an honourable, decent man. But her hatred of Normans was so ingrained she didn’t know if she could trust him. No doubt he had nothing but contempt for her and her kind. Yet, he had gone to such lengths to protect them. She had hoped he would take hold of her hand and brush his lips to it in parting. She felt her body grow hot at the thought of it.

“I must be ailing for something,” she murmured to Oda.

The maidservant snorted. “I wonder what it could be?” she said with a sarcastic smile, and Sybilla felt her face redden. “
Milord
Antoine is a very handsome man. He would make any young woman think she was ailing for something.”

Sybilla should have been indignant, but wasn’t
. Little Denis
. He had said it with such affection—how could a man care about a malformed child that wasn’t his own—an Angevin at that.