Keeper of the Stone (21 page)

“Oh, I can explain.”  Rhiann interjected as Nathan made no attempt to reply to his friend’s remark.  “I am certain my husband intended no insult.  We were married quite suddenly.  Nathan was stuck with me when the king decided to award him my father’s estates.”

Luke’s lips curved at Rhiann’s choice of words and Nathan’s long suffering look.  “I cannot believe your husband agrees with your assessment of being stuck with you.”

“That is very kind of you, but alas it is quite true.  Not that I was given much choice in the matter either.”

Luke’s grin flashed at Rhiann’s muttered remembered abuse tacked on in a whisper at the end of her explanation.

“Rhiann, I am quite sure Luke is not interested in the details of our marriage.”

Rhiann blushed at her husband’s rebuke and sent his friend an apologetic look. 

“On the contrary, my friend.  I am fascinated by your wife’s disclosures.  My condolences on the loss of your father, my lady.”

“Thank you, baron.” Rhiann replied softly.  Nathan sighed at her side, aware he had somehow managed to offend his wife’s tender feelings again.  He sent a dark look across the table, blaming his friend for his interference. 

Luke grinned in his direction, then turned his attention back to Rhiann.  “Who was your father, if you don’t mind my curiosity?”

“No of course not.  My father was the Duke of Weston.”

Luke repeated stunned.  “Your father was the Duke of Weston?”

“You knew him, baron?”

“Of him, Lady Rhiann, but no I never had the pleasure of meeting him personally.”

She nodded, disappointed.  Luke gave Nathan a considering look.  “The king awarded your husband all of your father’s estates?”

Rhiann shrugged and turned to her husband for clarification.  When Nathan seemed disinclined to respond Luke turned to William, who nodded smiling in his direction.

Luke, catching the confirmation, smiled again, his eyes fairly dancing with the laughter Rhiann found so delightful.  “And have you informed your husband of the extent of the king’s generosity?”

Rhiann squirmed in her seat again.  “Surely, baron, it is not for me to inform my husband of such things.”

“Rhiann...”

She was getting used to the warning tone of her husband’s voice.  She turned back in his direction and actually had the affront to pat him on the hand.  “Nathan, what could I possibly know of such things as lands and estates?”

She held his glance with an effort, then quickly dropped her gaze to the table when he asked, “Just as you know nothing of the rules surrounding thousand year old family heirlooms?”

“Thousand year old heirlooms?”

Rhiann turned back in Luke’s direction, and quickly shook her head in a signal she would prefer he not pursue the topic further.

He grinned back at her then turned his attention to her husband.  “You are not by chance referring to the Salusian stone are you?”

“You know of the Salusian stone?” Nathan inquired incredulous.

“Yes, of course?”

“Of course,” Nathan echoed mockingly.

Luke chuckled.  “Forgive me, I forget myself.  I spend so much of my time at my family’s northern estates I am considerably more familiar with the tribal legends than most of my acquaintances.”

“Is that so?”

Luke was distracted from answering his friend’s question by the sight of the stone nestled against Rhiann’s breasts. Nathan tried to contain his annoyance at the sight of where Luke’s gaze rested.  Luke, becoming aware of his friend’s growing annoyance quickly lifted his gaze.  “Forgive me, Lady Rhiann, but is it possible the stone around your neck is the Salusian stone?”

“Yes.”  Rhiann lifted the chain over her head.  “Would you like to examine it more closely?”

Nathan was surprised when Luke refused her offer.  “No, thank you.  I had not heard of your grandmother’s death.  Forgive me.”

“My grandmother is not dead, my lord.”

“But…” Confused, Luke’s glance swung from Rhiann to Nathan.

When his wife seemed disinclined to explain away the source of Luke’s confusion, Nathan offered, “It is a lengthy story better left for another time.”

Nodding, Luke changed the topic.  “My lady, I could not help but notice you believe your brother and sister are still alive.”

Rhiann nodded.  “I hope so anyway.”

“Perhaps we have more in common than either of us realized.”

“I do not understand.”

“I made the trip to Saxony to search for my older brother.  His ship was lost in the crossing and he has not been heard from since.”

“A Norman ship, my lord?”  Rhiann inquired hopefully.

“Yes.  It was last reported there was some malfunction with the ship and it was blown north in the storm.”

“North?  You will begin your search for him north?”

“Yes that is my intent.” Luke was confused by Rhiann’s enthusiasm over his planned route.  He watched Rhiann nudge her husband in the side.  Nathan ignored her.  She nudged harder.  Luke exchanged a questioning, amused look with the king.

Rhiann turned back to him. “Perhaps my lord, as long as you are searching north for your brother, you might make inquiries as well about my sister and brother.”

“I would be happy to.”  He offered immediately.  Too late he caught Nathan’s discouraging look.

Rhiann was thrilled.  “Thank you, baron, that is so generous of you.  I know exactly where you should begin your search.”

“I would certainly be happy for your suggestions, my lady.”

“Stoney Point,” Rhiann announced smiling.  “That is near my husband’s new estate at Heaven’s Crest.”

“I see.”  He lifted an enquiring glance in Nathan’s direction, noticing Rhiann appeared to be struggling to keep her eyes open.  After announcing where he should begin his search, she turned in her husband’s arms, wrapped her own around his waist, rested her head against his chest, and promptly fell asleep.

“I can see you are annoyed with me, Nathan, but I have no idea why.  Congratulations, by the way on your good fortune in acquiring the Weston estates, and more particularly in acquiring the duke’s lovely daughter for your wife.”

“Thank you.”

“I almost regret I was sent on this fool’s errand for my father and was unable to attend your nuptials.”

“It is just as well for us both. I would have hated to have to kill you over her.”

Luke laughed and lifted his ale in a mock salute in Nathan’s direction.  “To your good health and many blessed sons and daughters.”

Nathan lifted his own glass and together, the two men downed theirs.  “So what has your bride confided to you about the Salusian stone?”

“As much as she just explained to you about Stoney Point.”

Laughter shook his friend’s shoulders.  “I hope you realize your good fortune, my friend, and I am referring to your wife, not her father’s estates.”

“Something else you seem to know more about than I would have expected.”

“I always consider myself well informed, but I think Nathan, you are so dazzled by your new wife you are remarkably ill-informed about the extent of your good fortune.”

“True enough.  Perhaps you would care to enlighten me on what you know about the duke and the Salusian stone since by the time my wife gets around to explaining herself I shall likely be too old and feeble to do anything about either.”

William was enjoying the exchange between his two favored barons when he noticed his wife was struggling to keep her own eyes open.  As much as he wished to hear the remainder of Nathan and Luke’s exchange he took pity on his wife.  “Come my dear, we will wait until tomorrow to learn more about the legends surrounding thousand year old stones and magic stallions.” 

The entire assembly rose as the king and queen took their leave.  As soon as William and Matilda disappeared from the hall, Nathan nodded in his friend’s direction and excused himself as well.  He was already half way to the stairs when Luke’s laughing protest reached him. 

“Nathan, I thought you wished to probe my deep well of information and intellect to learn more about the legends of the Salusian stallions and stone.”

Nathan paused and turned to face his friend, his wife cuddled close in his arms.  “Another time, perhaps.  I have more interesting plans for the remainder of the evening than hearing even your scintillating discourse about ancient legends and tribal customs.”

The outburst of laughter from around the hall was loud enough to cause Rhiann to stir in her husband’s arms.  Nathan tucked her closer into the warmth of his embrace, nodded in Luke’s direction, and then carried his sleeping wife the rest of the way to the warmth and privacy of his rooms.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The next morning, Nathan rose early and sought out his friend.  He caught up with Luke near the city gates, noting he was already preparing for the long ride north in search of his brother.  As off-handedly as he dismissed his friend’s offer of information about Rhiann’s family the previous evening, Nathan was now anxious to learn everything he could.  Last night might have made for a more relaxed discourse since Luke appeared in a hurry to begin his errand, but Nathan acknowledged with some inward disgust, he would have been unable to pay attention to his friend’s disclosures with his mind occupied with thoughts of his wife’s soft and slender form cuddled up against him, the floral fragrance from her hair drifting up to tantalize him with thoughts of the night that lay ahead. Now with his apparently unquenchable lust for his wife sated for the moment, his mind could focus on other matters.

Luke turned when Nathan hailed him and waited with his familiar ever ready smile lighting his face as Nathan approached.  “You, my friend, have the look of a happily married man.”

Nathan nodded, surprised to discover he felt no urge to dispute his friend’s teasing.  “And you, my friend, have the look of the randy bachelor you’ve always been.”

Luke laughed. “True enough.  Though admittedly, I believe our liege lord could have enticed even this confirmed bachelor into a state of wedded bliss if he dangled the fruit he apparently convinced you with.”

“She is mine, Luke.  Try to remember that.”  Nathan suffered from no doubts his friend would respect his wife, though Luke’s reputation was less than enviable in such matters.  The two went back too far, their friendship tested too severely for Nathan to harbor any doubts about Luke’s loyalty and honor now.

“Yes, yes, I know.  You would have hated to kill me over her.” Luke laughingly rejoined.

“Exactly.”  An understanding reached, Nathan looked to where Luke’s men were preparing for an anticipated lengthy journey into the northern wilderness. They were all dressed in the distinctive black of the Michaels family colors. With winter’s official arrival only weeks away he did not envy his friend his task.  “Do you still hold out hope of finding your brother?”

Luke shook his head.  “No, but appearances must be maintained after all.”  Nathan knew there was no love lost between Luke and his half-brother, his father’s son and heir.  “Actually the only reason I waited was to speak to you.”

“Indeed?”

“I am puzzled, my friend.  Is it possible you have not yet inspected the estates you were awarded?”

At Nathan’s reluctant nod of admission, Luke shook his head.  “You have spoken of nothing but gaining your own lands for as long as we have known each other.  Now that they are firmly in your possession, estates worthy of a duke no less, you cannot even be bothered to inspect them?”

Nathan again felt the restless urging to set foot on his new lands.  He even considered for a moment riding out with Luke and sharing the journey for their common direction.  They traveled together often as younger men, hearts aflame with the thought of making their own ways and being lords of their own lands one day.  Reluctantly he conceded, “I desire nothing more than to see the object of the king’s largesse towards me, but Rhiann is still recovering from the loss of her family.  She asks me daily when I am going to take her home.  If I were to leave her behind and return to Heaven’s Crest without her, she would be devastated.  I’m not willing to add to her grief right now.”

A slight smile played across Luke’s lips.  “You are a very considerate husband, Nathan.  One, who I believe I spoke rightly last night, is clearly dazzled by his young wife.”

As there was no point in denying his friend’s uncomfortable conclusion, Nathan merely shrugged in answer.

“A word of warning if I may.”

At Luke’s serious tone, Nathan nodded and focused his full attention on his friend.  “You spent your entire life striving for what you now hold between your hands, but I would caution you, Nathan, your true battle is only now beginning.”

“What do you mean?”

“Gaining vast estates, great wealth and a duke’s daughter to call your own were heady accomplishments, and I can understand how you could be overcome by the king’s generosity.  But do not assume all in Normandy and Saxony share my joy over your good fortune. You have suddenly acquired enemies you never knew you had.  You are now a target of greed and envy, an experience I think you have never been particularly troubled by in the past.”

“A landless knight without the benefit of a powerful family at his back is not often envied.” Nathan felt the need to remind his friend of the differences in their backgrounds.  Even though Luke too was a younger son with no hope of inheriting his father’s estates, the Michaels family was prosperous enough even a younger son commanded great wealth and power purely by association.

“My point exactly, Nathan.  Watch your back and guard doubly the back of your pretty little wife.  You have made no secret of your fondness for her.  Your enemies will use her to get to you if they can.”

Nathan was struck by his friend’s stark warning.  Where another man might have taken offense, Nathan was grateful for it.  Luke’s dire counsel was just the wake-up call he needed. 

He admitted he had indeed been cavalier about his good fortune.  The training of his men had taken second place to chasing around after his young, undisciplined wife.  That would stop now.  He would put two guards in charge of his wife’s safety and return to a more disciplined routine himself.  Luke was right.  What he gained with the sweat of his brow and the blood of his body, he would be forced to contest with even greater fervor to protect and hold secure for his sons. The thought of one of his enemies going after Rhiann sent a chill down his spine and awakened him from his dazed state as no other warning would have served to do.  “Thank you. I will take your advice to heart.”