Honoring his Lady: A Medieval Romance (Norfolk Knights Book 5)

by Saskia Knight

  “Don’t,” she said, laying a hand on his arm. “Please don’t.”

  “You won’t leave my side,” he repeated, ignoring her plea.

  The unease in her gut strengthened. She shook her head. He seemed to interpret that as indecision.

  “Don’t worry, Alice. I will take you back to Wanham Castle and keep you by my side. No one will be able to get you there. All will be well, you’ll see.”

  Suddenly a look of exhaustion took hold of him, and he kissed her on the forehead and then lay back and fell into a deep sleep. But Alice didn’t. His words continued to ring in her ears. He thought he was being reassuring by telling her that he intended to control her. He thought he was helping her. What he didn’t realize was that his words had struck a chord of terror deep inside of her that she couldn’t contain. Because the last thing she wanted was to be kept in place by a man. The instinct of revolt that his words inspired, warred with her feelings for William. But ultimately, they won. She could not do as William said.

  William didn’t have the heart to rouse Alice, who lay sleeping soundly. It didn’t look as if she’d moved, which wasn’t surprising given the events of the day before. No, he’d leave her sleeping while he arranged some food and made the final arrangements to leave.

  Warin had already left the chamber, and William could hear his voice downstairs in the taproom, no doubt already tasting the goodwife’s ale. He stepped heavily down the stairs, his heart full of Alice, his mind full of the man he’d killed the day before. The only witness had been Ralph’s son, Adam. It would be his word against William’s. And he had no idea whose word held the greatest sway with the King, should it get that far.

  William greeted Warin and accepted the cup of ale and ordered breakfast to be taken up to Alice.

  Outside, the mist was curling around the outbuildings, rising from the fields. He sniffed the air. It would be a fair day, a good day for riding. With any luck, they’d reach Norwich where they could spend the night at the house his brother, Savari, kept there. And he could talk to Savari about how best to proceed. And then they’d press on to Wanham. Simply the thought of his beloved lands and home brought him a deep-rooted sense of comfort. Alice would fit right in with his sisters, who loved her as if she were a sister. And with him. It was what was meant to be.

  William had been right, things did seem better in the cold light of day. There was little time or energy to speak as they cantered at a brisk pace along the back roads toward Norwich. Compared to the desolate, flat, black lands of Lincolnshire, the lush undulating countryside around central Norfolk was like a balm to their inflamed spirits. It was the land she knew best and loved most. The damp cold of the Fens had been replaced by the drier cold of inland Norfolk. The light was bright, and the sun was high in the sky, glinting on the remnants of frost on the hard earth.

  Long before they entered Norwich, they could see the great white royal castle perched above the surrounding land, its white stone from France overpowering the landscape, as it was meant to do. The only royal castle in Norfolk and Suffolk, it was a symbol of imperial power and dominance. Alice shivered and tried to look away, but she was still aware of it, casting its pervasive gaze across the city. The message was clear—the King was watching his subjects closely. Alice hoped he wasn’t focused on them now. Stupid, she knew, as he was miles from here, drumming up support for his French campaign. But still, she felt a crawling down her spine.

  The other symbol of dominance was the cathedral, a vast stone edifice asserting its equal rights to the hearts, minds, and souls of its inhabitants as the King. But to Alice, the cathedral was a thing of beauty, piercing the pale blue sky as if reaching to heaven. The castle was a thing of dominance, with no aspiration to heaven, only to earthly subjugation.

  They passed through St. Augustine’s Gate and were immediately plunged into the busyness that was Norwich. With over 60 parish churches and 15,000 people living in the confines of the city wall, the place was a hive of industry. The warehouses and wharves spoke of the flourishing trade, as did the elegant stone-built houses, newly built and so different to the wooden buildings found elsewhere in the city and country. And, of course, it was one of these impressive stone houses which was Savari’s townhouse, set apart from the market, west, on a rise, flanked by other smart dwellings.

  William let out a low whistle as they pulled up outside. He helped Alice off the horse and looked up at the building. “I knew he was doing well at court, but not this well.”

  Warin led the horse to the stables at the rear of the property, through a courtyard. A servant bid them enter.

  They walked directly into the vaulted Hall. The smell of the newly sawn wood in the rafters combined with the earthiness of the decorated clay tiles. A bright fire was lit in a grate above which a chimney took the smoke out of the room.

  The door burst open, and Savari entered. He was the same height as William but not as broad. His face was extremely handsome, sculpted, and intelligent and thought Alice, slightly scary. Unlike William, you couldn’t be sure what Savari was thinking.

  He strode across the room and embraced William. “Brother!” He stepped back. “I had not expected to see you here this night.” He turned his perceptive gaze to Alice. “Nor in such beautiful company.”

  “And I had not expected it either. There is a story to tell.”

  Savari took his eyes from Alice, and she breathed again. She felt as if she’d been examined, and a conclusion had been drawn. But she had no idea what that might be.

  “Then, come.” He slapped William on the back once more. “Take a seat, and tell your story.” He gave orders to the maid, who promptly disappeared. He turned a charming smile to Alice. If he were not William’s brother, Alice wouldn’t have trusted it. “And Lady Alice, perhaps you’d care to bathe before dinner?” He gestured to the stairs. “I made sure the house had all the newest features. There is a bath, and I’ve instructed my maid to go to a lady I know where she can gather some fresh clothes for you.”

  Alice was grateful for the courtesies. “Thank you, sir. And I will gladly avail myself of these luxuries, but before I do, I wish to be present for your talk with William.”

  Savari looked at William and raised an eyebrow. William shrugged. “It is her right. She is involved. We are both implicated in something which I’m hoping won’t be bigger than either of us.”

  Savari’s mouth clenched into a grim line. He indicated that their cups be replenished and then sat back, not partaking of any of the food which was set before them. “Then, please, tell me everything.”

  “Where to start?” murmured William.

  “The salient point,” said Savari.

  William looked up from the depths of his cup and into Savari’s eyes. “I killed a man.”

  Savari nodded as if this occurrence happened every day. “And who is this man?”

  “Ralph de Gant.”

  Savari gave a tight gasp. He walked to a side table and picked up the wine. He paused and then uncorked it and poured wine into his empty cup. Then he turned. “Ah, William, that is indeed a salient point.” He paused. “Another one would be, who witnessed it?”

  “Alice,” said William. “Warin, my squire, and Ralph’s son, Adam.”

  Savari winced slightly at the last name. “And what kind of man is Adam?”

  “He is still but a boy.” William rolled his lips together and exchanged looks with Alice.

  Alice turned to Savari. “A boy who should not be overlooked, I fear.”

  Savari shrugged. “We can deal with him. He is of no consequence or power at court. And Ralph’s star was waning anyway. He’d become a thorn in the King’s side. I don’t think our King will miss him. In fact, he could be grateful for him being gone.” He took another sip of wine. “I’ll put the word out that the bandits in Lincolnshire have become bold, and are now attacking the Barons. Ralph made some unpopular decisions, which I’m sure can be made to be the reason for the murder. And, as to the boy, Adam, I’ll
track him down and persuade him to keep his peace.”

  William shook his head. “None of this was meant to happen.”

  “I’m sure,” said Savari looking from William to Alice and then back to William. “You were ever the gallant knight, plunging in where you shouldn’t in the name of honor and truth.”

  “Aren’t we all?” said William.

  Savari grunted, and Alice got the feeling that Savari didn’t agree with William. She felt a surge of love for William. His words were typical of him. He believed in the best of everyone. Unlike his brother, Alice thought, who she suspected believed the worst of everyone, as she did.

  She turned suddenly to see Savari’s eyes upon her. He’d been watching her, watch William. She blushed as she remembered how her thoughts had been straying. Savari smiled, and for the first time, she saw some warmth in that smile. Maybe he sensed her feelings for William.

  “And you, Lady Alice, what do you intend to do now?”

  It was the first time anyone had asked her. Even William, for all his consideration, hadn’t asked her what she wanted. He’d thought he’d known.

  “I cannot return to my home, to the de Courcy castle. I fear I would be too vulnerable there. My father’s cousin, Sir Bayard of Wrotham, has been promised a position at court. I heard them speak of the newly vacant Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk. His power is only increasing. He could return for me and try to marry me off to someone else. I cannot return there.”

  “Of course not,” said William. “You will come to Wanham.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve sent word to the Abbess. She’ll take me in, I’m sure.”

  A frown settled over William’s brow, but he didn’t argue, for which she was thankful. She knew he’d raise the subject later when they were alone.

  Savari nodded and looked thoughtfully between his brother and Alice. “And I’ll do what I can at court to keep you all safe,” said Savari.

  “When do you return to court?” asked William, obviously wanting to change the subject from Alice’s future.

  “Tomorrow,” replied Savari. “My business here is done.” He looked at Alice. “I will do my best to protect your gallant knight, Lady Alice.”

  She drew a deep breath and gave him a quick, assenting smile. “Thank you.” She rose. “I think I’ll take that bath you mentioned now.”

  William and Savari both rose and bade her goodnight.

  She followed the maid to her chamber, where a steaming bath had been prepared as Savari had promised. She peeled off her clothes and sunk into its depths, and marveled at the luxury in which Savari lived.

  Once clean, she allowed herself to lay back and succumb to the relaxation of the water and let her mind drift. This time not to the dark times but to William. He was like an oak tree, the one firm thing in this troubled land and one to which she longed to cling. She sighed and imagined herself clinging to him.

  There was a knock at the door, and she rose out the water and wrapped herself in the drying sheet. She padded across the wooden floor upon which a Turkish rug had been laid in a heathen style. Moonlight lay in strips across the floor. The wool was warm to her feet.

  “Alice? It is William.”

  “One moment.”

  She pulled on her chemise, and flung a cloak around her for modesty’s sake, and opened the door. William stood outside, a candle sputtering in his hand, casting flickering shadows over his face. She nearly started back, as he didn’t look like him. Again the memory of how he’d killed Ralph cast her mind back to how Bayard had visited her at nights.

  He frowned and began to reach out to her but stopped and dropped his hand by his side. “There it is again, Alice. You almost look scared of me. I may be the one person in the world you should not be scared of. I would do anything for you, you must know that.”

  She nodded as he brought the light around and placed it on a ledge, and his features settled into their usual form once more. She released a tightly held breath. “I do know that.”

  “Then, unless you hear back from the Abbess, tomorrow we ride to Wanham, and we make preparations.” He nodded and retreated as if there were nothing more to be said. By the time she’d drawn breath, he’d gone. She closed the door behind her.

  Preparations, William had said. He meant plans. Plans to work out what would happen next. That’s what he meant. Plans for her future. He could not have meant preparations for that would assume a plan has been established. And they’d discussed nothing.

  Alice climbed into bed and lay looking up at the ceiling, its newly hewn wood still redolent of the forest. She gripped the fur coverlet in the palms of her hands and drew in a long, deep breath. She swallowed. Tomorrow. She’d tell him tomorrow after they’d reached Wanham. Tomorrow, she insisted to herself, forcing her eyes to close and her breathing to slow. Tomorrow, she repeated, as her eyes opened wide once more.

  Chapter 6

  Despite her concerns, Alice had slept soundly and awoke refreshed and full of hope. She’d manage to find a way to make William understand, and she’d find a home with Lady Anne at the Priory. While it might not be the home that she’d dreamed of as a girl, it would be a home where she could work and be useful. It would be a good life.

  A good life, she repeated to herself as she descended the stairs into Savari’s Hall where both men were already drinking their morning ale.

  Savari’s whistled in appreciation while William smiled warmly. Savari swept a low bow. “You are like an angel descending from the skies, my lady.”

  William turned away, but not before Alice noticed a scowl.

  “And you, Savari,” said William pouring Alice a drink. “Are like a court-fed popinjay. A flatterer.”

  “And where is your courtesy, brother?” asked Savari, not in the least offended.

  “Lacking entirely,” said William, shooting Alice a quick grin. “Alice knows what I think, and that is enough for me.”

  “But not enough for me,” said Savari with a wicked grin. “Pray, tell, Lady Alice, do you know my brother William’s thoughts?”

  “And how could I do that, sir?” She smiled, unable to resist Savari’s charm. “When he speaks so little?”

  William’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing and took a swig of ale instead.

  “Ah, then I am correct,” said Savari. “You quiet men are all alike. Simply because you think something, you believe it to be understood. You must tell the lady Alice exactly how you perceive her, or else she might believe you to be indifferent.”

  “Is that so, Alice?” asked William.

  Alice’s smile faltered, but with an encouraging nod from Savari, she shrugged. William must have taken the shrug, not for the denial she implied, but for uncertainty.

  “Well then,” he said. “You are the most beautiful woman I know or have ever known. I’ve never seen an angel, and I’ve no need to, for I’ve seen you.”

  Savari raised an eyebrow, and he clapped William on the back. “You, brother, have no need of courtly advice. You know more than any of us.” He turned to Alice. “He’s all yours.”

  Savari summoned his squire and disappeared to his office, leaving William and Alice in awkward silence.

  Alice suddenly felt ashamed for joining Savari in teasing William because she’d forced him to speak to her in a way she’d been trying to avoid.

  “William, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have teased you so. I—”

  “It’s of no consequence.”

  “But it is, William. I’m sorry for making you speak out thus. It was wrong considering…” The words proved reluctant to emerge. She hadn’t intended to have this conversation so soon.

  He sat forward in his chair. “Considering what, Alice. Tell me.”

  She licked her lips. “Considering I sent word last night to Lady Anne at the Priory asking her permission to stay with her for the foreseeable future.”

  William’s facial expression didn’t change, only his eyes in which she could see hurt, and something more, something akin to
pain. It was quickly covered.

  “And your mind is made up?”

  She nodded.

  “Hm,” he grunted. “Mayhap Savari was right, I should have told you earlier how I feel about you. Mayhap then you’d reconsider this mad idea to live at the Priory.”

  She shook her head. “I cannot. At the Priory, I will have the life which I desire.”

  “And you desire no other?” His eyes were hot as they sought hers.

  Alice was saved from answering by the return of Savari. “The horses are being readied for your journey. But come and breakfast first.”

  They’d hardly begun to break their fast when a messenger was shown into the room.

  “My lady,” the messenger bowed. “Word from Lady Anne, the Abbess. She says you must not come to the Priory for there is sickness there.”

  Alice leaped up. “Sickness? What kind? How many ail?”

  The messenger shrugged. “I know not, my lady. All I know is the message that the Abbess gave me to give you. She said, there is illness, and she asks you not to come.”

  “And you know nothing of it?” asked Alice, confused by the messenger’s lack of knowledge.

  Another shrug.

  William turned to Savari. “Is there sickness in the county?”

  “Not that I’ve heard.” Savari turned to the messenger. “What kind of sickness?” They all knew what he meant.

  “There is no plague. Only…” shrugged the messenger, “some sickness. That is all I know,” said the messenger. “She specifically said the Lady Alice shouldn’t come.”

  Alice’s heart sank. Her one hope of refuge from the vagaries of life had been dashed. It seemed she had no option but to continue to confront her fears.

  Alice rode a palfrey borrowed from Savari for the last part of the journey to Wanham. William missed her body pressed against his. It had been the closest they’d been for years. He missed it, missed her. Like he was missing a part of himself. And he had a horrible feeling, in the pit of his gut, that that sense of loss wouldn’t be filled anytime soon.