by Abby Gordon
“Lady Anna,” Matthew greeted her, imitating what he’d seen the others do by putting his fist to his chest and bowing. “We are new to our training. Sir Edward started this spring after we’d been taught by Denby.”
“I know that name,” she frowned. “He attacked Sir Edward when he fought Edmund the bastard.”
“He did, Lady Anna. And encouraged his nephew and another to be bullies to the smaller ones and to Geoffrey. Sir Edward dismissed Denby and the bully boys. He started our training properly. We won’t be fully Roses for many years, but Sir Edward has shown us what we should be. As men. As Roses. As fighters.”
Beaming, Celeste glanced at Edward and squeezed his waist at the pleased embarrassment on his face.
“An excellent testimonial,” observed Root Anna. “Was Sir Edward’s training that easy that you praise him so?”
“No, Lady,” Matthew shook his head. “He worked us hard, even in the rain. But he made us want to train. We wanted to please him each day with what we learned. With how well we did. And then we realized we were getting better. We were getting stronger.” The boy grinned at Geoffrey. “I don’t think we could beat Geoff given what happened at Easter, but I think one of us could take on Thornby and Beck the way Sir Edward said we’d be able to by harvest.”
“Not that I want you to go looking for a fight,” Edward spoke quickly.
“Oh, no, sir,” Matthew shook his head, as did the other boys. “You taught us that as well. To watch our opponent, to read him, to avoid a fight if we could, but be ready when we must.”
Celeste caught the smile the Root gave the Shield.
“Sir Godfrey, will you bring forth the loyal Roses of York to stand with these future Roses?”
At the man’s gesture, the thirty who had met the Root in the thicket came forward and gathered behind the boys. Matthew and Micah edged toward a man, as did some of the other boys.
“Ah, I see blood runs true still,” murmured the Root. “Jack, be proud of your sons.”
“I am that, Root Anna,” he replied, placing his hands on their shoulders.
“Boys, I look forward to returning each spring and seeing your progress. Or journeying to London and watching you train there. Or,” she smiled. “Perhaps you’ll come to Berwyn and train.”
“Or all three,” the Shield added.
“Indeed. So, all the Roses of England and Wales will know each other’s measure,” she agreed. “In my grandfather’s time,” she raised her voice. “Sir Godfrey was captain of the Roses of York. He insisted he is too old. I think Sir Edward would agree—”
“I am too young and don’t know enough,” Edward shook his head.
Root Anna smiled at his quick agreement as George came from his place to stand behind her.
“I therefore name Sir Jasper to be Captain of the Roses of York, with Sir Godfrey and Sir Edward to aid him in training,” she winked at the boys who grinned back at her. She took the badge George handed her. “Sir Jasper.”
He’d wanted to refuse, saying Sir Godfrey was captain, but the Root’s logic had been sound and impossible to argue with. A sure sign of how much Edward has grown since spring since he takes it with a smile like that. The Root has returned. She has made things right, and we shall do all we can to help. But, oh, my sweet Therese, I would you were here! Stepping forward, he knelt before the Root.
He could see the understanding in her eyes, and in the Shield as he stood behind her.
“A true and faithful Rose of York,” stated the Root. “A stalwart captain of the company.”
“I pledge to lead the Roses of York as the Root commands. To live a good and honorable life as example. To never lead the Roses into dishonor. I pledge to protect their lives with my own.”
“I pledge to never require you nor the Roses you lead to do aught that besmirches your honor. To live a good and honorable life as a Root. I pledge to avenge you and your company if you fall to the enemy.” Bending slightly forward, she removed his old badge and replaced it with a new, slightly larger one with silver ‘C’ in the center with a ruby. “Rise, Sir Jasper, Captain of the Roses of York.”
Standing, Jasper glanced at the thirty men, plus eight boys. “We might be small now, Root Anna, but we are true.”
“Aye,” she nodded, then smiled. “We’ll see how they last with Sir Godfrey taking over their training.”
Several men groaned as the Norman and Gascon Roses chuckled.
“And the rest of us?” someone in the crowd called out. “We were part of the company.”
“That will depend on the Captain,” Root Anna replied. “Hear me now. This is a new beginning for the Roses of England and Wales. The old ways of the Elders are no more. If you would be a Rose, you must earn your badge. Between now and spring, you will train as other Roses in the Order do. You will face the same tests. You must prove yourself worthy first to Sir Jasper, Sir Godfrey and Sir Edward. And then,” she smiled. “You must prove it to me.”
“To a woman?”
The sneer fell in the quiet.
“Bring that man forth,” she commanded.
“Anna,” her husband hissed. “You promised.”
“That was for training and I’m not on horseback now,” she replied as two men dragged a third forward through the company. “And who is this?”
“Denby,” snarled Edward. “A foul coward who attacks from the rear.”
“The poor trainer of the boys who encouraged bullying,” she murmured. “Roses, stand back. He’s mine.”
“Fuck,” muttered the Shield.
Denby laughed and pointed at her. “A woman? You really think—”
Drawing her sword, Anna looked at him much, Celeste thought, as if he were a curious and odd beetle.
“So, all you can do is sneer and jeer? Can you not fight at all, little man?”
Edward saw the rage in the other man’s eyes before he drew and charged. Phillipe was pulling Meggie and Celeste back and caught his sleeve.
“But—”
“Don’t take your eyes off of her,” the Gascon told him, loud enough for many to hear. “She is a Root of the Rose.”
“But—”
Owain had seen his wife throw knives, including at his brother. He’d seen her disembowel and castrate Richard Richland with one shot before executing him. He’d seen her shoot an arrow as she stood protecting the queen. He’d seen her in the training yard madly riding her mare as she, Root Raoul and Heir Etienne shot arrows at targets. He thought he was a swordsman.
He’d never seen anything like what his wife did to Denby.
She let him charge, sidestepping at the last moment and slapping his ass with her sword as he tried to turn. Facing him, the Root of England and Wales crouched slightly, eyes taking in her opponent. Two feints blocked even as they started with Denby’s sword slapped away. At the third, she snapped her sword at his hilt, pulling his sword from his hand, flipping it into the air and catching it. Even as her foot lashed out and caught him in the groin.
Denby fell to his knees but before he could fall on his hands as he howled in pain, the swords crossed at his neck and held him still.
No one in the courtyard moved, unable to believe what they’d witnessed.
“I’ve heard many things about you, Denby,” she told him. “How you curried favor with Edmund the bastard. You encouraged your nephew and other boys to pick on those smaller or who you saw as weak. But even worse, you held Julia as he raped her, then raped her yourself.”
“How could you know that?” he demanded.
“I told her,” the owner of the Black Swan stepped forward. “Lady Anna,” he bowed. “I look forward to York being a respectable place for decent people again.”
“My thanks, sir,” she replied.
“So, based on one man’s word you’ll give me your justice,” Denby sneered.
“No, not just his, but he told me about your perversions. And, you are not a Rose, Denby. I cannot judge you for your crimes against Roses, York or the Cro
wn as you were part of the treason. My lord of Leicester?”
“I have two men standing by to take him, Lady Anna,” the earl answered, gesturing.
The men came, tying Denby’s arms behind his back and dragging him off as he protested.
As Denby’s shouts were silenced by a clout on the head, Celeste held tight to Edward’s hand.
“Lady Anna, how did you know that?” she had to ask.
“Your cook Bessie came to me,” Root Anna smiled. “Take care of her. She is very loyal to you.”
“I shall, my lady,” Celeste nodded.
“Now,” Root Anna glanced about. “Anyone else want to doubt my abilities as Root?”
There was silence followed by a spattering of ‘no’s and ‘not I, lady Anna’.
“The men of York show intelligence,” observed the Shield. “Considering you’d be fighting me next and I would not hold back my sword.”
“Owain,” murmured the Root. “You’re scaring them.”
“I’m scaring them?” he asked. “Who just knocked a man’s sword out of his hand and held it to his throat? If you teach that trick to our children, we might not have any living once they’re past six.”
Laughing, she hugged him. “Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but I am quite hungry. Celeste? Bessie said she was making that delicious spice bread you told me about.”
“Easier than shaking out London for chestnuts,” George commented.
“Spice bread?” Edward wondered.
Anna glanced at Celeste and shook her head. Understanding, she nodded. Something like that is for when we are alone.
Chapter Twenty-eight
It was near midnight before they could go to the small, thankfully private room near the top of the tower. He’d brought what he’d needed, and her things had been brought up from the room she’d shared with the other single women. Barring the door, he pulled her to him. For a moment, he was content simply to hold her and know that finally they were together.
“You’ve lost weight,” he murmured. “Did your father starve you? Why would he do that though? You were doing what he wanted by marrying Edmund.”
“I keep getting sick,” she told him.
“You’re ill?” He tried to see her face. When she turned it against his chest, he caught her chin and forced her head up. “Celeste, we must call a physician. We must –”
“We must talk,” she told him. “Let there be no more secrets or worrisome feelings between us.”
He buried his face against her neck. “I am so sorry for how I was that day. I was so full of emotion, fear of what could happen at any moment. I saw the notes and realized how quickly things were moving. I was terrified that the Elders, that our fathers would threaten you the way they had Godfrey’s family. I wanted you to come with me so I would know you’d be safe.”
“Why didn’t you say any of that?” she whispered. “You said nothing like that. You were so arrogant, sure I’d follow you anywhere.”
“God, I should have dragged you out with me. Something, anything rather than leave you.”
“I went to find you the next day when I knew Edmund would be gone, but no one would tell me where you were. I thought you had left York,” whispered Celeste, her fingers brushing his doublet. “I thought you’d left me.”
“Never,” Edward vowed fiercely, arms tightening around her.
A sob came from her. “All you had to say that day, before you said anything else was that you loved me. That you didn’t want to believe it but that there was evidence that our fathers were traitors. Anything but what you did.”
“I’ll remember that for next time,” he sighed.
“Next time?” she gasped, lifting her head to stare at him. “Edward!”
“Actually,” he murmured, smiling slightly. “What I’ll do first is this.”
His hands framed her face and he kissed her. There was some reluctance at first which he understood. That just made him more determined. His left hand went to the back of her head while his right stroked down her back, pressing her against him. He teased her lips with his tongue and felt her sigh as her mouth parted slightly. All the emotions, everything he had felt, he poured into the kiss. When her hand flattened against him, then crept to his neck, he released his physical needs and ravaged her mouth.
Gentle, tender, careful, then the wildness from that last kiss two weeks ago. Celeste’s head spun. She couldn’t breathe. All she felt was him. His lips. His arms strong around her. His words echoed in her mind – he had wanted to be with me to deal with their treason. He’d needed to be with me. Being a man, he mucked it up of course, but, oh! His hands tugged at her clothing, found her breast and she whimpered in his mouth.
“You’re mine now,” he whispered in her ear. “Truly mine now, Celeste. Oh, God, I’ve wanted you so desperately.”
“Edward, please,” she sighed. “I’ve needed you.”
Holding her to his chest, he carried her to the bed.
She was cocooned in warmth. When she shifted, it was as if thick ropes held her still. Startled awake, Celeste tilted her head and saw Edward’s dark eyes gleaming down at her.
“Going somewhere?” he whispered, his lips brushing her forehead.
“I’m not used to sharing my bed,” she replied, blushing as she realized that they were both very much naked. Their legs intertwined and his arms were wrapped around her torso. “I couldn’t remember what had happened at first.”
“Couldn’t remember?” he echoed, his hands starting to explore her body as he rolled slightly and pinned her to the mattress. “Well, my lady wife, I guess I’ll have to remind you what happened in the night.”
“I might need reminding quite often,” she warned him with a teasing smile.
“I will be very patient,” Edward promised.
“How patient?” she wondered, her own hands trailing down his muscular chest and finding what had given her so much pleasure. “Mm, my lord husband?” She stroked him, loving the groan from his throat and the way his body shuddered.
“Well, maybe not so patient as that,” he conceded. “But I will be very thorough.”
“Please do,” whispered Celeste as his mouth explored the curve of her shoulder. “Edward?”
“Mm,” he answered, nibbling along her throat. “I’m concentrating, darling.”
Stretching, Celeste savored the feel of her body. Then she opened her eyes and groaned. Before Edward could stop her, she was scrambling out of the bed for the chamber pot.
“What –?”
She heaved over the bowl. Little came up, but the motion wouldn’t stop.
Well, this is one way to tell him. Edward stared for a moment, then rushed across to her.
“You are ill,” he panicked, glancing about and reaching for his breeches. “I’ll fetch—”
“Edward,” she whispered, sitting back on her heels. “I’m not ill.”
“What? Yes, you are,” he insisted, gesturing at the pot. “You were just ill. Just now. I must—”
“Edward, do you remember that ride in September?” she smiled, amused at how he reacted. So worried about me being sick. What will he do when the baby comes? “That wonderful ride when you got so angry at me riding fast in the forest?”
“Of course, I do,” Edward smiled. “That’s when –” he stared at her, staggered to her and knelt beside her. “My baby?” he breathed, a hand covering her stomach. “You’re carrying my child?”
“Aye, my love,” she whispered. “New beginnings in many ways for York.”
The breath whooshed out of him and she thought he’d collapse on her.
“Edward? Are you all right?”
“You’re not riding anymore. You’re not carrying anything heavier than… than a thread and needle,” he decided. Celeste started laughing and he scowled. “What’s so funny?”
“Root Anna said that was much the way the Shield was when she told him. Except for the thread and needle part. She hates sewing.”
Edward
stared at her a long moment, then held her close. “Oh, my sweet wife.”
Early the next morning they all gathered before the Manor of the Root. The Norman and Gascon Roses were mounted, except for the Root, Heirs, Phillipe and Meggie. Root Anna, Shield Owain and the double-roses would stay a couple more days to settle York and assist Leicester before leaving for Wales. Edward sidled to the Shield’s side.
“My lord?”
“Aye?”
“How do you get Root Anna to stay still? Now that she’s with child?”
Owain raised a brow, glanced at Celeste who was whispering with Meggie, Rose, Mary and Anna, then chuckled.
“I haven’t figured that trick out. If you do with Celeste, write and let me know.”
“I was rather hoping you knew or had picked that up from court.”
The Shield snorted as Daffyd and Phillipe joined them. “With women such as we have, I think the best thing we can do is love them and savor their strength. For we are the lucky men to have wives such as they.”
“Words I shall strive to follow,” Phillipe observed.
“I feel like I’m just getting to know you and you’re leaving,” Rose told Meggie.
“Wales isn’t so far from Bayonne by ship,” Meggie smiled. “And we’ll all write.”
“Yes,” Anna promised. “And tell me if Armand is getting into trouble.”
“With his wife or his mistresses?” Meggie wondered.
Groaning, Anna rolled her eyes. “Phillipe told you about that?”
“Mistresses?” Celeste stared.
“I’ll explain that later,” Anna murmured, seeing the horses paw the ground and Raoul glance about. “The travelers need to ride with the sun,” she called out.
Phillipe came quickly to Meggie who smiled up at him. The women hugged her one more time before he took her to where Eoin held their horses.
Nearby, George stood with Miles.
“I’ll make you proud, uncle,” Miles told him. “I won’t let Root Anna down neither.”
“I’ve no words to tell you how proud I am of you, lad,” he said. “I know you’ll be the best Protector Root Raoul has ever trained and you’ll come back with tales for us all.”
