by Alexa Aston
He looked to Avelyn. “Were you with her at the end?”
“Aye. I came in search of you.” She placed a hand upon his arm. Her warm fingers comforted him. “I didn’t want you to face her alone and sought you out.”
Kenric touched her shoulder. “You are a good friend to me, my lady.”
He caught the shift in her body language. “We are friends?”
“I would like to think so.”
He saw that his answer didn’t please her, but he didn’t want to get into a deeper conversation at this point.
“We should go find Gussalen and then the priest. I hope you approve of us staying for the funeral mass. We can set out for Sandbourne after it ends.”
“Gussalen was with Lady Juliana when I left,” Avelyn said. “I’m sure she’s still there.”
They walked down the hallway and paused before his mother’s bedchamber door. “Why don’t you go to Lady Sela and attend the evening meal downstairs? I’ll handle everything here.”
Avelyn hesitated a moment. “If you insist.”
“Go,” he encouraged.
She bid him farewell and returned to the chamber next door, giving him an encouraging smile before she entered it. Kenric turned and opened the door before him.
A nightmare welcomed him. His eyes fell first to the bed, spattered in blood. Then he spied the still form on the floor and rushed to it.
Gussalen lay in a large pool of blood, a baselard next to her lifeless body.
Kenric realized that the blood from the bed must have come from the old servant, driven mad with grief at having lost the only person she loved. Once again, he felt nothing as he looked upon her body and then that of his lady mother in the bed. It was as if he looked upon his fallen enemy on the battlefield. He felt no victory in these deaths. No sorrow. No glee. No sense of loss.
Only emptiness. And if he was being honest with himself?
Mayhap a small twinge of relief.
*
Avelyn tried her best to remain attentive at Lady Juliana’s funeral mass, but her worries for Kenric pushed all else from her mind.
He should be the Earl of Shadowfaire, not the brother who snapped at his poor wife, treating her no better than a servant. Roland Fairfax hadn’t seemed to care one whit that his mother had died. She saw no grief on his face, only impatience at not having been fed. Normally, she would excuse someone who had been ill. It was no fun to lay abed in poor health. Look at her—she had twisted her ankle and only stayed in bed for part of one day, and that had nearly driven her mad. She understood adding illness on top of that might cause someone to misspeak, but Lord Roland had seemed unaffected by the news regarding his mother.
She did like Lady Doria very much. Last night, she learned from her that Doria had lost her first babe a few months after finding herself with child shortly after her wedding. This time, she was over six months along and being very careful, trying not to overtax herself.
But Avelyn knew that Doria should not be the lady of the castle. Lord Roland was no lord at all. Kenric should be the titled nobleman of Shadowfaire.
And yet, she couldn’t tell him. She had no proof. Nothing to back up her claim.
Yesterday, when he declared them to be only friends, she’d understood immediately, despite the tender kisses they had shared. She knew Kenric believed that he had nothing to offer her and wanted them to put aside their feelings for one another. Avelyn understood the logic behind his reasoning, but she totally disagreed with it. She didn’t care if they lived in a tiny cottage or a grand manor. She only knew she must be with him. Marriage to Kenric Fairfax would be the adventure of her life—and she refused to miss out on a single minute of it.
If she told him what Gussalen had revealed before she killed herself, Kenric would think Avelyn lied in order for him to possess a castle and name worthy of her. Even if he somehow chose to believe her, what options did he have? He could march in and tell his brother what a dead woman had revealed. Not even to him, but to Avelyn, someone the old woman had only just met.
Roland Fairfax would either fall out of his bed in laughter or order his twin off the grounds of Shadowfaire, banning him from ever returning.
She hadn’t realized when Kenric told her he was the second born son that he was a twin. And now, Avelyn knew of the switch the crazy, obsessed servant had made on the very day of the boys’ birth.
A wave of helplessness almost brought her to her knees.
She could hope that Roland would die, though she feared that would be a grievous sin staining her soul. If he did, by some miracle, Kenric wouldn’t instantly assume the mantle as the new lord of Shadowfaire.
For Lady Doria could give birth to a male child. If so, he would be named the heir.
And then Kenric would never receive his birthright.
Avelyn’s nails dug into the palms of her hands. That old witch had accomplished everything she wanted. She’d kept Kenric from his deserved position of power and wealth when his father died. She’d also found a way to torment the woman who loved him—and couldn’t tell him the truth she had learned.
What should she do?
Avelyn had prayed for an answer last night, but God hadn’t cooperated by providing a timely response.
If she was at Kinwick, she would share what she knew with her uncle. Geoffrey de Montfort was a rational man and very wise for his years. She clung to the thought that he and Merryn would visit Sandbourne in a month or more, after Elysande gave birth. If she hadn’t figured out a solution to this problem by then, she would tell her uncle what she’d discovered and hope he would create a plan of action to help raise Kenric to his full position.
But the knowledge would eat away at her till then.
Chapter 14
Avelyn hated that the journey to Sandbourne had almost come to an end. She thought back to when they left London only a short time ago. Her first conversation with Kenric Fairfax had led her to believe she would dread the time spent on the road with him.
How quickly things had changed.
The man she now rode with had proven to be confident and intelligent. More importantly, he had somehow stolen her heart. Avelyn only wished he’d stolen a few more kisses.
She took a deep breath, causing her to press against his massive chest. In response, his arm tightened slightly about her waist. A frisson of pleasure shot through her as she inhaled his masculine scent, mixed with a hint of his leather saddle and Firefall, smells she also associated with him.
A smile came to her face. Elysande would tease her unmercifully if she knew how much her sister now enjoyed the scent of a horse. Well, at least this horse. Avelyn still wasn’t overly fond of horses in general, but she’d become comfortable atop Firefall—thanks to riding him while enveloped by his master’s arms.
They would arrive at Sandbourne soon, so this physical closeness would come to an end. Avelyn would have to dream up a few more ways she could find herself entwined in Kenric’s arms once they arrived. She burned for his kiss. Already, it had been too long since she tasted him.
The green forest opened wide. Avelyn sat up in anticipation as she spied their destination.
“Are you happy that we’re almost there?” asked Kenric, his voice low in her ear, adding to her thrill.
“Aye. I’ve missed Elysande more than I imagined possible. We’d never been separated a single day before she wed Michael. She came here to Sandbourne and I left to go to court to serve the queen.”
“So it will be a happy reunion between sisters.”
“Indeed.”
They arrived at the gates, which opened in time for them to ride through without stopping. Avelyn’s heart beat faster as they wove through the outer and then the inner bailey and came to stop at the keep. She glimpsed her mother standing with Sir Charles, a longtime retainer at Sandbourne and remembered how Michael shared that the knight entertained him with stories when he was a boy. Avelyn was glad her mother had already arrived so they would be able to spend more time toget
her. Standing next to Sir Charles was Lady Orella, Michael’s mother, whom Avelyn had met last summer.
Then she caught sight of Elysande and gave her a wave. Her sister waved back, as did Michael, who had his arm about his wife.
Kenric pulled Firefall up and dismounted. He reached for her waist and brought her to the ground. Avelyn quickly thanked him and raced toward her sister, who appeared as round and large as a barrel.
“Elysande!” she cried as she started to hug her and then stepped back. “I don’t know how to embrace you.”
Michael laughed. “I tell her there’s simply more of her to love.” He kissed his wife’s cheek.
“Come here,” her sister ordered.
She obeyed and wrapped her arms about Elysande as best she could. “Oh!” Avelyn pulled back. “Was that the babe? I felt it kick from inside you.”
Elysande laughed. “The little one knows the joy I feel in having you here.”
“Does it . . . hurt?”
“Nay,” Elysande reassured her. “It does get a bit uncomfortable at times.” She laughed. “And the babe keeps me awake at odd hours of the night. Michael, too.”
The earl agreed. “I have been fast asleep, minding my own business, my wife in my arms, when I’m punched and nearly fly off the bed.” He grinned as he stroked his wife’s rounded belly. “I believe it’s a boy. A big, powerful boy who will be a strong warrior and cut down all enemies of the king.”
Elysande shook her head. “What if I carry a strong girl child? One who knows her own mind and will always get her way.”
Michael lifted his wife’s hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “You mean a female just like her mother?”
She swatted him playfully. “Whether a boy or girl, this babe definitely has a mind of its own.” She smiled at her sister. “But I’m ever so glad to have you at Sandbourne.” Elysande looked over Avelyn’s shoulder. “My thanks, Sir Kenric, for retrieving Avelyn and delivering her to me safely.”
“And what about me?” her mother demanded. “I, too, have missed my daughter. Come here, child.”
Avelyn flung herself into her mother’s arms, closing her eyes to relish the feel of the familiar embrace before withdrawing. “I believe I missed you far more than you missed me, Lady Mother. You’ve been busy managing Hopeston, no doubt, and had little time to think of me. But I must introduce you to my friend who has accompanied me on this visit.”
She turned and motioned Sela over.
“I brought my closest friend at court home for the summer,” Avelyn told them. “Lady Sela Runford, may I introduce you to my family and Lord Michael’s mother?” She went through all their names.
Sela gave the group that surrounded her a warm smile. “I feel I know you all very well, for Avelyn has spoken of each of you frequently. I hope you don’t mind that I accompanied her back to Sandbourne instead of attending the queen on her summer progress.”
“We’re delighted to host you, Lady Sela,” Elysande said. “Any friend to my sister is a friend to us all. But do come inside. We held the noon meal until you arrived since we knew you’d be hungry.”
Avelyn linked her arm through Sela’s and followed Elysande and Michael inside the keep. She almost giggled watching her older sister waddle along, her feet turned slightly outward. Avelyn glanced over her shoulder and saw that Kenric and the rest of the escort party had departed. They probably would take their horses to the Sandbourne stables and then join them for the noon meal.
Instead of going to the great hall, their small party went up to the solar. Avelyn hid her disappointment, wishing she could have seen Kenric while they dined, but she understood why Elysande would direct them to the family quarters for their reunion.
“I only had one chamber prepared,” Elysande apologized. “I didn’t know Lady Sela would be joining us.”
“It was a last minute decision, my lady,” Sela said. “Avelyn had given me an open invitation to come visit her this summer. I pestered my father, one of the king’s advisers, until he granted me permission, and then the queen followed suit. Since Avelyn’s escort party had arrived, I thought it would be convenient if I accompanied them.”
“And I apologize that I totally forgot to mention your joining Avelyn when Sir Kenric’s soldier delivered the message that the escort party, plus one, would be delayed a day. The road to and from London can be dangerous,” Michael noted. “I’m glad you returned with Avelyn under Sir Kenric’s supervision.”
“Oh, he’s quite an impressive knight,” Sela purred.
Avelyn realized that her friend still showed interest in Kenric—though she often showed interest in various men, including Sir Martin. Avelyn would have to get Sela alone and tell her that she would prefer that Sela not pursue any attachment with Kenric Fairfax. Usually, she told her friend everything, but they’d spent time away from each other when she injured her ankle. They had much to catch up on—including the fact that Avelyn had kissed Sir Kenric and found it very much to her liking.
“Don’t worry about having the servants prepare another chamber, Elysande. Sela and I are used to sharing quarters.”
Michael laughed. “So you can gossip together, I suppose.”
Avelyn felt the blush rise on her cheeks. “Mayhap we’ll do just that, my lord.”
Elysande provided a large meal for them. Avelyn ate till she thought her sides would burst, but her sister ate even more.
“So you eat for two now?” she teased.
“I’m ravenous these days. The first few months, I couldn’t keep a bite down. I would swallow it and it threatened to come back up almost immediately.”
“I was the same way with you, Elysande,” their mother shared. “With Avelyn, I didn’t experience such a problem.”
“And yet here I am, the tall one, while my younger sister is so dainty.”
Lady Orella laughed. “I couldn’t eat hardly anything for weeks when I carried Michael, but I certainly made up for it once my nausea subsided. He came out quite large.”
Avelyn shuddered. “All of these stories. It makes me wonder what I will be like when I am with child.”
“Let’s find you a husband first, my dear,” her mother said, patting her hand.
She wanted to tell her that she already had but held her tongue.
“So how do you fare at Hopeston?” she asked. Avelyn turned to Sela and reminded, “Mother lost her second husband, Lord Holger, last summer. The king has allowed her to remain at Hopeston and manage the estate for the time being.”
Her mother cleared her throat. “I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you.” She took Avelyn’s hands in hers. “Elysande already knows, but I wanted to tell you that I’m to wed again for a third—and what I hope shall be final—time.”
“Truly? Where will the king send you? And to whom?”
A sweet smile lit her mother’s face. “It’s my choice this time. Unlike before.” She paused. “Do you remember Sir Charles?”
Avelyn nodded. “Aye. I saw him standing near you when we arrived today.” Then it dawned on her. “You’re to wed Sir Charles? Then does that mean you’ll remain at Sandbourne?”
“I will. Michael has been kind enough to allow us use of the manor house, so we’ll make our home there.”
She gave her mother’s hands an affectionate squeeze. “He’s a very fine knight, Mother. He was so protective of you when we were accosted by that wicked Lord Ingram who thought to kidnap Elysande and make her his wife.”
“What?” Sela blurted out, surprise on her face. “You haven’t told me this tale, Avelyn.”
Avelyn shook her head. “You’ll have plenty of time to hear it.” She glanced back at her mother. “I’m most pleased for you, Mother.”
“As am I.”
Michael interjected, “Sir Charles has been here many years. He and Sir Thirkell told me stories of the Knights of the Round Table when I was a small boy. He’s promised to continue that tradition and tell my children the same tales.” He raised his goble
t. “To Lady Mary and her upcoming marriage. May you live a long and fruitful life together with Sir Charles here at Sandbourne.”
Those gathered lifted their cups in acknowledgement and drank.
“Does this mean you’ll marry soon?” Avelyn asked.
“Aye,” her mother said. “The king has already appointed a new custodian for Hopeston and awarded its accompanying title to a deserving knight. I brought all of my personal possessions with me and will remain at Sandbourne from now on.”
Avelyn smiled broadly. “So when is the wedding?”
*
Her mother insisted that Avelyn and Sela rest that afternoon after their days on the road. In truth, Avelyn had no need to nap. They’d broken up the journey from London with their stay at Kinwick and then their brief stop at Shadowfaire, sleeping in a soft bed both places as opposed to the hard ground out on the road.
Still, she knew Sela was exhausted. As a delicate, court flower, her friend wasn’t used to strenuous activity. Elysande, too, made it a habit to rest in the afternoons since she tired easily these days. Avelyn had played the dutiful daughter and retired to the chamber prepared for her, which she would share with Sela.
They lay on the bed now with the curtains drawn about them. Sela snored softly while Avelyn remained wide-eyed. All she could think about was Kenric Fairfax.
She knew she would glimpse him at the evening meal but didn’t know if she would have an opportunity to speak with him after it ended. As a family member, she would be seated upon the dais, while Kenric would be at a table with the group of soldiers that guarded Sandbourne. He might not even attend the meal if he’d been assigned duty on the wall walk or in another area of the keep.
That would be the first problem to address—finding a way to talk with him. As a valued member of Sandbourne’s guard, Kenric would be involved in daily training exercises, as well as patrol the estate and be scheduled to various duty stations. In short, his time wasn’t his own but what the captain of the guard made of it. That meant access to him might be limited to meals he attended in the great hall.
Avelyn decided the best way to find time alone with Kenric would be through Elysande. She would confide in her sister that she wanted to learn to ride. She could explain how she’d felt comfortable with Sir Kenric Fairfax and his horse and believed he’d be a good teacher for her. Naturally, Elysande would be thrilled that her sister finally had realized how wonderful horses were and would, no doubt, encourage Avelyn’s interest in riding. Elysande had a passion for horseflesh and knew as much about them as any man did.
