by Alexa Aston
Avelyn lifted her skirts and raced ahead of them. She reached the keep and was happy that the first person she saw was her mother.
Panting heavily, she got out, “The babe comes!”
Lady Mary broke out into a smile. “I’ll bring the midwife and find Orella. Go find Michael,” she instructed.
Avelyn nodded. As she turned to leave, Kenric entered with Elysande in his arms and quickly strode up the stairs.
Elysande called out cheerily, “Michael should be in the training yard.”
Avelyn rushed back outside and to the area where the soldiers spent the majority of their day. She found Michael with a sword in hand, demonstrating moves to a gathered group. Avelyn motioned him over.
He stopped and hurried over, an irritated look upon his face. “I don’t wish to be interrupted—”
“It’s time!” she cried.
Michael froze. “The babe?”
Avelyn nodded. Then she began to laugh as the Earl of Sandbourne dropped his sword and took off like a comet. She ran behind him, following him all the way up to the solar.
Elysande sat on the bed, her mother and mother-in-law hovering over her as they slipped off her shoes and stockings. Kenric stood awkwardly in the corner.
The midwife shook a finger at Michael as he hurried across the room to his wife. “This is no place for you, my lord.” She snapped her fingers at Kenric. “You. Take the earl and be gone. There’s women’s work to be done here.”
Michael glared at the tiny midwife who ordered him about. “I will speak to my wife first.”
The two mothers stepped aside. Michael knelt by the bed and took Elysande’s hand in his, lowering his lips and pressing a tender kiss to her fingers.
“How are you, my love?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion.
Elysande gave him a beautiful smile. “I’m ready, Husband.”
“I know,” he said softly.
She grimaced as a birthing pain struck and then asked, “What if the babe is a girl?”
Michael brushed a stray curl from his wife’s cheek. “If it’s a girl, my fondest wish will come true—to have two beautiful Devereux women in my life.” He smiled. “And if you produce a boy, I will love him all the same.”
He kissed her fingers again. “Take care, Wife. The next time I see you, you will be a mother. The mother of our child.”
Michael rose and looked over at the only other male present. “Sir Kenric, come sit with me in the solar. I could use your company.” He glanced over to Avelyn. “Bring me regular reports of what goes on here.”
“I will,” she promised.
“Enough!” cried the midwife, waving her hands about. “Out, my lords.”
*
Kenric followed Lord Michael from the bedchamber. He didn’t want to stay with the nobleman in the man’s solar. He had no right. He wasn’t a relative or a trusted friend. He merely served the Devereux family.
“Have a seat. I don’t know about you, but I’m eager for a glass of wine.” Lord Michael poured a healthy amount into silver goblets for each of them and handed him one.
He gripped it and downed a mouthful before taking a seat in a chair next to the fire.
His liege lord sat in one opposite him and sighed. “I don’t know how women do it.”
“My lord?”
“Have babes. I’m already sick to my stomach and worried out of my mind, yet Elysande has only begun the lengthy, painful process of giving birth to my child.” He brought the goblet to his lips and sipped. “Men may flash their swords about and charge into battle without a thought for their safety, but women? They are the ones with a core of steel and full of unimaginable bravery. If we men had to bear children, the population might dry up in a score. Or less.”
Kenric didn’t know what to say to such bold, unorthodox remarks, so he took another drink of the most excellent wine. He stared into the goblet at the rich color, wishing he could offer comfort to Lord Michael.
“So, you’ve expressed an interest in Avelyn.”
The earl’s words came from nowhere and nearly knocked him from his chair.
“Don’t look so stunned, Sir Kenric. Avelyn and Elysande are quite close. They would naturally speak of such matters together. I happened to be on hand when they did.”
Kenric chose his words carefully. “Lady Avelyn is an intriguing woman, my lord. If I was of a mind to pursue a woman and marry, I’d hope to be lucky enough to wed someone as beautiful and intelligent as she is.”
Lord Michael looked at him thoughtfully. “But you aren’t interested in marriage or settling down. With Avelyn. Or any other woman.”
He took another drink. “Nay, my lord. I decided when I took my knight’s vows that I would live a life of service.” He leaned forward. “I traveled far and wide and listened carefully when men spoke. When I learned of your reputation, I knew you were the lord I wished to serve. You and your family,” he added. “And that includes Lady Avelyn.”
“So you believe you can live without her kisses? Continue on without her touch?”
Kenric shot to his feet. “My lord,” he sputtered, wine spilling onto the floor.
“Sit back down,” the earl instructed. “Mayhap, I spoke out of turn.” Michael Devereux rested his cup on a nearby table, his eyes carefully studying Kenric.
Finally, he addressed Kenric again.
“I never expected to find love with a woman,” the nobleman confided. “Least of all one as spirited and independent as my Elysande. But I will tell you that my life would be worthless without love in it. Without sharing everything with my wife. My hopes. My dreams. The daily events that take place at Sandbourne.”
Devereux sighed, running his hands through his hair. “Elysande is life itself, Kenric. I adore everything about her, even when she pays more attention to her horses than she does to me. I am devoted to making her happy. Our nights—and even many afternoons—are filled with passion,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “I will never be able to get enough of her. I cherish everything about my wife. She is the entire world to me. I would tell you that our bliss goes beyond our love play. Being with Elysande, loving her, has made me a better man.”
He paused. “I only know how very dear Avelyn is to the both of us and I wouldn’t wish to see her unhappy. In fact, I would want for my sister-in-law all that Elysande and I have found in each other. Avelyn deserves to love—and be loved—as much as her sister is.” The earl looked him up and down. “You’re as fine a knight as I have ever known, Kenric—and that includes my former liege lord, Geoffrey de Montfort. I would give thanks to our Blessed Lord if Avelyn could be matched with you.”
Kenric sat, the goblet propped upon his knee, spilled wine dampening his hand. “You may admire my way with a sword, my lord. My leadership and intelligence. But I have nothing to offer Lady Avelyn beyond my name. My twin brother holds the title and Shadowfaire. And his wife is now with child. I will never be able to give the lady everything she desires.”
Kenric paused. “And there is the matter of my lost honor. I never speak of it, but ’tis the reason I no longer wear my spurs.”
Devereux assessed him. “I wondered why you did not wear them when you came to Sandbourne. What of it?”
He swallowed, knowing his liege lord asked him out of concern for Avelyn. “An incident occurred on the day I swore my knightly oath. Something too painful for me to share with you, my lord. Only know that because I hurt someone deeply, it changed the course of her life. And mine. Mayhap, one day I’ll once again feel worthy enough to attach them. But because of what happened that day, I cannot marry. Ever. No matter how much my heart desires it.”
He set the goblet down and ran a hand through his hair. “Lady Avelyn will have no problem finding a husband at court. With her beauty and grace and loving spirit, men will clamor for her hand.” He sighed. “I must excuse myself, my lord.”
Lord Michael gave him a sympathetic look that ate into Kenric’s very soul.
Then a piercing
cry came from the other room. The earl leapt to his feet, uncertainty on his face. This nobleman, an unmatched leader of men and expert warrior, looked as if he might come undone at any moment, thanks to his wife being in pain as he stood by helplessly.
“Go,” the earl whispered, thrusting his hands behind his back as he started pacing the solar. A low moan came from the bedchamber. “But if Avelyn has crept into your heart, Kenric, she will never leave. And you won’t be able to push her out, no matter how hard you may try.”
Kenric nodded brusquely and exited the room, knowing Michael Devereux spoke the truth.
Chapter 21
“Avelyn, you need to put David down,” Elysande said. “You must change your gown for my churching ceremony.”
Avelyn brought her nephew’s tiny fist close to her face and rubbed her nose against it. He gurgled, his wide eyes looking at her in adoration. She loved everything about young David Devereux and was fascinated by all that he did.
Elysande came to stand beside her sister and reached her arms out. “Hand him over. He has spit up on your cotehardie. Father Tib would be horrified if you came into the chapel smelling like soured milk.”
“All right.” She kissed the soft cheek of the babe and reluctantly returned him to his mother. “I won’t be long.”
“Meet us downstairs in the great hall,” her mother instructed. “We’ll leave from there for the ceremony.”
She returned to her bedchamber and quickly removed the soiled cotehardie, which had been stained while she burped David. The last three weeks had been the happiest of her life. The birth of David Devereux had taken hours, but Elysande, thankfully, came through it with no problems. Life at Sandbourne now revolved around the needs of the tiny child who was heir to the estate.
Avelyn was glad her nephew took up so much of her time. When not rocking or singing to him, she busied herself making clothes for the babe. It helped keep her mind off Kenric Fairfax. She didn’t know how to change the stubborn knight’s rejection of her and still hadn’t arrived at a way to tell him of his true heritage, so she thrust it aside for now. When Geoffrey and Merryn arrived for their visit tomorrow, she would seek out their advice.
A new cotehardie of pale blue now smoothed into place, she hurried downstairs. As she entered the great hall, she saw David resting in the crook of his father’s arm. Michael wore an expression of wonder and contentment as he gazed at the tiny infant. Avelyn had known from the way he treated Elysande that Michael was a good husband and he proved on a daily basis that he would also be the best of fathers.
“Go now, sweetheart,” Michael told his wife. “David and I will sit here and have a wonderful conversation about you while you’re being churched.”
“As if he could understand you,” Elysande said, stroking her son’s head.
Michael grinned. “We men understand each other from an early age. Be careful, Wife, or I will tell him all of your secrets.”
She kissed her husband and then her son’s forehead. “Be good, you two. And stay out of trouble.”
Avelyn joined her mother and Lady Orella as the midwife made her appearance. Now that all of the women who had aided in David’s birth had arrived, they could go to the chapel for Elysande’s churching. She linked arms with her sister as they walked the short distance to the chapel.
Father Tib awaited them outside the massive oak door and began the ceremony. Elysande hadn’t been allowed to enter the chapel after she’d given birth until this churching took place. The priest gave a blessing to Elysande after her recovery from childbirth. Avelyn knew this ceremony was partly a thanksgiving for her sister’s survival. So many women died in childbirth and she was grateful both Elysande and David had come through the birth unscathed.
They entered the church. Elysande moved to the altar and knelt. Father Tib blessed her with holy water and said a series of prayers over her. At the end, he had Elysande rise. He then explained to her that she would now be able to attend mass once more and receive the sacraments, as well as partake in all womanly tasks.
The group of women strolled back toward the keep in high spirits.
“Michael will be glad that you can, once more, bake bread,” Lady Orella said. “He told me no one bakes a loaf the way you do—filled with plenty of yeast and even more love.”
Elysande laughed. “I hope I have time to do so since David keeps me very busy. It’s nice to know that Father Tib has purified me and that I can return to things such as preparing food once again.”
They ascended the steps and returned to the great hall. Servants pulled trestle tables away from the walls since the workers were returning for their nightly meal. Avelyn noticed Sela coming her way.
The noblewoman had grown even more distant since David’s birth. She hadn’t participated in it, claiming herself too squeamish. She had only held the babe once, an uncomfortable look on her face. Once he began to wail, she quickly returned him to Elysande’s arms. Sela spent much of her time locked away in her bedchamber and Avelyn felt they’d become strangers.
“How did the churching ceremony go?” Sela asked.
“It was simple and short,” Avelyn told her. “Now Elysande can resume all her former activities.”
“You’ve spent much of your time with her and David,” her friend said.
“It’s the reason I wanted to be at Sandbourne this summer. I enjoy being around them. David is a sweet babe and I love holding him.”
“Would you be able to make time for us to visit? Mayhap after we dine this evening?”
Avelyn was touched by the request and had hated their estrangement. Though she believed they would never truly be as close as they were while at court, she hoped they would part on good terms. It seemed Sela offered Avelyn an olive branch now and she was most willing to accept it.
“I would, indeed, enjoy sharing time with you this evening,” she assured Sela.
They sat together and chatted about the babe and things happening at Sandbourne as they ate. Avelyn shared that Merryn and Geoffrey would be arriving by the noon meal the next day and that Michael said they were bringing a friend with them who wanted to look over some of Michael’s horses for breeding purposes.
“Do you know anything about this friend, other than his interest in horses?” Sela asked.
“Nay. Michael didn’t share his name, only that the nobleman would be at Sandbourne a day or two before he returned to his own estates.”
At once, she saw the glimmer in Sela’s eyes at the prospect of a new male coming to Sandbourne. Avelyn imagined Sela cozying up to this guest. She supposed not much had changed when it came to Sela and her interest in men.
They finished their meal. Avelyn said she wanted to go up and say goodnight to David. “I’ll return straight away to your room and can stay as long as you like.”
“I’ll see you there.”
Avelyn excused herself, hoping that they might continue the pleasant conversation that had begun at dinner. She hoped Sela would not pump her for any more information about the guest coming tomorrow and that, instead, they could speak of other things.
Elysande and Michael had taken to dining in the solar several nights a week, enjoying family time together. Her sister could nurse David while they ate. She’d told Avelyn she looked forward to this time alone with her husband and son.
She knocked on the solar’s door and Michael answered, ushering her in.
“We’re giving David a bath or rather we’re attempting to. He’s a most slippery boy.”
Avelyn laughed. “Wait till he is older. He’ll be splashing about so much that you’ll wonder who’s receiving the bath—David or you!”
She went to the cooing babe, who seemed to enjoy being in the warm water, and kissed his damp head. “I had to come say goodnight to my favorite Devereux,” she told him. Knowing how Elysande cherished her family time, she excused herself and made her way toward Sela’s bedchamber.
The door was slightly ajar. Avelyn thought Sela must have left it so for
her convenience. She pushed it opened without knocking and froze in her tracks.
Sela was kissing a man—a very large, very familiar man.
Avelyn gasped as Kenric pushed Sela away. He turned his head and caught sight of her, a pained expression on his face.
Sela also glanced Avelyn’s way. She looked like a cat that had gotten into the cream—utterly satisfied and not remorseful in the least.
Avelyn stumbled back and raced across the hall to her own chamber. She slammed the door behind her and leaned on it for support as her limbs shook. Her insides twisted and she thought she would be sick.
A strong rap sounded behind her head from the other side of the door, startling her.
“Avelyn!” Kenric called out. “Avelyn! Open the door. I beg you. I can explain.”
Seeing Kenric Fairfax was the last thing she wanted to do. Her body trembled violently now, his betrayal seeping through her pores.
The pounding continued.
She didn’t want Elysande and Michael—or anyone else—to be witnesses to this scene. With reluctance, she opened the door in order to silence him.
Tension coiled around his body as if he would strike at any moment. Avelyn glanced past him and saw that Sela stood in the doorway across the corridor, an amused smile playing about her lips.
“You may enter,” she said evenly, not meeting his eye. “I will close the door for a moment if only to give us privacy from . . . her.”
Kenric looked over his shoulder and then back. He nodded and stepped into the room. Avelyn shut the door behind him.
“Calm yourself,” she said. “I don’t want you disturbing my sister and her family. Once you’ve done so, you need to leave.”
“But I must speak to you,” he implored.
She brought herself to her full height, using her best posture she had learned from riding, and willed the tremors to cease. “We have nothing to speak about. Take a few deep breaths, my lord—and then leave.”
“Avelyn.” He wrapped a hand around her upper arm. “It’s not what you think.”
She looked at his fingers resting on her. Once, she had longed for him to touch her. Now, she felt violated. She shrugged it away and took a step back from him.
