Snuggling down in her feather bed, Marietta drifted into sleep. Something at the back of her mind was vaguely troubling her, but she could not put her thoughts into words. Perhaps it would come to her in time.
Chapter Nine
‘Marietta, my dear! I am so glad to see you home again.’ Claire Melford drew her into a warm embrace. ‘I was devastated when they snatched you from us, and I feared for your life.’ She drew back to look into Marietta’s face. ‘You have suffered no harm?’
‘None save for a few bruises when they bundled me into the wagon and I fought them.’ Her eyes were anxious as she looked at Claire. ‘My son is well? Has he fretted for me?’
‘He was a little miserable at first, but I have spent time with him and he seems content. I am sure that he will be glad to have you home, Marietta. Come, let us go up to the nursery. Ease your mind concerning his welfare and then we shall take some refreshment, for I am sure you are hungry and tired from the journey.’
‘A little weary,’ Marietta confessed. ‘I am much better now that we are here.’ She hesitated for a moment and then turned to Anton. ‘I must thank you for bringing me here. When shall I see you again?’
‘You will see me in the morning. I too have travelled much, and I do not intend to leave again for a few days at least.’
‘Oh … I am pleased …’ For some unaccountable reason her heart leaped. She smiled at him, then turned and followed Lady Claire from the room.
‘So, do you think you’ve heard the last of Rouen?’ Harry asked as the ladies disappeared from view. ‘Did you have any trouble on the way here?’
‘The King sent an escort of his own men. I think it would have been a bold man who attacked us. We were too strong a force, and to attack men wearing the King’s livery would be treason. If the rogues were taken alive the punishment would be harsh for such crimes.’
‘Yes, I know it.’ Harry looked thoughtful. ‘So you think the Bastard is waiting his time?’
‘What would you do in his place?’
‘Wait my chance to strike. You were expecting him to move against you. He will seek to take you by surprise.’
‘I have ordered my men to patrol outside the estate. I do not think they will try to storm the house, for that would bring the King’s wrath on them—but they will try to snatch her again if they can.’
‘So what do you plan?’
‘He will not expect me to go looking for him. I shall send out scouting parties. If we discover they have a camp nearby, we shall make a surprise attack. The Bastard of Rouen is a vindictive man and a bad enemy. This will not be settled until he is dead.’
‘Henry does not approve of the Barons fighting amongst themselves. If you seek Rouen out you risk the King’s displeasure.’
‘I know Henry would have us all live in peace with one another. His father called a halt to the old way of settling quarrels, and he has followed—but there are times when only blood will settle an affair such as this.’
The Earl nodded. ‘I know you speak truly, Anton, but I would still advise you to tread carefully.’
‘I thank you for your good advice, but I must do what is necessary to keep her and the child safe.’
‘Yes, I see you must.’ Harry smiled oddly. ‘You know you may call on me for anything you need?’
‘Yes, indeed,’ Anton smiled at him. ‘You are my mother’s brother, sir, and she has told me that I may always count on you.’
‘Catherine and I were close when we were young, as twins often are,’ Harry said. ‘I think of her and enjoy her letters, though we do not meet as often as I should wish.’
‘Perhaps you will do so soon.’ Anton lifted his gaze. ‘For I hope that you will attend my wedding?’
‘You are to marry?’ Harry’s gaze was thoughtful. ‘Ah, yes, I see—have you spoken to the lady?’
‘This business with the Bastard must be settled first—and there is something else I need to sort out. I am expecting news from Spain, though it may not arrive in time.’
‘If you have a problem you may share it with me, Anton.’
‘My problem is that I am not certain. Something hovers at the back of my mind, but I am not sure enough to speak of it …’
Marietta spent an hour sitting by her son’s cradle. He was sleeping peacefully, his fist curled against his mouth, his skin pink and warm. Her heart wrenched with love. The worst part of her ordeal had been the fear that something might happen to her beloved child, but here he was, safe and sound, and now she could begin to put the terror behind her.
She could not help wondering if the Bastard of Rouen was still out there, perhaps hiding in the thick woods that bordered the estate on three sides. On the fourth side were open meadows, where sheep grazed and a river wound its way lazily through the lush valley. The Earl of Rundle’s home was a stout building, more comfortable and warmer than the castle where she had lived with her husband. She thought that she could live happily in a house like this, but she was not certain where her future lay.
Lady Claire had said that she might make her home with her, but Marietta knew that she ought to marry if she could—a good man who would help her son to grow strong and learn all the things he should know. Charles had scarcely known his father. She had a duty to provide him with another—a man who would care for him as if he were his own. However, she was not sure that she was worthy to accept Anton’s offer of marriage. And could she truly be content to be married to a man she loved so desperately, yet who had never shown that sort of love to her?
Sighing, she left the child to the care of a servant and went to her own chamber. Rosalind greeted her with glad cries, embracing her warmly.
‘We feared for you, my lady.’
‘I think I should have died had Sir Anton not come for me. The Bastard would have forced me to wed him, and I would have cut my wrists rather than lie with him.’
‘Sir Anton is a good man. You should think of wedding him, my lady.’
Marietta looked at her for a moment, then smiled. ‘He has made me an offer, Rosalind, but I am not sure why he wants to marry me. My future is still uncertain, and I fear that he may only have asked because he is a man bound by honour, not by love.’
‘I have seen the way he looks at you. Besides, Sandro told me he was like a madman when he first discovered that you had been abducted. I do not believe that he is indifferent. You should give him some encouragement, my lady. He would make you a fine husband …’
‘Perhaps.’ Marietta felt warmth spreading through her like molten treacle, thick and comforting. To be Anton’s wife would be more happiness than she could ever expect. ‘You must not speak of this to anyone else, for I would not have him feel obliged to wed me for honour’s sake.’
‘I would not breathe a word, my lady.’ The serving woman grinned at her. ‘But he is a fine man, and would not leave you to lie lonely in your bed at night.’
‘Nor should I wish him to,’ Marietta replied, and gurgled with laughter. ‘I admit it would pleasure me to wed him—but not unless he truly wishes it …’
Anton was in the hall when Marietta came down the stairs. She was wearing a gown of green silk that clung to her slender waist, flaring out at the hem. Around her waist she had a girdle of silver threads, and a plain silver cross hung from a ribbon at her throat.
She wore her simple clothes with such style that she might have been a queen. Her hair had been left loose, and fell upon her shoulders in rich red-gold waves; her eyes were more green than blue. For a moment his breath caught in his throat, and he could scarce breathe for the racing of his heart. She was so beautiful! Magnificent. Beside her, Isabella would have seemed pale and slight.
How had he ever forgotten such a woman? Anton knew that the memory of the child he had pulled from beneath the flailing hooves of a frightened horse had remained at the back of his mind—but he had never dreamed she would grow up to be a woman like this.
Hearing an indrawn gasp behind him, Anton turned, surprising a look on Miguel’s face t
hat shocked him. He realised that Miguel was jealous—but why? Was he jealous of Anton because he wanted Marietta, or jealous of Marietta because he thought she would come between them? There had been a special relationship between the two of them since Isabella’s death.
Anton waited as his friend came up to him.
‘What are your plans now?’ Miguel asked. ‘I have been thinking that I may return to Spain in a month or two.’
‘If it is your wish,’ Anton said. ‘I shall be sorry to lose you, though I knew you might wish to return to your home in time. We have been good friends, Miguel.’
‘It may be for the best if I go. I should only remind you of things you wish to forget.’ Miguel’s eyes looked through him. ‘I will stay until you have settled with the Bastard of Rouen if you wish it.’
‘I shall need all my men for that,’ Anton replied, feeling puzzled by his manner. ‘Please, accept the hospitality of my uncle’s home and enjoy yourself this evening. We have all earned a rest.’
Inclining his head to Miguel, he walked to greet Marietta as she stood at the bottom of the stairs, hesitating a moment. Her eyes seemed to question him and he made her an elegant bow.
‘You are beautiful, lady. That gown becomes you.’
‘It is one that you chose for me. I believe the style is flattering to me.’
‘You look like a queen.’ Anton offered her his hand. ‘Your son does well?’
‘He has been cared for with all love and attention. He was sleeping, and I dare say he has hardly missed me at all.’
‘I do not believe that for a moment. Any man would miss you, Marietta. I think that most must love you from the moment they see you.’
‘I do not wish for the love of just any man.’ Her eyes met his steadily.
Anton inclined his head. ‘The man you love will be fortunate indeed.’
Marietta waited, hoping for more, but then Sir Harry came up to them and Claire beckoned. She excused herself and went to her kinswoman.
‘I have had a letter from Lady Melissa Melford,’ Claire told her. ‘She is Anton’s grandmother. Melissa has heard about you, my love, and she wishes to meet you. My husband’s mother suffered a great deal at the hands of her uncle before she was wed. When she learned your story she wanted to know if there was anything she could do to help you.’
‘We stayed at Lord Melford’s house in London,’ Marietta said. ‘I should very much like to meet her.’
‘She knows that you are our guest, and I believe she may make the journey. Lord Melford is well enough at the moment, though he does not go far from home these days. He will not accompany her, but she may come and bring Catherine with her, and Anton’s daughter at his request. Lady Catherine is Anton’s mother, of course, and my husband’s twin. I believe you met their younger sister, Anne de Montfort, in France?’ Claire laughed softly as Marietta nodded. ‘I dare say that most of the family will choose to visit us soon for Annabel’s wedding—though perhaps not the de Montforts. I shall enjoy seeing all my family under my roof for once.’
‘You will have much work to do. Perhaps you will allow me to help you prepare.’
‘I dare say you would like to be busy.’ Claire nodded and looked thoughtful. ‘Once you have had the running of a large house idleness hath little to recommend it. We shall oversee the preparations together, but you must have time for leisure. You will wish to spend a little time with Anton before he leaves us.’
‘Has he spoken of leaving?’ Marietta’s gaze flew to her.
‘I believe he means to stay a few days, or perhaps longer. I am not certain. I shall prevail on him to tarry, at least until his parents are with us. However, his visits are not usually of long duration. I know that it is his intention to look for land that would provide him with a good estate—and to employ builders to construct him a sound dwelling.’
‘You believe he wishes to settle near here?’
‘He likes the area well, I think. I understand Harry has been making enquiries concerning a manor that may come for sale after the death of its lord. It would be pleasant if he were to settle within a few hours’ distance of Rundle Park, would it not?’
‘Yes …’ Marietta was watching Anton as he laughed with his uncle Harry and some of the other men. ‘Very pleasant. You would often have his company, for you might dine with each other.’
‘Yes, and I should also have the company of his wife.’
Marietta glanced at her. Claire was smiling at her in such an odd way. Could she have guessed that Anton had asked her to be his wife?
Marietta retired soon after supper that night. She was tired from the journey, and wished to rest, but she was feeling content and drifted into sleep moments after her head touched the pillow.
In the morning she woke feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. As soon as she was dressed in a sensible gown she paid a visit to the nursery. Her son shouted and cried when he saw her, but once she had played with him and given him some sweetmeats he quieted and sat on her lap, snuggling up to her contentedly.
It was as she was nursing him that she heard someone enter the room, and turned her head to look. Anton was standing just inside the door, looking at her.
‘You both look happy,’ he said. ‘It is clear that your son knows his mother is home.’
‘He cried when he saw me, but he has settled now. I have never left him for more than a day before. I believe he thought I had abandoned him.’
‘You would never do that in this life.’ He smiled at her. ‘I shall leave you, for I must speak with my uncle. We shall meet later.’
‘Yes, of course.’
Anton went away. Marietta nursed her son for a while longer, then he grew restless and clamoured to be put down.
Marietta left him playing with a wooden horse that the Earl had commissioned for him, and went down to Claire’s stillroom. They were to take stock of what stores were available, so that the Earl could send to Shrewsbury for anything they needed.
After an inventory was made, a list of ingredients was written out, and the ladies began a tour of the house, making notes on what needed to be done. Servants were set to cleaning, and the linen was checked so that it could be washed and beds made up with fresh-smelling sheets in the guest chambers.
In a castle only the most honoured guests and ladies were given chambers of their own. Men of the lower ranks slept in the Great Hall, or in little cells that were only big enough to hold a truckle bed that was stored away during the day. It had been the custom in Medieval times, and persisted even now in older houses. Only the more modern houses had separate chambers, and many of those led into each other, which could be inconvenient.
It was not until after they had stopped for refreshment at noon that Lady Claire declared herself satisfied for one day. She went to her chamber to attend to some private business, and Marietta was left to herself.
She was staring out at the gardens when she heard something behind her, and turned to see Anton enter the room.
‘Oh …’ She smoothed her gown. ‘You have found me in all my dirt, sir. We have been working all the morning and I should change …’
As she turned to leave Anton caught her wrist. She glanced back at him and her heart raced.
‘We have scarce had a moment alone,’ he said. ‘You look charming to me, Marietta. Do not leave so soon.’
‘If you wish me to stay, I shall.’
‘Please sit down. I have something to say to you.’
Marietta sat in a chair with wooden arms and looked at him.
‘I have tried to be patient, but now I wish to speak to you. You said you would give me your answer when we reached my uncle’s house, but first I must tell you something you should know. Because I believe you may have been told something, but perhaps not quite the truth.’
‘Very well. I am listening.’
‘You know that I was married to a Spanish lady I cared for?’
‘Yes, I know that, sir. You have spoken of your wife.’
‘She was lovely … very different from you. Isabella had black hair and pale skin and she was gentle. I thought her an innocent … an innocent angel.’
‘You loved her very much?’
‘I believed so at the start, and I thought she loved me. I was content with my life. Our daughter was born and all seemed well. Then one day Isabella told me she was to have another child, and I thought my happiness was complete.’ Anton’s eyes darkened, became hard as black diamonds. ‘Isabella did not carry the second child easily. She was ill and troubled, often complaining, and unwilling to be near me. I thought her manner was simply because she felt ill, and then … then a letter came to my hand. It was unsigned, and I tried to dismiss it as lies from the pen of a coward. The writer said that my wife had betrayed me with another man—that the child was his, not mine.’
Marietta started up. ‘How shocking and hurtful that must have been. I am so sorry …’
‘I was devastated. I felt that my life was shattered, my trust betrayed. I tried hard to ignore it, telling myself that only a coward would send an unsigned letter—that what it contained must be lies.’ Anton turned away from her, his back stiff with tension. ‘In the end I could not bear it any longer. In a jealous rage I accused her of betraying me. I asked her if the child was mine.’
‘What did she say?’ Marietta caught her breath as he turned and she saw the agony in his eyes. It was costing him much to tell her this story.
‘Isabella denied the accusation. She looked stunned, hurt. afraid.’ A nerve flicked in Anton’s cheek. ‘I was terrible in my anger. She ran from me in tears and fear—and in the sunken gardens she fell down some steep stone steps and hit her head. She died, and the child died with her. I knew I was being punished for my outburst.’
‘Anton!’ Marietta stood up, looking at him with a mixture of horror and sympathy. ‘How terrible! You must have felt so guilty—as if you had killed her and the babe.’
‘Yes. I see you understand me.’ Anton ran restless fingers through his hair. ‘Some months have passed now since her death, but at first I could not forgive myself for what I had done. I hardly knew how to live. I think I might have taken my life if it had not been for a friend. He was my comforter—the only one who understood what I suffered.’
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