by Amber Dane
A crowd of serfs almost bowled her over. Laborers filled the yard doing chores and few barely lifted their heads from their task to see what the entire ruckus was about. A nearby bathhouse sat in between the rows of huts, a hen-house and other animal pens near another end.
Though most seemed pleasantly happy, the somber mood which hung heavily in the air was noticeable the closer she got and Caroline stopped as the people stopped working to stare at her.
Children played in the dirt near the village well not far from the small chapel entrance. One of the children, a young boy, around Kelbie’s age looked her way. Something about him drew her attention, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. He stood up. He was taller than her son. He smiled at her and then ran off with the other children.
Caroline approached a small group and smiled. A few faces returned feeble smiles at first. But after greeting as many as she could in the short time she had given herself, Caroline was pleased to see stronger ones.
‘Twas hard to lift these people’s spirits when their own had met a senseless and horrendous end. By whatever means possible she would do what she could even if it was just a hug, lending of an ear or silence, she was up for it. The whispers and crowd grew as word spread through the crowd the lady of the manor was among them. The wary glances turned to curiosity. She recognized a few of Halvard’s serfs, but they were outnumbered by her husband’s people.
She knew Darc would be upset, but these people needed the support when it mattered. ‘Twould strengthen the bonds between lord and serfs.
Never had she felt she was too good to be among them.
Her mother and father, though they expected naught less than total respect from their villiens. They too had been very social with the folks who farmed their land and made it prosperous. Even the lowliest of serfs, Caroline had grown up in her youth knowing all that went on in the village. It had been a happy time in her life.
Then when her mother died, slowly things had changed due to her father’s grief, and then Halvard had come and destroyed their home, taken Helen, her and their serfs. Not much could have changed it. King Harold had had his hands full with the Duke of Normandy invading with the demand and defense to the England crown and matters like hers were plenty and too petty to bring to court.
Caroline turned to see the villagers that had almost run into her headed for the chapel. She moved in that direction. ‘Twas the place to start.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Caroline practically smiled her way back up the path toward the castle, vaguely aware of the strategically placed soldiers among the hedges. She knew they were well aware of her jaunts down to the village as it had become easier and easier to slip past them in the three days she had ventured down to the village. Yet, they said naught but she was ever aware of their presence. She would not get these men in trouble for in a sense they still were following her husband’s orders.
She was quite pleased with her visit today in the village. Darc had not yet returned from wherever it was that he had ridden off to and she had put the time to good use.
A part of her wished she did not have to sneak about and she wished her husband could see how no trouble had come from her visits to the families there. But Caroline knew in his stubbornness Darc would not see to reason.
Just before the maze a strange feeling niggled at the back of her neck and she turned. Her gaze swept over the bushes seeing nothing. She pressed a hand to her heart and sighed. No one was about except the guards. Caroline turned back to continue on her trek and froze.
The sight of the golden-haired giant standing before her sent a stab of fear down her spine. Emerald eyes of suspicion narrowed on her as he tilted his head watching her.
‘Who are you?’ he asked her.
Caroline backed up at his loud voice, her chest heaving in fright. Who was this man? She damned the waver she heard in her tone as she replied, ‘Lady Ca-Caroline.’
He grunted and looked her over from head to toe. Then as if satisfied, he took a step back and the corners of his mouth tilted up into a grin. ‘Why you are just a petite one. ‘Tis a wonder he has not broken you in two.’
Caroline squawked. His words wore off her shock and she said, not hiding her annoyance. ‘How dare- What? Who are you, Sir?’
That charming smile spread further and his deep rumble of laughter was as loud as his voice had been and softened his handsome features.
Caroline heard Darc’s voice from behind him. ‘That giant before you is Lord of Westlan, Rourke Thorsson and my friend, wife.’
Her husband’s dark head appeared about a half inch above Rourke’s. So he had returned. Caroline loosed a breath watching the two. Darc’s light tone startled her and she found herself staring at him as he spoke to his friend.
‘You dare frighten my wife with your intimidating presence, my friend.’
‘I daresay that is what my Alexa had to say to me after first meeting you.’ Rourke grinned and turned those smiling green eyes back on her, and a spark of warmth shot through her. ‘I was polite enough. I did not scare you did I, Lady Caroline?’
Caroline nodded and hoped they saw her smile before they all but forgot about her in their bear hugging, arm clasping and thumping back slaps that looked painful.
She stood amazed at the change in Darc. That fierce, unbreakable stone façade left his face and was replaced by a genuine smile as he continued on and asked his friend a barrage of questions.
Then Caroline knew who the giant truly was when she heard the name Dark Axe.
She took a step back, her breath stuck in her throat. She had heard of this man too. His name mentioned on many occasions when Darc’s was uttered through the towns and villages during the Battle of Hastings and many bloody campaigns afterwards.
But where was his weapon of death? Her gaze crept back to him.
Her husband’s eyes watching her told her she’d not been forgotten.
Darc came to her and took her hand in his. ‘Do not be afraid. He is a good man,’ he assured her next to her ear as he drew her against his side. ‘Come inside, Rourke.’
Caroline was shaken by his tender words and did not protest as he led them inside. He no longer seemed angry with her.
‘Your hospitality has improved. Must be your beautiful wife here I have to thank for that.’
‘Twas her husband’s time to grunt as they made their way back to the castle.
By the midday meal Caroline had fallen under Rourke’s charm and Darc’s dark expression said he was none too pleased about it and it showed much more than he knew of his jealousy. It mattered not that he knew all too well his friend had no eyes for any other than his wife Alexa. If ever a match had been made of perfection and fire, it had been those two. It was a wonder they had survived their coming together.
Knowing this still did not put an end to the jealous mites crawling under his skin. He watched her fawn over Rourke, seeing to his needs and directing the servants as the lady of the manor would. The colored band cinched around her waist gave her body a fullness he liked, especially her round shaped derriere. Darc did not know his eyes followed her every movement around the room.
And he found himself snapping at her. ‘If you would excuse us now, we have some private business to see to.’
Her eyes narrowed on him. He knew she still had not forgotten about their earlier disagreement but now she looked even more incensed. Her brows drew together
Rourke cut in with a smile. ‘The meal was divine, my lady. You need not have gone through so much trouble for me. Thank you.’
Darc growled. ‘Can you pour it on anymore thick or need I give you more honey to add to your arsenal of charm?’
Rourke waited until Caroline had cleared the hall before he grinned. ‘’Tis so good to see you are not brooding and your humor back where it belongs. I am enjoying this. I daresay this calls for celebration to see you so smitten by this woman.’
‘My wife!’ Darc corrected angrily.
‘Your jealousy
and possessiveness is all over you. ‘Tis truly good I tell you to see someone outside of Claydon and I who can get under your tough hide. She has done wonders. Here, a toast to that and to her.’
Darc breathed the fire out of his nose, then inhaled a deep breath and asked, his brows creased. ‘Is it that obvious?’
Rourke nodded. ‘Aye, to an outsider. You both are still refusing to bend to the other this I can see just in these brief moments. Though she is on the willing side of bending more than you are, my friend. That too is easily seen.’
Darc shot to his feet with a grunt and clasped his hands behind his back and paced slowly behind the lord’s table on the dais, servants scattered and retreated to the kitchens.
Rourke went on. ‘William may have chosen quickly, but it was a wise choice for you.’
‘Well not all of us can have a woman as tall as ourselves as have you. But I am not so sure on the match for me.’
‘Work through it. Hell, I know we did and all the better for it. I love my Alexa dearly and not afraid to let all in the world know it. Have you tried to woo her?’
Darc stopped his pacing and stared at Rourke as if he’d grown two heads.
Rourke cleared his throat. ‘Aye. I had a like reaction when Goran first mentioned the word to me.’
‘Goran? A man vowed to never marry is a fine specimen to lend advice.’
Rourke waved his hand and nodded in agreement. ‘Aye.’
‘I still cannot believe Alexa let you come without her.’ Darc asked with a half-smile, knowing how his friend’s wife had reacted the day they had found him on the side of the road near death.
‘Let me!?’ Rourke’s chest puffed out and he thumped it. ‘I go where I want, when I want.’
Darc gave him a look that said he was not convinced.
Rourke’s brows furrowed and he growled. ‘Alright. She did argue a little.’ He turned his head and pretended great interest in the fine tapestries and decorative tiles covering the walls and floors of the hall.
Darc chuckled. ‘My friend, you will be back home before she even notices your absence.’
‘Ha! She noticed that afore I took the first step out of the castle. Women!’ Rourke scoffed and waved a dismissive hand in the air.
Darc not only heard the affection his friend held for his wife in his tone, but that Rourke missed her terribly. To love a woman the way this man did hit Darc in the gut like a fist.
Rourke was right; he did feel something more than fondness for Caroline.
He had tried to stop it but he was losing. He was a step away from falling in love with that damn Saxon woman. Irritated, he grunted and asked, ‘And Goran?’
‘He’s still wooing a neighboring lord’s daughter. ‘Tis all for naught, the woman is already smitten with him. He is in for a surprise with that one. If he thinks he will get her without marriage, I fear he will meet with a challenge from her father. He will be wed shortly, no matter if he says different.’
They shared a knowing laugh. Rourke asked. ‘Did you woo Adelay?’
Darc frowned. ‘Nay. There was no need, we were drawn together. Or so I thought.’ It got quiet between them and Rourke cleared his throat after a moment.
‘Woo Lady Caroline. Goran seems to think women fancy this sort of thing.’
Darc suppressed a smile. ‘Did it work for you?’
Rourke shrugged. ‘Ah, mayhap. Not sure my way was much in the way of wooing with Alexa. I tried it. Not for me and methinks if she were here she would agree. What matters is that in the end, I got the woman.’
Darc could not stop his chuckle at the boasting look on his friend’s face. ‘And here I thought I was the hard one.’
‘You are! I still have the bruises on my hide from our training days. But when it comes to women, you were always better in the handling of them. Whereas Claydon and I were bumbling idiots.’
They shared in laughter recalling memories of the many faux pas they all had made with the ladies and wenches in the Duchy’s court in their youth. Then Rourke’s tone grew serious.
‘Whatever is wrong betwixt you two, you must be the one to fix it. For pity’s sake beg her forgiveness. Crawl on your belly while you’re at it.’ Rourke stood and stretched his thick arms above his head then planted his large fists on his lean hips. ‘Your pride will be the death of you if you let it. It has cost you much already. Do not fall into its trap as I almost did, there is no greater pain. She is not Adelay. Aye, I was stupid too. Lesson learned hard as we know. Your wife is worthy. Admit what an arse you have been then so be it.’
‘No quarter measures saved with you, old friend. However, I will not crawl on my belly for her-‘
‘Aye, you will or you will lose her forever.’
Darc held his gaze. ‘Maybe I have.’
Rourke shrugged. ‘Then win her back and stop sitting around here letting what your brother and Adelay did to you destroy what you might be able to have with this one. Adelay is dead. Do not give her continued life to haunt you in death. Jealousy will get you naught but more wasted time. My mistake was Jacqueline.’
Darc understood what his friend was trying to tell him, but Caroline and him? There were still too many untruths that lay between them. Grunting in irritation, he changed the subject and said, ‘I am surprised to see Goran not here.’
‘He did put up a fight over it, but I would not allow it. If a man cannot travel alone without looking over his shoulder for every sign of danger, then where lies his strength to be his own man? I am not a sick pup. I have healed well at a speedy rate and as we know suffered graver wounds than the last one.’
‘Aye.’
‘Have you spoken of your brother to her?’ The silence to his question was Rourke’s answer. He sighed heavily and they discussed Raven and the exhaustive searches that had yielded nothing thus far from their scouts.
Darc said angrily. ‘Makes me livid that he is probably right under our noses. How he manages to get those who would do anything to follow and obey him with empty promises, I still cannot fathom to this day.’
‘His evil character only attracts the like.’
‘Aye, there is that. I had thought he’d be at the manor, but nay. His excess will run his resources dry soon enough.’
‘Aye. What he did… my revenge is strong, but that wrong was wrought to get to you. Revenge belongs to you, friend as William ordered. Alexa might not agree just yet, but she will calm, accept it and forgive me. In the end her love will make her understand.’
They discussed Raven some more ere Rourke polished off his wine and turned the conversation back to women.
‘Again, methinks you should tell your wife about Raven and right quickly, my friend. The love the woman holds for you is in her eyes as well.’
‘Married for less than a year and you have become a professor of this love. My wife is nothing like your lady.’
‘Of course not. This one is the lady for you. A second chance.’
Darc grumbled and tore off a piece of tender and seasoned capon and chewed it. God’s wounds! He did not want to think of what Rourke had said or talk about it. Love? After these couple of months she had shown him a softer side, especially after Cedric’s death, nay even before that she had tried. Had she not told him the first eve they had been intimate that she wished to be a good wife?
Darc gritted his teeth and rose to his feet. ‘No more talk about women. I need a ride.’
Rourke said nothing but Darc heard his chuckle behind him as he followed him out of the hall.
CHAPTER THIRTY
A little while later, they were mounted and riding out past the gatehouse. As they were passing, a group of guards walked inside past them. One caught Rourke’s eye and the guard looked away from his intense gaze.
Rourke spoke with distaste in his mouth. ‘I never cared for that man. Why do you insist on keeping him with you?’
Darc nodded at his friend’s strong objection. ‘Aye, you have always made that clear.’
‘I do not tru
st him. He smells ripe and I do not refer to his odoriferous body.’
‘Aye, Rourke. I’ve had my eye on him since the war. He’s been faithful thus far. I live by what I preached to you. Keep your enemies and suspects close. Always.’
Rourke nodded, his eyes drilling into the nervous Gan when the thick-necked man looked back over his shoulder quickly. ‘Aye. For that man is indeed a king of snakes.’
Darc turned his horse around back toward the river. ‘You up for a long ride?’
‘Aye,’ Rourke said. ‘‘Twill give us time away from any unwanted ears for you to tell me the news of these murders that have reached my ears.’
A handful of Renald’s assembled knights rode a few feet ahead along the river trail scouting for unsavory characters that might be lurking about and for their chance to pounce.
Darc sensed the danger first.
Watching his men pass under a copse of trees drew his attention.
He made a distinct sound with his mouth and Rourke looked over. Darc gave him a look and Rourke glanced in the direction of the trees.
The trees lining the trail hung too low over the road. A telling sign to Darc that someone was in them.
Fools! Night had fallen and the darkness was closing in fast but they could easily see yet.
The first group attacked from his left flank. In preparation he had tightened his calves under Gray’s belly. Trained for combat, the warhorse would not rear from the sudden movements.
The brigands’ shouts shattered the night calm and Darc cut down two of the three. His sword met no mail and cut through shoulder and neck bone as easily as if he’d been slicing through ripe melons. Blood soaked the ground.
Two more emerged and rushed Rourke’s side. The Dark Axe’s sword cut down the men in like fashion.
The ones in the trees jumped down from their hidden perches. Five in all now stood in front of them. Over their heads Darc could see that his men had turned around and were charging back towards them, bearing down the small rise at a thundering pace.
