Gift of Honor

by Alexa Aston

  “Please.” Elinor’s voice cracked with the emotional plea. “Please.”

  Slowly, she dragged herself to her feet, resolve filling her. She didn’t know if God had bothered to listen to her. She was only one person. No one important. But she would be the best person she could be if only He gave her the chance. Wiping the tears from her face, she set out again.

  It took an hour to reach the castle she’d seen. On the road leading to it, serfs weeded the fields. A few of them looked at her in curiosity. Elinor ignored their stares and focused on reaching the gates. They were open. People came and went through them. She fell into a group bringing in some sheep. No one questioned her as she peeled away from them and headed toward the noise she heard. Clanging swords meant the training yard. She hoped to find the nobleman who owned this estate there.

  Elinor followed her ears and the sound of steel striking steel grew louder. She came around the stables and saw a large group of soldiers, probably three score or more, fighting one another. As she approached the yard, she located a well-dressed man standing on a platform. He spoke with a soldier. Both nodded their heads. The soldier leaped from the platform and went to a pair and halted them. While he instructed the two fighters, she made her way to the lone man who looked to be two score or so.

  “Are you the nobleman who holds these lands?” Elinor called out.

  He glanced down at her. “I am Lord Hardwin. And who might you be?”

  When she left Whitley, knowing they would search for her, Elinor had decided not to use her true name. But in this man’s searing blue eyes, she could not lie anymore.

  “I am Elinor.” She stood straight and with more confidence said, “Elinor Swan. I am a falconer in search of a place who needs my services. Or any other work,” she added.

  “Hmm.” The nobleman came down from where he stood.

  She had to crane her neck to look him in the face, much as she’d done with Hal because of his great height.

  “Winterbourne has no need of a new falconer, Elinor Swan, but my neighbor an hour’s ride to the south might. His man has been at Kinwick for many years. If you have any talent, you might serve as Joseph’s assistant and then one day take over. That is, if you have the skills necessary. Falconry requires patience.”

  “Aye, my lord, you are right. I have worked with raptors since I was six years of age. I have the necessary skills and experience. If you will share the name of Kinwick’s lord, I would be most grateful and will set out for this place now.”

  Lord Hardwin studied her with kind eyes. “It is close to our evening meal, Elinor. Why don’t you dine with us and stay the night? You can travel to Kinwick in the morning on a full belly and a good night’s rest.”

  Elinor thought it over quickly. He’d said it was an hour’s ride, which meant much longer walking the road. She’d barely made it to Winterbourne. If she didn’t eat soon, she wouldn’t be able to walk at all. As it was, she grew dizzier by the moment and her vision had started to blur.

  “I thank you, my lord. ’Tis gracious of you to ask me to stay. I accept your kind offer.”

  “Let me give my captain of the guard a few instructions and then I will escort you to the keep. My wife, Johamma, would enjoy visiting with you.”

  Lord Hardwin strode off and spoke to the man who’d stood next to him on the platform. He soon rejoined her.

  “Come, Elinor. Accompany me to the keep. You can tell me more about how you came to work with falcons.” He gave her a smile, something so rare that she couldn’t remember the last time she’d received one. “I have never met a woman falconer before. I’m sure your story is a fascinating one.”

  She tried to match his long strides and found herself practically running to keep up with him. Suddenly, her belly cramped as if a knife sliced through it and she cried out.

  “Elinor?” Lord Hardwin marched back toward her. “Elinor?”

  She heard him say her name a few times but a loud roaring sounded in her head, blocking out his next words. She tried to straighten but her belly knotted in agony, forcing her to her knees. Darkness obscured her vision. Elinor fell to the ground.

  *

  Merryn de Montfort left morning mass with her husband by her side. Their fingers entwined as they left the chapel. She looked up at the profile of her husband, still so handsome after all the years they had known one another. To her, Geoffrey was the man who still made her heart flutter when he entered a room. After decades together, her body craved his caress. She counted her blessings each day and chief among them all was that she had the love of this good man.

  “You seem quiet this morning,” he remarked as they walked back toward the keep. “What are thinking about?” His fingers squeezed hers gently in encouragement.

  “I was thinking how fortunate I am to be wed to you. To be your partner in everything that we share.”

  He brought their joined hands to his lips and pressed a fervent kiss against her knuckles. “We are lucky, Merryn, for we are a love match. I hope we will have many more years together.”

  “I am also grateful that three of our children have found love,” she added. “I see how Alys, Ancel, and Edward look at their spouses and rejoice that they know great love.”

  Geoffrey smiled. “The fact that they’ve all given us grandchildren is simply a gift—to us and to them.”

  They began ascending the steps leading to the keep.

  “I am worried about Hal, though. He has been on my mind since he left a month ago.”

  Merryn had assumed their middle son would return with a smile on his face and the woman he would wed on his arm but Hal had sent word that Elinor was no longer at Whitley as its falconer and he needed to find her. After that, nothing.

  “Hal will find Elinor,” Geoffrey assured her. “His search will prove fruitful. The fact that Hal has fallen in love surprised me. I feared it would be many years before he settled down. Elinor must be quite a special woman to have tamed his wild ways.”

  They entered the great hall and made their way to the dais.

  “What if he cannot find her?” Merryn asked. “His missive was brief. I can’t help but wonder why she left Whitley, much less why no one would know where she went. How is Hal to find her, not having any idea where to search?”

  Geoffrey seated her and took his place beside her. “For Hal to love a woman enough to wed her, he will move heaven and earth to find her. Quit worrying about him, sweetheart.”

  “Is that an order?” Merryn’s lashes fluttered at him.

  He placed a hand on her thigh. Warmth filled her. “Look at me like that again and we will skip breaking our fast.”

  She gave him a lazy smile. “And what might we do instead, my lord?” she asked coyly.

  His fingers traveled up her leg, causing her pulse to quicken as his gaze held hers.

  “My lady?”

  Reluctantly, Merryn tore her eyes from her husband’s. “What is it, Tilda?” Her heart continued beating rapidly as Geoffrey’s hand tightened on her thigh, his thumb making small circles.

  “A messenger just arrived from Winterbourne and wishes to speak with you.”

  Merryn glanced to the door and saw a soldier waiting. She motioned him to come.

  “Thank you, Tilda.” As the servant turned away, Merryn said under her breath, “As much as I enjoy where your fingers are, Husband, kindly remove them so I may give this messenger my full attention.”

  “As you wish, Wife.” Geoffrey leaned in and gave her a soft kiss below her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. His hand went back to his lap.

  “Good day, Lady Merryn, Lord Geoffrey,” the messenger greeted them.

  “Is anything wrong with Lady Johamma or Lord Hardwin?” she asked.

  “Nay, they are both in excellent health but one of their guests has fallen ill. Lady Johamma cannot break the fever and asked if you would come to assist her.”

  Merryn rose. “I will leave at once.”

  Geoffrey also stood. “Let me accompany yo
u, my love. ’Tis been a few weeks since I have seen Hardie. The men who escort us can spar with the Winterbourne soldiers while your healing hands help their visitor.”

  She looked at the messenger. “I must collect my satchel and Lord Geoffrey will gather a few men. Meet us at the stables.”

  They galloped through the gates of Winterbourne a little over an hour later and handed their horses to waiting stable hands. Geoffrey led her and the Kinwick men to the inner bailey, where Hardie welcomed them.

  “Good day to you, Merryn.” The earl kissed her cheek. “And I was hoping you would come, too, Geoffrey.” The men clasped hands.

  Merryn thought how Hardie’s courage long ago had not only kept her husband alive but allowed Geoffrey to come back to her. She would be forever in his debt. Geoffrey and Hardie had become as close as brothers, and all three de Montfort sons had fostered at Winterbourne. Hardie had treated the boys as he would his own, helping them to grow into fine men that she was so proud of.

  “A few soldiers came with us. I thought we might enjoy watching them in the training yard while Merryn tends to your guest.”

  “An excellent idea,” Hardie proclaimed as he turned to her. “Johamma is inside. You’ll find her in the blue chamber.”

  “I’ll go to her now. Behave yourself,” she told her husband. “No fighting. You need only observe.”

  Geoffrey pulled her close for a quick kiss. “As you wish, my love.”

  The two men headed toward the training yard while Merryn entered the keep. She and Geoffrey had stayed in the blue chamber several times over the years so she knew exactly where to go. She nodded as she passed a servant and then slipped into the chamber without knocking, not wishing to disturb whoever this ill visitor might be.

  Johamma stood over the bed, running a damp cloth over the face of someone. Her friend turned when she heard Merryn’s footsteps. A smile crossed her tired face and she came to greet her. Merryn embraced her and looked to the bed in curiosity. A feverish woman lay there but despite the flush, her great beauty shone.

  “Thank you for coming,” Johamma said. “I was up all night trying to break her fever. When it lingered today, I felt I must send for you.”

  She wondered who the young woman was but knew that could wait. “Let me examine her.”

  Merryn went to the bed and looked over her latest patient. “Tell me what you have done for her.”

  Johamma recounted everything she’d tried. Merryn instructed her to send for boiled water, which arrived as Merryn spoke the words.

  “I anticipated whatever remedy you used would most likely include boiled water,” Johamma said.

  Merryn mixed in heather from her satchel with the hot water and dipped a clean cloth in so she could bathe the young woman’s forehead. That would help if the woman had a headache and would also soothe her fever.

  “You have the healing touch,” Johamma complimented her.

  “So who is your visitor?”

  Before Johamma could reply, the woman began murmuring. Merryn leaned close and brushed the dark brown waves away from her face.

  “Hal . . . Hal . . .”

  Merryn’s hand stilled. Her eyes met Johamma’s.

  “That is another reason why I summoned you,” the countess said. “She arrived yesterday and collapsed. I think the poor thing hasn’t eaten in some time and she was feverish to the touch. She’s called out the name Hal several times and even mentioned Nan twice, so I thought somehow she had to know them.”

  Merryn stilled. “Do you know this woman’s name?” she asked, her heart pounding.

  “Hardie told me her name is Elinor. Elinor Swan. She came and inquired about a position as a falconer. He told her we were not in need of one but that his neighbor might be. Hardie said Kinwick’s falconer was close to retiring and he suggested she try there after staying with us the night. But she fainted dead away. Hardie brought her inside and I have tried to nurse her ever since.”

  Merryn told Johamma, “Hal intends to wed Elinor Swan.” She caressed the cheek of the woman who’d won her son’s heart. “Now we need to find him and bring him home.”

  Chapter 20

  Elinor fought to open her eyes. The lids felt heavy as she forced them to remain open. She glanced around the room, unsure of her surroundings.

  What was the last thing she remembered?

  Soothing hands . . . and a low, melodious voice . . .

  Who had those belonged to?

  She pushed herself to a sitting position and found she was in a bed. A luxurious one, with smooth covers and soft pillows behind her. The curtains had been drawn away, allowing her to see the chamber more clearly. When was the last time she had slept in a bed? It had to have been before she came to Jasper’s. For years, she had fallen asleep on a pallet of straw on the floor with a rough blanket covering her when the weather turned cold.

  Vaguely, an impression came to her of a woman with fiery hair who’d always seemed to be by her side. Elinor remembered waking several times. The woman spoke to her in soft tones. Fed her soup. Wiped her brow with a cool cloth. Then Elinor had drifted back into a heavy slumber.

  The estate. The kind nobleman. Memories at the edge came rushing back. He’d offered her a place to stay for the night. She’d been so hungry. So tired. And she now knew, very ill. Her limbs seemed weighted down, as if she couldn’t lift them of her own accord.

  “You’re awake.”

  The chestnut-haired woman glided into the room. Though she was much older than Elinor, an incandescent beauty glowed about her. She must have been stunning in her youth, for she was still remarkable now.

  She came and set a tray on the floor before drawing a chair next to the bed.

  “Let me help you get more comfortable.”

  Fluffing the pillows, she helped Elinor lean against them and drew the soft linen sheets up again, smoothing them before she placed the tray in Elinor’s lap.

  “I’m Merryn,” she revealed. “And I’m sure you have a great many questions for me. Do you know where you are?”

  Elinor nodded. “I do not know the name of the estate but I remember stopping here. The nobleman who owns it spoke with me. He invited me to stay overnight before I journeyed to his neighbor.” She frowned. “I think he called it Kinwood.”

  “Kinwick,” Merryn prompted. “And ’tis Lord Hardwin’s estate where you are. Winterbourne.”

  “How long have I been here?”

  “This is the third day I have nursed you. You arrived the afternoon before that, so you have been here four days.”

  “Thank you for tending to me.”

  “You needed food and rest above all. You did have a fever but it soon left you. You probably still feel somewhat weak from it, though.”

  “I’m so tired, ’tis hard to even smile,” she admitted.

  Merryn laughed. “Go ahead and eat first. We can talk in a few minutes. Every bite you take will help you to grow stronger.”

  She did as Merryn asked. Though she hadn’t realized it when she awoke, she was ravenous. She ate the bread and broth on the tray and drank the wine. She couldn’t remember ever having had wine and it felt rich and thick on her tongue.

  Merryn removed the tray once she’d finished eating. “That’s good for now, Elinor. In a few hours, I will bring you broth with meat in it. More bread and cheese, as well. And the wine will also help build your strength.”

  Elinor leaned back into the pillows. “You know my name.”

  “Aye. You spoke it to Lord Hardwin before you fainted. He said you were Elinor Swan. Is that true?”

  Fear clutched her heart. Did this woman want to know because she knew what Elinor had done? What she’d run away from?

  Merryn took her hand. Her warm touch brought comfort.

  “I ask because you have called out my son’s name when you were restless. My daughter’s, too.”

  Elinor licked her lips. “Hal? You are Hal’s mother?” She tried to see Hal in this woman but no trace of him was reflected i
n her face.

  Merryn nodded. “Aye. And Nan is my daughter. I suppose Hal spoke of her to you while his bones and side healed. I must thank you for taking such excellent care of him.”

  Her heart began pounding fiercely. “So Hal . . . reached home? Oh, he told me you were a healer. Does he live here, at Winterbourne? Are you Lord Hardwin’s healer? May I see Hal?”

  Merryn squeezed her hand. “I am a healer but not at Winterbourne. I am Lord Hardwin’s neighbor and reside at Kinwick. In fact, I am the Countess of Kinwick.”

  Elinor frowned. Surely, she had heard wrong. Hal’s mother was . . . a countess? How was this possible? That made Hal the son of an earl. She absently rubbed her temple with her free hand as shock poured through her.

  “I know you must be confused, Elinor.” Merryn patted her hand. “You have nothing to worry about. Hal may be a knight of the realm and not someone of your world but he loves you. Very, very much. You were all he could speak of once he reached home.”

  “Hal . . . loves me?” Elinor whispered.

  Uncertainty filled her. She was wary of what this woman had just revealed. Could she actually believe that Hal loved her—a man who could claim an earl as his father? One so far removed from her way of life. Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Then great, heaving sobs began. Merryn climbed onto the bed and held her close, stroking her back and murmuring soothing words. Her actions made Elinor cry all the more.

  “But . . . Hal is of the nobility. I am a lowly falconer. And not even that. The baroness replaced me. I . . . I . . .” Elinor’s throat thickened. No more words came out. A man she thought she had known well wasn’t anything she had thought him to be. Despite being born into the nobility herself, Elinor felt unworthy of Hal—and somehow betrayed by him at the same time.

  Merryn gripped her shoulders. “Look at me,” she commanded, her voice quiet but full of authority.

  Elinor did so, afraid not to obey this woman.

  “You have nothing to fear, Elinor. Hal loves you. He loves you. He told us over and over during his brief stay at home. That’s enough for us. My husband, Geoffrey, and I are a love match. It is what we’ve wanted for all of our children. For them to find that one person who is their soul mate. To wed and love this person every day for as long as they live.