by Aston, Alexa
“Michael!” his mother cried in joy as she caught sight of her son. “Do you like him? It’s your new horse, Tempest. Sir Thirkell just brought him home. We were feeding Tempest bits of carrot. He’s a greedy little thing.”
“My lord,” Thirkell said, acknowledging the earl’s presence before he looked to Michael. “Young Master Michael. ’Tis good to have you home for your summer visit.”
His mother stepped behind the knight and stumbled as she squeezed by him in the narrow stall. Thirkell caught her by the waist as she toppled forth. She gave him a tentative smile as he righted her.
With that, his father exploded. “Get your hands off my wife!”
His mother took a step forward. “I only—”
The earl struck his wife hard. She spun in a full circle and fell to her knees, blood dripping from her mouth, her eyes haunted with fear. Michael knew it wasn’t the first time his father had injured her. He’d seen the bruises she tried to hide. He remembered the times she’d been bedridden for a week at a time, unable to walk after one of her husband’s beatings for the slightest infraction.
Thirkell gave his the nobleman a look that chilled Michael’s heart. The knight bent and lifted the countess to her feet and steadied her. He turned and faced his liege lord.
“I have sworn an oath to protect your family, my lord. That includes your lady and your son. I simply brought the countess to the stables to see the horse she wished purchased for Master Michael’s homecoming.” Thirkell paused. “I am sorry if I offended you by preventing her from falling.”
The earl’s eyes narrowed in a way that brought terror to Michael. “I’ve seen the looks you give one another when you think no one sees,” he said, his tone more menacing than Michael ever remembered. “I know the slut sneaks off to your bed.”
Thirkell’s brows shot up. “I sleep in the barracks with a hundred other of your men, my lord. No woman—much less the lady of Sandbourne—ever graces my bed. You dishonor your wife by claiming so.”
Michael saw his mother shrink against the stall’s wall as the knight spoke. Blood stained the front of her light blue cotehardie. He turned back to view his father. Michael knew his father would never back down from the accusation, no matter how outlandish it was.
“You dare to call me a liar?” the earl demanded.
Thirkell shook his head. “Nay, my lord. You are simply mistaken. Nothing untoward has gone on this day, or any other day. I am in your service and loyal to you and the Devereux name.”
Michael saw the blur as his father moved toward Thirkell. His brain refused to comprehend what happened so quickly.
Yet seconds later, he watched the knight’s eyes go wide. Thirkell’s hands flew to his throat, where a red gash angrily crossed his flesh. Michael glanced and saw the dagger his father always carried dangling from his hand. Blood dripped from the blade. Michael looked on as the knight crumpled to his knees. Thirkell tried to speak and then fell forward with a dull thud. Michael’s jaw dropped open. No words came out. He watched the blood begin to pool under the knight’s head, saturating the hay.
His father approached his mother, a gleam of madness in his eyes. Michael remained frozen in fear, unable to move.
“You have tested me, woman. Beyond what any man should endure. You’ve played me for a fool many times while you’ve dallied with other men. ’Tis time I rid myself of you, a woman who pawned off a child on me.”
His mother took a step forward. Michael wanted to cry out for her to run away, but he couldn’t speak.
“I have never been unfaithful for a single moment, Husband,” she declared. “Michael is your son. No one else’s.”
His father moved with lightning speed and slapped his mother, knocking her against the wall. His fists pounded her face. Pummeled the soft flesh of her body.
Michael had to act. He must save her. Even if his father did the same to him as he did to Sir Thirkell. He had to be a man—for his mother’s sake.
The earl’s blows had forced his wife to the ground. He savagely kicked her now. Michael heard a rib crack and her gasp of pain. He slammed into his father, knocking him aside. Michael rode his father’s back and began to choke him as the earl tried to regain his feet. Distantly, he heard his mother wheezing, a pitiful sound that broke his heart.
Suddenly, his father pried away the fingers from his throat and tossed his son off. Michael hit the ground so hard it knocked the breath from him, as if he’d fallen from a horse. He tried to suck in air, but his lungs seemed to freeze up. Before he could breathe, his father grabbed him, fists bunching into Michael’s clothes as the earl lifted his son to his feet. Then an explosion of stars danced before Michael’s eyes because his father brutally backhanded him.
Pain rippled along his cheek. He brought a hand to his face and touched the blood. His father’s signet ring had sliced open his cheek.
Michael staggered to his feet and yelled, “Stop!”
The earl did so. It shocked Michael that his words had finally gotten through the fog of madness surrounding the man.
“No more, Father,” he ordered, his voice quivering.
The earl gave him a grim smile. “You’re right. I won’t put up with this any longer.” He glanced at his wife, now curled in a fetal position, her face already swelling. “Behold your mother for the last time, boy.”
Michael sucked in a quick breath. Would his father kill his mother right now?
“You and I will never see this slut again. She’s betrayed me for the last time. I’ll find witnesses to her adultery. Pay them if I have to. She can spend the rest of her days on her knees in a convent, thinking on her multitude of sins and hoping God will forgive her many betrayals. As of this day, she is dead to me—and to you.” His eyes shifted to the trembling, bloodied woman lying in the hay. “I won’t be humiliated by a whore anymore. I’ll see that you are locked away. That no one will ever know where you’ve gone. May God have mercy on you, for I have none left in my heart for you or your wanton ways.”
Michael gazed at the broken woman on the ground. Her lips moved, but no words came out. Their eyes met. In them, he saw relief. Michael realized she would be glad to escape her marriage to this monster and the frequent punishments he doled out for imagined offenses.
As their eyes remained locked, Michael hoped his mother understood what was in his heart. That he loved her. That no matter what his father said, her son would someday find her.
And when he became the Earl of Sandbourne, Michael would bring her home and reinstate her to the position of honor she so richly deserved after all of her suffering.
Michael ran and kissed her swelling cheek before the earl could stop him. He then drew himself up and latched on to Tempest’s mane. He willed himself to leap upon the horse bareback and surprised himself when he realized he sat atop the beast.
Looking down at his father, he declared, “You are a stranger to me and no longer my father. You’ve never called me by name. I have no love for you. I will never forgive you for what you’ve done this day. I’ll never set foot on Sandbourne land again until your body lies cold and rotting in the ground.”
Before the earl could stop him, Michael spurred Tempest on with a swift kick. The Earl of Sandbourne jumped aside. Michael hung on for dear life as he steered the horse out of the stables and galloped away from his home.
To a new future.
Chapter One
Kinwick Castle—1365
Merryn de Montfort took her fifteen-month-old son from Tilda and smiled as he babbled some nonsense. Knowing he had her attention, Hal then blew a bubble and laughed heartily. He was a sunny child and reminded her of how Geoffrey had been as a young boy, full of good cheer and light.
“He looks more like your brother, Hugh, every day, my lady,” the servant said. “I should know. I cared for Hugh from the day he arrived.” She paused and grinned at the babe. “I do see a bit of you in Hal, as well. You and Master Hugh looked fairly alike till you turned two. Then you went your own sepa
rate ways in your looks.”
Merryn laughed. “That’s nonsense, Tilda. Hal resembles his father. Look around his eyes. And his mouth. He is Geoffrey made over, from his coloring to his dark hair.”
The woman shook her head sagely in disagreement. “The little lord has the Mantel family mouth, my lady. Of that, I’m certain.”
Merryn bounced Hal slightly, causing his eyes to go wide before he giggled. No matter what her longtime servant said, she believed her boy would grow up to look like his father. Already, Hal reminded her of Ancel at that age. At almost eight years of age now, Ancel strongly favored Geoffrey.
She was happy Ancel would soon come home for his summer visit. Even though he fostered at Winterbourne, the adjoining estate to Kinwick, Merryn missed seeing her eldest son on a daily basis. She was grateful she and Geoffrey often received invitations from Hardie and Johamma to visit Winterbourne and catch a glimpse of Ancel performing his duties as a page to the earl. Even so, it surprised Merryn how much her sweet boy had grown in the past year.
“My lady! They’ve been sighted. They’re coming through the gate,” a servant informed her.
Joy filled Merryn’s heart as she hurried from the solar and down the staircase. She took care not to jostle Hal too much. While she missed Ancel, as any mother would, she ached every day from the pain brought by the separation from her daughter, Alys, who fostered with the queen at the royal court. For the first seven years of life, her oldest child had been her mother’s shadow. Alys aided Merryn in growing and picking herbs and had all the makings of a future healer. In fact, the girl proved more knowledgeable than Merryn at the same age. Since Alys lived in London, Merryn hadn’t seen her only daughter since the Christmas season. The bond between them was strong and she missed Alys more than words could explain.
Now, her daughter would remain at Kinwick for a longer period since she was not expected at her young age to go with the royal court on its entire summer progress. Merryn couldn’t wait for Alys to see how much Hal had changed in the last few months.
Catching sight of Geoffrey astride Mystery, peace washed over Merryn. Her husband was the best part of her world. She was happy to have Geoffrey home after he’d been on the road this past week. He’d been back at Kinwick two years now after their long separation and she loved him more with each passing day. He galloped across the inner bailey, a broad smile on his face as he spotted her. She blew him a kiss—and couldn’t wait for his lips to be against hers in a real one.
Other knights in the escort party followed closely behind him. Merryn spied Alys, sitting in front of Sir Michael Devereux. The knight had only been at Kinwick a year now, but he proved to be one of her favorites. His loyalty was beyond question and he had a way with all of the children on the estate. Hal seemed drawn to Michael like a moth to a flame and she had watched the two playing in front of the fire in the great hall many nights. Merryn wished that Michael would find a wife, for he would make a perfect father. Mayhap, she should begin to think of a woman to place in his path that would suit him.
She raised a hand in greeting, catching her daughter’s eye.
“Mother!” Alys cried, waving her dainty hand back and forth.
She smiled as Michael lowered her daughter to the ground. Alys took off running up the stone stairs leading up to the keep. Merryn watched her approach and returned the girl’s smile. Merryn could already see the budding beauty within Alys. One day she would steal men’s hearts.
Alys reached the top of the stairs and clung to her mother for a moment. They both shed tears of happiness at being together again. Hal began squirming in her arms, trying to get a glimpse of his sister.
“Oh, Mother.” Alys stroked the babe’s cheek. “He has grown into a little man.”
Merryn laughed. “He was barely toddling about when you were here at Christmas time. And now we have to watch him every minute of the day. He is faster than a comet streaking across the night sky.”
Alys held out her arms. “Hello, little brother.” She took the child and ruffled his dark hair. “Do you remember me? I’m your sister. The eldest child. Never forget that.”
Merryn laughed. “’Tis a good thing Ancel is not here. He hates it when you mention that. He should return from Winterbourne in time for the noon meal tomorrow.”
The girl sniffed. “Well, I am the firstborn. I arrived a good minute before Ancel did. I’ll always be the oldest de Montfort child.” Her eyes twinkled. “And I shall never let either brother forget it.”
Merryn found herself spun around and in Geoffrey’s arms. He pressed his mouth to hers in a lingering kiss. As always, just a simple touch from her husband melted her bones to liquid. Breaking the kiss, he gazed at her with love before brushing his lips tenderly against her forehead. Her husband always made her feel treasured.
Then he reached and snatched Hal from Alys’ arms. “How’s my boy?” He tossed the babe into the air and caught him. Hal squealed in delight. Geoffrey repeated the gesture several times before setting Hal on his feet. Hal bolted toward the doors where Tilda stood with a slice of cheese, his current favorite food.
Geoffrey put an arm about Merryn and Alys and drew them close. “I’m glad to be at Kinwick, once again, with my two girls.”
“I’m a young lady, Father,” Alys sternly reminded him. “The queen says so.”
He laughed. “Far be it from me to disregard what Queen Philippa has said.” Geoffrey squeezed both of them again. “Come, let’s go inside. I know your mother wants to hear all about your time at court.”
They bypassed the great hall and headed upstairs. Alys stopped at her bedchamber to wash and change her clothes, promising she would hurry. Merryn and Geoffrey continued on to the solar, where he did the same. Though she couldn’t wait to hear what news Alys brought, Merryn felt a pang of regret as her husband doffed his clothes and changed into new ones. She wished they had some time to themselves.
“I see how you’re looking at me, Wife,” Geoffrey teased. He pulled his gypon over his head and laced it before drawing the rust cotehardie over it. “You wish to worship my body.”
Merryn placed her palm on his chest and felt his heart jump. “Mayhap you can worship mine later this evening, my lord,” she said saucily.
He yanked her close for a searing, possessive kiss. Much too short but ever so sweet. Then released her.
“Alys already chides us for all the kissing we do. I suppose we’ll need to behave ourselves.” He winked. “At least for now.”
The door flew open at that moment. Alys entered with a parchment in her hand.
“A missive has come. Tilda said the messenger was given something to eat. He told Tilda that he’s to wait for a reply.” Alys handed it to her father, curiosity written across her face.
“Hmm. ’Tis addressed to Lord and Lady de Montfort in a hand I don’t recognize.” Geoffrey seated himself at the table and broke the seal.
Merryn came and placed her hands on his shoulders and peeked at the writing. She read:
To my dearest brother Geoffrey and his wife, Merryn –
It’s been far too long since we have seen one another, Brother. I know being a dozen years older than you meant that we never spent much time together, yet I still remember your sweet, mischievous face to this day. Having lived far in the north till a year ago has made us strangers in this life, but I wish to remedy that.
I have remarried at the king’s command and now reside at Hopeston Castle, only two days’ ride from Kinwick. My fondest desire is for you to come and meet your nieces, Elysande and Avelyn. Elysande, my older girl, is to be married in a week’s time. I hope you’ll choose to attend so she can meet her uncle and aunt and her cousins—if you’ve been blessed with children.
Please come as soon as you can, Geoffrey. I’m sorry we lost touch for so many years. I would have us spend some time together as a family before the wedding. Elysande, as I was, will become a bride to a man from the north. This might be the only chance for you to meet her.
I pray I’ll see you soon, Geoffrey. My best to you and yours.
Love,
Your sister, Mary
“This is a surprise,” Geoffrey said, looking over his shoulder at Merryn. “I haven’t seen Mary since she married many years ago. When I left to foster with Sir Lovel, she also left home to marry. My other sister, Eloisa, married and went to live in Wales the following year.” He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. “And to think Mary is now close to us.” He rested a hand atop Merryn’s. “What do you say, my love? Shall we attend my niece’s wedding and bring all our children with us so they may discover their cousins?”
“I am anxious to visit Mary.” Merryn grinned. “Who knows? She might have some wonderful stories to share about her baby brother.”
Her husband stroked her hand with his thumb for a moment before he rose. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “You and Alys should pack, my love. I’m off to let Gilbert know what we’re up to and choose a group of soldiers to accompany us to Hopeston.”
Geoffrey left the solar and hurried down to the training yard, a spring in his step. The thought of reuniting with his older sister after so long a time and introducing Mary to his family brought him a great deal of happiness. His family meant everything to him.
Especially after the long years apart from them.
He reached the yard where soldiers dueled in pairs, his captain of the guard watching them compete with a careful eye. Geoffrey joined Gilbert and stood observing silently for a few minutes. It didn’t surprise him to see that Michael Devereux had already joined in the exercises, despite their long trip from London. Michael proved to be one of the most eager knights that had sworn fealty to the de Montforts, and Geoffrey was happy to have the knight’s service for as long as possible.
Michael fought against Hammond, another loyal knight who had been Kinwick’s most talented swordsmen—until a year ago.
