"From the first, I should not have kept Raik's birth a secret but kept him with me. Symon de Mortimer would have taken delight in knowing of his first-born son's progress."
"Aye, Aunt." Elyne giggled, her eyes alight with mischief. "What a way for Raik to have met his sire, having him demand he drop his breeches and show the world his arse. Would you not have loved to see Raik when he defied his father and challenged him to do the same?"
"King Stephen's chambers must have rung with laughter seeing two grown men with their breeches down around their ankles to eye each other's nether cheeks." Joneta covered her mouth as she giggled like a young girl.
Letia clutched the baby so close Aubrey squirmed and mewled. She lightened her grasp and stood to sway back and forth, comforting him. Freki turned in circles than plopped down beside her feet.
"Letia, I was not able to mother my son, but I have learned much of his feelings over the years. He cannot abide anyone calling him a bastard. He swore he would never sire one. At Raptor, he was most serious about finding the woman who held him in such thrall that he spilled his seed on fertile ground. It eats at him that he may have a child without a father."
"But I fear if Raik finds it was me, he will lock me in a tower like he threatened this morn." Letia rubbed her cheek near imagining the blow he'd undoubtedly strike there when he learned of Aubrey.
"He will be furious, aye. And he may even do as you fear. But 'tis not in his nature to be cruel. He will forgive you sooner if you tell him and he does not learn of it by himself."
"I do not think he will be so easily calmed. You saw how furious he was because I was overlong training the children."
"Was it this he was shouting about when we came up the stairwell?" Joneta's kind eyes studied her face.
"Aye. He forbids me to train them with the slings. That has always been my special skill. Now he would deprive our castle folk of learning weapons even women can master."
"Oh, that doesna sound like gentle Raik," Elyne said.
"Gentle? He has done naught but issue demands since he rode up to the gates."
"I wonder why? Uh, could it be because you peppered him with arrows?" Elyne burst out laughing at the surprise on Letia's face. "We heard of it from the squires who assisted us down from the cart."
"Did you really intend to defy him and his men all by yourself?" Joneta eyes widened.
"It was stupid of me. I panicked when I saw who came to the gate. I feared that since Raik disliked me so much, he would send me away and keep me from Aubrey."
"He would never separate a bairn from his mother." Elyne shook her head.
"He threatens to do just that. He says he will get a wet nurse then house me in a tower under guard if I do not stop 'seizing a man's duties' as he calls it."
"Surely someone else can take over training the slingers until Raik relents?" Elyne's eyes were thoughtful as she studied Letia.
"Giles aides me. Raik ordered him to give over my weapons and I have naught to defend myself except my eating knife."
"Hopefully, you will not need to defend yourself any longer. You have a young, vital husband to protect you and Seton Castle."
"I do not know what to do with myself. I have always led such an active life, even when heavy with child. Now he expects me to dress in fine clothing and spend my time doing nothing?"
"You have the keep to manage. If you do not want a wet-nurse, won't Aubrey take much of your day?"
"Managing the keep has never been a problem. I have placed Sybilla in charge of the food and cooks, Goda sees to the linens and clothing repairs, Floria looks after the children of the keep and Mirabel is an excellent weaver and watches over the weaver's huts. I order the floors swept each day, see the walls are washed clear of soot, the gardens and orchards tended and keep a list handy for peddlers."
"Saints, Letia! How do ye have time to train anyone in slings or archery?" Elyne asked.
Letia threw up her hands, frustrated. "During the day, I have ample time to work with them while Aubrey sleeps. Maud does not leave his side when I am not within the keep."
"Humpf! From now on, ye will be in the keep more often," Raik's disapproving voice rang out as he entered the room. "The bairn will not have to cry his tears dry waiting for ye to nurse him. Even Freki gets fed when he hungers."
Aubrey squirmed and turned his head toward the sound, his eyes wide as he looked for Raik.
Letia stiffened. "Cook always has a pot of soup simmering. A meaty bone is sure to be at hand for Freki," she replied.
"Aye. As ye have milk aplenty that is wasted when it soaks yer clothing."
"That happens to all mothers, Raik, when near feeding time for their bairns," Joneta said.
"For truth. Catalin is forever having to change her bindings, does she not, brother?" Elyne asked as Ranald followed his cousin into the room.
"Eh, men know nothing of bindings and wasted milk. But I would not think it the case with twins." The corners of Ranald's lips twitched.
"I have need of the solar." Raik's voice softened on seeing Aubrey. "Mayhap you should take the bairn out into the orchard. 'Tis a rare sunny afternoon and the little mite should have fresh air."
Raik reached over to cup the babe's head in the palm of his hand. He hesitated before he eased him gently from Letia's arms to cradle him in his own. Streaks of fire shot to Letia's core when the back of his hand brushed against her breast.
Aubrey looked up at him and made soft sounds like a morning dove, then waved his fist at Raik's chin. Raik lowered his head and grinned, seeming engrossed in the babe. Tenderness filled his expression when the bairn's fist opened and his fingers scraped at his lips.
"Look. He explores my face." He lowered his head and pretended to nibble the fingertips.
"We will leave you men to your own devices." Letia rose and held out her hands for her son. Raik nuzzled the bairn's hand again then turned the babe to place him against Letia's shoulder.
o0o
The women had no sooner left the room than Cormac, Edmund and Leofwan joined Raik and Ranald. Edulf followed carrying a pewter tray laden with cups and ale. Raik pulled back a chair and motioned for everyone to take a seat.
Raik told them of his plans for the castle and its defense. He spread out parchments with precisely drawn pictures of the castle with the outer walls and the grounds before it. He had included the smallest details, even as far as the bushes where Freki had once lurked in the woods at the far side of the clearing.
Ranald picked up the drawing of the southern side of the castle and walked over to the window. He leaned out the opening to study the ground below then returned to the table.
"Here," Ranald placed the drawing back in place, "is this not the ground below?" He stabbed his finger down on the image of a sprawling tree standing close to the wall.
"Aye." Raik nodded.
"What is behind it?" Ranald's fingers flew as he sketched in several trees in the area beyond the wall leading into the woods.
"Edmund?" Raik looked to him for an answer.
"The original postern gate stands behind the tree."
Raik sat up straighter in his chair. "How is it defended?"
"It's been abandoned for many years," Leofwan added. "Not visible from outside. The aging of the planks blend in with the colors of the wall. Whenever there's a threat, Lady Letia stations slingers all along that wall walk."
"Lady Letia will no longer be putting herself in danger. Cormac, Piers and Giles are now in charge of the slingers. Who guards the gate in peaceful times?" Raik's brows rose.
"At night, two men. One in daytime, since it is a small section."
The mention of Letia's name made Raik mindful of the quiet sounds coming from the bedchamber during the afternoon. Whenever Aubrey cried, he stilled. He relaxed on hearing the soft murmurs of women talking and laughing. Rare contentment filled him. Hearing Letia singing a haunting melody surprised him, for her voice was as soft and sweet as the most gentle of women.
By the time Raik's mee
ting ended, he had chosen Sir William to oversee the young men. Who was better suited to train them than a man who had made it his life's work? Everard, who could coax a horse to bow and kneel with a fully equipped warrior on his back, would take over the men who fought ahorse.
The sun had begun to wane when Edulf scratched lightly then entered to remind them 'twas time to go below for the delayed wedding banquet.
CHAPTER 28
As it had always been, the likenesses in the two cousins struck Letia when Raik and Ranald strode through the doorway of the great hall. Both men were of the same height, the same weight. They strolled with the same arrogance. Command oozed from their very beings.
Where Ranald's hair was black, Raik's was so deep a brown as to appear black. They would look like brothers were it not for their eyes. Ranald's deep purple-black; Raik's startling blue like the brightest spring day.
Ah, but what made them different was their clothing. Raik's was forever colorful, his garments finely made out of the best cloths. Were it not for his bearing, a less observant man might think him, um, unmanly? Ranald's deceased twin brother had also dressed in the same colorful manner, while Ranald wore unrelenting black.
Raik's gaze scanned the room. Letia thought mayhap he searched for Cormac, but his eyes passed his friend by. A spark streaked between them when his piercing blue gaze found her. Like a hare pinned by a wolf's gaze, she could not look away.
"Did the bairn enjoy his outing, Lady?" His eyes narrowed.
Did he try to read her thoughts? "Aye. We kept within the shade of the orchard."
"You should have seen Aubrey, cousin," Elyne's bright voice piped in. "He saw a bird for the first time and was quite excited. He reached out to try to catch it from the sky."
"Mayhap one day he will favor hawking." Raik nodded, pleased.
"He's a precious boy, one who will bring you much joy," Joneta smiled.
As they talked, they moved across the hall to the high table. Raik seated his mother to his right with Ranald to Letia's left. Elyne slipped onto the bench opposite her brother and Sir William sat across from Joneta while Cormac made haste to take his place opposite Sybilla. When he winked at her, she blushed and lowered her chin to her chest.
Each table looked snowy clean with its white linen and bright vase of flowers from the gardens. Servants had used the best pewter plates and goblets, their edges or sides etched with birds, flowers, trees and animals. Large pitchers of wine stood within easy reach for those at the high table, ale and cider for the lower tables.
Male servants arrived with platters of pork flavored with garlic, lamb with mint sprigs sprinkled atop the mint jelly that covered it along with broiled venison, baked chicken and roasted geese. Grilled salmon, accompanied with a sauce made of wine, onion, cinnamon, vinegar and ginger followed.
Servants carried bowls of stewed onions, peas and beans and pale carrots cooked with cinnamon and honey. Wild cherries, grapes and plums, alongside stewed apples and pears, and large round wedges of sharp cheeses would fill out the meal. And, of course, the women's favorite fruit pasties and puddings to finish it off.
While cook and his helpers brought in the food, Raik busied himself studying the room. Laid out as most great halls were, trestle tables and benches lined the walls, except for the dais where the lords table stood.
"What causes such interest in the room, Raik?" Ranald murmured beside him.
"It's lack of color. The walls are bare except for a sword or two. And tapestries here and there that cover the alcoves where trestle tables are stored at night. Naught else."
"'Tis to my liking."
"Huh, that doesn't surprise me. Ye were used to naught else but black robes, bare walls and a thin pallet at the monastery."
"Aye." He swung his head and studied the room. "And ye are used to brightness in all things. The women have a hard time of it trying to outshine yer splendid clothing today."
"Why so? Letia's sea green and gold are colorful. Elyne's red kirtle is striking as well."
"True. But nothing that compares to the blue shirt and scarlet tunic you wear."
"Mine and de Mortimer's clothing were no brighter than the men at court, but we seemed, um, very different."
"Tis true they wear such pointed shoes that strings are attached to the end of the toes and tied to their waist so they willna trip?" Ranald snorted at such foolishness.
"They do. But that's not all. The men appear as weak as lasses. They pose an ailment in their wrists, like they have not the strength to lift their hands." Raik rolled his eyes.
"Neither of you are like the palace courtiers, but do not let their foppish clothing lull you into believing them soft." Sir William's tone was thoughtful.
Raik nodded. "At first sight, I deemed them, uh, lacking in ballocks. But when they put aside their finery, they wielded swords and maces with strength and vigor."
Ranald studied Raik's face. "Did ye admire them? It doesna seem likely to me."
"I did not. What I admired were the brightly painted rooms at court and at de Mortimer's estates. Some even had colorful birds painted on the walls and ceilings or scenes of battles; others had striking designs in gold."
"Warin was much like me, choosing dark clothing. He likely preferred simplicity." Ranald said.
"Tis probably the reason."
Letia enjoyed hearing Joneta and Elyne's news of Catalin's children, but bits and pieces of the men's conversation seeped through. When Raik as much as said Seton was drab alongside the other British keeps, he caught her full attention.
She looked up at the ceiling then studied the room.
Yes, Sybilla had done a wonderful job with what she had. But Letia had to admit the keep was not as it could be. Raik did not know of the lovely tapestries or the rolled rugs stored safely in a secret room in the cool cellar. Huh! He would be surprised at the other beautiful pieces her father and Warin had brought back from the crusades.
Years earlier when Julian first started harrying Seton, they safely hid them from sight. Now that Raik and his army were added to the castle's, along with the added protection of having the Black Raptor as part of their family, it was high time they brought them out of hiding.
For the first time in many sennights, she felt a bubble of pleasure. She would have ample time to restore her home to its former glory.
Letia was delighted when everyone acknowledged the sumptuous feast Sybilla had provided. Ranald's eyes rolled heavenward with his first taste of grilled salmon with wine sauce and Raik exclaimed at the pork flavored with garlic. Cormac smacked his lips and grinned when he took his third helping of lamb. Even Sir William made a point to smile and tell Sybilla it was the most flavorful meal he'd eaten in many a day.
Of all the compliments Sybilla received, she blushed most when they came from Cormac. Fearing he might cause her some disappointment if his was idle flattery, Letia paid particular attention. Watching the warm gleam in his eye when he looked at her sister, her worry lessened.
o0o
As night fell, she quietly left the banquet so she could tend to Aubrey. Giles escorted her carrying a light so she would not stumble on the stairwell. His last duties for the day were to see his mistress safely to her bedchamber where Maud awaited with Aubrey and to take out Freki to do his business and then return him. Though it was not the custom for an animal to share a bedchamber, he was not as other beasts. He came over to meet her, his tail thumping against his sides when Giles opened the door.
"Thank you for guarding the babe," Letia said as she always did when she returned to the room. She scratched the dog's head as he leaned it against her thigh and gazed up at her with his fathomless eyes. "See Cook afore you go out. She saved you some scraps as a special treat."
As if he understood her, Freki straightened, an eager look on his face, and trotted over to Giles. She heard the young man laughing as he tried to keep up with a beast intent on receiving his savory gifts.
Letia sighed with relief. She had ample milk, but the b
reast bindings were bothersome. Especially when they became damp as they did when she opened the bedchamber door and heard her son's cries as Maud finished changing his wet nappies.
"I'm coming, little one," she said as she started pulling the green kirtle over her head. "Have you eaten your own meal, Maud? I wish you had attended the banquet."
"You know I dislike a crowded room. It was more pleasant here. I'm as full as that chicken stuffed with breading."
As Maud poured water into the basin for her to wash her breasts, Letia pulled off her smock. By the time her head cleared the cloth, the woman was there to untie the damp bindings. Aubrey, hearing his mother's voice, became impatient.
"If you would, please take him up while I wash."
Letia hurried to cleanse herself before throwing a robe about her body to ward off the chill. She pulled back the bed covers and moved the pillows upright so she could rest her back against the heavy wooden headboard, scrambled up onto the feather mattress and sighed with pleasure when Maud handed the babe to her. She kissed his fuzzy head while he nuzzled and latched on to her flesh.
"Anyone would think you had not suckled the entire day, much less a short time afore the banquet," she said and grinned.
"It's amazing to see such a little sprite eat so much," Maud said, a fond smile on her face. "You will have to nourish yourself well to keep up with his demands in a sennight or so."
Letia told Maud how proud she was of Sybilla for providing fare that impressed even Sir William, who was used to sumptuous meals while living with the de Mortimer's. She also huffed a little when she mentioned her husband thought Seton Keep was plain and colorless.
Raik was in for a surprise. She looked forward to proving him wrong, for by the time she was done, Seton would rival Symon de Mortimer's dwellings.
o0o
Once the women retired from the high table, the men moved over to take their places on the benches. Raik covered his cup when Cormac started to refill it. He didn't want Sir William thinking he'd had too much wine and reporting to Symon de Mortimer that his natural son could not hold his alcohol.
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