Letia's mouth tightened as Sybilla slipped from the room. After the door to the landing closed, she talked quietly.
"You are indeed fortunate. Sybilla and I learned the hard way that men cannot always be at hand to protect us."
"Oh. I wondered how she came by her scars," Elyne said, her voice hardly above a whisper.
"'Twas when she was just ten and six, betrothed to a young man in a castle nearby our own."
"Surely her intended did not do this!" Elyne's face blanched.
"Nay. During one dark night, a near half-dead messenger arrived to tell us one of our villages was afire and being plundered. Father rushed to their aid, but while he was gone, an army approached from the opposite direction. The men left at our castle had no time to mount an adequate defense. When the raiders broke through into the bailey, it was not long before they stormed the keep.
"Father had a hidden space in his solar where he kept his money chest. It was just big enough for a couple people. Maud scooped me up and concealed me there, but 'twas too late for Sybilla and Mother. They ran into the room, but before they could hide themselves with us, men broke down the door. I heard their screams as the men raped my mother and Sybilla. I stuffed my tunic hem in my mouth to keep myself from crying out.
"I thought all were saved when Father and his men stormed through the doorway. He slew the men holding Mother and Sybilla. Mother died two days later. Sybilla barely survived. It was many months before she could speak. By then, she was swelling with Agnes.
"From that time on, Father determined that even children would learn to use a weapon. Once I mastered the sling, he saw to Leofwan training me in weapons a woman can handle."
Letia shuddered and wished to forget the dreadful memories. She looked at her shocked friends and forced a bright smile.
"By the way, I am quite wicked with the cross-bow."
CHAPTER 30
Something was different about the great hall. Raik's brows creased when he walked toward the high table, trying to find what he sensed. The tables stood where they always were. Linen cloth covered them. The food was bountiful. He sensed an air of tension around the men standing near the lower tables. 'Twas only when Edulf nudged his arm and looked up at the rafters that Raik followed his gaze.
"Do my eyes deceive me? Were not the rafters a mottled brown last eve?"
Ranald stopped in mid-stride.
Cormac did an awkward sidestep to keep from stumbling into his back. "Shite, man! I near knocked you down."
Ranald shrugged, still eyeing the rafters. "Ye see aright. Hm. They're now a rich brown."
"Aye. How could that be accomplished in but one day?"
Raik's gaze returned to the men waiting to sit. Paint splotches dotted their heads, their breeches and shirts, though they had scrubbed their faces and hands clean. He smiled and nodded his approval.
"You should have seen them, milord," the slinger Alfred said. "It was the number of men that did it. I knew something was amiss when workmen swarmed into the hall carrying wood for scaffolding."
"Aye," Piers nodded. "Our Lady had only to ask and every man who could spare time throughout the day wanted to take part. It soon looked like the ceiling was crawling with big birds painting away. I wondered where you disappeared to when the children had their noon meal." Piers playfully swatted Alfred alongside his head.
"Ha. How could you miss my big arse? I was on the scaffolding to your right."
As they made their way to their table, the two men bantered back and forth.
Raik noted Letia and the women waiting beside the high table. She looked particularly appealing in a violet kirtle with sleeves slit on the side for a light green smock to peek through. A woven band of the same green held back a riot of still damp curls from her forehead. 'Twas strange how beautiful she appeared dressed in proper women's clothing. Though he had to admit, when she had visited Raptor with de Burgh, she always appeared womanly...until Warin spoke of her skills with weapons.
"Lady Wife, the men did a fine job of freshening the ceiling."
He felt awkward with the praise as he assisted her to sit. Too late, he realized he had not acknowledged her hand in the day's work. She nodded and he sensed she forced the smile she bestowed on him. Her eyes did not mimic it.
"I wish to seek your advice about a prize for the advanced children working with Giles. What would be special for them? They have been working hard on their contest." He settled in his chair and took a sip of cold wine.
Letia's brows near met in the middle while she thought.
"I believe what would please them most is their own adult slings, mayhap with their name tooled in the leather. They deserve them."
"Thank you, wife." Raik sighed with relief knowing he had done the right thing, for the smile on Letia's face near lit up the room.
o0o
That day marked the beginning of Letia's attempt to please her husband in the hopes that when, not if, he learned Aubrey was his son, he would soften his anger toward her. After she nursed the baby that night, Maud brushed her hair until the curls sprung back with vigor. Letia rubbed oils on her body to enhance its softness and slipped into bed to await her husband.
The full moon slid beams of light across the covers, sending a pale glow over her naked breasts and arms where the sheet fell when she turned. Maud had said virile young men enjoyed making love by moonlight, so she steeled herself not to snatch the covers up tight to her chin.
She may as well have. After Raik stripped, he pulled the shutters closed before he climbed into bed. Was she so lacking in pleasing curves he did not find her comely? Or mayhap she was too plump since she birthed her son? She responded to his caresses without hesitation, making their lovemaking hot and furious. He was attentive to her needs. When she stiffened in her release, his rhythm increased, rocking her in a frenzy of passion until sweat sprinkled his back and his magnificent body shuddered with his climax.
Raik fell to his side as soon as he caught his breath. There in the dark, he allowed himself a wry smile. If Letia had given Warin as wild a ride as she gave him, no wonder the man's heart wore out.
Being married had its advantages. He no longer had to withdraw and spend himself on his partner's stomach. Did all Norman women squeeze the last bit of seed from a man's cock as Letia did his? And as his unseen seducer had done?
One night, after a hearty meal when Cormac was in his cups, he would find an opportunity to ask. He seemed to have the most skill with women. Why, even shy Sybilla did not skitter away when he touched her shoulder. From the softness in Cormac's eyes, Raik did not fear he intended to play lightly with her.
o0o
In the next sennight, Raik found each day held something different. They started out as usual when he and his commanders met while they broke their fast. They planned their mornings, varying the patrols each day so as not to set a pattern that an enemy could use to their advantage. Edmund set in motion his plans for the castle's defense, training men at thwarting raiders. Cormac added extra guards along the castle walls, making use of some of the men de Mortimer had gifted to Raik.
All ran smoothly and in a pattern. The second day when they returned for their noon meal, Giles met them at the stable when they dismounted. He told Raik that Lady Letia had prepared a special treat and led them to the orchard. There spread out on the lush grass was a sea of blankets. Everything for their meal was there, including the table equipment. Pitchers of ale and cider, their sides dripping with dewy moisture, and the aroma of steaming food were enough to hurry the men to wash their hands in buckets at the well.
Cook had the only table. Servants filled trenchers with generous portions of each dish a man pointed to. Once the squires knew their masters' preferences, they took over. 'Twas fortunate the weather held warm for 'twas the middle of August.
As in the previous day, Raik did not see Letia. For that matter, no women were present except for servants. When he questioned Giles, he said Lady Letia thought the men might like a chance
of dining without having to guard their tongues. Boisterous male voices told him she had guessed rightly.
For each day of the following sennight, Ranald and his men would be with them, Letia surprised her husband with something new. The great hall changed before his very eyes. The rafters were a clean brown. Then they found the walls painted a cheerful yellow that brightened the room so much they did not need as many candle branches. The picnic gave the carpenters opportunity to repair and paint the trestle tables.
Several days later, Letia held a celebration for the young slingers to award their prizes. It was a great success. The cook and her helpers for the day baked all manner of fruit pasties and scones, covering a long table set to the side of the practice area. Benches lined with proud parents and friends, plus Letia's teams of adult slingers watched and cheered as the youths competed for the last trial. No one was surprised when Sybilla's daughter Agnes and the blacksmith's son won their adult slings.
On Ranald's last night at Seton, the cousins found bright banners hanging from the rafters. Letia explained that some had hung in her father's keep; others bore the de Burgh crest. Even Douglas Castle where Raik fostered was represented, as was Raptor and Hunter Castles. Ranald's bright yellow banner with two black eagles separated by a red bar, hung over the high table beside Raik's own striking red with the screeching yellow gryphon.
Above the huge fireplace was the largest banner, divided diagonally from the left lower corner to the top right. To its left was Seton Castle's colors. The background field was a soft blue the color of the sky on a new summer's morn with a white shield at the center with a gold cross stitched upon it. The right side held Raik's own red background and yellow gryphon.
Ranald nodded at it and thumped Raik on the back. A surge of pride filled him, for that colorful banner proved Seton Castle's people accepted him in his position as its master.
Letia noted the interchange between the two men and smiled at Lady Joneta and Elyne. The three of them had worked hours on sewing the big banner. She grinned thinking she had enough needle pricks in her fingers to be worthy of a good bloodletting had she needed it.
"Husband, I have a favor to ask of you," Letia said as she turned to Raik. She hoped her voice didn't sound as weak as it appeared to her own ear.
"And what is that, wife?" Raik's piercing blue eyes studied her face.
Fearing he believed she had wrought this latest change as a bribe, at first, she felt affronted by his questioning gaze.
"Could Mother Joneta live here with us? Lord Broccin has no need of her, and Elyne says her aunt has not been as happy there since you and Ranald no longer live with them."
"'Tis truth?" Raik's face lit with pleasure. He leaned forward to speak to his mother. "I would deem it a great honor to have you in my household, Mother."
"Aye. Elyne has no further need of me at Raptor. I have become so attached to little Aubrey it would please me mightily to help care for him." Her face lit with a bright smile.
"Then it is settled." Raik switched his gaze to Elyne and grinned. "I dinna envy ye telling Laird Broccin that his sister will not be returning."
"Fear not. He will soon have other things to occupy his mind." Elyne grinned at him.
"Still giving Father a hard time, eh?" Ranald's eyes twinkled.
"No more than usual," she replied. "Father thinks if I do not take a husband within the next year, I will be well past the age to be interesting to any man."
"Has your dreams not shown you the man you will wed?" Letia watched her face with interest.
In the past, Elyne's dreams often were the opposite of what truly happened, but as she matured, she learned to interpret them more accurately. Letia had great faith in the truthfulness of Elyne's dreams, for she was there when one unfolded as predicted. Now she prayed her friend's dream of Raik holding the bairn and thanking Letia for his son would soon come true.
"Nay. But they have become," she hesitated looking for the right words, "hmm, very busy of late. Strange images of people coming and going, of a man searching for something whilst another is naught but black shadows." She shivered.
Ranald looked sternly at her. "Remember, lass. I warned ye afore about hanging out of windows and spyin' on men when they believe they are alone. A man doesna like that."
"Now, brother, why would I do such a thing?" Elyne smiled at him and winked.
o0o
That night, Letia sensed a special tenderness when Raik made love to her. It did not feel as if he was doing his duty in the marital bed as it had those other nights. Before, she had felt his resentment. Now, that seemed to fade. Though she responded to lovemaking, she still held something back, fearful she would spark a memory.
Mayhap she should have heeded Joneta's advice and told Raik outright that he was a father. The longer she waited, the harder it was to confess.
Should she tell him on the morrow, or should she wait until after her transformation of the great hall? All hope of sleeping fled as she chewed her lips. Aubrey had begun to sleep through the night, not awakening until just after that time when night faded and the sun hesitated to rise. She would welcome the sound of Maud bringing the babe to her, but the night held silent.
Raik must have felt her tossing and turning, for he rolled over to face her.
"Did a sound frighten ye, wife?" His voice was thick with sleep as he wrapped a warm arm around her to pull her close.
"Nay."
"Ye tremble. A bad dream, then?"
"Nay, no dream." Should she speak of it now, afore Ranald and Elyne left on the morrow? She may have need of them to dampen Raik's anger. "There is something I must speak about..."
His body stiffened. The flesh that was once warm and comforting turned hard as the stone walls. He surged up on his elbow to peer through the darkness at her.
"Ye fear I canna provide adequate protection against Julian once Ranald leaves?"
Letia could picture sparks coming from the steely blue eyes staring down at her. When he was angry, his eyes lightened of their color, reminding her of frozen ice glinting from tree branches during a winter's storm.
"Nay! You are more than adequate protection. Far more than at any time Julian appeared."
"If not that, then ye think we canna hold the castle without ye on the ramparts with yer slingers? Dinna think to change my mind, wife!"
Hearing Raik's voice rising in anger, Freki bounded to his feet.
"I did not intend such!" Saints help her. If he became so angered about his foolish ideas that a capable woman was more squire than woman, how would he be when he found out the real reason?
The bed bounced when Freki put his forepaws on it to stretch his head so close his cold nose nudged her arm. She startled.
"Shh, Freki. Go back to sleep." Letia patted his head and gave him a gentle shove. The big beast grumbled but backed down and found his bedding.
"'Tis best ye both do," Raik grumbled and thumped his pillow. He turned his back to her and stretched out.
She kept still as she could and tried to relax. It was hard, though, for she felt the tenseness of his body just a handbreadth from her. Being a warrior, he was used to finding his sleep swiftly when he could, so it did not take long before she heard his breathing deepen. Only then did she close her eyes, knowing there was naught she could do tonight but seek her own rest.
o0o
Satan's Spawn pawed the ground and sidestepped until Ranald went over to yank his head down and around to look in the beasts eyes.
"Halt yer prancin' if ye want a good ride once we leave here, else I'll make ye creep yer way to Hunter."
Ranald's tone was calm, but the horse must have gotten the meaning behind the words from the energy in the man's body. The huge horse held still, giving the groom no more trouble than if it were a sway-backed nag.
Letia waited with the women of the castle who had gathered to watch the Black Raptor and his men leave. Reluctant to return Aubrey to Letia, Elyne held him close and kissed his cheek.
&n
bsp; "I will miss snuffling this little-one's neck. He smells so sweet of milk and pure baby," Elyne said as she hugged him to her.
"Be sure you tell your father if he wants his feet to stop swelling, he'd best go lightly on the wine." Joneta put her arm along Elyne's shoulders and hugged her. "Be careful of the quarrels you pick with him, dear. He is quick to anger, so think twice about what you tell him. Some dreams are best kept secret, for he does not trust their meaning."
"Blech! I know that well. He believes I make them up to bedevil him."
Elyne's brown eyes danced with humor. When Ranald cleared his throat reminding her he was already ahorse, she reluctantly handed Aubrey over to her Aunt Joneta. A groom held her mount and Giles waited to toss her into the saddle.
She turned to hug Letia, the dawning sun shining on her hair showing the hidden fire within the dark brown locks. "Write often and tell me of the fun when my cousin sees the rest of your surprises."
"Aye, I will. Send me word about your dreams, as well."
Elyne laughed. "If I can make head or tails of them. And, Letia? Dinna wait too long afore you tell him all."
Both women jumped hearing Raik's voice at their elbow. "Tell who all, cousin? All what?" His eyes narrowed at Letia, trying to read her face.
"Nothing of import, cousin. It was a dream I had about you, is all."
Thanks be to the saints, he seemed to be content with Elyne's answer.
Once Elyne firmly seated herself, Ranald's squire pulled alongside her to provide extra protection and company. Though she had ridden in the cart with her Aunt Joneta, they could travel faster if she was on horseback.
Letia felt a sense of loss seeing her friend riding through the barbican and over the drawbridge. A cheerful smile on her face, Elyne turned and waved.
Raik studied his wife. Her eyes had dark shadows beneath and her lips looked strained. One restless night had not caused it. For several days now, he had noted the shadows building there. Too, she did not move with energy and grace, as was her usual style. Were her efforts to improve the keep too much for her?
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