Anna’s giggle brought her attention. “Lady, who are you looking for?”
“No one, I am not looking for anyone. What were you saying, Lizzie? Oliver gave you a doll?”
“No! I said, Father Andrew gave me the doll and Oliver got his ears boxed.”
“Father Andrew boxed Oliver’s ears? Oliver!”
“Nooo,” Lizzie said, completely exasperated.
Lily groaned. Sighing, she held up her hands for everyone to calm themselves. “What happened?”
The boy shot her a sullen look. “That Robert was making Lizzie cry.”
“So he boxed your ears?”
“No, the stable master did after I whupped Robert.”
Lily put a hand to her forehead. “Oh, Oliver, will you never learn? You cannot afford to be drawing attention to yourself, or what will Lord Rogan do? He could send you back to Sybilla. I will not have you making trouble.”
“Lady,” Anna interrupted softly, “Robert is mean. He was making Lizzie cry.”
“Well, avoid him in the future. You must keep yourselves out of harm’s way.”
Oliver sprang to his feet, jamming his fists on his hips. “He is a bully. He hates us! He says that you are a murderer and we come from a bad family.”
Lily’s throat tightened. She had not thought of this—that the children would be subjected to the resentment against her. Everyone in the castle knew of her “betrayal,” and had made no secret of their lack of affection for their new lady. It seemed they were equally scornful of her “kin.”
“No matter,” she said, recovering with aplomb. “We will spend the day together. Perhaps a picnic. Would you like that?”
“Oh, yes!” the girls chimed. Oliver looked hopeful, but he was still steeping in his mood.
“Very well, let me go to the kitchens and pack up some things and we will be off.”
“Can Lord Rogan come?” Lizzie asked, jumping up and clapping her hands together at the idea.
“Lord Rogan is busy, sweetling. Now go ahead and wait for me at the gate. I will be along presently. And Oliver,” she called, “I am not cross with you. You did well to protect your sister.”
This finally did the trick to cheer him. He gave her a smile, and Lily felt her heart swell. She wanted to throttle this Robert herself for picking on a little child. If it had not been for her fears of Rogan becoming impatient with the children, she would have applauded the young boy’s bravado from the start.
It did not take her long to gather together some cheese and several apples. She added a few strips of salted beef and managed to steal away one of cook’s mutton pies when he wasn’t looking. Stuffing them into a pannier, she slung it over her shoulder and went to meet the children.
“Now, we must not go far. Perhaps just into the forest. It would do no good to get lost.”
“Oh, an adventure. Hurray!” Lizzie squealed, skipping merrily ahead of them as they set out across the meadow.
Oliver picked up a stick, acting officious as he scouted out their path. They were lucky enough to come across a stream just inside the tree line, where they settled on the rocks to have their meal.
Oliver and Lizzie were anxious to explore. Lily allowed them to climb over some outcroppings.
“There is a waterfall up there!” Lizzie called back excitedly.
“Take care not to fall in!” Lily answered.
“It is shallow,” Oliver said, shaking his head disgustedly at her solicitousness.
Next to Lily, Anna clicked her tongue. “I am sorry he is so much trouble.”
“Do not be,” Lily said. “Oliver has a harder time of it in some ways than you girls. He has appointed himself the head of the family, and in so doing feels very grown-up. It chafes his pride when I treat him like a child.”
Anna nodded, adding shyly, “Oliver sees the knights and he thinks he should be a great fighter someday. But he is only a peasant, and after this visit, we will return to Linden Wood. And when he grows up, he will be a farmer, like Da.”
Lily smoothed the girl’s sleek dark brown hair affectionately. “It is a hardship. Perhaps I was not right in bringing you here.” She paused. “And what of you, Anna?”
The girl’s gaze flickered away, and Lily saw her wince. “I know it can never be different, for any of us. I know what we are.”
Lily drew her close, her arms around her slight frame. Anna looked up at her face. This child, almost a woman, with her pretty nose and wide eyes looked no more a common waif than Lily herself had at that age. And she was not much younger than Elspeth. The thought of her sister sent a pang of grief through Lily’s breast. How she missed her.
Looking back down at Anna, Lily said, “Whatever you are, I love you just that way. You cannot know what a joy you all are to me. You are my family.”
“I love you, too,” Anna said, squeezing Lily tightly.
A squeal brought their attention to Lizzie, just in time to witness her teetering on the edge of a rock. Lily stood up, ready to call out a warning when the tot lost her balance and fell into the stream.
Lifting her skirts, Lily was about to jump in when Oliver catapulted himself into the water after his sister and dragged her up by the collar. Lizzie was sputtering, but a wide smile showed under the wet veil of hair. “That was fun!”
“Oh, honestly.” Lily sighed, sitting back down.
“There is Lord Rogan!” Anna exclaimed, pointing off in the distance.
Lily’s head shot up. Indeed, it was. He was visible on a bluff that rose above the far bank, the telltale color of his hair catching the sunlight and turning the auburn a burnished copper. That, and the unmistakable way he carried himself made it certain it was her husband and no other. And he was not alone. A brighter gleam of red came from the woman who walked next to him. Even at this distance, Lily could see that Alyce had her hand lightly on Rogan’s arm.
Her throat suddenly went bone-dry. “Yes, well, Lord Rogan has many duties that take him to all reaches of his lands. I suppose he is on some mission or other.” The forced lightness in her voice sounded false in her own ears, and Lily could see Anna was not fooled.
“I do not like that lady,” Anna said. “She is always talking to Lord Rogan. And she laughs strangely.” Lily knew what she meant. Alyce’s laugh, when it was for Rogan, had a deep, seductive sound to it. Anna continued, “And the other day, she gave Lizzie some honey cakes and started asking all kinds of questions about you.”
“Did she?” Lily glanced back up to where her husband and Alyce stood. Just then, Oliver shouted out to Lizzie, and the sound of his voice must have carried to the crest of the ravine for Rogan turned his head. Lily saw him pause and then turn back to Alyce briefly before setting off down the steep path toward them.
Alyce stood for a long moment as the breeze lifted her fiery hair. Even at this distance, Lily could almost feel her frustration. Finally Alyce whirled, skirts billowing out gracefully, and disappeared down the other side.
Turning her attention back to her fast-approaching husband, Lily braced herself. He was probably going to be furious. Tucking her hair into place, she rehearsed her defense.
Lizzie spotted Rogan. “Hallo!” she called out cheerily. Lily grimaced when Rogan did not return the greeting.
“Before you scold me like a wayward child,” Lily called as soon as he was close enough, “let me first say you have never commanded me to stay within the castle walls. I did not think you would mind if we did a bit of exploring.”
Rogan stopped. He stood with his legs braced wide, his hands resting lightly on his hips as if he were assessing her. His face was unreadable.
“Lord Rogan!” Lizzie called. “I am all wet. I fell in—it was fun!”
Rogan shook his head as if the whole business were too unbelievable.
“Come sit in the sun, then, Lizzie, so you will not catch cold,” Rogan answered. “Summer illness is the worst kind.”
He waited for the child to pick her way carefully over the stones to him, then hois
ted her up, exclaiming at the coldness of her wet clothes against his skin.
“Here,” he grunted, depositing Lizzie on a sundrenched rock.
“I saw a deer a moment ago,” Oliver announced, coming up to join them.
Rogan rewarded him with a grin. “I hope the hunting party will be as lucky. We have to stock our larders for the big feasting.”
Lily could scarcely keep her eyes from her husband. He was not angry! In fact, he seemed quite amicable. He sat down on one of the rocks, his one leg drawn up with an arm slung over the knee.
“We are having a picnic!” Lizzie declared happily.
“Really? Do you have anything left? I am starving.”
“Oliver, see what is left in the pannier,” Lily ordered quickly.
The boy rifled through the leather pouch, pulling out wrapped parcels. “There is an apple left. Not much cheese. Oh, here is the mutton pie.” He held up the offering reluctantly. They had been saving that.
After only a moment’s consideration, Oliver held out the pie. “Here.” Oblivious to his sacrifice, Rogan took it and began to eat.
“What were you doing?” Oliver asked. He settled himself down facing Rogan. Lily noticed the attentive way the boy looked at him, with the blatant sheen of worship in his eyes.
“I was just walking,” Rogan said easily, “something I enjoy doing occasionally. It clears the head.”
“Was that Alyce I saw with you?” Lily asked, trying to make her query as casual as possible.
“Yes. She was out for a ride, then joined me.”
“I thought she did not like to go out without you.”
Rogan shrugged. “It is close to the castle wall. Safe enough. I keep up the patrols.”
“Are there any wild animals about?” Lizzie asked.
“Or thieves?” Oliver chimed in, his face alight with anticipation.
Rogan leaned back on his elbows and stretched his long legs before him. Lily could not help but admire the lean form. The thrill of pleasure low in her belly reminded her of his long absence from her bed.
“Not now. But there used to be. We called him the daevil rider, which is an old word meaning ‘devil.’”
“A devil!” Lizzie’s eyes were round with awe.
“He used to like to ride into a village or onto a farming cottage with his band of men. He was a real gentleman, they would say, taking only what they needed, offering his apologies, then riding away. Some say he left them gold later, in the manner of payment for what he had stolen.”
“What happened to him?” Anna asked breathlessly.
“The truth is he just disappeared one day. Many boasted they had caught him and seen him hung, but nothing could be proved. No, I think he was just a fellow down on his luck. It was after the Great War, you see, and the Conqueror had taken away many lands, turning folk out of their homes.”
“Imagine!” Anna sighed, clearly thinking this a very romantic story. “Did he have a love?”
“No one knew much about him. His identity was never revealed, though there were rumors that he did indeed have a lady, a noblewoman, who was devoted to him.”
“I wish I could have caught him,” Oliver declared. “I don’ care how polite he was, he was a thief! I’d o’ smited him with my sword and hung him from a tree.”
They all fell to giggling at Oliver’s boastfulness, which made the boy grin sheepishly.
“Warring is not a glorious thing, Oliver,” Rogan said, his voice steady and quiet. “It is ugly. It should be avoided at all costs.”
“Tell us more stories,” Oliver demanded.
“Yes, please,” echoed Anna.
Rogan obliged, his soft voice relating the folklore of the woods. As he spoke, Lily watched him in wonder. He was such a gentle man right now, tolerant of the children, indulgent even. And so handsome it made her mouth dry. Yet, even the sharp pain of longing could not mar this moment, for they were together. It seemed so right to have him here, completing the circle, a part of them.
A part of her. She would never be complete without him.
They stayed much later than they had meant to. The sun was already dipping below the horizon when they set out for home.
The children ran ahead, gay with abandon, and Lily knew a similar joy. She felt like skipping and laughing herself. She even thought of slipping her hand into Rogan’s as they made their way home. But some distances, no matter how remote they might feel at a given moment, could not be spanned so easily.
There was a chill in the air that night, but Lily did not call for a fire. The soft glow from the wall sconces flickered lazily on the stone walls of the chamber. Rogan, seated by the empty hearth, was looking over his clothing, examining it for rips.
He had been preoccupied all evening, quite unlike the carefree, charming man he had been this afternoon. It was as if a pall had fallen over him the moment they passed through the tower gate.
“Do you need me to sew that?” Lily asked, seeing him poke his finger through a hole in a tunic.
“Is that a talent of yours?”
“Actually, I am atrocious with a needle. But good enough to mend a hole.”
Wordlessly he handed it over.
“I have no thread here,” she said. “I will see to it tomorrow, if that is all right.”
Rogan shrugged. He was in a quiet mood. Pensive.
“Thank you for today,” Lily ventured.
“What about today?”
“With the children. You were so good with them, they were delighted. I am glad you were not angry that I took them into the forest.”
“I was a bit at first. But there was no cause.”
“Your stories were wonderful.”
Rogan smiled. “I believe I stirred young Oliver’s blood. He was all set to smite the daevil bandit with his sword!”
“And hang him from a tree!” Lily laughed. “I fear he is a bit bloodthirsty.”
Rogan chuckled.
“He is a spirited lad,” Lily said. “He admires you. His father was a rotter, but in you he sees a good man to emulate.”
“He is extraordinarily fanciful. I am certainly glad he has come under your influence, else I fear I would find him in ten years raiding my forests, and he would be the bandit being smitten!”
His eyes rested on her for a moment. Lily thought she saw approval in his expression.
His gaze slid away, and he stood. “I think I will go back to the hall.”
“Oh.”
He hesitated, as if unsure. Lily thought of what she could say to make him stay, to utter some clever phrase that would cause him to laugh, come over to her, slip his arm around her and draw her close.
“Well, then, wife, good night,” he said finally.
“Good night, Rogan.”
He went out the door, leaving the room empty and quiet in his wake.
Lily fingered the tunic she would repair tomorrow. The sting of tears blurred her vision as she wondered if it were his men whom he went to join, or did he seek the company of a lush redhead with a throaty laugh and welcoming smile?
Chapter Twenty-One
Andrew sauntered into Lily’s chamber with his trademark grin and a warm embrace.
“Brother,” Lily exclaimed happily.
He gave her a serious look. “Tell me, how is it between Rogan and yourself?”
She forced a smile. “It is fine. Much the same, but no worse.” Andrew continued to look at her in his steady way. It was no good. She was never much of a liar. “No, that is not true. I am much afraid he is growing further from me. Before, at least he hated me. Now, I doubt he gives me much thought at all.”
Andrew looked confused. “I don’t know what has happened to cause you to think such a thing, but I do know Rogan is not indifferent to you.”
How could she confide in him her fears about Alyce? If she were wrong, she would look ridiculous. And if she were right, did she want him to inform her that her worst dread was true? “I am not so certain,” she said simply.
/> “Lily, listen to me. I am going to go away for a while. I hate to leave you, especially when you look so miserable. But there is something important I have to do.” He paused. “There is a favor I must ask of you. I was mistaken about you for a long time. Can you forgive me?”
Lily was surprised. “There is nothing to forgive. How could you have thought otherwise?”
“You are too generous. I am afraid I cannot be so charitable with myself. I am going to try to make this thing right, though I swore to remain neutral. If it be wrong of me, then I will take that chance.”
He held her briefly before saying a curt farewell.
Alone, Lily could not spare him a second thought What she had said to Andrew was true. She was losing Rogan. She had to fight, to try—something.
Then, she got an idea, an idea that nearly terrified her.
But she would do it. She had to. She had nothing else.
“What news?” Catherine demanded.
Dorvis did not hesitate. “Lily is living at Kensmouth. Lord Rogan is softening toward his beautiful wife.”
If not for Phillippe’s arm coming about her waist, Catherine would have crumpled. No! No! she thought, it is what I have feared!
“I bring some other news, something interesting. I have met someone who is as displeased with this event as you are. That one offered to be of service, but wishes to remain secret. I am to ask if you cannot alert your father so he can fetch Lady Lily home.”
Stunned, Catherine stared at him for a moment before exploding in gales of shrill laughter. “Is that what you think?” she cried when she caught her breath. “That we wish to rescue her? Ah, it is too funny, is it not, Phillippe?”
Dorvis’s eyes flickered from her to the swarthy Frenchman. “I do not understand.”
“She is his wife, you idiot,” Catherine snapped. “She belongs to him. My father would have no right to take her back even if he wanted to.”
Phillippe stepped forward. “There are other measures which could benefit both our new friend and the Lady Catherine. We are most interested in punishing Lord Rogan for his crimes.”
The Flower And The Sword Page 18
