When they released her, she crumpled to her knees, unable to breathe from both exertion and from the fear that was taking hold of her now. She’d been inside the keep a few times, coming with Gavin to deliver work to the steward in the great hall. But this chamber, on a high floor, was a place to which no one from the village was invited.
A few minutes passed, and no one attempted to help her to her feet or assist her in any way. The soldiers who’d escorted her stood in silence near the doorway, and Eudes stared out a window in the one wall. Pushing herself to her feet, she decided it was better to meet her fate standing than groveling on the floor. Brienne brushed the dirt from her gown and pushed the now-loosened tendrils of hair back out of her sweating face.
The chamber was small, but the rushes on the floor were clean and fresh. A large chair sat at one end of the room, opposite the doorway. No other furniture was present. She glanced around to see if anyone waited outside in the corridor. Now each passing moment added to her fear. What did Lord Hugh want with her? Why bring her to what looked to be the family’s section of the keep? Eudes frowned at her when she moved.
Then, without warning, he was there, in the doorway. Larger than she remembered him to be and younger, as well. He entered with the vigor of youth and not the age she knew he must be. How had he changed?
“Girl!” Eudes barked out as he shoved her back down to her knees. “My lord,” he said, as he bowed. “I brought her as you commanded.”
“Eudes, help her to her feet and get out,” Lord Hugh said in a softer voice than she’d imagined he would use.
Barely a second passed before she found herself standing alone in the center of the chamber before her true father. She kept her gaze down, not daring to meet his. He circled her slowly, and she felt his intense stare as though he touched her, gliding over her body and face.
“Come.”
With nothing more than that, he walked from the chamber into the corridor and away. Her hesitation lasted a breath, and she followed him. No one else was present. The chambers they passed were empty, and the silence was interrupted only by the sounds of their feet moving along the stone floor. The chamber they entered was the last one before the stairway. Larger than the first one, this had a long table with many stools and chairs around it. But it was as empty as the first one until he clapped his hands.
All manner of servants came running with trays of food and cups and pitchers. They stood by the table waiting as he took a seat at the center, in the largest seat there.
“Have you broken your fast yet, Brienne?” he asked, pointing to the chair across from his. She shook her head. It mattered not, for he simply pointed and a servant came to her side. “Here. Sit. Join me.”
He nodded to the servants, and she found a cup of ale and a plate in front of her. When they offered him cheese or bread or cold meat, they offered it to her. When he held out his cup for more, they filled hers. It would have been a pleasant meal if her stomach had not threatened to expel every bite she took. And if she could force her heart to slow from the brutal pounding pace it kept up. And if the man sitting with her did not have the power to destroy her and everyone around them with simply a thought.
She tried to study him since she’d never been this close to him before, but he kept meeting her eyes, causing her to look away in fear. His hair was black now, the gray gone, and his eyes were the same color as hers. He took a breath as though ready to speak, when a commotion began outside the chamber.
Two women entered, and Brienne recognized both of them immediately. Standing quickly and backing away to the wall, she bowed low before the Lady Margaret, Lord Hugh’s wife, and Lady Adelaide, their daughter. Brienne dared not look at either one, for she knew not whether they knew her parentage. One did not remind a lady of her husband’s bastards.
“Margaret. Adelaide,” he said in a mild tone. “I am pleased you decided to join us to break your fast this morn. We have much to discuss.”
Brienne dared a glance at her father’s wife and her half sister and was surprised that they did not object to her presence there. More shocking were Lord Hugh’s words.
“Come, Brienne. Take your place, and I will explain why I have sent for you.” She did so in slow, measured steps. Once seated again, she kept her head bowed and eyes lowered.
Who was this man? This was not the same dangerous lord who rode through the village and whom everyone feared. He spoke in a civil manner; he saw to her comfort and invited her to join his family at table. Something was very wrong here.
“I have been remiss, Brienne,” he said to her. She looked at him and found him watching her with a smile. “I have known about you for some time now, but have not done my fatherly duties toward you.”
“My lord?” she said, shaking her head. “I do not understand.” Speaking of such things had been forbidden for so long, it hurt her to even listen to him say it openly—and in front of his ladywife and daughter.
“You are my daughter,” he said boldly. “I want you to live here now. Lady Margaret and Adelaide will guide you in the womanly pursuits suitable for a daughter of mine.” A quick, furtive glance at the two women told her nothing, for they wore similar, empty expressions and said nothing.
“But, my lord, I . . .” She lost the words she wanted to say. How could she refuse him?
“I should have stepped in long ago, when you approached the end of your girlhood, but I was attending to other matters. Now, though, I think it time that we learn more about you and help you learn your place in the world.”
For so long, her place had been in the village, as the blacksmith’s daughter. Though she’d hoped and prayed for this exact thing for many years, now that he said the words, she found the words of acceptance stuck in her throat.
“I could not,” she stammered out finally. “I cannot . . .”
“I do not understand, Brienne. Surely Gavin and Fia made the truth known to you—I am your father and it is my duty to see to you. They understood that you were never theirs to keep.”
“It is a shock to her, my lord,” Lady Margaret said. “Such a change without warning.” She thought she heard sympathy and compassion in the lady’s voice, but one look at her eyes and Brienne knew neither was possible. “She will learn to accommodate herself to your will, my lord. As is her duty as your . . . daughter.”
“Why, my lord? Why now?” she asked, unnerved by the lady’s acquiescence in a matter like this.
A lady would never allow her husband’s bastards to be brought into her home, let alone be acknowledged and welcomed. They were a fact, unavoidable when most lords married for lands and titles and sought love and companionship from others. But to allow him to do this in front of her and their unmarried daughter was unthinkable.
From the time her parents admitted the truth to her, Brienne had been warned to stay out of the lady’s view. To avoid being identified as Lord Hugh’s get. Now he was insisting his wife accept her?
“Forgive my language,” Lord Hugh said. “But even bastards have their uses, Brienne. And I think you have much to offer to me and to our family.”
She cringed at his words, for her mother had warned her of exactly that—the ways of powerful men. He stood then and walked around to her.
“And there is much I can offer to you. A chamber of your own, servants, new garments—whatever you need or want shall be yours. Lessons to teach you to read mayhap?” he offered. “And you and Adelaide are of a marriageable age, so I can even arrange a suitable match for you. Many clamor to relate themselves to a man high in the king’s regard. You will not marry the miller’s son.”
Brienne glanced at Adelaide and read the disgust in her eyes, disgust that she could not hide as well as Lady Margaret.
Although he made it sound as if she had a choice in this, Brienne understood there was none. If this was what she’d always longed for, why did it ring so hollow now that the op
tion was before her?
“May I have time to consider your offer, my lord?”
The lady gasped at her request and shook her head at Brienne. “Foolish girl! Do you not know what your lord father is giving you? How dare you—”
“Ah, lady,” Lord Hugh interrupted her angry, sputtering words. “As you yourself said, this must come as a shock to her.” He threw a glance at Lady Margaret, who closed her mouth so quickly Brienne almost heard it snap shut. Then he turned back to Brienne and said, “I thought you might want to discuss this with Gavin and Fia, so here they are. Speak to them.” He gestured to the hallway.
Brienne found her parents directly outside the chamber. She stood and bowed to the lord and lady and ran to greet them. Worry darkened their gazes and covered their faces.
“Did you know?” she whispered. They stood before her almost as strangers, not attempting to hold her or draw her close.
“’Tis time for you to return to Lord Hugh. You were never ours to keep,” her father, Gavin, whispered to her. “We had you to ourselves longer than we dared to hope.”
“But you never told me this could happen,” she said. “This has happened in such haste that I know not what to do,” she admitted.
“Ah, lass,” her mother said. “He offers you everything we cannot. How can you say nay to that?”
The words were spoken correctly, but everything in their manner and expressions said that they did not want her to accept. Nothing about this felt right, and the only thing she thought was true was Lord Hugh’s words about bastards having their uses. A strange tingling crept up her spine, a warning that all was not as it seemed to be.
She leaned over and lowered her voice. “I cannot trust him. I do not trust him,” she whispered. “If something is wrong, seek out Sir William. He can help.”
Their eyes widened at her words, and they surprised her as well, but they nodded and smiled and bade her farewell. With a nervous glance at Lord Hugh, they kissed her quickly and left. As they walked down the stairway, she felt as though her heart had been torn from her. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to face her future here.
“There now,” Lord Hugh said from just behind her. “We shall make things right between us.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them in what should have been a reassuring gesture. The feel of it made her even more nervous. Then, releasing her, he called out to his wife and daughter, who remained like statues at the table.
“Margaret, see to it that Alain arranges a suitable chamber and clothing and accoutrements for my daughter. Adelaide, show your sister around the keep so she will find her way.”
Had she flinched at the words or had they? Brienne could feel their hatred even though they controlled their expressions better with each passing moment. As in the village and anywhere on his lands, no one disobeyed Lord Hugh’s commands. He may be dressing his words and deeds up in politeness for now, but Brienne had no doubt that his true nature would show through very quickly.
Brienne did not doubt that she’d been brought here more for her special skill than for this long-ignored claim of fatherhood.
Those under his command worked very efficiently, for by the time they sat at table again for the noon meal, Brienne had been fitted for several new gowns, shifts, stockings, shoes, and any possible clothing needed. They assigned her a large, bright chamber, and Adelaide had led her through the floors of the keep, pointing out the places she would need to find.
From the impatience that simmered just below his control, an impatience she could feel growing, Brienne knew that Lord Hugh would reveal the real reason he had brought her here very soon.
While the chamber, the clothing, and the excellent food felt very comfortable to her, she wondered what the true price of this acceptance would be . . . and whether she would survive to enjoy these newly found comforts.
Chapter 12
William’s horse grew nervous under him.
They’d been sitting at the gates to Yester Castle, waiting for a long time on what would be one of the sunniest, warmest spring days seen in many years. And that meant that sweat poured down under his heavy armor, soaking into the thick padding he wore underneath it. He urged the horse to settle once more and tried to ignore the grumbling of those who accompanied him now. Roger walked his horse up next to him.
“Is this done apurpose?” he asked, lifting his helm from his head. His hair was matted down as well, so William knew none of them was comfortable.
“Certainly it is,” William said quietly. “I have no doubt we are being observed until Lord Hugh wishes to have us enter.”
“But you come from the king! How can he . . . ?” Roger cut off his words as the gate began to open, and he moved back to a position behind William. He could feel his men tense as though ready for battle. This could be just that.
“Sir William,” a man called out as he walked toward them. “Lord Hugh apologizes for this delay and bids you to attend him in the hall. I am Alain, Lord Hugh’s steward. Right this way.”
They rode through the gate and across the bridge that had been dropped into place. There was a second gate before the walls widened around the yard. A tall, square stone keep stood against the south wall and another shorter building stood on the other side. William nodded his head at the smaller one, telling his men to take note of it and everything around them.
Yester Castle had begun as a motte-and-bailey type of construction, but that original part sat outside the walls, still surrounded by the moat. Fed by two streams and a river, the moat would make an attack harder, for it was wide and deep. It was a defensive castle and would withstand a siege for a long time if it had a water source within it. After they passed a well, he knew it would be almost impregnable.
They made their way up to the large keep. Dismounting, they handed their horses off to some boys waiting there and walked up the steps. Alain led them inside and up to the next floor and into a large open room. The great hall, no doubt. There, at the front of the room, in his thronelike chair, sat Lord Hugh de Gifford. As they approached, he stood to greet them.
“My lord,” William said, bowing to him.
He remembered seeing Lord Hugh at court some years before and was surprised by his appearance now. Though he was a number of years older than the king, who was nearing three score, Lord Hugh looked like a man half that.
And there was something more.
Something different. A strange brightness about his figure that shimmered as he moved. Trying not to openly stare, William studied the man as he could. When Lord Hugh held his hand in greeting to William and he accepted it, William fought not to lose his balance as the heat washed over him.
“Sir William,” Lord Hugh said. His gaze narrowed and focused on him, watching his reaction to the strange sensation that had passed between them. “My apologies for such a delay in receiving you. A family matter needed to be seen to first.” Lord Hugh peered behind him, taking the measure of his men.
“I will pray for the health of your family, my lord.” William offered the polite reply, trying not to let his shock show. This was a feeling not unlike when he’d seen Brienne for the first time. But how could that be?
“Oh, aye, well,” he said. “And what brings you to Yester, Sir William? My man did not say.”
“I did not tell him, my lord, preferring to speak with you directly.”
“Alain, see to Sir William’s men.”
Lord Hugh gestured for William to follow him to the table and they sat. Once servants brought cups and wine and they’d each partaken, William knew it was time.
“My lord, the king sends his greetings to you,” he said.
“How is the king?” Lord Hugh did not flinch at his words.
“He is well.”
“And the queen?” he asked.
“She is also well,” William answered. “The king missed yo
u at his Christmas court and wanted me to send you his greetings.”
“Ah, well. The king has little time or attention for anyone but his lovely new wife, and I did not wish to distract him from his happiness over his new marriage. I have recently had news that she already carries an heir for the king, Sir William. Is that true?”
Though the king had revealed this to him, William did not know that this news was publicly known. Deciding that the king’s closest advisers would have been told, William nodded. “Aye. The queen is enceinte.”
If he had not been watching closely, he would have missed the shadow that crossed over the man’s features. Lord Hugh was not pleased by the news of an heir to the throne of Scotland. Just then William’s birthmark burned and his blood began to heat, much as it did when he was near Brienne. What was he reacting to?
“So, what brings you to this part of Scotland?”
“I have lands in the south and was going to inspect them,” he bluffed. He and his lands were insignificant, and he suspected that Lord Hugh would have no knowledge of them. “The king asked me to stop on my journey and bring you his greetings.”
“And you are his faithful subject—are you not, Sir William de Brus?” The man smiled then, and it made his skin crawl.
“As are you, my lord.” The smile did not falter. Lord Hugh stood then, and William followed to his feet.
“You have been camping on the hill—have you not?” he asked.
“Awaiting your return, my lord.” He would not deny it—Hugh knew he had.
“You must be my guest for a few days, then, Sir William. Allow me to show you the hospitality you would have received if I’d been in residence on your arrival on my lands.”
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