by Linda Sole
‘Let him not come back,’ her lips moved in soundless prayer. ‘Let him fall in battle or die of a fever…let him not return…’
They rode through the forest, Jonathan’s horse just behind hers. Both were deep in thought, each dreaming of the future in their separate ways, and neither of them saw the man who watched and followed them with his hot angry gaze.
She was a cheat and a seductress. Her smiles were false and her words were honeyed lies. He had been a fool to trust her and believe her promises.
Kerrin followed until the riders ahead of him left the forest and cantered across the smooth expanse of green towards the castle. Reining his horse to a halt at the edge of the forest, he watched as the riders clattered across the drawbridge. He could taste the bitterness of hatred on his tongue. He should have killed them as they embraced in the forest. He had not been close enough to hear what passed between them, but he had seen Rhoda’s tears and the kisses they exchanged.
Kerrin was torn between killing them both and making Rhoda suffer in some other way for her cheating and lying. What would her husband think if he knew she had betrayed him with his best friend?
Robert Devereaux would not suffer being made a cuckold easily. He would punish them both. Rhoda might be sent to a nunnery, the man challenged to mortal combat, which, from all Kerrin had seen on the field of battle, the earl excelled in. He would kill the man and she would be forced to live in disgrace for the rest of her life.
Yet that was hardly punishment enough. Kerrin brooded over his wrongs. Rhoda was a wicked deceiver. He would like to see her kneel at his feet and beg for forgiveness. There were many things that he wanted to do to her, his anger so cold and bitter that it almost choked him. He would make her suffer before he killed her, but it would not be a quick death. She did not deserve pity.
He continued to sit on his horse in the trees, watching as the couple disappeared into the castle bailey. As he sat there for a while longer, brooding, planning revenge, he saw a small party of horsemen ride towards the castle from another direction and instantly recognised the earl’s colours.
So, the Earl of Devereaux had returned at last. He would not have deserted, as Kerrin had, when he became tired of the senseless squabbling and indecision on the English side. The earl must have been given permission to visit his wife and son. How soon before he discovered that Rhoda had been cheating on him?
Kerrin’s mouth smiled, though there was ice in his eyes. The earl might do his work for him. He would keep watch and wait for the time being. Revenge was best served cold. He needed time to make his plans.
*
Rhoda had only just regained her chamber when she heard a blast of horns and then a party of men rode into the inner bailey. Rushing to the window, she looked down, her heart beating madly. Robert was home. Why had he come? Did he suspect her of leading his friend astray? Would he frown and accuse her of being false? Would he allow her to leave him and live with Jonathan or would he send her to a convent?
In the forest it had seemed easy to agree to Jonathan’s suggestion but now she was anxious. How soon would Jonathan speak to him? How soon before he came to her and accused her of adultery?
As she watched from her small window, she saw Jonathan greet him. They shook hands and she noticed that Robert was holding his right arm awkwardly. He had obviously been wounded and by his manner was in some pain.
‘Joanne, my lord hath arrived,’ she said. ‘Help me change into a fresh gown. I must be ready when he comes to visit his son.’
‘Yes, my lady.’ Joanne hastened to bring a fresh gown and tunic from the chest on stand where they were stored. ‘This green tunic is your best and the finest you have, my lady.’
‘Yes, I shall wear that one and my gold chain,’ Rhoda said. ‘Unbind my hair. I shall wear it loose on my shoulders with a cap of gold threads.’
‘Yes, my lady,’ Joanne said, anxious to please her. ‘Do you wish me to bring the child here when you are ready?’
‘Yes, please do. Robert will wish to see his child.’ The babe was lodged with his wet-nurse in a small cell at the other end of the hall. He cried lustily when he was hungry and disturbed Rhoda’s rest. She did not like to have him in her chamber apart from an hour or so each day. ‘Yes, Robert will expect to see him here.’
Once she had changed her gown and her hair was brushed and flowing down her back in shining waves, Rhoda sent the maid for her son. She was tense as she waited for her husband to visit her. Several months had passed since they saw one another and she was afraid that he might want to share her bed that night…unless she could pretend that she was not yet healed from the birth.
‘I would speak with you when you have a moment, Robert.’
Robert nodded, seeing that his friend was troubled. ‘Yes, we have much to talk about later. I should like to rest for a while. My shoulder is troubling me.’
‘You must have it tended.’
‘Melloria would have known what to do,’ Robert said and frowned. ‘I do not think that my wife has any idea of how to make healing balms.’
‘I believe you wrong her,’ Jonathan replied. ‘She has not had much chance to establish her stillroom, because of the child.’
‘Yes, perhaps you are right. I have wronged her in more than one way.’ Robert sighed heavily. ‘Ask my steward if he will send something that may help. I shall ask Rhoda to bind my shoulder if she will.’
‘I shall fetch the balm and tend you myself. I have done it before,’ Jonathan said. ‘There are letters waiting for you, Robert. I believe two from Melloria’s sister. She may have news for you concerning the child in Winchester…if you intend to continue your search?’
‘Yes, I must. I have neglected my duty to Melloria and my child. Now that the King has the advantage – at least for the moment – I am free to attend to my own concerns.’ A grim look came to his face. ‘You had my letter concerning Montroy?’
‘He fell in battle from a bolt fired from a Welsh crossbow.’
‘It would seem that way but…’ Robert shook his head. ‘His death ends one of my problems, though I regret that I did not settle it between us.’
‘You obeyed the prince and held your temper no matter how provoked you were. Had Montroy lived, the time for settling old scores would have come soon enough. I hear of unrest amongst the English Barons; they whisper of their dissatisfaction now but soon it will become a shout. I fear rebellion, Robert.’
‘The prince fears it too. He has told me that he will not allow the barons to use him against his father, but already there are factions. He has been approached. It is my belief that some of the barons will use anyone or anything to wrest their demands from Henry.’
‘He will not give in easily, Robert. You will be called upon to take sides. Where will you stand?’
‘You must know that I shall always stand with the prince and His Majesty. You would not expect me to do otherwise?’
‘No…’ Jonathan inclined his head. ‘Excuse me, I must fetch the balm. I shall come to you in your chamber. You will find the letters waiting for you there.’
Robert’s gaze narrowed. He had sensed an unusual reserve in his friend. Something had changed…something that was making Jonathan uneasy.
Sighing, he rubbed at his shoulder. He was in some considerable pain for the journey had opened the wound once more and it seemed it would not heal. Melloria would have known exactly what to apply to heal and ease him. He felt a wave of grief as he entered his chamber. Why had he married so soon? His baser nature had betrayed him and he had taken an innocent lady as his wife when he could never love her. The past months when he had oft lain awake, staring into the darkness, feeling the loneliness seep into his soul, he had realised that he would never feel love for Rhoda. She had given him a son and he must treat her honourably but he could not love her, as she deserved.
Sitting down on the edge of his bed as he waited for Jonathan to tend his shoulder, Robert opened his letters. There was one from the Bishop of Win
chester telling him that he believed he knew where to find the child and the woman Marta and asking if Robert would come and see the child for himself. Two other letters were from neighbouring nobles, who had written to ask him to a meeting that was being planned for the following month and then two from Melloria’s sister. He was about to open the first when the door opened and Jonathan entered.
‘Let me help you remove your tunic,’ he said and untied the strings that held the shoulders at the right side, easing it away. Blood had soaked through the soft linen under chemise. Because it had dried into the cloth, Jonathan was obliged to bathe it with warm water before he could remove it. ‘The wound is not deep,’ he said once he had washed away blood and a yellowish puss seeping through the wound. ‘It has become infected. You must have it bound in clean linen every day. I think you have neglected yourself, Robert.’
‘Yes, perhaps. I have been much tortured in my mind, Jonathan.’ His eyes were dark with anguish as he looked up at his friend. ‘Melloria comes to me if I sleep. She haunts me night and day. I must find her child for only then shall I be able to rest.’
‘You look ill…if you do not take some rest now you will kill yourself.’
‘I must ride to Winchester and discover what the Bishop knows about this woman and the child she claims is hers.’
‘Let me go for you,’ Jonathan said. ‘Stay here and sleep in your own bed. You have not looked at your son yet.’
‘No. That is remiss of me. Is Rhoda well?’ Robert looked at the padding that was making his shoulder more comfortable. ‘I have neglected her, Jonathan. I must make amends.’
He rose to his feet, shrugging his tunic back into place. ‘You wished to speak to me?’
‘It will keep for now. Have I your permission to ride to Winchester in your place?’
‘What would I have done without you these many years?’ Robert smiled at him. ‘Go with my blessing and discover what you can. I shall take your advice and rest, but first I must speak to Rhoda and see my son…’
*
Rhoda had heard her husband moving about in his chamber, then she heard Jonathan’s voice and knew they were speaking together. Her heart pounded frantically and she was anxious as she waited for the door between her chamber and Robert’s to open. When it did open wide she saw her husband and, just behind him, Jonathan. He shook his head at her and turned away.
‘Are you wounded, my lord?’ Rhoda asked, her fear receding as she realised that Jonathan had not yet spoken to her husband. She was not sure whether she was relieved or angry that he had not kept his word to her. Perhaps he was waiting for the right moment? ‘I thought your arm pained you when I saw you dismount from my window.’
‘Jonathan has tended it for me. It is a slight wound but has become infected.’
‘I would have tended you had you asked.’
‘Jonathan has often bound wounds for me before this. He is to ride to Winchester on business for me and will be gone a few days. Perhaps you would apply clean linen for me in the morning?’
‘Yes, of course.’
Rhoda met his inquiring look as he asked, ‘How are you, Rhoda – and the child?’
‘Your son thrives. I have been in poor health since his birth but begin to recover now, though slowly.’
‘You must rest and take care of yourself.’ Robert’s look was gentle and concerned, causing Rhoda to look away in confusion and guilt. ‘I myself am not well. I too must rest. You must not expect me to come to you for a while, Rhoda. We must both recover and then…but we shall speak of this at another time. Now, I would see my son.’
As if responding to his father’s voice the child wailed lustily. Rhoda lifted him from his crib and took him to her husband. A little to her surprise, he held out his arms and she gave the child to him. Robert looked down at the boy in silence, and then he smiled.
‘He has my eyes and your hair. I thought he might look like you – but he is my image, apart from the hair.’
‘Did you think he might not be yours?’
Robert glanced up and looked her in the eyes. ‘I knew you were virgin when I took you to wife, Rhoda – but, God forgive me, I have not treated you well. You have given me a fine son and I must find a way to repay you.’
‘All I have ever asked is your love, husband – but I do not think you can give me that, can you?’
Robert glanced down at his son. ‘I would give you love if I had it to give, Rhoda.’ He passed the child back to her. ‘I must honour you as the mother of my child but…’ he shook his head. ‘Forgive me, I have things I must attend. I have been absent too long. I do not doubt that all is as it should be but I must speak with my steward.’
‘Of course. I shall not keep you from your work.’
For a moment Rhoda had thought that perhaps he did care for her a little, but nothing had changed. He might feel desire for her when his strength returned but in the end all he cared for was that she had given him a child. A wave of grief and anger swept over her. She would not live this way. Why should she accept a future that would hold nothing for her but the pain of childbearing and the loneliness of being merely the vessel for Robert’s heirs?
Jonathan had ridden to Winchester on some business for Robert, but as soon as he returned she would meet him in private and force him to take her away.
*
Nicolas stood staring out of his window. He had been conscious of an uneasy feeling for days. Something was telling him he should take Anne now and go away. A dark shadow was looming. He did not know what was wrong but he sensed he should make his plans and leave as soon as he could.
‘My lord?’
‘Yes?’ He turned with a sigh. ‘A sick woman needs your help – both her husband and child have taken the fever and now she fears she too is ill and cannot nurse them.’
Nicolas frowned. He could not ignore the plea and yet his feeling of pending disaster was strong.
If he did not go now it might be too late. And yet how could he leave without preparing Anne for a journey? He would see his patient and then he would speak to Anne this night…
To be continued.
Here we leave the apothecary, Anne, Robert and Rhoda, Will and Marta. Their adventures will be continued in the next book.
The Sorcerer’s Revenge to be published soon
Hope you enjoyed this and will want to discover what happens next.
Linda Sole
