by Alexa Aston
“My lady?” Sarah said. “You’re needed in the bailey. The carpenter and seamstress have arrived.”
Margery had forgotten they were coming. She hurried from the keep and saw a burly man with a thick, blond beard standing beside a small, trim woman with dark hair.
“Greetings,” she called as she approached them. “Welcome to Highfield. I am Lady Margery Ormond.”
“Harry Bacon, my lady, and ‘tis Christine Morley who accompanies me. She is your new seamstress, while I am the castle’s new carpenter.”
“We are pleased to have both of you at Highfield. Harry, would you help carry in Christine’s things? Then I’ll show you the shed where you’ll share workspace with our smithy, Matthew Cheyne, and where you’ll be living.”
Margery had decided to move the Cheyne family to a small cottage located close to the gates, while allowing Harry Bacon to live next to the smithy’s shed. Matthew and John had been happy to relocate yesterday and the smithy told Margery that his wife, Eua, would be happy with their new home since the cottage was larger than where they had been staying. Matthew expressed his hopes that Eua would return soon from helping their daughter and grandchild.
It took two trips to get the seamstress and her baskets settled.
“I’m eager to start sewing for you, my lady. First, I’ll need to measure you, though.” Christine frowned. “It won’t be soon enough. Pardon my saying so but you sorely need something new to wear.”
“I will return soon, Christine. Why don’t you go to the kitchen and have Maud, our cook, give you something to eat? I’ll get Harry out to where he will work and live and then join you.”
“Aye, my lady.” Christine left and Margery walked with Harry to where Highfield’s carpenter would craft what was needed for the estate. She introduced him to Matthew and John, who were working on new wheels for the estate’s use.
“This is a fine space, my lady,” Harry told her, “both to work and live in. I am grateful to come to Highfield.”
“I hope you will enjoy being a part of Highfield, Harry. Go ahead and bring all your tools inside and set them up as you please. Then come to the great hall and eat something since the noon meal has already passed. We can walk through the keep together so I can show you what furniture I’d like you to start working on first.”
Margery left Harry’s company, Whitefoot trailing after her. She sought out Christine and allowed the seamstress to measure her.
“Sir Ancel bought some nice cloth for you, my lady. Come, have a look.”
She fingered the soft wool Christine had brought with her and especially liked the gray and blue bolts of material that Ancel had purchased.
“Let’s talk about how you’d like me to make these up,” Christine said, “though I do have a few ideas now that I’ve seen you.”
Margery shook her head. “Nay, I will leave that task to you. I am clueless as to what should be made and how to do so. I have never had much in the way of clothing and know nothing about fashion.”
Christine nodded sagely. “Then leave things to me, Lady Margery. By the end of the week, you will be happy to dress each morning in what I sew for you.”
Margery thanked Christine and returned to the great hall, where her new carpenter awaited her. They toured the inside of the keep, while she pointed out to him where certain pieces had stood before they’d been damaged or taken and what she wanted replaced. The carpenter also had several ideas for furniture he could create for other spots, pointing them out.
“I like all of your ideas, Harry,” she told him. “Highfield’s carpenter has also made furniture for others on the estate in the past. We have several new tenants and I’m sure they will need your services soon.”
“Sir Ancel promised me I would be busy, my lady. ‘Tis the way I like it. And I will tell you now that I am looking for a wife. I want sons that I can teach carpentry skills to so that they may follow in my footsteps.”
Immediately, Margery thought of Sarah and what a good wife and mother her friend would make. Harry seemed like a good man, else Ancel would never have hired him. As if the servant read her mind, Sarah appeared in the corridor and joined them.
“My lady, Sir Ancel has returned from London. He is waiting for you in the solar.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs in anticipation of seeing him. “Thank you, Sarah. Please make sure Harry can find his way out of the keep. You might also want to accompany him back to his quarters and see if there’s anything you can think of that he needs.”
Her friend’s eyes lit up as she glanced at the carpenter. “Of course, my lady.” Sarah gave Harry a friendly smile. “Come along, Harry. We’ll get you fixed up in no time.”
As the couple walked down the hallway, the carpenter looked over his shoulder and gave Margery a shy smile.
Margery lifted Whitefoot from the floor since she knew the small puppy would not be able to keep up with her as she hurried to the solar. Pushing open the door, she spied Ancel arranging bundles on the table. She shut the door and placed the dog down and rushed into his arms.
The knight enfolded her, his mouth seeking hers in a long, hot kiss that went on for minutes. Breathless, she sucked in a deep breath after he broke the kiss. But something wasn’t right. Ancel searched her face as if memorizing her features. A bad feeling stirred in her gut. Before Margery could ask him if anything was wrong, he released her and indicated the wares on the table.
“I’ve brought you fine cloth from London,” he declared. “I hope you will think I made some wise choices in what I selected for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Ancel. You had already brought back plenty of fabric from Billericay and provided Christine Morley to sew for me.”
He shook his head. “The selection at Billericay was limited. London had a much wider variety to choose from.” He shook out the first bundle.
Margery’s eyes widened in delight as she saw the material. She fingered a green silk, watching it ripple like water running in a brook. Then her hands brushed against a russet velvet. She lifted it to her cheek and sighed.
“I’ve never had anything as fine as this. Thank you, Ancel. You spoil me.”
“Just like Whitefoot,” he added. “I plan on indulging you both.” Then he grew serious.
“Something is wrong,” she said, setting the fabric aside. “I knew it by the way you looked at me a moment ago.”
He frowned. “Not wrong. Just not as I would have wished it to be.” He drew in a deep breath and took his time expelling it. Margery patiently waited.
“The king wants me to ride out with his army,” he explained. “It means I will be gone from Highfield the rest of the summer.”
Margery’s teeth sank into her lower lip. Tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked quickly, not wanting them to fall.
Ancel took her hands. “I would prefer remaining here with you but I must follow the king’s command, my love. He has given me permission to return to Highfield in the autumn.”
“What . . . what of ceding Highfield and the title to you?” she asked. “Did you speak of that possibility with him?”
“If your stepbrother hasn’t returned by the time I reach Highfield again, then the king will fulfill his promise.”
Margery leaned on her tiptoes and kissed him. “That’s good news, indeed.”
“It is. Though the king may desire for us to be at court with him. We may have to spend part of our year in London and the rest at Highfield.”
She squeezed his hands. “I really don’t care where we go—as long as we are together.”
Ancel smiled. “You already sound like a de Montfort.” He sat on the bench next to the table and pulled her onto his lap. “Let me tell you about the many couples in my family and how the men and women live their lives in love.”
Margery entwined her arms around his neck. “I think I will enjoy hearing this.”
Chapter 15
Though Ancel would rather have spent all the hours he had left at Highfie
ld with Margery, he needed to prepare for his absence. After sharing something of his family and the love matches that various couples had made, he sent for Sir Folcard to join them in the solar and then arranged with Maud to take the evening meal with Margery.
Alone.
Folcard arrived. “You have need of me, my lord?”
“Aye, Sir Folcard. Have a seat.” Ancel indicated for the knight to sit on the opposite side of the table from him and Margery since it was the only place available. He looked forward to their new carpenter creating additional chairs for the solar.
“I am leaving Highfield and will travel with the king’s army for the next couple of months. Though order has been restored in eastern England, the king wants to suppress any thoughts of rebellion in other areas. He’s sending a force of four thousand soldiers to travel the land in a show of strength. I am to accompany them for the remainder of the summer, so I’m leaving you in charge of the defenses at Highfield.”
Folcard inclined his head. “Thank you for your confidence in me, Sir Ancel.”
“You will keep to the training schedule that we have established and continue assigning men to patrol the road both to the east and west of Highfield. I would like you to meet regularly with Lady Margery and give her reports so she is aware of the military status surrounding her home. A new steward should be arriving soon and he can handle business for the estate. If you have need of any funds, see him.”
“What of the tenants, my lord, and the responsibilities regarding the land?”
“Giles Downer has proven most capable. I will discuss with him what tasks to complete in my absence.” Ancel thought a moment. “I asked the king for another two dozen men to supplement those already at Highfield. They should arrive shortly.”
“Very good, my lord. Additional troops will come in handy.”
Margery asked, “Are our barracks large enough for that many more men?”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Ancel admitted. “I will speak to Harry Bacon about extending the current building. John Cheyne can help Harry with this project. Sir Folcard, the soldiers under you might need to help our carpenter with expanding the barracks. I’d rather that happen while the weather is warm so that we won’t have to worry about when cool winds arrive.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Folcard assured him. “We can balance building and training.”
“If you don’t have any questions, then please send Giles and Harry to the solar so that I may meet with them.”
Folcard excused himself.
Soon, the farmer and carpenter arrived and Ancel explained how he would be gone from Highfield for the rest of the summer. Ancel spoke with Harry first, explaining how the barracks would need to accommodate more men.
“So drop whatever you are doing. Sir Folcard and his men will assist you when they can, as will the new additions arriving at Highfield.”
“We’ll begin at once, Sir Ancel,” Harry said. “It will be completed before you know it.” He left the solar with a spring in his step.
“Giles, I’d like you to remain in charge of all the tenants while I’m gone and direct their activities. You’ll need to finish the hay harvest as quickly as possible so that the fields can be ploughed and fertilized. And if, for any reason, I’m delayed past summer’s end?” Ancel knew he must plan for that possibility, not knowing what the king’s troops would find out on the road.
“We’ll start the wheat harvest next month, my lord and seed the ploughed fields,” Giles said. “And come September, if you’re not back, I can have the tying and winnowing take place.”
“A new steward should arrive in the next few days. I want you to meet with him and Lady Margery every week. If you have any concerns, express them to her and Clifton Walters. I’ve bought some sheep that will also need shearing soon,” Ancel said.
“Everything will take place as you’ve asked,” Giles said. “You can count on me, my lord. I won’t let you down.”
“Very good. Thank you, Giles,” Ancel told the farmer. “You’ve done an excellent job so far.”
“And I plan to keep doing it, my lord.” Giles flashed a grin. “Be safe, my lord. I hope to see you soon.”
The farmer left as Sarah arrived with a large tray of food.
“What’s this?” asked Margery.
“I thought we’d sup alone tonight,” he told her. “Come, Sarah. You can leave everything here.”
She placed the tray on the table and unloaded it. “Anything else, my lord?”
He shook his head. “Thank you. And thank your mother, Sarah. Maud has already proven herself to be an excellent cook. I will miss her cooking while I am away.”
The servant smiled. “I shall tell her you said so, my lord. Mother will enjoy the compliment.” She closed the door behind her and they were finally alone.
Ancel poured wine for them. He’d purchased a few casks during his trip to Billericay and asked for Margery to make wine available in the solar. They sat and enjoyed a meal of tender heron and stewed plums, with a small round of sharp cheese. Margery fed Whitefoot a few bites of the bird. The puppy finally curled up near the hearth. Ancel treasured each moment with Margery, knowing how he would miss her during the long days and nights ahead.
He told her that he’d accessed the secret panel earlier and removed several gold coins for her to use while he was away.
“If you need more, feel free to take it. It’s money that belongs to Highfield and should be used to better it.”
Once they finished their meal, she asked, “When do you leave?”
He saw how she put on a brave face. “I can stay a few hours longer.” Rising, he offered her his hand and picked up the candleholder before leading her into the solar’s large bedchamber. Glancing around, he saw the improvements in the room that had occurred.
Placing the candle down, he said, “We are not formally betrothed but you are my intended. If you don’t mind, I would like to be able to stretch out on the bed and hold you in my arms.”
She gave him a shy smile. “That would be nice.”
Ancel lifted her long braid and untied the ribbon at its end. Slowly, he unplaited the braid until he freed her locks and ran his fingers through the silky waves. Then he drew back the new bed curtain and had her climb onto the bed. He lay down next to her and pulled her close, inhaling the scent of honeysuckle on her smooth skin. He buried his face in her luxurious, thick hair as his hand rubbed up and down her spine.
“I want to leave you with a parting gift,” he said softly.
“But you’ve already given me so much,” Margery protested. “I have Whitefoot, who is already my shadow in all that I do. I will soon have clothes made up from the beautiful materials that you bought in Billericay and London. What more could I want?”
His hand glided down to cup her buttock. He gave it a gentle squeeze. “I want to pleasure you, my love. I promise not to spill your virgin’s blood but I would leave you with a memory of what is to come between us once we wed.”
She touched his cheek. “I am yours, Ancel. You know that.”
He kissed her deeply, hoping to show how much he cared for her. Though he had kissed many a pretty girl over the years, each kiss with Margery stirred new feelings within him. As his mouth plundered the sweetness of hers, he reached for the hem of her clothing. Finding it, his hand slipped under the layers and brushed up her calf.
“Mmm.”
Ancel’s fingers danced up her leg in feathery strokes as Margery continued to murmur. Then he reached the apex where her womanly core hid. His fingers grazed against the velvet slit.
“Oh,” she said.
“It’s all right. I won’t hurt you,” he said.
“But . . . but . . .”
“This is but one thing that happens between a man and a woman.” Her body tensed. “Relax, sweetheart.”
“I will try to, Ancel,” she said meekly.
But Ancel didn’t want meek. He wanted to pleasure Margery until she cried aloud. Slowly
, he pushed a finger inside her. She jolted against him. Stroking her leisurely, it pleased him to hear little noises coming from the back of her throat. He kissed her again, his tongue beginning to mimic the motion of his finger. He pushed another one inside her and heard her gasp as he rubbed against her tender nub.
“You like that.”
“Uh, aye,” she said weakly.
“You’ll like this even more.”
Ancel let his fingers speak for him, speeding up, slowing down, enjoying the satisfied sounds that came from her. Her breathing grew shallow and rapid, as small moans escaped from her lips. She began to whimper as her juices flowed. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she began pressing herself against his hand. He increased the speed again till she writhed in a frenzy.
Suddenly, she stiffened against him and began calling out his name. Ancel quickly covered her mouth with his, the kiss silencing her as she bucked wildly against his searching hand. Then she shuddered and grew still. Her hands dropped from his shoulders and fell beside her. He slipped his fingers from her and enjoyed seeing the sated look on her face.
“That’s only the beginning of love play,” Ancel told her.
Margery swallowed. “I thought I might die, the pleasure was so intense.” She paused. “There’s more to it?”
“Aye.”
A slow smile touched her lips. “That must mean I can do for you what you did for me. Make you feel as I did.” Her eyes lit up. “Make you call my name.”
“Another time, love.”
She sat up. “Nay, Ancel. Now,” she said firmly.
Margery’s eyes gleamed as she lowered her lips to his. She nibbled at them, teasing them apart, until her tongue touched his and sparks ignited between them. Then she slung a leg over and straddled him, her tongue continuing to war with his. Immediately, his manhood sprang to life.
She broke the kiss and let her lips traveled along his jaw and then she nipped at his throat playfully. His hands slid up her thighs and clasped her waist. Without warning, she grasped the hem of his gypon and yanked, pulling him forward, which allowed her to bring it over his head. Margery let the gypon fall next to her and then brought her lips back to his throat. They glided across it and then began a march down his bare chest. Ancel groaned.
