by Wood, Lynn
Luke stifled a grin. “Funny. My wife laid the very same accusation at my feet. No, I am not jesting with you, Father. I am wed to the daughter of a Saxon duke whose estates were captured in the war.” He held up his hand when his father would have interrupted. “And before you ask, the duke’s estates have been awarded to another knight. I told the king I would accept the lady without a dowry as I no longer had need of lands of my own.”
Luke remained unaffected by his father’s seething glance, and downed the full glass of ale in his hand in a single swallow before asking, “Do you still wish me to remain by your side for Mason’s funeral?”
“Yes, you will at least render me that service. Explain yourself. Where is this wife of yours? Why did she not accompany you?”
“I attempted to persuade her to do so, but she was reluctant to leave her home to live among strangers while I returned to Saxony to search for her brother.”
His father took refuge in one of the large chairs placed opposite the hearth. He poured himself another glass of ale and indicated Luke should take the seat opposite him, then repeated. “Explain yourself.”
Luke suppressed his amusement at his father’s autocratic demand and sank down into the chair his father indicated, reaching over to refill his own mug, and breaking off a chunk of the meat and cheese and a large portion of the bread from the tray. After sampling the meat and washing it down with the ale, he chuckled and admitted to his furious father, “That is not as easy as it sounds.”
Later in the week, Luke knelt at his father’s side in the first row of pews in the family chapel for his half-brother’s funeral Mass. The Michaels’ family priest, who officiated at both of his father’s marriages and baptized both of the lord’s sons, presided over the service marking the passing of the lord’s heir. Luke was convinced despite the piety of Father Paul’s prayers for his brother’s eternal soul and all of the family’s extensive influence, the devil would claim his due. His brother would burn in hell for all eternity for his sins. Luke could take some small comfort in the knowledge, reluctantly accepting Mason was quite beyond his reach for him to take his revenge against him for his violent assault on Melissa.
Observing the tightly crammed pews, Luke concluded his father must be pleased at least by the turnout. The church was filled to overflowing with the family retainers, both soldiers and servants, as well as residents of the bustling village surrounding the estate. Though he was unable to offer his own prayer for a restful eternity for his brother, after the Mass was concluded he stood by his father’s side while his brother’s broken body was lowered into the ground of the family burial plot. He greeted those who braved their lord’s grief to offer their condolences. He was glad he had remained in Normandy long enough to attend the burial and was aware of the comfort his father found in his presence.
Luke remained at the estate for over a week. His father took the time to begin instructing him in his duties as the future lord. Luke was well aware it eased the fears of both the family servants and residents of the villagers to see the two of them together and apparently on good terms.
As Luke prepared for his departure on his final evening in Normandy, he accepted he could not set off again without looking in on Rafe’s large family, one he had always considered himself more a part of than the one fate afforded him. He offered his excuses to his father from the evening meal, and though his father raised no objection to his plan Luke was aware of an unfamiliar knot of guilt in his breast at the thought of leaving him to dine alone on their final night together, while his son and new heir visited the likely to be overflowing house of his commander.
Shrugging off the uncomfortable feeling Luke rode the short distance to Rafe’s father’s large cottage and could hear the raucous laughter ringing out from within its cozy depths while he was still a good distance away. Luke tied his mount at the gate then knocked on the solid door. His request for entry went unanswered. Luke assumed it was because his entreaty couldn’t be heard over the din of the several competing conversations going on inside. He knocked harder, then finally abandoned his attempt at formality and threw open the door.
The conversations dropped off into a surprised silence when the inhabitants caught sight of him standing there. Luke realized he had been dreading this moment when he stood framed in the doorway of the home that provided him sanctuary over the years. He stood there now, no longer as a lost boy, but as his father’s heir and future lord of those who relied upon his family’s generosity and continued patronage. His momentary unease was dispelled by the loud greeting he received from Rafe’s father.
“Well, well, look who the brisk spring wind blew in, our future lord and master. Welcome, welcome, my lord, to my humble abode.” Smiling, Luke stepped inside and allowed himself to be settled into a vacant seat along the bench at the worn wooden table. Rafe’s mother urged him to fill his plate from the plentiful offerings on the table they were gathered around, and Luke could see by her hesitant manner she no longer regarded him as the young boy whose ear she would cuff when he stole one of her pastries cooling in the window of the kitchen. His glance met Rafe’s smiling one across the length of the table. His friend gave a slight shrug in his mother’s direction, as if to excuse her new nervousness around Luke as just a predictable bit of woman’s foolishness.
“So young Luke, or should I address you as my lord now? Rafe tells us you have already disappointed the hopeful, fluttering hearts of many a maid in Normandy by taking a wife in Saxony.”
Luke grinned at the older man’s teasing. “Yes, though I am only just realizing there is a difference between taking a bride and keeping one.”
The other laughed at Luke’s good-natured humility and proceeded to pry him with questions about his new wife. Luke divulged enough to appease the other man’s curiosity but refrained from going into too much detail about the circumstances surrounding his marriage, only relaying his bride was the elder daughter of a Saxon duke. She remained behind in Saxony so as not to intrude on his father’s grief when Luke delivered the news of his brother’s death.
The following morning Luke bid farewell to his father, promising to return as soon as possible to further his instruction in his future duties awaiting him as the head of the family. For the first time in his life, Luke thought his father looked every bit of his years, and it was with surprising regret Luke was leaving him alone when he was still mourning the death of his elder son. But as he joined his men at the gates, he dismissed the cares awaiting him upon his return and began plotting his strategy for how he was going to locate a single Saxon soldier among the thousands dead and still missing as a result of the war.
Later that same evening as Luke stood at the rail of the ship returning him to Saxony, Rafe’s father, Phillip, joined his lord and lifelong friend for a late-night ale in front of the hearth in the keep’s grand hall.
“Well, what do you know of my son’s new wife?” His lord demanded without preamble.
“What did he tell you?”
“Only that she was the daughter of a Saxon duke killed in the war whose estates were awarded to another knight.”
Phillip smiled. “He did not mention his new wife is the granddaughter of the Salusian queen?”
“What?”
Phillip’s grin widened at his friend’s astonishment. “Yes, of even greater interest is the fact Rafe informs me your new daughter-in-law is the current keeper of the Salusian stone.”
For perhaps the first time in his life the Michaels’ lord was rendered speechless. “How is this possible?” he demanded in a stunned whisper.
Philip regretfully shook his head. “Rafe was reluctant to share the details of how young Luke ended up married to the Salusian heir, but I thought you would appreciate the irony of the situation.”
His lord’s lips curved upward in a slight smile. The smile widened until he was grinning widely. His shoulders began shaking with suppressed laughter. Finally he blurted out right before laughter exploded from the depths of his sti
ll muscular chest. “I do indeed, my friend. I do indeed.”
Chapter Nineteen
Melissa stopped at the crest of the hill and waited for her supposed escort to catch up with her. She thought it ridiculous she had to rein in Arden’s gliding strides every so often to allow the slower mounts of Nathan’s soldiers to catch up, but she was trying to mimic her sister’s demeanor and do as little as possible to irritate her host. For the most part she believed she was accomplishing her goal. She kept a close eye that Rhiann didn’t over-do and helped her sister with the running of the keep, though in truth it was evident Rhiann didn’t require her assistance, only her reassurance.
Rhiann was so anxious to please her husband she would have run herself ragged seeing to every little detail if Melissa didn’t intervene. She thought she was only partially successful in convincing Rhiann Nathan would never notice if she failed to finish the majority of the countless tiny tasks she seemed intent on completing each day. The new lord of the keep was too busy learning about his new estates, integrating his own men with her father’s remaining soldiers, dealing with the myriad of issues that arose in the village that the new lord must be consulted on, and seeing to the training of his men and the defense of the estate and surrounding village. He spent long hours with her father’s steward going over the accounts and making certain the rents were collected and the wages of all who relied on the patronage of Heaven’s Crest were promptly paid. Still Melissa noticed Nathan always took the time to check on Rhiann during the day, to insist on her afternoon nap and to make certain she wasn’t overdoing. No doubt part of his concern was for his heir’s welfare, but it was heart-warming for Melissa to see his true regard for her sister and hers for her new lord’s.
Unfortunately the evidence of marital bliss she was surrounded by on a daily basis only served to emphasize how different her own situation was in contrast. It was the uncertainty that bothered her most. Just sitting around killing time and busying herself with small tasks to relieve her sister’s burden did not lie easily upon her restless spirit. Knowing she was expected to continue doing the same thing for potentially the next several months until Luke decided whether or not he would even return to claim her for his wife was enough to give an added spark to her restlessness. So far she was able to content herself with riding on Arden, with an escort of course, and planning her future course after her marriage was dissolved.
She absolutely could not remain at Heaven’s Crest. Her sister deserved to be the only woman in her own home. Besides, as much as she was happy for Rhiann, it tore at her heart knowing that while Luke might accept her as his wife, he would never feel about her or look at her the way Nathan regarded Rhiann, as if she was some miracle God conjured and sent to earth especially to please him. When their joy in each other’s company became too much for her battered heart, Melissa fabricated an excuse to avoid taking her meals in the main hall. It was small of her and she knew it, but all of her pretending to be a dutiful sister of the lady of the manor was demanding from her about as much conciliation as she could muster.
She thought God wouldn’t judge her too harshly for her little subterfuge. Besides, as often as not, she took the opportunity to rest. She thought she must still be recovering from her grief and injuries and the long journey from London because she often slept away a good part of the afternoon. More likely the cause of her daily exhaustion was her inability to sleep soundly at night. Luke might be in far away in Normandy, but she would swear his spirit visited her during the darkest hours of the night. She often woke from her dreams with his deep voice whispering in her ear, telling her how much he desired her, how beautiful she was, how much he longed for her to fill his empty arms. Melissa’s heart would sing at his promise of his love for her, then she would wake and remember his insistence she learn her place in his life, as if she were one of his servants he could order about to please his whim.
It was only weeks later as she climbed the stairs not long after Rhiann one early afternoon for what had become a daily ritual with her that the truth struck her. It was the mirroring of her sister’s steps that brought home the reason for her weariness. She did a belated calculation in her head and realized she hadn’t had her monthly flow since before she left Heaven’s Crest. She was carrying Luke’s babe. As much as she sought to deny her stunned conclusion, she could almost feel the tightening of the imaginary iron cuffs around her wrists binding her more securely to Luke and their reckless marriage. Luke would never release her from her commitment to him now. Hadn’t he told her as much during their argument the morning after their wedding?
When several days after her astonishing discovery, Melissa declined to join the lord and his lady once again for the evening meal, Rhiann sought her out. A gentle tap on the door told Melissa the identity of her evening visitor. She’d been expecting just such a visit and carefully schooled her expression to guard against her sister’s perceptive eyes.
“Come in,” she called out from where she sat embroidering a row of wild flowers on a new sleeping gown for Rhiann, whose expanding middle was becoming more evident with each passing day.
She looked up as Rhiann hesitantly pushed open the door, then watched the smile bloom across her sister’s face with an expression of what could only be described as relief in her eyes when she found Melissa occupied with such an unobjectionable pastime. Melissa smiled her welcome and beckoned her sister to join her on the chaise. Rhiann turned to close the heavy door firmly behind her, then crossed the room and took the place where Melissa made room for her. She released a heavy sigh as she leaned back against the chaise and closed her eyes for a moment.
Watching her, Melissa rebuked gently, “Rhiann, you must take better care not to try to accomplish so much each day. Your husband will not be pleased if you work yourself until you are ill.”
Rhiann sat up and met her sister’s concerned glance. “I am taking every care with Nathan’s heir. I rest every afternoon, as you know. I can’t imagine why I am so exhausted all the time.”
Melissa reached out and brushed a stray golden curl away from her sister’s lovely face. “Any woman would be exhausted carrying a little Norman knight inside of her all day.”
Rhiann laughed and confided softly. “I do hope he or she is a boy. Though Nathan insists he won’t be disappointed with a daughter, I know he longs for a son.”
Melissa nodded, “As do all men, I imagine.”
“Does Luke?” Rhiann asked turning the topic in the direction of the one Melissa was trying most to avoid.
She shrugged with what she hoped was convincing nonchalance. “I do not know. We never discussed the matter of children. Hardly surprising as our marriage is destined to be a temporary one.”
Rhiann’s green eyes probed hers. “I wouldn’t be too certain of that. Nathan seems convinced Luke is quite intent on making your marriage permanent.”
“You discussed me with your husband?”
At Melissa’s offended tone, Rhiann reached out to clasp one of her hands between her own. “Oh, Melissa. It wasn’t like that. I was so worried about you and Luke’s bizarre demand to marry you out of hand, Nathan reassured me that he and Luke had been friends for years, and that Luke would never hurt you.”
Melissa sighed at Rhiann’s explanation and squeezed the hand holding her own. “I’m sorry to be so quick to take offense. You speak the truth when you refer to my marriage as bizarre. It’s been difficult for me.”
Melissa watched as ready tears filled her sister’s eyes. “Melissa, if you will not open your heart to me, how am I to help you?”
She should have realized Rhiann was not fooled by her carefree attitude. In her own quiet way, her sister saw more than anyone gave her credit for. Still, Melissa refused to allow Rhiann to put her own marriage at risk to assist her in escaping her commitment to Luke. “You cannot help me, Rhiann. Your first loyalty rightfully belongs to Nathan now. Luke is his close friend. I will not put you in the position of being forced to choose between us.”
/> “Why must I choose? Nathan would protect my sister, Melissa.”
“Would he?” Melissa echoed bitterly. “Would he protect me against his good friend?”
Rhiann drew in a sharp, agonized breath. “It was Luke? It was Luke who hurt you?” Horrified tears spilled from Rhiann’s eyes.
Surprised by her sister’s perception, Melissa was forced to conclude she wasn’t as successful as she previously believed at keeping the true cause of her injuries from her sister.
“No, no. It’s not what you’re thinking. Please don’t ask me to tell you anymore. The truth will only draw you deeper into this mess.”
“Melissa, you’re my sister. I am already involved in whatever trouble you find yourself confronting. How can I be happy knowing you are so sad? Tell me everything. Together we can figure out what is to be done.”
In the face of her sister’s tearful pleading the urge to unburden herself became too much for Melissa to resist. “It wasn’t Luke who hurt me. It was his brother.”
Confusion and anger warred with each other across her sister’s expressive face until confusion finally won. “But Luke’s brother is dead.” Rhiann whispered, as if she was afraid someone else might overhear their soft voices.
“Yes, by my hand,” Melissa confirmed bluntly.
Rhiann sat in stunned silence for a long moment. Melissa could almost see the thoughts racing through her sister’s mind as she came to grips with Melissa’s confession. “How did you meet Luke?”
Melissa sighed. “He found me when he was searching for his brother. He guessed the truth. I was ill. I thought I was dying. He stayed with me, cared for me. We…”
“You fell in love.” Rhiann filled in the words.
Melissa laughed bitterly. “I fell in love…foolishly, so foolishly.”
“Why do you say that? Luke seems as though he would be very easy to love. He must care for you. Look at the way he demanded the king give you to him in exchange for his family’s contribution to the war. Even now he’s searching for Michel for you.”
