Allegiance

by Anna Markland

  The apprentice nodded, her eyes wide. He willed her to be calm. When he felt she had grasped the idea, he removed his own hand. Carys’s eyes flew open. She took hold of Rhys’s hand and placed it back on her belly. He continued to help Bronwynn massage his sister, his hand firmly atop the apprentice’s.

  After a while, he turned to Baudoin. “Give the child to me. You can see what we’re doing here. It’s soothing her, if nothing else. Help your wife.”

  Baudoin handed over the babe then knelt to assist with the massaging.

  Carys opened her eyes and smiled weakly.

  The midwives returned and were clearly taken aback, but Rhys told them to make the tea. He explained what they were doing and bade one of the woman take Bronwynn’s place.

  He glanced at his own wife. Annalise knelt in prayer at the foot of the bed, her head bowed, her hand massaging her own swollen belly, probably without being aware of it. Rhonwen’s amber beads glowed around her neck. His heart jumped into his throat. He had not paid attention to the changes in her slim body. Love and lust washed over him, despite his pain and exhaustion.

  He limped to her side and placed Fleurie in her arms.

  Tears rolled down her cheeks as she beheld the child then looked at him. She swallowed hard and a sob escaped her lips. “I love you, Rhys. I was devastated that you might be dead and I hadn’t told you I love you. I know you can’t love me, that you married me to save your brothers, but—”

  “Annalise,” he interrupted, shaking his head. “Since the day we left here weeks ago I’ve been consumed with only one thought—of returning to your embrace. As I lay in the crevice I kept thinking how stupid it was of me to die without your knowing how much I love you.”

  Her mouth fell open and she gasped. “You love me? I’ve never known love before.”

  “I’ll love and cherish you for the rest of my life, Annalise, but for the moment I must get the weight off this cursed leg. Come, we’ll try to make the child suckle. That will help Carys.”

  The midwife held the child to her mother’s breast, but the babe squirmed and balked, and had to be taken to the wet-nurse.

  Rhys would have to ask more of his brother-by-marriage. “Baudoin, I’m going to speak to you man to man. You know as well as I what happens to a woman when you touch her breasts.”

  His own arousal hardened as his glance strayed to his wife’s copious globes. She returned his gaze and smiled. The other women looked away, their faces red.

  “You must do that for Carys now. Touch her breasts lovingly. She’ll know it’s you. It will help to contract the womb.”

  Rhys felt privileged to witness the heart-wrenching tableau that played out before him.

  Annalise prayed.

  Baudoin poured out his love into his wife’s body with his touch, murmuring words of comfort to her about Fleurie and how beautiful she was.

  Some of the color returned to Carys’s cheeks.

  The midwives and Bronwynn took turns massaging her belly. Time seemed to stand still as they strove to save the life of their beloved.

  Bronwynn had been carrying away the soiled linens and suddenly she cried, “The bleeding has stopped.”

  Baudoin kissed his wife’s forehead.

  Annalise looked up at Rhys, her tear-filled eyes full of love—for him.

  The wet-nurse returned with Fleurie. The midwife placed the child in Carys’s arms. Baudoin bent close to her ear. “Carys, I’ve named our daughter Fleurie because she looks like a little flower.”

  “Baudoin.” It was the first time they had heard her voice since the ordeal began. “I feared I might die. Thank you for saving me, for bringing me back.”

  Baudoin stroked his babe’s head. “It’s your brother you should thank. If he had not been here—” He paused to compose himself. “You Welsh are a strange lot with your mystical beliefs and practices, but praise be to the saints that you have a brother conversant with the ways of women’s wombs.”

  Rhys smiled. “Well, Carys is the only other person here with the same knowledge, and since she couldn’t help herself, my doing so only honors the memory of our mother. And now, I’m afraid I’m in sore need of some nursing myself. With your permission I’m going to take my lovely wife to our chambers and have her see to my needs.”

  Baudoin left his wife’s bedside and strode over to Rhys and Annalise as they approached the door. He clasped Rhys by the hand and embraced him.

  “Thank you, Rhys. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

  * * *

  Messengers were sent to Baudoin’s half-brother. Caedmon and Agneta came from nearby Ruyton with their children. They and Rhys reminisced about Rhodri and his men rescuing Caedmon from drowning in the River Dee years before.

  Rhun and Rhydderch rode to Ellesmere to meet their newborn niece.

  Carys healed quickly and Baudoin doted on her. He, Gallien and Etienne spent many happy hours with her and the new baby. Etienne’s hands had seemed tiny a few days ago; now they dwarfed Fleurie’s.

  When Carys suckled Fleurie, the boys asked what she was doing, and she explained how they had suckled at her breast when they were tiny. Gallien refused to believe it. Their parents smiled indulgently. The boys wanted to hold their baby sister. Baudoin sat them both firmly on a chair propped up with cushions and placed his daughter on their lap. He resolved to find an artist who could capture these precious moments for him forever.

  Her red-haired uncles cooed at their niece and generally made fools of themselves, but he sensed their impatience to travel back to Llanfarran.

  “You’ll frighten the poor child,” Rhys exclaimed.

  His leg was slow to mend. He told anyone who would listen that he was looking forward to the day when Carys decided the bindings could be removed. His ribs caused only the occasional twinge now and again. He and Annalise perfected what he considered some very creative methods of accommodating his broken bones and her swelling belly when they made love.

  Tit For Tat

  After assuring themselves of Carys’s recovery, the twins returned to Llanfarran, but Glain was nowhere to be found. Rhun raked both hands through his hair. “Perhaps, this is a sign she doesn’t want either of us. It has taken so long to get back here, she probably thinks we’ve recovered from our infatuation.”

  Rhydderch scowled. “It’s not an infatuation as far as I’m concerned.”

  They loitered in front of the cottage for a while.

  Rhun hated the wall of silent mistrust between him and his twin.

  Curious villagers gathered, welcoming them back.

  Both men were disgruntled when they learned Glain had gone to a neighboring village to set a broken elbow. Old Morgan ap Bevin stepped forward and reached for the reins of their horses. “I’d be honored if you’d stay in my humble abode. Be glad of the company.”

  They thanked him as he led them to his cottage.

  * * *

  In the loft of Morgan’s tiny dwelling, Rhydderch lay awake all night listening to their host snoring on his pallet by the hearth. He was sure Rhun feigned sleep. The morrow might bring an end to the bond they had shared since before they were born. How could he live without his brother’s love?

  But he wanted Glain, longed for her. Perhaps he and Rhun should stop behaving like boys and start acting like men. Time to lead separate lives. He prayed the three of them might come to some agreement without permanent damage being done to his relationship with his brother. Several times, he opened his mouth to speak to Rhun about their dilemma, but the words died on his lips.

  Should he suggest they share her? Did he want to? What would she say to such a proposition? No respectable woman lived with two men. It was hopeless.

  * * *

  To be at odds with his brother in this matter of the bonesetter ate at Rhun. He had shared a womb with him. Could he share the woman with whom he had fallen in love? He decided to discuss it openly with his twin. They had never had any secrets from each other. He took the opportunity when they rose at
dawn to break their fast at the table of their host.

  “Rhydderch, you and I, we’re more than brothers. We’re twins. We’ve shared everything since we were born, as you said a few days ago. But now, we have a problem. Glain must choose between us. I want her for wife and that is your intention too. We can’t both have her. The choice must be hers, one or the other or neither. Do you agree to abide by her decision if we put it to her?”

  Rhydderch shifted uneasily on the wooden bench. He was relieved that his brother, older by three minutes, had broached the subject, but he wanted Glain badly. Could he accept the rejection if she chose Rhun? He ground out his reply. “I agree to abide by her decision.”

  Morgan had been puttering as he went about serving his important guests. Suddenly, he glanced up sharply and chuckled. His uncharacteristic good humor captured their attention. “What is it?”

  Morgan laughed out loud. “You two are aware Glain is also a twin?”

  Both men stared at him open-mouthed for long moments, then grinned. They had played a similar ruse on more than one occasion, each one pretending to be the other, and understood in a way. The women had successfully tricked them.

  Rhun laughed at the irony, banging his fist on the table. “Now it’s our turn to be toyed with by a set of twins. I suppose it’s only justice. Did you guess we wooed two different women?”

  Rhydderch grinned. “No! Though, now I think on it, I’m not sure. But mayhap we can turn the game to our advantage.”

  “How so, brother mine? I’m all ears.”

  * * *

  Glain came within sight of the village and soon learned the redheaded twins had returned. Hope and dread assailed her. Curses that Isolda was in Affetside. She had longed to be with Rhun again and Isolda pined for Rhydderch. But how would the men react to their trickery? Redheads sometimes had terrible tempers. Perhaps she should wait until her sister’s return before she told them? Wouldn’t they be surprised by two Glains. She stole into her cottage, anxious to wash away the dust of the journey.

  Someone knocked. “Glain.”

  She spun round. Which twin would she face? She opened the door and her throat constricted. The tingling in her breasts said Rhun. She wanted to throw her arms around him, tell him she regretted the deception. He had a strange smile on his face. He took her hands, leaned forward, and nuzzled her neck. “I’m overjoyed to see you again. We were delayed by the birth of our niece, but we’ve come at last. It’s a beautiful warm evening. Will you join me for a walk?”

  She eyed him hesitantly. Young women of good repute did not enter the woods alone with a man. “Your brother has come also?”

  “He has.”

  She was not completely sure if she was speaking to Rhun or Rhydderch, but the warmth seeping into her body from his hands made her hope it was Rhun. “I suppose it can do no harm if we don’t go far. I too am glad you’ve returned.”

  He squeezed her hand and winked. “Both of us?”

  A warm wetness pooled in an unmentionable place, rendering her barely able to whisper, “Yes.”

  “Good. We won’t wander far. Remember, I’m a man of honor. My brother and I are both honorable men.”

  The alarm should have sounded in her head, but, enamored with Rhun with whom she hoped she spoke, it did not. They had gone only a few yards into the woods when Rhydderch appeared, linking his arm in the one not joined by Rhun.

  The two lifted her and increased their pace.

  Fear and excitement warred within her. “My lords!”

  They came to a sudden halt. She swayed with relief, her breath coming in gasps as her feet touched the ground. Rhun put his hands on her shoulders. Rhydderch stood behind her and took her by the waist. Rhun frowned as he looked her in the eye. “Rhydderch and I are both in love with you. We’ve pondered the problem and have decided we care too much about each other to fight over the matter. We intend to share you.”

  Heat rushed from her face into her breasts. She had to reveal the secret, but the words stuck in her dry throat.

  “One of us will marry you, but we’ll both make passionate love to you. I’ll caress—”

  Her knees buckled. She throbbed in intimate places as a bolt of desire shot through her. Their grip tightened as they steadied her. “I can’t…we can’t…it’s not seemly…two men can’t…the church won’t…you don’t understand.”

  Her mind whirled. Marriage had been proposed to her, but being bedded by two men, albeit two wondrously attractive men, at the same time? She was appalled and dangerously thrilled. If only Isolda would return.

  Rhun continued, deepening his voice. “If you can’t accept our decision then Rhydderch and I will fight each other to the death.”

  Tears welled. Something stuck in her throat. “No.”

  “Or, you chose one of us, and the other withdraws.”

  Glain wanted to weep. The game had gone wrong. She and her sister had made rivals of two wonderful men who had been bonded from birth. She knew the power of that unbreakable bond, but she had a life to live, insistent longings to assuage.

  Rhun persisted. “If both of us kiss you, it might make your decision easier.”

  She nodded woodenly.

  Rhun brushed his lips over hers and teased her with his tongue. She responded and opened to him. Arousal snaked into her belly and hardened her nipples. He withdrew immediately, leaving her bereft and shaking. Rhydderch moved to take his brother’s place and did the same thing. She felt nothing. One would be irrevocably hurt. She couldn’t meet their gaze. “I choose the first kiss.”

  Rhun let out a long sigh and tilted her chin. She screwed her eyes tight shut.

  “Open your eyes.”

  She blinked and stared into his piercing green gaze.

  “I’m Rhun, first to kiss Glain. You chose me, and I’m elated by your choice.”

  His grin made her knees go weak again and she leaned into him. Dare she steal a glance at Rhydderch? Why did Rhun’s twin yet smile?

  “Who will Isolda choose?” Rhydderch asked innocently.

  They had been caught at their own game. Her jaw fell open and she laughed, wagging her finger at them. “You’ve played me. You’re as naughty as we are.”

  Rhun caught hold of her accusing finger and drew it to his lips. “I’ll play you every night of our lives, Glain. I hope you’ll be naughty. Where is Isolda?”

  “She’s staying with Ewan the Smithy in Affetside. He’s our uncle-by-marriage. It’s only three miles. I’ll send word.”

  “No. We’ll all go.”

  * * *

  Isolda startled when one of the redheaded twins entered the blacksmith’s cottage. She was alone and this encounter was not seemly. How had he found her? Despite her misgivings, excitement surged—if it was Rhydderch. At the sight of him something clenched in her most private place and warmth tingled her spine.

  His voice was serious. “Ah, Glain, here you are. Someone in your village told me you were in Affetside. I couldn’t wait for your return home. We need to speak.”

  He put his warm hands on her shoulders. Her nipples hardened as his deep voice penetrated to her toes.

  “My twin and I are both in love with you. We’ve decided we care too much about each other to fight over you. We intend to share. One of us will wed you, and both of us will make passionate love to you. I’ll caress—”

  The heat drained from her body and cold chills ran up and down her spine. Her mouth fell open. She shut it abruptly, swallowing hard, afraid she might have drooled. “That can’t be, my lord.”

  Is this Rhydderch?

  The plot had gone awry. She had strong feelings for this handsome warrior, but two of him at once? Time to tell the truth.

  Rhydderch continued. “If you can’t accept our decision then my brother and I will fight each other to the death.”

  Isolda gasped. “You’re twins! You cannot kill your brother.”

  “Or, you choose one of us, and the other withdraws.”

  Isolda struggled not
to sob out loud. She and her sister had pitted two loyal men against each other who had been bonded from birth. She knew only too well about that unbreakable bond but had a constant new craving to assuage.

  Rhydderch insisted. “If both of us kiss you, it might make your decision easier.”

  Rhun entered the cottage.

  “Here is my brother.”

  Isolda gasped. She opened her mouth to explain, but Rhydderch brushed his lips over hers and licked her tongue. A thudding pulse deafened her and the room spun. When he pulled away, her knees buckled and she grasped the edge of the table.

  Rhun moved to take his brother’s place and kissed her. She felt nothing, though his big, warm hands were planted firmly about her waist.

  Her heart filled with dread. She did not want to hurt one of them. She averted her eyes from their stern gazes, barely able to speak. “I choose the first kiss.”

  Both men laughed, which wasn’t what she expected. She glanced up sharply.

  “I’m Rhydderch, the first to kiss Isolda. You chose me, and I’m elated by your choice, but who will Glain actually choose?”

  Isolda looked from one twin to the other and then laughed when her sister came into the cottage with a sheepish grin on her face. “These two beautiful men have caught us out, sister. But our bodies have betrayed our true feelings. I chose Rhun. You chose Rhydderch.”

  Turning to Rhun, Glain explained, “A midwife assisted Mammie at our birth. I was born first and Isolda a few minutes later. Betha had predicted our mother would birth twins, and Mammie trusted her, so wasn’t afraid or troubled. Betha brought her peace and confidence. She also said we would be skilled in healing, but undisciplined and difficult to control because our hair reflected the color of the moon. We grew to be what she said we would become.

  “Betha died when we were five, but her dying words foretold we would only find our match with another pair of twins. Our mother didn’t tell us of this until she lay dying two years ago. We were stricken with grief and didn’t pay attention. We forgot the prophecy. Our father had died a long while before, and we were alone then.”