“What is it?” he asked his men.
The first soldier, an older man who had seen service with Tevin’s father, spoke. “A missive, my lord,” he handed him the cylinder of yellowed vellum. “It came a short time ago.”
Tevin cocked a dark brow, noting the seal. “It’s from East Anglia,” he said in a low voice.
He moved outside the cathedral with his men in tow. Several kept watch around them while Tevin broke the seal of the missive and unrolled it. Very carefully scripted letters met his gaze as he read the contents. Simon, though he couldn’t read, looked over his shoulder while Myles, who could read, read slowly of the first few words. But Tevin was finished before he was and rolled the vellum up quickly.
“We must return to Rochester immediately,” he said to his knights. “Get the men moving. I shall gather the ladies.”
“What does the missive say, my lord?” Simon asked.
Tevin’s jaw ticked. “Not here. Send John back to Rochester immediately to summon the rest of my knights. I would speak with everyone upon my return.”
Simon moved to carry out his liege’s orders, readying the soldiers who had accompanied them and bringing about the wagon that had carried the ladies. John mounted his big brown destrier and took off in the direction of the castle. Tevin went back inside where the ladies were still kneeling. He moved to them swiftly.
“I am truly sorry, Lady Penden,” he said quietly, “but we must return immediately.”
Startled, she looked up into his dark eyes and saw hardness to them. Something was amiss, though she could not imagine what. Somehow it frightened her. Without a word, she followed him from the cathedral and to the wagon waiting outside. Tevin helped Val in first, being careful of her ribs, but when it came to Cantia, his enormous hands encircled her waist and he gently lifted her into the cab. His hands lingered a moment and she smiled faintly at him. He winked in response. And then he was gone.
*
“De Gael is on his way to Rochester. It would seem that the man has had a change of loyalties.”
Clustered in the musty solar of Rochester Castle, Tevin made the grim announcement. While the knights of his corps remained quiet and calm, Myles eyebrows lifted dramatically.
“Change of loyalties?” de Lohr repeated. “What does that mean?”
Tevin had been through this before with his cousin. The man was an opportunist and a scoundrel. He’d already betrayed Stephen of Blois some time back, pretending to support the man when what he really wanted was to confiscate some of his English holdings. Now it would appear he was doing the same thing to Matilda.
“It means precisely that,” Tevin said steadily. When de Lohr looked flustered, he continued. “These are lawless times, de Lohr. England has no true monarch. Anarchy has been reigning for thirteen years now, ever since Henry passed away and declared Matilda his heir. While she hides in France, the nobles of the country have basically created their own dark worlds in which to govern and murder. Geoffrey is no different, though he is more clever than most. He supported Stephen for a time until he betrayed the man and stole some of his holdings. Now he betrays Matilda by claiming the fiefdom from Dartford to Canterbury in the name of Stephen.”
Myles was beside himself. “And you accept this?”
Tevin lifted an eyebrow. “He is my liege as well as my cousin. I have little choice in the matter.”
There was more passion in Myles than was healthy. “So you change your own loyalties at the whim of your cousin?” he growled. “You now support the same faction that killed Brac Penden. Now you side with the enemy.”
“There are no enemies during this time. There is only survival.”
“They killed Brac!”
Fortunately, Tevin was not quick to anger. He never had been. He understood Myles’ distress. “What would you suggest I do?”
“Resist him,” Myles snapped. “Support the true empress and deny the usurper.”
Tevin paused in thought. “Let me ask you something, de Lohr, and be honest. If you were in my position, heir apparent to the earldom of East Anglia, and owing all of your power and wealth to the man, would you so easily create a battle that cannot be won?”
Myles stopped pacing. He looked at Tevin, knowing there was some truth to his words but still angered over the changing of tides. He ran his fingers through his blond hair. “You do not know that. You command fifteen hundred men.”
“And East Anglia commands three or four times that. I could not win this battle, Myles. It would be a futile gesture and a lost cause.”
“So you support his change in loyalties without question?”
“Without question.”
“Why would you do this?”
“When you are in a position of power during these evil times, you will understand.”
Myles shut his mouth. He had nothing more to say. With a lingering glance, Tevin turned back to his men. He noted the varying expressions, some supportive, some doubtful. Val sat in a padded chair to support her healing ribs, her expression somewhat veiled. She would do whatever her brother commanded, but he could see that she was distressed.
“Lord East Anglia should be here in a few days,” Tevin said with some resignation in his voice. “We must show him all of the support he requires. I do not know what he will demand of me, but we must be ready.”
The knights of his corps merely nodded. They did as they were told. Myles didn’t reply, but he didn’t protest, either. When Tevin dismissed his men to go about their business, Myles was the last man from the room. Tevin called after him.
“I trust that I have your loyalty, de Lohr,” he said quietly. “If not, then you and I have more to discuss.”
Myles’ gaze move from Tevin to Val and back again. After a moment, he shook his head, perhaps understanding more of Tevin’s position than he let on. “You have always had my loyalty, my lord,” he said. “I suppose I fear for Lady Penden’s reaction when she realizes that her husband died in vain. Had we received this news a month ago, there would have been no bridge to retake. Brac would still be with us.”
“Life is full of choices and what could have been,” Tevin replied. “And I would appreciate it if you would not stress that point to the lady. It will do her no good to anguish over something that cannot be changed.”
Myles nodded and left the solar, leaving Tevin and Val sitting alone. Val watched her brother’s tense brow.
“You are displeased,” she said knowingly.
He shrugged. “I am always displeased when Geoff comes around. Surely a more immoral man has never existed.”
“Keep Cantia away from him,” Val said. “He has no control when it comes to women. I am afraid what he will do when he sees her. And I fear what you will do should he touch her.”
His head snapped in her direction, the dark eyes piercing. “What do you mean?”
Val shook her head. “Do not pretend with me, brother. It is of no use. I see how you look at her. I know your thoughts, though I must say that I am surprised. I thought you well beyond any lady’s charms.”
Tevin was fully prepared to protest but thought better of it. Val wasn’t an idiot. And she wasn’t judgmental, either. With a sigh, he sat in the nearest chair, easing his massive body down wearily. He knew he could confide in her and it would go no further. He felt the sudden need to do so.
“I thought myself well beyond that, too, but it seems I was wrong,” he muttered. “I’ve tried to tell myself how wrong it is, how inappropriate my thoughts are, but it does no good. I see the woman and feel myself turn to putty.”
Val smiled sadly. “I know. I’ve seen it.”
“Has anyone else?”
“I doubt it. Your knights are not as intuitive as I am.” Her gaze lingered on him a moment. “Have you told her how you feel?”
He snorted. “Aye, I have.”
“How did she react?”
He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. “It caused her more distress than she needs. The woman is still
grieving over her husband. I have no right to demand her attention.”
Val fell silent a moment, listening to the sounds of the bailey as they drifted in through the lancet window. Then she looked at her brother pointedly. “Does she know everything?”
He looked at her. “About what?”
“About Louisa?”
He abruptly stood up, shaking his head. “There is no need to tell her that.”
“No need?” Val repeated, incredulous. “Tevin, just what do you plan to do with Cantia? Toy with her feelings and then leave her in despair? What exactly are your intentions?”
Tevin, having strolled halfway across the solar, suddenly stopped and looked at his sister. “I…I do not know,” he snapped in frustration. “All I know is that the woman makes me feel something I have never felt before. She has awakened a part of me that I thought was long dead. I cannot go a moment of the day without thinking of her. So you tell me what my intentions are, for truly, I do not know.”
Val wasn’t trying to agitate him, but she needed for him to think clearly. “You are not a man given to whims, Tevin. Make sure that what you feel for the lady is not simply opportunistic. She is a beautiful, grieving widow and you have felt responsible since the day of Brac’s death. Do not confuse passion with pity. You will do more damage to her if you do.”
His features flickered with hurt. “That is a cruel thing to say.”
Val lifted an eyebrow. “Is it? Or is it the truth and you cannot admit it?”
He sighed heavily, wandering over to where she sat. He sat down beside her heavily, his dark eyes dulled with bewilderment. Val put her hand over his.
“It’s not as if you can marry her,” she said softly.
He hung his head, staring at the floor. “It’s strange,” he muttered. “But that fact never bothered me until you just said it. Louisa has been gone so many years now that I do not feel married. I haven’t since the day she ran off.”
Val hated bringing up the old shame, but given Tevin’s train of thought, she had to. “She may very well be alive,” she said. “But then again, she may not. We simply do not know. But you cannot take the chance that she is still alive, somewhere.”
Tevin grunted, still staring at the floor. “The woman is not a part of my life, yet I am married to her.” He lifted his gaze from the ground, staring off across the room. “Until this moment, it never bothered me.”
Val squeezed his hand. “Then you feel something more for Lady Penden than simple pity,” she confirmed. “But whatever it is, you must stop. It is not fair to the lady. She is still young and beautiful and will make some man a fine wife. You cannot let her fall for a man who will never be able to marry her.”
Tevin looked sharply at his sister. She could read the turmoil in the dark eyes and it pulled at her heart. She could already see that he was far gone for the lady. She put her hands on his face.
“Tevin, for her sake, you must stop this,” she whispered. “The death of her husband has already broken her heart. You cannot possibly think to destroy it further.”
He opened his mouth to argue with her, but just as quickly closed it. A sardonic smile creased his lips. “Louisa and I were so young when we married. I never even knew her until the day we said our vows. And after she left… I just forgot about her. I didn’t care. She left Arabel with me and that was all that mattered. Just so long as she did not take my daughter, I did not care where she went. But now… now I have, in the most unexpected of places, found a woman I would give up the entire world for and I cannot have her. The irony of the situation is unfathomable.”
“I know.”
“Nay, you do not. I want her, Val. I cannot stomach living the rest of my life without her.”
“Then it would be only as your mistress, not your wife.”
“She is far too worthy to be a mistress. She comes from a long line of consorts to kings. She deserves more.”
“More than you can give her,” Val said.
His gaze was piercing. “I can give her everything but marriage.”
Val didn’t say any more. She had said her piece and the rest was up to her brother. Mostly, she couldn’t say any more because she could see the pain in his eyes. Whatever he was feeling was consuming him. He needed time to sort it out.
“Well,” she stood up stiffly, favoring her torso. “We can talk about this at another time. I fear you have much on your mind with the approach of Geoff.”
He stood up next to her. “You and Cantia must leave before Geoff gets here. I do not want either of you here with him around.”
Val nodded in agreement. Her cousin could not control himself around women, even a blood relative. “Where shall we go?”
Tevin thought a moment. “Rochester has other holdings, including the fiefdom of Gillingham. I shall ask Lady Penden about it. Perhaps she knows of a place you can go until the storm blows over. In fact, I’ll send Myles with you. I’m not sure he should be here when Geoff arrives, either.”
They moved towards the door of the solar. “Then we should probably start making some manner of preparation,” Val said, not entirely upset by the prospect of going into seclusion with de Lohr.
“I’ll know more after I talk to Lady Penden,” Tevin said. Noting his sister’s expression, he held up his hands in supplication. “I’m simply going to talk to her about Gillingham and nothing more. And stop looking at me like that.”
Val stuck her tongue out at him and made her way to the stairwell that led to the second floor. Tevin stood at the base of the steps, making sure she didn’t falter as she mounted then. When he was sure she was safely on her way to her chamber, he went to seek out Lady Penden. While the knights had gathered in the solar, she had taken her son out into the kitchen yard. He would start looking for her there.
*
Tevin found Cantia far beyond the kitchen walls. Far beyond Rochester’s walls, in fact. It seemed that Hunt wished to chase rabbits and she had followed her son out into the flat, vast plain just to the west of the castle. His momentary annoyance at her leaving the safety of the castle was dashed when he saw her face. She was laughing as her son would run after a rabbit and then trip over himself in his efforts. She was having a marvelous time.
Cantia noticed him approach and she turned to him just as her son fell flat on his face when a rabbit slipped away from him. Before she could speak, Hunt waved and called out.
“My lord,” he picked himself up off the grass. “I am catching rabbiths!”
Tevin gave him a short wave. “I can see that,” he said, turning his focus to the boy’s radiant mother. “Why aren’t you helping him?”
She smiled. “Because he and the rabbit are much faster than I am.” She watched him snort. “Is there something I can do for you, my lord?”
Tevin’s dark gaze lingered over the topography before settling on her. “I need to speak with you when you are free of rabbits,” he said. “Something has come up and I require your assistance.”
“Oh?” she cocked her head, shading her eyes from the sun overhead. “Is it serious?”
He nodded faintly. “It could be. My cousin, the Earl of East Anglia, is coming to Rochester.”
Her eyes widened. “How marvelous,” she said. “When is he due? I must make all necessary preparations for the.…”
He cut her off. “’Tis not a grand occasion, I assure you.” Hunt was off after another rabbit and Tevin lowered his voice as he watched the lad leap over the tall grass. “I do not want you or your son here when my cousin arrives. I would ask your advice on where to send the two of you for the duration of his visit.”
She gazed at him a long moment before lowering her hand from her face. She seemed to lose her good spirits. “Of course,” her voice was strangely cold. “We would not want to be underfoot. We will certainly go away for the duration of the earl’s visit if that is your wish.”
He sensed that perhaps she had taken his meaning wrong. “Cantia,” he said gently. “It is not that I wish you
to go away. It is a necessity. My cousin is, shall we say, a less than scrupulous man. I am even sending Val with you because I do not trust him where women are concerned. Especially around you.”
Her momentary offense at what she thought he had been trying to tell her vanished with his quiet explanation. She should have known better.
“Why especially around me?” she asked.
Tevin’s dark eyes glimmered warmly at her. “Because you are the most beautiful woman in England, if not the world, and my cousin would not be blind to that. He might very well try to make you another one of his conquests and I would not stand for that.”
She gazed up at him, her lavender eyes luminous. A hint of pink crept into her cheeks. “You wouldn’t?”
He frowned. “I do not wish to commit murder, which is exactly what would happen were he to so much as look in your direction. You are not a woman to be trifled with.”
She lowered her gaze, humbled with his words. Or so he thought. As Tevin watched, she slowly reached out and took his fingers in her small, warm hand.
“How fortunate I am to have a protector such as you, my lord.”
He gripped her hand strongly, bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss. “In private you will call me Tevin,” he rumbled. “And I will protect you, always.”
Cantia felt the heat from his kiss course down her arm like a river of fire. She remembered the kiss in the church, the force of his passion, and it made her knees weak.
“Because it is your duty?” she asked breathlessly.
He shook his head. “Because I want to.”
She smiled at him, a dazzling gesture that sent bolts of exhilaration pulsing through Tevin’s big body. He kissed her hand again, forgetting about the boy chasing rabbits or the fortress behind him. There could have been eyes watching them at that moment and he could have cared less. All he cared about was that beautiful face.
“God, I wish I could kiss you again as I did at the cathedral,” he admitted, his mouth against her fingers.
She put her hand on his head as he bent over her hand, feeling the soft copper tendrils beneath her fingers. “As do I,” she whispered. “Yet I suspect this is not the place for it. But at least there are no candles.”
Masters of Medieval Romance: Series Starters Volume 1 Page 51
