A Knight for Love (36 page)

“Aye, but I thought you spoke out of relief.” His voice
shook.

“Of course not, and I will gladly tell you again and again
– you have my love, my lord husband, you’ve had it since the day we wed.”

This time she lifted his hands to her lips to kiss them. “But pride held my tongue. I wanted my husband to marry me for love, indeed had spurned many for that ideal. But when the king ordered us to marry, it became a union of convenience, the very thing I loathed. What made it worse is to realize on that
very day that I loved you but you didn’t feel the same.” 

Warin gently pulled his hands free to cup her face with them before he spoke. “
Aye, the king bade us wed – I couldn’t refuse him. But it’s also true I harbored thoughts of taking you to wife but how could I offer for your hand? I had nothing.” He kissed her lightly before continuing.

“You were so beautiful that day of the joust,” he continued, looking deep into her eyes. “I pretended you were mine and those dreams gave me strength. Then you gave me your ribbon and I wore it gladly. I wanted you to be proud of me and I would have fought a hundred opponents more to have your regard.” He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. “I wanted to wash away the sadness in your eyes and thought bringing you home would be enough. Then I saw Caperun Keep and my heart sank for I knew then beyond all doubt that you were not of my station.
I was prepared to leave you but Philippa’s actions gave me an excuse to stay, to fight for you, to earn your love.”

He closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head as if he could clear his thoughts. When he looked at her again, his eyes were reddened. “
Then
you were taken and I thought I’d lost you. But I had the chance to save you and that’s when I knew the fates smiled on us. That was one task I knew I wouldn’t fail for I wanted to tell you how I felt and nothing would deny me that opportunity.” He blinked several times as if fighting tears before smiling at her, a long, lazy smile that snatched away her breath and set her knees to trembling.

“
You are my knight for love.” She dashed away the tears that had run unhindered down her cheeks at his words. “I never thought to hear those words from you. Truly, my heart is full.”

“And mine.”

Just then her stomach rumbled. “But not my stomach,” she said ruefully.

Laughter burst from him at the unladylike sound.

“Excuse me,” she mumbled, mortified that her stomach would interrupt such a tender moment.

He brought her the trencher. “Eat,” he commanded,
eyes bright with joy. “You must build up your strength for later.”

“Why, what is to happen later?” Her brows furrowed in puzzlement.

“You will see.”

And later, when he carried her to the bed, she could indeed see what she needed her strength for.

Chapter
Twenty-Four

Seven months later

“Two sons,” Emma remarked to no one in particular as she stood in the kitchen a few weeks after the birth. “Twins are indeed a sign of good fortune.”

The past days had been busy,
she mused, and most challenging of all had been trying to find a wet nurse. The robust newborns demanded feeding at frequent intervals and as much as Alyna had tried, she couldn’t satisfy them both.

“
Aye, good fortune,” Bennet said as he entered.

“Bennet!” Emma dropped what she was doing and turned around to face him, arms akimbo. “You scared me witless!”

“Hmm, ‘twould seem to be a fairly easy thing to do,” he teased.

“Ever the knave,” she scolded him, scowling in mock indignation. But try as she might, she couldn’t keep the frown in place.
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

“Aye,” Bennet agreed. “Good fortune smiles on Lord Warin and his lady.”

The two stood there for a moment, grinning at each other. Bennet’s gaze grew bold, however, and Emma turned her face away.

“Enough,” Emma
squeaked, flustered at Bennet’s regard. “I must attend to Alyna. She needs to eat.” Her cheeks burned. What was he about, a knight ogling a serving wench.

“Let me help,” he offered, reaching over to take the trencher
laden with smoked fish.

“Nay, it
’s not seemly for a fine lord to help a kitchen maid.” She slapped at his hand.

“I
’m no fine lord.” Bennet quickly denied her words.

“Oho?” Emma
slanted her head to look at him. “Lady Alyna tells me Faulkenburg is a fine castle. You’ve done well to be given stewardship over it.”

“And stewardship it is, Emma, for the king granted those lands to Warin. I merely do as
he bids.” Bennet remained silent for a moment then the familiar smile lit up his eyes. “It’ll be a fine home for one of the boys one day.”

“Aye,” Emma agreed. “Have you seen them yet?”

“Nay.” Bennet shook his head. “They were above stairs with their mother when I passed through the great hall.”

“The hall has been full of visitors – no wonder Lady Alyna is fatigued.” This time Emma’s frown was genuine. “She needs her rest for the birth wasn
’t easy for her.”

“Enough!” Bennet backed away, hands held up in front of him. “Enough women’s talk.”

“What? Oh, aye.” Emma took pity on him. “Speaking of women’s talk, why are you here? The kitchen is for woman’s work.” She waved her hand towards Hilda, scrubbing the table, and Beatrice, mixing dough.

“Lord Warin bade me find you for he worries over his wife.”

“A more doting husband I have yet to see,” Emma replied. “By his concern, one would think Alyna is the only woman to have given birth.”

“
He’s determined in whatever he does – and that includes protecting his family.”

“Well, then,
it’s best not to keep the lord waiting.” She grabbed the trencher and pointed with her elbow. “If you want to help, bring the jug of goat’s milk from the table.” She started towards the door.

“Emma, wait.”

The earnest tone in Bennet’s voice stopped Emma dead in her tracks. Slowly she turned around. Her cheeks flushed again at Bennet’s admiring appraisal of her and she held the trencher close to her as if a shield.

“Aye?” Her voice quavered. This was not the Bennet she knew, the one who joked easily and always had a smile on his face. This Bennet was serious, with something of great import on his mind.

“Come with me to Faulkenburg,” he blurted. “I’ve spoken to Lord Warin about it and he is in agreement. I need a wife. And Faulkenburg needs a chatelaine.”

“Me?” Emma gaped. The trencher trembled in her hands.

“Aye, Emma, you. Your father’s a free man. I’m not of the noble class and can choose of my own free will. And if you say me aye,” he took the trencher from her and slapped it on a side table before getting down on one knee before her, “I’ll speak to your father.”

“How can I leave Alyna?”

“Gerard and Fordwin have gone to France to fetch Ada. Lady Alyna has no need of two nurse maids.”

Emma looked at the dear face turne
d up to her, brown eyes earnest. “I say aye, then. Now hand me the trencher. Ada’s not here yet and Lady Alyna is hungry.”

Bennet burst out laughing. “I can only wish you will serve me as well.”

*****

Alyna heard the commotion in the bailey and knew Bennet had arrived. She dressed carefully, donning the silken chemise, ermine trimmed kirtle and peacock blue tunic.
Although snug over the breasts, the tunic fit her well enough and she wanted to look her best. Bennet was to be godfather and now that he was here, the christening could proceed without delay.

She picked up her sons and, one in each arm,
picked her way downstairs. A cradle stood ready beside her chair beside the fireplace in the great hall and she placed them in it.

Her sons. Warin’s sons. Their sons.

The enormity of it all amazed her still. Tenderly she touched first one downy little head, then the other before leaning over to inhale their baby scent. Then she seated herself and picked up her mending. Without thinking, she stretched her foot over to rock the cradle and in no time the two babes fell fast asleep.

Warin entered the room and made his way over to her.

“Good morrow
.” She glanced at him as he sat down. “See, your sons sleep soundly.”

“Our sons,” he corrected her gently,
bending over to brush a kiss against her forehead. “And ‘tis good they sleep now, for I swear they lie awake at night to torment us.”

She giggled. “It is only what babies do – soon enough they will sleep through the night and will bother us no more.”

“
Aye, not with that but I foresee sleepless nights for other reasons. The two together are bound to be mischievous,” he predicted, gazing at his sons fondly.

Alyna’s heart swelled at the sight. Warin’s face no longer carried that creased and haunted look. Instead, a smile always lurked on the corners of his lips and laughter brightened his eyes.

The arrival of Bennet and Emma interru
pted them and Alyna placed her mending back into the basket. She knew immediately Bennet had declared himself for Emma walked as if in a daze, sheer happiness igniting her brilliant blue eyes.

Emma stopped in front of them and curtsied to Warin
while Bennet hung back, chest puffed with pride.

“Bennet tells me you have given us approval to wed.” At Warin’s nod, she continued. “I thank you and I vow I will be the best chatelaine Faulkenburg has ever had.”

“Be that as it may,” Warin shrugged, mouth pursed in mock severity. “But I fear it would be better for you to be the best wife Bennet ever had.” He waggled a finger at her.

“The two go hand in hand,” Bennet interjected
, grabbing Emma’s hand and pulling her close. A blushing Emma tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let her, instead wrapping his arm around her waist to hold her fast.

Emma rolled her eyes, mouth twisted in a wry moue. “Knave.” She tried to pull away again, gave up, and looked over to Alyna.
“Did you know of Bennet’s desire and not tell me?”

“Aye, I knew. I didn
’t tell you for I had no wish to spoil Bennet’s moment.” The dear man deserved every happiness and in the capable hands of both him and Emma, Faulkenburg would be well looked after.

“How are they called
.” Bennet finally released Emma and peered into the cradle.

“Hugh and Colin, for our fathers,”
Alyna replied proudly.

“Is there any word on Philippa?” Warin asked Bennet. “That one has disappeared.”

“I cannot be certain.” Bennet straightened up. “But there is talk of a mad crone who lives by herself in a hovel deep in the forest. I suspect it’s her.”

“I
’ve heard the talk too.” Warin nodded. “I thought it might be her but I wanted to hear from you if you suspected the same.”

“What?” Alyna exclaimed. “You had knowledge of Philippa and didn
’t tell me?”

“I wasn
’t certain it was Philippa.” Warin’s face was grave. “Forgive me, I didn’t want to upset you so close to your time.”

“A hut in the forest, quite a change for one who fancied herself lady of the manor,” she reflected.
She leaned over the cradle and rearranged the blankets, then set the cradle to rocking again.

“Aye
, but all she deserves,” Emma commented.

“
Do you think she’ll come here?” Bennet mused. “If I were you, I would welcome the opportunity to deny her entrance.”

“Nay, to be mistress of the forest is more to her liking than to be beholden to me
,” Alyna assured him. “I’m lady of the manor now and her foul ways cannot hurt me.”

“Aye,” Warin agreed. He reached over and placed his hand over hers. “And our love for each other is a force she cannot bend to her will.”

“Aye, our love is strong,” she whispered, catching Warin’s gaze upon her.

The depths of his eyes snared her, drawing her in and holding her fast. The fire’s crackle, Emma’s giggles, the creak of the cradle, all faded away until only deep desire for her husband filled her being.
Desire twined with love – ‘twas a wondrous sensation.

A wondrous sensation
that, she was sure, would fill them both the rest of their days.

THE END

Author’s Note

I find that doing research gives me story ideas. For example, it wasn’t unusual for women to follow their men to the Crusades, like Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of King Louis VII, and Queen Margaret, wife of Louis IX. Also, I try to use real people when I can, in this case, King Henry III, who reigned for 56 years, one of the longest serving monarchs in English history. England prospered under his reign, and his greatest legacy was Westminster. Henry’s wife, Eleanor of Provence, was the sister of Margaret of Provence, wife of Louis IX.