Arrow To The Heart (De Bron Saga) (20 page)

Chapter Nineteen

The sun peeking o'er the horizon and the cock crowing in the yard gave  proof that Rowena had arrived back at the manor at a dangerous time of day.  Scurrying up the vine she hastily dodged through the window, only feeling truly safe when she had reached the safety of the guest chamber.  Since she had relinquished her own room and housed herself in the chamber adjoining hers, Rowena had found another means of exiting and entering the manor by way of the window.   Tearing off her lad's garments, she retrieved her woman’s clothing.  Then and only then did she give vent to her good humor.

"
Oh, what an adventure ," she breathed.  To think that she had helped the infamous Little John escape from the prince's men, then had ridden to Canterbury.

Standing in all her naked glory, her hands clasped around her body she relished her
success like the finest of wines.  Surely it had gone to her head.  If she was filthy now, looking more like some stable boy than the lady of the house, well that was the price that had to be paid.  She wouldn't have traded one moment of her life up to now.  Not a minute!

Walking on tiptoe to the doorway she peered out behind the crack and called loudly for Maida to bring her water for her bath
so that she could bathe and then get dressed.  The young woman responded quickly, eyeing her up and down as if to wonder how a lady could get so dirty.  Well, that would be Rowena's little secret, she thought with a toss of her head.

"Your bath, my
lady
."

Stepping into the tub
, Rowena found it to be tepid.  Even so she leaned back and closed her eyes, once again reliving the fight in the tavern.  Little John had complimented her, saying she had courage and skill.  He had asked her to join with Robin Hood and himself.  She wondered what Kendrick de Bron would think of that!

"Ha, it is Robin who should join with me," she breathed. 
I’m the one who stood face to face with the archbishop and not he.” She felt outrageously bold.  Lathering her body with the scented soap she had bidden Maida to buy for her at the fair, Rowena gave in to all her young dreams.  She would perchance travel across the channel some day seeking adventure in a far away land, or mayhap she would go on the crusades.  At the moment nothing seemed impossible.

And Kendrick de Bron?

Unbidden his brown eyes came to her mind.  She could almost feel again the gentleness of his hand as it had gone searching, caressing.  Sighing she felt a tingling between her legs, a longing.  Though the water was cool she suddenly felt hot, uncomfortable.

"BiGod!"  Quickly she sprang from the tub, nearly overturning it in her hurry.  She would not allow herself to be attracted to the bold rogue.  'T
was folly to so dream of him.  There would never be anything between them.  Never.  Rowena was unsure of her newfound woman's feelings and apprehensive of giving her affections, thus she forced herself to feel anger. “Perhaps he is not the villain I first perceived, but…..”

"My lady!"  Thinking there was something wrong with the water, Maida tested it, giving Rowena a puzzled look.

“The water was not overwarm, nor too cold.  It is just that I am troubled….” Rowena covered herself with the linen Maida held forth.

“Because of your future husband’s wounds
” Maida could not hide her envy as she spoke about de Bron. It showed plainly on her face.

“Aye.” For just a mom
ent a twinge of fear pricked Rowena.  Although Kendrick had been healing well and gaining back his strength when she had left, injuries could take a turn for the worst.  “Has Gwyneth….is he….?

“
He is growing stronger by the day.”  Maida smiled.  “Gwyneth has watched over him nearly as diligently as she has always watched over you.”

“Then…then he is well?” Rowena didn’t want to sound too concerned
and give her true feelings away to Maida.

“He’ll be just like he was before in no time
.”

“As he was before.”  Remembering their spats as she
dried her damp body with the  linen, Rowena felt a  twinge of resentment.

“Your father has been quite concerned about his future
son-in-law,” Maida said matter-of-factly. “He has hovered over him nearly as much as Gwyneth, although he has not let de Bron know of his vigil.”

“Father has watched over him?” And had no doubt noticed her absence. Rowena wondered if there was any excuse she could give that would soothe her father’s ire.

“Perhaps he was afraid that de Bron would die before the wedding.” Maida shrugged. “But he didn’t and he won’t. He is too strong and too stubborn.”

“Stubborn.” Rowena repeated. “But perhaps not as stubborn as I.” Suddenly  she felt the need to confide in someone.
"Oh, Maida, what shall I do?  How can a woman armor her heart?"

Maida smiled knowingly.  "There is not metal strong enough to shield cupid's arrows."

"It would seem so."  But loving was a weakness, one that she was determined to fight against. 

"
But with a future husband as handsome as my lord de Bron, I would think you would not want a shield. I would think you would welcome his….
sword
” Maida’s meaning was obvious.

Rowena felt something akin to fear as she asked, “What is it like?”

Maida, sensing her feelings and sparked by more than a bit of  jealousy said, “Ah, to be honest, it can often be painful.”

“It.” Rowena wondered why then Maida was so frequently partaking of such “painful folly”. But that was another matter entirely. Future husband indeed! Despite de Bron’s redemption in her eyes, the very idea was infuriating. Two men had callously decided on her future without consulting her at all. “Marriage. Fie!”

As she hurried to dress, she thought long and hard about it all.  Marriage was of a certainty something she wanted to avoid.  Rowena had always been able to manage her father quite well. She had a great deal of freedom. With marriage that all would end. A wife's life was a nightmare. She must get up early and say her prayers.  She must dress suitably, without too much showing, taking care that her underdress did not ride up at her neck nor that her hair escape from her wimple.  When she went out she had to be accompanied by her housekeeper or some other bothersome companion.  She must walk with lowered eyes and speak to no one on the street.  Worst of all to her husband she must be loving,
humble and obedient
.

"Obedient and humble, ha!"  Rowena kne
w that to be an impossibility. She had enjoyed freedom too long.

Rowena shuddered at the thought that a husband could beat his wife with full acknowledgement of the law and the church.  Was she not his property?  Then
, when a woman was worn out from childbearing and wrinkled with age, the man suddenly in his doddering years found a younger woman to ease his urges, setting his poor wife aside for a mistress. Yet for a woman to do the same was enough for her to be put to death for adultery.  Rowena's anger was as much for these poor hapless creatures as for herself.

Were she to marry Kendrick de Bron
, her late night excursions would be ended forever.  No longer would she be carefree.  A wife's life was filled with drudgery.  Managing the garden, the servants, the steward, the housekeeper, so that her husband's manor was suitable for his tastes.  Housework began early.  All rooms had to be swept, stools and benches dusted, cushions shaken into place.  Grease spots had to be removed.  The kitchen kept clean.  Proper dinners prepared--like blankmonger.  Rowena stifled a laugh. Marry de Bron.  Never!  She would see to his health, get him back on his feet then, before this traitorous heart of hers succumbed to his manly touch, she would see him gone. 

Nevertheless she could hardly wait to look in on him. Opening the door, she stood for a long while looking down at the man on the bed. Strange how boyish he looked with his eyes closed. Almost innocent. But then she knew better. Her gaze wandered over him, capturing the memory of his muscular strength nestling close in her arms.

“Rowena….!” Murmuring her name he flung out a possessive hand, reaching for her.

“Oh, God!” Her insides turned to mush.

“You’re back!”

“Of course I am. Did you fear otherwise?”

“I did.” Lord, how pretty she was. Even twice as lovely as she had been in his dream. Sighing, he remembered.

“The archbishop is going to put a tax on the land, among other things, to raise the money for the ransom.” Proudly lifting her chin she related to him quickly all about her hasty journey to
Canterbury, omitting of course most of the details lest she give herself away.

All the while she spoke, he looked at her. He could nearly
imagine it in his mind’s eye, that is until his thoughts turned to what she was wearing, a white gown and blue kirtle that were tighter than what she usually wore. He could fully appreciate the outline of her body. Her waist was small. He could span it with his hands, and her breasts….. Remembering his dream the hot ache of desire sparked within him.

“From the first moment I laid eyes on you, sitting beside me at Prince John’s table, I’ve wanted you,” he blurted out.

Wanted……?” As she stared into his eyes, Rowena’s heart began to hammer. She read desire and something more frightening. Possessiveness? “I will not marry you,” she blurted out. “No matter what my father might have promised.”

Once her attitude might have angered him but Kendrick was growing used to Rowena Fitz Hugh being contrite. “We’ll see,” was all he said.

“Indeed we will.” Or at least that was what she thought, not counting on her father’s stubbornness, nor the events that threatened the household. Upon answering her father's summons, Rowena learned that all had not been peaceful while she had been gone.

“Where were you, daughter?” When she did not answer, he simply shrugged, not in the mood for an argument.
"Prince John's men were here again," he informed her.

"Looking for de Bron."

He nodded.  "I insisted that we had not set eye upon our neighbor in quite some time.”

“Is de Bron in trouble?” Strange how the very thought pricked her sense of protectiveness towards him despite her insistence  that she did not care.

“They did not say.” Taking her hand, Sir William furled his brows. “But I have been summoned to John’s castle.”

"
You. Why?"  The possibilities were chilling.  Could it be that the Prince knew what she had done?  Was her father to be the victim of her rash boldness.  Or was the "invitation" merely to be a social call?

"I do not know the why or wherefore, child, but I do know this!  I have been afraid to speak out on Richard's behalf, have been a coward at times but I know now where my loyalties lie.  God bless Richard and God bless de Bron
for his bravery."  It was then that he explained his change of heart.  Maid Marion had finally been cornered and taken prisoner on her own estate of Huntington.  She was to live at the castle as the Prince's legal ward, a move obviously intended to silence her outbursts while at the same time placing her wealth in John's own coffers.

"The Prince is a scoundrel."  Was there nothing too low for him to do?

"Aye, he is that."  A pounding at the door announcing the Prince's men-at-arms silenced him.  "Ah, Rowena, so much happiness you have given me."

"Father."  She was chilled by his tone.  He sounded as if he were saying goodbye.

"My only peace of mind will come in knowing that I have left you in good hands."

"Good hands?"

"Kendrick de Bron's. I have made your betrothal to him official with the priest just in case--"

"You what!"  It didn't make sense.  De Bron was a wanted man, out of favor with the Prince.  "Father, what possessed you to do such a thing?  De Bron is now viewed as the Prince's enemy and....."

Sir William shook his head.  "I will see to it that by what I say he is cleared."  He kissed her on the top of the head.  "Be happy, Rowena. I want that more than anything else in the world."

"Father......"  The loud banging at the door made her cringe.

"I'm an old man.  The best years of my life are behind me. But you……"

Oh, dear God, she suddenly knew what her father was doing.  He was going to sacrifice himself for her happiness, perhaps even confess to an evil he did not commit in an effort to clear Kendrick de Bron's name and make certain she would be safe.   No.  She would not allow it.
"You have not done a thing.  'T was I!"  She started to make a confession about her late night rides but there was no time. The door nearly splintered as the guards called out Sir William's name.  Then he was gone.

If ever an injury had been untimely, Kendrick de Bron knew his wounds to be so now.  William Fitz Hugh had been forcefully removed from his own manor and that seemed to be but the beginning.  A man would have had to be a fool not to realize that the manor was being watched.  The roaming men-at-arms might pounce at any minute. He felt of a certainty that Rowena's freedom, perhaps even her life, was in jeopardy but what could he do?  Fight for her?  Hardly. Though he was steadily recovering, he was not yet strong enough to fight  a puppy.  So much for saving his lady love then.