Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 01 (31 page)

Laughing at Albin’s griping, Fulke acknowledged with a
nod.

About to reach the door, Guy called out, “Where are
you off to with such haste, Gervase?”

His hand on the latch, he kept his face averted from
Reina. “I just received an additional boone to entice the ladies.”

Talan’s brows shot into his hairline. “Were you not a
fortnight ago swearing off all court women?”

Gervase shrugged. “I intend to set my sights higher
now that I have something to offer.”

“Tell me you are not wasting more of your time on,
Lady Adorlee,” Guy implored.

“A lady rejected Gervase?” Talan asked in disbelief.

“Aye,” Gervase pouted, “the most beautiful woman I
have ever laid eyes on.”

“She sounds very wise,” Talan replied with a grin.

“I have yet to fail when it comes to a woman, Talan.
Do not count me out just yet.” Wriggling his eyebrows, he left laughing.

Talan stood staring at the closed door with his mouth
open, slowly shaking his head.

Guy came up beside him. “I have a feeling one day
Gervase is going to regret his daring ways.”

“If he can keep his mouth shut long enough to do it,”
Talan quipped.
 
Laughing, they stepped
into the passage.

Albin followed, mumbling about responsibilities,
already pining for his carefree days on the battlefield.

Fulke held up a hand to Warin. “Hold back a moment,
lad.”
 

Retrieving his sword, he presented it to a surprised
Warin “You may not have a need for my land, but every knight needs a fine
sword.”

Reverently taking the sword, Warin breathed, “This is
your sword, my liege.”

“I have a few spares tucked away at Castell Maen.
Before we depart, I shall make use of Henry’s armory in case a need presents
itself.”
 
He placed a hand on Warin’s
shoulder. “May it protect you as well as it has protected me.”

“Thank you, my liege.” Stepping to give Reina a quick
kiss on the cheek, he excused himself. “Osbert will never believe it!”

“Fulke called after him, “Oh, Warin?”

He paused to turn back. “Aye, my liege?”

“I heard meeting King Henry was something you would
like to do. If you still wish it, I shall see if I can arrange it.”

“With all due respect, my liege, it is no longer
something I wish to do,” he responded softly.

Fulke reached for Reina. “So be it, lad.”

Once they were alone, Reina wrapped her arms around
his waist.
“Have I ever told you that you are the best gift
any woman could ever receive, my lord?”

He leaned down to capture her lips. “No my lady, but
you show me every day.”

* * * *

Reina woke in the dawn’s early light to Fulke’s
questing hand, caressing her breast. Lying on her side, she leaned back against
him as he raised his head to kiss her neck.

Caressing her with his fingertips, he nudged her
thighs apart. When she opened to him, he parted her soft folds to stroke the
nub of her desire. He entered her with his fingers as she turned her head for
his kiss. Gasping against his lips, he entered her from behind with one sure
thrust.

His tongue keeping time to his strokes, he cupped her
breast, teasing her nipples. Running his hand along the length of her side, he
once again found the nub of her core. Working his fingers in circular motions,
she gasped, bucking against with the force of her orgasm.

Lifting her leg around him, he followed her down,
capturing her lips as he drove into her. With her arms around him, she slipped
her hand between their joined bodies.
 
Throwing his head back, Fulke roared his release when she gently
squeezed the base of his shaft.

He collapsed on his side facing her. Gazing tenderly
into her eyes, his unspoken words spoke volumes.

A smile of contentment parting her lips, she leaned in
for his kiss as he pulled the coverlet tight about her.

Caressing her cheek with his fingertips, he gazed at
her until she fell back asleep.
 

He shifted to rise to answer the loud rapping on the door.
 
Opening her eyes, he bent to kiss her. “Stay
in bed love, someone is at the door.”

She peered through the curtains as he shrugged into a
dressing gown.
 
Speaking briefly to a
messenger, he returned to sweep the curtains back, holding a small wooden box.
“We are free to go home.” Pulling her into a fierce hug, he said, “I have
already sent for Albin.” Handing her the box, he smiled. “The king has sent a
parting gift for whom he hopes is our son.”

Accepting the box, she opened it. Nestled on a bed of
bright plum velvet rested a silver cup. Absently setting it aside, she wrapped
her arms around him.
“Can we truly go home,
Fulke?”

Amazed to have found the only woman in all of England
who could look at a gift from the king with indifference, he lightly ran a
finger down her nose.
 
“As soon as we
share a bath, my lady.”
 

Reaching up for his kiss, she smiled.
 

* * * *

Eyeing footmen struggle beneath the weight of chests
being loaded on the cart, Albin came to stand beside Fulke. “Having second
thoughts about the additional revenue, my liege?”

Fulke clapped him on the shoulder. “I have no
intention of letting you off that easy, my friend.”

With an exaggerated sigh, Albin went to retrieve his
horse.

Mounted, they waited on Gervase.
 
Dawdling with his saddlebag, Guy became
impatient. “By your leave, milord,” he called sarcastically.

“I cannot keep the ladies from drawing out their
farewells, Guy,” he replied boastfully, returning to his task.

Smirking, Guy shared a glance with Albin.

“Gervase, is that not Lady Peronell coming this way?”
Albin called.

Gervase was up, mounted and heading in the direction
of Castell Maen before the rest of the laughing men could rein their horses
around to follow.

Fulke leaned down to Reina. “Are you ready to go home,
my love?”

With shining eyes, she wrapped her arms tightly around
him.
“It seems I have waited forever for this moment, my
lord.”

“Did I not vow it to you?” he asked softly.

“I never doubted it, I simply
grew impatient for it to happen.”

Laughing, he bent down to kiss her.
 

* * * *

Near dusk, they stopped at a hostelrie less than a
day’s journey from Castell Maen.

The weary party ordered a large meal to be set before
the fire.
 
Without the burden of worry
hanging over their heads, they ate, drank and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Guy was mumbling to himself, before he stood to face
Fulke. “I have composed a sonnet, my liege. With your permission?”

“We await with anticipation, lad,” Fulke replied with
a quirked lip.

Standing, he looked solemnly at each one around the
table, before reciting...

There
once was a lonely lad

From a
faraway coast

He had
no name, no friends,

No
family to boast

One day
a giant appeared

With a
stout burly knight

Willing
to instruct the lad

All
that was wrong, from right

Taking
a chance to gain the

Knights’
trust

The lad
left his home

To
learn what was just

He
found companions of his

Own
along the way

His
liege found a Lady

To save
more than the day

The lad
grew to a man

With
love to share

His
newfound family

Had
taught him to care

Bowing his head to Reina, he regained his seat.

With tears in her eyes, she glanced at Fulke before
standing to make her way around the table to Guy. When he stood, she wrapped
her arms around him.

Flushing red, Guy eased away from her. “It pleases me
that you liked it, my lady.”

They were silent as Reina regained her seat.

Albin broke the solemn moment.
 
Turning to Guy, he quirked a brow.
 
“Who were you calling stout and burly?”

Glad to change the topic, Guy quipped, “Since our
liege is tall and lean, I shall give you a guess, or two.”

Chuckles circled the table as Fulke held up his mug.
“To family,” he called.

Raising their mugs, the rest seconded, “To family.”

After supper, Reina watched with joy and not a little
amusement as Fulke began to match his men drink for drink.
 

It grew late when he saw her suppress a yawn. “My lady
needs her rest,” he slurred loudly.
 
Staggering to his feet, he would have fallen had she not leaned against
him to keep him upright.

Glancing at Warin’s drunken grin, she moved on to
capture Talan’s eye. With an exaggerated dip in her direction, he staggered
around the table.

He attempted a bow when she reached out a hand to stop
him.
“Please just help me get him up the steps, Talan.”

Not one to shirk his duty, he bowed low, grinning in
triumph when he slowly straightened. “Aye, my lady.”
 
Lurching sideways, he shouted across the
table, “Warin, come lend assist!”

With Fulke between them, they tottered up the steps as
Reina followed.

Depositing their burden on the edge of the bed, Talan
leaned heavily against Warin as they bounced off the walls on their way back
down the steps.
  

“You and me think alike, my lady,” Fulke slurred as
she bent to remove his boots.
 
Pulling
her to him, he started placing sloppy kisses down the side of her face and
throat.

She eased away with a smile.
“Perhaps in
the morn when you can find my lips, my love.”

“I have never lost them, my lady,” he leered.

Unstrapping
 
his
leather bawdryk, she struggled to lift his broadsword.
 
Taking the heavy weapon from her with one
hand, Fulke placed it alongside his knife on the floor.
 
“Come to bed, Reina,” he pleaded.

Avoiding his questing hands, she finished undressing
him.
 
Seeing his state of arousal, she
reached past him to pull the blanket back.
 
“I shall join you in a moment, my lord.”

He propped himself on pillows with a slurred, “I shall
be waiting, my lady.”

Reina removed the pins holding her veil in place,
after stripping to her chemise.
 
Expecting to find Fulke fast asleep, she moved to blow out the candle
and found him staring at her. “I need to lose myself within you, Reina.”

She held his gaze as she let the chemise slide from
her shoulders. Climbing onto the bed, she straddled him.
“You are my
very heart, Fulke.”
Leaning down she kissed him.
“Let us get lost together.”

Claiming her lips in a possessive kiss, he rolled her
beneath him, slowly sliding into her welcoming warmth. Kissing her, he drove
into her until she was trembling against him with the force of her climax.

Unable to hold back any longer, he bellowed, “I love
you, Reina!” spending himself within her.

Still joined, he rolled to his side. They drifted off
to sleep gazing into each other’s eyes.

* * * *

The men sitting below grew quiet when they heard
Fulke’s roar. Talan set his mug down with a small smile as Guy picked his up
with a wistful one. Osbert glanced astounded at a blushing Warin as Albin
chuckled.

Gervase sat staring at the ceiling with a perplexed
look, drawing the attention of all.

Guy set his mug down with a muttered, “I know I am
going to regret this.” Turning in his chair, he asked, “What is it, Gervase?”

Glancing at Guy, he asked drunkenly, “Do you think
Fulke is so well into his cups, he forgot the lady cannot hear?”

Albin spewed ale across the table and began choking as
Warin thumped him hard on the back laughing.

Talan glanced over at Guy, waiting for him to cuff the
foolish knight. Catching his gaze, he absently picked up his ale. “What is the
point Talan?” Lifting his mug, Guy drained it.

“The point is,” Talan, slurred as he reached over to
cuff Gervase, “Sooner or later, we will knock some sense into him.”

* * * *

Crossing onto Castell Maen land, Fulke sent Warin and
Osbert ahead with instructions to have water heated.
 
Struggling against deep snowdrifts and
freezing temperatures it had been a long journey home.

The men grew lighthearted the closer they rode to the
castle.
 

Snuggled in the folds of Fulke’s cloak, Reina looked
up at the snow-laden clouds. Closing her eyes, she sent up a heartfelt prayer
of thanks.

They were home.

Nearing the castle, she spotted Hylda standing on the
ramparts with Rowan’s arm resting on her shoulders.

Fulke kissed her brow to get her attention. “It
appears that we need not have worried overmuch for Hylda, my love.”

“It would appear not, my lord,”
she replied with a smile, overjoyed Hylda had found someone.
 

In the courtyard, Warin waited to assist her. Before
her feet touched the ground, Hylda reached to embrace her.

“Saints be praised,” she stepped back with wide eyes.
“My Reina is to be a mother.” Gathering her in her arms, she embraced her again
with more care.

Turning to Fulke, she surprised everyone by launching
herself at him. Wrapping her arms around his lean waist, she stepped back with
tears in her eyes. “I never doubted you would return with her, your lordship.”

With an affectionate smile, he replied, “I would never
have dared disappoint you, Hylda.” Glancing over at Rowan, he teased, “It
appears you have made amends with my castellan during our absence.”

“My dealings are my own, your lordship,” Hylda
sniffed.

Fulke laughed. “Truth be told, I missed that sharp wit
of yours, Hylda.”

Wiping tears of relief from her cheeks, Hylda said
softly, “Welcome home, your lordship.”

* * * *

Winter slowly gave way to spring. As the vibrant
flowers bloomed, so did Reina. One beautiful sunny day, Fulke lay propped on
his elbows beside her in a glade of wildflowers.

Listening to the droning of bees, the birds chirping,
and the wind rustling through the trees, he imagined what life would be like
without them.

Astonished Reina could find so much beauty in a silent
world, he stared down at her in complete awe. Caressing the line of her throat
with his fingertip, he had never before known such peace.

Watching a pair of gold and black butterflies flutter
on a current of air above her, she shifted her eyes to him.
 

 
“You astound
me,” he said humbly, “I cannot imagine what it is like for you, not to hear the
slightest sound.”

She caressed his cheek.
“I do the
best with what God has given me.”
Pulling him down for a kiss, she
smiled,
“Besides, he sent me you to make up for it.”

* * * *

As spring gave way to the heat of summer, Reina’s
movements became sluggish. Her lower back began to ache and she could no longer
make the long walk to the village without becoming fatigued.
 
To the relief of all, she eventually stopped
going altogether.
 

Nearing her time, Fulke remained close to Castell
Maen.
 
Albin seemed both eager and
hesitant when asked to go to Rochester in Fulke’s stead.

By way of messenger, Fulke learned Henry was calling
for a progress report on the tower.
 
Finding Albin in the courtyard, he said, “The king’s messenger will
arrive in Rochester within days.”

“I shall depart on the morrow.” He looked sideways at
Fulke. “With your permission, I shall ask Talan to go along.”

“Talan wishes to travel to Rochester with you?” Fulke
asked in surprise.

“Do not seem so taken aback,” Albin replied
sarcastically. “You would be surprised what could happen when two people are
thrown together.”

Fulke smiled in remembrance. “I would not be surprised
at all, my friend.”

“Besides,” Albin continued, “the lad is love-sick for
a young woman from the village.”

“Our Talan has shown an interest in a woman?”

Albin chuckled. “Aye, he set his sights on the
Sheriff’s daughter.”

Fulke shook his head. “I know a few of her brothers.
Leave it to Talan to take on such a lofty goal. Still, I believe they would do
well together.”

“You would not find me wagering against him,” Albin
conceded.

“I shall have to put in a good word for him on my next
visit,” Fulke said thoughtfully.

Albin rolled his eyes. “I am sure Talan will be most
grateful.”

Fulke laughed. “I am that obvious, am I?”

“Aye,” Albin replied, “but I am glad to see you so
content, my friend.”

“I never believed it possible, Albin. You have my
thanks for going in my stead.”

“Your thanks are not necessary,” he paused.

“What is it, Albin?

“The village does not have a barber.
 
Do you think your lady would trim my hair?”

“Of course, you have but to ask her.” He studied Albin
before asking, “Why the sudden concern about your appearance? It would have
naught to do with making an impression on the fair Lecie, would it my friend?”

“Of course not, I am a man of honor,” Albin flushed.

“Wherever your path may lead, I shall stand by you,”
he said softly.

Albin looked down. “I never doubted it, Fulke.”

Turning away, Fulke called over his shoulder, “Just
remember. I shall expect you to kneel when you lay your humble thanks at my
feet.”

Watching him go, Albin grunted, “Thanks indeed.”

* * * *

For a few pints at the tavern, the master builder in
Rochester drew up plans for modest fortified manor houses for the knights and
they eagerly set about making plans for construction. Seeing no way out, even
Albin seemed resigned to the fact that he would be a landless knight no longer.

As the babe lowered, Reina discovered she had her own
personal guard. Whenever she
 
neared the
steps, one of the men would emerge by her side to assist her.

In the evenings, when she sought the solitude of their
chamber, Fulke would hold her or rub her aching back. Before he stopped
altogether, he made love to her as if she were made of glass.
 

One afternoon he found her resting in her chemise,
curled up on her side. Disrobing, he stretched out on his side behind her,
splaying his hand lightly against the large swell of their child.
 
The metallic taste of iron flooded his mouth
as icy tendrils of fear began to creep around his heart.

If he were to lose Reina in childbirth, he knew he
would never survive it. Despite himself, he felt a surge of resentment towards
his child and the power it held over him. Almost as if in answer, he felt a
strong kick beneath his palm.

Stretching his hand over the spot, his troubled gaze
settled on his sleeping wife. Would he be like her father if something were to
happen to his only love? With a sad sigh of resignation, he knew the answer. So
long as a part of Reina lived on, he would love their child.

In the long hot days that followed, Reina felt him
emotionally pulling away from her. Assuring her all was well, he began to avoid
all mention of the babe.

Standing by the unlit hearth one evening, he followed
her slow movements as she enjoyed the breeze by the window.
 
Besieged by images of all that could go
wrong, she glanced over at him.

Rising, she approached to cup his face.
“I beseech you not to leave me again, my love.”

He caressed her cheek. “I vowed to never willingly
leave your side again, my lady.”