Midnight Warrior (16 page)

The tears were easing as he was easing. She took a deep, shaky breath and then swallowed. “I’ve stopped. I’ll go now.” She turned and moved swiftly down the trail. “I’ve done what I could.”

“Wait!”

She glanced over her shoulder.

“We’ve come a long way from the camp,” he said haltingly. “Will you be able to find the path back?”

He was worried about her. Warmth rippled through her, and she smiled. “I grew up in forests. I could never get lost.”

Gage did not return all day and was not at the camp when they turned out the lamp near midnight.

Brynn was still awake when Gage slipped beneath the cover and drew her into his arms.

Dull ache
,
sorrow, resignation
. Not pleasant but bearable.

“If you start crying again, I’ll beat you,” he whispered in her ear. “I hate a weeping woman.”

“I won’t weep.”

“I don’t understand you.” His tone was baffled.

“I know.”

“And I don’t believe you can heal by touch or know what I’m feeling.”

“Then don’t believe it.”

“And don’t think a few tears shed for my sake will soften my resolve. I have no need of them.”

“I rejoice for you. Now I have need of sleep.” She closed her eyes. “Good night.”

She heard him mutter something and then one big arm drew her back against his body. Bonding. Her heart sank as she realized that sense of joining was still there. She had prayed that it would have gone when his pain was less sharp. It made no sense. It was as if the lust that had united them had torn aside a veil she could never replace. Well, she must give it time.

“Brynn.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t need your tears.” He paused and then said, “But I thank you for shedding them.”

The gruff words were infinitely moving. She wanted to reach out and stroke him, take him to her. She must not. She must rebuild the barriers that had been so bewilderingly torn asunder.

“No thanks are required,” she said reservedly. “It is my duty to help you.”

His arms remained around her, but she was aware of withdrawal. Good. Keep away. Don’t come near. Don’t ever come that close again.

“I’m happy you realize where your duty lies,” Gage said, mocking her. “Be sure you continue to do so when we reach Redfern.”

“It’s all made of wood,” Gage said in disgust when they neared the timbered walls surrounding Redfern Hall. “Is this your fine Redfern?”

“Of course it’s made of wood.” Brynn didn’t glance up as she straightened the cover over Malik and then settled herself more comfortably in the wagon. “What did you expect? Feathers?”

“In Normandy it’s the custom to build castles of stone,” Malik said.

“Well, it’s not the custom in England. I’ve never seen a stone castle here.”

“Then William will have had no trouble on his march to London.” Gage shook his head. “It’s a wonder that England has not been invaded a thousand times over.” He kicked his horse and waved the company forward.

The high timbered gates were thrown open when they were within hailing distance, and Lord Richard rode to meet them, a broad smile on his face. “Welcome, my lord, how happy I am that you thought better of accepting my invitation. I hope it means you’re considering Redfern?”

“Not necessarily.”

“I’m sure you’ll change your mind. Redfern is all that is desirable.” His glance shifted to Brynn. “I hope you’re in good health, Brynn?”

Byrnn frowned in puzzlement. What was he about? His tone was extremely courteous; he sounded just as she had heard him address the honored ladies in his hall. “Good enough.”

“Are we to be kept waiting while you exchange pleasantries?” Gage asked.

“Certainly not. I’ve had my own chamber prepared for your lordship.” Richard turned his horse and rode within the gates. “After you’ve rested, perhaps you’d honor me at my table. As soon as we caught sight of you, I set the servants to cooking a fine feast.”

“I’m hardly in need of rest. It was only a two-hour journey from the woods where we were camped.”

“Forgive me, I forgot what stalwart warriors you Normans are.”

“Brynn!”

She turned to see Delmas hurrying toward her across the courtyard. A wave of revulsion went through her as she saw the almost desperate eagerness of his expression. He thought because she had returned he could make use of her again. She had been away from him so long, she had forgotten that sickening feeling of helplessness.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Gage’s eyes were narrowed on her face.

“Nothing. It is only my husband.”

Malik gave a low whistle,

“Husband?” Gage asked with deadly softness.

“Yes.”

“Only?” Gage repeated. “May I ask why you didn’t mention this … husband.”

“Why should I? What difference would it have made?”

Delmas had drawn close to Gage and glanced up at him eagerly. “Greetings, my lord. Welcome to Redfern.”

Gage ignored him. “What difference would it have made?” he echoed. “Why none, of course.”

Delmas took a step nearer. “I would not offend you, my lord, but I wonder if you could do without Brynn for a short time? It has been long since we were together and I would—” He broke off as he met the Norman’s gaze. He took a step back, his eyes widening.

Gage was going to kill him, Brynn realized. Delmas was within an inch of death.

“No!” She did not even realize she had slid out of the wagon until she was standing between Gage and Delmas. She pushed Delmas toward the stable and quickly started after him.

“Brynn!” Gage’s voice was low, but a shiver went through her. “Come back here.”

She didn’t stop, her pace quickening until she was almost running. “I’ll join you in a short time. I must talk to Delmas now.”

“Come back here!”

She didn’t stop. “Soon.”

For a moment she thought he would follow her. She felt his gaze on her back until she disappeared into the stable. She halted just inside the door, her heart beating painfully hard.

“Whore!” Delmas’s palm cracked against her cheek. “He would have slaughtered me and it’s all your fault.”

Anger flared through her. Why had she interfered? Delmas deserved to die. She should have stifled the impulse to save him and let Gage rid her of this burden.

Delmas raised his hand again.

“No,” she said coldly. “You will never strike me again.”

Delmas hesitated and then decided to bluff. “I will do as I like. You are my wife. Nothing has changed.”

“Everything has changed.” It was true, she knew suddenly. Delmas could neither help nor harm her. She had been beneath his yoke for so long that the idea was strange to her.

“Because you’re the Norman’s whore? I’ll petition the church to make him return you to me. We said holy vows.”

“I made no vow.”

He ignored her protest. “Even the Normans will not flaunt the edicts of the Pope.”

“All of England is in turmoil. Do you think the church will pay heed to the whining of one slave?”

“Lord Richard will help me,” Delmas said. “He won’t permit this Norman to have you.”

She went still. “What have you told Lord Richard?”

He looked away from her. “I told him what I needed to tell him. I had to bring you back here.”

“Gwynthal? You told him about Gwynthal?”

He nodded jerkily.

Brynn drew her cloak closer about her as a shiver ran through her. She had not imagined Delmas would ever tell anyone of the treasure. He must have been desperate indeed to trust Richard with that knowledge. “You’re a fool. He will kill you.”

“No, he needs me. We need each other.” Delmas paused and then smiled craftily. “But, it’s true, he’s a brutal man. He will not treat you as gently as I have.”

Gently? She stared at him incredulously.

“We could run away from Redfern tonight,” Delmas murmured. “You need have nothing to do with Lord Richard or the Norman. We could go back to Gwynthal and you could give me—”

“No.” Even now he could not believe he could no longer use her. He sickened her; she could bear no more. “I can’t go anywhere. How is Lady Adwen?”

He shrugged. “Well, I suppose.”

“What do you mean? Don’t you know?”

He frowned. “She is no longer of importance to us. You will rue your decision not to go with me. Lord Richard is—”

She turned toward the door. “I’m going to the manor to see Adwen.”

“She is no longer at the manor.”

She stopped and turned. “What?”

“Lord Richard said—” He broke off. “She offended him. He wanted her out of his sight.”

“She
offended
him?” Her hands slowly clenched into fists. “Where is she?”

He nodded at the small room at the back of the stable.

She couldn’t believe it. It was the same room where she had fled to see the comet and was little larger than a horse’s stall. She gave a low exclamation, strode toward the door, and threw it open.

A small, still figure was curled beneath a faded blanket on a cot under the window.

Too still.

She moved swiftly across the room. “Adwen!”

Sweet heaven, what had he done to her? Her eyes were sunken and smudged with dark circles, her lips swollen and cracked, her hair lank and lifeless.

Brynn sat down on the cot and gathered Adwen’s hands in her own. They were as cold and inert as the rest of her. “Adwen, wake up.”

Adwen stirred and opened her eyes. She whispered, “Brynn?”

Relief surged through her. “Yes.”

“I … didn’t think you were coming back. He said you were—” The words faded and it was a moment before she could speak again. “I felt so alone.”

Brynn blinked back the tears. “You shouldn’t have believed him.” She pulled the cover higher around Adwen’s shoulders. The blanket was thin; it could not possibly
have offered much warmth. A flare of anger went through her as she looked around the room. Dirt covered the bed and the one small window. Cobwebs hung from the timbers of the ceiling, and a foul odor issued from the bucket beside the small cot. “You should not believe anything he says to you.”

Adwen’s eyes closed. “I know.”

Brynn looked at her, startled. The Adwen she knew would never have doubted her beloved Richard.

“He wants me to die, you know.…”

“Did he tell you this?”

“No.” Her eyes wearily opened. “But I am not stupid. He would never have put me out here with no attendant if he had not wanted to be rid of me. I couldn’t believe it.…” Her voice strengthened with sudden ferocity. “I will not die. He should not have done this. No one should have the right to discard a woman as if she were nothing. It’s not fair. I won’t let him. It’s not—”

“Hush.” Adwen was getting too excited, and Brynn was afraid that fragile strength would snap. “You won’t die. I won’t let you.”

“No, I won’t die. I swore on my hope of heaven I wouldn’t.” Adwen’s eyes brimmed with tears. “But I’m glad you’re here, Brynn. It will be easier now. I felt so alone when Richard told me my father had died.…”

“He told you that? Lord Kells isn’t dead. He was only taken prisoner.”

“You’re certain?”

“He’s been taken to Duke William’s camp. I’m not sure what fate awaits him, but it won’t be death.”

“So he lied in that also. So cruel. He wanted to take all hope away from me.…” Her eyes closed again. “Would it be all right if I go back to sleep? I think it strengthens me. I have to fight …”

“Yes, go back to sleep.” She squeezed Adwen’s hands affectionately and stood up. “Let me fight now.”

“No, it has to be me.”

Brynn stood looking down at her. She had changed. She appeared even more fragile and ill than she had since those first days Brynn had come to Redfern, and yet she glimpsed a strength she had never before seen in her. It was like catching the gleam of a sword lying beneath cloudy waters.

“We’ll do it together,” Brynn said gently.

“Together … yes.” The next moment Adwen drifted off to sleep.

“Leave her,” Delmas said from behind Brynn.

She glanced over her shoulder to see him frowning at her from the doorway. “As everyone else has done? How could you have known she was here and not helped her?”

He shifted uncomfortably. “Lord Richard said she was to be left alone.”

“To die in this filthy hovel?”

“It was not my fault. I only obeyed his orders.” He took a step into the room. “As you must do. He is master here.”

“A master who obeys Lord Gage’s slightest command.”

He smiled slyly. “Not for long.” She was immediately suspicious.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think he would truly offer Redfern to Lord Gage? He only wanted you returned to Redfern.” His smile became even more crafty. “It is possible an accident may befall the Norman.”

She stared at him, startled. “He would murder him after inviting him beneath his roof as a guest?” It was against all the rules of Saxon hospitality. Surely even Richard would not commit such a breach of honor.

“I didn’t say that,” he said quickly.

But it was true. Why was she even surprised when
he had put his own wife out here to perish from cold and neglect?

“But it would be wise of you to curb your unruly ways and tell us what we need to know,” Delmas said. “Why must you be so stubborn?”