A Knight for Love (28 page)

“Warin’s family was killed in a raid while he was away hunting. His father, a lesser knight, held a respected position in a noble household. His mother served the lady of the manor and a younger brother served as page. The battle was fierce and death did not come easily for any of them.” His shrewd brown eyes watched her closely.

“How
do you know?” Warin had never mentioned a word to her of his background. A twinge of envy pierced her that Warin had been forthcoming with Bennet but never with her.

“We spoke often while travelling after you were abed,” Bennet replied. “I confess, Lady Alyna, you
’re a sound sleeper for naught can rouse you from your slumbers. And naught could dissuade Warin from the task of watching over you so I kept him company.”

“He watched over me?”
The admission surprised Alyna. Her heart began to race and she drew in several deep breaths to steady herself. He had watched over her every night. She pulled that thought close to her to cherish later.

“Aye, like a wolf watches his kill. To pass the time, we talked of many things. The cloak of darkness
easily loosens the tongue.”

She considered what Bennet had just told her. “Does he hold himself responsible? Is that it?”

“Aye, I think so,” Bennet replied. He hesitated as if considering the wisdom of his words then continued. “There is more you must know, my lady.”

“What is that, Bennet?”

“Warin is an uncommon man. Many, many others have followed the path to the Holy Land and returned filled with even more hatred. Not Warin. He is one who sees both sides to the conflict, one who sees we are all men under one God. His thoughts are tortured with cruelties that others would brush aside. One day he will recover but not yet. He feels himself unworthy of the life flowing through his veins.”

“Oh.” That could explain his moodiness and unexpected changes in disposition.

She leaned back into her chair and closed her eyes to think on Bennet’s words.

“Muriel’s ma sent this to you this morning with Muriel.” Emma
’s voice interrupted Alyna’s reverie as the maid placed a cloth-covered pitcher on the table beside Alyna.

Alyna nodded her thanks.

“How festive – like Christmases past.” Emma wiped her hands on her apron and looked about the hall, pink faced with pleasure.

“Aye,
that was my intent.” Alyna lifted the cloth and peered inside. “What is it?”

“Goat’s milk,” Emma replied. “Her ma remembers it was your favorite when you were little.”

“How thoughtful. Her mother is well?” Alyna remembered the woman, always cheerful, always surrounded by the village’s little ones for she loved children but had been blessed with only Muriel.

“Aye, she
’s well but the cold and damp cripple her.”

“
Winter chills can beset the elderly.” Alyna pushed back the bench and stood, steadying herself against the table as dizziness overcame her. She swayed slightly.

“Lady Alyna?” Emma reached over to steady her mistress.

“Lady Alyna, is aught amiss?” Bennet asked, eyes warm with concern.

“
It’s nothing, already the dizziness passes.” It wasn’t quite true but Alyna had no desire to alarm the two. She clutched the edge of the table. “Fresh air will help. Emma, fetch my cloak and bring it to the kitchen. I’ll bring a small basket of food to Muriel’s mother to thank her.”

“Aye, my lady.” Emma bobbed and hastened off to the solar.

“Shall I accompany you, Lady Alyna?” Bennet
hovered over her.

“Aye
.” She nodded then changed her mind. “Nay, the village is only a short distance. It’s safe, Muriel walks it every day with her babe.”

A dubious
Bennet opened his mouth to speak.

She held up a finger to hush him. “I appreciate your concern but you have far more important
things to attend to.”

She pointed to the mistletoe hanging over the door le
ading to the rest of the castle. “See, all the berries have been plucked and that’s after only one day. Another bunch or two need to be hung. Kissing beneath appears to be a popular pastime.”

“Aye
.” Bennet grinned. “I admit, my lady, I’ve plucked a few berries of my own. Emma is very obliging.”

Alyna laughed and nodded. “Emma has always been fond of agreeable pastimes.” She waved him away. “Now, fret not and leave me be.”

The dizziness had left her. She grabbed the pitcher and sauntered to the kitchen.

At the far end, Hilda gr
ound herbs while Beatrice sliced apples. She shook her head when they both glanced at her and they returned to their tasks, prattling all the while.

Assorted baskets were stacked in one corner. Choosing one, in it she placed a meat pie, cheese and some dried plums then laid a trencher over for cover.

Alyna tarried a few moments longer in the warm room, enjoying the idle chatter of the other women.

“I’m here!” Emma burst into the kitchen at such a pace she bumped into the doorjamb. “Ooof.”

Face awry and rubbing her hip where it had collided with the jamb, she handed Alyna her cloak.

“Thank you.” Alyna smothered a grin. “Are you hurt?”

“Of course not,” Emma shook her head. “A simple knock, nothing more.

“
Emma, you must take care” admonished Alyna.

“And you, my lady. You
’re the one with child, not I.”

“What?”
Shock cascaded through Alyna, pushing away any thoughts of reprimanding Emma for her foolishness.

“You are with child
,” Emma repeated bluntly, face beaming with pleasure.

“
Nonsense, I carry no babe.” Alyna was firm in her denial. Impossible, she had only lain with Warin a few times.

“As you
say, Lady Alyna.” Emma shrugged but a twinkle lingered in her eyes.

“Aye, it is as I say.” Alyna’s voice brooked no argument.

Throwing the cloak about her shoulders, she grabbed the basket and stalked out, muttering all the while. “Hmmph, with child, what folly, hmmph, Emma knows naught of what she speaks.”

As she walked through the bailey, she
searched for Warin but his tall figure was nowhere to be seen. For that she was grateful. Anger against him still simmered hot within her and bitter words would surely spill forth if she spotted him.

She passed through the newly repaired gate and began the snowy trudge towards the village, soon reaching the shelter of the trees.

Cold air pricked the tips of her ears and she stopped to pull the hood of her cloak over her head. Putting the basket down, she paused to look about.

T
he sun sat low on the horizon and early morning gloom enveloped the forest. Normally she would find the frost tipped branches ethereal and pretty, but today she found them menacing, resembling gnarled fingers reaching out to grab her.

Disquiet shivered through her and she began to doubt the wisdom of her morning errand.

“Don’t be a silly goose,” she said aloud in an effort to bolster her courage, raising her hands to tug at her cowl.

Too late, she heard footsteps
crunching in the snow behind her and before she could whirl about, someone yanked her hands above her head. A heavy hood dropped over her eyes and blinded, she struggled, kicking and flailing, upsetting the basket in the process.

Her unseen assailant easily overcame her
and a rough rope tightened around her wrists, biting into the tender skin.

“Let me go!” She shrieked but the hood, stinking of fish and manure, muffled her voice and robbed her of breath.

A heavy blow knocked her senseless and her world turned black and silent.

Chapter Nineteen

Bennet
joined Warin in the stable as he tended to Citadel. Ignoring Warin’s hostile look, he stood beside the horse and cleared his throat. 

“Warin.” Bennet hesitated as if he considered the wisdom of what he was about to say then plunged ahead. “Alyna questions your love.”

“What do you know of love? I counted you my friend but you lust for my wife. I should draw my sword on you.” Pointedly, Warin kept his eyes on the beast before him. At the moment, he didn’t want company, least of all the man who had just kissed his wife.

“Alyna has eyes for no one but you. Aye, I admit I would welcome such a one as wife but she
’s not of my station. I treat her with respect. She’s not forward and her actions are circumspect as befits her rank. She favors only you, if you would but care to see it.”

“To me she confesses naught.” Warin
remained unconvinced.

“
Do you know nothing of women? They await love’s declaration so as not to be thought bold.”

“She has my regard,
” Warin snapped. “Not that it’s any affair of yours.” He continued to comb Citadel’s mane, freeing the tangles one by one. So tangled too was his soul and Alyna the comb. Didn’t she understand that?

“
That may be what you think, my lord, but love is given freely, absolutely, with no expectation. You’ve suffered much but it is you who must save yourself, not Lady Alyna.”

Warin snorted. “You know
nothing of what you speak.”

“We
’ve not been comrades for long but adventures shared have surely bonded us.” Bennet’s tone was conciliatory and he lifted his hands.

“So?” Warin finally deigned to look Bennet full in the face. “That doesn
’t give you the right to meddle.”

“
Not as master and servant, but I can speak as one friend to another.”

Bennet’s earnest eyes jabbed Warin as surely as a pitchfork and he stepped away from Citadel and turned to regard the other man.
“Well, speak then.”

“What you saw yesterday in the hall was not what it appeared. Aye,
Lady Alyna did embrace me but it bestowed naught. She’s excited over the advent of Christmas, excited to be lady of the manor.”

Warin
remained silent, gaze pinned to Bennet’s face.

Bennet scratched his beard then continued.
“On our travels we spent many evenings in conversation. Whether you realized it or not, you revealed much of yourself to me. I know how much you ache, how much you question your right to live. But the Almighty has chosen a path for us and it’s not our place to question His wisdom.” He stopped to clear his throat. “You seek absolution much as a drowning man seeks a branch to grab but you must find it within yourself. Don’t blame Alyna for your own shortcomings.” Bennet’s voice was earnest, his eyes pleading. “And don’t place a burden on Lady Alyna that’s not hers to carry. She loves you. Don’t waste that love on senseless pride.” He reached over and patted Citadel’s rump. “I’ll take my leave, my lord, for I’ve left you much to consider.”

Not waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and walked away
, whistling and scuffling through the straw.

Warin watched
as Bennet, shoulders back and spine straight, disappeared from sight before resting his head against Citadel’s withers.

A good man, he thought, sturdy and loyal. M
ayhap Bennet had overstepped his boundaries with his speech but he did so from the goodness of his heart. He, Warin, was indeed fortunate to have such a one by his side. As fortunate as he was with Alyna.

Aye,
he had placed an unfair burden on her but now, after Bennet’s speech, he grasped her importance to him. He couldn’t lose her now. If Bennet spoke true, the solution was simple. A declaration on his part would clear the way.

A sudden urge to find his wife consumed him and with nary a further thought to Citadel, he dropped the comb and went in search of her.

*****

“Alyna!” Warin stood in the doorway to the hall. “Alyna!” He called out again. Odd, her usual chair by the fire
sat empty. He bound up the stairs to the solar, two steps at a time and flung open the door. It crashed against the wall and almost hit him as it rebounded.

“Alyna?”

By the Virgin Mary, she was not here either. He raced back down the stairs, jumping the last five steps in one leap, and pounded through the great hall into the kitchen.

Emma turned
wide eyes on him at his sudden entrance but the other two, Hilda and Beatrice, kept their gazes lowered. Only the blush tinting both of their noses showed their awareness of him.

“Emma, where is she, where is
Lady Alyna,” he demanded, barely restraining himself from grabbing the wench by the shoulders and shaking the information out of her.

“Gone to visit Muriel’s ma, my lord
.” Emma quickly bobbed a curtsy. “She left early this morning.”

“She went alone
? No one went with her?”

“Aye, she
’s alone because she didn’t want to trouble anyone.”