A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) (16 page)

Alyna remained where she was as Enid hurried off to find the maids and ask Charles to help. An undertaking of this sort was just what Alyna needed today. Something to work on that she could control. Besides, it would keep her well away from Royce. She wasn’t ready to beard that dragon. Florence seemed to pale in comparison.

Before long, Enid returned with Beatrice and Mary as well as rags and a bucket of steaming water. As Alyna explained what needed to be done, the two maids looked at her with doubt-filled expressions.

“Charles is on his way with a ladder,” Enid added in an attempt to reassure them.

“’Tisn’t that,” Beatrice said. She glanced around the hall and lowered her voice. “Lady Florence told us no one was to touch the hall without her permission.”

“That’s right,” Mary added. “We wanted to clean it weeks ago, and she wouldn’t even let us change the rushes before his lordship’s return.”

Alyna shared a look with Enid. Why would Florence order such a thing? What could she gain by not performing the duties she’d volunteered for? Obviously, Florence felt no need to prove her worth by excelling at her responsibilities.

Florence’s actions mattered not. There was no logical reason to delay cleaning the hall, and Alyna refused to ask Florence’s permission to do anything.

“All will be well. I take full responsibility. If Lady Florence questions you about this, send her to me.”

The maids warmed to the task with Alyna’s words.

Charles arrived, carrying a ladder with Nicholas trailing behind, his hand on the ladder too. “Good morn to you, Lady Alyna.”

“And to you, Charles.” Alyna smiled when he winked at Enid, who in turn blushed like a young maid. The journey to Northe Castle might have been difficult for them both, but they’d bonded in a way she would’ve never guessed possible.

“We men are here to aid you, aren’t we, Nicholas?” Charles said as he leaned the ladder against the wall.

The boy nodded, his expression solemn. He mimicked Charles stance and stood with hands on hips as Charles greeted Beatrice and Mary. The maids giggled like young girls until Enid glared them into silence. A wise man, Charles said nothing and proceeded with the task. He climbed the ladder toward the first tapestry with Nicholas right behind him.

“Oh, no, you don’t, young man.” Alyna snatched Nicholas off the rungs just before he climbed out of her reach.

“Nay, Mama!” His bottom lip quivered and his big blue eyes filled with tears. “We are men!”

Well used to his tactics, Alyna shook her head. “That is very convincing, don’t you think, Enid?”

“Indeed. An especially good performance, Nicholas.”

“What do you think of this one?” Alyna asked. Then she tickled him until he laughed so hard he could barely catch his breath.

“I prefer that one.” Enid tickled him as well, and Nicholas was happily occupied until the tapestries and weapons were lowered down to the maids.

Mary recruited more servants, and they hauled everything outside for a thorough cleaning. Beatrice saw to the scrubbing of the stones above the hearth and Alyna pitched in where she saw a need.

The battle scenes in the tapestries were clearly visible now as they lay drying in the sun, their colors vibrant and true.

If only the same were true of how she felt about Royce. Even more confusing was the question of how he felt about her.

***

Royce watched the men training in the bailey, the sound of metal clanging in the crisp morning air. Edward rode his black destrier through the portcullis and Royce gestured for him to draw near.

With obvious reluctance, Edward guided his mount to where Royce stood. “Greetings, Royce. A fine day, is it not?”

Royce looked up at the knight, anger taking a strong hold on him. “Have you recovered from your foul behavior of last night?”

“Aye, that I have.” He nodded to emphasize his point.

“Stay away from Lady Alyna, Edward.”

The younger knight’s eyes narrowed at Royce’s demand. “I answer only to Blackwell, Royce. With whom I spend time is none of your concern.”

“It is when you behave like an oaf. Stay away from her.” Royce clamped down on his anger. Emotions of any sort would not serve him well. “I expect you to join the training. Now.”

Without bothering to answer, Edward rode his horse toward the stables.

Royce found Edward’s actions disturbing, especially when added to the information Alyna had shared. He’d keep a closer watch on the surly knight.

“What excuse does he have?” Hugh asked, as he approached Royce, his axe strapped to his side.

“None that bears merit.”

“I think we need to keep an eye on the man.”

“Indeed, we will. I’m not the only one who thinks he’s acting strangely, eh?”

Hugh scoffed. “Edward has always acted strangely, but lately, his behavior has moved to suspicious. Either he has a wench distracting him, or he’s up to something.”

The mention of a woman made Royce grit his teeth. If Edward failed to heed his warning to stay away from Alyna, there would be hell to pay. Never mind that he was demanding Edward behave the way Royce seemed unable to.

If he relived his kiss with her once more, he was certain he’d...he didn’t know what he’d do, but it wouldn’t be good. He’d never thought to encounter a woman who aroused him so. The mere thought of her distracted him completely from whatever task he was supposed to be doing. Her beauty took his breath away, but it was more than that. Much more. He was at a loss to explain it.

He’d thought about it all night, certain if he discovered why she affected him the way she did, he’d be able to remove that reason by whatever means necessary. But he could find nothing at which to take aim, nothing upon which to strike a blow.

The look of hurt on her face when he’d put her aside had pierced his soul as surely as an arrow. To know that he’d added to the sadness she wore like a cloak was nearly more than he could stand.

Even this morning, as he’d watched the sun rise after a long, sleepless night, he’d thought of telling her the truth. There was nothing wrong with her. She was...well, she was perfect. It was him. The fault lay with him.

However, the very act of telling her would remove the barrier he’d erected. He was certain she’d keep her distance from him after last night. Lord knew he didn’t seem to have the strength to do it, but now he could rely on her to stay away.

He had no time for lust. All his energies needed to be focused on resolving the issue of the thieves who besieged Northe Castle and on vengeance. Nothing else.

“And you, Royce? Are you preoccupied by a woman?”

Royce looked at Hugh in attempt to discern his meaning. Surely no one had witnessed the kiss he’d shared with Alyna.

Hugh elbowed him in the side, a sly smile on his face. “I saw the way you watched Lady Alyna at supper. She is lovely, isn’t she?” He looked back at the sparring men. His voice softened as he continued. “It’s as if she has no idea how beautiful she is. There’s something about the way she moves, with a grace that only a true lady has.”

Royce caught himself nodding in agreement. He looked more closely at Hugh and could see a glint of humor in the man’s expression. His friend had led him down a path to a neatly laid snare he’d nearly stepped into. Two could play at this game. “I didn’t really notice Alyna last eve. But you know who captured my interest?”

He paused just long enough to make certain he had Hugh’s full attention. “Lady Florence. Did you note her attire?” Royce shook his head as though still in awe. “A mature woman like she, who knows her own mind, would surely know how to please a man.”

Hugh stared at him in utter disbelief.

With as much innocence as he could muster, Royce asked, “What?”

Hugh shook his head. “You, my friend, are a sick, depraved soul.” The large man heaved a sigh. “We need to have a long talk, you and I.” He stalked away, his hand gripping the head of his axe, still shaking his head.

Royce allowed himself a smile. He’d definitely won that round. He sensed a presence behind him and turned. Alyna’s son stood a few feet away and stared up at him, a perplexed look upon his face.

Royce glanced around but didn’t see the lad’s mother anywhere. Relieved, he drew near and squatted down to the boy’s level. “Nicholas, what are you doing out here?”

The boy just continued to look at him.

“Does your mother know where you are?”

Solemn, Nicholas shook his head.

“Then shouldn’t you go inside and find her? She’ll be worried about you.”

The boy just looked at him, those blue eyes examining him with a scrutiny that most adults didn’t use. “Do you have any rocks?”

Puzzled, Royce looked at the ground around him, but saw none. “You’re searching for rocks?”

“A special rock.”

Royce had spent very little time with children, but he knew Nicholas was no ordinary child. He enjoyed spending time with the boy. Yet he knew the longer Nicholas remained with him, the more likely Alyna would come in search of him.

“If I promise to look for rocks, will you go inside to your mother?”

The little boy pondered his suggestion for a moment before nodding in agreement. He walked slowly toward the steps of the keep, but paused and looked back at Royce.

As sure as he breathed, Royce knew Nicholas would remind him of his promise. Royce nodded to reassure him, and Nicholas smiled. The boy trotted up the steps, slipping inside the heavy door as someone came out.

Royce smiled to himself as he walked back toward the men, scanning the ground for an interesting rock.

***

Alyna dug in the warm damp earth, happy with her progress in the few days since her arrival. Her grandfather had been pleased with her efforts in the great hall. The memory of his reaction made her smile. His eyes had lit with pleasure at the vivid tapestries, and he’d explained that her grandmother had woven them. His appreciation for her small accomplishments was so different from how her father reacted, always making her feel as though what she did was never enough. Her grandfather’s kind words and attentiveness, along with the way he treated her as an equal, had increased her confidence in the short time she’d been here.

Now if only she could convince him to explain why he’d brought her here. She was beginning to suspect more was going on than what she’d first thought. He’d told her there was no hurry to discuss details, that he was simply enjoying her company. While she appreciated his sentiment, the time was nearing when they needed to have an honest discussion on all fronts.

Thanks to Charles, the herb garden was taking shape. He’d widened it and turned the soil where he could without disturbing the few plants that grew. After the mid-day meal, she’d put on her oldest kirtle and intended to make the most of the remainder of the afternoon.

The sky was cloudless, a blue so deep, so bright, that her eyes hurt to look at it. The air was beginning to lose the underlying chill winter had left. Alyna took a moment to enjoy the beauty of the day before focusing on the work before her.

She cleared out the weeds and found more salvageable herbs than she’d hoped for. Rosemary, sage, and parsley she transplanted to one side of the garden for use as seasonings for the kitchens. She’d met with the cook again to discuss what was needed for meals. The suggestions she’d made for preparation and seasoning of many dishes had been well received and before long, they’d have more herbs to use.

The ground she now worked would be planted with herbs used for healing and other needs around the castle. Lavender and tansy would be needed to spread on the straw mattresses. They’d need marjoram to use in healing salves for the injuries that were a matter of daily life. The small plot would eventually have to be widened. She had a collection of seeds Enid had brought from Montvue along with some basic supplies and her mother’s journal.

That book was very helpful, as her mother’s interest and knowledge had ranged far and wide. She’d studied and experimented with herbs for the most effective methods to help others. Alyna only hoped she would one day become as talented at healing as her mother had been.

She heard the side door of the keep open and looked up from her work, hoping Nicholas had come to visit her.