A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) (21 page)

He lifted a brow but complied with her request. “What is it you’re doing? Some new method of healing?”

With a huff at his lack of wits, Alyna spoke in the slow and even tone she sometimes used with Nicholas. “I am trying to get him to drink this medicine. He doesn’t find it to his liking.”

Royce lifted the vessel from her hand and passed it under his nose. From his expression, ’twas obvious he didn’t find it to his liking either. “What is this concoction? Is it supposed to help him or put him out of his misery?”

By this time, the injured knight had fallen back asleep and looked quite comfortable nestled against Alyna. Frustrated with both of them, she held out her hand for the cup. “If you’re not willing to help, simply say so.”

Against his better judgment, Royce moved closer and knelt down with the potion in hand. Remnants of the jealousy he’d felt seeing Matthew kiss her plagued him though he knew it had been harmless. The dark smudges under her eyes, evidence of her long bedside vigil, softened his ire. He shifted his focus to Matthew rather than the beautiful lady beside him. Or at least tried to.

A change of view did little to distract his attention from her. The fragrance that followed her everywhere drifted up to wrap its beckoning scent around him. Matthew snuggled against her breasts, looking as content as a newborn babe. Her smooth alabaster skin swelled at the neckline of her bliaut, hinting at the curves that lay beneath.

Damn the woman.

And damn Matthew for enjoying the very place he desired to be.

This task would best be done quickly so he could leave. He lifted the younger man’s head to allow Alyna to free her arm, but froze when he realized the back of his own hand now lay against her breast. Desire surged through him, and he clenched his teeth to repress it. He eased his hand to a safer location, then opened Matthew’s mouth, noting the unnatural heat of him. His condition was obviously worsening, just as they’d expected.

Alyna appeared to be as anxious as he to finish the deed and nearly
choked
Matthew in her haste to give him his medicine. After several attempts, they got him to swallow the majority of the potion.

Royce stood and backed away before he did something he’d regret. He wasn’t sure what had awakened him in the middle of the night and prompted him to check on Matthew, but he wished he hadn’t given into the urge. He’d known she’d be here. Before he’d entered the room, he’d told himself that he only wanted to check on Matthew’s condition, that it mattered not if Alyna was the one who tended him.

Now, as he looked at her, he admitted the truth to himself. Any chance to be in her presence drew him like a moth to a flame.

Yet this couldn’t be. He had to stop. Why couldn’t he accept that? Instead, he tortured himself by seeking her company at every turn.

Hell’s teeth. What was he to do about it?

For now, the answer was a simple one. He’d remove her from his presence as quickly as possible. “If you’d like to get some rest, I’ll remain with Matthew.”

“Oh, truly?” Alyna appeared tempted by his offer, but looked at him with doubt. “Well, I suppose it will be all right. Gunnell should be here soon after dawn to check on him, but let me know if you need something before that. Are you quite sure?”

“Aye.”

She gave him a tired smile, her face pale. She rubbed a shoulder with one hand and arched her back.

He kept his hands fisted at his sides, determined to resist the urge to help ease her stiffness.

She adjusted Matthew’s covers one last time, then glanced at Royce as she walked out the door. “My thanks, Royce.”

Royce couldn’t ignore the ache in his chest her departure caused. What was she doing to him?

***

Exhausted, Alyna went upstairs to her chamber, her steps slower on each stair. She couldn’t help but remember the sleepless nights when Nicholas had been a babe. Thank goodness she’d had Enid to aid her.

Her chamber was empty, but as dawn had arrived, she assumed Nicholas had awoken hungry, and Enid had taken him to the kitchen to find something to break their fast. Too tired to worry much over their absence, she moved directly toward the bed, taking time only to remove her slippers. She settled her head on the pillow and drew the covers over her.

As she snuggled down into the comfort of the bed, a familiar scent caught her attention. Royce. She opened her eyes, only to realize the scent came from her gown. The fresh aroma curled deep within her and filled her with a now familiar longing. Her attraction to the knight continued to deepen, despite her attempts to halt it.

The man annoyed her and fascinated her, all at the same time. He acted as though he was attracted to her one moment, then ignored her the next. He kissed her as though she was special to him, but kept his distance at other times.

What was she to do with such a man?

One long look from those gray eyes was enough to make her toes curl. He brought out feelings of which she hadn’t known she was capable. The whole business was maddening.

She must’ve dozed off, for a knock at the door startled her awake. Hoping it wasn’t a servant sent to inform her Matthew had worsened, she rose and went to the door, conscious of her bare feet.

The strange woman curtsied, a servant by the look of her clothes. “Beg your pardon, my lady. Lady Florence requests your presence in the hall.”

A wave of irritation filled Alyna. What could the woman possibly want? “I’ve been up all night with Matthew. I’m certain whatever she needs can wait until later.”

“I’m sorry, my lady, but she asked me to tell you that it is of the utmost importance.” The maid didn’t look apologetic in the least.

“What is your name?”

“My name, my lady?”

“Aye, your name. I don’t believe I’ve seen you before.”

“I’m new here.”

Alyna waited for an answer but none seemed forthcoming. The maid reminded her of a muted version of Florence with her narrow face, thin lips and displeased expression as though unhappy with the errand she’d been sent upon.

At last, she seemed to realize Alyna waited for a response. “Oh, I am called Hilde, my lady.”

If Alyna didn’t know better, she would’ve thought the maid was being deliberately obtuse. Her exhaustion must be getting the better of her. She yawned and looked longingly at the bed. More sleep would have to wait. For some reason, she suspected Florence was up to no good, and she had best find out what it was as quickly as possible.

She put on her slippers and moved to the door where Hilde waited. “Let us see what Florence wants.”

Her face void of expression, the maid gestured for Alyna to go first.

“You lead the way, Hilde.” For some reason, she didn’t want the maid behind her.

“As you wish, my lady.”

Hilde made her way to the great hall with Alyna a short distance behind. Alyna realized she must’ve slept longer than she thought for morning had come in full.

As she entered the hall, she noticed Beatrice and Mary, the two servants who had assisted in cleaning the hall. They stood to one side, anxious expressions upon their faces. Alyna immediately went toward them to find out what was wrong.

“Alyna,” Florence called to her from nearby.

“In a moment,” she answered with a brief glance at the insufferable woman, determined to find out what was wrong with the maids first.

Beatrice gasped. “Oh, my lady! Please don’t make her angrier than she already is.”

“’Tis true, my lady,” Mary agreed. “Lady Florence is not pleased with us.” The older woman touched Alyna’s arm. “I am so very sorry, my lady.”

“Whatever for?” Alyna was puzzled by her apology as well as her behavior. “What’s wrong?”

“Alyna.” Florence’s impatient tone commanded her attention. “I would speak with you anon.”

Already irritable, Florence’s words only angered Alyna further. “I will be with you in a moment.” She turned to glare at her aunt, but the sight over the woman’s head made her catch her breath. “What happened?”

One of her grandmother’s beautifully woven tapestries now had a gaping hole near the center of the design. The bright colors that had been revealed by the cleaning had faded in several spots.

“We don’t know, my lady.” Beatrice sniffed.

“It makes no sense,” Mary added, wringing her hands.

Florence moved toward Alyna, a condescending smile on her lips. “Alyna, my dear, I realize you were only trying to help, but...” As though at a loss for words, she turned and gestured toward the damaged tapestry. “It appears as though your skills lie in some area other than cleaning.”

Alyna felt her cheeks flame as dismay and embarrassment washed through her. How could she have been so careless as to ruin the tapestry? Her grandfather would be so disappointed in her. She quickly thought back to the day they’d cleaned the hall but could think of nothing they’d done that would have caused any harm.

“I know you meant well, but really,” Florence continued, shaking her head. “I can’t allow this to happen again.”

“I can assure you that nothing we did caused damage to the tapestry.” Alyna didn’t know what had happened, but she did know it wasn’t her fault, nor was it Beatrice’s or Mary’s. She gave the two servants a look of reassurance. They looked rather startled at her show of support.

“Then how do you explain this?” With flourish, Florence raised her hand to gesture to the tapestry.

Alyna looked closer at Florence. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the woman had somehow planned all this. Alyna glanced around the hall. A small audience was even in attendance for the event. It seemed this was the price she’d pay for not being friendlier to Florence.

Anger consumed her, and it felt so much better than the hot wave of embarrassment had. “I have no explanation for it.” She took a step toward Florence. “I do know that nothing that I, nor the servants who assisted me in cleaning this hall, caused that harm.”

Alyna turned to Mary and Beatrice. “Please see that the tapestry is taken down so we might examine it to determine the cause.”

Florence took a step back and glanced at Hilde, who stood near her side. She looked at Alyna and scoffed. “Dear child–”

“I am not your child, and I do not wish you to refer to me as such.”

“Well, really.” Florence folded her arms. “I am simply trying to fulfill my duties. I’ve tried to befriend you, but you rebuff me at every turn. ’Tis not my fault that you cleaned the hall with such disastrous consequences. Whatever will I tell Lord Blackwell?”

“If you had been fulfilling your duties, the hall would already have been clean, and my interference wouldn’t have been needed.” Alyna refused to fall prey to Florence’s tactics. She would not take the blame for the damaged tapestry, nor would she allow blame to be placed on those who had aided her. “I will be the one to speak to my grandfather of this. You need not concern yourself with the matter any further.”

“As steward–”

“When you act as a steward, I will give you the respect due a steward. If you truly cared for my grandfather, you would be of more assistance. As you so kindly pointed out to me, he has many other things on his mind and shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not a chamber is prepared for a guest.”

Florence’s face turned an unbecoming shade of red. Her lips narrowed until they were all but invisible. “Is that what all this is about? You are angry because your chamber wasn’t prepared for your arrival?”

“Nay. I am angry because you act as though you do my grandfather a great service and yet nothing gets done.” Alyna continued despite the woman’s anger. It felt good to speak her mind. “Perhaps you should rethink your position here, Florence.”

Hilde took a step closer to Florence. Her gaze held Alyna’s, her message loud and clear. She was on Florence’s side and would aid her in any way she could.

Alyna felt a presence at her elbow and turned to find Enid beside her, Nicholas in her arms. He reached for her and held on tight, his gaze warily on Florence.

“We’ve been looking for you, my lady. Nicholas insisted we find you,” Enid said in a quiet voice.

Beatrice and Mary stood next to Enid, their anxious expressions replaced by a resolve Alyna found heartening.

Florence eyed them all, but her gaze landed on Alyna, hatred glaring out of her blue eyes. “You will regret this outburst, Alyna. In fact, I can guarantee you will rue the day you crossed me.”