Blind Impulse (16 page)

Chapter Nine

Garin tried n
ot to worry.  But the nagging question of what kind of scheme his sister plotted nearly drove him to distraction.  Only greed motivated Baron Naworth.  Garin had been surprised when his father allowed Juliana to foster there.  When Garin reached the age of
ten and four, his father sent him to Alston and he had done well. 

No doubt, Juliana had written Naworth, telling him all the happenings.  Naworth and Baron Vaux would unite to take East of Eden from Garin.

“
I guess it’s time to find what kind of mettle
I’m made of,”  he muttered as he tightened his belt.

“
What was that?”  Alyna asked.

“
Nothing,” he replied and grinned ruefully.  “Just talking to myself that’s all.”

He heard her chuckle and her fingers smoothed the heavy gold chain he wore around his neck
.  She caressed the blue silk tunic he wore over a white under-tunic.  “This is one of my favorites.  It makes your eyes look as bright as the summer sky.”

His eyebrows flew up his forehead.  “Really now?  Perhaps I should not wear it if it makes me look s
o pleasant.  I don’t want Naworth to think me an easy mark.”  He caught her around the waist and pulled her closer.

She made a noise of disgust in her throat.  “If Naworth thinks you an easy mark, then it is only the fault of his own stupidity.”

Garin chuc
kled and gently gripped her narrow waist, running his hands up her sides.  “And you my sweet, what color do you wear tonight?”

Her breath caught.  It was a tiny but pleasant sound.  “’Tis my gold and blue brocade.”

“
And you have left your hair like I asked
?”

“
Aye.  I wear only my coronet.”

He smiled and felt the length of her hair.  “Beautiful.”

“
Thank you,” she replied, her voice soft.

His hand swept over her shoulder and touched her throat.  “You should have a necklace.”

“
I don’t have one that matches thi
s dress.”

Garin pulled her to his bureau.  “Let me see what I can find.”  He dug through a drawer and pulled out a bundle wrapped in
undyed
silk.  He hoped the necklace was still as pretty as he remembered.  Gently, Garin unwound the package and held a nec
klace adorned with dangling teardrop sapphires in a gold setting.

“
It’s beautiful,” Alyna whispered.

“’
Tis a bauble I picked up in the Holy Land.  I intended to give it to you for Christmas but I’ll have to find something else now.”  Garin had her turn and
put it around
her neck.  He struggled with the catch but he managed it.  His deft fingers made certain the necklace hung straight.

“
Thank you, Garin,” she said, her voice shaking.

“
You are welcome, Alyna.”  He kissed the side of her neck and pulled away.
“We must go before my guests think I cannot find the door.”

They descended the stairs and a creak along with the scent of well-oiled armor told Garin that Simon had fallen in step with him on the right.  He heard another distinctive tread of a heavy boot
and knew Geoff flanked his daughter.  Both would be dressed in their finest mail and silks.  A bitter pang cut through him.  No doubt the four made an impressive picture, he wished he could see it.

They stood in the great hall as their guests entered.  “Gl
ory,” Geoff muttered, “they look like a military review.  Are you sure they are not here to declare war on you, Swein?”

Garin chuckled.  “No doubt they mean to impress me with their knightly prowess.  The fools don’t realize their efforts are lost on a bli
nd man.”

To his surprise Geoff laughed and even Alyna stifled a giggle.

He heard the heavy thud of boots approaching.  “Baron Naworth is in the lead,” Alyna whispered to him.  “He wears fine mail and plate.  His surcoat is black with a white
gryphon
proper
.  His hair is short and curly, the color of sand, his beard is neatly trimmed and he wears a jeweled sword.”

Garin nodded. 

“
On his right is Peter, I still think he has the face of a boy instead of a man.  His mail and surcoat match Naworth’s.  Both have
a wonderful habit of staring down their noses.”

Garin almost laughed out loud. 

“
Vaux looks more like a short, shaggy bear.  His mail is fine as well and his surcoat is red with a gold falcon, wings extended.  He also wears a jeweled sword.  They are acc
ompanied by four knights.  Their armor just as fine and their clothing just as crisp.”

Garin sighed inwardly.  Geoff had not been far from the mark.  This was an intimidation force.

“
Greetings, Swein,” Naworth said.  Armor creaked and Garin knew he had thr
ust out his hand.  Alyna gently and discretely guided his elbow in the proper direction.  He clasped the man’s forearm firmly.

“
Welcome, Baron Naworth, what brings you here so late this eve?”

“
I fear I misjudged the timing of our arrival.  I thought we cou
ld make it before dark but a lame mount slowed us down.”

He knows full well how to time an arrival.  Praise the saints Alyna has forgiven me.

“
We had heard of strange happenings and came to see for ourselves,” Naworth continued.  “My condolences to your lo
ss but I understand you are to be baron in spite of it.”

“
I am learning to cope quite well,” he said and forced a smile.

“
Good to hear.”

Liar.

“
Greetings, Swein,” Peter said.

“
Well met.”  Again the gentle nudge to guide his hand.  Garin fought to keep his
lip from curling as his hand closed around Peter’s forearm.  It felt like he grabbed a stick that would snap if he exerted his grip.

“
Baron Vaux has also joined us.”

Garin repeated the action. Vaux's grip was strong, Alyna had accurately described him as b
ear-like.

“
Gentlemen, allow me to present my new wife, Lady Alyna and her father Sir Geoff Salkeld.”

“
Well met, lady.”  Naworth said. 

Alyna curtsied beside him.

“
Please,” Garin said.  “Sit at the table.  I have food and drink for you.”

“
Thank you,” Nawor
th replied. 

They moved to the table and Garin braced himself for a very long evening.

Alyna arranged his plates and whispered the contents of each.  He was grateful to her, not only for her ingenuity but her brilliantly subtle assistance.  While the othe
rs might realize she acted as his eyes, she did not make it obvious.

Her system worked very well and Garin ate without bumbling.  He even enjoyed a pleasant chat with his mother. 

Alyna gripped his leg under the table.  “Your sister needs a leash,” she wh
ispered, her disgust poorly disguised.

Garin sighed.  “What is she doing now?”

****

Simon stood behind Garin, in the position of guard, his anger simmering.  Juliana fawned shamelessly over Peter Naworth.  Yet Simon knew her whispers were not entirely fl
irtatious, she had a look of cunning that twisted Simon’s gut.

What Juliana saw in the man was beyond Simon’s comprehension.  He thought to all the times he had protected her.  The knowledge that Peter did not have the skill to defend her should the need a
rise pricked his thoughts like chainmail burrs.

While Simon had a perfect understanding that Peter was equal to her in rank, he marveled Juliana showed him such preference.  There were many other good men equal in rank who would respect and care for Julian
a no matter her dowry.  She was beautiful enough to have her choice yet she had chosen Peter.

Why?
  The question resounded over and over in his head and try as he might, Simon could not rid himself of it.

****

Garin sighed as Alyna described Juliana’s qu
estionable behavior.  He thought for a long moment but pushed his worry aside.  “There is little I can do.”

“
I know, but I did want you to be aware of it.”

He nodded.  “After dinner Naworth, Peter and Vaux will want to talk in the library.  I’m going to br
each protocol and bring you with me.”

“
Are you sure that is wise?”

“
Yes because you are the unknown.  Because you are a woman they will dismiss
you.  They will not realize you have the eyes of a hawk and the perception to match.”

Alyna cleared her throat a
nd he knew he caught her by surprise with the compliment.  He grinned.  “Besides it will irritate my sister that you will be included but she is not.”

She chuckled.

The meal passed quietly and as Garin predicted, they moved to the library.  He sensed Nawor
th’s surprise as he kept his arm firmly entangled with Alyna’s and had her sit next to him.  Servants filled their wine cups and departed.

“
I must say,” Baron Naworth said.  “I have been surprised at this turn of events, Swein.”

“
No one was more surprised
than I,” Garin replied.  “But I have discovered a return to many things I thought impossible.”

“
Lady Alyna, I trust there have been no problems,” Naworth said and paused.  “It is quite unusual to have such a marriage take place.”

Garin gritted his teeth a
headache threatening.

“
Nay, Baron Naworth,” Alyna replied demurely but Garin clearly heard the steel in her dulcet voice.  “We are a wedded couple just like any other.”

Naworth chuckled in a manner that pricked Garin’s hackles.  “I find it hard to believe
a lady as beautiful as you would agree to marry a blind man.  I would imagine difficulties in the marriage bed.”

Alyna stiffened and Garin abruptly realized his mistake in bringing her with him.  Women did not attend these sorts of meetings so the men coul
d speak frankly.  But since Alyna was here, she would have to endure poorly veiled comments.

“
I thank you for the compliment, Baron,” Alyna said her voice still soft.  “And since you have chosen to address the subject in this manner, I can only respond in
kind.  I’m sure you can understand that my husband has many desirable qualities any woman would appreciate which do not require his sight.”

Garin’s jaw went slack and he was certain the other men gaped at her.  He realized Alyna would not allow Naworth to
intimidate her no matter the subject. 

Vaux barked a laugh and slapped his leg.  “By Jove, Swein, I like this girl.”

Naworth made a strange choking sound.

Garin regained his equilibrium and grinned.  “As you can understand, she has many desirable qualitie
s any man can appreciate.”

Vaux laughed even harder.

Naworth cleared his throat.  “Yes...I see...Now, Swein, what of your military duty?”

Garin’s smile grew.  The subject was officially changed.  Score one for Alyna.  “I am able to send stipendiary knights
if necessary.”

“
And if the castle falls under siege?”

“
I will rely on my knights and my constable just as any battle commander would.”

“
The baron is shaking his head in disbelief,” Alyna whispered.

Garin smiled.  “I know you find this hard to believe, Naw
orth, but I assure you this is turning out well.”

“
Now, he’s blinking at you in shock.”

Garin bit back a laugh.

“
What of Juliana’s dowry?” Peter asked.  “Now that you are baron, do you plan on changing it?”

Again it comes back to that.
  “So far, my sister’
s dowry remains what my father mandated.  But that may change if I deem it necessary.  She has been making foolish mistakes lately and I’m not sure if she has the ability to manage lands under dowry.”

“
Mistakes?”

“
Oh,
it’s
been generally harmless.  You know
simple things, like forgetting to deliver letters and nonsense like that.”

“
Peter’s face is bright red,” Alyna said.

“
I’m sure
it’s
nothing,” Garin continued.  “She is probably preoccupied but that sort of forgetfulness causes me concern so I must be cauti
ous.”