Defy Not the Heart (28 page)

“I did write you, Ranulf,” Hugh insisted. “I swear to you I did. I also sent for you four times, but each time I had back from Montfort excuses why it was not a good time to release you. I suppose you were never told that either?”

For answer, Ranulf merely scowled. Reina hesitated to interfere again. Ranulf obviously did not believe everything he was hearing. But then why should he? He had only his father’s word, and that word could be false. Still, they were not getting close to a reconciliation, and if that was to come about, there bad to be something to support Hugh’s word.

“You claim to have had reports on Ranulf while he was at Montfort, Lord Hugh, even if he did not write to you himself. What I do not understand is how you could know so much about his doings after he left Montfort.”

For a moment she thought he would not reply. He seemed more than just hesitant to do so, more embarrassed.

“One of Ranulf’s men is actually my man.”

“A common man-at-arms who can write?” Reina scoffed.

“He was my clerk. He did not like the duty I assigned him, but he has been well paid for the risks of soldiering. He has even come to finally enjoy it.”

“So you spied on me?” This from Ranulf, and without much surprise.

“How else was I to know what became of you? I wrote to you after you left Montfort, if you will recall. You admit you at least received
those
letters. But still I had no answer from you, and, coupled with your coldness the second time we met, I was finally forced to accept that I was not like to ever hear from you.”

“I was your sin, grown to your image.” The bitterness was back in Ranulf’s tone. “You were naught but ashamed of me.”

“Never that,” Hugh swore. “How could I be ashamed of a son so like myself?” And then in a burst of exasperation, “Sweet Christ, Ranulf, what must I do to convince you that you are dear to me?”

Again Ranulf did not answer. Reina had an answer, but she was likely to be throttled by one or the other of them did she give it. When had that ever stopped her?

“’Twould seem you must beat it into him, my Lord Hugh.”

“Lady,” Hugh growled, “you are being no help to me.”

“Did I say I would help you?” she asked with arched brow. “As I recall, I asked you to leave Clydon ere you caused him any more pain. You were the one who said you could not go with this unsettled. You said you love him, that you have from the day
you first saw him and knew him to be yours. Well, you also said that before you leave here he would know it, if you have to beat the truth into him. Your words, my lord, not mine. And ’twould seem that is the only recourse you have left—unless, of course, Ranulf finally has some doubts that what he has believed to be true all these years might not be true. What say you, Ranulf?” She changed the direction of her attack. “Can you believe him? His father is dead and cannot verify what he says, but is Montfort? Or will you question this clerk of his turned soldier? Or will you simply accept his word and the love he seems determined to give you? It might behoove you to try, for he appears to be the one man you cannot be completely assured of besting. ’Twould be a shame were you in no condition to deliver my promised chastisement.”

“A shame, indeed, so do not count on it,” Ranulf said darkly.

Reina shrugged. She had gone this far. She might as well do her worst.

“You have not answered my question, Ranulf, but before you do, you should be aware of something I have noticed that mayhap you have not. This man is very similar to you, and I do not speak now of resemblance. His temperament is the same as yours. He is as stubborn.
Jesú
, you both even scowl at the same things. Could not your sense of honor also be the same? I also wish to point out that had I not believed you when you told me about Rothwell, we would not now be wed.”

“Christ’s toes!” Ranulf exclaimed. “What has that to do with this?”

“It has to do with trust. I had never heard of Roth
well, nor has he come here to verify what you claimed. I took you at your word without proof that you spoke true. You owe the same trust to your father, especially since most of what he claims can be verified and he knows it, so he would have no reason to lie. And did you not say yourself that your grandfather had never shown you a kindness? It does not take much sense to see that you have unknowingly blamed the wrong man, Ranulf, and this is no time to remain stubborn about it. Do you ask me—”

“No one has asked you!” both men said at once, and with a good deal of exasperation.

Reina grinned, satisfied she had made her point. “True, but you see,” she told both men, “I would not be here to give my opinion were I not awaiting punishment. And I would not be awaiting punishment if I had not forced my husband to see his father. If I am to suffer for arranging this meeting, you can both suffer my opinion.”

“Which we have done, but no longer,” Ranulf rumbled. “Get you gone, lady, now.”

“You have decided to forgive me, then?”

“What I have decided is to let you dread the coming night after all. Go about your duties, Reina. I will attend you later.”

She gave him a sour look ere she stalked to the door. “I always knew you were a dog-hearted clodpate. See if I ever do you another favor!”

There was silence after the door slammed shut. Hugh deliberately avoided Ranulf’s eyes, fearing he would laugh did he witness his son’s chagrin after that set-down. Did he have a sense of humor, it would not matter. But that was one of many things he did not know about his son, he realized. And if the lady had
done anyone a favor, ’twas him. He would not like to see her hurt for it.

“Do you intend to beat her?”

“With these hands?” Ranulf snorted. “I mean to lesson her, not kill her. Besides, she has it in her marriage contract that I cannot take my fists to her.”

“The terms of a marriage contract bear little weight in the heat of the moment.”

“I have lived with this strength all my life, my lord. I was afeard to even touch the lady, she is so tiny. There is naught that she could ever say or do to make me forget that, so you need not be concerned for her. She will have no more than the flat of my hand on her backside.”

Hugh chuckled. “A method I have found the need to use on occasion myself.”

“Does it work?”

“Aye, though the result is not always worth the months of regret a woman can make you feel afterward—that is, if you bear feeling for her.”

Ranulf grinned. “Then you might find interesting a suggestion I had from a whore…”

Reina had gone no farther than the antechamber, where she paced in an effort to work off her temper. When she heard the deep laughter, she stopped and relaxed. So her gamble had paid off. She went below smiling, certain she no longer had to worry about any punishments.

R
eina went about her duties that afternoon feeling a good deal of smugness. Learning that Ranulf had taken his father out for a tour of Clydon only increased that feeling. He might not like her methods, but at least they bore results. He was reconciled with his father. The bitterness that had long festered inside him would be gone, leaving him a happier man, and thereby one easier to deal with. Could she pat herself on the back, she would have done so.

She spent some time with Walter and apprised him of what had happened, both yesterday and today. She no longer worried about his wounds. He had developed no fever, and Florette was keeping close attendance on him, which had much to do with why he was not complaining about the needed bed rest. In a week he should be up and about, though he would still have to go easy for a while.

It had been a surprise, however, to recall the prisoners, Warhurst, and Lord Richard in the telling. She could not even answer Walter’s questions, for she did not know whether Ranulf had sent a man to Warhurst as he had intended. He had as like forgotten, too, considering all that had happened this morn.

She still could not believe Lord Richard was capable of such despicable tyranny. She decided to speak with the outlaw leader herself, and did, but came away unconvinced. Yet the man was so very
sincere, he did manage to plant a few doubts and “what ifs,” but not enough to matter. It came down to her own instincts, which rarely failed her, as well as her father’s keen judgment of character, which was even less fallible. He had liked Richard, had approved of him as a husband for her. They could not both be so wrong about a man.

Reina did not brood on it for long. That smugness was still there to make her think of other things, her husband in particular. She was not going to let Ranulf forget that he owed her his gratitude, especially since he had come so close to punishing her instead. He would not have admitted it, but she had known he carried deep feelings for his father despite the resentment that was on the surface. The man would never have been able to hurt him otherwise.

Reina was back in the hall when they returned and had an opportunity to watch them cross the long room unawares. The difference in manner was remarkable. They laughed, they touched, they were as two never separated, and in looks, they were more like brothers than father and son. Verily, Hugh was not even two score in years yet. He was a man any maiden Reina’s age or even younger would look on with favor—just as her husband was. And as usual, every woman in her hall was doing just that. ’Twas something she would simply have to get used to, she supposed.

A nod to a servant brought forward a platter of sweetmeats and cheese. She had not forgotten that neither man had touched his dinner earlier, and supper would not be ready for a while yet. She had satisfied her own hunger with a simple trip to the kitchens, where she had also collected Lady Ella. It was a veritable devil inside her that made her toy with
the idea of introducing the cat to Ranulf’s father. The only thing that decided her against it was the risk that Hugh might not see the humor in the name Ranulf had chosen for his scrawny cat. She did not want to upset this boat she had set on such a steady course.

Lady Ella was now curled at her feet by the hearth, having held no grudge over losing her sleeping quarters. At least she was still as friendly as ever whenever Ranulf was not around. But his voice woke her ere he was even half across the room, and she went bounding toward him to leap into his arms. Typical. Heaven forbid he should happen to see her resting companionably at someone else’s feet.

Reina wondered if Ranulf felt at ease enough with his father to introduce the cat. Whether he did or not, she did not think the matter of a name had come up, though they were talking cats as they drew nearer.

“Nay,” Hugh was saying. “I have become accustomed to them over the years. My wife has three that she even allows in our chamber. I have tried numerous times to get them ousted, but with no luck.”

“My lady could tell you just how to get rid of them, for she managed to oust mine right quickly.”

“Ah, but what works for her would not work for me, or have you not realized yet that though we men have the final say, our ladies will win most every argument in the end to get what they want.”

“Bite your tongue,” Ranulf retorted, though there was laughter in his violet eyes. “I expect to win at least half the arguments in this household—one way or another.”

Reina was blushing by the time they reached her. That was not a discussion she cared to hear or get involved in.

“Did you have a pleasant ride, my lords?”

“Indeed,” Hugh replied. “Though I must confess I was hoping to find a few areas where my advice might be needful for improvements. Instead I learned a thing or two I intend to implement on my own lands. You have my compliments, lady. Clydon is as prosperous as I had heard.”

“That is to my father’s credit, not mine,” Reina replied. “He was at heart a farmer, and loved the land.”

“And his daughter is too modest,” Ranulf added. “She has kept the entire estate running so well there is little for me to do other than see to its defenses.”

“Do not belittle the importance of that, my lord. It takes only a single act of aggression to lay waste to years of hard work.”

Hugh grinned. “She has you there, Ranulf. No demesne can prosper long without a lord capable of protecting it. I am sure the lady took that into consideration ere she allowed herself to be ‘smitten’ by your charms.”

Ranulf guffawed with laughter. Reina smiled herself. “So you told him of our unusual courtship, did you?”

“He managed to wrest a few details from me,” Ranulf admitted as he dropped Ella on the bench beside her.

“I can well imagine which ones,” Reina snorted, though she was in fact amused. “But come, rest yourselves.” She stood up to pour them each a goblet of wine. Handing one to Hugh, she said, “I do not intend to be remiss in my duties again, my lord. I have a chamber readied for you do you care to refresh
yourself before the evening meal. Theodric will show you the way when you are—”

“Theodric will not,” Ranulf interrupted sharply. “Lady, you would not dare.”

“Would not dare what?” Reina asked sweetly. “Eadwina awaits to assist your father. Theo will only show him the way to the east tower when he is ready.”

“Oh,” was all Ranulf said to that.

“Is something amiss?” Hugh asked.

“Not at all, my lord,” Reina assured him, picking up her own goblet, but sparing a wry smile for her husband. “And now I would like to propose a toast. To new beginnings—” She paused, and her smile turned to a satisfied smirk. She really could not help it. “—that need only a tiny nudge to get started.”

Hugh chuckled. Ranulf did not. And then a new voice was heard from that gave Reina a start, as well as her father-by-marriage.

“I hope I am not interrupting.”

“This is a surprise, Richard,” Hugh said, and he was indeed surprised, uncomfortably so under the circumstances. “I believe you are well acquainted with my son, Lady Reina?”

Reina did not answer. She had spewed her wine as she made the connection and was now busy choking. She sat down heavily but was quick to wave away Ranulf’s assistance. She did not care to be pounded on the back by him and end up sprawled on the floor just now. He, fortunately, did not yet realize who Richard was—other than he was his brother.

“Are you all right, lady?” both Hugh and Richard asked.

“Indeed,” Reina rasped and set her goblet down. “A bad brew,” she added by way of explanation.

Hugh nodded and glanced at Ranulf, but as he looked only mildly curious over this turn of events, Hugh gave his attention back to Richard. “How is it you discovered I was traveling to Warhurst?”

“I did not,” Richard replied. “Actually, I was on my way to Lyonsford, but wanted to pay my respects to Lady Reina, as I have not visited Clydon for sometime. I was not aware you were acquainted with the lady, father.”

“I was not, until this morn. My baggage wain broke down, or I would not have stopped here, with Warhurst so close.”

Reina was not paying attention to this conversation. She was watching her husband and knew the moment his ignorance ended. He was sitting next to her on the bench, so that she heard his sharp intake of breath and the even louder expulsion. Then his eyes came to her, glowing with furious accusation, and she could do no more than flinch.

Well, ’twas her own fault. Had she been paying attention when Gilbert introduced Hugh to her, she would have known he was not only Ranulf’s father but Richard’s, too, and she could have given Ranulf warning. Lyonsford, the very family her own father had approved an alliance with, and she had made that alliance unawares.

This was too funny, though she did not dare laugh just now. She had wanted to marry one brother, had ended up marrying the other, and did not even know it—and neither did they. And now her husband thought she had deliberately tried to keep the truth from him and would continue to think so until they were alone and she could explain. Nay, why should she wait? They were all family, after all.

“’Tis not what you think, Ranulf, so you can stop scowling at me like that. I was so surprised when your father walked in here this morn that I did not hear him introduced to me. ’Tis as simple as that.”

“Is it?” he growled.

“Very well, give me one reason why I would not tell you your brother is now your neighbor if I knew it. You were like to find out soon enough, if your father did not tell you first, so why should I keep it from you?”

“For spite.”

“I am not Lady—”
Jesú
, she almost said “Anne,” but she was not supposed to know of her, and she could not betray Walter’s confidence. “Never mind,” she finished stiffly, annoyed that she could offer no better defense, further annoyed that she should need one. “If you think that, then you do not know me at all.”

There must have been enough disappointment in her voice to make an impression, for the moment she turned away, Ranulf’s hand drew her back. “I am sorry,” he said gruffly, and she knew it was not just words, that he actually was. He looked too embarrassed not to be. “There is just too much converging on me at once here.”

She knew exactly how he felt, and so smiled encouragingly. “Naught that cannot be dealt with, my lord.” And then she leaned closer to whisper, “The key is to take the situation in hand and assume control of it—like this.” His alarmed look made her add, “Relax.
You
will not be on the receiving end this time.”

Reina turned to the two men still standing. They had ceased their own conversation, though how much
they had heard of hers she could not guess. But Richard did not look at ease, not in the least.

He was a half foot shorter than his father, with curly brown hair and gray eyes usually as merry as Searle’s, but there was no humor in them now. Hugh was right: this son of his bore absolutely no resemblance to him. That was not unusual. What was unusual was the striking resemblance Ranulf bore to Hugh, which Richard could not mistake. He had once told her that he had cousins and uncles on his father’s side whom he had never met. Had he assumed Ranulf to be one of these when he first saw him, she could understand his disconcertion now if he had heard her say they were brothers. Even if he had not heard that, suspicions would not be long in coming.

“Well, Lord Hugh, as well as your father managed to keep Ranulf a secret from Richard’s relatives, you must allow the secret is now ended. Do you intend to introduce your sons to each other, or should I?”

Suspicions might have been forming, but confirmation sent Richard stumbling toward a seat. Hugh frowned at Reina, but she ignored him, ignored Ranulf, too, who was also frowning at the abruptness of her disclosure. She was more interested in Richard’s reaction, which was not just surprise, but alarm. Now why should that be? He was his father’s heir, so named in his will. Did he think that would change now? He might, if he thought his father also had only just discovered Ranulf’s existence.

“You really did not know, did you, Richard?” she asked more gently, remembering belatedly that this man had always been a friend to her.

“Nay,” he replied, and looked to his father. “Did you?”

“For many years now,” Hugh admitted.

“And you never thought to tell me? You did not think I would find it of interest to know you have another bastard, one older than I?”

He made this heated accusation in a tone and expression so unlike himself that Reina was startled. Ranulf was not, she saw, but of course Ranulf did not know Richard’s usual easygoing manner. Hugh was not surprised either, however, so mayhap he had been witness to such an outburst before. But Reina had not been, and this Richard was so different from the one she knew that she was forced to recall all the outlaw had told her in a new light. She had thought it impossible that Richard could be of two such different characters, but in fact it was not.

“I never found a reason to tell you,” Hugh was saying. “Due to unfortunate misunderstandings, I have been estranged from Ranulf all these years.”

“And now you are not?” Richard demanded.

“I am pleased to say that is so,” Hugh replied, and then more sharply, “Your upset is understandable but uncalled-for, Richard. This does not change your own circumstance. What I was coming to Warhurst to tell you does, however. You learn today that you have not only a half brother but also a half sister, Elisabeth, born to my lady wife last month.”

Richard paled at this news. Reina glanced quickly at Ranulf to see he was not surprised. Hugh had obviously already told him he had a sister, and he was not in the least displeased. Well, it did not matter to him one way or the other, did it? But to Richard it did, and where an estate the size of Lyonsford was concerned, it no doubt mattered a great deal.

But Hugh was not finished. “The terms wrested
from me at your birth, Richard, were unreasonable and never meant to fully apply. That my wife remained barren for so long mayhap has led you to anticipate more from me, but that is not to be. I gave you Warhurst. You needs be satisfied with that.”