Heartsong (24 page)

“My Lord, this was a wonderful idea.”

He said nothing in return, but Rhianna was not bothered overmuch. They mounted and she rode beside him, taking the time to look around her and enjoy the winter landscape. They rode away from the castle moving in a different direction than the last hunting expedition.

They rode for some time, first allowing the horses free reign, then guiding them into a walk.

“Garrett.” Rhianna halted her mount. “We’ve passed animals several times now. Isn’t it time we dismounted and began to track?”

“Not for a time yet, wench. I have the perfect place in mind. We must travel on.”

Rhianna grimaced, then followed, slightly puzzled at his attitude. Was there a particular place he wanted to show her, a glen or glade, perhaps, that held special memories? That had to be the reason they had yet to dismount.

It was nearly nooning when Rhianna began to question the expression on Garrett’s face. They had been traveling now for more than four hours and had stopped only to refresh themselves. What was going on here? This was not the hunt Rhianna had in mind when she agreed to accompany him.

“My Lord,” she called. “I want to know what is going on. We have not stopped to hunt and I’m beginning to wonder if a hunt is what you had in mind.”

He glanced back but said nothing, only continued to ride.

“Garrett, if we are not going to hunt, then I want to return to the keep.”

“We are traveling to Wales.” His voice pounded through her.

“We are what?” she screeched, upsetting her mount who sidestepped and attempted to rear. “Nay,” she shouted, struggling to calm her destry and remain in the saddle.

Garrett rode to her side. “You’ve upset the horse. Now

behave. I told you we would go. Why did you doubt my word?”

“I’m ill. I cannot go. Do you hear me? I will not go!”

“All of England hears you. I go to Wales. I doubt you can find your way back to the keep. If you behave, we will stop for something to eat.” He leaned over her saddle and grabbed the reins. “We should be meeting with the rest of our escort in less then an hour, so I say again, behave yourself.”

She wanted to hit him. However, he was right. She too doubted that she could find her way back to Knockin without a guide. With her expression glum, she sat her horse and let Garrett hold the straps as if she was in leading ropes. But there was no way she would cooperate in this.

“Arthur is with the group. Do not upset your brother.”

“Do not order me, Garrett deShay. You lied. You said we would hunt. Instead you go against my wishes and drag me to a place I do not want to go. I am not happy about this.”

“I saw no other way,” he said, and led them toward a road she hadn’t noticed before.

In the distance she heard the sound of tramping horses and the clang of armor. The escort of which he spoke? Probably. She stared at the trail, trying hard to ease her anger. He didn’t understand her fear. And he didn’t care. She wasn’t about to question why, but with the anger, a heavy burden of hurt weighed on her.

“You shame me.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Why?” He seemed genuinely confused. “I spoke to your brother. He said no one planned to wed you, that you wanted no marriage. I did ask.”

“My brother knows of our sleeping arrangements?” Horror filled her voice.

“Aye, I imagine he does. Most of the keep knows I occupy your bed most nights. I didn’t try to keep it a secret.”

Rhianna sensed the heat as it traveled from her neck to her face. She had thought to keep the knowledge to themselves. Turning the horse around and riding away from Garrett deShay seemed infinitely preferable to remaining in his company. However, he still had her reins, so her wishes would go unsatisfied.

Well, she didn’t have to talk to him. She held her tongue, telling herself her silence would let him know just how upset she was.

In less time than Rhianna would have liked, they joined a large contingent of people from Knockin. Arthur rode with several of the stable lads. Lydon and Edina rode side-by-side. Several soldiers followed behind them and Mildred followed with some of the baggage carts. To Rhianna’s surprise, several other knights rode out of the woods behind them. Even if she had tried to turn around, Garrett had men riding in back of them. She would never have escaped.

Rhianna wanted to scream with frustration. From the amount of luggage, it appeared they would be staying for the better part of a month. Nay, that would never do. If they were in the north of Wales for all of a month, she just knew someone would see her and recognize her. She couldn’t afford that, nor could Arthur.

Once again, Garrett read her thoughts.

“Your brother had no wish to make this trip, but I pointed out to him there would be times when you would need his company. Although he still hesitated, I told him he had no say in this. I wanted him traveling with us.”

Well if Arthur objected, then he’s finally showing some sense. He knows the risks as well as I.
Still, she held her tongue. She was not going to say a word to Garrett, even if remaining silent killed her.

More than once, she found herself biting her tongue, but she persevered. Not one word passed her lips. Garrett appeared stoic, but she didn’t care. She didn’t want to go to Wales with him, she’d told him she didn’t want to go, still he’d insisted. How could he do this to her?

She had no answer.

The sun had set when Garrett posted a guard and then ordered everyone to bed. Before she had a chance to object, he grabbed her arm and dragged her to his tent.

“Nay. You cannot expect me to stay here with you for all to see.”

“Oh, so finally you speak. And what do you say? All here know we share a bed at Knockin.”

“Oh, have you no feelings for my pride? I am but a

maiden.” She turned away from him, angry with herself for opening her mouth. So much for maintaining her silence.

“Rhianna, you are no longer a maiden, but I will not bed you if you do not want. However you will stay in this tent with me. I have no idea what might develop during the night. With me you will be safe.”

“Never,” she murmured, not certain he had heard her comment. One thing she did know, escape for her would be impossible. She would be in Wales, in her homeland, and yet far away from her home.
Lily, will I ever see you again?

He left her then and she shed her gown with as much speed as she could manage without the aid of Mildred. After she crawled under a pile of furs, she wondered if she should not have sought Arthur and made some kind of plans.

She gave a thought to climbing from the cot and seeking out her brother. But with eyes heavy with fatigue, she drifted off to sleep.

They traveled for four days and although Rhianna tried to corner her brother, Garrett always intervened. Did he suspect she wanted to flee from the group?

Late the morn of their fifth day of travel, Rhianna got her first glimpse of Edward’s new castle. It was built on the edge of the sea and the gray stone shouted English possession so strongly, her blood heated with anger. It was also much larger than she thought it might be. It put Knockin to shame. She gritted her teeth and slumped in her saddle. Any place at all would be better than here. If she was swallowed up inside, she would never find Arthur, for he would stay with the horses. She brightened for a moment. Mayhap, as huge as this castle was, she could find a corner in which to hide.

Garrett again sensed her mood. He rode to her side and pressed his gloved hand to hers. “‘Twill be fine. You’ll see.”

It was not fine, nor would she pretend, not even for his sake that she would enjoy being here.

~ * ~

That evening she again met Margot, who accompanied her husband. Richard Parrish was a plain man, not handsome, but not unattractive. A body could pass him on a stairway or in a courtyard and not even notice him. He was average height, much shorter than Garrett and almost the same height as his wife who was taller than most women. He wore his dull, straight brown hair off his face and his chin was covered with a trim beard similar to Garrett’s.

The one feature Rhianna knew people would notice, as she had, were his eyes. They were green. Not many had green eyes, but Richard Parrish had brilliant green eyes, the same color as summer leaves shimmering in the late afternoon sun. They were intense, the gaze thoughtful and Rhianna cringed before his perusal. Without saying a word, she knew he ascertained how she served Garrett. Shame heated her cheeks.

She suffered through the evening meal, thankful that few joined them for the offering. The king was busy with his other, more important guests. For that she was grateful.

She had no liking for Margot’s company, and although she thought to feel dishonor, Richard drew her out. She found herself enjoying their conversation and when they had finished eating, she was almost sorry.

Garrett guided her through the section of the castle that held their chamber.

“We’ll be sharing rooms with Margot and Richard because Edward has invited so many guests,” Garrett explained as he led her into a sparsely furnished solar.

“Does your king think he owns all of Wales?” she asked, trying not to scream in frustration.

“Nay, just a good part of it. Now, our room is here.” He pointed to the left. “It’s small but I assured my liege we would make due.”

He pointed to the other room. “Margot and Richard have a little better chamber. I realize this isn’t what you thought, nor what I planned, but I have no say.”

“I cannot have a room of my own?” she asked.

“Nay. There are no other chambers. Edward invited most of his loyal barons. We’ll have to content ourselves with this space.” He opened the door to a small chamber which housed a bed, a trunk and a chair. “A lengthy visit is now out of the question. We won’t stay long.”

Rhianna sighed with gratitude. At least she might be spared some embarrassment.

“The baptism?” She removed her veil as she spoke.

“Will take place in two days’ time. We will leave after that.” He paced the small chamber like a confined animal.

“And our leaving won’t be conspicuous?”

“Nay, for Richard must return to his own estate and our chambers will be needed for other guests.” He started for the door. “I will leave you now. I must attend my liege.”

She nodded. At least she wouldn’t have to face any of the English or Welsh dignitaries just yet.

For a short time she sat in the chair, wondering how she would spend the rest of her evening. Without a guide, she knew she couldn’t wander around the castle. Arthur and even Mildred, who accompanied the escort, had abandoned her. She was on her own. Nor could she remain in this tiny bedchamber.

With reluctance, she opened the door to the solar, but stopped when she heard voices. She recognized Margot’s voice immediately. It took another moment before she realized that she was listening to the private conversation of a man and his wife. Richard Parrish was arguing with Margot.

She had no intention of listening to them, but the anger resonating from their words made leaving her chamber and walking through the solar impossible. With no other choice, she pushed the door shut as carefully as she could. She didn’t need to worry that they might have heard the closing door for their anger resounded through her own chamber.

She gritted her teeth, wondering how to dismiss their discourse. Sticking her fingers in her ears, and hoping to hear nothing, was one choice. She could stumble through the solar, embarrassing herself and them. But then where would she go?

Fingers in her ears seemed childish, nor could she embarrass them by blundering into the solar. She could only pray they would realize she occupied the other bedchamber and carry their argument to their own room.

Still, their words rang through the door.

“I’ve told you I cannot give you an heir,” Margot shouted. “I may be barren.”

Rhianna grew tense with uneasiness.

“I know about the earlier conception and how you lost the child.” Richard’s voice sounded tired, annoyed.

“That was an accident.” Margot sounded furious.

“‘Twas no accident. I had the truth of it told to me by one of my own servants.”

“Whichever servant told you thus lied to you.” Margot sounded a bit unsure.

“Nay, I think not. You destroyed my get. Now I tell you, you will bear me an heir or I will set you aside.”

“The church will not allow it. You cannot set me aside.” Margot sounded desperate.

“Aye, the church will have no objections. What you did makes you an unworthy spouse. However, I will forget and forgive if you bear me a child.”

“What if I have a daughter? She would not inherit.”

Rhianna felt Richard’s sigh in her own chamber.

“A daughter can marry and her children would be heirs to what I hold. The time for arguing is at an end. I want a...”

Rhianna heard a door squeak in protest as it opened and then closed. She wiped her hands over her burning face. Oh, that she had not heard that exchange. Now, she had no choice but to try to wipe it from her mind.

For an instant, she wondered if either Margot or Richard would realize someone had heard their words. Such a situation did not bear thinking about. Nor could she say a word to Garrett. She prayed he would have no reason to mention to his sister or Richard that she’d gone to their chamber after the meal.