Mystique (31 page)

Hugh looked at Dunstan. “See him through the gate.”

Dunstan relaxed slightly. “Aye, m’lord.” He motioned to the Scarcliffe men-at-arms.

Alice watched with satisfaction as Eduard and his men departed. “There, you see, Reginald? I told you all would be well.”

“Aye, my lady.” Reginald gazed at Hugh with awe.

Emma clasped her hands tightly together. Her anxious eyes went from Alice to Hugh. “My lord, I pray you do not … I mean, I must ask if you intend to … to—” She broke off helplessly.

Alice knew what Emma was thinking. It would be all too easy for Hugh to take what Eduard of Lockton had just surrendered. “There, there, Emma. Rivenhall is safe from Lord Hugh.”

“I am not going to take this keep, my lady,” Hugh said without any emotion. “I gave my oath to Erasmus of Thornewood and in spite of what some would believe, he is still alive. While he lives, he has my loyalty.”

Emma gave him a shaky smile. “Thank you, my lord. I know that your oath did not bind you to come to the defense of Rivenhall. It would have been most convenient for you to have let it fall to Eduard of Lockton.”

“Aye.” Hugh gave Alice an unreadable look. “Most convenient.”

Reginald stepped forward and gave Hugh a courtly bow. “On behalf of my father, sir, I thank you for your assistance today.”

“Do not thank me,” Hugh said. “‘Twas the work of my betrothed.”

“She was magnificent,” Emma breathed. “We shall be forever grateful to her. We would have been lost without her.”

Alice smiled happily. “‘Twas no great matter. I merely invoked the power of Lord Hugh’s legendary reputation.”

“So you did.” Hugh’s eyes burned. “And you will soon learn that all power commands a price.”

“S
he meant well, my lord.” Dunstan watched with morbid fascination as Hugh turned the wine cup slowly between his hands. “She is a woman, after all. With a woman’s soft heart. When young Reginald pleaded with her to save his mother, she could not bring herself to deny him.”

Hugh gazed into the flames on the hearth. He had come directly here to his study chamber as soon as he had returned from Rivenhall with Alice and his men. There had been no opportunity to speak to Alice during the wild ride through the storm.

Outside, the full fury of wind and rain lashed the black walls of Scarcliffe. The tempest mirrored his own mood. He had come so close. His hand tightened briefly on the wine cup.
So very close
. Vengeance had been all but within his grasp.

“Given your original opinion of my betrothed, I am amazed to hear you defend her, Dunstan.”

Dunstan flushed. “She could not have known of your plans, sir.”

“It was to have been so very convenient.” Hugh looked into the heart of the fire. “Rivenhall was balanced on the brink of disaster. Vincent has stripped his own lands of what little his father left in order to pay for his endless jousts. He did not even leave enough men behind
to guard his keep. It was ripe to fall into the hands of someone such as Eduard of Lockton.”

Dunstan exhaled heavily. “I am aware that you have been waiting for Rivenhall to fall of its own accord.”

“‘Twas such a simple stratagem, Dunstan.”

“Aye.”

“Yet she managed to tangle herself up in my net. She ruined it all.”

Dunstan cleared his throat. “You did leave her in command of Scarcliffe, sir.”

“Scarcliffe. Not Rivenhall.”

“You did not make the limits of her authority clear to her,” Dunstan insisted.

“A mistake that I will not repeat in the future.” Hugh sipped wine from the cup. “I always learn from my mistakes, Dunstan.”

“Sir, I must tell you that she acted with great daring. Never have I seen the like. She rode through the gates of Rivenhall with armed men at her back as though she were a queen in command of an army.”

“Did she?”

“You should have seen the expression on Eduard of Lockton’s face when he saw that it was a woman who rode beneath your banners. He was most anxious. He did not know what to think. He fell back on the hope that you would not support her when yon discovered what she had done.”

“I had no choice but to support her. She left me no other option. She acted in my name.” Hugh’s mouth twisted. “Nay, it went beyond that, you know. She thinks herself my partner. A
business
associate.”

“Whatever else you may say about her, you must know that she possesses a courage that is the equal to that of any man.” Dunstan paused meaningfully. “Indeed, a courage equal to your own, my lord.”

“Do you think I am not aware of that?” Hugh asked very softly. “‘Tis one of the reasons I decided to wed her, if you will but recall. I wanted to breed such courage into my heirs.”

“Sir, I heard you tell her that power commands a price. Mayhap courage does also.”

“Aye, So it would seem. She has certainly seen to it that I paid a very high price for that commodity, has she not? And to think that I believed myself skilled at matters of business and bargaining.”

Dunstan drew a deep breath. “My lord, I ask that you consider that Lady Alice could not have known of the depth of your feelings toward all things Rivenhall.”

Hugh looked up from the flames at last, straight into his old friend’s eyes. “Ah, now that is where you are wrong, Dunstan. She knew how I felt about Rivenhall. She knew full well.”

“I
vow, it was the most astonishing sight, Alice.” Benedict struck his staff against the floor to emphasize his enthusiasm. He turned from the window, his face alight with excitement. “Chests of spices were stacked to the roof. Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper, and saffron. Lord Hugh is obliged to hire guards at all times to keep watch on the storerooms.”

“I am not surprised.” Alice folded her hands together on top of her desk and tried to listen with proper attention as Benedict described his trip to London. It was not easy. Her mind kept returning to the events of the previous day.

The storm had vanished with the morning sun. The warm light pouring through the window lit her collection of crystals, giving even the ugly green stone on her desk an inner glow.

Alice hoped the rare fine weather would find a reflection in Hugh’s temper, but she was not counting too heavily on that possibility. She had neither seen nor spoken to him since they had arrived home last night. She was not at all certain that she wished to do so.

She knew that she had roused the fires of the past within him. It only remained to see how long they would blaze before they died down once more. In the meantime she sensed it would be prudent to avoid the source of the conflagration.

“He employs many men, Alice. He has scribes and clerics and stewards. They deal with members of the Guild of Pepperers and they forge contracts with the captains of
sailing vessels. They barter with powerful merchants. One afternoon we went down to the docks and watched as a ship was unloaded. It brought the most amazing goods from the East.”

“It must have been a fascinating sight.”

“Aye. But the most interesting thing was the library where the records of the voyages and cargoes are maintained. The steward in charge of that chamber showed me how each item in a shipment is entered into a log. He uses an abacus, just as Lord Hugh does, but he works it far more swiftly. He can do great sums in a moment. Sir Hugh says he is expert at the business.”

Benedict’s enthusiasm caught Alice’s full attention. She eyed her brother thoughtfully. “It sounds as if you would enjoy such work.”

“If I could work for Sir Hugh, I would certainly enjoy it,” Benedict agreed. “He says he hires only the most highly skilled people and then he gives them the authority to carry out their duties in whatever manner they see fit. He says that is the best way.”

Alice grimaced. “What does he do if someone in his
employ
exceeds his authority?”

“He dismisses the person, I suppose,” Benedict said carelessly.

“I wonder if he will dismiss a betrothed wife as easily,” Alice muttered under her breath.

A small sound out in the hall caught her attention. She glanced anxiously toward the door, hoping that the faint footsteps she heard heralded the arrival of Elbert or one of the servants. An hour ago she had sent the steward to Hugh with a request to speak privately. Thus far there had been no response.

The footsteps passed her study chamber door without pausing. They receded down the hall. Alice heaved a tiny sigh.

Benedict glanced at her. “What did you say?”

“Nothing. Tell me more about your stay in London. Where did you stay?”

“At an inn that Sir Hugh favors. The food was plain but the cook did not attempt to disguise old meat in her
stews and the bedding was clean. Sir Hugh says that is what one looks for in an inn.”

“Were there any women at this inn?” Alice asked cautiously.

“Aye, some worked in the tavern. Why do you ask?”

Alice picked up the green stone and pretended to study it. “Did Sir Hugh talk to any of those women?”

“Certainly, when he commanded that food or ale be brought to our table.”

“Did Sir Hugh go off with any of them?” Alice asked softly.

“Nay.” Benedict looked puzzled. “Where would he go with a tavern wench?”

Something inside Alice eased. She set the stone down and smiled at her brother. “I have no notion. I was merely curious. Tell me more about London.”

“‘Tis an astounding place, Alice. So many people and shops. So many buildings.”

“It must have been fascinating.”

“It was. But Sir Hugh says he prefers the comforts of his own hall.” Benedict paused by a worktable to toy with the astrolabe. “Alice, I have been thinking about my future. I believe I know what I would like to do.”

Alice frowned. “You have chosen a career?”

“I wish to become Sir Hugh’s man.”

Alice stared at her brother, astonished. “In what capacity?”

“I want to deal in the spice trade,” Benedict said eagerly. “I want to learn to keep the accounts and make contracts with the ships’ captains. I want to supervise the unloading of the vessels and the sale of the spices. ‘Tis so exciting, Alice. You cannot imagine.”

“You truly believe that you would enjoy that sort of career?”

“‘Twould be ever so much more interesting than a career in the law.”

Alice smiled wistfully. “I see that Sir Hugh has accomplished what I failed to do.”

Benedict glanced at her. “What is that?”

“He has given you a taste of the world and a hunger for your own future. ‘Tis a fine gift.”

And while Hugh had been graciously bestowing that gift on her brother, Alice thought sadly, she had been depriving him of his long-sought vengeance.

A
startled hush fell over the great hall that afternoon when Alice descended the tower stairs for the midday meal.

The clatter of mugs and knives ceased momentarily. The bustling servants paused to stare. The men seated on the benches at the long trestle tables stopped talking. A burst of loud laughter was cut off abruptly.

Everyone gazed at her in astonishment. Alice knew they were held rapt not only by her presence but by the sight of her new black and amber gown. The significance of her apparel was not lost on anyone. Hugh’s betrothed wore her future husband’s new colors.

A soft murmur of wonder and curiosity swept through the chamber.

Alice smiled wryly. Her entrance had created a sensation second only to the sort that Hugh himself was fond of making.

She looked down the length of the chamber to where he sat beneath the new black and amber canopy.

In spite of the tension in the hall, Alice could not help but be pleased with the effect Julian had created. There were cloths on the tables. Tapestries hung on the walls. Fresh herbs scented the clean rushes. Many of the servants were already garbed in the new colors.

Hugh looked especially fine seated at the head table in his great black chair, Alice thought.

He also looked very cold and very remote. Her momentary flicker of pleasure evaporated. He had not forgiven her for going to the aid of Riven hall.

“My lady.” Elbert appeared at Alice’s elbow. His expression was anxious. “Will you dine with us today?”

“Aye.”

Elbert beamed with unmistakable pride. “Allow me to escort you to the head table.”

“My thanks.” It was obvious that Hugh was not going to perform the courtesy, she thought.

Hugh watched with chilling intensity as she walked toward the head table. He did not rise from his ebony chair until she was almost upon him. At the last moment he got to his feet, inclined his head in an icy gesture, and took her hand to seat her. His fingers were iron bonds around her own soft palm.

“How kind of you to honor us with your presence, Lady Alice,” he murmured.

At his tone she shivered and knew that he must have felt her reaction. She tried to calm her racing pulse as she took her seat.

“I trust that you will enjoy the meal, sir.” Alice hastily freed her hand from his grasp.

“Your presence will definitely add a certain seasoning to the dishes.”

She knew that his laconic remark had not been intended as a compliment but she decided to pretend otherwise. “You are most gracious, sir.”

Hugh took his seat once more. He relaxed against the inlaid back of the chair and rested one elbow on a massive arm. He studied Alice with dangerous eyes. “May I ask why a woman of such refined sensibilities has chosen to dine in such rude company?”

Alice felt herself turn pink with embarrassment. “I do not consider the company rude.” She nodded toward Elbert, who sprang into action. “I look forward to dining with you, my lord.”

“Do you, indeed?”

He had not even noticed her new gown.

This was not going to be easy, Alice acknowledged. But, then, things rarely were with Hugh. She cast about for a way to change the topic. Her gaze fell on an unfamiliar man seated at the far end of one table. He was dressed in religious robes.

“Who is our guest?” she asked politely.

“The priest I brought back with me.” Hugh flicked a mildly curious glance at an elegant dish of poached fish as it was set in front of him. The fish had been garnished with a saffron-tinted sauce. “He will perform the wedding service tomorrow.”