Siege Of the Heart (20 page)

“Because of this sad turn of events, it now falls to me to go to London and swear my allegiance to William. My escort will be Alexandre d’Évreux and his men, who have been heretofore our honored guests.” Isabel gestured to the fuming knight before she looked back to her people. “While in London, I will most likely be asked to take some Norman lord as a husband.”

A current of dismay traveled through the room.

Isabel shook her head and raised a hand for silence. “I do not wish this, but I also know it will be the way of things. When I return, we will have a new lord, but I beg you to remember you shall still have me as your mistress, and I hope that will give you some small comfort,” she said in subdued tones.

“In the meantime,” she resumed in a bolder voice, “we shall remain hopeful. Tonight we feast together.” She raised her cup before her and waited as the others around her picked up theirs in salute. “Let us enjoy the food before us as we honor the past, and let us drink to our future.”

Cheers, gradually building in volume, rose through the crowd. Isabel sank into her seat. Everyone was soon in his or her place, and the first platters of food were brought out.

“Excellent speech, my lady,” Captain Thomas said to her in French, deliberately including their Norman guests.

She searched the faces below. “I cannot tell how upset they are.”

“I am sure they are more than willing to be distracted from their sorrow by the feast,” Alexandre said, sitting on the opposite side of Isabel. “But I keep forgetting how distracting my lady can be.”

Isabel sighed. “I know how upset you are to learn of my father in this way, but—”

“I doubt that very much, Isabel,” Alexandre interrupted. “How long have you known about your father?”

“I will not discuss this matter with you if you cannot behave in a reasonable manner. I will cause my people no further unease by publicly quarreling with you,” she said.

Alexandre stabbed his eating dagger into the cut of roast duck lying on the platter before him. “How long, my lady?” he said, struggling to moderate the tone of his voice.

“My brother sent word the morning you arrived in Ashdown.”

“You knew the entire time,” he said.

“Yes.” Isabel stared defiantly into his still-angry countenance. “I kept it a secret to ensure my people would be safe. I did not want the Normans to forget my father’s lineage if and when they sought him out.”

“That, my lady, is the only thing preventing me from clapping you in irons this moment.”

“Alexandre, what could I have done otherwise?”

“You should have cooperated with me from the outset.”

“I beg your pardon, but I had no reason to trust you. You are conquerors, and despite my bloodlines and connections, I could not be sure you would treat me honorably.”

“I told you from the very beginning I would treat you well. I am hurt you did not take my words to heart.”

She wanted to throttle him for such arrogance. She had no way of knowing he would be true to his words. How could he not see that? “These are uncertain times, and you cannot fault me for being overly cautious,” she said in clipped tones.

He studied her, his dark brows drawn down into a line over his eyes. “
Non
, I cannot fault you for that,” he said after a moment. “But I must ask why you waited so long to tell me.”

She sighed again. She could no longer put off the truth. “I wanted to ensure my people were prepared. I knew the moment I told you about my father, you would drag me off to London. I needed more time before I accepted whatever future William will no doubt plan for me.”

He shook his head. “Isabel, that still does not explain—”

“I would speak of this no more, sir. You know,” she said, allowing her resignation to imbue her voice. “You now know everything. Let that be enough. There is nothing to stop you from taking me to London. And we can leave tomorrow if you wish. I promise I will give you no more trouble.”

“My lady, that is hardly a comfort. How do you expect me to trust anything you say?”

“Because I give you my word.”

“What if that is not enough?” he demanded.

“Sir, I have other guests I must attend to.” Isabel rose, stung by his unwillingness to believe her. She sought to visit with her father’s vassals sitting further down the table, but Alexandre stayed her with a hand on her arm. His grip was firm but not painful.

“My lady, this discussion is not over.”

Isabel inclined her head as she shook him off. “Another time then.”

* * * *

Alex watched her as she moved away. He resisted the impulse to look at his men for guidance. He knew they would be shaken and distrustful.

He was not surprised Lord Dumont was dead. In fact, at this point he would have been even more surprised if Dumont were still alive. It had been too long since anyone could account for him in this war-torn country. Alex had dreaded telling Isabel his suspicions, especially so soon after the report of her brother’s death arrived. But for her to hide the truth from him? He had thought he had everything under control. He had assumed Isabel, despite her resistance, was beginning to see him more as an ally. That she still did not trust him was a blow to his pride. He had not anticipated the possibility of her lying to him—whatever her motivations. His attraction to the girl had blinded him from seeing the situation for what it was. And her ability to make him disregard his duties shook him to the core.

Captain Thomas scraped his chair closer to Alex’s, interrupting his thoughts. “Alexandre, I am sorry if the announcement came as a surprise to you.”

Alex smiled ruefully, as Hugh snorted in disbelief beside him. Alex gave his shield bearer a warning look before turning his attention to Captain Thomas. “I take it you were informed about the situation before tonight?”

Captain Thomas nodded. “Yes, I was there when Isabel received the news. I do not deny she should have told you sooner, but she had her own reasons for doing what she did.”

“
Certainement
. And they included treating me like a fool.”

“I am sure my lady did not intend that. As you have probably realized, my lady felt threatened by you and your men’s presence here. Without her father and brother for guidance and support, it was natural for her to be defensive. By withholding her father’s death, Isabel thought she was rectifying the balance of power between you.”

“There was no need. She could have confided in me at any time. She was in no danger.”

“She did not know that and thought she was acting in her best interests,” the older knight explained. “I believe you are taking this too personally.”

“I hear what you are saying, Captain Thomas, but you cannot tell me she did not enjoy the prospect of getting the better of me.”

Captain Thomas shook his head. “You misjudge her. She has been through a great deal and feels her responsibility to her people and her land most desperately.”

“She makes too much of those responsibilities. I would have gladly shared in her troubles and helped her in her duties.”

“You know nothing of the woman you have come to marry, do you?” Captain Thomas’s tone held a touch of condemnation.

He sucked in his breath and felt Jerome start beside him. Alex recovered and cleared his throat. “You are very shrewd to have seen so much.”

Captain Thomas waved him off. “I am not blind to the way you look at her. Nor am I blind to your intentions. You are hoping William will promise her to you after all this, are you not?”

Alex contemplated Captain Thomas for a moment, his fingers tightening over his eating dagger. Had Lord Dumont been alive, there would still be the matter of asking and granting, but now, with no one recognized under Norman law in a position to speak on Isabel’s behalf, it fell to the king to decide her fate.

And William had already made his intentions clear.

Alex felt Hugh’s gaze on him and ignored it. “William would grant Isabel to me for my services.”

“And is there a reason why you have chosen to keep my lady ignorant of this development?” Captain Thomas asked mildly.

Alex dropped the dagger onto the table with a clatter. “I did not think Isabel would be receptive to any match, based on what William told me. So I vowed to charm her myself. By doing that, I hoped she would not be so angry when the truth was made known.”

Captain Thomas laughed, and Alex was hard-pressed to keep from hitting the man. “What is so funny?”

“Isabel will be furious, no matter how charming you have been. And I do not doubt you have been very charming. You must understand Isabel is not like other—”

“I have become well aware of that,” Alex snapped. “But I thought I would be able to make a more favorable impression this way than if she had known the truth from the beginning. Can you honestly tell me she would have given me the chance if she felt forced into the situation?”

Captain Thomas was quiet for a moment. “
Non
, I cannot tell you that. Do not think I do not respect you for trying to win her over this way. I mean only to prepare you if all does not go well.”

Alex ran a hand through his hair in agitation. “I know it is a risky gambit, but I do not want to repeat the mistakes of my parents. I cannot ignore William’s offer of marriage despite my misgivings. I respect Isabel and I know we could have a strong future together if she is willing.” He sighed and looked back at Captain Thomas. “What else can I do? You see how she reacts to me.”

“Yes, I do, and that is the one thing in your favor.”

“What do you mean?”

Captain Thomas took a breath and spread his hands apart. “Isabel is indeed affected by you. Most men of her acquaintance have been uninteresting and easily dismissible. You, sir, are neither, and as much as the two of you disagree, you would complement each other very well.”

Alex nodded. “I know, but whenever I try and get her to realize it, she pulls away. I cannot reach her.”

“Telling her what to think and feel is a grave mistake, and, despite your intentions, I have no doubt that is how she has interpreted your actions. She needs time to adjust to her feelings for you, and if you try to force her, she will fight you all the more.”

“I do not have the time. She will know the truth in but a few days. And I do not want to kill the potential between us.”

Captain Thomas shrugged. “You must let things develop naturally. Isabel will still be angry, but the less she feels manipulated, the better it will be for you.”

The older knight moved to get up, but Alex stopped him. “I appreciate your counsel in this. I would ask you continue to remain silent on this matter. I have no desire to inform Isabel of the situation until it becomes necessary. I must still harbor the hope she will come around.”

Captain Thomas nodded. “Be gentle with her. I cannot give you any promises, but I know Isabel is not blind to your quality. She is an intelligent woman, and I have every confidence she will see what you have to offer is much more than what some other untried, untested soldier from William’s army will bring to her and this land.”

The older knight walked away, and Alex turned to Hugh and Jerome. Hugh’s face was nearly purple in the attempts of holding his tongue while Alex spoke with Captain Thomas. “Out with it,” Alex said bleakly.

Hugh tried to look offended but failed. “There is certainly more to the old man than I thought.”

Alex grimaced. “Too much, I expect.”

“Do you think he approves?”

“I know not. If he truly opposed the match, I do not think he would be so encouraging.”

“That was encouraging?” Jerome asked doubtfully. “What will you do?”

Alex sighed. “I do not know.”

“You do not regret accepting William’s offer, do you?” Hugh asked.

“
Non
, I just did not expect to wage another war so soon after Hastings.”

Jerome looked up from his wine cup. “You mean with Lady Isabel?”

“Yes. I have bullied her too much. I suppose reparations are in order.”

Hugh grinned. “I bet I know just what kind of reparations you’ll give her, too.”

Alex gave a short laugh, “
Non
, seduction will not win this for me.”

“That may be, but at least you’ll get a taste of heaven before hell breaks loose,” Jerome said with a wink.