The Christmas Knight (35 page)

Ranulf had to turn his head severely to the left to see to what she was referring. “How close?”

Her brows shot up at his sudden interest. “If I remember right, my father said he lived a few miles down where the river converged and made a heart.”

Ranulf glanced up. Clouds had covered the sky the entire day so it was difficult to tell just how much time they had left, but he suspected it was an hour. Two at most before night was upon then.

Bronwyn hadn’t complained and didn’t appear to be getting ill, but he knew she was cold and uncomfortable. Warmth, hot food and a restful night of sleep would do a lot to ensure everyone could keep up the pace for the rest of the trip. Not to mention, he could insist her sisters remain behind, leaving only Bronwyn to look after as an inexperienced traveler.

Aiming his horse toward the group of trees, he said, “We’ll travel a few miles along the river. If we haven’t seen it by dark, then we move on.”

Bronwyn nodded her head enthusiastically and shifted the blankets back up to cover her exposed cheeks.

An hour later a large tower keep came into view approximately six miles east from where they were headed. Without hesitation, Ranulf tugged his reins to his left and headed for the stone structure. It wasn’t far off course and the benefits far outweighed any inconvenience.

Bronwyn trotted up next to him and beamed him a glorious smile that sent his pulse racing.

“Baron Alfred, you say?” he asked rhetorically. “Well, let’s hope you are right and that he still considers you a friend.”

“He was a very good friend to my father, and while I have never been to his home, he should remember me from his visits to our home. Do you think that’s his keep?”

“If your memory is accurate.”

“I’m going to tell Lily and Edythe,” she told him. “I love you very much, you know.”

A grin overtook Ranulf’s features. That was the best benefit of all.

T
UESDAY
, J
ANUARY
4, 1154
L
ORD OF
M
ISRULE

Bright morning light crested over the hills. The clouds had passed, taking with them the cold wind and leaving everyone feeling much warmer. Less Edythe and Tyr, who had volunteered to stay behind and ensure her safety, the group had left early in the morning loaded with food, fresh horses, and improved moods. Baron Alfred had been more than a little surprised by their arrival, but after his astonishment diminished, he had welcomed them all warmly. They had feasted and rested and Ranulf felt himself relax and enjoy the baron’s hospitality.

“I cannot remember when I have had such good food,” Ranulf said, with a smile of satisfaction bending his usually firm mouth.

“I’ll be sure not to mention that to our own cooks.”

“Hunswick has fine cooks and a better than decent baker, but if our king ever learned of the delicacies Baron Alfred enjoys on a daily basis, your friend would suddenly find himself not nearly as well fed.”

“I think after last night, you can consider the baron your friend now as well. He did promise to come and visit in the spring.”

“Aye, but he won’t bring his cooks,” Ranulf sighed, licking his lips in memory.

Bronwyn rolled her eyes, secretly enjoying her husband’s levity. “I must admit that I was amazed at how quickly you were at ease with him.”

“I was surprised myself,” Ranulf replied.

He only felt truly comfortable with a handful of people, and for most of those on that short list, the trust had been cultivated over time. Bronwyn and her father had been exceptions, and Baron Alfred was an unanticipated addition to Ranulf’s rapidly growing group of unsought, but strangely desired, friends.

The baron was in many ways a rounder, shorter, red-haired version of Laon—generous, but far from trusting. Lily had been the first to venture forward, but it was not until Alfred saw Bronwyn did his wary demeanor thaw. Ranulf had never been prouder than when she had introduced him as the new Lord Anscombe…and her husband. The instant need to shut off his emotions and shun people’s reactions vanished. Some did visibly retreat, but Ranulf no longer cared. Amazingly, the less he shrank from people and gatherings, the less they were concerned about his appearance. They were too interested in having fun and eating…pleasures he, too, found himself to be enjoying. Even the knowledge of what was to occur in London could not dampen his feelings.

Bronwyn tossed her head back and let go a long sigh that spoke volumes. “I’m glad Edythe agreed to stay, but I’m surprised Lily did not also jump at the chance when Tyr volunteered to remain behind.”

“Your sister’s innocent, but not nearly as naïve as she wants all to believe. She sees the attraction between Tyr and Edythe. Nothing will ever come of it, but at least Lily is smart enough to know that if Tyr were inclined toward a woman, it would not be her. Not to mention that, for Baron Alfred’s sake, it was a good thing she agreed to continue with the journey. She is much better behaved when Edythe is not around.”

“I have to admit she and Edythe do enjoy annoying the other. Still, Lily is handling herself much better than I anticipated.”

“Yes. She hasn’t complained once this morning although the
real
reason your sister’s enduring this trip is quite apparent.”

Bronwyn bit the inside of her cheek and murmured, “Court.”

Ranulf grunted in agreement. “I’ve never seen someone so eager to meet a rather pompous and boring group of individuals.”

Bronwyn pasted on a shocked expression and openly stared at her husband. “Why, this is the first time I think I have ever heard you speak negatively of the king.”

“I’m not talking about the duke or his wife. Just those that like to cling to them and the comforts they surround themselves with.”

“And you think Lily is just like those people.”

“She is. Unfortunately, she will be more successful. By the time she’s done, she’ll have charmed half of King Henry’s nobles and I will have double to answer for then.”

Bronwyn furrowed her brow and studied Ranulf to see if he was serious. And he was. His mind was in the immediate future and it concerned him. She was just about to ask him to explain his plan when Lily suddenly appeared by her side. “Did I hear you say court?”

The innocent question jerked Ranulf back to the present and he gave a short laugh before urging his horse into an ever-faster lope. Good food, new horses, and a good night’s sleep had enabled them to easily make up any time loss by the deviation to the baron’s home, but there was still significant ground to cover.

It was paramount that they arrive at Westminster in time to meet with a certain baker before a certain cake was put in the oven.

Bronwyn listened impatiently as those around her sat riveted. The tale Lily was spinning was a good one, mostly because every word of it was true. Still, Bronwyn had been waiting for a chance to speak with Ranulf about the specifics of his plan all day. Only one never came. Someone either interrupted them just before she was going to ask or was riding too near to be assured of privacy. By the time they stopped to make camp, she had decided that if an opportunity didn’t arrive by the end of their meal, she would make one.

Unfortunately, Lily once again had everyone engaged in conversation. Even though Ranulf wasn’t necessarily participating, he was actively listening to her tales about Laon teaching her how to ride a horse. The tale conveyed her younger sister’s naiveté, willfulness, and sheer determination so that by its conclusion one wondered if she was immature or just a little inexperienced. Regardless, all were charmed into admiring her as she openly exposed her flaws. If Ranulf worried about men of court instantly desiring her, then he was right to do so.

The story finally done, Bronwyn reached over and clasped her fingers within Ranulf’s, but before she could lean over and whisper in his ear, one of his men asked Lily an ensuing question. Her face broke into a sparkling grin and Bronwyn knew the answer was going to be another entertaining story.

Pasting on her most endearing smile, Bronwyn stood up and interrupted, “I must beg everyone’s pardon for retiring early. I have been needing to speak with my husband all day. So, we will see you in the morning.” She then looked down at Ranulf to ensure he understood that she was serious.

He arched a single brow, but said nothing as he rose to join her, ignoring the short coughs and snorts of laughter of his men. Bronwyn instantly froze as she realized what the small group—including her husband—believed she had meant. Mustering up the remnants of her pride, she forced herself to march on.

“It’s nice to know you’ve been wanting me all day, but if you desire for us to be alone, there are more discreet ways of letting me know,” Ranulf teased as he lifted the flap of their tent.

Bronwyn knew her already red face was turning an even more brilliant color, but she refused to let Ranulf believe he had totally won. “You, husband, are far more in need of a modesty lesson than I.”

Ranulf let go the heavy material and then crossed his arms with a smug look of satisfaction Bronwyn wanted to both remove and indulge. “Don’t believe in modesty. Never have. Kind of liking the fact that you don’t either,” he said, hinting at what he thought was about to come next.

Bronwyn took a step back and waved a finger. “I said I wanted to
speak
with you alone…about tomorrow.” The grin spread across Ranulf’s face vanished and was immediately replaced with a sour grimace. He said nothing.

Bronwyn bit the inside of her lip in frustration. “All this while I thought there just hadn’t been time for us to talk, for you to explain. I’m now realizing that you have been avoiding this conversation.”

“Not avoiding. But eager to have it? No.”

“Why? Do you think I might be worried, unable to handle it?”

Ranulf rubbed his temples. “More like disappointed…in me.”

“First the king and now me? You must know by now that nothing will change my feelings for you, and as for the king, I thought he considered you a friend.”

“The duke doesn’t seek friendship, just loyalty,” Ranulf scoffed and started to unhook his belt, needing something to do in the close quarters.

“But you are loyal, are you not?”

“I am, but some could claim otherwise,” Ranulf cautioned, tossing the leather strap aside. Then he looked directly at her and added, “And they would be right.”

Bronwyn suddenly felt ill as understanding hit her full force. Ranulf’s loyalty, which had never wavered before, had become divided. She had become his priority and the battle she had seen waged in the distance had proven just whom Ranulf would choose whenever the two came in conflict. “But surely the king will understand—”

Ranulf shrugged and sank down onto the soft furs lining their makeshift bed. His mouth twisted into a frown as he became lost in deep thought. “England’s new king is many things. Henry has the capacity for great generosity, proven by my own purse size, and he cares about his men, often riding out with me and other commanders in the morning rather than staying inside in comfort.”

Bronwyn sat down beside Ranulf and gathered one of his hands into her own and listened.

“As you know, I first met Henry when he came to Bristol as a boy to study, but his interest was not thrust upon him as some would think. He loved to learn. Years later, when our paths crossed again, he was still studying a variety of topics and no doubt still does. As a result, he has an unusual understanding of the law and is a great believer in its power to bring justice.”

Ranulf paused and stared at their intertwined fingers as he gathered his thoughts. “He is also quite intolerant of those who act in such ways that might be considered unlawful or—disloyal. And I, in the span of less than two weeks upon arrival, have committed three such acts.”

“Three?” Bronwyn mouthed as her brow puckered with incredulity.

Ranulf pursed his lips before nodding. “When your father lay dying, he pleaded for me to protect you and your sisters and thought my marrying Lily would ensure this promise for life. I obliged him to ease his mind as he passed, but I had believed the duke would revoke the vow. I was wrong.

“I soon discovered that your father charmed not only our king, but our queen, and neither could be persuaded to my desires. Her Grace had deemed it time I marry, knowing I would never initiate the state myself. So I went north armed with Laon’s descriptions of you and your sisters—”

“Which is how you knew from the start that I was not Lillabet.”

“Yes, but it takes only a few minutes in your company to determine just who is the eldest and who is the youngest. I would have discovered the ruse soon enough.”

Bronwyn closed her eyes as her thoughts filtered back to the day Lily bounded into her room declaring her intentions of marrying Ranulf. Bronwyn gave her head a quick shake, realizing she had been diverted by his last comment. “Maybe eventually, but go back to where you left off—unhappy about being forced north to wed the most beautiful girl of Cumbria. Something every unattached man in the Hills dreams about, but you dreaded.”

In a deft move, Ranulf gave Bronwyn’s elbow a sharp tug, swiftly yanking her over his knee. After swatting her playfully on her behind, he flipped her over and kissed her long and hard. “
You
are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I have always thought so and you know it. Now, interrupt again and I shall assume you are no longer interested in tomorrow but in other more entertaining things.”

Bronwyn narrowed her eyes, but their mischievous twinkle countered the feigned glare. She pressed her lips together in a mocking attempt to show him that she intended to say nothing more.

“In response to the other part of your comment, I did journey to Hunswick with orders to marry Lillabet, but I had decided prior to my arrival that I would delay the inevitable for as long as possible. At the time, I did not consider sending you three away from Hunswick and back to your family estate a forfeiture of either promise—the one to protect or the one to marry. Then fortune brought you to my side.”

Bronwyn reached over and laid a hand on the wound that had brought them together. Ranulf clasped his fingers over hers and took a deep breath. “I knew almost from the beginning you were the only one I would marry, despite my promise to your father or my king’s wishes.”

“Surely that wouldn’t raise the king’s ire, since what he truly wanted was for you to be married.”

“That is what I believed and most likely would have been correct if I hadn’t intentionally broke a certain promise made by King Henry’s predecessor.”

Bronwyn scrunched her forehead, then a second later, her expression went grim with understanding. “You mean King Stephen’s promise to Luc.”

“Marrying you when you were pledged to the baron and I was promised to Lillabet could have been explained, but my interference in assuring Edythe and Lily were also protected is not as defensible. If there had been more time, I could have journeyed to London, met with the king, who most likely would have negated King Stephen’s promise. Instead, I had us all wed under the eyes of God and law, something both the baron and the king will have to honor.”