Page 27

“Yes, milord. Mercy, mercy.” He began to crawl away, but Rolf drove his sword into the ground in front of him. “And tell him if he ever puts my wife in jeopardy again, I will skin him, roast him, and offer his putrid remains to the devil.”

***

Rolf wanted nothing more than to get Melissa inside the castle walls and tucked into a warm bed.

She was understandably shaken; a noblewoman should not see such violent acts.

He cursed himself for not being more alert.

He should have known the Duke of Sunderland would not have slunk away so quietly.

They approached Wolfton Hall as the sun slipped behind its large square keep.

The sight of the fortress gave him some relief.

His father had improved the original structure, adding a barbican to the front of the gatehouse.

The horses’ hooves clanked on the wooden floor of the narrow passage and echoed against the stone walls.

As the party approached the main gate, the portcullis rose and they entered the bailey.

Cristiana stood in the center, issuing orders in her calm efficient manner.

Dressed in the simple belted tunic of a novice nun, she looked demure and dignified.

Until she turned her dark eyes on him, picked up her skirts, and ran across the long courtyard.

Dismounting, he moved to Melissa and helped her to the ground.

She gave him a tired but comforting smile.

He had worried about her reaction to the attack, but she had recovered well.

“Brother, I have missed you.” Her auburn curls rebelled against the plaits, poking out around the bands that tried to hold them together.

He bent to allow Cristiana an embrace then picked her up and swung her in a wide circle. “And I you, sister. This day has been a trial. Mayhap we go straight to the hall?”

She read his tone instantly and nodded. He set her back on the ground. “This is my wife, Lady Melissa. My sister, Lady Cristiana Arbrec.”

Cristiana curtsied and extended her hand. “Come, sister. You look tired and in need of refreshment.”

“What? No greeting for us?” bellowed Blackbourne. He pushed past the horses and stood with feet planted apart and his arms wide open. “Come, Cristiana, have you not missed me?”

“Like an open sore that festers.” Hands on her hips, she glared at the giant. “I can smell you from here. Once you are clean, I will bid you good day. Where is Trystan?”

The boy grinned, moving past Melissa. “Here, Lady Arbrec.”

“Ah, you have grown! Come, I have food ready.”

“I do not think I smell any better than my master.”

“But there is so much less of you, it will not matter.” She tousled his dirty brown hair as he knelt before her then held out her arms. She gave him a tender hug. “You have surpassed me in height. Almost a man now, is he not?” Cristiana asked Rolf.

“Aye, and he did a man’s work today. He will join us in the hall and eat like one this night.”

The bailey was filled with soldiers, servants, and tradesman.

Giles Arbrec had made sure Wolfton was self-sufficient in case of siege.

As a loyal vassal to the king, and his lands situated close to Scotland, his father had often been called upon to help protect the north flank of England.

With that responsibility came the threat of attack by enemies of the crown.

There were gardens for herbs and vegetables, a blacksmith, kitchens, a mew, stables, and barn.

Men-at-arms were housed within the walls so there was always a ready defense if needed. Melissa would be safe here.

They took the steps up to the great hall and entered a long room.

At least fifty people occupied the room, with familiar faces offering welcome.

“Rolf will bring you to your room, Lady Melissa, so you can wash. Food and drink will be waiting for you down here. My brother is anxious to see to your comfort.”

She smiled and left them, signaling to another woman, her hands moving as she doled out instructions.

Rolf took Melissa’s hand and led her to the next level.

His sister always put him in the baron’s chambers, though it was not his by right.

She always waved his argument away, saying he would occupy it until their father returned. Cristiana occupied the fourth floor.

Their chambers had been aired and the grazier lit. Melissa had been quiet, and he worried she was close to exhaustion. “How do you fare, love?”

She put her arms around him and held him tight. “Do not worry for me. I am well.” Raising her face to him, he saw her wet cheeks. “I only regret…”

His heart clenched at her words. “Did the attack give you pause?”

She nodded her head and looked at him. “Oh no, not for the reasons you think, Rolf. I fear it is because of me, your life is in danger.”

He chuckled. “Sweeting, my life has been in danger more times than you would care to know. Do not fret over the reasons.” He kissed her soundly and began to feel himself again. She pushed away from him and waggled a finger.

“Let us hurry and wash. Your sister waits for us.” She went to a table and poured water from a pitcher. Scrubbing her face and hands, she dried off with a towel then threw it in his direction. Rolf caught it in midair and did the same.

“Cristiana does not like William?”

Rolf laughed out loud. “Ah now, there are many layers to that relationship. They have known each other since children. He grew up here and trained under my father.”

“So she does like him?”

“At times. Cristiana was besotted with him as a girl. William is three years my senior, which makes her six years younger than he. She would follow him around like a puppy, much to his dismay. His height came early, so even as a lad of thirteen, he stood over most of my father’s knights.

” He shook his head as he remembered the patience with which Blackbourne had treated his adoring sister.

“Here is this giant of a lad with a tiny girl trailing behind him half the day. He had to snatch her out of harm’s way half a dozen times a day.

She was just turning into a woman when my father sent her off to the nunnery. ”

“Mayhap she does not approve of his lustful ways,” Melissa said with a giggle. “Now that she is a nun.”

“But she is not.” Rolf raised his eyebrows and gave her a sly smile. “She has refused to take her vows since returning to Wolfton and is still a novice.”

“I see. And now William finds her to be quite the beauty?”

Rolf nodded. “She ignores him or berates him for his licentious ways. And will not let me tell him that she has changed her mind about becoming a nun.”

“Why?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I have promised to keep her secret, as will you, wife.”

“Of course. I also promise to find out the reason for withholding such information. Perchance she thinks it will keep him at bay? It does not seem to be working. William was shameless in his welcome, tempting a future bride of God.”

“He likes to see the anger in her eyes. He has told me on several occasions how beautiful she is when he stirs her temper.”

“Methinks Cristiana and William will be better entertainment tonight than a lute or pipe.”