Page 14 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

The knight named Sir Geoffroi narrowed his eyes at the otherman’s words. “It does and you know it.”

Serena was aware that most knights only respected the virtueof women of their own rank, but she had heard the words of the Red Wolf. Heheld his men to a higher standard. Though she had doubted the truth of it atthe time, now she believed.

Before Sir Hugue could answer, Serena spoke, her voice lividwith disdain. “Even if that could excuse him, which it does not, Eawyn is noservant. She is the lady of the west manor and widow of Ulrich, one of the oldthegn’s most trusted men. Though she is now on foot, she would have ridden hereon a horse. Her black palfrey cannot be far. This Norman should die for theoffense he has shown this gentle woman.” She let go of Eawyn and raised her bow,again aiming at the knight’s chest, sincere in her desire to see the miscreantdead.

Sir Geoffroi’s hand on her arm stayed her pull on the arrow.“Put down the bow, Sarah. I will protect Eawyn.” The blond knight took off hismantle and draped it around the sobbing woman’s shoulders, covering hernakedness. Glaring at the knight before him, he ordered, “Come with me, SirHugue.”

Reluctantly, Serena lowered her bow. The knight called SirHugue uttered a disgruntled noise and followed Sir Geoffroi. The blond knightrested his hand protectively on Eawyn’s shoulders, and with gentleness guidedher in the direction of the manor.

Her heart still racing from the encounter, Serena went insearch of her rabbits and Eawyn’s horse. She hoped Sir Geoffroi would report tohis lord what had happened. The Red Wolf would see the knight who had harmedEawyn was punished.

Or Serena would see to it herself.

Chapter 5

“I tell you, Ren, the servant girl Sarah would have killedthe mercenary, no matter how many arrows it took her to see the task done. Shehad already managed to strike him in the arm. You should have heard her whenshe told him he would soon be in hell. Had I not been riding by and heard thewidow’s screams I am certain the mercenary would now be lying cold and deadamong the trees with arrows sticking out of his various parts.”

Looking up from the castle plans spread over the table inhis chamber, Renaud watched Geoff pace the room. It was clear this servant girlhad gained the respect of his most senior knight. He sat back. “Why was Sarahin the woods?” She should not have been alone. Anything could have happened toher. The mercenary might have found her instead of the other woman.

“She was hunting rabbits for the cook. Apparently sherecovered her bow from among those we had stored in the armory. I suppose thatwas a good thing.”

“The girl hunts?” Renaud raised a brow. He knew she had beentrained by the bard to handle a bow, but he had thought it was only for sport.

“Maggie says she does, though I had not really thought muchabout it ’til now. ’Tis most unusual for a serving wench.”

“Yea, but she was one of the servants Sir Maurin recoveredthat first night. Sarah told me a Welshman the old lord invited here taughtmany to use the bow, including her. I had not realized she hunted as well.”

“I’ve not seen servants taught archery,” Geoff said, drawinghis brows together. “The thegn must have been an unusual man.”

“We know he was. But why was the widow in the woods alone?”

“She came to let you know she has remained in the west manorshe occupied with her husband. From what she told me, Sir Hugue dragged herfrom her horse.”

The thought of any woman being dragged from a horse and madeto suffer the lust of one of his knights sent Renaud into a rage. “Damn themercenary! He knows the rules.”

“Eawyn told me her husband was killed with the English whofought the Norwegian, Harald Hardrada, at Stamford Bridge.”

“Does she also bear hatred for Normans?” He would not besurprised given what she’d experienced. Even if the widow’s husband had notbeen slain by a Norman, Renaud was keenly aware the English blamed them for allthat had happened since Hastings, and now she had been nearly raped by one ofhis own.

“From what I can tell, Eawyn is a gentle lady and, unlikethe servant girl Sarah, not given to strident disdain for her new masters.”

“Sir Hugue has not long been with us, has he?” Renaudwondered what punishment would satisfy the lady and his own need for justice.

“Yea, not long. I do not trust him, Ren. He knew your rules—theyall do. He simply chose to ignore them.”

“Where is he now?”

“In the hall with Sir Maurin and some of the men. His woundhas been tended.”

“I take no joy in losing a man, even a mercenary, and ahundred stripes on the back of a fool availith little. But he must serve as anexample to those who would question my orders, especially when it comes to thehonor of Talisand’s women. ’Twas my honor he besmirched as well as hers, sinceI assured the women they would be safe.”

“Your knights know why you feel as you do. They do notquestion your rules and, at the risk of the Red Wolf’s ire, none wouldchallenge them. But there are not enough whores at Talisand to satisfy theirlust. That is why they work so hard to win the affections of the young women inthe village. Many hope to marry and settle here.”

That his men wanted to stay at Talisand pleased him. “Ishall discipline the mercenary.” Renaud set aside his drawings and rose. “Come,let us see to this unpleasant task.”

* * *

Serena looked up as the murmurings of the Normans came to asudden halt when the Red Wolf strode through the doorway leading from the manorinto the hall. His face bore a thunderous expression, and his hands were curledinto fists at his side. She could feel the anger flowing from him, and steppedback, curious to see what he would do to one of his own who had disobeyed hiscommand. Despite her intention to hate the new lord of Talisand, she was gladfor his anger, his confident manner and the deferential nods from his men. Theywould not question his discipline.