Page 15 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

The hall was crowded with knights and a few of the strongmen of Talisand, including Leppe, Alec and Theodric, the blond giant who hadbeen her father’s captain. She was glad he had stayed, though she knew it wasdifficult for him to serve a Norman. But he had a family to think of.

Serena had asked Sir Geoffroi if she and Eawyn could bepresent. Reluctant at first to grant her request, Serena had pleaded with him,saying Eawyn had a right to know what would happen to the knight who tried toviolate her. Sir Geoffroi had relented.

The Red Wolf stepped briskly to where Sir Hugue stood,guarded by Sir Maurin, who had carried Serena back to the manor that firstnight.

“Sir Hugue,” began the Red Wolf, “you have violated astandard to which I hold all of my men. If Sir Geoffroi had not discovered yourattack on the young widow, had you succeeded, the penalty would have beendeath.”

Sir Hugue paled in the face of his lord’s wrath.

“William himself has decreed such before,” stated the Red Wolf.“Still, while you will not forfeit your life for what fell short of your vileintent, you will be punished. Twenty lashes and you will leave Talisand, neverto return. I refuse to count among my knights a man without honor.”

Sir Hugue’s eyes flamed in rebellion but he held his tongue.In the faces of the Norman knights, Serena saw acceptance of their leader’sjudgment, even respect. She was confident there would be no second chance forthis defiler of women. And with that knowledge came another revelation. For thesecond time, Serena wondered at the powerful knight to whom she had been givenby the Norman king. The Red Wolf’s uncompromising character had stirred afeeling inside her that she did not comprehend. Mayhap it was the same respectdisplayed by his men. Mayhap it was more. Those same tingling feelings she’dexperienced when he stroked her palm returned. Against her will, she was drawnto the uncompromising knight. Yet at the same time, she wondered whatpunishment he would mete out for her, who had deceived him and denied him thewife he was due.

Sir Maurin took Sir Hugue by the arm and, with anotherknight, led him toward the door to the yard where presumably the punishmentwould be carried out.

The Red Wolf turned to Eawyn, his eyes first pausing onSerena. “Eawyn, I am sorry for what has happened. I know you came but to speakwith me. I welcome you.”

Eawyn had calmed, but her cheeks were still flushed andstained with tears. Serena had taken her to the chamber above stairs and givenher one of the Lady Serena’s gowns to replace the one that was ruined,explaining to the others that Lady Serena would have done no less. Sir Geoffroistood on Eawyn’s other side lending the young woman his strength as she leanedclose to him.

“Thank you, my lord,” Eawyn said to the Red Wolf. “I did butwant to tell you I was living in the west manor should you have need of it foryour knights.”

“You can stay there for the present, Eawyn, but I will haveone of my men escort you back. Do you dwell there alone?”

“Nay, my lord. I have a female servant who works at themanor, a stable boy and men who dwell nearby and tend the fields and see to thestock. The men have all sworn fealty to you. I know I should not have come toTalisand alone, but I had done so before, and I did not want to take the menfrom their work as they plant the new wheat.”

He nodded and turned to Sir Geoffroi. “See that one of themen escorts the lady back to the west manor.”

“Would it be acceptable, my lord, if I undertook the task?”asked the blond knight.

Serena did not miss the tenderness in Sir Geoffroi’s eyes ashe glanced at Eawyn. She remembered his kindness to her friend in the clearing.

The Red Wolf gave his knight a curious glance beforenodding. “As you wish, Sir Geoffroi.”

* * *

Tired, Renaud climbed the stairs to his chamber, every musclein his body tense from the trials of the day. The duties of being lord ofTalisand were ones he readily accepted, even looked forward to, but they didnot allow him the single focus that warfare did. It was a different kind offatigue, not so much bone weary as mind weary, and it left its mark.

When he reached his chamber, the door was ajar. Thinking itmight be his young squire’s doing, he pushed it open and surveyed the room,looking for Mathieu’s brown head of hair. The usually dark chamber was aglowwith light from candles set on each of the tables and rush lights near the bed.Renaud was instantly wary. It was not Mathieu’s habit to spend the candles sofreely.

His eyes were drawn to the bed cover, which had been turneddown. Resting upon it was a woman, the same dark-eyed wench who served him wineat the evening meal.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. As he said the words,he realized the question was unnecessary. The woman was in his bed, her darkhair splayed over the pillow and her breasts barely covered by the thinundertunic she wore. Her intent was easily discerned.

“I thought ye might want some company m’lord.”

“Where is Mathieu?”

“I sent him away, thinking ye might prefer to be private.”

She rose up and sat back on her heels, the effect being topush her breasts out in blatant offering.

The woman was attractive and clearly had seduction in mind.But she held no appeal. Mayhap it was her dark eyes. There was only one womanat Talisand he wanted in his bed and her eyes were the color of violets.

“I appreciate your offer, Aethel…is it? But not tonight.”

“Yea, m’lord, I be Aethel.” She climbed off the bed, andcame to stand in front of him, reaching her palm to his chest. “Ye’re a fineman, m’lord. I would be proud to warm yer bed. Are ye certain ye’ll not bewanting me this night?”

Her scent of heavy spices wrapped around him like a cape asshe sensually slid her palm up his chest to his neck. He stopped her progress,pulling her arm from his body. “Quite certain.”