Page 16 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

A knock sounded on the door. Renaud was relieved, hoping hissquire had returned. After the day he’d had, he had no desire to deal with theschemes of this woman. But when he opened the door, Sarah stood before him.

Merde!

Sarah’s gaze shifted from his face to where Aethel stood tothe side. Renaud clamped his teeth on another oath.

Averting her gaze, Sarah said, “Forgive me, my lord. I wastold Mathieu had need of me.”

Before he could ask her to stay, she hurried away, hercheeks flaming in what he assumed was embarrassment at the scene she hadwitnessed.

A feeling of regret washed over him. He sighed and turned tothe scantily clad woman “Out!”

Disappointment and anger flashed in Aethel’s dark eyes asshe grabbed the robe she had draped over a chest and stomped toward the door.

Reaching for the handle, she looked back over her shoulder.“She will nay have ye, m’lord.”

“Of whom do you speak?”

“Sarah, m’lord. She hates all Normans.”

“Aethel?”

“Yea, m’lord?”

“Never come to my chamber again.”

Without another word, the woman departed, briskly closingthe door behind her.

Renaud poured himself a goblet of wine, took a large swallowand slumped onto the edge of his bed. What was it about women that producedsuch different reactions? Aethel, who came willingly, though uninvited, to hisbed, and Sarah, who he was certain would deny him even a kiss? It might bebecause Sarah was still a maiden, but he knew it was more. Sarah was a proud Englishmaiden who had no love for his kind. He was certain Aethel would not care abouta man’s origins if he pleased her in bed. But to Sarah, the Red Wolf was theNorman who, along with his liege, had conquered her people.

So, why was he so attracted to her? It was not her dullbrown hair, or her attitude, though it might be her violet eyes and her litheform. What man would fail to be attracted to her lush curves? Even herservant’s attire did not hide them. But there was something more—something inthe way she held herself, the way she looked him in the eye as if they wereequals, and her courage in facing down the mercenary. She was like no woman heknew. After the women of William’s court, the novelty of a woman like Sarah,even though a servant, was refreshing.

* * *

“I believe I am in love,” said Geoff as he took his placenext to Renaud at the dais the next day, a blissful smile on his face.

Renaud considered his friend. He had a dazed look about himlike he was waking from a dream. “And what, or should I say, who hasbrought about this revelation?”

“Eawyn insisted I stay for a meal and the food she preparedwas better than that at Rouen. It did not lack for being served by such alovely woman either…hair the color of a raven’s wing and eyes like a summersky. She invited me to stay the night.” Renaud could not hide his surprise.Seeing it, Geoff added, “In an alcove reserved for guests, of course. Yea, Ithink it must be love.”

“I see. Well, if you can shake yourself from the dream,Geoff, I want you to plan an archery contest for the morrow. I would see my archerscompete with those trained by the Welshman, including any of Talisand’s womenwho would want to participate.” He had not forgotten that Sarah used a bow.

“The men would like that, Ren. It will give them a chance todemonstrate their prowess as archers and interact with the younger women. Willyou compete?”

“I am not an archer.”

“Yea, but neither is Sir Maurin, and the two of you couldbest any of them.”

“I suppose I could use the practice. But I plan to watch,too. I am interested to see how the shorter bows the Welshman fashioned for thewomen fare against the longer ones. It will also allow us to judge how many ofthe Englishmen can be considered candidates to join my archers.”

“’Tis a grand idea, Ren. It will be a welcome diversion andmay serve to provide some entertainment for the people.”

* * *

The next day, Serena stood with Cassie at the gate watchingas the Red Wolf’s men posted three targets outside the palisade and marked outa line with flags, indicating the place from which the archers would shoot.Normally such a sight would cause her to feel great excitement, but instead shewas wary. The Red Wolf had invited all at Talisand to participate, givingnotice there would be rewards for those scoring the highest points. What washis purpose?

“Will ye join in the contest?” Cassie asked, holding herhand over her eyes to shelter her gaze from the midday sun. “Ye could best anyof the Red Wolf’s men. Ye know ye could. Ye are even better than Leppe and heis the best.”

“Lady Serena may shoot well, but she is not here, Cassie.Remember? I will encourage Leppe to compete, but I am thinking Sarah is only afair shot. After all, Sir Geoffroi thought I missed my target when I sent thatarrow into the mercenary’s arm. No, the servant Sarah will pose no threat tothe Red Wolf’s men or their display of skill. Yea, I will participate.”