Page 43 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“Will the fighting end?” she asked. “I wonder. Yourking is still challenged by many. And do not forget that Edgar Ætheling, theSaxon who would sit on the English throne, is now safely ensconced in Scotlandwith my brother.”

He had not known that Steinar was with Edgar Ætheling, theyoung English contender for the throne, but it made sense. “I have notforgotten where your loyalties lie, my lady.” Renaud was unhappy to be remindedthat the woman he would take to wife was not loyal to William. But he had nodesire to argue with her just before he rode to battle. “Come,” he said as heled her inside the manor, the people having dispersed, “I would share a mealwith you, Serena, lest we argue ere I ride, mayhap to my death.” Serena placedher hand on his offered arm and another question occurred to him. “Would youmourn the loss of your future husband?”

* * *

Still pondering his question, Serena took her place at theRed Wolf’s table for the first time since the Normans had come. She sat on hisright, Sir Geoffroi on his left and Maugris on her other side. Though there wasstill much activity in the hall, some of the men had already left, presumablyto prepare for their soon departure. Rhodri looked at her from where he sat atone of the long tables, a question in his eyes. She knew he wondered if thishad truly been her decision or if she had been forced. The Welshman and Steinarwere close, and to her, Rhodri wore the look her brother would have worn had hebeen here. A look of incredulity. How could she agree to wed a Norman?

Staring at the trencher she shared with the Red Wolf, shetook a bite of the brown bread spread with butter and then a piece of thecooked white fish taken from the river that ran next to the manor. Wildstrawberries were piled high in a small bowl set to one side.

She picked up a berry, the color of fresh blood, and worriedit in her fingers. Would it matter if the Red Wolf were slain in this battle hewas called to by his king? Her anger still burned for the Norman who calledhimself England’s ruler, the one who had robbed her of her father, but nomatter her words the day before, she could not bring herself to hate the knightwho would take her to wife. She would miss him were he to be slain. And, if hewere killed, the Norman king would only force her to wed another of his men,one she might like less well than the Red Wolf.

“I would see you return from Exeter, my lord.”

He studied her face. “You tarried long in coming to thatanswer, my lady.”

She looked into his gray eyes framed by the thick russetwaves of his hair. Was it concern she saw in them? He was a handsome knight,she had to admit, and though oft stern, an honorable one. If she were honestwith herself, she would have to acknowledge she cared for him.

“I had much to ponder, my lord. But when the time comes foryou to leave, know that I will wish you Godspeed.”

He smiled and reached for the goblet of ale set betweenthem, taking a long draw. “For that I am grateful, my lady. Hopefully I shallnot tarry long in the south. While I am gone, you can prepare for our weddingfeast.”

“As you wish, my lord.”

“Ah, the obedient Lady of Talisand. I wonder if this changeis to be believed.”

Serena said nothing. She wondered herself.

“I hope it is,” he said, studying her somber face.“Meanwhile, when I return, the castle should be well underway. I have chosenthe site next to the manor. What think you of that? It will mean we canincorporate the existing structures into the larger bailey.”

“It pleases me, my lord. I would like to retain what hasbeen my home.”

“I thought you might,” he said, mirth reflected in hissparkling gray eyes.

Now that he’d found her and she had agreed to become hiswife, he seemed to have softened toward her, evidenced by the new light in hiseyes. “You did it for me?” She had never considered the possibility he took herdesires into account, particularly when at the time he made those plans hethought the Lady Serena was in Scotland.

“I had to consider a place that could be defended, ofcourse, but your father had obviously chosen well, locating the manor in thebend of the river as he did. It made sense to follow his lead. I also believedLady Serena would want her home to be part of the castle grounds.”

“I thank you,” she said, taking a drink of ale from the cuphe passed her. “It will please the people as it pleases me.”

* * *

Aethel brushed her long dark plait over her shoulder andpicked up the pitcher. Slowly she walked toward the kitchen. The knight’s eyesfollowed her from the corner of the hall where he stood leaning against thewall with his arms crossed over his broad chest. Sir Alain de Roux, thelargest of the Norman knights, the one who carried the Red Wolf’s banner, wasstaring at her as he often did. There were other men who looked at her, but hisintense perusal was different. More possessive somehow.

She had been with no man since the old thegn died, havingbeen rejected by the new lord. And she wanted none. So, she ignored them all.Still, the big knight intrigued her, his penetrating gaze following her aboutthe hall as she served the evening meal. Was it lust she saw in his eyes orsomething else? Something more?

He walked slowly toward her and her pulse sped. The manrarely said much, even to the other knights, so she was surprised when he cameto stand before her and leaned in to whisper in English, “You are better thanwhat you think of yourself, Aethel.”

His hazel eyes had sparks of green and his dark brown hairwas wavy to his nape, a sensual man with a face that said he’d experienced muchof life. “What know ye of what I think, sir knight?”

“I know you were jealous of Lady Serena even when we allthought her to be a servant. It need not be so. You are a beautiful woman andshould have a man of your own.”

Aethel hardly knew what to say. She had played second choicefor so long she had become used to the role though, in truth, she had alwayswanted more. “A man like ye, sir knight?” she teased, assuming he was notserious. With his large muscled chest and arms, he was a giant of a man. Andnot unattractive. “Would ye be wanting me for a night?” She had no intention ofgiving herself to this man, if that is what he sought, but she would know.

“Nay, Aethel. I would have you for more.”

Aethel shivered at the heat she observed in his eyes, afierce look that seemed to peel away all her layers of defense.

“I would have you for my wife.”