Page 55 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“Calm down, brother,” Edwin urged, “mayhap she took a fancyto ride alone. Brides can be nervous.”

“’Tis a possibility, but the servant who has been acting herlady’s maid told me Serena was gone when she went to attend her this morning. Iwonder if she has not run north to York. She rides well, you know. Mayhap, shedecided to avoid a wedding and seek her brother directly. She and Steinar wereclose and she seemed eager to see him.”

“I need you this afternoon, Morcar, to help me oversee theplans for the rising in Northumbria. Why not send the Norman mercenary afterher and let him bring her back if, indeed, she has fled?”

“Aye, ’tis an idea. Sir Hugue was here this morning askingif we’ve another task for him, and he speaks English well enough.”

Immediately thereafter, Morcar dispatched Sir Hugue, andwatched as the mercenary rode away from Adlington. Though he would havepreferred to go himself, Morcar had trusted the mercenary once before with goodresults so he would trust him again. He had told the knight to search to thenorth and to watch for signs that Serena might veer east toward York.

The Norman seemed happy for a chance to regain the womanMorcar had lost, assuring him that she would soon be back at Adlington.

Chapter 16

Hearing the sound of the river, Renaud raised his hand tohalt the column of men behind him. “We stop for a brief rest to water thehorses,” he said to Geoff riding beside him. Dismounting, he added with a grin,“Should all go well, we will arrive at Talisand in time for the midday meal.”

“Aye,” said Geoff, sliding to the ground, as the men aroundthem also dismounted, “though I would ride on without stopping for Maggie’scooking, the horses will fare better for this respite before our last hours oftravel.”

Renaud handed Belasco’s reins to Jamie and took the dirtpath that cut through the trees, anxious to stretch his legs. Their ride northfollowing the siege had been exhausting, particularly since he and his men weretired when they began, and the wound in his arm still pained him. A few of thedays brought them rain, which turned the road into a stream of mud, but now theskies were clear and the sunlight pierced woods to light their path.

Briefly he touched his aching left arm, then dismissed thepain. It was a small wound compared to others he had received in battle. And hewas comforted by the thought he would soon be home.

Troubled by William’s words as they had left Exeter, Renaudwondered to what battle his sire would next summon him. While the good citizensof Exeter had finally seen the wisdom of surrendering to the king, theirresistance had come at a great cost. William had lost half his army and, toRenaud’s regret, it had changed the king’s attitude toward the English. Neveragain would he trust the people who had held him at bay for so long.

Renaud walked along the path strewn with yellow wild flowersand turned his thoughts from Exeter to Talisand—and to his spirited bride. Hewas eager to look into her violet eyes and even more eager to take her to hisbed. In his mind, he saw her long flaxen hair laid out on the pillow, herbeautiful body bared of clothes and her ripe breasts quivering for his touch.

Soon.

Joining Renaud on the path, Geoff rubbed his stomach. “I amanxious for the food of Talisand.”

“More important than your stomach, my friend, is that thiseve I will have a bride in truth and can be about the business of creating anheir.” The prospect of getting Serena with child even now urged him on to theirdestination.

“’Twill please William and give his court something togossip about. The warrior priest succumbs to the lovely Lady of Talisand. Butbeware lest the vixen becomes your weakness,” Geoff said with a grin.

Though Renaud knew his friend was jesting, he could notdismiss the truth of his warning. “I am ever wary.”

He’d known from the first time he’d touched her that hecraved her as no woman before. He had admired her spirit, even her defiance,though at times it angered him greatly. But the maiden’s response to his kissestold him much. She may despise her Norman conquerors, but she did not loathethe Red Wolf’s touch. He would seduce his bride if he must.

Anxious to be on his way, Renaud turned and strode back towhere Jamie waited, holding Belasco’s reins, Geoff hurrying behind.

“Do not take offense, Ren. I, too, have a weakness—for thelovely Eawyn.”

“Aye, I’d forgotten about the dark-haired beauty you are sofond of. Which appeals more, her cooking or her?”

“If I am fortunate, I will have both,” Geoff said with awink. “These English women are winsome, are they not?”

Renaud just chuckled under his breath. Winsome, indeed.And difficult, rebellious and stubborn!

“Yer horse is watered, m’lord,” said his page. Renaudthanked the lad and with some pain to his arm, swung into the saddle.

The column resumed its journey north and, after a few hours,Renaud arrived at the top of the familiar ridge looking west toward Talisand.The sun was at its zenith not unlike that first day he had seen his lands. Butthe sight had changed. Next to the manor, a timber castle was now rising from agreat motte.

Behind him, Renaud heard the horses snorting, restless toreturn to their stalls and their oats.

“It appears that Sir Maurin and the men of Talisand haveserved me well in my absence.”

“Yea, ’tis a great sight,” said Geoff. “There is no castlelike it in this part of England.”

“William should be pleased. Mayhap he’ll pay us a visit.”Renaud did not have to wonder what Serena would think of William at Talisand.She would not look forward to such an occurrence.