Page 67 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

She solemnly thanked him and accepted the sword onto her ownpalms and handed it to the tall blond Theodric, who now served Renaud. SinceExeter the English guard had cut his hair in the Norman style and now lookedlike one of them.

Serena faced Jamie who held in his palms the same swordRenaud had seen him holding earlier, a shorter Saxon weapon.

Laying it carefully across Renaud’s welcoming palms, withtear filled eyes, Serena said, “This was the sword of my father. It representsthe honor of the thegn and that of the people he loved. With this sword, keepour home safe.”

Meeting her gaze, he promised, “I will.”

With the words spoken, Renaud handed the sword she had givenhim to Geoff. Then he took her hand and led her from the church back to themanor. Along the way, they were greeted by the smiles of the people of Talisandwho were pleased with the marriage. He snatched glimpses of her smiling at thevillagers and his men and rejoiced that his beautiful bride loved the people ofTalisand, now his people. If he could only trust her, she would be a worthyhelpmate.

The celebration that followed was much lighter in spirit.Both mead and ale flowed freely as all work was set aside for the rest of theday to allow for eating, drinking, music and dancing. His men had hunted theday before enabling them to dine on fresh fowl and venison. Even a lamb hadbeen slaughtered for the feast spread before the people who crowded into thehall.

Renaud looked down the high table to see Geoff on Maugris’other side with the dark-haired Eawyn. The two seemed to be acting goodfriends, though Renaud knew his fellow knight hoped they would one day wed. Onthe other side of Serena sat Sir Maurin, who every now and then looked towardthe wide opening that led to the manor and to his lady love still abed.

Before them, the Welsh bard entertained all with his livelymusic, accompanied by the lyre, a reed instrument Serena told him was a shawm,a drum and a pipe whistle. The bard kept darting glances at Serena, as hestrolled among the wedding guests singing his Welsh tunes, which caused Renaudto wonder what still lay between them.

At the high table, Maugris kept them entertained withstories of other brides and bridegrooms, including the story of Renaud’sparents’ wedding. Though he had heard it before the story still held a kind ofcharm for him. It was, by all accounts, the one time his stern father hadallowed himself to appear besotted. The wise one delighted in retelling thestory and said Renaud’s father would be quite pleased with the turn of eventsat Talisand.

“I must send your father and brothers an account of yoursuccess and your beautiful bride,” said the wise one.

Renaud didn’t smile. He wondered, instead, if he was yetsuccessful. He had claimed his bride, but there was still Morcar and Sir Hugueto contend with. And what of Serena’s brother? Might he show up any day with aband of wild Scots to protest what had happened to his sister and try andretake his lands?

* * *

Aethel heard the lively music drifting up from the weddingcelebration to the bedchamber where she kept watch on the handmaiden. She didnot mind missing the gaiety. It was meager penance for her part in Morcar’sscheme and her failure to see that Serena had changed her mind and was trulyresigned to marrying the Red Wolf. With a shudder, Aethel reflected on whatmight still happen to her if the Red Wolf were to learn of her perfidy.

I pray, in time, all will be forgiven.

A quiet knock drew Aethel’s eyes to the door, which openedto reveal the hulking form of Sir Alain.

“If ye’re here to see Cassie, she’s sleeping.”

“Nay, Aethel. I am here to see you.”

The big, burly knight stepped into the room making thechamber seem smaller. “Me?”

“Aye.” He reached back and closed the door, darting a glanceat the sleeping handmaiden before he slowly walked toward Aethel. “When I heardthat the guards had been given a potion, I immediately thought of you with yourknowledge of herbs. It was you, was it not?”

She rose from the bench. “I meant her no harm. I thought shewanted to leave.”

“Does Lady Serena know of your involvement?”

“Yea, she does,” Aethel said contritely. “I think she hasforgiven me.”

“All that to the good, it is time you had a husband to keepyou from further mischief, Aethel.”

She looked into his hazel eyes and decided with not even akiss between them that she wanted him to be that husband. “Mayhap ye are right,sir knight.”

“Aye, I am.” He closed the small distance between them,wrapped his powerful arms around her and, drawing her close, kissed her.

She knew then she would never want another man.

* * *

Serena could not take her eyes off her husband. He had cometo their wedding magnificently attired like the Norman lord he now was. He worea tunic of the darkest blue over a cream undertunic and brown hosencrisscrossed by leather straps. On his feet were short leather boots. At hiswaist was a belt of silver to which was secured a scramaseax; the handle of thelong knife was studded with silver. Around his neck was a wide necklace of goldand silver bejeweled with the same stones that decorated the sword he had givenher. On his head was a black velvet cap that gave him a regal appearance withthe chestnut waves of his hair curling at his nape. The warrior was cloaked andthe earl revealed in all his splendor. Admittedly, he was a magnificentexemplar of a man.

“My lord, you appear as one on his way to your king’scourt,” said Serena, unable to resist a grin.

Setting down his goblet of silver, he smiled. “And would youlook forward to a visit to William’s court, wife?”