Page 73 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“He was a fine man, but it has been a long while since youlost him. Surely you want to marry again, for you must want children.”

“Yea, I do.”

“The man need not be a Norman if you find the prospect notto your liking. Still, there are few men who would make as good a husband asSir Geoffroi. He is kind and he laughs much.” In spite of his being a Norman,Serena liked the blond knight, who but for his lack of a beard, appeared almosta Saxon. And she thought all the more highly of him because he had protectedEawyn from Sir Hugue.

“When the time comes for me to wed,” said Eawyn, “I wouldlook with favor upon Sir Geoffroi’s suit. He is a man of honor, I know. Still,I think it may be awhile before I am ready.”

“Sir Geoffroi will be dismayed to hear it, but I know hewill respect your wishes.”

“And you, m’lady,” said Eawyn, her blue eyes focusedintently upon Serena, “how is it with you?”

“It is well, or as well as it can be, given all that liesbetween the Red Wolf and me. He still mistrusts me, I think. Sometimes I seehim watching me from the corner of his eye as if he expects me to escape intothe night.”

Eawyn smiled. “Mayhap he fears one of your arrows in hisback,” she said, her eyes full of mirth.

“I think we are well past that, but it will take time beforehe trusts me fully.” Serena twisted her wedding ring, recalling the wordsinscribed inside. Why had he used the word love? Could there ever be lovebetween them?

“The stew is ready, m’lady,” said the servant girl. “And thebread is just out of the oven. I have only to set the cheese and berries uponthe table.”

“Then let us see the knights fed as they are no doubtfamished,” said Eawyn in her usual cheerful manner.

With the help of the servant girl, Eawyn and Serena set thefood before the knights and joined them for the repast, settling easily intoconversation about the crops and tasks that must be accomplished before winter.It was apparent to Serena that Renaud had much to learn about rural life, forhe thought only of hunting for deer and game and had only a vague idea of allthat must be done to see the people through the harsh months. But she wouldhelp him and, in doing so, she would help the people of Talisand.

* * *

Renaud stood in the hall of the castle carefully folding theparchment the messenger had brought him that morning. He had been receivingword from William’s men, so the arrival of the messenger wearing the king’slivery did not surprise him. What he had not expected was the message itself,written by the king’s companion, William FitzOsbern, Earl of Hereford: The kingwas coming to Talisand with a part of his army. And he expected Renaud and hismen to join him as he rode on to York. It could only mean one thing: the rebelsin the north had made clear their intent.

He dreaded telling Serena.

“William is coming to Talisand for a visit, my lady,” hetold her that afternoon.

Serena looked up from where she was bent over the gray goosefeathers she was preparing to fletch into a new set of arrows. In his idlemoments there had been times in the past when he had thought of a future with awife sitting by the fire on an eve. Always the woman he envisioned plied herdeft fingers pushing a needle through cloth, taking small straight stiches inthe embroidery of some feminine design. Never had he considered his wife mightsit worrying over the placement of goose feathers in arrow shafts. Though shewas now a countess, Serena was more particular than his archers in thedistinctive way she placed the feathers so her arrows would fly straight andtrue.

Her hands stilled and her violet eyes flashed in alarm.“Your king comes here? Wherefore?”

“I told you he would want to see his castle. And it seems hehas business in the north. I do not believe he will be here long, but I thoughtyou would appreciate the notice. It takes much to feed and entertain a king.” I’llnot dismay her with my being ordered to follow William to York. With Serenahe was learning to take one hill at a time.

“His men? How many?”

“In addition to his retinue of knights and retainers,William is bringing some of his army. I cannot say how many, but I would planon filling both the new hall and the old. And if that is not enough, Williamever travels with tents. We can give the king our chamber and take one of thekeep’s guest chambers.”

He could see from the frown on her face as she set herfeathers aside that she was not happy about the news.

“I suppose I should have seen this day would come. I dreadhis being here but ’tis not something we can avoid, is it?”

“Nay, wife, it is not.”

Serena let out a sigh. “’Tis a good thing the bed cushionsare finished. I will talk to Hunstan and Maggie about the rest of what must bedone.”

* * *

A sennight later, Serena sullenly watched as William and hislong column of men dressed in colorful livery rode two abreast into the bailey.A banner with two golden leopards on a red field waved in the wind and thesound of many horses filled the space between palisade and the manor. Thanks toa man standing watch on the top of the keep’s tower, they had warning of theking’s impending arrival.

Once in the bailey, the king and a few of those with himbroke off from the mass of mounted knights and men-at-arms, dismounted andapproached Renaud and Serena where they waited in front of the manor.

Not since the blessing of their marriage had her husbanddonned such fine apparel. He did not wear his mail or helm, nor the pelt of thewolf, but instead, his broad shoulders and lean body were clothed in a finetunic of dark green Talisand wool embroidered with silver threads. At his waistwas a belt of silver studded with gems, and his chestnut hair was tamed inanticipation of meeting his king. For her own clothing, she had decided to wearone of her new gowns and the head cloth, which now marked her as a marriedwoman, was crowned with the circlet of gold and silver.

“Sire,” Renaud bowed, “Welcome to Talisand.”