Page 83 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

Alone with only the sleeping Steinar between them, Renaudstood and helped her to rise. She looked long on his face. Though the blood ofbattle was gone, he appeared tired, the few lines in his face now etcheddeeper. Yet his strength had not failed her.

His gray eyes studied her, concern showing in their depths.“I would you had not come, Serena. Battle is no place for a woman, much less mywife.”

She was unsurprised by his declaration. “I could not dootherwise, you know that.”

“Aye, so I have realized.”

“What news from your king?” she asked. “Has William had hisfill of vengeance on the Northumbrians?”

He let out a breath. “Fortunately, the short battle and thetorching of a part of the town have resulted in a surrender of the city’s keys.Now William turns his attention to a new castle.”

“Aye, that would be his next move,” she said averting hergaze.

“Serena,” he whispered as he pulled her into his arms andlooked into her eyes. “I told you on the day the priest blessed our marriagethat I wanted only love between us. Would it be so hard to forget the rancoryou have for William and look to the future? Should Steinar recover, I willprovide a home for him. Your brother will always be welcome at Talisand.”

She let out a deep sigh, knowing his words were wise. “Aye,I know I must. But it is hard, my husband.” Then looking into his eyes, shesaid, “For the sake of our son, I will try to forget.”

“Our son? You speak of a son as if he had already beenborn.”

She let him see the smile that came to her lips as shethought of the babe growing within her. “’Twill nay be long, my lord, for I amwith child.”

Elation, then anger flitted across her husband’s face as ifthe two emotions warred within him. “You came to York knowing you carried mychild?”

So it was to be anger. “Aye. I could do no less knowing thetwo men I love most in the world would be here.”

He stared at her for a moment. She hoped he could see thelove in her eyes.

Recognition dawned. “You love me?”

“Yea, I do.” She smiled, thinking of the ring on her finger,remembering the words inscribed inside. “I suppose I should have mentioned itafore this.”

“You might have.” He drew her more tightly to his powerfulchest and she crossed her hands at his nape. He gently pressed a kiss to herlips. “I love you, Serena.”

A feeling of great happiness welled up inside her. She hadnever thought to hear those words from the Norman who wed her out of duty tohis king. But she had hoped.

He drew back and put his hand on her still flat belly,looking amazed. “A son for Talisand,” he said smiling. He kissed her again. “Mywayward English wife,” he said as his lips lifted from hers. “I should bescolding you, but I would rather carry you to yon meadow and make love to you.But the babe….”

She smiled, feeling his rising passion pressing into herbelly. “I am certain the babe is not so large we must worry about yourlovemaking. And, I think we can find a better place than a meadow, my lord. Itrust not your knights to leave us be.”

Chapter 24

Several days later, Renaud led his entourage through thegates of Talisand, as he shouted orders for help with the litters. Their slowerpace had lengthened the trip, but it was necessary for the sake of the woundedand his determination to assure his unborn child was not jostled overmuch.

From where he dismounted, Renaud saw Sir Geoffroi near theback of the column helping Serena down from her white palfrey. She had insistedon riding next to her brother’s litter, though Steinar slept most of the time,as did Sir Maurin.

Waiting in front of the manor with anxious faces wereMaggie, her daughter Cassie, the dark-haired Aethel and Sir Niel. Renaud handedBelasco’s reins to Eric, then turned to the small group.

“We have wounded, but no deaths,” he said, answering theirunspoken question. “Sir Maurin and Serena’s brother, Steinar, are carried uponlitters.” Gasps sounded from Cassie and her mother as they covered theirmouths.

“Sir Alain?” Aethel asked her brows drawn together.

“The bear has a new scar not unlike Sir Niel’s,” he saidglancing at the young knight, “but otherwise he is well. Look for him near therear of the column; he guards Sir Maurin.”

The dark-haired Aethel and the redheaded Cassie took offrunning.

“How bad is Steinar, my lord?” asked Maggie. “I raised himas if he were me own son.”

“He took a sword in the leg. The wound is serious. It willbe some time before we know whether he or Sir Maurin will heal. At least theyare home now.”