Defy Not the Heart (Shefford’s Knights #1)

Chapter Forty-seven

Winter closed in around Clydon with a white blanket of snow that was not likely to melt completely until spring. Reina secretly liked this time of year, even though viands grew stale and moldy, and men’s tempers snapped from inactivity. ’Twas a time when women could do things there was never enough time for otherwise. Tapestries were started and completed ere the season ended, clothes made for the next year’s special occasions, new talents discovered, recipes discussed and experimented with. ’Twas a warm, cozy part of the year with all hearths blazing, a time when relationships developed more strongly. Did a woman want to take the supreme luxury and just lie abed for a day and do naught, she could do that, too.

Reina did that often, simply because her small frame had difficulty carrying so much added weight. Ranulf teased her unmercifully about her new size, insisting he liked it so much he would see to it she was often kept overweight. Surprisingly, he came home more often than she would have expected, considering Sir Henry was still in the field. He showed up for every feast day, and was home for the Twelfth Day celebration to pass out the perquisites, or bonuses, to the manorial servants; the food, clothing, drink, and firewood that were their traditional Christmas due. He stayed that time until Plow Monday, the first Monday after Epiphany, when the villeins raced their plows across the common pasture to determine how many furrows each man could sow that year.

But Ranulf did not arrive for the one holiday she was sure he would not miss, Candlemas, at the start of the second month of the new year. ’Twas now a week after, and Reina was due to have her baby any day, but he had still not shown up. After he had promised he would be there for the birthing, what was she to think except that something dire had happened?

Walter was quick to tell her she was being silly to worry. He had not gone on this campaign with Ranulf, nor did he mind staying behind, being newly wed to Florette. But what did he know of a woman’s fear? And yet, realistically, Reina knew he was right.

Rothwell had scurried home as Ranulf had predicted he would, but that had not been the end of it. Sir Henry had decided he needed lessoning for his audacity and had taken the Shefford army west to besiege Rothwell’s keep, and so it had been under siege these past two months, with very little actual fighting.

Ranulf’s forty days’ service had expired, but what did that matter when a man was enjoying himself? That he had stayed on to fill the ranks had caused another fight between them, which he, of course, won, and she, of course, forgave him for. The lout simply loved a challenge, any challenge, and she would perforce have to get used to that aspect of her life with him. It would become easier as the years passed. There would be times when he would be home so much she was like to wish him gone. And there would be times when he was late again in returning and she would worry herself sick. There would also be the times of loving to make up for it all.

Verily, what did she have to complain about? That Ranulf was not there for the birthing of his first son, who arrived on time and without undue complication? Aye, she would not let him hear the end of that. And yet ’twas forgotten when he entered their chamber a mere hour after the ordeal was over, and came directly to the bed to take her in his arms.

He was contrite and elated all at once, and how could she scold him when he showered her with love? His excuse for being late was a good one. Lord Guy had finally returned to England and had summoned Ranulf to Shefford for their first meeting, which had gone very well. He had even insinuated that he would not take it amiss were he asked to be godfather to this first child of theirs. Reina could only laugh. ’Twas not like her overlord to be subtle about his wishes. Ranulf must have duly impressed him, which meant she had naught else to worry about on that score. Her father’s little deception for her sake would never come to light, and his last wish was fulfilled. She had married the man of her choice, as he had wanted.

Theodric hummed softly as he rocked Guy in his arms. The three-month-old infant was fast asleep, but he was in no hurry to put him down in his bed. Wenda was combing Reina’s hair, still slightly damp from her bath. Theo no longer complained that the girl had usurped his duties, not since he had taken over the care of Guy, whom he adored. He was worse than any mother when it came to fretting over the baby. Reina sometimes thought that he envied her the nursing of him, and would do that, too, if he could.

Lady Ella preened herself in the center of Reina’s bed. Her most recent batch of kittens cavorted on the floor, making Wenda giggle every so often. Reina was amused by them, too. She had not liked it when her nemesis had decided to have this litter under her bed, sneaking into the room to do so. Reina had tried moving them at least into the antechamber, but Lady Ella would cry and scratch at the door until it was opened, then pick up the kitten she had carried there and rush into the room with it. Ranulf had said not a word, leaving the decision to Reina. What decision? The cat had made up its mind and there was naught anyone could do about it.

When the door opened and Ranulf walked in, Reina was delighted. She had thought with Lord Hugh’s arrival this afternoon that Ranulf would not retire until much later. But one look at him staring aghast at Theo holding Guy and she groaned inwardly. That he had not discovered ere now that Theo had taken charge of Guy was due only to Theo’s clever timing.

Ranulf did not mince words; he simply bellowed, “Out!”

Theo was no longer frightened to death by Ranulf’s roars. He gently laid Guy down in his basket and walked stiffly from the room. Reina gave a nod to Wenda to fetch the basket and leave them. The argument she was about to commence would probably get loud enough to disturb Guy’s sleep.

“You have offended Theo,” she began quietly enough.

“I will do more than that do I find that catamite near my son again, lady. I will not have Guy influenced—”

“Do not use that excuse, Ranulf,” she interrupted sharply. “The only one like to influence your son is you, and well you know it. You would have it no other way, and that we both know. As for Theo, he has lived here his whole life. In that time he has had the care of two babies and three children, myself included, and I might add that I was the only female he has attended. He has not influenced any of us adversely, nor is he ever like to.” Then, on a softer note when she saw he was actually listening to her and no longer frowning quite so sternly: “He loves Guy as if he were his own. He would never do aught to hurt him. Now which is more important? That your son receives the best care? Or that you continue to hold a grudge because Theo admires your magnificent body?”

That caught him off guard. “Magnificent?”

“Aye.” Her smile broke through.

“I did not know you thought so.”

Was he embarrassed? Sweet Jesú , how she loved this man, with all his quirks and faults and endearing qualities.

“Have I not told you, my lord?”

“Nay.”

“I must have shown you.”

He really was embarrassed. Reina grinned and slowly crossed the room to him. Deliberately, she let her bedrobe slip down one shoulder, and saw his eyes ignite. He might have been disconcerted for the moment, but ’twould not last long, and in fact, lasted no longer than it took her to reach him. She was lifted off her feet to dangle in the air. This was how they had met, the only difference being the passion that smoldered in his eyes now was not anger.

“Christ’s toes, woman, when you look at me like that…”

“What are you waiting for?” she asked thickly, and wrapped her arms around him until there was not a breath of space between them. “Want me to drag you to bed for a change?”

She did not have to ask twice.