Epic Knights of Legend and Steel

Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

V iolet and Lily were running in circles out in the bailey with the dogs chasing after them, barking happily. It was some sort of game that had Violet chasing Lily, tapping her, and then Lily would turn around and chase Violet until she was able to tap her in return. On and on it went as Taranis and Henry chased the girls. Taranis wasn’t a jumper but Henry was and, when extended on his hind legs, he was as tall as the women, so when Henry got too excited and jumped on Lily, pushing her over, Courtly wrangled the mutt and made him sit with her over on the big steps that led into the keep.

Courtly and Jeniver were sitting on the steps, watching the girls play in the sunshine while Jeniver worked on some kind of clothing for the baby. It was a lovely day, two days after Gallus, Maximus, and Tiberius left to escort Bose and Garran and Douglass from Isenhall to London, and the ladies were passing the time until their husbands returned. It was a pleasant sort of passage.

But there had been an ulterior motive behind the de Moray escort. Both Gallus and Maximus had mentioned to their respective wives that the escort was mainly a ruse so that Tiberius could spend more time with Lady Douglass with the hopes of wooing her. In that respect, neither Jeniver nor Courtly had issue with the men being gone for a few days. However, what neither Gallus nor Maximus had mentioned was that after London, they would be headed to Kenilworth before returning home.

Gallus knew that his wife would not have been happy with those plans, as she wasn’t particularly a de Montfort enthusiast, so he kept the business end of their trip to himself. Not strangely, however, Jeniver knew that the brothers were going to Kenilworth, anyway, when a soldier happened to mention their plans to the majordomo who, in turn, told Jeniver. She was therefore planning to have strong words with her husband when he returned for not telling her the truth.

But in the grand scope of things, it really didn’t matter. One way or another, Gallus and Maximus and Tiberius would be returning home and all would be right in the world again. As Jeniver sewed the little sleeve on the baby’s clothing, Courtly sat beside her, petting the pouting dog as he watched his playmates cavort.

“Have you ever been to London, Jeni?” Courtly asked as she stroked Henry’s head.

Jeniver nodded. “Earlier this year,” she said. “When my father took me to Paris for my birthday, we passed by way of London.”

Courtly sighed. “I have never been there,” she said. “Maximus said he would take me some day, very soon. He told me of a Street of the Merchants with all manner of exotic things to purchase. It all sounds quite wonderful.”

Jeniver smiled as she stitched. “My father bought me scented oil on the Street of the Merchants,” she said. “The city is a vast, dirty place. I was not particularly impressed with it.”

Courtly shrugged longingly, petting the dog as he whined, but both women looked up when the sentries on the wall began to take up the call.

Evidently, riders were approaching and the de Shera sentries had a protocol for such things. The exterior portcullis would be raised to admit the riders but the interior portcullis, the second one, would remain closed. Then, the exterior portcullis would close, effectively trapping the visitor until they declared their business. Depending on their business, they were either chased back outside of the gatehouse by men wielding spears, or they were ushered into the bailey. The de Shera guards were very efficient so neither Jeniver nor Courtly gave the event of incoming riders much thought. They returned their focus back to the children playing before them.

It took some time for the riders to finally enter the gatehouse, trapped between the portcullises, but the women weren’t paying attention by this time because Lily had fallen and scraped her knee. Courtly picked the child up, cradling her, as Jeniver tended the scrape. Meanwhile, Violet was off and running with the dogs, not particularly concerned with her sister’s weeping.

But the tears were short-lived. After Jeniver wiped off the barely-bloodied knee and cleaned it with a witch hazel solution that the majordomo brought her, Lily was back on her feet running and screaming in delight as the dogs chased her. Jeniver and Courtly were about to resume their seats on the steps when they noticed Scott de Wolfe heading their way.

Scott had been left in charge of the castle, along with Stefan, while Troy rode with the de Shera brothers to London. Scott had the day watch and Stefan had the night watch. In the event of an attack or other military situation, Scott was the senior commander. He was only twenty-five years of age, as was his twin, but he had the maturity and wisdom of a man who had seen much in life. As the son of the legendary Wolfe of the Border, William de Wolfe, Scott was a greatly respected knight not only for his family ties but for his own skill. Scott and Gallus were particularly close. Jeniver glanced over when she caught sight of the big, blond knight.

“Greetings, Scott,” she said, addressing him informally. “’Tis a fine day, is it not?”

Scott was a very handsome man with pale green eyes and fair skin. He smiled weakly. “It is indeed, Lady de Shera,” he said. “I was wondering if I may have a word with you.”

Jeniver nodded, moving in Scott’s direction as Courtly took a seat upon the stone steps of Isenhall’s keep to maintain a vigilant eye over the children. Scott politely took Jeniver’s elbow and led her over towards the gatehouse where they would have some privacy. When they had moved far enough away from prying ears, he let go of her elbow and faced her.

“I wanted to make sure we were away from Lady Courtly,” he said, lowering his voice. His expression seemed to morph between confusion and concern. “It would seem we have a situation on our hands involving her husband.”

Jeniver grew instantly concerned. “What is it?” she gasped. “Has Maximus been injured? Is he ill?”

Scott could see the panic in her expression and he hastened to reassure her. “Nay, my lady,” he said quickly. “Nothing of the sort. Maximus is perfectly fine as far as I know. The situation I am speaking of is rather… unique. I do not know how to bring it up to Lady Courtly so I will rely on you for your counsel.”

Jeniver was growing increasingly perplexed. “Of course, Scott,” she said. “What is it?”

Scott scratched his head, struggling to figure out where to begin. “I have known Gallus and Maximus for many years,” he finally said. “We fostered together at Kenilworth. All of us squired together for knights who were close friends, which meant we spent nearly all of our time together. My lady… did Maximus ever mention to you that there was a girl he was quite fond of when he was around seventeen years of age? Or has Gallus ever told you anything about that?”

Jeniver thought seriously on his question. “Courtly has mentioned it to me,” she said. “Neither Gallus nor Maximus have ever told me anything directly, but in conversation once, Courtly mentioned that he had been in love with a girl when he was a lad. Antoninus de Shera sent the girl away to end the budding romance and I think Courtly said that Maximus was told later that she had died of a fever. Why do you ask?”

Scott puffed out his cheeks, clearly struggling. “What Lady Courtly told you is true,” he said. “I was there when Maximus fell in love with young Rose. She was the daughter of a smithy at Kenilworth. Maximus wanted very much to marry her but Antoninus caught wind of the budding romance and had de Montfort send the girl and her father away. Maximus was devastated. I truly believe he loved the girl, but they were both so young and marriage simply wasn’t possible. I was also there when Maximus received word that Rose had died of a fever. He was shattered after that for quite some time.”

Jeniver was still confused about the entire conversation. “I see,” she said, pretending she understood when she really didn’t. “Why are you telling me all of this? What has happened?”

Scott hissed softly. “There is no easy way to tell you this so I will be frank,” he said. “There is a man at the gatehouse I recognize. He is the smithy that de Montfort had sent away those years ago along with his daughter.”

Jeniver still wasn’t understanding the man’s sense of apprehension but she knew, instinctively, that there must be a reason behind it. “God’s Bones,” she exclaimed softly. “After all of these years? What is he doing here?”

Scott lifted his eyebrows, resigned to what he must say. “The man has returned with a lad who is nearly sixteen years of age and who is the exact image of Maximus,” he said, watching Jeniver’s eyes widen as she came to realize what he meant. “My lady, the smithy told me that his daughter did not die of a fever. She died in childbirth, and now the smithy has brought Maximus’ son to Isenhall because he feels the boy should have all of the privileges of a de Shera. He has come to claim the boy’s birthright as Maximus de Shera’s son and he is demanding to see Maximus.”

Jeniver’s mouth popped open in shock as the news sank in. In all her wildest dreams, she could not have imagined this would have been the reason behind Scott’s edgy demeanor or the reason behind the visitors at the gatehouse. Shocking wasn’t quite the word she had in mind; staggering was more like it. It was too staggering to believe and she quickly clapped a hand over her gaping mouth.

“Maximus has a son ?” she gasped. “Scott, is this true?”

Scott nodded firmly, his expression suggesting he was as shocked as she was. “It is,” he said softly. “I swear to you, my lady, that this boy is Maximus’ son. He looks exactly like him. I believe the smithy without question.”

Jeniver’s hands moved to her head, astonished beyond measure. But just as quickly, she thought of her friend, Courtly, and how the woman would handle the news of her husband’s bastard. She could hardly catch her breath, knowing that Courtly’s entire world was about to be shaken to the core. But she quickly composed herself, knowing that this was not her battle to fight. It was not her right to feel anything other than sympathy for her friend and for Maximus, who would undoubtedly be stunned by the news. Therefore, she took a deep breath and faced Scott. Decisions had to be made and made quickly.

“I will take Courtly inside the keep and distract her,” she said. “You will bring the smithy and the boy into the castle and settle them in the knights’ quarters. Once you have settled them, you will help me explain the situation to Courtly. But before you do anything, you must send a messenger riding as hard as he can for Gallus. My husband must know what has happened so that he can tell Maximus. Max will take the news better if it comes from Gallus. Is that clear?”

Scott nodded. “It is, my lady,” he said. “I agree completely.”

Jeniver nodded shortly. “Good,” she said. “Go now. Send the messenger, settle the visitors, and then come to me in the keep. We must tell Lady Courtly that her husband’s bastard son has arrived.”

She said it with some sadness and Scott could understand why. It was a shocking and saddening situation for all involved. As Jeniver headed back across the bailey towards Courtly, who was now sitting on the steps with Lily on her lap and the dogs milling about her, Scott headed off towards the gatehouse where the big, sickly, wheezing smithy was waiting with a very big lad who was the image of Maximus de Shera in his youth. The entire situation was astonishing but Scott focused on what he needed to do. With the de Shera brothers gone, this was his keep now and he was in charge. He would make the correct and necessary decisions, with the guidance of Lady Jeniver, for all concerned.

A trusted soldier was soon racing for London bearing a shocking missive for Gallus de Shera.

*

Because it was nearing the nooning meal, Jeniver and Courtly herded the little girls into the small solar off the entry where they usually had intimate family meals as opposed to eating in the vastness of the great hall. As Taranis and Henry milled around the table, mostly over by Violet and Lily who they knew would feed them scraps, Courtly oversaw the dishes the servants were bringing in. Jeniver sat down and poured herself some boiled juice made from apple juice, pear juice, a tiny amount of wine, and mashed rose petals. The little girls received the same drink and Lily tried to pick the rose petals out.

As those at the table helped themselves to drink, Courtly stood at the door of the chamber and inspected the dishes as they were brought in.

“This is the apple pie I was telling you about,” Courtly said to Jeniver as a servant set a large, baked pie onto the table. “It is made from mashed apples, figs, raisins, honey, and a small amount of spice and saffron. Ty tried to describe this to me as a dish he favored as a child so I have tried to recreate it. I hope it turns out well.”

Jeniver smiled weakly as a servant presented her with a slab of the pie. “Anything you do turns out wonderfully,” she said, taking a big pewter spoon and scooping up a small bit. Putting it in her mouth, she chewed. “It is delicious. Ty will be thrilled.”

Courtly smiled, relieved and happy that her pie was a success. As the servants brought in bread, butter, fruit compote, and warmed-over pork and gravy from the night before, she sat down next to Jeniver and took a piece of pie for herself. Spooning a bite into her mouth, she crowed with delight.

“It is good,” she said. “I can already tell that Ty will confiscate the entire thing for himself, which means I will have to make several pies so everyone can have some. Why are men such little boys sometimes?”

Speaking of little boys …. Jeniver thought as she eyed her friend. She took another bite of the delicious pie before using her spoon to cut up the small piece of pie on Lily’s little wooden trencher. She then returned to her own food, accepting a piece of bread when a servant passed her a trencher filled with it.

“I spent my entire life with only my father and a few cousins and servants as company,” she said. “Most of them were old men or young women, so I have not spent a good deal of time around men in general. I can only imagine that Lady Honey had her hands full with her sons but it seems that she ruled the nest, not the other way around.”

Courtly was almost finished with her pie. “I am very sorry that I was not able to know the woman,” she said. “When we first returned to Isenhall after her death, I know that Maximus was truly devastated that she had been buried shortly after her death and he had missed her funeral. For weeks, he would get up in the middle of the night and go to the family vault where he would simply sit beside her crypt for hours. Do you remember how Ty actually slept next to his mother’s crypt for the first week following her death? It was truly sad to watch.”

Jeniver remembered all of that. She had caught Gallus, several times, talking to his mother’s crypt. Three months later, he still did it. But Jeniver knew it gave him comfort. “What about you?” she asked Courtly. “Your father was buried in Kennington shortly after you and Max were married. Do you miss your father as your husband misses his mother?”

Courtly sighed faintly. “I do, at times,” she admitted. “But my father grew very odd towards the end. His protectiveness over me and over my sister grew to unhealthy proportions. I have not yet forgiven him for trying to kill Max on the field of battle. I am not sure if I ever will.”

Jeniver nodded. She knew of Courtly’s resentment towards her father following her marriage to Maximus. Kellen de Lara had tried to kill Maximus under the guise of battle and might have succeeded had Bose de Moray not saved Maximus’ life by killing Kellen. It had been a shocking and deadly turn for Kellen de Lara’s anger towards Maximus.

“Sir Bose apologized for killing your father when he came to pay his respects to Lady Honey after the battle at Warborough,” Jeniver said softly. “Did he make any mention of it again with his most recent visit?”

Courtly shook her head. “There is no need to,” she said. “I told him that there was nothing to forgive, as my father had gone mad. I thanked the man for saving Max’s life. I am indebted to de Moray, just as Max is. We owe him our happiness.”

Jeniver let the subject drop, mostly because the situation at the time of Honey and Kellen’s deaths had been turbulent, indeed. They were not particularly happy times other than Courtly and Maximus’ marriage. Jeniver finished off the last bite of her pie.

“And your sister?” she asked, changing the focus somewhat. “Will she be coming to Isenhall to stay with you? You speak of her so often I feel as if I already know her.”

Courtly smiled at the thought of her younger sister, Isadora, who had been at her family’s castle of Trelystan over the summer months, having been sent there by Kellen back in May before the chaos surrounding Courtly and Maximus’ marriage. The younger de Lara sister had been removed from most of her father’s madness during that time, fortunately.

“I have written her three missives over the summer,” Courtly said. “Isadora has written back to tell me that she is very happy at Trelystan because she is the Lady of the Castle now with my father and me gone. Kirk St. Héver has remained there as well to help her oversee things since my father’s death. Technically, the castle now belongs to Maximus through his marriage to me but my husband has no desire to live there or even see it right now. He is content to let St. Héver command the castle for now. As for my sister, she seems happy there and Aunt Ellice has even gone to Trelystan to live with her. Isadora is in very good hands and I am content.”

Jeniver recalled the spinster aunt who had been so instrumental in ensuring Courtly and Maximus’ relationship. “Aunt Ellice is quite a woman,” she said, recalling the woman’s bravery in the face of Kellen de Lara’s resistance to his daughter’s romance. “Isadora is very lucky to have Ellice as her guardian.”

Courtly, too, was thinking on her aunt, a woman she had not particularly cared for until the incident with Maximus. Then, Ellice had proven herself an exceptional and courageous ally. “It is a comfort to know and understand the woman after so many years of disliking her,” she said softly, “but my father was terrible to her and she reacted in kind. Now, with my father gone, Ellice is truly one of the family and I believe she will be a good influence on Isadora. I hope they will visit Isenhall someday but, until then, I know they are happy at Trelystan.”

Jeniver was about to reply when the keep entry opened and Scott stepped through. From where Jeniver was sitting, she could see the knight right away and his gaze found her almost immediately. Jeniver’s humor faded as she braced herself for the conversation that was to come. Scott had arrived and it was time to inform Lady Courtly de Shera of her husband’s youthful indiscretion. Although Courtly was a level-headed and pragmatic woman, it was hard to know how she was going to react. Still, they could not delay. She had to be told.

“Greetings, Scott,” Courtly said as the knight entered the solar. “We have plenty to eat. Are you hungry?”

Scott nodded as he sat down at the long, scrubbed table. The dogs shifted their attention from the girls to their latest visitor and Scott patted Taranis on his big, black head before moving to help himself to the food at the table.

“Ah,” he said, taking hold of the apple pie and helping himself to a massive slab. “More of Lady Courtly’s culinary experiments. I am happy to eat it all before Max gets to it.”

Courtly and Jeniver laughed at him. “That was for Ty,” Courtly pointed out. “It is a pie he described to me, something Lady Honey would make for him when he was young. I tried to recreate it.”

“And you did a magnificent job,” Scott said, his mouth full. “It is delicious.”

Pleased, Courtly watched the knight wolf down a big portion of the pie. “You had better eat your fill now,” she said. “You know what will happen when Maximus and his brothers return.”

Scott swallowed an enormous bite. “I know exactly what will happen,” he declared. “I will get nothing but crumbs. I am glad they are away for the next few days so that I can eat my fill before the hungry hounds return.”

Courtly giggled. “Hurry and eat what you can, then,” she said, noticing that Violet and Lily had finished their food and were now under the table with the dogs. She turned to Jeniver. “Jeni, mayhap the girls need to be taken away for their naps. When they crawl under the table, you know it is prelude to them laying down and sleeping there.”

Jeniver nodded, peering under the table at Lily and Violet. “Indeed it is,” she said, lifting her head and calling to the nearest servant. “Please send for the nurse. Lady Lily and Lady Violet must be returned to their chamber.”

As the servant headed off, the room fell into comfortable silence. Scott was eating everything in sight and Courtly was finishing off the last of her pie. The nurse soon appeared and pulled Lily and Violet out from underneath the table, escorting the children out of the solar.

When they were gone and there was no one left in the low-ceilinged room but the three adults, Jeniver cleared her throat softly. The time was upon them to delve into the disturbing dealings at hand and she would waste no more time. It wasn’t as if they could avoid the subject. The longer they delayed, the worse it would be. It was time to speak.

“Courtly,” she began casually. “Did you notice the visitors we had today at the gatehouse?”

Courtly sipped at her fruit juice. “I did,” she said. “Who was it?”

With that simple question, the opportunity had presented itself to tell her everything and Jeniver chose her words carefully. Courtly would be upset enough with the subject matter so Jeniver tried to present a calm, even front. She could only pray that her calm attitude helped Courtly somehow. God only knew how Jeniver would react if she had been presented with Gallus’ bastard. She couldn’t even imagine. Therefore, she fell back on how Scott had presented the situation to her in the hopes that it would help Courtly understand the freakish turn of events. She could only pray.

“Love is a strange thing, isn’t it?” she ventured softly. “Love is the greatest motivator in the world. It can be the greatest gift or the heaviest burden. Sometimes people fall in love and have no idea that when that love is gone, there are still lasting effects they might not even be aware of.”

Courtly was looking at her, a curious smile on her face. “I suppose so,” she said. “What does that have to do with the visitors we had earlier?”

Jeniver glanced at Scott, who had stopped eating. He was looking at Courtly, gauging her reaction. But he caught Jeniver’s look and took the hint. It was time for him to help explain the situation from his perspective.

“Lady Courtly, I have known Maximus since we were children,” he said. “I am a few years younger than he is, but we squired together and my brother and I would tail around after him and Gallus and Tiberius. I have, therefore, seen all three brothers go through a great deal. In particular, I was there when Maximus fell in love with the young peasant girl, Rose. He has told you about Rose, has he not?”

Courtly nodded, not at all concerned with the path the conversation was taking. “Aye,” she said. “He was seventeen and she was fourteen, as I recall. She was the daughter of a smithy and Max’s father sent the girl and her father away to stop the romance. Max has spoken of that event with some sadness. As a young man, I think it deeply marked him.”

Scott nodded in agreement. “I remember,” he said. “He was heartbroken about it, as any young man in love would have been. I’m sure you can understand that.”

“Of course,” Courtly agreed. “But what does that have to do with the visitors today?”

Scott continued as gently as he could. “I was with Max about a year later when a soldier passing through Kenilworth told him that Rose had perished of a fever,” he said. “At that point, she was nothing more than a fond memory although news of her death did sadden him for a time. To the best of my knowledge, that is the last time he received any news about Rose. He never heard about her again… until today.”

Courtly’s eyebrows lifted. “Did the visitors bring more news of Rose?” she wanted to know. “ Who are the visitors?”

Scott didn’t dare look at Jeniver for fear that Courtly would see their apprehensive expressions and it would send her into a state. Therefore, he kept his eyes on Courtly, strong and reassuring, as he delivered what would perhaps be the most shocking news of her life.

“Rose’s father came today,” he said. “He has come seeking Maximus.”

Courtly frowned. “Why on earth should he do that?”

Scott was very good at maintaining a somewhat passive expression, masking the pity he felt for the woman. Before he could speak, Jeniver grasped Courtly’s hand gently and continued.

“Maximus was told that Rose died of a fever, but that was evidently not true,” she said gently. “Rose’s father came today to inform Maximus that Rose, in fact, died in childbirth with Maximus’ child. He has brought the boy here to Isenhall because he feels the boy is due his birthright, as a de Shera. He has come to seek it for the boy.”

Courtly stared at Jeniver. It was clear that she was processing what she had been told. She stared at Jeniver an excessive amount of time, her eyes glittering and her features flexing slightly as she digested the information. She wanted to speak but she couldn’t. Thoughts were rolling through her head but she couldn’t grasp just one. Should she shout? Cry? Become angry? Her husband had bedded another woman and had produced a child. What should I feel? I don’t know ! Finally, when the wait became nearly unbearable, her quiet voice filled the air.

“Max has a son ?” she repeated. “He and Rose had a son?”

Jeniver nodded. “Aye.”

“How do you know this for sure?”

Scott spoke quietly. “Because the boy looks exactly like him,” he said. “I knew Max at that age. His son is the mirror image of him. There is no denying he is Maximus de Shera’s son, my lady.”

Courtly was looking at him as he spoke, further processing his words. When reality finally struck, she stood up swiftly, pulling her hand from Jeniver’s grasp and making her way over to the lancet windows that overlooked a portion of the bailey. She wrapped her slender arms around her torso, hugging herself, smelling Maximus on her skin because she had not washed off his scent since he had left her two days before. She slept with one of his tunics because it smelled of him. Her whole world revolved around him. She didn’t even know how to feel at this moment. All she could feel was bitter, nauseating shock. Gazing up at the blue sky above, she could see her husband’s face, somewhere in the clouds. Nebulous and handsome, he smiled back at her.

“Max could not have known about the boy,” she muttered.

Scott was up, following her towards the windows. He didn’t even know why. Perhaps he was afraid she was going to go mad and try to jump through one even though it was only a few feet to the ground below. Moreover, the windows were big enough to climb through. Still, he felt the need to move close to her in case insanity swept her. Although Courtly had proven herself stout and reasonable, women were odd creatures sometimes, especially when it came to those they loved.

“Nay,” he said firmly. “I strongly believe he had no knowledge of the boy. You know Max. Had he known, he would have brought the boy to live here at Isenhall or, at the very least, arranged for his schooling. He would not have ignored him.”

“Scott is right,” Jeniver said, rising from her chair. “Max would not have neglected his own flesh and blood and, had he known, he would have most certainly told you. Do not think he was keeping a secret from you, Courtly. I am positive Max knows nothing of this.”

Scott nodded. “As am I,” he said. “But he must be told. I have already sent a soldier with a message for Gallus. Gallus must tell him.”

Courtly looked at Scott. She was pale with shock but not unreasonably so. In fact, she had handled the entire situation quite calmly until this point. More calmly than either Jeniver or Scott had given her credit for. But it was clear she was struggling with the news as her features tensed and twisted, powerful emotions flooding her heart. After a moment of contemplating Scott and Jeniver’s opinions on what Maximus did, or did not, know, she simply nodded her head and looked away.

“Aye,” she said softly. “He should be told.”

Jeniver was moving towards her, her heart aching for the woman. She could hear simply by her tone that perhaps all was not as well with her as she was laboring to pretend.

“Tell me what you are feeling, Courtly,” she murmured, putting her hands on the woman’s shoulders. “I know this must be terribly shocking to you. Please tell me what you are feeling.”

What am I feeling? Courtly rolled the question around in her mind. In truth, she didn’t know. She was still too stunned to feel anything at all. She needed to go off by herself to think. As much as she loved Jeniver, she didn’t want to talk about her feelings, at least not at the moment, and certainly not in front of Scott. Her first conversation about her feelings should be with Maximus. She would give her husband that courtesy.

“I… I am not sure what I am feeling,” she said. She looked up at Jeniver, seeing pity in the woman’s eyes, and it angered her. There was pity there because, in her eyes, perhaps Maximus has shamed her. But Courtly didn’t feel shame, not in the least. She looked at Scott. “You said you have sent word to him already?”

Scott nodded. “Aye, Lady de Shera.”

All Courtly could think about was the return of her husband. She wanted him back at Isenhall. She had to see him, to ask him what this bastard son meant for the future of their own children. Was it possible that this boy, this son of a peasant, would usurp her own children? Now, she was starting to feel some angst. It was starting to come. She could feel it building up in her chest, unreasonable feelings of anguish and sorrow. He loved Rose, after all, before he loved me. Will he love this boy more than he loves our own children? So much of her mind was in turmoil. She could feel it building.

“Please,” she begged softly, pulling away from Jeniver and heading for the chamber door. “I… I need to be alone. I must think. Please… please let me be alone.”

She fled before Jeniver could stop her. Her footfalls were rapid on the stairs that led to the first floor and they heard her chamber door slam, hard. It reverberated against the old, stone walls that had seen much pain and sorrow in the de Shera family. They would soon see more. Wide-eyed at Courtly’s quick flight, Jeniver looked at Scott.

“He had better come quickly,” she hissed. “Dear God, Max had better come quickly and sort this mess out. Meanwhile, you keep that smithy and the boy in the knights’ quarters. They are not permitted anywhere else in the castle, including the hall and the keep. Is that clear?”

Scott nodded. “Aye, Lady de Shera.”

“They are not allowed anywhere outside of the knights’ quarters unless I say so.”

“Aye, my lady.”

Frustrated, and rubbing her swollen belly, Jeniver left the chamber as well, heading up the stairs to be close to Courtly if she needed her.

Scott remained in the solar long after the women had left, thinking over the day’s events and hoping, praying, that Maximus would be able to deal with it all. For certain, something like this could tear families apart and to a new marriage, an event such as this could ruin it for life.

Scott hoped that Maximus and Courtly were stronger than that. For all concerned, this was a nightmare.