Chapter 16
Hearing the sound of the river, Renaud raised his hand to halt the column of men behind him. “We stop for a brief rest to water the horses,” he said to Geoff riding beside him. Dismounting, he added with a grin, “Should all go well, we will arrive at Talisand in time for the midday meal.”
“Aye,” said Geoff, sliding to the ground, as the men around them also dismounted, “though I would ride on without stopping for Maggie’s cooking, the horses will fare better for this respite before our last hours of travel.”
Renaud handed Belasco’s reins to Jamie and took the dirt path that cut through the trees, anxious to stretch his legs.
Their ride north following the siege had been exhausting, particularly since he and his men were tired when they began, and the wound in his arm still pained him.
A few of the days brought them rain, which turned the road into a stream of mud, but now the skies were clear and the sunlight pierced woods to light their path.
Briefly he touched his aching left arm, then dismissed the pain. It was a small wound compared to others he had received in battle. And he was comforted by the thought he would soon be home.
Troubled by William’s words as they had left Exeter, Renaud wondered to what battle his sire would next summon him.
While the good citizens of Exeter had finally seen the wisdom of surrendering to the king, their resistance had come at a great cost. William had lost half his army and, to Renaud’s regret, it had changed the king’s attitude toward the English.
Never again would he trust the people who had held him at bay for so long.
Renaud walked along the path strewn with yellow wild flowers and turned his thoughts from Exeter to Talisand—and to his spirited bride.
He was eager to look into her violet eyes and even more eager to take her to his bed.
In his mind, he saw her long flaxen hair laid out on the pillow, her beautiful body bared of clothes and her ripe breasts quivering for his touch.
Soon.
Joining Renaud on the path, Geoff rubbed his stomach. “I am anxious for the food of Talisand.”
“More important than your stomach, my friend, is that this eve I will have a bride in truth and can be about the business of creating an heir.” The prospect of getting Serena with child even now urged him on to their destination.
“’Twill please William and give his court something to gossip about. The warrior priest succumbs to the lovely Lady of Talisand. But beware lest the vixen becomes your weakness,” Geoff said with a grin.
Though Renaud knew his friend was jesting, he could not dismiss the truth of his warning. “I am ever wary.”
He’d known from the first time he’d touched her that he craved her as no woman before.
He had admired her spirit, even her defiance, though at times it angered him greatly.
But the maiden’s response to his kisses told him much.
She may despise her Norman conquerors, but she did not loathe the Red Wolf’s touch. He would seduce his bride if he must.
Anxious to be on his way, Renaud turned and strode back to where Jamie waited, holding Belasco’s reins, Geoff hurrying behind.
“Do not take offense, Ren. I, too, have a weakness—for the lovely Eawyn.”
“Aye, I’d forgotten about the dark-haired beauty you are so fond of. Which appeals more, her cooking or her?”
“If I am fortunate, I will have both,” Geoff said with a wink. “These English women are winsome, are they not?”
Renaud just chuckled under his breath. Winsome, indeed. And difficult, rebellious and stubborn!
“Yer horse is watered, m’lord,” said his page. Renaud thanked the lad and with some pain to his arm, swung into the saddle.
The column resumed its journey north and, after a few hours, Renaud arrived at the top of the familiar ridge looking west toward Talisand.
The sun was at its zenith not unlike that first day he had seen his lands.
But the sight had changed. Next to the manor, a timber castle was now rising from a great motte.
Behind him, Renaud heard the horses snorting, restless to return to their stalls and their oats.
“It appears that Sir Maurin and the men of Talisand have served me well in my absence.”
“Yea, ’tis a great sight,” said Geoff. “There is no castle like it in this part of England.”
“William should be pleased. Mayhap he’ll pay us a visit.” Renaud did not have to wonder what Serena would think of William at Talisand. She would not look forward to such an occurrence.
Renaud was first through the gate, followed by Geoff, Alain with the banner, then Mathieu and Jamie and the other squires and men-at-arms. He dismounted and handed Belasco’s reins to the waiting Eric.
Doffing his mail would come next but for that he would seek his chamber.
He glanced at his leggings splattered with mud, hoping a bath awaited him.
“My lord,” hailed Sir Maurin, coming through the door of the manor. “I have been eager for your return. You have fared well?”
“Well enough. It took nearly three weeks and many lives, but William has his victory.” Renaud doffed his gloves and handed them to the waiting Jamie, then turned his attention back to Sir Maurin.
“And Talisand?” Renaud gazed about the yard where his men were greeting those who had stayed behind.
He was disappointed not to be rewarded with a glimpse of his bride.
Mayhap she was occupied within the manor.
“Talisand fares well, my lord, but there has been an incident.”
Renaud was instantly on the alert, seeing the anxiety in Sir Maurin’s blue eyes.
“The news is not good.” Lines of worry etched Sir Maurin’s weathered face as he ran a hand through his hair.
Renaud narrowed his eyes. “What has happened?”
“There is no way to soften the news, my lord. Lady Serena has disappeared.”
Renaud shot a glance at Geoff then returned his eyes to Sir Maurin whose fallen countenance spoke of regret. A storm rose in his chest. “Disappeared? When? How?”
“We know not what happened, my lord, only that one morning when her handmaiden went to the lady’s room, she was gone. A search revealed she was not within the manor or in the village.”
“What of Sir Niel?”
“The knight guarded her continuously. He never left his post. And none at Talisand know anything of it. But I believe he and the guard at the postern gate were given some kind of sleeping draught. They both suffered an aching head the next morn. I sent Sir Niel and another man to search to the north where she had gone before. Since then, he has returned and both the lady’s handmaiden and the Welsh bard have disappeared. ”
Renaud stormed through the door of the manor, Sir Maurin and Geoff trailing behind, his anger rising with every step. So, she had plotted with the Welshman and her handmaiden to leave! How could she do this after her pretty speech about taking her place as the Lady of Talisand?
“How long?” he demanded.
“Three days, my lord,” said Sir Maurin, “since the Lady Serena disappeared. Only one since Cassie and the bard could not be found.”
Renaud’s stomach clenched at the thought of his bride being alone on the road that long. “Did you see any signs of Lady Serena’s going?”
“It rained after she disappeared, but seeing no sign of her to the north, Sir Niel was just preparing to ride south when you arrived.”
“South?” Why would she ride south if her brother is in Scotland? But he did not linger on the question. No, he would track her like an animal and bring her to ground as he had done once before. Only this time, he would show no mercy to his English bride.
No one defied the Red Wolf, least of all a woman who was his by the king’s command.
* * *
It was afternoon when Serena pulled reins, her growling stomach reminding her that the bread and cheese were gone long ago.
She had no weapon with her and, in any event, would not want to take the time to hunt.
Yet, both she and the horse needed water.
Leaving the horse tethered by the stream, she walked the short distance to where she had seen red berries growing in a thicket at the side of a clearing.
She plucked some and began to eat, tasting the tart juice on her tongue.
Hearing a rustle of something moving in the brush behind her, she jerked her head around.
“At last we have found ye!” exclaimed Cassie, as she stepped from the woods. At her side was Rhodri leading their horses.
“Cassie! Rhodri!” exclaimed Serena. She ran to embrace them. “You came for me?”
“Why else would we be so far from Talisand?” said Rhodri with a sarcastic smile. “This far south is no mere ramble.”
Cassie gave her a puzzled look. “Serena, I thought to find ye at Earl Edwin’s. But here ye are halfway to Talisand. Why?”
“Until early this morning, I was at Edwin’s manor in Mercia. He and Morcar stole me from Talisand for a wedding.”
“A wedding?” asked Rhodri with drawn brows.
“Yea—my own and Morcar’s, if you would believe it.” At Cassie’s sharp inhalation of breath, Serena explained, “He thought to rescue me from the Normans. In truth, I would have welcomed his plan some time ago, but not now.” Observing her handmaiden’s obvious confusion, she added, “I escaped.”
“I expect he will follow,” said Rhodri.
“Or worse,” replied Serena, “he will send his new henchman, Sir Hugue.”
“The mercenary who rode with the Red Wolf?” asked Cassie with raised brows.
“Aye. Somehow he has come to Mercia and now does the bidding of the earls, though I doubt he has told Morcar that he was sent from Talisand in disgrace.”
Rhodri’s face bore a look of concern. “He did not hurt you, did he, Serena?”
“Nay. But I was never at peace knowing the Norman was near. You heard the tale of the attempted rape of Eawyn?” At Rhodri’s nod, she said, “He was the one.”
“So you travel back to Talisand,” Rhodri said with a resigned expression.
Serena nodded.
“Are you resigned, then, to wed the Red Wolf, Serena?” he asked.