Chapter 19 #2
He was grateful to Serena for helping him understand the needs of the people.
Since their wedding, she had become the dutiful chatelaine, working with the steward Hunstan to see that all was as it should be.
Her hands were never idle. Though he’d not seen her embroidering or working on a tapestry as one might expect of the lady of the manor, she worked tirelessly at other duties.
She and Maggie made the decisions about what food was to be served and together they planned for adequate stores to be laid up for winter.
They set about assuring that a supply of candles and mead was available for the cheerless months.
He vaguely recalled his mother busy with similar tasks at their estate in Normandy, but since he had been made a squire at a young age and then a knight, he was rarely home and gave scant attention to his family’s lands tended so well by others.
His life had been as a leader of men in battle.
Now he must learn to be a different kind of leader, hoping for a day he could set aside his sword.
The king’s messengers, and his own, had kept him informed.
All was not quiet in the north. William harbored concern over the Welsh, who had supported Eadric the Wild, and were now leaning toward an alliance with the rebellious Earls Morcar and Edwin.
Beneath its calm surface, Northumbria seethed with rebellion.
The light filtering through the trees caught Serena’s flaxen hair, glistening like the sun. With each passing day, his ardor for his new English bride grew, and the resulting vulnerability he experienced worried him.
Lovemaking consumed their nights as Serena grew ever more adventurous, which pleased him greatly. She was a willing bedmate and seemed content, even happy. Still, he wondered. Would she be loyal if he were forced to face the English in battle again? And if he were killed, would she mourn?
“You are very quiet,” his lady wife teased from where she sat on her white palfrey. “Is all well?”
Stirred from his musings, he answered, “Aye, for now. We will move into the castle next week. I trust that pleases you.” Seeing her smile, he reminded her, “Some rooms will be bare for a while ’til the needed furniture is finished, but still quite livable, I think.
The carpenters are being kept busy. Between the old hall and the new, my men will be able to bring their pallets inside when winter comes, though I’d ask you to reserve a bedchamber for Maugris.
His old bones would benefit from a soft cushion.
“Aye, my lord. I had thought of that. He is well loved by all at Talisand, and I would see him comfortable. There is a chamber that looks out on the river I think he will like. At night the stars are reflected in the waters.”
“You seem to know the wise one well,” he replied, pleased with her insight. “He always seeks a view of the heavens. That is why he sleeps outside while it’s warm enough to do so.”
“What think you of keeping the lord’s chamber in the old manor for Sir Maurin?” she asked. “The other two chambers would serve for guests, at least until Sir Maurin marries and sires children.”
Seeing the smile on her face, he realized she was thinking of her handmaiden.
“I would be pleased to reward him,” he said. “You know Sir Maurin seeks the hand of Maggie’s daughter.”
“I do. At least that is what is written on his face. When Cassie took the mercenary’s knife in her chest, Sir Maurin hovered over her like a beast protecting its wounded mate. Though she now recovers, he still is reluctant to leave her side.”
“Yea, ’tis true. I fear the knight is besotted.” Renaud had no doubt Sir Maurin would be speaking with Angus before summer’s end.
“Will you keep the old kitchen?” she asked.
“Aye, I would think both kitchens will be needed. If she would have the position, your handmaiden could become housekeeper in the manor, at least until she marries Sir Maurin. Then another can be found to serve as cook. Maggie and Angus can move from their cottage into the castle. There’s a large bedchamber on the first floor near the kitchen for them. It will be warm in the winter.”
“I believe they would like that. And Maggie would have her husband close.”
“William will be sending me more knights and men to add to those already here. Angus and his workers will have much to do.”
“More men? Why?” she questioned with furrowed brows.
“Surely you must realize, Serena, England is not yet at peace. Talisand’s castle is one of only a few this far north. It stands as an outpost against rebellion and to guard against the Scots for he trusts not King Malcolm. William would have a small garrison here for as long as it is needed.”
“Oh,” she said with a small pout of her perfect lips. “I suppose a conqueror must have his soldiers, but I did not think of a garrison at Talisand.”
“Some will have their families with them, but not many.”
“It will change our home, my lord.”
“Yea, for a while, but I will insist on discipline and adherence to my rules.”
She pouted again and all he could think of was laying her back in the grass and making love to her. Reaching for her hand, he said, “When you look at me like that, Serena, it is difficult for me not to pull you from your horse and have my way with you in yon meadow.”
Serena gazed at the swath of grass-covered land surrounded by wild flowers. “My lord! You would not!”
He smiled a forewarning. “I cannot say what we might find ourselves doing on the return to Talisand when I am sated with food and ale, but for now you are safe as we are expected, and I would not have you arrive looking like you fell from your horse.”
She laughed and he delighted to see it.
Slowing his horse, and pulling her hand towards him, he turned it palm up and kissed the sensitive skin, making a silent vow to have her in the grass ere they arrived back at Talisand.
“Renaud…” she whispered, her cheeks flushed.
He released her hand, and she smiled. She enjoyed his attention, of that he was certain.
“Forget your schemes and tell me of your family in Normandy. I have long wondered about your origins. Surely it was not a wolf’s den in the woods as some of your men suggest when they are full of wine. ”
“Nay, not so humble as that. I have two older brothers, Robert and Raoul, and a younger sister, Aveline. My father and mother still live, though one day our holdings will pass to Robert.”
“And your family’s home?”
“Saint Sauveur lies on a peninsula of farms jutting into the waters of the channel between England and Normandy. My father’s demesne is the largest. He owns much land.”
“But not enough for his youngest son?”
“Nay. Younger sons must earn their own lands and titles. I have always known my destiny lay with my sword. That is how I came to serve William. It is the same with Sir Geoffroi and the other knights.”
“But can you be happy, Renaud, so far from home?”
He was pleased she was using his given name, more often now as their intimacy in the bedchamber grew. “I am content with what William has given me, but sometimes I think of Normandy. I would like to see my family again.”
“I cannot imagine being so far from home surrounded by strangers.”
“Talisand is no longer a place of strangers for me, Serena. It is my home, this is my land, and you are my lady. But mayhap one day I will take you to Normandy to meet my family.” Seeing a look of worry cross her beautiful face, he added, “You would not find the land strange. It is as green as Talisand, just warmer and wetter. Would you like to travel there with me to meet them?”
“I would like to have our children know their uncles and aunt, and their grandparents since I can offer them none,” she said sadly.
“Steinar is the only uncle they shall ever know, yet he might not want to return to Talisand. Surely it would be difficult for him seeing his lands in the hands of another.”
“As it is for you, wife?”
“Aye, sometimes ’tis awkward, but at least I am still the Lady of Talisand.”
Renaud did not doubt the truth of her words, nor the dismal future for any Englishman whose lands had been forfeited.
If he were in her brother’s place, he would never return.
But he was aware that she and Steinar were close and she would miss him.
“There is truth in what you say.” His gaze shifted to the flaxen strands of her plaits falling beneath her head cloth. “Does he look like you?”
“Aye, he does,” she said with a bashful look at her hands holding the reins. “Older, stronger and taller, but with the same hair and eyes, though he has a beard and it’s somewhat darker than his hair.”
Their conversation was interrupted with their arrival at the manor house nestled amidst a copse of oak trees.
It was difficult for Renaud to picture his favorite knight in such a place, but as he dismounted and helped Serena down from her horse, Geoff strode through the door with Eawyn close behind him, as if they were already a couple and this were their home.
Renaud handed the reins to the waiting stable boy.
“Greetings, my lord,” Geoff said, stepping aside to allow Eawyn to welcome them with a curtsey and a warm smile.
“I am honored to have you here at the west manor, my lord, and my lady,” Eawyn said, her gaze moving from Renaud to Serena.
Renaud had always liked the dark-haired woman with her easy manner and pleasing face. But no woman tempted him, save his own wife. Serena could be difficult at times, but he admired her courage, her devotion to her people and her sense of honor. She was everything he could have wanted.
But could she be loyal?