Chapter 20 #2
Serena’s cheeks burned at the bold statement. Was that all she was to this king? A bed warmer for one of his knights? Anger rose within her at the Norman usurper, but she held her tongue and managed a slight smile for her husband’s benefit.
“Yea, Sire, you gave me a great boon,” Renaud agreed.
She knew her husband feared she would say something that would embarrass him, and she was sorely tempted to fling the king a bitter retort.
But she had too much respect for Renaud to do so.
Still, he must have sensed her anger in the tension flowing through her body for he was quick to move on to another subject.
Turning to one side, he gestured to the donjon behind them. “What think you of your castle, Sire?”
“We like its position with the river to its back, its waters filling the moat. And the keep looks from here to be large enough to house the men we will give you. We have with us a part of our army as well as Fitz’ men. The main group rode on to York.”
York? His men rode to York? It was as she feared. There would be a battle in the north.
Shooting her a glance that told her he’d seen her rising panic, Renaud turned toward the king. “Shall we go inside, Sire? I expect some refreshment is in order after your long journey.”
“Aye, we covet some of your country mead. The road was long and dust ridden.”
Renaud snapped his fingers and the waiting servants hurried to comply with their new lord’s unspoken command. The king’s party ascended the stairs to the keep at the top of the motte. The doors stood open, and the king and Renaud entered the hall, she and Lord Hereford following.
Within the hall, torches blazed and tables were set with a repast for the king and his retinue.
Renaud gestured to the stairs. “Your chambers are ready, Sire. And your baths will be ready shortly. I assume you will want to rest before the evening meal but we have some food ready now for your pleasure.”
Serena knew well it was her place to offer the king his comforts, but she was doing well just to be civil.
Gracious was a step too far.
* * *
The king and his men filled every available chamber in the castle and manor, the rest spilling into tents they erected for their comfort.
Serena was relieved when her husband told her his men would hunt to add to Talisand’s stores of food.
Yet, even with that, there was bread to bake and food to cook that was far above what they would ordinarily have had to provide so that the kitchens were filled with torchlight from before dawn to late at night.
The Norman army, or the part of it the king brought with him, was a constant source of worry.
Renaud had to remind them that the female servants were not there for the taking.
Sir Maurin nearly got into a fight with one of Lord Hereford’s men who thought Cassie fair game.
Sir Alain protectively guarded Aethel, too, but no Norman would come near her with the bear-like knight in attendance.
And Sir Geoffroi would not even allow Eawyn to leave the west manor.
The Red Wolf’s knights were taking no chances with the women they had claimed as theirs.
The new hall was a splendid display of the Red Wolf’s accomplishments at Talisand.
Tapestries, some of which were taken from the old hall and some her father had kept in storage, graced the now white washed walls.
New benches, nearly the length of the room, were filled with both Normans and English.
At the high table, the king in all his finery took the lord’s seat with Renaud on his right and Lord Hereford on his left.
Sir Geoffroi seated himself on Lord Hereford’s other side.
Serena was between her husband and Maugris, who the king reminded all, he had known as long as the Red Wolf.
“We are wondering how you have fared so far from Normandy, wise one,” the king mused aloud. “We still remember how you nearly swooned as you left the ship.”
“I was fully recovered after a week on firm ground, My Lord,” insisted Maugris. “Talisand is now my home and happily so. I do not expect to be at sea again.”
The king seemed pleased with that news, as was Serena. She would not like to see the old Norman, of whom she had become so fond, return to Normandy.
William leaned in to speak to Renaud. “Cospatric, you will recall, gave us much gold to secure the Earldom of Northumbria. It seems he has now joined Morcar and Edwin behind the banner of Edgar AEtheling in rebellion against us, dividing our bishops as well.”
“I thought Archbishop Ealdred supported you, Sire,” said Renaud, seemingly puzzled.
“He does, which is to his credit. But he was unsuccessful in his attempt to discourage the discontent in the north,” said the king. “The Bishop of Durham, we are not happy to see, supports the rebels against us.”
“They have not yet seen your army, Sire,” said Renaud with a wry grin.
Serena could hardly manage to stay in her seat as she thought about the Norman army marching on York.
“Nor our castles,” replied the king. “We erected some as we rode north from London. Warwick was the first. But there are more. Talisand’s castle will be one of many. And, with God’s help, I will see one in York before the month’s end.”
The talk of war in Northumbria made Serena’s restless stomach churn. She wondered if Steinar and the men of York were prepared for the Norman horde that would soon descend upon them.
Toward the end of the meal of roast pork, goose and fresh fish, conversation died as Rhodri stepped in front of the dais to entertain them with his harp. Surprisingly, the Norman king seemed to enjoy the Welsh music.
At Renaud’s insistence, Serena reluctantly agreed to sing for the king.
“The countess sings?” William asked as she slowly walked toward Rhodri, who sat in front of the central hearth.
Candles and torchlight filled the new hall casting a warm glow on all the faces that now turned toward the two who would sing for the king.
While the benches were filled mostly with Normans, there were English among the king’s men.
Some of the old thegn’s men had also been invited to the meal.
“Aye, she does,” said Renaud, “as beautifully as a lark.”
“A lady of many talents,” said William. “What other pursuits does your fair wife enjoy, pray tell us?”
“She is gifted with a bow,” Renaud said with a look of amusement. “As fast and true a shot as my best archers.” At his words, Serena saw a smile spread across Maugris’s face where he sat at the high table.
“A she-wolf, then,” remarked the king, rubbing his chin with his fingers. And then with a grin, he slapped the wooden table. “A fitting mate for my wolf!” The king roared with laughter, apparently his own words humorous.
As Serena took her seat next to Rhodri, she glanced at her husband, wondering at his reaction. Then, with all eyes upon her, she began to sing the Welsh songs she loved.
* * *
A few days later, William ordered his men to make ready to leave. Renaud was not unhappy. Notwithstanding Serena’s calm demeanor during the days of the king’s visit, of which he was quite proud, he sensed ripples of unease flowing through her. That and her labors explained her fatigue.
She had worked hard to act the countess before the king, and was so exhausted in the evening, when he was finally able to take his leave of the king, he found her in their bed fast asleep.
But knowing he was riding to battle, last night he’d awakened her to make love.
Warm and willing, she had welcomed him into her arms. Their coming together had been brief, but passionate, and afterward, she had curled against him like a contented kitten.
“I am glad your king leaves, my lord,” she said as she watched the king’s men taking down the tents that lay outside the palisade.
They stood together at the top of the motte watching the activity.
“It will take Talisand some time to recover from so heavy a burden. Angus has had a hard time keeping up with the demands for his smith services. And Maggie and Cassie are so tired, they nearly fall asleep while pounding dough for the many loaves of bread that must be baked each morning.”
“It is an honor to entertain the king, Serena. Many would seek the privilege shown us.”
“Well, I am not one of them. I welcome only your company once they are gone.”
“Serena,” he spoke with a serious tone, dreading what was coming, “William expects me and my men to accompany him to York.”
“What?” She looked aghast. “You would go to York?”
“Yea, I must. But hopefully the rebellion there will soon be over.”
His wife looked crestfallen.
“What is it, Serena? You know I cannot refuse the king.”
“Aye, I know. But York….” Her voice trailed off and he saw pain in her beautiful eyes.
“What is it about York that concerns you so?”
A shadow crossed her lovely face and this time he saw fear in her violet eyes. “You will fight my countrymen once again,” she said. “Have you and your king not killed enough English? Must there be more dead?”
“As long as the people choose to rebel against their anointed king, William’s knights must deal with them. I serve as William dictates.”
“And I am ever in the middle,” she cried, “torn between my people and my husband. I cannot bear it!”
“You speak of your people, Serena. Is it the rebel Earl Morcar you think of? William tells me he is at York.” Could she still harbor feelings for the earl who abducted her to wed her?
The prospect stirred jealousy within him.
“The earl and his brother are with Edgar AEtheling, nephew to Edward the Confessor. Now they have a cause they did not have before.”
“Nay, Renaud,” she pleaded. “I do not think of Earl Morcar, or his brother, or of Edgar, though I would not see them harmed. I think of my brother, Steinar.”
“What makes you think Steinar is in York?”
“He was in Scotland where Edgar claimed refuge,” she said. “Would he not travel south with the rightful heir to the throne?”
“We can only hope he does not,” Renaud said with a frown.