Honor & Roses (36 page)

Alric clenched his fists to give him something to focus his anger on. His fingernails dug into his palms. “You misunderstand my motives. Cecily has never lived outside of a manor. She didn’t know what her life would be like if she were to marry beneath her. I have lands, but the income is nothing compared to what Cecily might expect. Not to mention how people would view us. I didn’t want to do that to her. She deserved better.”

“And yet here you are in the Ardenwood, no better off. She has flouted the marriage arrangement she was intended for, and you have most certainly bound her to you, though you have no witnesses to prove it was done honorably.”

“Your daughter’s word should be all you require!” Alric snapped. “Or do you call her a liar?”

Rainald’s eyes snapped, but he was speechless at that accusation.

“It was not my intention to hurt her,” Alric said, more calmly. “I only wanted to help her and get her away from Lord Pierce, who proved himself unworthy of any lady. What happened later…was unintended, at least the timing. But I have always loved her, though for years I didn’t admit it, even to myself. Now, I will do everything I can to make myself worthy of her.”

The older man didn’t relent. “It is
my
place to choose my daughter’s husband.”

“Perhaps,” Alric said, no longer willing to appease the lord. “But you left your place and never let her know you lived. So if you wish to blame someone for what occurred, you can blame yourself.”

Rainald purpled with rage. Alric was certain the older man would either lash out with his fist, or fall dead from a fit.

Instead, he slowly deflated, aging before Alric’s eyes.

“I did leave her,” he said softly. “Worse, I left her with one I knew to be dangerous, without honor. What else should I expect, but that I’d lose my place as a father?”

“There is nothing to be
expected
in this misadventure,” Alric said. “On the day we left Cleobury, if someone had told me I’d discover two traitors, be parted from my closest companions, marry Cecily, and see the lord Rainald de Vere resurrected, I would have laughed at their madness.”

“And yet, it is all true.” Rainald sighed.

“If she knew her father lived all these years, none of this would have happened,” Alric pointed out, unable to resist. “You would have chosen a better man for her.”

“Perhaps,” said Rainald. “But to be fair, I am not entirely displeased with the man she has chosen for herself.”

It took Alric a moment to understand what Rainald said. “You’re not?”

“Oh, don’t mistake me. When Cecily confessed the truth, I was furious. But I kept thinking of the night of the attack, and of the boy who told me he would find my daughter, and then followed up his words with action, even though it meant walking into fire.”

“I would do so again,” Alric said quietly.

“I do not doubt it. As you say, everything you’ve done has been for her benefit. I see how you look at her, how she looks at you. I tell you, there’s nothing like living far away from society to give perspective.”

Rainald looked up at the ceiling of the room, choosing his words carefully before trusting himself to say them aloud. “Not every marriage must be negotiated for the greatest possible gain. Too often, we treat human souls like chattel, to be sold at market like so much meat. You may not have the title or the property I would have sought for my daughter, but it’s obvious you are noble in soul. And every noble house begins somewhere. All mighty trees were once humble seeds.”

“You will accept our marriage, then?” Alric asked, hope returning at last.

“I do,” said Rainald flatly. “But the world may not.”

* * * *

Cecily, who had been eavesdropping quite shamelessly, could no longer suffer in silence. She flung open the door and rushed in. “How dare you say that after admitting Alric’s worth!”

Both men swiveled to look at her.

“How long have you been lurking at the doorway, child?” Rainald burst out, sounding very much like the father she remembered. “I post a guard for a reason.”

“I asked him to leave for a while. He did.”

Alric actually chuckled. “Who needs an army when a lady can breach a gate?”

“He knew I meant no harm,” Cecily said defensively. She walked to Alric, reaching for his hand. Then she faced her father. “And you, sir, must explain to me why you still oppose us.”

Rainald held up a hand before she could say more. “Pray listen to me, both of you. If it becomes known you are married now—with no formal announcement or contract—there will be questions and disputes over your dower, your inheritance, and indeed the status of our lineage.”

Cecily was aghast. “You can’t still intend to marry me to someone else!”

“Be calm. I said no such thing.” Rainald looked steadily at them. “First, we will travel to Cleobury. All of us. It is long past time I met my brother and let him know the truth. After I have dealt with him,
then
you will be married in a ceremony, with the aid of a priest. That wedding will take place in the sight of many, with my blessing as well. There will be no question of the marriage’s legitimacy or Alric’s right to gain the title after me.”

Alric broke in, “My lord, I never sought a title…”

“But you will take the title and all the responsibility nonetheless. I love my daughter, and she is all that is left of my line. I will not see this house perish while it can continue.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Good. Until then, your secret marriage remains a secret. I expect you to behave yourselves until the wedding.”

“Yes, Father,” Cecily murmured. She smiled at Alric, her faith in the world restored. “You see? I told you we were meant to be together.”

She stood up taller to kiss him.

“That would be a prime exemplar of what I don’t want to see,” Rainald growled. But he was a bear without a bite, and Cecily knew their greatest hurdles had been passed.

She did not dream of the tumult lying ahead of them.

* * * *

Once Rainald announced his decision to return to Cleobury and take back what his brother had stolen so many years ago, the mood of his camp shifted. Rainald’s followers were used to a certain rhythm of life. They patrolled the territory of the Ardenwood they considered their own. They took advantage of unwary travelers, relieving them of the burden of wealth. In practice, these forest predators only stalked rich prey. The poor who traveled the paths through the Ardenwood were left alone. Sometimes they were even given aid, if the camp’s stores swelled too much.

Now that was largely put aside. The men who normally went out into the woods day after day instead worked at other tasks, such as repairing stolen carriages, fletching arrows, or packing up provisions.

“He’s abandoning the camp,” Robin accused Cecily one morning. The women still shared the small hut, along with Sara and a few others. “He’s leaving the Ardenwood, all because you came along! I wish I’d never brought you here!”

“But you did,” Cecily said. “You reunited father and daughter. Is that such a tragedy?”

“He wants me to come along,” Robin grumbled.

“So do I.” Cecily reached out to put a hand on Robin’s shoulder. “You will see more of the world than you have before. Besides, the Ardenwood is no place for a lady.”

“I’m not a lady.”

“Do you wish to learn how to be one?”

“No,” Robin snapped, but her eyes betrayed her confusion. She was a clever girl, and she knew her practice of running around like a lad couldn’t continue forever. “I’d make a poor lady, anyway,” she added, as if to convince herself.

“That is not yet decided,” Cecily said. “For now, listen to Rainald. He wishes you to join us.”

Robin gave a curt nod, acknowledging the request. But she spoke little for the most part, sullen and reluctant to leave the only place she called home.

Nearly everyone was coming along, since so many in the camp were like Robin, orphans with no other family or place to go.

That meant Rainald would have a small army with him, including several skilled archers and plenty of men who were quite used to fighting, though not at the level a knight such as Alric was familiar with.

The preparations took about a sennight to complete, and they rode out early on a fall morning. The leaves above were beginning to hint of gold and amber, and a soft mist settled over the ground, so that the horses appeared to be swimming through a silvery sea. Those who walked were hidden from the chest down.

As the day went on, the mist faded and the sunlight warmed the air. Many of the group flung aside cloaks and bantered as if they were on holiday. Cecily watched everyone, trying to learn their personalities. When they got closer to Cleobury, the mood would change. Perhaps some of these followers would desert their lord, and flee into the woods or fields to start anew. Cecily hoped that no great adversity would rise, but she knew Theobald, and she was certain that some violence would break out.

Rainald kept Alric near his side the whole day, asking him questions about the road ahead or the plan to retake Cleobury. Cecily assumed her father was merely taking steps to keep her from Alric, but Robin made her think on it differently. Robin was still dressed as a lad, but she now rode next to Cecily, in a quiet concession to her femininity. It made sense for the two women to remain close to each other while traveling.

“Look at those two,” Robin said, inclining her head toward Rainald and Alric, who rode ahead of them. “Never seen my lord take to a stranger so quickly. What is it about Alric that makes Rainald trust him so far?”

“Alric owes fealty to my father,” said Cecily. “He only served Theobald because he thought my uncle was the rightful lord. But he knows where his duty lies now.”

“There’s something more at work,” Robin said, chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip. It was a bad habit, but an endearing one, since it made her look so innocent. “This is not lord and his vassal we see. They look more like father and son.”

“What makes you say so?” Cecily asked. She had an impulse to touch the ring that still hung, hidden, around her neck.

Robin shrugged. “All I know is that Rainald never behaves so around his other men. He listens to Alric. He praises his suggestions. Rainald never does that!”

“Oh, I’ve seen my father act so with another,” Cecily said.

“Who?” Robin fixed Cecily with a suspicious stare. “Who does he so indulge?”

“You, my dear.” Cecily smiled at Robin. “My father has great affection for you as well. I saw that the first day, the first hour. Perhaps he sought another daughter, after he thought he lost me. He has treated you as one, after you found your way to the camp in the Ardenwood.”

“Fortune laughed at him then,” Robin said. “For he got a daughter who is half son. An orphan, probably a mere bastard, and no blood to him, and will confer no luster to his name.”

“You can’t say that yet. Who knows what destiny has in store for the lady Robin of Ardenwood?”

“Lady Robin of Ardenwood! That’s the silliest name I’ve ever heard!” Robin wrinkled her nose in apparent distaste at the name, but her expression was thoughtful and she said nothing for a long while afterward.

They traveled south as quickly
as they could. Guards were posted every night. The men who followed Rainald were used to that, for they did the same in the camp they’d just left. Alric was surprised but pleased at the quality of the men. He’d taken them for mere thieves at first, but it seemed that Rainald’s influence shaped the group into something more like a village, and the men took the defense of their motley collection seriously.

Still, Alric took no chances. As they rode, he always had a few men ride ahead, ordering them to check back frequently. They also avoided the hospitality of any town or manor along the way, for fear that word would travel to Theobald. Even if everyone who offered food and shelter was innocent of any dealings with Theobald, they might speak too hastily or drop a word in the wrong ear. They relied on the food they carried. Fortunately, Rainald’s forest camp was well stocked, and they were in no danger of running out.

On a clear, cool dawn, the entourage reached the outskirts of Hawksmere. Alric was eager for local news that the resourceful Morris could share. He was also looking forward to reuniting with Octavian and the others, who should be there waiting for him.

He took the role of scout that morning, since he hoped to see Hawksmere as soon as possible. As he rode along the familiar route, a small figure came running from the direction of the manor.

It was Edmund, waving his arms above his head, seeming to push Alric away in a frantic gesture.

Alric halted, reining in his horse.

A moment later, Edmund reached him.

“Thank God you’ve come! But you can go no further!” the boy said when he came up to the road. He clung to Alric’s stirrup with one hand, as if Alric might ride on. “They were here too soon!”

Alric’s stomach knotted. “Who was?”

“The men who have set up at Hawksmere. They say it’s in your name and that of your liege lord, Theobald. But Morris the steward says it’s a lie, so they locked him in the hayloft of the barn!”