“Some practice their lustful ways on even the strongest and most noble of knights. Woe be to the man who listens to the whispers of such a female. He shall find his strength weakened. He will discover himself to be at her mercy and that mercy is the work of the devil.”
Alice froze. This was becoming personal, she realized.
“She shall use the treacherous tricks of her sinful body to lure her victim into hidden places. There she will fall upon him as a succubus in the night.”
“By the Saints,” Alice muttered. One question was answered. Calvert had seen her lying on top of Hugh in the cavern. Embarrassment dissolved in a torrent of anger.
“Be warned.” Calvert’s gaze swerved toward Hugh. “Every man is at risk. He who would keep his rightful place in the natural order of the world must be forever alert. He must don armor against the ways of women, even as he clads himself in steel before he goes to war.”
“Enough.” Alice leaped to her feet. “I will hear no more of this foolish harangue, monk. I requested prayers for my betrothed husband’s safe journey, not this nonsense.”
There was a collective gasp from the crowd. Every head turned toward Alice. Out of the corner of her eye Alice saw Hugh smile.
“The woman who is not properly governed by a man is an affront to all righteous men everywhere.” Calvert glanced quickly at Hugh, as though expecting assistance from that quarter. “‘Tis the duty of a husband to control his wife’s tongue.”
Hugh did not move. He watched Alice with great interest and more than a hint of his familiar, cool amusement.
“Come down from that pulpit, Calvert of Oxwick,” Alice ordered. “You are not welcome to preach here. You slander and berate all the good women of this village and those of the convent with the bitter poison of your words.”
Calvert leveled an accusing finger at her. “Hear me.” His voice shook with passionate rage. “This poison you speak of is but an antidote for the evils of your female nature. You would do well to swallow it as the sound medicine it is and thereby save your immortal soul.”
“I shall entrust my soul to those who comprehend the true meaning of divine compassion, monk, not to you. I want you gone from this church and from this village today. I will not tolerate these insults.”
Calvert’s face contorted with fury. “Your red hair and green eyes bear witness to your wild nature, lady. I can only pray that your future lord and master may crush your unruly will with his own before you cause grave harm to his house and his soul.”
“Lord Hugh can take care of himself,” Alice retorted. “Begone, monk.”
“I do not do the bidding of a mere woman”
Hugh stirred. It was a very slight move, the barest shift of his powerful shoulders, accompanied by a gathering coldness in his eyes, but it instantly riveted the attention of everyone present.
“You’ll do the bidding of this particular woman,” he said very calmly. “She is my betrothed. The ring she wears on her finger is evidence of her authority. A command from her is the same as a command from me.”
A soft aaaah of whispered satisfaction echoed through the tiny church. The people of Scarcliffe grasped their lord’s meaning immediately. Alice’s power had been firmly established.
“But … but, my lord,” Calvert sputtered, “surely you do not intend to turn this pulpit over to a woman.”
“You heard my betrothed,” Hugh said. “Take yourself off, monk. My lady prefers to hear other prayers than yours.”
For a moment, Alice feared that Calvert was about to suffer a fit. His mouth worked, his eyes bulged, and his whole body contorted as though every muscle convulsed.
Anticipation rose from the crowd in a wave.
And then, without a word, Calvert grabbed his staff and stormed out of the church.
A hushed silence fell. The assembled throng stared in wonder at Alice, who was on her feet. Hugh gazed at her politely as though curious to see what she would do next.
Alice was dazed, not by what she had just done, but by the fact that Hugh had supported her with the full weight of his authority.
His action had been no small gesture of indulgence, she realized. It went much deeper than that. He had made it clear to one and all that she wielded true power on these lands.
This was the second time that he had demonstrated respect for her decisions. The first occasion had occurred yesterday afternoon when he had allowed her to reinstate Elbert as steward. And now he had defied a representative of the Church itself to uphold her choice of preachers.
He had shown her great respect, she thought, elated. Such respect from Hugh the Relentless was surely a hard-won prize. He would award it only to those he truly trusted.
“Thank you, my lord,” she managed to whisper.
Hugh inclined his head very slightly. The morning light streaming through the windows heated the amber in his eyes. “Mayhap we should proceed with the prayers, madam. I would like to start on my journey sometime before sunset.”
Alice blushed furiously. “Of course, my lord.” She looked at Joan. “Pray continue, Prioress. My lord and his companions have a long ride ahead of them.”
“Aye, my lady.” Joan rose with a grace that bespoke her own noble heritage. “I would be delighted to pray for Lord Hugh’s safe journey. And for his speedy return. I am certain that everyone present feels the same.”
Several of the nuns smiled broadly at Alice as she sank back down onto the bench. The only one whose countenance remained somber was Katherine. Alice wondered briefly if she was suffering one of her bouts of melancholia.
Joan returned sedately to the front of the church. She concluded her small, cheerful sermon regarding caution on the roads and then closed with prayers for the travelers’ safe journey.
The final prayers were spoken in a very fine Latin. It was highly doubtful that anyone other than Alice, Hugh, Benedict, and the nuns understood the actual words but that didn’t stop the villagers from enjoying them.
Alice closed her eyes and offered up a small, silent prayer of her own. Dearest Lord, take care of these two people whom I love so much and guard well those who travel with them.
After a few minutes she slid her palm a short distance along the wooden bench until she touched Hugh’s hand. He did not look down but his fingers reached out to close very tightly around her own.
A few minutes later the worshipers spilled out the door of the church to watch the leave-taking. Alice stood on the steps and watched as Hugh, Benedict, and the two men-at-arms who accompanied them mounted.
Distracted by the commotion Calvert had caused, Alice very nearly forgot her parting gift for Hugh. At the last moment she remembered the bundle of herbs and the instructions she had written out.
“One moment, my lord.” She plunged her hand into the pouch that hung on her belt as she hurried toward Hugh’s horse. “I almost forgot. I have something for you to give to your liege lord.”
Hugh looked down at her from the saddle. “What is this?”
“When you described Sir Erasmus’s symptoms to me last night I thought that they sounded somewhat familiar.” Alice held out the herbs and the letter of instructions. “My mother made a note of such symptoms in her handbook.”
“She did?” Hugh took the small bundle from her and stowed it in his own belt pouch.
“Aye. She once treated a man with similar symptoms. He had been through great hardships in battle. I cannot say for certain that Sir Erasmus is suffering from the same illness as that man, but these herbs may help.”
“Thank you, Alice.”
“Tell him that he must have his healer follow the directions in that letter quite carefully. Oh, and he is not to allow the doctors to bleed him. Do you comprehend that?”
“Aye, madam.”
Alice stepped back. She smiled tremulously. “I wish you a safe journey, my lord.”
“I shall return in a sennight,” Hugh promised. “With a priest to perform our wedding.”
“I vow, my lord,
I do not know who appeared more astonished, Alice or the monk.” Benedict, astride a sturdy palfrey, flashed a grin. “Alice is not easily surprised, you know.”
Hugh smiled faintly. They had gotten a late start due to Alice’s insistence on the elaborate morning prayers, but he did not regret the delay. It had been worth it to know that Alice cared enough to summon the entire village to call on heaven’s protection for the travelers. He knew that her chief concern was undoubtedly for Benedict, but he had determined not to let that bother him.
It had been the sort of farewell that made a man want to return as swiftly as possible to his own hearth. Hugh savored the knowledge that he had a hall of his own. And he very nearly had a wife to complete the satisfying image. Soon, he promised himself. Very soon. The thing was as good as done.
The two men-at-arms who accompanied Hugh and Benedict rode a short distance behind their lord, bows at the ready in the event they encountered outlaws. It was an unlikely possibility. Even the boldest of robbers would hesitate to take on a band of four armed and well-mounted men, one of whom was clearly a trained knight. If the sight of the weapons did not discourage them, the fact that all four wore Hugh’s distinctive black tunics would most certainly do so.
Outlaws were not only cowards by nature, choosing the easiest prey, they were also cautious. Early in his career, Hugh had made it clear that he would hunt down any who dared to rob those who rode under his banner or that of Erasmus of Thornewood. It had taken only one or two short, decisive forays to prove he could be relied upon to uphold his oath.
“I wondered how long your sister would tolerate Calvert’s rantings before she took action,” Hugh said to Benedict. “Indeed, I was surprised she did not speak up sooner.”
Benedict gave him a strange look. “In the old days she would not have put up with his preaching for a moment. I believe that Calvert lasted as long as he did this morning only because Alice was uncertain, sir.”
“Uncertain?”
“Of her prerogative.” Benedict sounded as though he were choosing his words carefully. “Of just how much power she commands as your betrothed.”
“Your sister is a woman who is accustomed to wielding authority,” Hugh observed.
“That is no less than the truth.” Benedict grimaced as only a younger brother will. “To be fair, she did not have much choice in the matter. She saw to the business of my father’s manor for years, you know.”
“I am aware that your father did not spend much of his time on his estates. What of your mother?”
“Our mother was content to pursue her studies. Over the years, her work with herbs became the only thing of importance to her. She shut herself away in her chambers and left everything to Alice.”
“And Alice excelled at the tasks she assumed.”
“Aye, although I think she was lonely at times.” Benedict frowned. “She first felt the weight of responsibility when she was still too young, I believe.”
“And she was left to shoulder the added burden of hanging on to your father’s manor.”
“It was the first time Alice had ever failed to fulfill what she saw as her duty.” Benedict’s hand tightened on the reins. “It was not her fault. She lacked the power to stand her ground against our uncle. But she blamed herself nevertheless.”
“‘Tis the way of her kind.” Our kind, Hugh corrected himself silently. Such a failure would have gnawed at me also, even as my failure to avenge my mother’s death does.
“It is not in her to surrender to fate.”
“Nay, your sister has great courage,” Hugh said with satisfaction.
“Aye, but there are times when I worry greatly about her.” Benedict flashed an uneasy glance at Hugh. “Occasionally I happen upon her standing at the window of her chamber, gazing out at nothing. If I ask her to tell me what is wrong, she will say only that ‘tis nothing or that she’s had a bad dream during the night.”
“She should not be shamed by the loss of your father’s manor. Sir Ralf told me that she waged a very spirited battle to hold on to it.”
“Aye.” Benedict smiled reminiscently. “She wrote letter after letter pleading her case. When she had to accept failure, she called it a disaster. But she immediately went to work on her scheme to send me off to study law and to get herself into a convent. Alice always has a plan, you see.”
“‘Tis her nature.”
“You appear to comprehend her well, sir.”
“He who would command others must understand the nature of those he seeks to lead,” Hugh said.
Benedict gave him an assessing glance. “I believe Alice would agree with that statement. I do not think that she expected you to back up her authority as you did today, sir.”
“Your sister is the kind who cannot be content without responsibility and the authority that must accompany it,” Hugh said. “She requires that as much as she requires the air she breathes.”
Benedict nodded.
“She and I have more in common than she realizes. Mayhap by the time we return she will have begun to comprehend that.”
Understanding dawned in Benedict’s eyes. “This journey to London is one of your clever stratagems, is it not, my lord?”
Hugh smiled slightly but said nothing.
“It all becomes clear now.” Benedict’s tone held a hint of awe. “You wish to demonstrate to Alice that you trust her to supervise not only Scarcliffe Keep but the manor as well. You wish to show her that you respect her abilities.”
“Aye,” Hugh said simply.
“You hope to lure her into marriage with a taste of the authority and responsibility that she will assume as your wife.”
Hugh grinned. “I perceive that you will make me a very clever assistant, Benedict. You have the right of it. I would have Alice conclude that she will discover as much satisfaction and contentment in her duties as my wife as she will in a convent.” And far more in my bed.
“A bold scheme, sir.” Benedict’s eyes were lit with admiration. “But you had best pray that Alice does not reason out your true motives for herself. She would be furious if she thought you had deliberately ensnared her with yet another stratagem.”
Hugh was unconcerned. “I trust she will be far too busy managing affairs on the manor to give overmuch time to thinking about why I suddenly decided to travel to London.”
“Aye,” Benedict said thoughtfully. “She will relish the opportunity to take command once more. Mayhap it will even take her thoughts off her failure to hold my inheritance.”
“Your sister thrives on challenge, Benedict. I believe that the task of helping me turn Scarcliffe into a prosperous manor will entice her into marriage far more effectively than a casket full of jewels.”
Three mornings later Alice stood alongside Joan and watched as a thatcher clambered up onto another roof to begin repairs.
“Only three more cottages to go and then they will all be finished,” Alice observed with satisfaction. “If we are fortunate, they will be done by the time Lord Hugh returns from London. He will be pleased.”
Joan chuckled. “To say nothing of the people who live in those cottages. Winter will soon be upon us. If Lord Hugh had not provided for the repairs, I fear some of these good folk would have faced the snow with holes in their roofs.”
“My lord would not have allowed that to happen. He takes care of his own.” Alice started off down the street to inspect the progress on the new refuse ditch. The reek of the old one decreased daily as the men worked to bury the contents beneath a thick layer of dirt.
Joan looked at her as she fell into step beside her. “You have great faith in Lord Hugh’s intentions for this manor, do you not?”
“Aye. ‘Tis most important to him. He is a man who does not turn aside from a goal or a responsibility.” Alice gazed about at the tiny village. Already it appeared less dreary. The air of hope that clung to it gave it a healthy sheen.
The past three days had passed in a whirlwind of activity for Alice. She had leaped int
o the task of supervising Scarcliffe affairs the minute Hugh and his party had vanished in a cloud of dust. It had been invigorating to assume such responsibilities once more. She was good at this sort of thing.
It occurred to her that she had not experienced such a degree of cheerful enthusiasm for any project since Ralf had forced her from her home.
Hugh had given her this gift, she thought. She wondered if he had any notion of how much she valued it.
A loud knock on her bedchamber door roused Alice from her sleep two nights later.
“Lady Alice,” a muffled voice called. “Lady Alice.”
Alice sat up slowly. She tried to collect her wits. They had been scattered by a strange and disturbing dream involving dark corridors and an unseen menace.
“Lady Alice.”
“One moment,” Alice called.
She pushed aside the heavy curtains that hung around the bed and reached for her night robe. She slid off the high bed and went, barefoot, across the carpet to answer the door.
She opened it a crack and saw a young maid with a candle waiting in the hall. “What is it, Lara?”
“I pray your pardon for waking you at this hour, m’lady, but there are two nuns from the village convent in the hall. They said that Prioress Joan sent them.”
Alarm swept through Alice. Something must be terribly wrong. “I’ll dress and go downstairs at once.”
“Aye, m’lady.” Lara frowned. “Best bring a cloak. I believe they mean for you to return to the village with them.”
Alice opened the door wider. “Use your candle to light my own.”
“Aye, m’lady.” Lara moved quickly into the bedchamber.
Alice dressed swiftly. When she was ready she grabbed her heavy woolen cloak and hurried downstairs.
The two nuns waited near the cold hearth. Dunstan and his men, roused from their pallets by their arrival, stood quietly in the shadows.
The women looked toward Alice with anxious expressions.
“Prioress Joan sent us to ask if you will come to the miller’s house, my lady,” one of the women said. “Their youngest son is dreadfully ill. The healer has exhausted her remedies and does not know what else to try. The prioress hoped you might have some advice.”