feared that Rhonwyn would be unkind, but before she could even get her bearings, Kate had won her over with her natural sweetness. The abbess, he had noted, was equally relieved. He took the cup of wine offered by an attentive servant and sat down by his fire.
Upstairs Katherine showed her new sister-in-law the master chamber with its sunny solar and garderobe. There were also two smaller chambers. Each of the rooms, Katherine proudly pointed out, had its own fireplace. 'The house is very tight,' she said, 'and the windows face south and west. Even in our awful Shropshire winters these rooms arc toasty warm. My mother far preferred her solar on a winter's day to the hall below.'
At the sound of the voices Enit hurried from the master chamber. 'Oh, my lady, my lady!' Then she burst into tears.
Touched, Rhonwyn embraced her serving woman. 'It's all right now, Enit. I'm here, and we have a fine new home, don't we?'
'Yes, my lady,' the young woman sniffed.
'My lady abbess,' Katherine said, 'will you allow me to travel with you as far as Haven? At this hour I cannot hope to reach home by sunset, but I should be grateful to be somewhat nearer there by evening.'
'Will your husband worry, my dear?' the abbess inquired.
'Nay. I told him I should travel with you and he would probably not see me until the morrow sometime. I have half a dozen men-at-arms with me, and your road is but a mile away from Haven.'
'Of course, child, you are welcome to travel with me,' the abbess said.
Suddenly there was the sound of a child crying, and Rhonwyn realized that there was a cradle by the solar fireplace. Walking over, she saw a swaddled infant lying in it. The baby looked up at her, and Rhonwyn jumped back. The child had Edward de Beau-lieu's eyes and looked at Rhonwyn in the same way.
'Oh,' Katherine said. 'Neddie has startled you. I am so sorry. He is just two months old, and I certainly couldn't leave him behind at Haven.'
'Why not?' Rhonwyn demanded. Had Katherine brought the child to torture her?
'He would have starved,' Katherine said softly. 'I do not believe in wet nurses. There was no danger in bringing him to my brother's house. Come and meet your nephew now. He will grow up with the children that you and Rafe have. Is that not wonderful?' She picked up the infant and handed him to Rhonwyn before her sister-in- law might demur.
The abbess almost laughed aloud at the look of terror on her niece's face. 'Cuddle him, child,' she said in her Welsh tongue. 'He will not bite you. You do not smell of milk as his mother does.'
Rhonwyn nestled the baby boy in her arms, her terror replaced by a feeling of amazement and wonder. 'He really looks just like Edward,' she finally said.
'Doesn't he?' Katherine crowed proudly. 'I hope your first son is his father's mirror image. Men are so vain over these things, and Rafe in particular.'
'Perhaps my first child will be a daughter,' Rhonwyn ventured.
'Then I hope she looks like you, sister!' was the sweet reply. 'You are truly the most beautiful woman I ever saw. My brother is a fortunate man. I hope you will eventually learn to love him as I love Edward. Do not think me insensitive, Rhonwyn, for I am not. I suspect you cared deeply for Edward. He is a difficult man, but I have known him my whole life long, and I know I am the better wife for him. You are impulsive and slightly reckless, like Rafe. You do not realize it yet, but you are strangely well matched, though you, I think, are the stronger. Be kind to my brother.' She took her son from Rhonwyn. 'You will want to refresh yourself, my lady abbess, before we are on the road again. I will leave you and go down to visit with my brother for a few minutes. I am ready when you are.' Her son in her arms, Katherine de Beaulieu hurried from the solar.
Rhonwyn sat down heavily.
Joining her, her aunt said, 'I have never known you to be this quiet, my child. What is it?'
Rhonwyn was silent for a long moment, and then she said, 'I really am remarried, aunt. I have a new husband. A new house. A sister-in-law whom I should hate, but cannot. And I am expected to have babies!'
'You are no longer a child, Rhonwyn,' the abbess said gently. 'You are a grown and experienced woman of noble birth. It is indeed past time you had children. This is the life you will live now. Make your peace with it, my child. You are very fortunate to have been rescued by Rafe de Beaulieu. He is, I believe, a far better man than his cousin.'
Rhonwyn nodded. '1 know,' she agreed, 'but he is just so annoying, aunt! Part of me wants to accept my new life. Another part of me wants to fight with Rafe for daring to marry me! What am I to do?'
'My dear niece, in the never-ending battle between men and women, I have absolutely no experience, but I very much believe that you and that handsome husband of yours will eventually come to an understanding before one of you kills the other.' She arose. 'Now, call Enit and show me to the garderobe before I must be on my way. I will join you downstairs, my child.'
In the hall Rhonwyn found her brother had joined Rafe and Katherine. They were laughing as they shared wine and biscuits. 'What is your cause for such humor?' she asked as she came to Glynn's side.
'Rafe and I are comparing stories of growing up with a sister,' Glynn said with a chuckle.
'And what have you discovered?' she asked him with a smile.
'That girls are all alike,' he laughed.
'You will miss me when you are in your cold cell, subsisting on salt fish, bread, and bad wine,' Rhonwyn predicted.
'Aye,' Glynn agreed. 'I will miss you, Rhonwyn.'
Tears sprang to her eyes. 'Damn you, little brother,' she said softly. 'You are the only person I know who can make me cry.'
He embraced her tenderly. 'Be content, sister, and be happy with this new life, this other chance you have been given. I know that I am glad to be returning to Shrewsbury Abbey where my life awaits me.'
'And what will poor Oth and Dewi do without you, brother?' she asked him.
'They want to remain with you, Rhonwyn. I have already gained Rafe's permission in the matter. He is glad to have them. He knows it will make you happy.' Glynn lowered his voice. 'He is a good man, sister. Do not take him lightly.'
'I won't,' she promised.
The abbess came downstairs, accompanied by Enit. 'Give me a sip of wine, nephew Rafe, and then I shall be on my way,' she said.
When the wine had been consumed, the abbess, Katherine de Beaulieu, her infant, and Glynn ap Llywelyn took their leave of Rafe and Rhonwyn. Rhonwyn watched them go. Even though her brother had promised to visit when the abbott permitted him to come, she was already lonely, and only God knew if she would ever see her aunt again. When Rafe's arm went about her shoulder, she did not shrug it off.
'Come,' he said when their guests had at last disappeared from sight. 'You have not met your servants, wife. Do you like the house?'
She nodded. 'It is a fine house,' she told him.
'But not a castle,' he remarked.
'I was not raised in a castle, my lord.'
'Nor is it a caliph's luxurious palace,' he noted.
'I was not raised in a palace, either,' she replied. 'Why do you seek to quarrel with me, my lord?'
'What, Rhonwyn, will you not fight with me?' he teased her. 'Pray God you do not turn into a meek and mild creature like my sweet sister, Kate. Such decorum in a sister is fine, but 'tis deadly dull in a wife, I fear.'
'How would you know, sir? Have you ever had a wife before?' she snapped back at him.
He chortled. 'That is better, and in answer to your question, nay, I have never had a wife before, but I think I may enjoy one.' The silver blue eyes danced wickedly at her.
'You are impossible,' she fumed.
' 'Tis true, lady, but are you yet sad over the departure of your aunt and your brother now?' he queried.
Suddenly Rhonwyn laughed. 'You are clever, my lord, perhaps too clever, I fear, for a simple lass raised in a fortress in the Welshry,' she murmured. Now her eyes were dancing wickedly.
