“She would make more than my
As Bon continued his tribute to his intended, the men-at-arms crept one by one from the hall. His verses became more and more redundant, and of the worst poetry, and Edwin was forced to be subjected to the poor musicality of his master. Once, he dared to rise from his seat, hoping to follow suit of the other cowards that had since left him alone in the room, but a look from Bon froze him in his tracks. Edwin sank onto a cushioned chair, and, refilling his ale cup yet again, prepared himself for a long night.
And an even longer morrow, when, with dawn, he must break the ill news to his master.
Merle strode across the parapets of Langumont Keep.
His breath blew like white smoke from the bristling hair that lined his mouth, and a winter breeze brushed his thinning hair. The men at arms that stood at the north and south ends of the roof of the keep stoked small fires to warm their hands, nodding to their lord as he walked past them.
A sliver of moon cut the deep blue sky, and hundreds of stars twinkled above. Merle stopped at the southeast corner of the parapet, looking into the darkness over the vast lands that he was blessed to rule. They stretched as far as one could see from this vantage point. Lands that he loved nearly as much as his daughter.
He drew in a deep breath that was so cold it hurt the deepest part of his lungs, then exhaled strongly. Somewhere, out in that darkness, was the great channel he’d crossed once to France. If he listened closely, he’d hear the crashing waves upon the cliffs. He stopped breathing, just to hear the sound.
A movement from the corner of his eye drew Merle’s attention. Turning, he found that Sir Dirick had come pell mell around the corner, then came to a stop when he caught sight of his host.
“My lord,” Dirick said, clearly uncomfortable.
“Nay, Dirick, you do not disturb me. Come.” Merle smiled at a sudden thought. “Unless ’tis you who does not wish to be disturbed.”
“Nay, my lord. ’Tis just that I did not expect to come upon you. I…wished…thought to be alone. I am glad for your company.”
Merle beckoned him closer, gesturing out into the darkness. “See you here, Dirick…. See you all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.”
Dirick looked out into the dark, though Merle knew he was unable to see far in the dim, starry night. “You’re worthy of them, my lord,” he said quietly.
“Listen and you can hear the sea…it has been the cause of the wealth that has come to me. My father’s grandfather was a Saxon thegn, betrothed to the daughter of a Norman lord in great favor with The Conqueror. My great grandfather’s land, here near the sea, was a most important fief. Since the day my great grandfather wed with Lord Humphrey’s daughter, Margaret, this keep and this fief have served the King of England with no regret, and no hesitation—even when Stephen of Blois ruled, and ruined, this land.”
Merle was silent for a moment, aware that he’d thrust his pensive mood and meandering thoughts upon his companion. Then he gave a short, bitter laugh. “Forgive me, Dirick, but my solemnity comes from the knowledge that my beloved Maris will soon belong to another man….and these lands will someday be ruled by another.” He took a deep breath, shaking himself from his melancholy. His decision was good. It was the best he could wish for Maris.
Yet, of the man whom he’d come to know and respect, and one who was clearly a confidant of the king, Merle nevertheless felt compelled to ask, “What think you of my guests?”
“They seem pleasant dinner companions…full of much news…confident and brave.” In the faulty light, Merle saw his companion’s hands close over the roughness of the stone half wall.
“Yet you do not sound convinced,” he pressed. Then gave a wry chuckle. “Has my daughter complained to you?”
“My lady does not seem overfond of the idea of marriage,” Dirick admitted in dry tones.
“And you, ever the chivalrous knight, do not wish to see a damsel in distress.” Merle grinned, then sobered. He was full aware of the way Dirick’s eyes often settled on his daughter, and the way she tended to avoid looking at him…unless the man was turned in the other direction. “Aye, Maris has a way of manipulating even her father with her sad stories. ’Tis the best for her, I believe, Dirick. The world can be an unfriendly place, and I’ll not have her alone and vulnerable should aught happen to me.” His voice softened at the last.
“She may not understand my decision,” Merle continued, “but ’twill stand. I owe a great debt to Michael d’Arcy…for ’twas because of him that I was able to return to my own once again. I was grievously wounded and Michael saved my life. For that blessing, I will bestow upon his son the greatest gift I have to give.”
Dirick nodded in acknowledgment, but remained silent.
Thus the men stood in the dark for a time, not speaking. A cold, brisk breeze ruffled their hair and the cloaks that huddled about their shoulders, yet each was lost in thought and ’twas as if the other were not present.
The world was quiet but for the breeze, and when he heard the sound of voices below, Dirick looked down into the courtyard. He stood near the edge of the crenellation and peered over the waist high stone.
Voices drifted up to him, and he watched as two figures trod through the snow to the stables. Even in the low light, Dirick recognized the brilliant blue cloak. ’Twas Maris, and with her, the silvery-blond Sir Victor, his hair gleaming like a beacon in the moonlight. The two disappeared into the stables and Dirick turned abruptly from the view to find Merle watching him closely.
“My lord, I feel my pallet beckoning to me,” Dirick said. He bowed slightly—not one to forget his courtly manners even when there were other things that preyed on his mind. “I beg leave of you, now, Lord Merle, and for the morrow. I’ll leave early in the morn for Breakston. I thank you for your great hospitality now, and for all of the assistance you’ve given me in my quest for the murderer of my father. But I’ve dallied too long here, enjoying your hospitality and your pallet.”
“’Tis sorry I am to see you go,” Lord Merle said slowly.
“I must be on my way,” Dirick said, as if to reaffirm for himself the need to leave. He’d delayed his duty to move on to find Bon de Savrille long enough, merely to stay in the presence of the beautiful Lady Maris…and, in sooth, to be near a man who reminded him of his own father.
Grief swept over him, pushing away the resentment he felt toward Sir Victor, and mayhap a bit of self pity. Dirick couldn’t covet a woman such as Maris, and he had known that since he’d been old enough to know what a woman was. ’Twas a hard truth, but one he had lived with forever. Naught had happened to change that but for his heart softening toward what he could not have. Yet, soon as she was out of his sight, she would be out of his mind as well.
Thus, he must return to his duty, and redirect his energies from a woman who was beyond him to finding the man who’d taken his father from him. How foolish he’d been to waste a se’ennight here when he could have been following the trail of the creature who’d wrought such horror.
Dirick’s fingers closed around the broken dagger deep in the pouch attached to his tunic. He squeezed its handle, allowing the rage at his father’s murderer to resurface…to replace his self pity and grief.
“You do not wish to bid my lady Allegra…or Maris farewell?” Merle asked.
“Nay. I’ve enjoyed the ladies’ company, yet I wish for an early start on the morrow.” It would be best if he were to leave without seeing her again.
“Then fare thee well, my son,” Merle said. He clapped a hand upon the younger man’s shoulder. For just a moment, it was as if some unusual connection flowed between them. “I bid you well wishes in your quest, and if I can be of further assistance, please let me know. If I can think of aught else to help you, know that I will send for you.”
“Aye. Thank you.” Dirick felt unaccountably sad leaving Lord Merle.
The sky hadn’t the merest tint of light to it when Dirick rolled up his pallet. He stood, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dark, then walked over the other prone bodies in the chamber housing other itinerant men at arms.
The few belongings he’d brought with him—including the broken dagger—were wrapped and stuffed in a
