A Stern Lord for My Lady Page 9

  He met his wife once the midday repast was ready, and looked upon her in displeasure. No, she was nothing like his first wife, who would have asked him for permission for every small change to his household. Besides, his former wife would never have been able to oversee such swift, decisive changes. She’d been frail, and had shouldered the responsibility of his household with difficulty. Lady Alicia didn’t seem plagued by such frailty. He spotted her busying herself about, commanding his servants with effortless ease. She seemed in high spirits, and cast him a wide smile when she saw he’d come into the Hall.

  As the meal was served, and she sat herself beside him, he couldn’t help but notice the improvements. The food was fresher and hotter, and the servants less slack in their duties. The rotten rushes in the Hall had been already changed, and the table gleamed with the polishing it had received. The house seemed to be coming to life, and, while he was displeased his lady hadn’t spoken to him about any of her actions, he couldn’t help but like what he saw around him.

  His people, he also noted, seemed more cheerful than he’d seen them in years, no doubt pleased with the better food and already cleaner surroundings.

  “I hope the food is to your liking, my lord,” his wife said solicitously. “It is not seasoned nearly as well as I like it, as the spices in the chest need to be renewed, but I’ve made sure it’s properly cooked.”

  He nodded, rather ungraciously. She’d already hired several new servants, as he could perceive, not seeming to care for the added expense. He ate in silence, debating whether he should be pleased with his wife for seeing to their comfort or displeased with her for incurring such expense without consulting him.

  “You’ve wrought a lot of changes,” he found himself saying. “Carpentry, iron work and sundry other things…”

  She cut what he’d meant to say, with an easy smile.

  “Aye, I’m doing what needs to be done.”

  He frowned at her, perceiving she seemed unconcerned by his unease.

  “You didn’t see fit to ask for my permission,” he said pointedly.

  She looked at him in wonder.

  “What for? I’m sure you already knew what was necessary. The house was in a sorry state and couldn’t be left as such. This duty belongs to the lady of the house, not to the lord.”

  He said nothing, still frowning.

  “Are you displeased?” she asked in a puzzled voice. “I didn’t think you’d be. It’s menial housewifery. I did not think you’d take offence.”

  She seemed sincere in her puzzlement, and Bertran began to see she had not meant to defy him. But that made things even worse. She’d not even thought to ask for his permission.

  “What of funds?” he asked, recalling she had not asked him for coin for these changes.

  She waved her hand.

  “I used the funds I carried with me, but rest assured everything will be accounted for. I’m thrifty, and I’m not one to incur unnecessary expenses. I can bring you the ledgers to look at, if you want. I’ve written everything down properly, since we’ve no steward here to take care of it.”

  “I assume you can write, cipher and read,” he muttered.

  She nodded.

  “Certainly. Can’t you?”

  He could, though he didn’t take much pleasure in it and relied on clerks to do what was necessary. His former wife had been unable to write and read, as many women of her station were. On the contrary, Lady Alicia was a woman who could do so. He recalled she’d shouldered the burden of vast estates for years, so this had been a necessary skill.

  “I’ll look at the ledgers, wife,” he said, knowing he should be pleased with her skills. “I am not sure such expenses were necessary at such a time. I’m not as wealthy as your father is.”

  “But now your marriage to me has brought you great wealth. We can afford the expense, since my dowry is ample enough,” she countered in a level voice.

  He looked at her in annoyance. She’d just reminded him she was above him in wealth.

  “You now have funds to set this house to rights,” she went on in the same level voice. “So this is what I’m doing. Setting it to rights.”

  She touched his arm with a smile, then rose, when a serving girl required her assistance. He followed her with widened eyes. When she regained her seat, she smiled again, as if unconcerned by the talk that had taken place. It was the first time he saw her eating with relish, and he recalled her lack of appetite the day of their wedding, when she’d been forced to sit on her freshly spanked, blazing bottom. Now she seemed a different woman altogether. Cheerful and content. And, by the looks of it, quite bold and unconcerned with his own wishes.

  “I am displeased you didn’t see fit to let me know of your decision,” he said, trying to tell himself he should be cross with his lady for not consulting him about any of the changes.

  “Oh, why is that?” Lady Alicia asked, casting him a benevolent look.

  He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came to mind.

  “You shouldn’t be displeased,” Lady Alicia told him cheerfully. “I am doing what a dutiful wife should. And you need not worry. I am a prudent woman and responsible. For years I’ve taken care of vast lands and overseen our vassals and our people. This is, in fact, a menial task, easy to accomplish. In truth, too menial to concern the lord of the house with, don’t you think?”

  He heaved a deep sigh, understanding she’d outwitted him. He couldn’t find fault with what she’d done, since she was doing it for a good cause.

  “Have better care in future to keep me appraised of what’s going on, my lady,” he found himself muttering, still somewhat vexed by her behaviour, but unable to reproach her for anything.

  She beamed at him.

  “Certainly, my lord. I shall never fail to do so in future,” she said graciously.

  With this, their talk was ended, and Bertran found himself further sighing within himself. This woman was nothing like his first wife. She was decisive and bold. But, he saw, she was also quite clever, and had managed to smooth-talk him, without making it appear she was disparaging him.

  “It’s market day,” Lady Alicia spoke. “I thought I’d take a reprieve from my chores and go to the market. The spices in the chest need replacing, so I will take the chance and get some fresh air.”

  Bertran keenly noted she was merely telling him of her plans, instead of asking for his permission. He opened his mouth to point this out to her, but saw the smile on her face. She was so comely, with those sparkling green eyes and those lush, full lips he’d never have enough kissing.

  “I shall accompany you then,” he found himself saying, in spite of what he’d meant to utter first. “My other chores will wait, since I’m also in need of a breath of fresh air.”

  She seemed pleased he’d offered to accompany her, and Bertran found himself forgetting his earlier vexation. He just looked forward to a walk in his wife’s company.

  The day was sunny and mild as they walked to the market, choosing to do so unaccompanied by any of their people. It was not far, so it was not worth going on horseback. As she looked upon her husband while they walked, Alicia noted he smiled easily, and did not look dour and grim as on that first day she’d glanced upon him. He seemed to be enjoying the outing as much as she did. She talked more than he, noting he was not a man given to prattle, yet the time spent together passed companionably. There was heat clinging between them, as always, but somehow Alicia found herself thinking less of the caresses they’d shared in the bedchamber and genuinely enjoying his mere company. He was courteous to her, but not overly polite, cheerful without being overly talkative. And she also recalled this morning when she’d watched him from a window, amazed by the liquid, fluid grace he’d displayed with his sword. She’d heard tell of his exploits in the battles with the Welsh, but she’d not had occasion to see him with a sword in hand. The sword became him, as if he’d been born carrying one. Alicia understood he was a fierce fighter in battle. But, come to think of it
, so had been Erec de Jarnac, whom people unjustly called “a fop” because of the excessive elegance of his clothes. Erec was also courteous, and he smiled as easily as this man. Only, Alicia knew too well, she’d never felt so warm under Erec’s smile. Her husband’s smile held a light in it that seemed to make the day even brighter than it already was. She soon found herself easily talking to him of her home, and of the pursuits she’d enjoyed. She was a keen rider and huntress, and had little patience for embroidery and those tamer, more gentle pursuits, she told him with a rueful smile.

  “King Henry is as keen a hunter as you are,” Bertran said. “You’ll soon have occasion to join in one of his hunts.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Alicia said. “I’m rather handy with the bow. I suppose this skill makes up somewhat for my lack in other areas. I have a poor ear for music, and my needle skills are not as good as those of other ladies. The tapestry I’ve started on is only slowly progressing. I fear it will take years to finish – and the outcome may not be so pretty to look at.”

  He laughed.

  “I don’t care much for tapestries, and I suppose we can rely on the help of my sisters for such adornments, if you wish. My sisters love embroidering. As for music, I enjoy it as much as the next man, yet I must confess I was born tone deaf and can’t carry a tune.”

  She laughed in turn, grateful of the ease with which he’d become reconciled with her faults. He also enjoyed hunting, and they began a lengthy talk of hawks and hounds. Time flew by as they walked, and Alicia found herself forgetting she’d ever contemplated a different husband. This man seemed suitable to her, and not only in the bedchamber. Yet, she found herself remembering their circumstances, when he brought up Sir Erec.

  “So… De Jarnac’s son, how long have you two been acquainted?” he asked rather abruptly.

  “Since childhood, but we did not see each other often,” she said, with an uneasy shrug. She no longer wanted to think of Erec, because it reminded her of the humiliation she’d received at her husband’s hands in the Hall. Alicia did not think herself vain, but she was proud, and she still chafed to recall he’d spanked her in front of others. Still, she also recalled what Bertran’s mother had said – Bertran had not wanted to inflict this humiliation upon her.

  “The insults…” she said in wonder. “You’ve never once reproached me for the insults written in that letter you received.”

  He waved his hand.

  “You did receive punishment for those insults, didn’t you? I think it’s only fair to put such things behind us and start afresh.”

  She nodded, understanding he was indeed an honourable lord. She opened her mouth to speak of him and tell him the truth of what had happened, yet thought better on it. He’d said he’d given a fresh start to their marriage. It would seem petty of her to try to bring up her innocence at such a time. Besides, they did not know each other well and he might think she was just bringing excuses. So she held her mouth shut, contenting herself to smile at him.

  “You did not rant and rave after I punished you in front of all to see,” he said abruptly, giving her a measuring glance. “And you no longer seem to hold that against me.”

  She shrugged, keeping her smile.

  “I came to understand you were doing the king’s bidding,” she told him truthfully. “Your mother came to talk to me. She told me the punishment was not your wish.”

  He gave a short laugh, and then muttered, “Trust my lady mother to interfere.” However he soon added, with a sigh, “No, it was not my wish. I am a private man and do not relish making a spectacle of myself in front of others. But the king had commanded so…”

  She perused him, heaving a bitter sigh of her own.

  “You realise both you and I were but pawns in the battle between Henry and Eleanor?” she said.

  He frowned. “How so?” he asked in a guarded voice.

  “The punishment you bestowed on me in front of the whole court. Henry did not genuinely care you’d been insulted. What he cared for was to humiliate my father, and, thus, to also humiliate the queen, who owns my father’s loyalty. The queen did not come to my defence because she knew it was just what Henry wanted. There is a feud between the king and the queen, and we were both caught in its snare.”

  He shook his head.

  “They might be feuding, but I do not think it will come to war. Both Henry and Eleanor know the costs of war. They are both wise, and will not start one to fulfil their ambition.”

  Alicia gave a mirthless laugh.

  “You think highly of our monarchs.”

  He glanced at her in surprise.

  “Don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Alicia nodded. “They are both great rulers, but I fear their ambition still has the better of them. Didn’t the king already have Thomas Becket murdered out of ambition? Mark my words, soon there’ll be war between Henry and Eleanor, and we’ll all pay the price.”

  His wife spoke boldly and assuredly. The women of his acquaintance were not so bold when they talked of politics, except, of course, for the queen herself. But Bertran did not find himself disliking his wife’s talk. It was levelheaded and astute. A part of him also feared the king and the queen might come to war, but the other part of him chose to hope for the best. He hoped the two great rulers would reconcile.

  “Where would you stand if there’s a war?” his wife asked him bluntly.

  He frowned.

  “With my liege, the king. Where else should I stand?” he replied, cocking an eyebrow.

  “The queen also holds you in high esteem, I’m told,” his wife said, but then added with a smile. “Still, I did not think you’d stand with her. Because that would mean forsaking the pledge you made to your king, and you do not seem to be one of those men who break pledges.”

  He cast her a sharp look.

  “And where will you stand if there’s a war, my lady?” he asked softly.

  He recalled only too well that the De Lancres supported the queen, even if Alicia’s father had not openly declared his loyalties. Would his wife choose to stand against her own husband if a war broke between Henry and Eleanor?

  “I’ve pledged myself to you, my lord, haven’t I?” his wife answered in a level voice. “There’s no return from it, is there? I also never break my pledges. So I shall stand where you stand, and protect our family’s interests.”

  She gazed straight into his eyes as she said so, and a pleasant warmth enveloped Bertran’s heart. Her green eyes seemed true. And she was telling him she would behave honourably, and stand by his side. It seemed he had been wrong in his assumption she might ever prove disloyal. She seemed to hold honour as dear as he did.

  He bowed his head in courteous acknowledgement.

  “My lady, I shall strive to prove myself worthy of your loyalty,” he said formally.

  Chapter 10

  They’d reached the market and Alicia found herself drawn to the joyous hustle and bustle. There were merchants raucously praising their wares. Fine cloths and linens and silk. Food and sweetmeats of various kinds. Ribbons and trinkets of many sorts. Colours and sounds and smells that she found herself enjoying in a rare day of leisure. It was the first day of true leisure she’d had in months and she found herself savouring it, just as she savoured the company of the man walking next to her. A man she found to be gracious.

  “We can linger and look, if you like,” he told her with good cheer, when he perceived her avid gaze upon the colourful silks a merchant was praising at his stall.

  She shook her head with a smile.

  “Nay. We’ve come to buy spices, not silk, my lord, remember?” she told him.

  She assumed, like all men, her husband would be impatient to go on the particular errand they’d come for. So she wanted to be gracious in her turn, and not impose upon his patience.

  But the merchant had already seen that a lord and lady had paused by his stall, and seized his chance to praise his merchandise.

  “Fine silk, my lady,” he
said hastily, letting a bolt of sky-blue silk unfurl in front of Alicia. “All the way from Byzantium. Just feel how delicate and soft it is!”

  Alicia opened her mouth to voice a firm refusal, but Sir Bertran beat her to it.

  “Go on, my lady,” he said with a smile. “There’s nothing rushing us greatly today. No tedious court business for either me or you. Only duties that can wait for a while.”

  Alicia frowned.

  “Sundry household chores. That have been too long postponed and can’t wait that long,” she told him pointedly, but it was his turn to shake his head.

  “Perchance we both need a small respite from our duties,” he said mildly and approached the stall to feel the silk the merchant was eagerly holding out to them.

  Alicia’s mouth was dry as she watched her husband’s long fingers bestow a feather-like caress on the silk. She found herself suddenly envying that silk.

  “Soft and delicate indeed,” Sir Bertran said. “But perhaps my lady wife is a better judge of it,” he added turning to Alicia.

  She approached to feel the silk, attempting to trace with her fingers the same trail her husband had made. Even the thought of having touched the same fabric as him made her heart race.

  “Yes, soft and delicate,” she conceded. “But, we’re in no need of silk,” she told the merchant in firm tones.

  “Linen perhaps? Fine linen! The finest!” the merchant said eagerly.