The Norman's Bride by Brisbin Terri

Author:Brisbin, Terri [Brisbin, Terri]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, General, Medieval, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781426878466
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-09-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Devilment was in the air at Silloth Keep. Led by its lord and lady, they all turned against William, and the progress he’d made in these last years was for naught. Every bit of separation between him and them came crashing down in the next week.

First, his presence at meals was commanded. When this order was directed at all four of the other knights in residence, he thought that mayhap he was not the object of the lady’s scheming. Then, Orrick suggested, commanded rather, that William move into a chamber on the second floor across the corridor from the great hall. The worst was Lady Margaret’s grooming directives. Then he knew he was the true target, for Richard, Hugh and the others already met with Margaret’s approval.

All of the knights who attended meals must be dressed appropriately, she said. When he argued that he never claimed that title, the black look on her face truly scared him. She proclaimed that court style demanded no beards and shorter hair. His expression must have been suitably dark, for she softened that demand a bit. No chain mail at table, no filthy boots, no crude talk. When Lord Orrick did not gainsay her, William was convinced that the lord was indulging his lady too much.

William had planned on wearing the better of his surcoats the first night, but when he arrived in his newly assigned chambers, there were three new ones in his chest. The biggest surprise was a boy named Cadby. Even though the boy stuttered nervously, William understood his orders clearly—this was his new page. And in spite of his young appearance and stammering speech, Cadby stood his ground even when William yelled for him to be gone.

He had cornered Lord Orrick and demanded an explanation on the second day. One never-ending meal, filled with niceties and mindless chatter was more than any man could endure and he was determined to put a quick end to this. And since his chamber was in the midst of all the activity of the keep, never was there a moment of quiet, except in the deepest part of the night when all lay sleeping somewhere else.

“My lord? A word, please?” William had followed Lord Orrick to the roof of the keep. ’Twas a place they used often for consultations, since neither the height nor the wind bothered either of them.

“Royce. Come, have a look over here.” He walked to the edge of the northern side of the keep and looked where Orrick pointed. “I think we should fortify that section of wall next.”

After a few minutes of discussing the defenses, William broached the true matter at hand.

“My lord, I would speak of our agreement. Have I not lived up to my part of it, serving you as you require and swearing fealty to you?”

“You have been ever vigilant on my behalf, Royce. How have I failed you, for your words give rise to that accusation?”

“I did not mean an insult, my lord. I

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