A Bit of Heaven on Earth (10 page)

When no one stepped forward, she again called out, “Does any man or woman wish to speak to Lord Aldred or myself before we adjourn?”

A half-dozen stepped forward, most praising Lady Elizabeth in one way or another. It irritated Gavin by this point at how this lady seemed more revered than the very master of Kentwood. Finally, he moved toward the dais.

As he stepped up, the last remaining man to speak, he looked to Aldred.

“I come to pay homage to—”

“Gavin!” Aldred cried in delight. He stood and then staggered forward.

Gavin rushed over and caught the old man as he fell. He placed the nobleman’s still form on the ground. As he did, he felt the woman’s gaze burning into him.

“My lady,” he said, his tone even.

With fire in her emerald eyes, she almost growled at him, “If you’ve killed him, I’ll see you dead.”

CHAPTER 10

Elizabeth rushed to Aldred’s side, shoving the dark-haired stranger aside. Panic rose in her. Her heart skipped several beats. Had the day she dreaded finally arrived? Was Aldred dead?

She bent and pressed her cheek against her husband’s. “He still breathes,” she murmured, reassuring herself. “He has but lost consciousness.” She cradled Aldred’s head upon her lap, forcing herself to take a calming breath.

When she looked up, her eyes met that of the outsider’s. Fresh anger simmered through her again.

“Aldred has nerves of steel. What manner of man are you that he would faint dead away at the sight of you?” Her voice echoed in the now silent hall as those gathered stood by wordlessly.

She glared at the man, studying him as she would any enemy. He was taller and had broader shoulders than her husband, but he was gaunt and pale, as if someone had locked him away, trying to starve him into submission. That would not be possible, she thought, as she took in his strong jaw now locked firmly in place. She guessed him as stubborn as Aldred had been in his younger days, mayhap more so. Unruly, jet-black hair framed a clean-shaven face. His clothes had seen better days, and on a smaller man, at that.

It was his eyes that drew her. They were very like Aldred’s, a warm brown rimmed in amber. They even had flecks of green in them, as Aldred’s did when he was angry. Those eyes challenged her now. She wondered what relative this must be. She knew of no kin Aldred claimed, yet this man favored him.

Elizabeth sensed the outsider came for Kentwood. Would he be the new heir? Her heart ached at the thought of losing her home to this stranger, yet if ‘twere the case, he looked most capable.

She looked up at the man who knelt beside her, waiting for his reply. Before he answered, a faint yowl sounded. Then a head of fur popped out from a sack worn about the stranger’s neck.

A kitten looked about the room and scurried from its resting place. It landed next to Aldred and studied him for a moment before a quick, pink tongue grazed the nobleman’s cheek.

Aldred wrinkled his nose and sneezed. The kitten jumped a good foot in the air and scrambled back up his owner’s lap, looking over its shoulder as Aldred stirred.

“My lord?” Elizabeth said softly.

Aldred opened his eyes and smiled up at her. “Hello, dearest.”

She stroked his cheek. “Do you feel you can sit up?”

He frowned. “I had the most unusual vision. I thought for a moment I saw Gavin of Ashgrove standing before me.”

“You did, my lord,” the dark stranger spoke up. “I have come to visit you and your wife.” He looked at her as if she would challenge his words.

Aldred pushed himself up. She heard a collective sigh released from those gathered in the room. Suddenly, she was aware of every eye in the Great Hall upon them.

“Let us get you to bed, my lord.” She slipped a hand under his arm. The stranger did the same on the opposite side and helped her raise Aldred to his feet.

“Not to bed, my lady,” chided Aldred. “I simply fainted away, so surprised was I at seeing Gavin after so many years.”

Gavin
. “Yes, my lord. I’ve heard you speak of him.” Elizabeth looked questioningly at the handsome newcomer. “So nice of you to visit. Unannounced.” Wrath still blazed through her at the stress this uninvited guest had placed upon her husband.

He shrugged, not rising to the bait she cast out.

Aldred motioned for his walking stick. “Come, join us as we celebrate another fruitful month at Kentwood,” he told Gavin. Then turning, he raised his voice to those in the room. “Let our festivities begin,” he called out. “Lord Gavin shall be our honored guest.”

The crowd murmured in assent, their mood reflecting their master’s positive tone.

“You are certain, my lord?”

Gavin watched Aldred’s wife as she studied her husband. Concern was written across her brow. From that one look, it reassured him that despite Aldred’s poor health, the nobleman had someone who genuinely cared to watch over him.

“Go ahead, Elizabeth. Do what you must to prepare for our celebration.” He looked to Gavin. “You can trust Gavin to take good care of me, I’ll wager.”

“Indeed, my lord,” Gavin nodded in agreement. “I am your most humble servant.”

Elizabeth gave a curt nod and ventured off. He helped Aldred back into his seat.

“Gavin!”

He turned and saw Robert making his way toward him. He grinned and went to meet his friend. They fell into each other’s arms in a tight hug, laughing at the good fortune of seeing one another again.

“What brings you to Kentwood?” Robert asked, looking him over. “And ‘tis but skin and bones you are, looking more like a disreputable commoner than a knight of the realm. Where have you been these last two years?”

“’Tis a long story, my friend. Much has happened since we last spoke. I’ll need a cup of strong wine and a few hours to tell the tale.”

He motioned Robert to return to the dais with him, where his friend greeted Aldred.

“Good to see you up and about, my lord. I’m sure ‘tis a clucking hen Elizabeth has been over you.”

Aldred raised the walking stick. “And my thanks to you, Robert. This new walking stick was just what I needed. If Elizabeth becomes too dictatorial, I shall conk her on the head with it—and then run like the Devil.”

Both men laughed at his words. “I’d pay good money to see that, my lord,” Robert said. He turned back to Gavin. “Have you met Elizabeth yet?”

“Just for a moment,” he replied. His eyes skimmed the Great Hall, finding her. Gavin saw how she assured the people. How self-possessed she was. She was in total control of the room, giving orders to clear space, commanding musicians to play while trestle tables were being set up.

The men spoke for a few minutes before she returned to greet Robert and fuss over Aldred again. Gavin saw how much she cared for the old man. A pang of jealousy shot through him. He had no one left to care so for him, now that his beloved mother was dead.

“Would you care to be seated, Lord Gavin?”

Elizabeth’s voice, polite yet cool, brought him from his reverie. He glanced about, seeing things well in place for the feast about to begin.

“Of course,” he answered. “I thank you for so graciously inviting me to your banquet.”

“If my Lord Aldred is happy to see you,” she said carefully, “then so am I. Please, sit here. Share a trencher with him. I’m sure you have much to speak about to one another.”

She indicated her place beside her husband. He tried to protest, but Robert cut him off.

“Give into her, Gavin. ‘Tis much easier and takes far less time than fighting with her. Elizabeth always gets her way. Besides,” he grinned, “that means she’ll share her trencher with me. I know she’ll eat far less than you would if we were to be paired together. I might actually have a fighting chance to gobble up most of the many delicacies without coming to blows.”

He inclined his head to Elizabeth and took the seat next to Aldred, glad that his good ear faced his friend. A serving maid placed a trencher before them, and Gavin sliced it in two, giving Aldred his half. A chaplain appeared to bless the meal, followed by the steward and his staff pouring out the wine, mixed with honey and ale.

Then the feasting began in earnest. He thought back to the days of celebration in his youth while he fostered at Kentwood. This meal rivaled any from the past. Stork and peacock, haddock and cod, were followed by venison, mutton, and pork. Then more pastries than he’d imagined while imprisoned in France made their way to the trestle tables.

Throughout the meal, though, Aldred ate sparingly of the small, bite-sized pieces placed before him. Gavin watched him closely. The nobleman seemed in good spirits and spoke with true happiness shining from his eyes, helping his guest to relax somewhat.

By the sweets course, Gavin’s stomach protested at the great amount he’d already consumed. He hadn’t eaten so much at one sitting since he’d last left England. His parents held a banquet in his honor that night. It all seemed so long ago.

“Cheese, my lord? Or mayhap you would prefer a small cake? Our cook bakes the finest sweets in the land.”

He turned to Elizabeth. “You are a charming hostess, my lady, but I must pass. I fear I have eaten far more than my share.”

Robert laughed. “From the looks of it, you haven’t eaten quite enough, Gavin. In truth, you are thin as a stork’s leg. Let our Elizabeth fatten you up.”

She eyed him with interest. “If you’d like, I can have a tray of assorted goods sent to your room. That way if you wish to try some later, they would be available to you.”

“You are most gracious, my lady.”

“My lord,” Robert addressed Aldred, “might I steal Gavin away from you for a few minutes before the song begins? I would love to converse with my old friend.”

Aldred snorted. “More than likely you seek to point out all the beautiful, unattached women in the room, Robert.” He stood. “I think I shall retire, so you are welcomed to speak to him to your heart’s content.”

Elizabeth joined her husband. “Are you very tired, my lord?” A shadow crossed her face. “I so wanted you to hear this new troubadour sing your praises.”

Aldred cupped her cheek with his hand. “Mayhap another time. I am certain you engaged him for a fortnight or longer.”

Elizabeth blushed a pretty pink. “I may have, now that you mention it. But let me see you settled.”

Aldred held out a hand to her. “Nay. Simon will see to my needs. Stay and entertain our guests.” He signaled the servant over. “Good eve to you, gentlemen. I look forward to speaking more to you on the morrow, Gavin. I am afraid I talked your ear off tonight.”

Gavin bowed. “’Twas talk I was so inclined to hear, my lord. I thank you for sheltering me for the night.”

Aldred clasped his hand. “For this night and as long as you wish to stay, my boy. You are always welcome at Kentwood. Simon?”

“My lord?” The servant stepped up and allowed Aldred to lean upon him. Gavin was drawn to watching Elizabeth as she herself watched her husband escorted from the room.

“I must excuse myself,” she said. “I would speak to the troubadour. He sings tonight of Aldred and his many victories in battle. I would have that saved for another time when my lord husband can hear and enjoy.”

She curtsied and moved across the room. He followed her progress as she stopped and talked to one group then the next. She seemed to know everyone by name and exhibit a genuine care for all.

Soon the strains of a psalterian began. He caught sight of the singer as he brought the zither close to his chest and began plucking at its strings. He sang of the glory of England and of both Edward and the Black Prince’s mastery over France. Robert must have sensed Gavin was in no mood to speak seriously, for he kept their conversation light.

Then the troubadour began to sing of Elizabeth, weaving tales of her generosity and kind spirit.

“Men compose songs about her?” he asked Robert.

“Of course. Elizabeth is a celebrated beauty of some renown in these parts. She numbers even King Edward as a devoted follower. He claims to enjoy visiting Kentwood more for Elizabeth’s company than Aldred’s.” Robert chuckled.

“And how long have she and Lord Aldred been married?”

Robert thought a moment. “’Tis been a good one and ten years, I think, since she came to Kentwood to wed. Her sire brought her himself. Fayne of Aldwyn. I gather she was quite a handful as a child, and he escorted her here so that there would be no chance of her running away.”

“But her beauty and dowry overcame those shortcomings?” he asked. “As if Aldred needed her money.”

Robert grew quiet. “There was a time the dowry price came in handy, Gavin. Things were not flourishing at Kentwood after we returned from Crecy.”

“Was it plague?”

“Nay, not for awhile. It did rage in London and finally arrived in the south, but I speak of other things. Harvests gone bad. Tenants mishandled in Aldred’s absence. Almost an indifference that had cropped up in the years Aldred spent at war.”

“I see he’s turned it around, though. Leave it to Aldred to manage in a crisis.” He reached for his honeyed wine.

“Nay, ‘twas not Aldred’s doing. ‘Twas all Elizabeth.”

He froze in mid-air, his cup not yet to his lips. “Elizabeth? A woman? Surely things were not as bad as you make them seem, my friend.” He took a swig from the silver goblet.

“You are wrong, Gavin. Where servants were listless and inactive, she swept them into action. She visited tenants and had roofs repaired. Went into the fields and talked to the peasants about the best way to grow crops. She did a thousand things, both large and small, to get Kentwood back on track.”

He followed Robert’s gaze as he spoke Elizabeth’s praises. It lay on the lady herself.

“There is nothing she cannot do, Gavin. Nothing.”

“You seem to admire her quite a bit.”

Robert flushed. In that moment, Gavin realized his friend had deep feelings.

For another man’s wife.

CHAPTER 11

Aldred awakened, refreshed by his night’s restful sleep. He was glad the cold had started to recede, though his old bones never seemed to warm completely anymore. At least spring would soon make her annual appearance. He wondered idly if he would be here to see spring’s birth this time next year and decided he would not. His time on earth drew near. Yet he was fortunate. He’d lived the life he’d wished to, on his own terms, and he wouldn’t change a thing about it. He would end his days happily, spending what little time remained with those he loved.