A Bit of Heaven on Earth (12 page)

“I thought ‘twas best that it came from me personally. ‘Twas a delicate matter I addressed. I wanted it in my own hand. Small things such as that mean a great deal to our king.”

She studied him a moment. “Does it concern Lord Gavin?”

He nodded. “He would like to serve in Edward’s royal guard. I felt a personal letter was just the right touch in bringing the king’s attention to Gavin’s unfortunate circumstance.”

“Well, I don’t like him,” Elizabeth declared. “He comes out of nowhere, gives you the fright of your life, and has monopolized your time since he’s been here.” She clucked her tongue in disapproval.

“Now, now. Give the boy a chance. ‘Tis good character he possesses as well as being a fine warrior, and a most crushing blow he has been dealt.”

Aldred explained briefly about Gavin’s imprisonment in France and how his father refused to ransom him, leading to his miserable confinement for two years in a squalid prison.

“To make matters worse, after he managed to escape, Gavin made his way home to the north, only to find his dearest mother dead and his father remarried to one of his young mistresses.” Aldred added, “Berwyn claimed that he’d learned Gavin was not his son. That his wife had deceived him for all these years.”

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “What an awful thing to learn, especially after barely surviving for two years.”

“It means that Gavin no longer will inherit his home of Ashgrove. He is no longer welcomed there. Berwyn’s new wife is already with child, and ‘twill be her babe that acquires Ashgrove one day.”

Aldred took his wife’s hand. “So you see, my dearest, Gavin literally has no home, no funds, and nowhere to go. He came to me for advice. I would do right by him. He is the bravest knight who ever fostered under me. He shall be captain of my guard once he is well and serve me until the Most Holy Father sees fit to bring me home.”

“You will not see heaven for many a year, Husband.” She sighed. “So I suppose we are stuck with Lord Gavin for a good while.”

He laughed. “Be that as it may. Still, I would ask that you keep what I have revealed to you in confidence. Not even Robert yet knows of what Gavin suffered.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, you know Robert. ’Twill be guilt that runs through him once he discovers he left his closest friend behind to a fate worse than death.”

“Which is why this must stay between the two of us. I know not what Gavin intends to share with Robert.”

She nodded. “Agreed. Now let us get you abed and rested so you can enjoy the festivities tonight. We had no dancing once you retired last night. The troubadour held his tale of your greatness. If you are up to it, the people would appreciate you coming down again for this celebration.”

“Then ‘tis a nap for me. To think I started out my life as a babe, napping my days away. Who knew ‘twould be the way of the elderly, too?”

Elizabeth left Aldred asleep on the bed and closed the door behind her. She thought to check on their guest at present. He’d not appeared for the noon meal, but requested a tray in his room instead. After what she’d learned from Aldred, she had more sympathy for Lord Gavin.

Why, he seemed almost like a woman in his present position, with no control over his fortunes. He was wise to turn to Aldred for advice in such a time of personal crisis. If he was as capable as Aldred led her to believe, she was certain Edward would want him as a member of his royal guard. His reputation as a master soldier must proceed him, at any rate. Aldred praised few men, and this Lord Gavin won high marks from her husband.

It haunted her, though, that the knight so favored Aldred. Yet her husband gave nary a mention to Gavin being close kin, much less son to him. He merely shared fond memories and held a great affection for the man whom he’d fostered from a small boy. Besides, she was certain Aldred would have acknowledged Gavin if he were a true blood relative, especially in light of Gavin’s current predicament.

Should she share her thoughts with her husband? Or with Robert?

No, best to keep these feelings to herself. She was misreading the situation. The two men might share a resemblance in their eyes and their builds, but their coloring was very different. And Gavin’s hair was black as night. Elizabeth knew Aldred’s to have been quite fair before it turned to white in his old age.

She would keep such silly notions to herself.

Elizabeth walked down the stone corridor. Flickering shadows from the sconces danced against the walls. She reached the room she’d directed the servants to take their guest to last evening and knocked lightly. When no reply came, she became concerned. She decided to open the door and look inside, to be sure nothing was amiss.

Gavin lay on the bed, his hands pillowed behind his head, staring at the ceiling, his cat curled up in a ball against his leg. A single candle burned next to the bed. Her earlier feelings of anger toward their guest began to thaw. Animals were supposed to be a good judge of character. If so, Lord Gavin must have a soft spot, for his cat snuggled against him, purring away in total trust.

She found a sympathy rising within her for the troubles he had faced. Knowing his circumstances influenced these feelings. Had she judged too harshly and too soon? Rarely was she guilty of either. He didn’t look as fierce as she remembered, either. Instead, she now noticed how handsome he was, more so than any of the many suitors her father had paraded before her so many years ago. She swore she would put aside her first impressions of the man and start anew.

She wondered if she should knock again and gain his attention or merely leave.

Before she could act, he called out to her. “Please. Come in, my lady.”

She did so. His face turned toward her, those eyes burning into her with an intensity that Aldred’s never possessed as she approached him.

“I thank you for the room. And the bed. And the wash basin.” He sat up, placing his hands upon his knees. “I can’t tell you what a luxury sleeping in a bed is. May you never go to war, my lady.”

Or to prison
, her thoughts echoed. She would keep the secrets Aldred shared with her.

Elizabeth studied their guest a moment. “I hear you are to serve as captain of my husband’s guard. That is quite an honor.”

A shadow darkened his face. “’Tis not a position I seek. I know Rufus. He is a good man and excellent soldier. I am most unhappy to replace him, but Lord Aldred thought ‘twas best.”

She smiled. “’Twill give Rufus a chance to go to the wars in France. He’s been eager to do so, but my lord husband would not release him with the men he previously sent to the fight. Your arrival will provide the opportunity Rufus has longed for. Once you are fit, that is. I know Aldred wants you to gain your strength back after your time at war in France.”

Gavin returned her smile. “Lord Aldred can be most persuasive. I had even thought of going to Fondren and asking to serve there. My lord assured me that remaining at Kentwood would be in my best interest.”

“Aldred’s heart would break if you left here now. ‘Tis true happiness filling him since you have returned. We both insist that you stay. Once you have regained your strength, you will be happy at the head of Aldred’s detail. And in the meantime, he will be able to enjoy your company. ‘Twill be good for you both.”

She saw the surprise on his face and knew it was because her tone of voice and attitude toward him had changed.

He started to answer her, but she cut him off. “Shall we come to an understanding, my lord? I will welcome your presence in my home. Once my husband is dead, however, you will be free to leave Kentwood if you so desire.

“But until that day,” she added, “I will do whatever is in my power to keep my beloved husband happy.” A mischievous grin settled upon her face. “If that means I must personally hog-tie you, I shall, but we do want you to stay.”

Gavin laughed. “I have never had a more convincing offer, my lady.” He reached out and took her hand and pressed a courtly kiss upon her knuckles.

CHAPTER 13

Gavin entered the merry atmosphere of Kentwood’s Great Hall. Without thinking, he immediately looked for Elizabeth. No other maid caught his eye, for none had the stream of auburn curls she did.

Just the thought of her brought heat to his hand, the one he’d used to capture hers with in a gentlemanly kiss. How was he to know the effect she would have upon him?

Surely she’d felt it, too, the jolt, that sudden warmth radiating fire between them. Yet she’d smoothly removed her hand as if nothing was amiss. Oh, she was a cool one.

And that only fanned the fire burning inside him even more.

He spent the remainder of the afternoon after their unsettling encounter outside, walking around the castle, making new acquaintances and renewing old friendships. Everywhere he went, though, every mouth praised the Lady Elizabeth. She sounded too good to be a flesh and blood woman.

He hoped fervently she made Aldred happy. He sensed that was the case. Guilt over his sudden lust for Aldred’s wife did not make him happy, however. He had never coveted another man’s woman. He’d never had to. His good looks and smooth conversation always won him the heart of willing female companions. With no experience in stepping aside for another man, he was hard pressed to do so now.

Yet he must. Aldred was like a sire to him. He would not jeopardize their friendship of many years. Nor would he wish to upset Robert, who seemed to have deep feelings for the woman, as well.

Yet he would give a year’s time to kiss Elizabeth, but once.

Gavin watched as three children ran past him, a very quick boy and two giggling girls who gave chase. He wondered why Elizabeth had no children by Aldred. With both his sons dead, Kentwood would revert to the crown upon his death. Edward could then award the title and estate to any subject he saw fit. It most likely would be one who’d pleased him in the war against France, especially if the Black Prince recommended the man to him.

Would Robert seek the king’s permission to marry Elizabeth upon Aldred’s death? Would Edward have someone else in mind? Edward could package Kentwood and Elizabeth together for a much-favored knight. He might also give the estate to a nobleman he’d grown partial to and Elizabeth to appease another. Her great beauty alone would cause many a man to vie for her hand once news of Aldred’s eventual death became common knowledge.

Or would the sovereign make her his mistress? He was said to favor Elizabeth, but Gavin could not see her in this role. The king might appear tall and regal, but his childish temper would make him less than an ideal lover. As no-nonsense as Elizabeth seemed, the union might be ill-fated from the start.

Gavin walked through the hall in new clothes. He’d found them on his bed. A servant credited Elizabeth with their appearance, as well as another outfit placed in the trunk at the foot of his bed. The woman thought of everything. He smoothed the cote-hardie down, glad again to be wearing something that fit his height.

In every way, he sensed he was now home. His youth had been spent here. It was at Kentwood he’d celebrated May Days and Christmases, learned to fight, to read and write, where he’d first made love to a woman. He still remembered her advice to this day. She’d been twice his age, and with age came a supposed wisdom. She revealed he should never give his heart to a woman. Love her. Pleasure her. But never fall for her, for once a woman knew she held his heart, she would use that power to do him harm.

So he did as this long-ago, one-time lover instructed, though never really by intent. His heart simply remained intact over hundreds of couplings, with women of all classes. He enjoyed the company of women. He enjoyed the act of lovemaking.

Yet no one stirred him till he’d held Elizabeth’s hand and planted a single kiss upon it. No one. And here she was, wife to his liege lord. The situation could not be any worse.

Unless he acted upon his desires.

He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. He must avoid contact with her. Move into the barracks with the majority of Aldred’s guard. No more eating at the head table. Gavin would pretend to himself that Elizabeth carried the Great Pestilence, and even a glance at her would cause him to keel over. His loyalty to Aldred could not be suspect in any way. He’d always chosen to be an honorable man. It had not always been the way of his father, but he’d patterned himself more after Aldred than Berwyn, at any rate.

Rufus approached him. “I hear you will soon be captain of the guard, Gavin.”

He shook his old friend’s hand. “Only if the rumors I hear are true, Rufus. That you want to go to the wars in France?”

“Yes. I’ve wanted to for some time. Lord Aldred did not want to spare me, though. Now ‘tis my turn. Crecy is far in my past. I long for those days again.”

A pretty wench passed in front of the men, catching Rufus’s eye. “Excuse me, my lord,” Rufus said, “but until I go, I’d better make the most valuable use of my time.” He followed the girl and pinched her bottom playfully.

Gavin laughed. He saw Robert pass Rufus, a smile on his face as he watched Rufus in hot pursuit of his conquest. Robert joined him. “I see Rufus never changes.”

“Some men never do,” Gavin agreed. “I must tell you, Robert, ‘tis good spirits I am in tonight. ’Tis captain of Lord Aldred’s guard I shall soon be. Once I am in better shape, that is. ‘Twas decided this very morn.”

Robert smiled and slapped him on the back. “Then we have much to drink to, my friend. Being so close, ‘twill be like the old days.”

“Only no dying going on about us, eh?” Gavin studied his friend. “So you have no plans to return to France?”

Robert shook his head. “Father is much too ill now. The king has granted his request for me to remain behind. We have sent a good two score of men, though. Fondren is doing its part for England. And you, Gavin? I thought for sure you would miss the taste of battle. And why settle here, at Kentwood? Are you tired of those harsh, northern winters? Or should my curiosity be peaked for another reason?”

“’Tis sorry I am to hear of your father’s poor health, Robert. And no, I have no plans to return to the war. I still have much to tell you.”