Connie Mason (33 page)

Mariah had no idea what Edwina was talking about. “What do you see?”

“Do you not know?”

“Nay. Why are you acting so strangely?”

Whatever Edwina meant to tell Mariah had to wait; a knock on the door announced the arrival of Mariah’s bath. When her bath had been prepared and everyone had left, Mariah looked for Edwina, eager to continue the conversation, but the healer had disappeared.

Falcon arrived in the hall before Mariah, his mind still trying to accept the fact that he was a father, had been for nearly five years. Mariah could have told him the truth any time during the past weeks but she had not. Could he forgive her lies? Did he want to?

Sir Maynard joined Falcon at the head table. “The men
are ready to resume the search for Lady Mariah after they break their fast.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Falcon said stiffly. “Lady Mariah is no longer missing. She left her hiding place during the night. I found her wandering about in the corridor outside her chamber.”

A combination of relief and joy suffused Sir Maynard’s face. “Thank God! Will you make the announcement?”

“Aye, I will,” Falcon replied. He stood and pounded a cup on the table to gain attention. The hall took on an expectant silence as Falcon searched for the right words.

“The search for Lady Mariah is officially over. She left her hiding place last night and is in her own chamber as I speak. I expect her to arrive in the hall momentarily.”

A rousing cheer followed Falcon’s words, but he did not share the general joy. He felt sorely used and badly deceived. The drone of happy chatter failed to lift Falcon’s dour thoughts. He welcomed the interruption when Sir Dennis joined him.

“What wonderful news!” Dennis exclaimed. “Think you Osgood will present a danger to Mildenhall in the future?”

“I doubt it. Osgood is a broken man. He has no friends to back up his claims, and after this defeat, he’ll have a hard time recruiting mercenaries to his cause.”

“What are your intentions now that Osgood is no longer a threat to Lady Mariah and little Robbie?”

“Since I have unfinished business at Mildenhall that needs resolving, I intend to remain for a while.”

“I’m certain the men won’t complain; they like it here. Have you given any thought to appointing a new steward to take Sir Martin’s place?”

“That’s for Lady Mariah to decide.”

A rousing cheer and vigorous clapping announced Mariah’s arrival. She acknowledged the accolade with a smile and a wave of her hand.

Falcon stood to seat her on his right. “Your people are thrilled to see you,” he said as he resumed his seat. Dennis sat down next to Mariah. “Sir Dennis and I were discussing the fact that you need to appoint a new steward.”

Falcon could tell by the poignant look on Mariah’s face that she was still mourning Sir Martin. He hardened his heart against the crush of compassion that threatened to overwhelm him. He didn’t want to feel anything for Mariah. His emotions were still too raw.

“I can’t think about that right now,” Mariah replied. “Sir Martin will be sorely missed.”

Servants streamed in from the kitchen, bearing bowls of porridge and platters of ham and eggs. “You must be starving,” Falcon said. “It’s been a while since you’ve eaten.”

Sir Dennis cleared his throat. “My lady, you are the most courageous and resourceful lady I’ve ever met. We are grateful you survived Sir Osgood’s evil plans.”

“Thank you, Sir Dennis. It didn’t take much to outwit Osgood.”

Sir Dennis bowed and left to join his men.

From the corner of his eye, Falcon watched Mariah pick at her food. She should be hungry, so why wasn’t she eating? Why did he even care?

He jumped when Mariah’s fork clattered against her plate. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Food doesn’t appeal to me.” She started to rise. He grasped her wrist; she resumed her seat.

“Eat, Mariah.”

“How can I eat with you glowering at me?”

“I’m not glowering.”

“I want you to leave Mildenhall. Your hatred will be easier to bear if you are not here.”

The barb went straight to Falcon’s heart. Was it hatred he felt for Mariah? Last night, as she lay in his arms, he would have given his emotion another name.

“Fear not. I will leave in my own good time. But I’ve missed too much of my son’s life to leave without greeting him when he returns.”

Her face took on a greenish cast.

Alarm slammed through Falcon. “Are you ill?”

She clutched her throat. “I . . . don’t feel well. Excuse me.”

She tried to rise, but Falcon’s hold on her wrist increased. “Are you afraid of me?”

She lowered her head. “Not of you. I fear that you will destroy my life. If you leave Robbie with me, I will go to the king, admit my wrongdoing and leave Mildenhall to Osgood. My son is more important than material things. Please don’t take Robbie away from me.”

He released her wrist, alarmed to see a darkening bruise where he had applied pressure. “I am not a monster, Mariah.”

Mariah’s head shot up, her gaze burning into his. “Are you not? Then prove it. Leave Mildenhall. Now. Today.”

Falcon shook his head. I need time to think. I want to see Robbie before I decide anything.”

“Do you intend to inform the king about Robbie?”

“I told you, I’ve decided naught. Now eat, don’t let your people see you distraught.”

Though Falcon thought she still looked a bit pale, he was gratified to see her begin to eat. No matter what she had done to him, how many lies she had told, he still cared about her and knew she cared for him. Mayhap even loved him, if that wasn’t another of her lies.

Whatever was he going to do about Mariah?

Should he take this mess to the king?

What about his own dreams and aspirations? He had a son, and he wanted his son to be proud of him. But the way things stood now, he was doomed to remain a knight forever, a man without land to call his own or wealth to provide for his son.

Even if Henry offered him another heiress, Falcon doubted he would marry her, because Mariah had ruined him for any other woman. Would his honor allow him to forgive her for the lies she had told him?

He had a son! A son!

Very soon he could hold his son in his arms and tell him . . .

Tell him what?

Damnation! What a coil.

Robbie arrived home later that afternoon. He came bursting through the door and ran straight into Mariah’s arms. Falcon forced himself to wait to greet his son, even though he wanted to tear Robbie from Mariah’s arms and hold him close. He’d been denied too long.

After waiting impatiently for Robbie to notice him, Falcon cleared his throat and called out a greeting. Robbie’s face lit up when he saw Falcon standing nearby. He left his mother’s arms and went straight into Falcon’s. Falcon scooped him up and swung him high.

“You’re still here!” Robbie chirped. “I’m glad. Are you going to stay at Mildenhall with me and Mama?”

Mariah arrived hard on Robbie’s heels. “Sir Falcon must return to London to serve the king,” she said before Falcon could form an answer.

Falcon sent Mariah a quelling look. “I don’t intend to return to London just yet, son, so I’ll be around for a while.”

“I thought—” Mariah began.

“I know what you thought, my lady, but you were
wrong. I have yet to decide what I will do or where I will go. I suspect the king will return to London very soon, so haring off to France will serve no purpose.”

“Does that mean you will stay forever?” Robbie asked.

“Robbie, Becca is waiting to take you to find something to eat. You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

“Aye, Mama, very hungry.”

Reluctantly Falcon relinquished Robbie to Becca.

“It’s not going to work, Mariah,” Falcon warned.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think you do. There’s no way you’re going to keep my son from me.”

The color drained from Mariah’s face. “What are you going to do? I’ll deny Robbie is yours if you petition the king for him.”

Falcon shook his head. “Mariah—”

“Don’t do this to me, Falcon. I beg you—”

“That’s enough, Mariah! I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll let you know when I make up my mind. Meanwhile, don’t even try to keep Robbie away from me. I’ll see him when and where I please.”

“You can’t stay here! You have to leave!”

God, he hated this. He wasn’t a monster; he just wanted to get to know his son. Mariah was being unreasonable. She’d had his son to herself while he was out of the picture, now it was his turn to play a prominent role in Robbie’s life. The lad needed a father.

“Go to our son; he’s missed you.”

Falcon took note of her tightly clenched fists as she stormed off. He wanted to comfort her, but couldn’t bring himself to reach out to her. Too many lies stood between them.

During the following days, Falcon spent a great many hours with Robbie despite Mariah’s attempts to curtail their time together. He took his son up on his horse and rode around the courtyard, enjoying Robbie’s squeals of delight. He played toy soldiers with him and told him stories of legendary knights and battles.

One day Sir John and his new wife arrived unexpectedly at Mildenhall. Mariah hugged Elizabeth while Falcon greeted John enthusiastically.

“I learned in London that you were at Mildenhall,” John said.

“We were on our way to Southwold to visit Elizabeth’s mother when I suggested we stop at Mildenhall first and see where things stood with Osgood. I admit I was surprised to learn you were here. Did Rosamond come with you? I cannot believe she’d let you leave so soon after your marriage.”

“I didn’t wed Rosamond,” Falcon replied. “Things didn’t work out between us. As for Osgood, he’s gone for good.” Then he went on to explain everything that had transpired since John and Elizabeth had left to visit his parents.

“What an incredible story,” John said when Falcon finished. “Obviously, you recuperated from your wound. Thank God it wasn’t serious.”

“Edwina and Father Francis saved my life, one with herbal concoctions and the other with prayers. Robbie and Becca returned to Mildenhall a few days ago.”

“Mother is alone at Southwold with Father and Walter,” Elizabeth said in a voice fraught with fear. “Father must have been in a rage when he was driven from
Mildenhall. I’m afraid that Mother will suffer the brunt of his anger. Oh, John, we must go to her.”

John took Elizabeth into her arms. “We’ll leave for Southwold first thing tomorrow.”

“Fetch Martha and bring her here,” Mariah insisted. “She has a home with us for as long as she wishes.”

“Thank you, Mariah,” Elizabeth said gratefully. “John and I planned to take Mother to John’s family home in Devonshire and hoped Father wouldn’t be there to stop us.”

“Your father had no place to go but home once he fled Mildenhall,” Falcon said. “But his mercenaries have deserted him; I doubt he has the men to stop you.”

Elizabeth looked unconvinced. “I hope you’re right. Father is a brutal man, and Mother is defenseless against him. Walter is no help, for he’s afraid to cross Father.”

“Don’t fret, sweetheart, I will not let your father hurt your mother,” John said.

“Choose two men to take with you in case Osgood causes trouble,” Falcon offered.

“I’m taking Elizabeth to her chamber; she looks exhausted,” Mariah said. “She’ll have plenty of time to rest before the evening meal.”

“I have a skin of fine wine in my chamber,” Falcon said to John. “Will you join me?”

“I’d be delighted.” John followed Falcon to his chamber and accepted a goblet of wine from him. Falcon idly swirled the red liquid in his glass as John surreptitiously studied him.

“You look troubled,” John said. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I have a son,” Falcon blurted out.

John choked on the wine he had just swallowed. “You
have a son? I know you, Falcon. You’ve been careful to sire no bastards; you didn’t want to embarrass your family. How did it happen?”

A bitter laugh escaped Falcon’s lips. “It happened when I had no memory and was vulnerable to Mariah’s seduction.”

“Lady Mariah? You mean . . . Are you saying that Robbie is your son? You made a cuckold of Lord Edmond?”

Falcon drained his goblet in one gulp. “She lied to me. She said she was a widow, and that she was barren. I believed her because I wanted her. Little did I know she wanted me for one thing: to give her the child Lord Edmond couldn’t. They plotted together to get an heir for Mildenhall.”

“I cannot believe Lady Mariah would do such a thing,” John said, shaking his head. “How long have you known?”

“A few days. Mariah finally admitted she had lied about Robbie and everything else. I didn’t learn she had lied about being a widow instead of a wife until the king sent me to Mildenhall to investigate the matter of Robbie’s legitimacy. Had I not returned, I never would have known I had a son.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know. Though I want my son to know his father, I don’t want him to lose Mildenhall, for I have naught but my name to offer him.”

John searched Falcon’s face for several long minutes before offering a solution. “You could wed Mariah.”

Falcon turned on him. “Wed a liar, a deceiver? Never!”

John grinned. “You protest overmuch, Falcon. You cannot
hide the truth from me. I am no fool. I knew you and Mariah were lovers long before I left with Elizabeth.”

Falcon’s expression turned sour. “That was before I learned about Robbie. We are like two strangers now, with little to say to one another.”

“I would think you’d have a great deal to say to one another. You share a son. How could you not have suspected that the lad was yours?”

“I thought about it a lot when I first saw Robbie, but Mariah lied about his age. Though I knew Lord Edmond wasn’t capable of getting Mariah with child, I assumed she had taken a lover after I left.”

John rose. “Well, my friend, I can see you have some decisions to make, so I will leave you to your solitude. I want to look in on Elizabeth. I know how worried she is about her mother.”

“You love her very much,” Falcon stated.