Courtly Love (12 page)

"Serena, Serena. I think I shall never tire of you for you never fail to surprise me." Gyles shook his head and laughed. "I am leaving because I must, Serena," Gyles said quickly as she opened her mouth to argue. "The combat is over and I must be present to laud the victor; you are fully aware of that. Were it not for that, I would happily remain to deflower you," he teased.

"My Lord Gyles of Camden, you are crude!" Serena gasped, shocked to the core.

"So I have been accused! Aah, wife, you are blushing. Is it now your turn to be shocked?"

"You needn't be so ... so blunt, Gyles," Serena rebuked him, softly.

"Some women would have found it amusing."

"I did not!" Serena snapped.

"Careful, my sweet, your temper is showing," Gyles admonished, and pulled her stiff body into his arms.

Unexpectedly, Serena yielded. "You are right, of course, Gyles," she murmured against his broad chest. "I have no wish to argue further. I fear I am too sensitive; I beg your forgiveness for my harsh and hasty words." She raised herself on tiptoe and brushed Gyles's lips. His arms tightened, but Serena wriggled free. "I shall rest and join you later." Her blue eyes sparkled as Serena glided from the room.

She leaned against the door and laughed softly when she heard Gyles utter a muffled curse and slam the door as he left the room. She slipped into the bed and closed her eyes. Her head did hurt and she could do with a short nap and a bath. Serena's eyes clouded—Gyles would be in the hall by now, surrounded by the other knights and, inevitably, adoring women. The scene was vivid in Serena's imagination. Ah, Gyles, my dearest husband, tonight I shall make sure you have eyes for none other than myself. And I will make you want me as badly as I desire you! Serena drifted into sleep with a bewitching smile on her lips.

* * *

Gyles was in a strange mood according to the guests who knew him. He smiled and jested, laughed at the bawdy jokes that made the rounds, and ignored the overtures made him by the ladies present—much to everyone's surprise. Beda attempted to press her attentions upon him, and Gyles brushed her clinging hand away as if it was an insect that annoyed him. His eyes traveled constantly to the staircase—eager, expectant, burning a brilliant green in his bronze face.

"Are you waiting for your bitch of a wife to appear, Gyles?" Beda hissed. "No doubt she's found someone else to occupy your spot in her bed." Beda smiled venomously when Gyles finally turned his attention on her, the scar on his face was white and his jaw tense. Beda leaned toward him to whisper conspiratorially. "I have heard that she welcomes the knight Godwin to her chamber. For that alone you should kill him and divorce her!" Surprising her, Gyles threw back his head and laughed, unshared amusement clear in his eyes. "I should not think your wife's unfaithfulness a source of humor, Gyles."

Gyles controlled his mirth with an effort. "Not that it concerns you, Beda, but whenever Godwin has visited Serena, I have been present. In truth, all three of us are the best of friends." Beda's mouth closed with a snap and she made to depart, but Gyles halted her. "I have received an offer for your hand that I am considering. How look you upon Sir Arthur of Darnley?"

"Gyles, you would not!" Beda's eyes were incredulous. "I have no wish to marry again."

"What you wish does not signify, Beda. When you marry Arthur, all your dower lands go with you and he is most satisfied with the terms of the bargain."

"You are doing this only to be rid of me!"

"True, Beda. One widow here is enough. Hopefully someone will offer for Mara soon."

"Then you and that Saxon slut will have Camden all to yourselves," Beda interrupted.

"Guard your tongue, Beda. Serena is my wife and I will not have you sharpening your, tongue at her expense. Besides," Gyles eyed Beda speculatively, "I doubt we shall be alone long, children have been known to happen."

"You think Serena will bear your children?" Beda jeered. "Do not raise your hopes, for her skill with herbs can easily find a potion to keep her barren. No matter how you may sweat over her, Serena will give you no heirs." Beda's words had an ominous ring to Gyles, and he paled beneath his tan. Satisfied, Beda left Gyles to his thoughts.

Determinedly, Gyles pushed Beda's vile words from him. Serena—she was not capable of doing such a thing, even if she bore no love for the child's father. He was sure that Serena did bear him some affection, she had nearly told him so. But Alan's mother had sworn she loved me, Gyles mused, yet she wished to destroy Alan before his birth. Why must I always doubt, why can I not believe in Serena? Must I forever believe the worst of others? Beda seeks only to further her own ends. Serena fights me, true, but only when she feels I am wrong. Serena, Gyles thought desperately, come to me, I have need of you! I begin to doubt what I have found!

As if in response to his plea, Serena appeared at the head of the stairs, her eyes searching the hall for her husband. Her smile when she found Gyles was brighter than the candles that lit the hall, and his fears began to recede. Serena made her way slowly into the hall and to Gyles, pausing now and then to exchange pleasantries, allowing Gyles to feast his eyes upon her. Serena had dressed with special care, choosing one of her gowns that was cut to reveal the soft texture of her breasts. Circling her neck was a necklace of delicate gold links—Gyles's wedding gift to her, which she had never worn—and her hair was caught up to the top of her head with ribbons so that the sun-touched curls cascaded down her back and shoulders. His breath caught in his throat as Gyles watched Serena—hips swaying gently—approach him. She stood looking up at him, her subtle fragrance enveloping him. Serena took the goblet from his hand and sipped daintily at its contents, her eyes never leaving Gyles's face for a moment.

"You are playing havoc on the nerves of every man here, Serena," Gyles told her in a low voice.

"Indeed?" Serena questioned archly. She traced the rim of the goblet with a forefinger. "Does that include you, Gyles?" Serena moved closer, so their bodies almost touched. "Or are you immune?"

"That I am not, for I am human, and your nearness stirs me deeply." Gyles spoke lightly, but his mind warred with his urges for control. It would be a long evening indeed if Serena continued to toy with him in this manner.

"You will turn my head with your compliments, Gyles." Serena returned his cup and brushed lightly against him. "I would stay if I could, but I must be about my duties."

Gyles's hand stayed her. "You are playing the tease, Serena."

"Yes, Gyles, but only for you." Serena eyed him consideringly. "I have decided I am far too unworldly and the remedy of that fate is entirely in your hands. You have often been to William's court, tell me," she smoothed the bodice of her gown, "is the cut of my gown proper?"

Her bosom was daringly displayed to Gyles's devouring gaze, and he groaned, "Proper enough, especially if you are intent upon seduction."

"Oh?" Serena chewed thoughtfully on a fingernail. "And my hair—is it all right?"

"Beautiful, Serena."

"Do you think—"

"Enough, Serena! Spare me the rest of your toilet, I beg of you!" It was all Gyles could do to keep from crushing Serena to him as it was without having her question him about her obvious assets.

Serena laughed, softly, "Gyles, I believe I've caused you to blush."

Gyles's face was, in fact, flushed, but not from embarrassment. "Shall I cause you to do the same?" He grinned down at her. "I can, you know—remember our wedding day? Since then I've learned a great deal more about what can bring the color to your cheeks."

Serena pinkened but laughed good humoredly, "Shall we attend our guests together, Gyles? That should save us both from embarrassment."

The evening passed with Serena never out of arm's reach of Gyles, which caused his men to nudge each other knowingly. The harsh words and strained behavior previously common between Gyles and Serena had disappeared and the glances they exchanged could almost be called loving. Where before Gyles had ignored the men who flocked to range themselves about Serena, he now warned them off with looks that caused their blood to chill.

"What's gotten into him?" one of the younger knights sulked to Edward. " Tis impossible to have a word with Lady Serena without being interrupted by Gyles."

Edward had noted his lord's changed behavior and —believing it a good thing—smiled into his ale. "Why should you wish a private word with the lady? She will grant you nothing beyond a smile and a few kind words, despite what you may hope." The younger knight flushed dully as Edward continued. "My advice is to turn your attentions to one of the serving maids; you'll have better luck and less chance of having your head separated from your shoulders."

Seated next to her sister, Aurelia was also asking the same question.

"Well, I don't know what's going on!" Beda replied testily. " 'Tis certainly not my fault he's bewitched with her. You're the one who kept assuring me Serena would never lower herself to bed a bastard, remember?"

"Will you keep your voice down! Geoffrey may be old but he's not deaf!" Aurelia plucked nervously at the material of her skirt. "If you don't do something quickly, we're going to have an additional complication. Beda, for the love of God, stop sulking and start thinking. You had Gyles under your control once, do so again."

"I cannot! Since Serena arrived Gyles hasn't had a word to spare for me."

"Has he bedded her yet?"

"How should I know? I can't very well hide under the bed to find out. Or do you propose I simply ask him?" Beda affected a mocking tone. " 'Tell me, Gyles, do you pleasure yourself with Serena often? Is she warm and willing or do you have to use force?' How is that, Aurelia, do you think he will answer?"

"Oh, close your mouth and let me think!" Aurelia snapped. "If Serena gets with child all our plans will be destroyed. Alan is no problem since he could never inherit Camden—you are sure Gyles made no provision for that?"

"Yes. Gyles plans to send the boy to Normandy. He has an estate there and Alan will inherit those lands. Camden plays no part in Alan's future."

"Then you must see to it Serena bears Gyles no legitimate offspring." Aurelia paused, considering. "The potions and tissanes you used so effectively on yourself should do the same for Serena."

"But they must be used early enough and their taste Cannot be disguised."

"Then she must meet with an accident; push her down the stairs or see she falls from her horse, use your brain for once instead of your body," Aurelia said in exasperation.

"You don't appear to be doing all that well yourself," Beda flashed back. "Geoffrey is still up and about and Bryan doesn't sppear to have fallen under your spell! Geoffrey should have been dead by now and Bryan safely ensconced by your side. You were supposed to be with child; either Geoffrey is not performing his husbandly duties, or you are barren!"

"All right, all right! Let's stop these useless recriminations. All you have to do is prevent Serena from giving birth to an heir. Leave Bryan to me." As one, Aurelia and Beda turned their attention to Serena. Feeling their malevolence across the hall, Serena shivered.

Gyles turned to share a jest with Serena, and the smile faded from his lips when he saw her pallor; touching her arm, he felt her shivering. "Serena?" Gyles bent to her with concern. "Are you well? Is it your head? Is it causing you pain?"

"No, Gyles." Serena's lips were stiff. "I don't know ... I suddenly feel cold as death." She gave him a halting smile. "I'm fine; I must be standing in a draught. Some wine will help, perhaps."

"I'll get you some." Gyles disappeared and Serena wrapped herself in her arms. Gyles reappeared and pressed a goblet into her hand. "Drink this." Serena drained the goblet quickly and set it aside. "Better?"

Gyles's brows were still knit together with concern and Serena forced a smile. "Yes, much." The apprehensive feeling was still with her and she felt the need to be safely enfolded in Gyles's anas. "I told you that setting my passions ablaze and then refusing to see them to an end was not healthy." Serena's tone was bantering, but Gyles sensed that something was still amiss, so he drew her to him.

"Trying to escape my evil clutches?" Gyles teased.

" 'Twould serve you right," Serena answered tartly. A little color had returned to her cheeks and she let her eyes sparkle up at him. "Perhaps it should be you who escapes me, Gyles. I may be a vixen waiting to tear you into tiny pieces with my hands."

Serena raised a hand to his chest and Gyles caught it in his own as he bent to her ear. " Tis my fondest wish that what you say is true, Serena ... and I will soon find out."

Richard tore viciously at a chunk of pork. "Look at them!" he snorted in disgust. "Serena's making a fool of herself. Were I any kind of man I would have taken her honor long ago."

"And felt the bite of her dagger as well," Bryan retorted. "Let it go, Richard. Let Serena find some happiness." He studied his sister as she sat laughing with Gyles at the head of the table. When he returned his gaze to Richard, Bryan caught sight of Aurelia watching him. "She's at it again," he muttered.

"What?"

"Aurelia." Bryan nodded in her direction. "She's watching me like some damn hawk."

"You know what she wants, Bryan. Why don't you give it to her?"

"Cuckold my own father? Richard, if you weren't so far into your cups, I'd challenge you for that remark. Besides, the idea of bedding that one is repulsive," Bryan shuddered.

"Well, we all have our problems," Richard shrugged. "And this," he added raising his drinking horn, "is our only solace." Bryan also raised his horn in tacit agreement and both proceeded on the road to oblivion.

"You have not exchanged more than a few words with your father since the tourney began, Serena," Gyles reprimanded softly. "He has sought you often, but you seem to avoid him."

Serena glanced in her father's direction. "We have little to say, Gyles. Harsh words were exchanged before our marriage and I doubt there is a way to bridge that gap."

"Because of me?"

"Not you specifically. The words would have been spoken no matter who was chosen for me."

"Ah," Gyles agreed. "So now he pays the price for your bruised pride?"

"Gyles, that's not fair! You know how I feel—"

"Even though the marriage is not as hateful as you thought it would be, still you would punish the man who gave you life? Your pride is too great, Serena."

"My pride!" Serena's eyes widened. "Compared to you, I look like humility personified." But Serena contemplated his words. At last she sighed. "You are right, Gyles. Tis time I made my peace with him, for in truth he did only what he thought best. But I cannot do so with Aurelia by his side. Will you take her elsewhere, Gyles?"

Gyles's hand covered Serena's. "Of course, cherie, for you I will do anything." Gyles rose and soon he and Aurelia had left the table for the far side of the hall.

Serena left her place to thread her way to where Geoffrey sat. She placed a delicate hand on his shoulder and her voice broke when he turned. "Father? I . . ." Serena fell to her knees before him. "I would ask your forgiveness for . . . for all that has passed between us. My words were spoken in anger, and I—" Serena choked back a sob, "I—"