Heart's Ransom (Heart and Soul) (34 page)

“Late August,” she replied and bit the inside of her cheek.  Talon was very good with numbers.

A frown blurred his brow then his eyes widened in fear.  “But if...even when we...uh....”  He glanced down at Rose.

“I know, Talon,” Gwen said softly.  “The babe came early.  There was some worry at first, but he is strong and healthy.”

“Have you named him, my solace?”

Gwen blushed.  “William if you approve.”

“William?  After my father?”

“Aye.”

“’Tis a fine name,” he said with a bright grin, and then shook his head.  “I never imagined coming home to find not only one child but two.”  His arm tightened around Rose.  “Why didn’t you tell me in your letter?”

“I...I was afraid, Talon.  I didn’t want you to learn about it like that and if the worst happened...I thought it better if you didn’t know.  And Rose...it was just so complicated and I feared your desire to return home might push you to do something rash.”

He shook his head harshly but if he planned any rebuke, he kept it to himself.  “I just wish I had been here for this.”

“As did I, Talon.  When he came early...I was so frightened.”

“I can imagine,” he set his cup on the table and took her hand in his, then glanced down at Rose.  “Is she asleep?” he whispered.

Gwen cocked her head to look at the girl’s eyes, they were heavy with contentment.  “Almost,” Gwen whispered back.

He smiled warmly.  “She has done this since she was a baby, crawling into my lap the moment I arrive home and falling asleep.”

“She relaxes knowing you’re home safe.”

“Is that it?  I thought I made a comfortable bed.”  He winked at her and took a drink. 

“She has been such a help with William, especially at night.  She’s been staying with me in the solar.”

“She wasn’t...injured in any way was she?”

“Nay.  She had a few nightmares at first but that is understandable.  I discovered I could relate with her quite easily and let her do things on her own.  Unfortunately, she’s still uncomfortable around Nan.”

“Why?”

“Nan has been a bit forceful trying to reestablish their relationship.  She doesn’t understand that Rose needs to regain her own sense of independence - she spent months being bullied by others.”

He nodded.  “I am glad to see you two seemed to be developing a relationship.”

“We have.  Since she came home, we’ve become very close.  I understood a bit of what
she suffered.”

Talon nodded and Gwen knew she would not have to explain her reasons to him.

“She missed you so much, Talon.”

He gazed at her a long moment, his dark eyes concerned.  “She doesn’t blame me for--”

“Nay,” Gwen said firmly, then explained what Rose had overheard from her captors.  “She knew you were searching for her, Talon.  And she is intelligent enough to realize this wasn’t your fault.”

He nodded, his relief obvious and his arms tightening around Rose.

William finished and Gwen deftly shifted him to the other side.

“Are you going to keep me in suspense?”

“Over what?” she asked in confusion.

Talon’s dark eyes sparked with joy as he rested his cheek on the top of Rose’s head.  “How this miracle occurred.  I had feared that with Edward’s victory, her abductors would see her usefulness ended and take her life.”

“My dear Talon, you are going to grow very fond of the name of Brynmor ap Powys.”

His gaze turned flat. “Powys? I thought you had no other family.”

“Brynmor is the young heir my father adopted. It was he who found me on the trail when the mercenaries attempted to kidnap me, it was he who took me to the Templars, and it was he who freed Rose at the risk of his own life.”

Talon's brows flew up his forehead. “Tell me, my solace.”

Gwen took a deep breath and related the tale, leaving nothing out.

Talon shook his head in amazement. “He slew your father?”

“Aye. Until my father adopted him, all he had was his family and that is most precious to him.”

“That, my sweet, is one thing we share in common. I applaud your wisdom in making him steward over Powys.”

“Thank you, Talon.”  William finished feeding and Gwen rose, walking him as she patted his back to burp him.  He belched loudly which caused Talon to laugh silently.  Gwen grinned at him then settled the babe to sleep.  “We should have an hour or two of peace now.”

“Good,” Talon said, his eyes sparking with a wicked gleam.  He picked up a now sleeping Rose and carried her to her room.  Within moments he was back, locking the door behind him. 
He stepped forward and cupped her face in his hands, gazing at her as if he was a man starved and she the finest dessert in all of England.

****

Talon lay back with his arms firmly around Gwen as she nestled on top of him, her head against his chest, her hair cascading over both of them like a thick blanket.  Even with Gwen he had never expected a lovemaking experience so wonderfully intense.  So many changes had come into his life - within moments of arriving home he was no longer the man he had once been.  His gaze fell on the screen separating William’s cradle from the room.

He was a father again and his precious daughter had been returned home.  A family was within his grasp, all he had to do was reach out for it.

“Gwen?” he asked softly, stroking her silky hair.

“Hmmmm?”

“I...uh....” his mind went completely blank.  Still within him was the fear she would deny him and the deepest wishes of his heart.

She lifted her head and gazed down at him curiously.  “Aye?”

For a moment he lost himself in her gaze while he caressed her face and hair.  “We have been doing everything in reverse,” he murmured.

“What do you mean?”

He took a deep breath and summoned his courage.  “Gwen, since I brought you to Montgomery, you have been doing what you do best - healing.  You have healed my life, my family, and ultimately my heart.  I ask you...am I...can I be the knight you spoke of?  I love you.  Is there any possibility you would see me in the fashion of the man you would marry?”

She blinked at him, stunned.  “The man I would marry?”

“Aye.  Would you see me as the knight you described to me that eve on the wall?”

Abruptly tears poured down her cheeks and she shoved herself away, bolting from the bed.  Talon’s heart crashed, sorrow returned to clamp its claws around his soul in chilling bleakness.

“How can you do this to me?” she cried, pain and torment obvious in her voice.  She turned her back on him and covered her face with her hands.  “How can you speak of marriage when you know I am betrothed to another man?”

Talon’s anguish nearly stopped him from truly hearing her words.  The worst had
happened, he had revealed his heart and she had rejected him.

“My father is dead, breaking my betrothal to Fitzalans is
well-nigh impossible.”

Talon blinked, trying to force down his own anguish.  “What?”

“My only future is to reside here, bearing you bastards, while you take an English noblewoman to wife and tear my heart out in the process.”

Suddenly he realized she did not completely understand the situation.  He bounded out of bed and firmly gripped her shoulders, turning her to face him.  “Gwen, look at me.”

She shook with silent sobs.  “I pray, even if you marry, please do not take my son away. Allow me to raise him, please Talon.

“Look at me, my solace.”

She swallowed hard and slowly lifted her face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“First answer my question, Gwen.  Do you see in me the knight you longed to marry?”

“Aye,” she whispered, her voice shaking.  “Don’t you understand, Talon?  You were the knight I spoke of.  I said I had met him - and I did, the day he abducted me on the trail and brought me here.”

Relief washed over him, followed quickly by joy.  “Indeed, I was blind.”

“Pray pardon?”

“I remember wondering if you had met your knight and if the man knew such a beauty pined for him.  I thought him a lucky man.”

A timid smile touched her lips.

He gently brushed her tears away.  “Gwen, there was one benefit of me being forced to fight for Prince Edward.  As reward for my actions, he took it upon himself to dissolve your betrothal to Fitzalans, and granted me your hand.  But I would not force you into this, so I ask again, can you accept me as the knight you would want take in marriage?”

“He...he broke the betrothal?” she asked, her eyes wide.

Talon nodded.  “’Tis royal edict, my sweet.” 

With a soft cry of joy she flung her arms around his neck.  “Aye, Talon, you are my knight.  You always have been.  I want nothing more than to marry you.  I love you.”

He held her tightly, joy again surging within him.  “And I love you, my sweet solace.”

Talon sat in his chair before the hearth in the great hall, holding his sleeping son.  Rose played with her carved horses at his feet.  Beside him sat Gwen, her fingers entangled in his free hand.  Marcus, Aaron, and the Templar, Lucais, had joined them for wine after dinner.  They had pulled their chairs into a circle, speaking quietly.

Talon marveled at the Templar.  Never had he realized he could call on the Order for assistance.  But now it made sense and he kicked himself for not seeing it before.  Although the details of Gwen’s terrible head injury vexed him, he was grateful the Almighty had delivered his betrothed into Brynmor's and ultimately the Templar’s keeping.

Betrothed.

Never had he thought himself to think that word again.  His fingers tightened on Gwen’s and he gazed down at his son.  Good glory, when he thought he had lost everything, he returned home to find he had been gifted with more than he thought possible.

“I was frightened at first, Papa,” Rose interjected as they discussed Brynmor. “I feared I had fallen from one enemy to another.”

“I can well imagine, my dear.”

“I feel absolutely awful about drugging him. He was wounded because of me.”

“Rose,” he said sternly. “I am more impressed you did not trust him blindly. You kept your wits and that courage will serve you well in the future. You had absolutely no way to know if he was friend or foe.”

Rose gazed up at him, her eyes shining with her father's praise.

Lucais cleared his throat.  “Seeing the reunion of this family has been most rewarding.  ‘Tis my firm belief this is what God intended with the marriage vows.”

Talon shot a glance at Gwen who blushed, but no one said anything more.  Although things had not happened normally at Montgomery, all were happy that the long awaited wedding would take place tomorrow.

Talon shook his head in amazement.  “But you were not able to take any of the mercenaries alive?”

“Unfortunately, nay. According to Brynmor four are still alive. We have not been able to find them.”

Talon sighed.  “I respect your wisdom in the matter, Lucais, and I thank you for everything.”

Lucais winked at him.  “We are happy to serve, Earl.”

“Lucais,” Gwen said.  “Tell him about the notes.”

He nodded vehemently.  “The notes the mercenaries used to communicate were written in French, far above the simple education of a mercenary.”

“French?” Talon asked.

“And remember,” Gwen said.  “The notes they sent to you were written in poor English.  I also recall how we discussed your barring from sending men to stop the French invasion.”

Talon nodded.  “And you said that a Frenchman would be motivated to do that.”  He paused and scowled.  There was something he was not seeing here.

“Marcus and I discussed this,” Lucais said.  “We wondered if the notes you received were written in poor English to confuse you, to hide the truth of their benefactor.”

“But why a Frenchman?”

Lucais lifted his hand helplessly.

“I wonder if we will ever get to the bottom of this,” Talon muttered.  Worry nagged him.  Until he knew the threat was eliminated, he wondered if he could ever rest easy in regard to his family.

“What matters now,” Gwen said.  “Is that we are all safe and I know a babe who needs to rest quietly.”

Talon smiled and handed William to her.  “You too, Rose,” he said.  “I’ll tuck you in bed.”

Surprisingly, Rose did not argue but held out her arms to him.

He scooped her up, savoring the feeling of her tucking her head against him.  “Good night, gentlemen,” he said and turned for the stairs.

****

Gwen slowly awoke to the sound of William fussing.  She blinked, surprised not to find Talon in bed with her.  She spotted him sitting in a chair, playing with William.  He looked at her and grinned ruefully.  “I fear there is a need I cannot fulfill,” he said and handed the baby to her.  “He awoke about an hour ago and I tried to entertain him so you could get a bit more sleep but it seems he can no longer ignore his belly.”

“Thank you, Talon,” she said.  “I feel as if I’ll never catch up on sleep.”

Talon stretched, his joints popping.

Gwen stared unabashed at the beautiful body she knew so intimately.  Talon caught her gaze and winked but said nothing and moved to get dressed.

****

Gwen remained in the solar with the baby.  Soon they would gather for the wedding, but Talon had something important to do first.

He took the stairs leading to Eleanor’s room two at a time and unlocked the door.  He lit a candle and approached the portrait, ripping the covering away.

He gazed at it a long moment, the chill in the air lifting the hairs on his arms.  “I know not why you hated me so, Eleanor,” he said, his voice edged with anger.  “Despite what you thought, I did care for you.  I tried my best to give you a good life but you were determined to throw it back in my face.”

Talon paused, sucking in a breath, fighting the powerful emotions raging within him.  “My life is different now.  I have found a woman I love more than life and she loves me in return.  Rose is safe and loved by both of us and my son...my son needs his mother.  I refuse to give up anything, no matter what sort of curse you have placed on me.  Your shade is no longer welcome within these walls.  Good bye, Eleanor, may your soul rest in peace instead of tormenting me.”  He spun on his heel and descended the stairs.

“Marcus!” he bellowed as he entered the great hall.

“Aye?” Marcus called, bounding to his feet.

Talon approached, lowering his voice.  “The items in Eleanor’s room, I want them removed.”

“My lord?” Marcus asked in shock.

“Burn them,” Talon growled.  “Everything.  Leave nothing in that room.  I want it finished by tonight.  I will no longer live in her shadow or under her curse.”

“At once, my lord,” Marcus said quickly and hurried away.

“Wine,” Talon bellowed at a servant who quickly fetched his cup.  He took a long drink and saw Lucais watching him worriedly. He smiled to ease the Templar’s expression.  “Worry not, my friend, this was something that should have been taken care of a long time ago.”

“I know of the...shrine...to the lady.  I must say it vexed me.”

“No longer, Lucais.  Now, it is time to prepare for a wedding.”

****

The wedding and following revel was wonderful.  Talon had never been so happy in his life, not even when he married Eleanor and had no idea what had been in store for him.  But this time he knew it would be different.  He and Gwen had discovered the true meaning of love and family.  She had truly healed his heart.

The next morning, Talon rose from his bed feeling as a new man.  He dressed and descended into the great hall, calling for Marcus and Lucais.

“Sir Lucais, would your men care to train with us in the lists?”

“That will be most enjoyable.  We planned to stay another sennight.  My men are still working to discover who was ultimately behind this plot, but I fear we have found little information.

Talon nodded.  “Come,” he said and escorted the two outside.  Although his knights needed to recover from their battles, his men at arms defending Montgomery needed work and Talon found training, returning to his normal routines, enjoyable.

A sentry on the walls hailed Talon, announcing that men bearing Mortimer’s standard approached.  Upon Talon’s return home, the gates were kept open during the day, but his guards maintained a special vigilance, especially regarding his family.

Talon called a halt to the practice and sheathed his sword.  Why would Mortimer come here?  He would not have to wait long for an answer as Mortimer galloped through the gates, with a very large number of knights.

He hailed Talon as he dismounted.  “Greetings, Montgomery,” he said with a smile.

“Well met, Mortimer.  To what do I owe this visit?”

Mortimer bowed with a flourish, and offered a scroll case.  “Prince Edward asked me to
deliver this on my way home.  ‘Tis your betrothal order in case you needed it in writing.  My understanding is that Fitzalans is livid with the whole scheme.”

““I care not what Fitzalans thinks.  But if he does anything foolish I will flay his hide.”  He broke the seal, quickly scanning the letter, very relieved to note Edward kept his word without any strings attached.  “Thank you, Mortimer.  Come, avail yourself to my table.  I’m sure you must be tired.”

“Thank you,” Mortimer said, turning to a knight standing beside him.  “We have ridden hard and could use the rest before we continue on tomorrow.  Warenne, will you join us?”

Talon froze as the knight lifted his head, a vicious grin stretching his lips.  Talon reached for his weapon at the same moment
Warenne drew his.

“What treachery do you bring within my walls, Mortimer?”

Mortimer gaped at Warenne and quickly stepped back, also drawing his sword.  The bailey resounded with the ring of weapons clearing scabbards as the men followed the lead of their respective lords.

“No welcome for your adversary, Montgomery?”
Warenne asked.

“What mean you,
Warenne?” Mortimer barked.  “You told me you only wished to congratulate Montgomery on his marriage.”

“And so I shall, but he has already claimed the wedding gift I intended to grant him.  How is your precious daughter, Montgomery?”

Talon’s mind spun.  Warenne had been a devout royalist, and after Talon had chased him from the battlefield at Lewes, he had sought sanctuary in France, only returning when Prince Edward mounted his campaign against Montfort.

“You!” he snarled, rage coursing through him.  “You were the one who ordered my daughter’s abduction.  That’s why the notes were written in French.  The mercenaries were your French knights in disguise.”

Mortimer looked from Talon to Warenne in shock.

“I’ll never forgive you for what you did to my cousin,”
Warenne snapped. 

“I did nothing to Eleanor, you fool sod.”

“You hated her!  You made her life a living hell!”

“I did nothing of the sort.  I cared for her but she threw my compassion in my face.”

“She never wanted to be married to you.  And why should she when she loved another?”

Talon hesitated.  “Loved another?”

“Me, you bloody spawn.  We were in love.”

Talon’s eyes widened in horror.  “But...but you are blood.  You are her cousin!”

“Distant cousins.  Our great grandmothers were sisters; we are related only through the female line.  But we were one generation short of the Laterine Council’s decree of blood separation.  Because of a foolish law which Henry did not have the power to overrule - we could not marry and Henry gave her to you instead.”

Because of a foolish law.
  Was that the sole reason why Warenne had become a royalist and so devoutly supported the king and rejected the Provisions?  All because he loved his cousin so greatly?  Talon could barely comprehend it. 

“You are the reason why she’s dead.  You and that foul little spawn she gave birth to.  I swore a blood oath on that day.  I would not rest until I spitted you on my blade and destroyed your family.  The day of reckoning has come, Montgomery, and by its end you will breathe your last.”  He lunged forward and Talon instantly countered the blow.

Suddenly the bailey exploded with fighting.

“To arms!” Mortimer cried.  “House Mortimer joins with Montgomery!  Defeat
Warenne!”

Talon defended but
Warenne had him retreating.  Marcus bellowed orders to the men and Lucais with his Templars also leaped into the fray.

“Marcus!” Talon screamed, his attention focused on his adversary.  “Gwen and the children must be protected!”  He wasn’t sure if Marcus heard him,
Warenne attacked with new ferocity and Talon could only think of staying alive.  His heart screamed in fury.  The viper was before him, his men inside his walls.  Dear God, if he fell, Warenne would kill his wife and his children.

****

Gwen jumped in fear as the sounds of pitched battle resounded from the bailey and echoed ominously through the keep.  “Rose!” she cried.  The little girl sprinted across the hall and seized her hand.

“What’s happening?”

The door to the keep flew open and Aaron barreled through.  “My lady, we are under attack.  Get to the solar and bar the door.”

“Talon,” she cried.  “Where’s Talon?”

“Protecting his keep,” Aaron snapped.  He slammed the door closed and grabbed the bar.  “Get above-stairs, now!”  Before he could settle the bar in place, the door lurched and shot open, slamming into him.  He staggered and threw his weight against it, fighting to close it again.  “Now, lady!”

Gwen grabbed Rose and sprinted up the stairs.  She met Alys holding a crying William at the door to the solar.  “Inside, quickly,” she snarled, pushing the maid and Rose ahead of her.  She slammed the door shut and struggled with the bar.  It finally settled in the braces with a thunk.