Lespada (34 page)

She turned to the old lady with a timid smile. “I would hazard to say that you have spent many a moment such as this, watching your menfolk go off to war.”

Katharine nodded faintly. “Many a moment, indeed,” she said quietly. “My father, my brother, my husband and my sons.  It never becomes any easier.”

Devereux’s smile faded. “I have never had to do this before.”

“It will not be the last time.”

Devereux’s gaze lingered on the old woman before returning her attention to the open door and the fog. She stood there, gazing out into it as if hoping to see Davyss suddenly returning.  Her heart hurt for so many reasons that she could not isolate just one; all she knew was that it ached fiercely.  She turned back to Katharine.

“May I speak, my lady?” she asked.

Katharine lifted a thin eyebrow. “Of course. You do need permission to speak to me.”

Devereux gave her a lop-sided smile, somewhat humbled, and continued. “When you and I first met, it was not under the best of circumstances,” she said. “I… I suppose I simply wanted to apologize for the harshness between us on that day. I was not on my best behavior.” 

Katharine’s old lips flickered with a smile. “I seem to remember a very angry woman telling me that she would not marry into a family so entrenched in oppression and politics.”

Devereux half-nodded, half-shrugged. “Forgive me. When you accused me of ignorance, you were correct. I did not know both sides of the situation.”

“And you feel that you do now?”

She nodded faintly, moving to close the massive oak panel. “I believe I am learning,” she said truthfully. “Your son has helped me understand a great deal.”

Lady Katharine took Devereux’s elbow as they moved towards the warm solar, smelling of fresh bread and rushes.  It was the first time that Katharine made a companionable move towards Devereux, who did not take it lightly. She patted the elderly woman’s hand.

“And you have helped my son learn a great deal,” Katharine replied. “I believe this marriage has been good for you both.”

“It has.”

“Excellent,” Katharine said as they entered the solar. “I am pleased to hear this.”

Devereux’s smile broadened as she and Lady Katharine exchanged knowing glances. Silent words of understanding and approval passed between them, establishing the beginning of a relationship between them. By this time, Lucy was on her feet, moving to greet Devereux.  Lady Katharine moved to her favorite chair, ringing a little silver bell for her servants and her dogs.  Devereux went to the table set with fine dishes of food, trying not to become ill at the sights and smells. 

Lucy chattered and Frances remained predictably silent as they broke their fast, but Devereux couldn’t follow the conversation. She was still focused on Davyss, her longing for him growing by the minute. She had grown inordinately attached to the man since his arrival at Thetford and now his sudden absence had her feeling hollow and sad. 

Eventually, Lucy’s prattle pushed her to the point of agitation and she excused herself quickly, retreating to the bedchamber she and Davyss had shared.  Stretching out on the mattress, she could smell him on the sheets and she inhaled deeply.

          The tears quietly came.  She missed him already.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Lewes Castle

May 15, 1264

“He will show you complete absolution and mercy, Davyss,” Hugh’s young face was grave. “It is over. All of it is over. Why must you be so stubborn?”

Davyss wasn’t shackled or bound as some of Henry’s other knights were, something he should have been grateful for. Even now, Philip, Andrew and Edmund were bound and guarded. But they had stripped Davyss of
Lespada
and the rest of his weapons, items that were in Hugh’s possession now. Davyss stood amidst a cluster of tents in the early morning hours, facing off against his brother as chaos went on around them. 

The Battle of Lewes was over on the morning of the fourth day.  The fields surrounding the small town and castle ran red with blood from de Montfort and Henry’s troops, and in the end, it had been a bad decision by Prince Edward and a bright one by de Montfort that led to Simon’s victory.  Even though Henry’s troops were nearly double of Simon’s, the Earl of Leicester had made the smarter choices with the limited men he had. Edward, ever-confident, had failed to listen to Davyss’ advice and it had cost him the battle. Henry and Edward’s men were being corralled and processed, prisoners of war now that the battle was concluded.  It had been a disaster for Henry’s forces and now they were all prisoners, including Davyss.

Davyss answered his brother. “My allegiance is to the king, Hugh,” he said quietly. “I cannot change loyalties as easy as you can.”

Hugh’s face flushed. “I had no choice. I had to pledge to de Montfort or you would have killed me.”

“Do you truly wish to delve into that subject right now? I would advise against it.”

Hugh’s face flushed deeper. “It was not my intention to hurt your wife but she should not have confronted me. Had the woman known her place, none of it would have happened.”

Davyss was starting to lose his cool.  Exhausted and beaten, his patience was limited as they veered off the subject at hand and into very dangerous territory.

“If you say another word about my wife, I will kill you where you stand,” he growled “Do you hear me?”           

Hugh couldn’t help himself, perilous as it was. “I am glad that she is not dead,” he said firmly, extending a hand to his brother to emphasize his point. “Uncle Simon told me that she survived her fall.  But I will not apologize for a confrontation that she started.”

“I warned you, Hugh.”

Hugh’s mouth worked furiously but he wisely heeded his brother’s final warning. It was as far as he dared push him.  He sighed heavily, raking his hands through his dark hair and struggling to get control of himself. He was exhausted, as they all were. It had been a difficult few days.  He eyed his older brother.

“How is your shoulder?” he asked.

Davyss’ hazel eyes regarded his brother before looking away, gingerly rotating his right shoulder. “It is well enough,” he said. “The arrow did not damage anything vital.”

Hugh nodded faintly, his mind still whirling with the situation, with de Montfort’s proposal to Davyss.  He couldn’t help but press the subject; out of desperation, perhaps fear, he couldn’t help it. The world as he knew it was upended and he was frantic to make sense of it.

“Please, Davyss,” he pleaded quietly. “Please consider Simon’s offer. Join us and you will be Simon’s most honored advisor. He offers you the lordship of Uppington, for Christ’s sake.  It is a great honor, Davyss. You know this.”

Davyss looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Uppington?” he repeated. “It is nothing compared to the de Winter holdings and well you know it.  He cannot offer anything that interests me.”

“Nothing?”

“My loyalties cannot be bought.”

Hugh took a few steps back, putting distance between him and his brother, before emitting a piercing whistle. Four big knights standing near Simon’s tent came to Hugh’s side when the man beckoned.  Davyss recognized the knights, men he had known and fought against for years. They were seasoned and strong.  He was curious why Hugh had called them over.

“Listen to me well, brother,” Hugh said with the safety of four heavily armed men at his side. “Simon has loved you all of your life. Your achievements have been a great source of pride. But he has never been able to stomach the fact that you support Henry and Edward. He is willing to go to great lengths to gain your fealty.”

Davyss put his massive fists on his hips. “What does that mean?”

Hugh sighed faintly. “It means that he will use your wife if he has to. He has the means to obtain her.”

Davyss’ expression tensed and his eyes narrowed dangerously.  The enormous fists came off his hips and he began to clench and unclench his hands, working up his building fury.

“If you do not tell me what you mean, I will rip your head from your body,” he snarled. “Your bodyguards will do you no good.”

Hugh put up his hands. “He does not want to do this, Davyss, truly, but he also does not want to see you waste your life. He will do what is necessary in order to save you.”

“Save me?” Davyss repeated, incredulous. “I do not need saving. Now, what in the hell did you mean that he will use Devereux?”

“I will not tell you unless you calm down.”

“Hugh, I swear I will snap your neck and worry over the consequences later if you do not answer my question immediately.”

Hugh struggled not to appear fearful of his brother.   But in that fear was deep curiosity, something he’d not truly felt until this moment. He could see the expression in his brother’s face when he spoke Devereux’s name.  There was something in his tone that Hugh had never heard before. He studied his brother closely for a moment.

“What…,” he started again. “What happened to you, Davyss? Does this woman mean so much to you, then?”

“She does,” Davyss said flatly.

Hugh stared at him, seeing his brother through new eyes. This wasn’t the Davyss he knew.  “Are you serious?” he hissed. “You care for her?”

Davyss could see that Hugh was more focused on his feelings for Devereux than in answering questions about Simon.   Perhaps he needed to take Andrew’s advice; perhaps he needed to be clear with his brother.  Perhaps then Hugh would understand and things might be better between them. He was willing to take the chance.

“I love her, Hugh,” he said, with less fury and more sincerity.  “I love her with all my heart and she carries my child. I cannot express the joy I feel when I am with her because it defies words.  She is everything to me. Does that answer your question?”

Hugh nodded but he still looked stunned. “It does,” he murmured. “But I wish you hadn’t told me.”

“Why?”

“Because it makes Simon’s plan far more effective against you.”

Davyss’ expression hardened again. “You will tell me what he plans to do.’

Hugh paused a moment, taking a deep breath before speaking.  It was clear he was torn. “He has written Mother to know your wife’s whereabouts.”

Davyss struggled to keep his fury in check. “She will not tell him anything.”

“She will if she feels that it will save your life.”

“What do you mean?”

“Now that Simon has captured Henry, your choices are few; either side with Simon and remain free, or remain loyal to the king and become a prisoner as he is.  If Simon holds your wife, which side will you choose? And which side do you think Mother will choose for you?” Hugh shrugged his broad shoulders. “Perhaps he will release you if Mother provides your wife as a hostage against your good behavior.”

Four knights were not enough to prevent Davyss from seriously injuring his brother.  Only a blow to the head from a fifth knight disabled him, enabling the others to restrain him.