Word of Honor (Knights of Valor Book 1) (13 page)

Merryn sank
to the ground, pressing against the wall for support.

Geoffrey
strode from the room without a backward glance.

He abandoned
her.

Again, she
was alone. Had it been only yesterday that she’d seen him for the first time in
ages?

She wanted
to celebrate his return, yet she didn’t know who this new man was. It angered
her that he ran from her. The twins. His responsibilities. She had kept things
going at Kinwick for a long time. Ferand’s illness dragged on for months,
thrusting all duties and obligations on her shoulders. She’d met every
challenge with determination and soaked up knowledge from many individuals as
she learned how to run the estate during his decline.

After
Ferand’s death, she held all in trust for Ancel, who would one day assume
responsibility for it when he came of age. Merryn already taught her son little
things about Kinwick and how to supervise the land and people. He’d proven a
quick learner, and she knew he would be a good lord to the people when his time
came.

Her biggest
problem would be trusting her husband once again. If he returned a second time.

Merryn knew
the physical exterior was Geoffrey, but he seemed to have changed in ways too
numerous to count. Her Geoffrey had been open and in perpetually good spirits.
He radiated confidence and had a positive outlook no matter what task must be
accomplished.

The new
Geoffrey seemed highly emotional. Tense. Nervous. He perceived everything about
him as a threat and the people he should love as his enemies. Only when he
visited briefly with Ancel and Alys had she glimpsed a portion of the man she had
known and cared for.

Merryn
loved the Geoffrey of old. She wondered if she would ever be able to give her
heart to this stranger.

And yet
when she touched him, her blood sang in her veins. Her mind might have trouble
accepting this new man, but her body told a different story.

Would he
trust her enough to touch her again as he had before? Could they recapture the
spark between them?

Only time
would tell.

Her anger
died, leaving uncertainty behind. She thought she should catch up with him in
the stables. Offer to stock the lodge with provisions. But she didn’t want to
make it any easier for him to be away from her and Kinwick.

Merryn
would give him a week. If he hadn’t returned by then, she would go looking for
him. She rose to her feet.

The chamber
door flew open. Elia stumbled in, a wild look in her eye. She ran to Merryn and
clung to her, weeping.

“I saw him.
I saw Geoffrey.” Her voice broke, thick with emotion.

Merryn
stroked her mother-in-law’s back, trying to give her soothing words of comfort.
She led her to a chair and wished she could offer her a cup of wine, but the
remains of it now stained the floor after Geoffrey’s fit of anger.

“I encountered
him in the hallway. I thought ‘twas a ghost at first.” Her eyes widened. “Then
he greeted me. Gave me a swift embrace. And told me he would return soon for
good.”

Merryn took
the older woman’s hand. “I can’t tell you much. Alys and I came upon him in the
forest yesterday. I did not recognize him at first. He knew who he was but not
where he had been all this time. He was so shy. Timid as a deer. Raynor and I
sneaked him into the castle late last night. I cleaned him up as best I could.”

Elia began
to cry again. “He looked like my Geoffrey, but he seemed so distant.”

“I know.”
Merryn squeezed Elia’s hand. “He cannot remember what happened to him. I fear
he suffered a terrible blow to his head which has caused a huge gap in his
memory. We must be patient with him.”

“Where is
he off to?”

“He said he
needs time alone. To adjust to being back. I had to tell him of Lord Ferand’s
death. Of his being a father to twins. ‘Twas much for him to take in.” Merryn paused.
“He will spend a few days at the hunting lodge, gathering his thoughts,” she
added.

“The lodge!
Why, ‘tis the very place I would think he would avoid.”

Merryn
shrugged. “Mayhap being at the place he vanished from might nudge his memory in
some way. Until then, we must grant him the peace and quiet he seeks.”

“But what
are we tell everyone?”

“I shall
handle it, Elia.”

The older
woman took her hands and squeezed them. “You have been burdened by so much, my
dear.”

“Nevertheless,
we must continue on. In fact, I shall write the king with the news and have Sir
Symond deliver it to him.”

Elia left
to lie down, so Merryn gathered parchment, quill, and ink in order to let
Edward know of Geoffrey’s return. She did not want to keep anything from him,
but she was loathe to share her fears and questions about her husband’s return.

Your
Majesty—

I hope you
will not mind that I have sent this missive with Sir Symond. I know you sent
him ahead to Kinwick for a certain purpose, but ‘tis no longer relevant, for I
have the best of news to share with you.

Geoffrey
has returned to Kinwick.

I know not
where he has been, but ‘tis obvious he has suffered much. He is currently
resting and should be healthy and whole by the time of your arrival at our
humble estate.

I wanted to
inform you of this miracle, something that I prayed for every day for many
years. Because he has returned to us, I deemed it inappropriate for Sir Symond
to be present at Kinwick. I would not want Geoffrey to know that this man was
to be my suitor and his replacement in our marriage bed. I trust this good
knight will return to your service and that you will find him an appropriate
wife in due time.

We look
forward to the visit of the royal court in June.

Merryn read
over what she had penned and then hastily scrawled her signature to it before
she sealed it with wax. She realized the missive was vague, but she did so on
purpose. It would inform Edward of the situation and definitely intrigue him,
but it would probably infuriate him that she had provided no details.

More than
anything, she hoped by the time the king arrived at Kinwick that Geoffrey would
have fought through whatever inner demons he struggled with.

Merryn did
not want to delay the inevitable. She went downstairs to the Great Hall, hoping
Raynor would have brought Symond back for the noon meal.

When she
arrived at the doors, Tilda rushed to her. “My lady. The castle is buzzing with
gossip.”

“I know
why.” She met Tilda’s eyes. “I cannot address the matter at this time. Let the
people know I will shortly. For now, I have urgent business to attend to.”

She stepped
aside and entered the room. Merryn found the two men sharing a cup of ale as
servants pulled the trestle tables from the walls to accommodate those coming
in from the fields.

She greeted
them and then asked, “Might I have a word with you, my lord?” looking at Symond,
who gave her a smile.

“Of course,
my lady.” He stood.

“Follow
me.”

Merryn took
him to a small room that was used to keep the estate’s records. She motioned
him in and closed the door behind them.

“Please,
have a seat.”

He studied
her with interest. “I think not. You have something on your mind, Lady Merryn,
and a scroll in hand. I fear I would not have the time to make myself
comfortable before I left.”

“You are
perceptive indeed, sir.” She handed him the missive. “’Tis meant for the king’s
eyes, but I must share with you what I have penned within it.”

He glanced
at the scroll. “If ‘tis the king’s business, then I have no need for knowledge
of its contents.”

“But you
do, Sir Symond. For ‘tis something that involves you.”

He frowned.
“Of what do you speak?”

Merryn
swallowed. “I have no easy way to give you this news. I know not how you may
perceive it, given the circumstances of why you have come to Kinwick. But I
think ‘tis best if I speak plainly, so you will have no questions.”

“Go on.”

“My husband
. . . he has returned to Kinwick. He was not dead as we feared. I have informed
the king of this extraordinary news, and I wish you to deliver it to him at
once.” She looked upon him and saw the dawning realization in his eyes at how
it affected him personally.

“I know you
came here with high hopes of our making a match, but ‘tis impossible now. I
hope you can understand that your presence would make Geoffrey uncomfortable
once he learned of the true reason you visited. I think it best for you to
leave at once to deliver this message.”

Symond
seemed lost in thought. Merryn let the silence linger a bit, then she spoke.

“I shall
leave you here to collect yourself. I will notify the kitchen to prepare you
provisions for the road.” She placed a hand upon his sleeve. “I am sorry your
journey here did not work out as you had planned. I do hope you’ll return as a
member of the king’s guard when he comes to call next month. We would be most
happy to receive you.”

The knight
stood stoically, his jaw firm. “I shall follow the king’s orders. Whatever they
may be.” He bowed to her. “I must gather my things and be off, my lady.” He
reached for her hand and placed a kiss upon it, his beard tickling her
knuckles.

“A fond
farewell, Lady Merryn.”

“Godspeed,
Sir Symond.”

She watched
him exit the room. Her heart ached for him. Here he thought he would soon have
a wife. A home. A family and the possibility of more children in the future.
And all of that had been torn from him, through no fault of his own.

Merryn
walked to the door. Her twins stood in the corridor, their eyes full of
questions that she didn’t know how to answer.

She bent
and brought them close. She lived for these children. She would make sure that
above all else, they would remain safe and happy.

“Come. I
must speak to those gathered in the Great Hall.”

Merryn
decided she had waited long enough for Geoffrey to return to Kinwick. She had
waited through all the years he fostered with Sir Lovel, especially the five
years after their betrothal when he’d fought with the English armies in France.
She’d spent one glorious night with him before losing him the next
afternoon—again, for a space of years.

She refused
to bide her time any longer.

She also
tired of the castle buzzing with questions about their master’s return. Even
the twins had grown tiresome as they begged her to tell more stories of their
father and wondered when he would come home to them. Elia alternated between
weeping and moping.

Three days
of it had driven Merryn to the brink of madness.

Whether
Geoffrey liked it or not, she would fetch him home. These past few days
stretched almost as long as the years they’d been apart. She would wait no
longer. The well-being of her marriage and their family’s future were at stake.
‘Twas time they came together.

She hoped
in more ways than one.

Merryn
shared with Tilda alone where she headed. She did not need anyone talking her
out of her decision or giving her unwanted advice.

She came
around the corner and entered the stables, where she had Destiny saddled for
her. The stable boy, usually talkative by nature, must have read her mood. He
readied her horse without conversation and helped her mount the steed, only
wishing her a good day as she rode out.

Merryn made
her way through the inner and outer baileys. She signaled for the gate to be
opened and rode through with a friendly wave. She hadn’t ridden her horse these
past three days, and Destiny itched to gallop. She let the horse have his head.
He took off, racing across the meadow.

She heard hoof
beats behind her and glanced over her shoulder. Raynor chased her down. She
reined in her horse as they reached the edge of the meadow and waited.

He soon
pulled up beside her and gave her a withering glance.

“So you’re
off to drag him home? And alone, at that.”

Merryn
frowned. “He’s my husband, Raynor. And he needs to be at home, surrounded by
those who love him.”

“He
was
at home, Merryn. And he took off again faster than a fox fleeing from the
hunt.”

Merryn
tamped down her frustration, knowing Raynor only had concern for her. “I refuse
to argue with you. I cannot defend his actions. I cannot begin to understand
what he has experienced whilst gone from our midst. But I want him home. Now.”

Raynor
reached out and put a hand atop hers as it rested on the pommel. “At least let
me escort you there. After what happened with Geoffrey at the hunting lodge, I want
to make sure you arrive safely.” He gave her a long look. “I don’t know what
I—what Kinwick—would do if you vanished while on your mission of mercy.”

She saw his
point. Until they learned what occurred at the hunting lodge that day and why
Geoffrey disappeared for so long, it would be good to have his escort.

“I shall agree
as long as you let me appear in his sight alone. I do not want him to feel
trapped nor spooked by my arrival.”

He gave her
hand a squeeze. “Whatever you wish, Merryn.”

They rode
in silence during their journey. As they neared the clearing where the hunting
lodge stood, Merryn’s stomach twisted. She had never returned to the structure after
that long-ago day. The thought pained her, even as she saw Mystery tethered to
the same spot he had been on that day.

Raynor
pulled up his horse, and she did the same.

“I shall
wait here for an hour before I return to Kinwick. If Geoffrey refuses to
accompany you home, we can return together.” He shook his head. “I hope you
know what you are doing.”

“I do.” She
gave him a curt nod and spurred Destiny on into the clearing.

Merryn
arrived at her destination and climbed from her horse, leading him by the
reins. Mystery nickered to them, and she fastened Destiny’s reins next to the
other horse. The pit of her stomach sank. She flashed back to the last time
both these horses stood together at this very spot. She clutched Destiny’s mane
as a wave of nausea overcame her, needing it for support.

It passed
after a minute, and she patted the horse fondly. Merryn started toward the building
and then heard a noise coming from behind the lodge. She followed it.

She rounded
the corner and saw Geoffrey chopping wood. He faced away from her, stripped of
his gypon and cote-hardie. She watched the ripple of muscles across his naked
back as he swung the ax. Desire stirred within her.

He slammed
the ax into a stump of wood and brushed his arm across his forehead. He rubbed
his eyes. She thought he looked weary from the task.

Then he
stopped, staring at something in the distance. He began walking and then bent
down. He picked a single woodland flower and brought it to his nose.

The gesture
tore at her heart. Without thought, Merryn ran to him. As she reached him,
Geoffrey turned. His eyes lit up, and it suddenly seemed as if no time has
passed at all.

Wordlessly,
he bowed and offered her the wildflower. Before she could take it, he teased
her with it, brushing it lightly under her nose, tickling her. Merryn laughed
with joy.

And then
stopped.

She saw the
heat flame in his eyes as he looked at her. They stood close. Merryn’s eyes
swept over his bare chest, glistening with sweat. She reached a hand out and
placed it against where his heart beat rapidly.

“Merryn.”
His voice, thick with emotion, jolted her. Her knees wobbled. Before she
crumbled, Geoffrey pulled her into his arms.

And kissed
her.

The kiss
wrote their story in a matter of seconds. One of longing and desire. Of want
and need. Of greediness and impatience. Merryn tasted a bitter sweetness. The
cruelty of their long separation. And the ecstasy of their coming together once
again.

Her fingers
worked their way into his hair, gripping the wavy locks. His hands roamed her
back, went to her hair, caressed her neck and breasts, clutched her waist. They
wandered to her back again and cupped her buttocks, pulling her closer.

Geoffrey’s
mouth grew more insistent, demanding all her attention, branding her as his.
Merryn gave into the kiss with a joyful heart, feeling her husband had truly
returned to her.

Without
warning, he swept her from her feet. She laughed against his mouth and sensed
his own smile. She tightened her arms about his neck as he brought them to the
lodge’s door and opened it. He kicked it closed and released her, pressing her
against the same door, capturing her wrists and lifting them over her head. He
held them high above her, her arms stretched to the ceiling, as his body moved
against hers.  

His mouth
began a new assault on hers, almost as if he went to war and had determined he
would be the victor no matter what the cost. Again and again his tongue
attacked, thrusting in and out, dominating her.

One hand
grabbed both her wrists and enslaved them, freeing his other. Geoffrey dragged
it through her long locks, stroking her neck, then finding her breast. He
palmed it, kneading it, as his lips finally tore from hers and trailed down her
long, slender neck, sending shivers of delight through her.

Her nether
regions pounded fiercely, beating stronger than a drum as his hand moved lower.
It moved slowly along her ribcage and then across her stomach before it dropped
lower. Geoffrey cupped her through her clothing. Merryn whimpered, the
throbbing stronger than anything she’d experienced.

Suddenly,
he released her hands, his fingers dancing as he unlaced the side of her
surcoat. Within seconds, he’d loosened it and pulled it and her kirtle over her
head. Now she wore only her smock and hose. Her shoes had been lost somewhere
along the way.

With a
gleam in his eye, Geoffrey’s fingers ran along the edge of the smock, dropping
to touch the rise of her bare breasts underneath. A shudder ran through Merryn.
He bent and kissed the curve, then his lips dropped to her nipple. He licked
it, the thin fabric between them. She shuddered again as his teeth teased her
nipple, dragging back and forth. She moaned, her fingers tightening in his
hair, pulling him closer.

His head
lifted a moment as his fingers drew the smock from her shoulders, pulling it to
her waist. Once again, his mouth fastened onto her breast, his tongue quick as
lightning, driving her to the point of insanity.

Then the
smock was tossed aside, and Merryn wore only her hose, gartered at each knee.

“You are
more beautiful than before,” Geoffrey told her, awe in his voice. He gazed up
and down her body, and Merryn felt the blush rising. She wiggled, uncomfortable
at the attention.

“Do not be
embarrassed, my love. I only admire your perfection.” He gave her a wicked
grin. “And I must partake of that perfection—else I shall perish.”

He quickly
doffed what clothes he still wore, and she drank in his body. Her hands ran
across his chest, familiarizing herself again with it. They dropped to his
erection, and she stroked it. He gasped and pulled her hands away.

“I cannot
wait any longer. I must have you, my love.”

Geoffrey
lifted her by the waist, and Merryn’s legs wrapped around him. He leaned her
against the door as he entered her in a single, quick motion. She gasped, her
nails digging into his shoulders, tightening with each thrust. The throbbing
raged out of control now as he pushed into her, over and over.

Without
warning, a burst of sunlight came from within her, spreading its glowing warmth,
filling her as he did. Their exuberant cries joined in unity. Merryn clung to
Geoffrey, overwhelmed by the physicality of their coupling as much as the
emotions tearing through her.

He brushed
his fingers tenderly against her neck and her face, resting his palms against
her cheeks as he kissed her deeply. He broke the kiss and smiled at her.

“I hope
you’re ready to come home,” she teased.

“More than
ready,” Geoffrey replied. “But I think we should practice our love play a few
more times before we return. I would not want all of Kinwick to hear your
screams of passion. We shall practice till you can control yourself.”

 Merryn
threw back her head and laughed.