Chapter Forty

R eina went about her duties that afternoon feeling a good deal of smugness. Learning that Ranulf had taken his father out for a tour of Clydon only increased that feeling. He might not like her methods, but at least they bore results. He was reconciled with his father. The bitterness that had long festered inside him would be gone, leaving him a happier man, and thereby one easier to deal with. Could she pat herself on the back, she would have done so.

She spent some time with Walter and apprised him of what had happened, both yesterday and today. She no longer worried about his wounds. He had developed no fever, and Florette was keeping close attendance on him, which had much to do with why he was not complaining about the needed bed rest. In a week he should be up and about, though he would still have to go easy for a while.

It had been a surprise, however, to recall the prisoners, Warhurst, and Lord Richard in the telling. She could not even answer Walter’s questions, for she did not know whether Ranulf had sent a man to Warhurst as he had intended. He had as like forgotten, too, considering all that had happened this morn.

She still could not believe Lord Richard was capable of such despicable tyranny. She decided to speak with the outlaw leader herself, and did, but came away unconvinced. Yet the man was so very sincere, he did manage to plant a few doubts and “what ifs,” but not enough to matter. It came down to her own instincts, which rarely failed her, as well as her father’s keen judgment of character, which was even less fallible. He had liked Richard, had approved of him as a husband for her. They could not both be so wrong about a man.

Reina did not brood on it for long. That smugness was still there to make her think of other things, her husband in particular. She was not going to let Ranulf forget that he owed her his gratitude, especially since he had come so close to punishing her instead. He would not have admitted it, but she had known he carried deep feelings for his father despite the resentment that was on the surface. The man would never have been able to hurt him otherwise.

Reina was back in the hall when they returned and had an opportunity to watch them cross the long room unawares. The difference in manner was remarkable. They laughed, they touched, they were as two never separated, and in looks, they were more like brothers than father and son. Verily, Hugh was not even two score in years yet. He was a man any maiden Reina’s age or even younger would look on with favor—just as her husband was. And as usual, every woman in her hall was doing just that. ’Twas something she would simply have to get used to, she supposed.

A nod to a servant brought forward a platter of sweetmeats and cheese. She had not forgotten that neither man had touched his dinner earlier, and supper would not be ready for a while yet. She had satisfied her own hunger with a simple trip to the kitchens, where she had also collected Lady Ella. It was a veritable devil inside her that made her toy with the idea of introducing the cat to Ranulf’s father. The only thing that decided her against it was the risk that Hugh might not see the humor in the name Ranulf had chosen for his scrawny cat. She did not want to upset this boat she had set on such a steady course.

Lady Ella was now curled at her feet by the hearth, having held no grudge over losing her sleeping quarters. At least she was still as friendly as ever whenever Ranulf was not around. But his voice woke her ere he was even half across the room, and she went bounding toward him to leap into his arms. Typical. Heaven forbid he should happen to see her resting companionably at someone else’s feet.

Reina wondered if Ranulf felt at ease enough with his father to introduce the cat. Whether he did or not, she did not think the matter of a name had come up, though they were talking cats as they drew nearer.

“Nay,” Hugh was saying. “I have become accustomed to them over the years. My wife has three that she even allows in our chamber. I have tried numerous times to get them ousted, but with no luck.”

“My lady could tell you just how to get rid of them, for she managed to oust mine right quickly.”

“Ah, but what works for her would not work for me, or have you not realized yet that though we men have the final say, our ladies will win most every argument in the end to get what they want.”

“Bite your tongue,” Ranulf retorted, though there was laughter in his violet eyes. “I expect to win at least half the arguments in this household—one way or another.”

Reina was blushing by the time they reached her. That was not a discussion she cared to hear or get involved in.

“Did you have a pleasant ride, my lords?”

“Indeed,” Hugh replied. “Though I must confess I was hoping to find a few areas where my advice might be needful for improvements. Instead I learned a thing or two I intend to implement on my own lands. You have my compliments, lady. Clydon is as prosperous as I had heard.”

“That is to my father’s credit, not mine,” Reina replied. “He was at heart a farmer, and loved the land.”

“And his daughter is too modest,” Ranulf added. “She has kept the entire estate running so well there is little for me to do other than see to its defenses.”

“Do not belittle the importance of that, my lord. It takes only a single act of aggression to lay waste to years of hard work.”

Hugh grinned. “She has you there, Ranulf. No demesne can prosper long without a lord capable of protecting it. I am sure the lady took that into consideration ere she allowed herself to be ‘smitten’ by your charms.”

Ranulf guffawed with laughter. Reina smiled herself. “So you told him of our unusual courtship, did you?”

“He managed to wrest a few details from me,” Ranulf admitted as he dropped Ella on the bench beside her.

“I can well imagine which ones,” Reina snorted, though she was in fact amused. “But come, rest yourselves.” She stood up to pour them each a goblet of wine. Handing one to Hugh, she said, “I do not intend to be remiss in my duties again, my lord. I have a chamber readied for you do you care to refresh yourself before the evening meal. Theodric will show you the way when you are—”

“Theodric will not,” Ranulf interrupted sharply. “Lady, you would not dare.”

“Would not dare what?” Reina asked sweetly. “Eadwina awaits to assist your father. Theo will only show him the way to the east tower when he is ready.”

“Oh,” was all Ranulf said to that.

“Is something amiss?” Hugh asked.

“Not at all, my lord,” Reina assured him, picking up her own goblet, but sparing a wry smile for her husband. “And now I would like to propose a toast. To new beginnings—” She paused, and her smile turned to a satisfied smirk. She really could not help it. “—that need only a tiny nudge to get started.”

Hugh chuckled. Ranulf did not. And then a new voice was heard from that gave Reina a start, as well as her father-by-marriage.

“I hope I am not interrupting.”

“This is a surprise, Richard,” Hugh said, and he was indeed surprised, uncomfortably so under the circumstances. “I believe you are well acquainted with my son, Lady Reina?”

Reina did not answer. She had spewed her wine as she made the connection and was now busy choking. She sat down heavily but was quick to wave away Ranulf’s assistance. She did not care to be pounded on the back by him and end up sprawled on the floor just now. He, fortunately, did not yet realize who Richard was—other than he was his brother.

“Are you all right, lady?” both Hugh and Richard asked.

“Indeed,” Reina rasped and set her goblet down. “A bad brew,” she added by way of explanation.

Hugh nodded and glanced at Ranulf, but as he looked only mildly curious over this turn of events, Hugh gave his attention back to Richard. “How is it you discovered I was traveling to Warhurst?”

“I did not,” Richard replied. “Actually, I was on my way to Lyonsford, but wanted to pay my respects to Lady Reina, as I have not visited Clydon for sometime. I was not aware you were acquainted with the lady, father.”

“I was not, until this morn. My baggage wain broke down, or I would not have stopped here, with Warhurst so close.”

Reina was not paying attention to this conversation. She was watching her husband and knew the moment his ignorance ended. He was sitting next to her on the bench, so that she heard his sharp intake of breath and the even louder expulsion. Then his eyes came to her, glowing with furious accusation, and she could do no more than flinch.

Well, ’twas her own fault. Had she been paying attention when Gilbert introduced Hugh to her, she would have known he was not only Ranulf’s father but Richard’s, too, and she could have given Ranulf warning. Lyonsford, the very family her own father had approved an alliance with, and she had made that alliance unawares.

This was too funny, though she did not dare laugh just now. She had wanted to marry one brother, had ended up marrying the other, and did not even know it—and neither did they. And now her husband thought she had deliberately tried to keep the truth from him and would continue to think so until they were alone and she could explain. Nay, why should she wait? They were all family, after all.

“’Tis not what you think, Ranulf, so you can stop scowling at me like that. I was so surprised when your father walked in here this morn that I did not hear him introduced to me. ’Tis as simple as that.”

“Is it?” he growled.

“Very well, give me one reason why I would not tell you your brother is now your neighbor if I knew it. You were like to find out soon enough, if your father did not tell you first, so why should I keep it from you?”

“For spite.”

“I am not Lady—” Jesú , she almost said “Anne,” but she was not supposed to know of her, and she could not betray Walter’s confidence. “Never mind,” she finished stiffly, annoyed that she could offer no better defense, further annoyed that she should need one. “If you think that, then you do not know me at all.”

There must have been enough disappointment in her voice to make an impression, for the moment she turned away, Ranulf’s hand drew her back. “I am sorry,” he said gruffly, and she knew it was not just words, that he actually was. He looked too embarrassed not to be. “There is just too much converging on me at once here.”

She knew exactly how he felt, and so smiled encouragingly. “Naught that cannot be dealt with, my lord.” And then she leaned closer to whisper, “The key is to take the situation in hand and assume control of it—like this.” His alarmed look made her add, “Relax. You will not be on the receiving end this time.”

Reina turned to the two men still standing. They had ceased their own conversation, though how much they had heard of hers she could not guess. But Richard did not look at ease, not in the least.

He was a half foot shorter than his father, with curly brown hair and gray eyes usually as merry as Searle’s, but there was no humor in them now. Hugh was right: this son of his bore absolutely no resemblance to him. That was not unusual. What was unusual was the striking resemblance Ranulf bore to Hugh, which Richard could not mistake. He had once told her that he had cousins and uncles on his father’s side whom he had never met. Had he assumed Ranulf to be one of these when he first saw him, she could understand his disconcertion now if he had heard her say they were brothers. Even if he had not heard that, suspicions would not be long in coming.

“Well, Lord Hugh, as well as your father managed to keep Ranulf a secret from Richard’s relatives, you must allow the secret is now ended. Do you intend to introduce your sons to each other, or should I?”

Suspicions might have been forming, but confirmation sent Richard stumbling toward a seat. Hugh frowned at Reina, but she ignored him, ignored Ranulf, too, who was also frowning at the abruptness of her disclosure. She was more interested in Richard’s reaction, which was not just surprise, but alarm. Now why should that be? He was his father’s heir, so named in his will. Did he think that would change now? He might, if he thought his father also had only just discovered Ranulf’s existence.

“You really did not know, did you, Richard?” she asked more gently, remembering belatedly that this man had always been a friend to her.

“Nay,” he replied, and looked to his father. “Did you?”

“For many years now,” Hugh admitted.

“And you never thought to tell me? You did not think I would find it of interest to know you have another bastard, one older than I?”

He made this heated accusation in a tone and expression so unlike himself that Reina was startled. Ranulf was not, she saw, but of course Ranulf did not know Richard’s usual easygoing manner. Hugh was not surprised either, however, so mayhap he had been witness to such an outburst before. But Reina had not been, and this Richard was so different from the one she knew that she was forced to recall all the outlaw had told her in a new light. She had thought it impossible that Richard could be of two such different characters, but in fact it was not.

“I never found a reason to tell you,” Hugh was saying. “Due to unfortunate misunderstandings, I have been estranged from Ranulf all these years.”

“And now you are not?” Richard demanded.

“I am pleased to say that is so,” Hugh replied, and then more sharply, “Your upset is understandable but uncalled-for, Richard. This does not change your own circumstance. What I was coming to Warhurst to tell you does, however. You learn today that you have not only a half brother but also a half sister, Elisabeth, born to my lady wife last month.”

Richard paled at this news. Reina glanced quickly at Ranulf to see he was not surprised. Hugh had obviously already told him he had a sister, and he was not in the least displeased. Well, it did not matter to him one way or the other, did it? But to Richard it did, and where an estate the size of Lyonsford was concerned, it no doubt mattered a great deal.

But Hugh was not finished. “The terms wrested from me at your birth, Richard, were unreasonable and never meant to fully apply. That my wife remained barren for so long mayhap has led you to anticipate more from me, but that is not to be. I gave you Warhurst. You needs be satisfied with that.”

“Why? Because ’tis more than a bastard should expect? You forget who my grandfather was!”

“Nay, I do not forget,” Hugh said coldly, finally giving reign to his displeasure with this son. “’Twas my father who gave a damn, not I.”

Richard could not deal with all of this at once. A sister was not real to him. A baby, and babies died. Ranulf was real, however; there, watching him make a fool of himself, which he could not seem to help.

“And what do you give to him , father?” Richard sneered, glaring furiously at Ranulf.

He paled again, however, when Ranulf stood up to accept the unspoken challenge. Reina stood up, too, to step between them. There would be no fighting in her hall if she could help it. But ’twas Hugh who defused the sudden tension.

“Not that it is any of your concern, Richard, but what I give to him was given long ago, when he reached his tenth year, so ’tis no longer a part of Lyonsford. The transaction was approved by the king, the property to be turned over to Ranulf when he reached twenty years and five. ’Tis no town like Warhurst, merely a small keep, but I know for a certainty he will be well satisfied.”

“Will be?” Richard laughed derisively, obviously seeing some humor in this. “You waited this long to even tell him?”

Reina could have kicked the young lord. Sweet Jesú , had she really thought to many him, this greedy, vindictive, whining boy-man? More and more she was beginning to give credence to the prisoner’s tale.

She said in a whispered aside to Ranulf, who stood behind her, “He told you of Elisabeth. Did he give you warning of this, too?” He did not answer, forcing her to turn enough to see him. His expression was answer enough. “So he did not,” she hissed.

Once more Reina could not help feeling an unreasonable anger toward his father. Richard had been gifted with Warhurst when he was only eighteen, to do with as he would, but Ranulf had been given an even smaller property, and not told of it at all. And he still could not have it, not until he was twenty years and five. Not that he needed it now, but what kind of reasoning was that, to make him wait? He could have made use of it before, could have won a wife with it, started a family…and she would not have met him. Jesú , what was she getting angry about? Hugh’s reasoning, whatever it was, had worked to her benefit, if not to Ranulf’s.

Still, Ranulf was to have had no more surprises here. She had been lax in letting the talk get away from her control. Hugh too noticed Ranulf’s adverse reaction and came closer, so close that Reina was near pressed between them. Not that they should notice her way down there. Sometimes a lack of height was a very real disadvantage, which she had never felt so keenly as just then.

“You hold it against me?” Hugh asked Ranulf carefully. “I was told that you might when I made the decision, but I had my reasons. I did not want you to be satisfied with your lot and strive no further to improve it. You were so like me, Ranulf. I wanted to see how you would fare on your own first.” And then he grinned, that pride Reina had earlier detected in him there for Ranulf to see now. “I would say you have done right nicely. Farring Cross has become insignificant.”

“Farring Cross!” Ranulf began with a gasp, but ended in a burst of laughter.

Hugh also laughed, and Reina could not for the life of her figure why until he added, “De Millers had the devil’s own time trying to keep you from learning he was only the steward there. ’Twas rather disconcerting for him that you were trying to purchase your own property. He thought surely you would kill him when he was forced to again raise his price to keep you from buying it, but I would not let him tell you the truth.”

Reina squeezed out from between them to shake her head at the irony. Richard did not understand what they found so funny, however.

“You tried to purchase this Farring Cross?” he asked his brother.

“Aye.”

“It must be richer than our father implied, then.”

“Not richer, just in excellent condition and suitable to my needs at the time,” Ranulf said placidly, but suddenly his demeanor changed, as did his voice, which turned mocking. “Unlike you, I did not desire an estate of the extent and magnitude of, let us say—Clydon?”

Reina noted Richard’s distinct unease at this insinuation. She wanted to applaud her husband, but first she would see what further reaction could be wrested from Richard.

“Oh, you poor man,” Reina said to Ranulf. “How unfortunate you should be encumbered with such an estate after all.”

“What estate?” Richard was quick to demand.

“You see, Lord Hugh,” Reina chided gently, “you should have introduced them as I suggested; then Richard would already know that his brother is Lord of Clydon.” And to Richard, whose face was swiftly crimsoning with fury: “We were wed less than a sennight ago.”

“But he is a bastard!” Richard exploded. “How could you marry a bastard?”

There it was, more clear than if he had come right out and admitted the truth. He had assumed she would not have him because he was a bastard, and so had decided to take her by force. But Ranulf’s fortunate arrival had ruined his plans. She wondered if Richard had thought to try again, mayhap today even, and that was really why he was here. Some pretext to get her to leave Clydon with him, and he would have had her. Too bad he had not thought of that first. Nay, not too bad—thank God.

“I do not see what the circumstances of Ranulf’s birth have to do with it,” Reina said calmly enough, though her eyes had become frigid. “Verily, did that matter, I would not have considered you for my husband first.”

“What?” he fairly shrieked.

“’Tis true, Richard. I sent you numerous letters, both to Warhurst and to Lyonsford. Had you come to Clydon as I requested, you might have agreed to my proposal, and I would be wed to you now instead of your brother. But I was pressed for time, you see, and needed a husband right quickly. I knew not where you were and could not wait indefinitely to hear from you. So when I met Ranulf last week and found that he would suit me as well, I put my proposal to him.”

She had rendered Richard speechless for the moment. Not so Hugh. “You actually wanted Richard?”

“Why does that surprise you, my lord? He has been a good neighbor to us, my father approved of him, and I thought we would deal well together.”

“Then why could you not wait?” Richard burst out. “Or give me an indication of why you were trying to reach me?”

One sable brow rose inquiringly. “I assumed my letters never reached you, Richard. Do you tell me now they did, but you simply ignored them?”

“Nay, nay, I did not mean to imply—I have been traveling a great deal—”

“Well, it does not matter now, does it?” she cut in silkily. “I am well satisfied with the husband I have. And he has already proved how capable he is at defending Clydon. ’Tis how we met, you know? He arrived here in time to rout a despicable band of miscreants who dared attack us. He has also sworn to run the villeins to ground as a warning to others who still might think Clydon without a new lord. I told him ’twas unnecessary, but he was a mercenary for many years, and you know how they love fighting and killing, and generally making war.”

“I am not so bloodthirsty as all that, lady,” Ranulf protested gruffly, though his eyes were laughing at her.

“Well, of course you are not,” Reina agreed, and then saw her chance for the crowning touch in the bit of fluff twining about his feet. She stooped down to pick up her nemesis. “No man can be all bad who would keep a scrawny, ugly thing like this for pet, and even give it the esteemed name of—”

“Reina!”

His warning came too late, though she would not have heeded it anyway. “—Lady Ella,” she finished with a sweetly innocent expression that earned her a fierce glower from her husband.

It was all Hugh could do to keep from laughing, but once again furious color rushed to Richard’s face. “Lady Ella? You named your cat after my mother?” he asked in disbelief, and then in outrage, “You named your cat after my —”

“Whatever are you shouting about, Richard?” Reina cut in sternly. “You cannot think your brother would be so currish as that.”

He did not answer her, but turned his fury on his father. “Will you let him insult her like that? She was your…”

“My what?” Hugh prompted when he did not finish, and then he shook his head in disgust. “Nay, we both know what she was, and she has not exactly endeared herself to me over the years, Richard, and well you know it. As it happens, I have several bitches in my kennel by the same name, so do not expect me to upbraid a man whose humor is so like my own.”

“My uncle will hear of this!” was all Richard could think to say after that.

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Richard—” Hugh began in exasperation but ended with a sigh as the boy stalked off. He looked apologetically at Ranulf. “I had best go after him to calm him down. He always was a hothead, but what can you expect after he has been raised by those infuriating relatives of his?”

“Much more—” Reina started, then gasped as her bottom was pinched.

“Go ahead, my lord,” Ranulf said, even as Reina turned around to glare at him. The byplay was not lost on Hugh, so Ranulf added, “My lady does not know when to quit while she is ahead.”

Hugh nodded with a grin. Reina barely waited until he was out of hearing ere she hissed, “Why did you stop me, Ranulf?”

“What you would have said cannot be supported.”

“Then you have not sent a man to Warhurst yet?”

“Nay, and I will not.”

“Will—but why?” she cried. “Did you not see the look on Richard’s face when I mentioned you would hunt down the villeins who attacked Clydon? He is guilty!”

“So he is.”

“And your father must be told.”

“Not by me, lady.”

She stared at him incredulously. “Why? Because he is your brother?”

“Exactly. A brother I have resented most of my life, and now—now I do not know what I feel other than contempt, but I will not be the one to carry tales to my father of him.”

“Of all the lackwitted… Very well, I will send a man to Warhurst. I at least will not be accused of spite, though you do your father a disservice to assume he would think that of you.”

“You will stay out of it, Reina, and I mean that,” Ranulf said coldly. “I will attend to the matter in my own way once my father is gone.”

“But he needs be told!”

“Not by us!”