Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

G eoffrey de Gael , by all appearances, was a sane, well-behaved individual. He was the result of hundreds of years of careful breeding, fine bloodlines enhanced by a royal insertion here and there. Blond, with the same obsidian-dark eyes that Tevin possessed, he was three years younger than his stronger, larger cousin and a world of difference apart in character.

Women gravitated towards Geoffrey with frightening ease. It made his lustful games so easy to come by. Somewhere in his normal-looking head, something was terribly wrong and he literally knew no difference between right and wrong. He only knew what he wanted, what he lusted for, and he took it. The object could be land, a holding, a woman, a horse… anything that caught his eye. Not only was he unpredictable, he was also dangerous. He would draw a sword in the blink of an eye, kill, and hold no regrets. And there was never anyone to stop him.

That was why Tevin was so on edge. His cousin had always held a great liking for him, which made him somewhat immune to his cousin's madness, but everyone else did not possess the luxury of that immunity. Even now, he had paused in his quest to the kitchen long enough to make sure his sister was prepared to move up to Cantia's bower. On the third floor of the keep directly below Cantia's chamber, Val was ready and waiting. An alert from her brother almost an hour before saw her preparations complete. When Tevin finally stuck his head into the room and told her to move upstairs, she did so quickly. She, almost more than her brother, was aware of what her cousin was capable of. She'd been avoiding it most of her life, so these moments were particularly tense.

The entire keep was in an uproar over the earl's visit. He had brought a huge retinue with him; knights, soldiers, servants and a couple of well-dressed women that served as both mistress and whipping post. They traveled with him wherever he went. He entered Rochester with the air of a conquering hero, his haughty gaze surveying all before him. The man knew his power and he made sure all around him knew, too.

But the earl's interest in the bailey soon wore thin and he made way to the massive stone structure that was the heart of the castle. Just as Geoff set foot in the keep, Tevin descended the last step from the upper floors and met him nearly at the door. The young earl smiled amiably at his cousin, clapping him on his massive shoulder.

"Well, cousin," he said, glancing about. "I can see you have this place well in hand. And a massive place it is."

Tevin nodded faintly. "I wish you'd sent word that you were arriving early," he said, trying to steer Geoff into the hall. "I would have been more aptly prepared for your visit. As it is, we're scrambling to show preparations worthy of your presence."

Geoff waved him off. "It is suitable," he said, still looking around. "Where is the steward?"

"Penden?" Tevin snorted. "With the son dead, the father has tumbled into madness. We had to lock him in the vault for his own safety. He was trying to kill himself."

Geoff lifted a dark-blond eyebrow. "Is that so?" he peered more closely at his surroundings. "Perhaps I should confiscate the property if the steward has lost his capacity to govern. Rochester is too strategic to leave in the hands of a madman."

A warning bell went off in Tevin's mind. "Rochester will not weaken any time soon as long as I am here," he put a hand on his cousin's shoulder and directed the man into the hall. "And I believe Penden's madness is temporary. His son was everything to him. He'll recover."

Geoff eyed his cousin. "Mayhap. It couldn't be that you want this place for your own, could it?"

Tevin lifted an eyebrow, an amused expression on his face. "It would not do me any good even if I did. You would simply take it from me."

Geoff laughed and slapped him on the arm. Fresh rushes, a warm fire and a hastily-assembled meal await them in the great hall. Cheese, great loaves of bread, and the last of the winter store of fruit graced the larger of the tables that lined the enormous hall. There was even a huge tray of warmed-over mutton. Geoff sashayed in the direction of the table, his gaze missing nothing; a servant, the stone used to build the hearth, the quality of the food. He was if nothing else, observant, which would make concealing Cantia, Hunt and Val something of a challenge.

Tevin knew this. He watched the man like a hawk as he collected a chalice of mead and propped his buttocks on the edge of the table. Geoff had a strangely smug expression on his face and Tevin could not figure out why, but he knew he didn't like it. There was something odd in his manner, even more than the usually oddness, and something that would undoubtedly show itself when the time came. Tevin wasn't at all thrilled with that thought. He tried to prepare himself.

The rest of his entourage trickled in from the bailey; a couple of good knights that Tevin knew, a few soldiers that took station by the door, and the two well-dressed women. And then, at the very end, came a face that Tevin was very familiar with. The small figure was being pushed on a chair that was fashioned with two very large wheels. They could hear the big iron and wooden wheels creaking as they rolled across the entrance to the keep, being lifted up over the steps by two soldiers. Tevin hadn't paid much attention to Geoff's followers other than the usual gang, which was why the sight caught him completely off guard.

Geoff was up off the table, slapping his cousin yet again when he saw the expression on Tevin's face. "See what I brought you? A present!"

Tevin ignored the man. Everything around him ceased to exist as he practically ran to the entrance, falling on his knees beside the wheeled chair. He collected the tiny hands that were outstretched to him.

"Bella," he breathed. "You're here, sweetheart. How…?"

Arabel Berthilde Solveig du Reims threw her frail arms around her father's neck. She was a little thing, no larger than a child of perhaps ten or eleven years of age, but she had a most unique and remarkable beauty. With her father's nearly-black eyes and cascades of blond hair, she was a striking picture, like a delicate little bird that needed love and protection. And her father, the powerful viscount, was extremely, if not obsessively, protective of her.

That was why his momentary surprise at her arrival suddenly transformed into something very angry and murderous. Oddly, he wasn't angry because he feared for his daughter's virtue against the lecherous earl. As immoral as Geoff was, he wasn't stupid. He knew that any suggestive move against Arabel would result in his death. Tevin was angry because, quite simply, he feared for his daughter's safety against external forces. He feared the world around her. And a trip from Thunderbey Castle to Rochester was wrought with peril for his only child.

"Father," Arabel squeezed her father's neck as tightly as her weak arms would allow. "Cousin Geoff came to Thunderbey to seek counsel with you. But I told him you were still at Rochester so he offered to bring me along. It's been so long since I have seen you and I missed you terribly. Wasn't that kind of him?"

A very simple explanation in a matter of seconds. Leave it to Arabel to know what her father was feeling, the excessive protectiveness and concern. Tevin tried hard to control his anger in the wake of her lovely, smiling face. He put his massive hands on her cheeks.

"Of course I am pleased to see you," he kissed her fair face. "But transporting you over miles of open road does not, in fact, please me. I left you at Thunderbey for a reason. You were safe there."

Arabel's features softened. "But I was alone. I wanted to come and see you. Why have you not come home yet?"

Tevin gazed into the eyes of his beloved daughter, suddenly feeling like a horrible man. He had not come home because he had wanted to stay near Cantia, pure and simple. It was wrong of him and in that instant he saw just how wrong it was. It had only been him and Arabel for many years. He loved her more than a man should probably love his child. He had left her alone while he went off to fight Geoff's war and then stayed because he was more interested in something at Rochester.

Geoff came up behind him as Tevin thought of a plausible answer to his absence and slapped him on the shoulder. "Are you pleased, then? How could I leave your lovely young lady at home when she so desperately wanted to see her father?"

Tevin cocked an eyebrow, rising to his formidable height as he faced his cousin. His stiff body language was evident. "You should not have risked her on the journey here," he said in a low voice. "She is very delicate. Traveling does not agree with her."

Geoff waved him off. "We brought her maid servants and she was protected by ten men. She was well taken care of in either case. What are you worried about?"

"I left her at Thunderbey to protect her, Geoff. You had no right to bring her to Rochester and put her in peril as you have. This entire area is under threat. You know this. God only knows what could have happened to your party on the open road."

Geoff simply shook his head, a smirk on his face. "You worry like an old woman. Arabel needs the adventure of travel. You keep her caged like an animal."

Tevin nearly took his head off for that remark. He was rather pleased that he had held himself in check. In lieu of saying something that could very well anger his cousin, he simply turned his back on him and scooped his daughter up into his arms. She beamed at him brightly.

"It's so good to see you, Father," she laid her head on his massive shoulder. "I have missed you very much."

"And I have missed you, sweetheart. What an unexpected treat this day has brought."

"Will you show me Rochester now?"

He gave her a little toss, listening to her squeals of delight. "Of course I'll show you this behemoth of a fortress if it pleases you. You've come all this way and I'll not disappoint."

"Are you angry with me?"

"Of course not."

Behind them, Geoff snorted. "What about me? What thanks do I get for reuniting father and daughter?"

Tevin cast him a long glance, letting him know that he was still mightily displeased. But he was, in fact, very glad to see his daughter. He could feel himself relenting. "My thanks for bringing my daughter safely to Rochester, Geoff."

Geoff grinned and winked boldly at Arabel. She just smiled, her spindly arms wound around her father's neck as if to never let him go. The two older maids that had tended Arabel since birth brought along the chair and followed close behind as Tevin took her on a brief tour around the hall.

"So now you see the great hall of Rochester," he looked up to the soaring ceilings and the two massive tapestries that hung near the gallery of lancet windows above. "This place is like a damn cathedral."

"Father!"

"Sorry." He pursed his lips contritely. Arabel was quite correct in reprimanding him for his harsh language. "Outside to the left are the kitchens and a massive kitchen yard. And above us are two more levels with chambers."

"Where is Val, Father?"

Tevin's brightened mood dimmed. He knew Geoff was somewhere near them, wondering if he had heard the question. Although his cousin knew that Val fought as a knight, he'd not said anything about her since his arrival and Tevin did not want to bring up the subject. He squeezed his daughter gently.

"She is not here at the moment." He continued back around the hall and headed for the entrance with the intention of going outside, but Arabel stopped him.

"Nay, Father. I want to see the chambers."

"Upstairs?"

"Upstairs."

Tevin dared to look around, then, to see if Geoff was still around. His cousin was seated on the table near the hearth, tearing apart of piece of bread and chatting with one of his knights. He was far enough out of earshot that Tevin felt he could speak with confidence.

"Do you remember what I told you about Cousin Geoff and Val?" he asked quietly.

Arabel wasn't stupid. She nodded after a moment's contemplation. "Aye," she said hesitantly.

"Then I would ask you not to mention Val when he is about. He likes her, too much, and we do not want to be put in a bad position because Cousin Geoff cannot control himself. Do you understand?"

Again, she nodded. "I am sorry, Father. I did not mean to say anything wrong."

He kissed the tip of her nose. "You did not, sweetheart. But we must keep Cousin Geoff away from Val."

"I know, Father. Where is she?"

"Upstairs. You must keep this secret. Can you do this?"

She nodded eagerly. "I would see her, please!"

He could not refuse her. Val and Arabel shared a very special bond. Val had been practically the only mother Arabel had ever known. Moreover, he would have the privilege of introducing his daughter to Cantia, something he realized that he was very excited to do. He had never faced a moment like this before, introducing his daughter to someone who was very quickly coming to mean a great deal to him. But along with the excitement came uncertainty. He hoped they would like one another. His nerves suddenly began to get the better of him, excitement and anxiety doing strange things to his stomach.

Instructing the old serving women to retreat to the solar to wait for them, Tevin took his daughter up the very narrow, winding staircase. The third floor was quiet and empty as he mounted the even smaller flight of steps for the fourth floor. By the time he had reached the landing, he had already bumped his head trying to keep Arabel from scraping the walls. Softly, he rapped on the first door to his right.

"'Tis me," he called softly.

The door thumped, jerked, and flew open. The first face he saw was Hunt's. The little boy growled at him like a bear. "Where's my food ?"

Tevin's face fell. In the surprise of Arabel's appearance, he realized that he had completely forgotten about procuring a morning meal. Cantia came up behind Hunt, putting her hand over his mouth.

"Forgive him, my lord," she said, her inquisitive gaze moving between Tevin and the young lady in his arms. "His mood is foul when he's not eaten."

Val, who had been gazing from the window, turned to her brother and realized with shock that Arabel was in his arms. She gasped and flew across the room.

"Bella!" she cried softly, throwing her arms around both the girl and Tevin. "What are you doing here, sweetling? How did you get here?"

Arabel transferred her weak arms from her father to her aunt. Val took her from Tevin, cradling her sweetly and hugging her.

"I came with Cousin Geoff," Arabel said. "We had an adventure of travel!"

Val had nearly the same reaction as her brother. When her bliss at Arabel's sudden appearance faded, she was very concerned for the young woman's safety. She looked at her brother with accusing eyes.

"He brought her here with the entire region under threat of battle?" she said. "Is he mad?"

Tevin put up a quelling hand. "I have already had words with him, Val. What's done is done. Suffice it to say that Arabel is here, safely, and we are very grateful."

Off to his left stood Cantia and Hunt. Cantia's hands were on her son's shoulders as she watched the tender reunion. It had only taken her a matter of seconds to realize who the young lady was once the conversation began and she smiled gently as she watched Val waltz across the room with the tiny young woman in her arms. She looked over at Tevin.

"She has her father's comely looks, my lord," she said softly.

Tevin gazed over at her, his expression softening. Memories from the previous night flooded his mind, making him feel weak and giddy. He wanted very badly to reach out and touch her but dare not attempt it. In time, it would be acceptable for him to do so, but for the moment, there was still propriety to be observed. Especially in front of Arabel and Hunt.

"My thanks, my lady," he replied quietly. Then he winked at her. "If you do not mind a visitor, I shall retreat to the kitchens and bring Hunt his meal before he tears me limb from limb. I do not like the look in his eye."

Cantia nodded graciously. As she and Tevin gazed sweetly at each other, Hunt wriggled from his mother's grasp and made his way over to Val and Arabel. They were gazing out of the lancet window as Val pointed out the cathedral of Rochester in the distance. They were also speaking of Arabel's exciting trip from Thunderbey. The little boy stood next to them, eyeing the newcomer.

"What isth your name?" he tugged on Arabel's sleeve.

Arabel arched her neck back to look at him, made more comfortable when Val turned around. They both smiled down at the wide-eyed young lad.

"Arabel," she said in her very soft, very sweet voice. "What is your name?"

"Hunt." The boy sized her up and down. When he apparently decided she was worth talking to, he held out a hand containing a ball. "Do you want to play with me?"

Arabel's face positively lit up. "I do!" she pointed to the bed, indicating for her aunt to set her down. "Will you throw it to me?"

Hunt hadn't noticed anything wrong with the girl yet. He tossed her the ball before Val had set her down completely and it hit her in the forehead. While Cantia gasped, Arabel laughed and rubbed her head. Then she picked up the ball, tried to toss it, and it ended up on the floor. Hunt picked it up, threw it again, and hit her in the chest.

Tevin and Val watched the exchange carefully. Arabel could barely use her arms but she was trying with all her heart. And she was loving it. Hunt, surprisingly, didn't seem to mind that she couldn't toss the ball. He continued to pick it up off the floor, off the end of the bed, and toss it back to her. She couldn't catch it so it would end up in her lap. Cantia, fingers folded and at her mouth as if she were praying, watched the activity with some concern.

"Hunt," she admonished softly. "Young ladies do not catch balls. Perhaps you should play something that is more suited to the lady's tastes."

Tevin smiled faintly, approaching the bed. "I think that ball catching does run to her taste, does it not?" He put his hand on his daughter's blond head, smiling down at her as she beamed. "Arabel, I would like you to meet Master Hunt Penden and his mother, the Lady Cantia. They live at Rochester."

Arabel's big dark eyes focused on Cantia. They were wide and intelligent and Cantia smiled timidly. "It is a pleasure to know you, my lady," she said. "Welcome to Rochester."

Arabel smiled prettily, her gaze appraising and curious. "Thank you," she said. "Are you the lady of the house?"

"I am."

She looked at her father. "She is beautiful," she said. "Is she hiding here with Val, too?"

Tevin nodded, trying not to appear too grim. "Another secret you must keep."

Arabel looked back at Cantia. "But where is your husband? Surely he will protect you from Cousin Geoff."

Cantia's smile faded. It was the first time since Brac's death that she had come into contact with someone who hadn't known what had happened. She had to explain his absence, which strangely didn't upset her as she thought it might. "He was killed in a skirmish several weeks ago," she told her.

"Oh," Arabel looked rather regretful that she had asked. "I am sorry, my lady."

Cantia forced a smile, wanting off the subject of Brac. Though there was no longer any horrendous pain associated with the memory, it was still an uncomfortable one. She had done a great deal of healing and was unwilling to pick at the scabs that were healing over the wounds.

"If you would like to play something else with Hunt, he has a good many toys we can put to use," she suggested. "Perhaps your father will go into his chamber and collect some things."

Tevin had been watching the exchange between his daughter and Cantia with great interest. He was pleased to see that the initial meeting had gone well and he was more than pleased to see how Cantia had handled the question of Brac. In a strange, selfish reaction, it gave him hope that everything they had been feeling for each other, everything that had happened over the past day or so, was not simply a convenience or a mistake. It was real. He wanted it very much to be real. He took a step in Cantia's direction.

"After I play the part of the serving wench and bring Master Hunt his meal," he mussed the boy's blond hair, "then perhaps I shall have time to collect some things for you both to play with."

Hunt started to growl again but Cantia slapped her hand over his mouth. Tevin's gaze moved from Val to his daughter and finally Cantia before quitting the room. When the door closed softly, Cantia went to lock it as Hunt picked up the ball again.

"Catch!" he cried.

The ball hit Arabel squarely in the nose and drew blood.

*

It had been as he feared. Though Tevin had spent the remainder of the day with Geoff, his mind was not on his cousin's aimless chatter. As they had toured the stores, the stables, the yards, and some of the surrounding countryside, Tevin discussed the strategic importance of Rochester when what he really wanted to do was talk about Cantia's unearthly beauty. The sun began to wane in the west and they found themselves back in the solar with a hearty blaze and a bottle of Port between them, but still, all Tevin could think of was Cantia. Geoff was running on about the weak market for the wheat his serfs had harvested while Tevin struggled to focus on something other than lavender eyes. Finally, he'd had enough of the constant chatter and his own lack of focus. He wanted to get back to Cantia and the only way to do that was to shut his cousin up.

"Geoff," Tevin finally broke into the prattle. "Wheat and weather are not the true reason you have come. I received your missive a few days ago. Can we delve into the meat of this?"

Geoff took a long drink of the ruby Port. Behind him, the fire crackled softly as the room darkened with sunset. He savored the flavor, smacking his lips and studying the pewter chalice. "What is it you wish to know?"

Tevin raised an impatient eyebrow. "I suppose I wish to know what plans you have. This land is in turmoil. We have held hope for months that Matilda's invasion from Normandy was imminent, a hope fed by both you and her brother, the Earl of Gloucester. We have prepared for this moment. What has happened that we are now in support Stephen of Blois?"

Geoff was casual, even cavalier. "I do not need to explain my reason to you. You must have faith that I know best."

"Perhaps you do not need to explain it to me, but I am asking just the same. I have fifteen hundred men committed to your cause and I would like to know why I will now ask my men to fight for someone we have sworn to destroy."

"Do you not trust my decisions?"

"I have been ever supportive of your causes, Geoff. But I still wish to know why the change of heart. Please."

It was the softly spoken supplication that got him. Geoff went from nonchalant to animated in the blink of an eye. He slammed his chalice to the table and stood up, running his fingers through his blond hair. Tevin watched him closely, with his usual unruffled attitude. He was genuinely curious to know the man's reasons and he was equally eager to be done with this conversation.

"Damnable Gloucester," he finally muttered. "It is his fault."

"Why?"

Geoff whirled on him, his expression taut. "Because we agreed to split Oxfordshire when Matilda returned to assume her right, but I have been told by others that Gloucester has already been in discussions with Lord Wallingford for the same purpose. Imagine, Wallingford instead of me! He is not even an earl, but a lesser noble of an old Saxon line, long bereft of money or dignity. The very idea is an insult. Therefore, I decided not to support Matilda and her treacherous brother, Earl Gloucester, if that is all of the loyalty they can show me."

Tevin watched him rave like a child. Petulant as it was, it explained a lot. No strong sense of country or unity destroyed Geoff. It was simply the deeds of a nobleman playing a political game. Tevin didn't know whether to slap him or laugh at him.

"It could not be because Wallingford and Gloucester are cousins, could it?" he said with more control than he felt. "Gloucester had no familial loyalty to you."

Geoff's dark eyes widened. "Nor I to him. Therefore, we fight for the true king. We fight for Stephen."

"Matilda has more of a claim to the throne than Stephen."

"Say that again and I shall throw you in the vault!"

Tevin did laugh, then. He couldn't help it. He shook his head and stood up, weary of the temper tantrum and eager to see Cantia. "The evening meal should be coming shortly," he said. "Why do you not retreat to your chamber and rest? Bathe if it pleases you. We'll speak more of this at sup."

As quickly as Geoff flamed, that was as quickly as he doused. The rigidity went out of his posture and he returned his attention to the fine wine. With long movements, he poured himself another measure. "I am not hungry," he grumbled, mouth to the rim of the cup.

Tevin was already moving for the door. "Then do not eat. But at least come and sit and enjoy the conversation."

Geoff took a long drink. "Where is Val?" he asked casually. "I've not seen her all day."

Tevin paused. By Geoff's tone, he knew the man had been waiting for the right moment to ask that question. And by his expression, Tevin was further convinced that he knew exactly what Tevin was up to. He was hiding her. Geoff was, if nothing else, intelligent. But Tevin stood his ground.

"She is occupied," he said evenly. "She likes to ride patrol, you know."

"Where is Arabel?"

"With her women, upstairs. She is exhausted from being dragged halfway across England."

"Will she join us for sup?"

"If that is your wish."

Geoff simply lifted an eyebrow and Tevin left the solar without another word. He didn't dare mount the stairs to the chambers upstairs, suspecting that Geoff would be following his movements. So he went into the great hall and exited out into the kitchens, thinking to throw his mistrustful cousin off the trail. He quit the kitchen yards and found himself marching through the stables on his way to the knight's quarters.

All the while, he knew his cousin's eyes were upon him, mentally if not physically. Geoff was suspicious of everyone and everything. By the time Tevin reached the knight's quarters, he was ready for a stiff drink himself. Something about Geoff's presence always put him on edge. He would take a measure of ale with his men before retreating upstairs, giving enough time for Geoff to forget about their conversation and, hopefully, Val.

He could not have known how wrong he was. Geoff did not follow Tevin any further than the solar entry. He had wandered to the door, watching his powerful cousin walk across the great hall and out of the door leading to the kitchens. But that was the extent of it. He knew the man was going to see to his men to repeat his conversation with the earl for their benefit. It was normal enough. The men had to know why they now supported the usurper and Geoff wasn't suspicious of Tevin in that aspect. But Tevin had been right in one way. Geoff's attention was indeed on Val and her whereabouts.

To his left was the staircase leading to the upper chambers. His dark eyes glittered, an inkling of an idea taking hold. Tevin was clever, but not too terribly. With his brutish cousin outside, Geoff was free to explore the keep and perhaps find Val. Aye, he knew that Tevin hid her from him. He'd always known.

He took the steps.