Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 01 Page 25

  Shouts abruptly rang out from the front of the hall as a tide of voices rushed back to them like a crashing wave.

  Guiding Reina to his men, he faced her. “Something is amiss with the king’s party. Guy, remain here with your lady, the rest of you come with me.” With a loving glance at Reina, he started pushing his way to the front of the crowd.

  People were craning their necks to see as Guy stood protectively by Reina’s side. The crowd began to move into the chapel and still, Fulke did not return. Wringing her hands, she craned her neck, attempting to see to the front of the hall.

  She turned to Guy when he lightly touched her sleeve. Keeping his back to the crowd, he said, “There is no need for concern, my lady.”

  With a sigh, she allowed herself to relax.

  The passage cleared considerably by the time Fulke appeared, followed by the rest of the men. Directing his comments to Guy, he gazed at Reina. “It appears a quarrel erupted between the Archbishop of York and the Archbishop of Canterbury over which one was entitled to place the crown on the king’s head.”

  Smiling down at her, he presented his arm. “Shall we, my lady?”

  Fulke guided Reina through the crowded chapel to a pew reserved for the barons near the front. Taking their seats, the king entered in full regalia, flanked by the archbishops.

  Waving a hand for the service to begin, the archbishop stepped forward to begin the Latin service. Resting her head on Fulke’s shoulder, she struggled to stay awake in the stifling chapel. She raised a hand to conceal a yawn when the archbishop intoned, “Ante Dei vultum nihil unquam restat inultum.”[3]

  Observing heads turn to lean close in whispered conversations, Reina glanced up at Fulke for an explanation.

  “The archbishop is subtly reminding the barons that it would be in their best interest to swear allegiance to Matilda,” he mouthed.

  She nodded, covering another yawn behind her hand. Shifting on the hard bench, the lengthy service and forced inactivity began to lull her to sleep.

  Pulling her close, Fulke raised a hand to ease her head down on his shoulder. Snuggling against him, she gave in to her weariness.

  The feast immediately following the service turned out to be the most remarkable event Reina had ever witnessed. Wearing a crown set with Edward the Confessors’ famed sapphire and full ceremonial robes, Henry followed an assembly of archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, thanes, Scotland’s King, Empress Matilda, Geoffrey of Anjou and Stephen of Blois.

  Minstrels in the upper galleries serenaded the jubilant crowds celebrating the season. Scores of servants maneuvered through the hall under heaping platters of sumptuous fare. Dining on silver plate, they were served the finest spiced wines, ales, ciders and meads.

  Taking in the general splendor, Reina caught Fulke’s loving gaze resting on her. Raising her hand to his lips, he slanted his eyes to the front of the hall.

  Standing to announce the start of the assembly, the king explained the importance of the forthcoming vote. Pointedly staring at several of the barons scattered throughout the hall, he took his heat.

  At the foot of the dais, the king’s herald began to announce each noble house. After being formally summoned, the baron would rise to approach the dais to swear allegiance to Matilda.

  From her lofty perch on the dais, the empress either stared haughtily down on the baron kneeling before her or ignored him altogether.

  When it was Fulke’s turn, he gently squeezed her hand.

  Reina watched with pride as he made his way to the dais. Her heart overflowed with love as she watched him kneel. Placing a fisted hand over his heart, he glanced up to swear his allegiance.

  Her eyes narrowed when she noticed Matilda pay close attention to him, admiration in her gaze.

  Making his way through the tables back to her, she noticed for the first time how the men glared at him with envy even as their wives stared longingly after him.

  Reseating himself beside her, he turned to smile at her.

  She responded by twining her arms around his neck to pull him down for a breathless kiss. Pulling away, she smiled at his look of pleased surprise.

  Seeing the envious stares the kiss provoked, she smugly returned her gaze to the dais.

  Fulke watched her glance around the hall as understanding dawned on him. With a low chuckle, he wrapped his arm around her.

  Turning to watch the rest of the proceedings, they witnessed history as each baron stiffly swore allegiance to a woman. After Reynold left the dais, he joined a large group of barons surrounding Stephen.

  Not to anyone’s surprise, the tally declared Empress Matilda would be the first Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy. Henry acknowledged the barons with a regal nod as he expressed his appreciation, declaring an end to the assembly.

  * * * *

  On the afternoon of Epiphany, Fulke gathered his men together in the chamber he shared with Reina. The traditional day for gift giving, he informed Talan, Gervase, Guy and Osbert of his intent to deed them each a parcel of Castell Maen land.

  As each in turn humbly thanked him for the extravagant gift, Albin grumbled, “I would be wary of thanking him overmuch, lads. Next, he will be expecting the lot of you to take a wife.”

  Brushing off Albin’s remarks, they began to boast of the fortified manor house they would build on their land, getting more complex in the details as each tried to best the other.

  Slipping away from the group, Gervase approached Fulke. “With your permission my liege, I would like to share the news of my good fortune.”

  Laughing at Albin’s griping, Fulke acknowledged with a nod.

  About to reach the door, Guy called out, “Where are you off to with such haste, Gervase?”

  His hand on the latch, he kept his face averted from Reina. “I just received an additional boone to entice the ladies.”

  Talan’s brows shot into his hairline. “Were you not a fortnight ago swearing off all court women?”

  Gervase shrugged. “I intend to set my sights higher now that I have something to offer.”

  “Tell me you are not wasting more of your time on, Lady Adorlee,” Guy implored.

  “A lady rejected Gervase?” Talan asked in disbelief.

  “Aye,” Gervase pouted, “the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.”

  “She sounds very wise,” Talan replied with a grin.

  “I have yet to fail when it comes to a woman, Talan. Do not count me out just yet.” Wriggling his eyebrows, he left laughing.

  Talan stood staring at the closed door with his mouth open, slowly shaking his head.

  Guy came up beside him. “I have a feeling one day Gervase is going to regret his daring ways.”

  “If he can keep his mouth shut long enough to do it,” Talan quipped. Laughing, they stepped into the passage.

  Albin followed, mumbling about responsibilities, already pining for his carefree days on the battlefield.

  Fulke held up a hand to Warin. “Hold back a moment, lad.”

  Retrieving his sword, he presented it to a surprised Warin “You may not have a need for my land, but every knight needs a fine sword.”

  Reverently taking the sword, Warin breathed, “This is your sword, my liege.”

  “I have a few spares tucked away at Castell Maen. Before we depart, I shall make use of Henry’s armory in case a need presents itself.” He placed a hand on Warin’s shoulder. “May it protect you as well as it has protected me.”

  “Thank you, my liege.” Stepping to give Reina a quick kiss on the cheek, he excused himself. “Osbert will never believe it!”

  “Fulke called after him, “Oh, Warin?”

  He paused to turn back. “Aye, my liege?”

  “I heard meeting King Henry was something you would like to do. If you still wish it, I shall see if I can arrange it.”

  “With all due respect, my liege, it is no longer something I wish to do,” he responded softly.

  Fulke reached for Reina. “So be it, lad
.”

  Once they were alone, Reina wrapped her arms around his waist. “Have I ever told you that you are the best gift any woman could ever receive, my lord?”

  He leaned down to capture her lips. “No my lady, but you show me every day.”

  * * * *

  Reina woke in the dawn’s early light to Fulke’s questing hand, caressing her breast. Lying on her side, she leaned back against him as he raised his head to kiss her neck.

  Caressing her with his fingertips, he nudged her thighs apart. When she opened to him, he parted her soft folds to stroke the nub of her desire. He entered her with his fingers as she turned her head for his kiss. Gasping against his lips, he entered her from behind with one sure thrust.

  His tongue keeping time to his strokes, he cupped her breast, teasing her nipples. Running his hand along the length of her side, he once again found the nub of her core. Working his fingers in circular motions, she gasped, bucking against with the force of her orgasm.

  Lifting her leg around him, he followed her down, capturing her lips as he drove into her. With her arms around him, she slipped her hand between their joined bodies. Throwing his head back, Fulke roared his release when she gently squeezed the base of his shaft.

  He collapsed on his side facing her. Gazing tenderly into her eyes, his unspoken words spoke volumes.

  A smile of contentment parting her lips, she leaned in for his kiss as he pulled the coverlet tight about her.

  Caressing her cheek with his fingertips, he gazed at her until she fell back asleep.

  He shifted to rise to answer the loud rapping on the door. Opening her eyes, he bent to kiss her. “Stay in bed love, someone is at the door.”

  She peered through the curtains as he shrugged into a dressing gown. Speaking briefly to a messenger, he returned to sweep the curtains back, holding a small wooden box. “We are free to go home.” Pulling her into a fierce hug, he said, “I have already sent for Albin.” Handing her the box, he smiled. “The king has sent a parting gift for whom he hopes is our son.”

  Accepting the box, she opened it. Nestled on a bed of bright plum velvet rested a silver cup. Absently setting it aside, she wrapped her arms around him. “Can we truly go home, Fulke?”

  Amazed to have found the only woman in all of England who could look at a gift from the king with indifference, he lightly ran a finger down her nose. “As soon as we share a bath, my lady.”

  Reaching up for his kiss, she smiled.

  * * * *

  Eyeing footmen struggle beneath the weight of chests being loaded on the cart, Albin came to stand beside Fulke. “Having second thoughts about the additional revenue, my liege?”

  Fulke clapped him on the shoulder. “I have no intention of letting you off that easy, my friend.”

  With an exaggerated sigh, Albin went to retrieve his horse.

  Mounted, they waited on Gervase. Dawdling with his saddlebag, Guy became impatient. “By your leave, milord,” he called sarcastically.

  “I cannot keep the ladies from drawing out their farewells, Guy,” he replied boastfully, returning to his task.

  Smirking, Guy shared a glance with Albin.

  “Gervase, is that not Lady Peronell coming this way?” Albin called.

  Gervase was up, mounted and heading in the direction of Castell Maen before the rest of the laughing men could rein their horses around to follow.

  Fulke leaned down to Reina. “Are you ready to go home, my love?”

  With shining eyes, she wrapped her arms tightly around him. “It seems I have waited forever for this moment, my lord.”

  “Did I not vow it to you?” he asked softly.

  “I never doubted it, I simply grew impatient for it to happen.”

  Laughing, he bent down to kiss her.

  * * * *

  Near dusk, they stopped at a hostelrie less than a day’s journey from Castell Maen.

  The weary party ordered a large meal to be set before the fire. Without the burden of worry hanging over their heads, they ate, drank and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

  Guy was mumbling to himself, before he stood to face Fulke. “I have composed a sonnet, my liege. With your permission?”

  “We await with anticipation, lad,” Fulke replied with a quirked lip.

  Standing, he looked solemnly at each one around the table, before reciting...

  There once was a lonely lad

  From a faraway coast

  He had no name, no friends,

  No family to boast

  One day a giant appeared

  With a stout burly knight

  Willing to instruct the lad

  All that was wrong, from right

  Taking a chance to gain the

  Knights’ trust

  The lad left his home

  To learn what was just

  He found companions of his

  Own along the way

  His liege found a Lady

  To save more than the day

  The lad grew to a man

  With love to share

  His newfound family

  Had taught him to care

  Bowing his head to Reina, he regained his seat.

  With tears in her eyes, she glanced at Fulke before standing to make her way around the table to Guy. When he stood, she wrapped her arms around him.

  Flushing red, Guy eased away from her. “It pleases me that you liked it, my lady.”

  They were silent as Reina regained her seat.

  Albin broke the solemn moment. Turning to Guy, he quirked a brow. “Who were you calling stout and burly?”

  Glad to change the topic, Guy quipped, “Since our liege is tall and lean, I shall give you a guess, or two.”

  Chuckles circled the table as Fulke held up his mug. “To family,” he called.

  Raising their mugs, the rest seconded, “To family.”

  TWENTY-TWO

  After supper, Reina watched with joy and not a little amusement as Fulke began to match his men drink for drink.

  It grew late when he saw her suppress a yawn. “My lady needs her rest,” he slurred loudly. Staggering to his feet, he would have fallen had she not leaned against him to keep him upright.

  Glancing at Warin’s drunken grin, she moved on to capture Talan’s eye. With an exaggerated dip in her direction, he staggered around the table.

  He attempted a bow when she reached out a hand to stop him. “Please just help me get him up the steps, Talan.”

  Not one to shirk his duty, he bowed low, grinning in triumph when he slowly straightened. “Aye, my lady.” Lurching sideways, he shouted across the table, “Warin, come lend assist!”

  With Fulke between them, they tottered up the steps as Reina followed.

  Depositing their burden on the edge of the bed, Talan leaned heavily against Warin as they bounced off the walls on their way back down the steps.

  “You and me think alike, my lady,” Fulke slurred as she bent to remove his boots. Pulling her to him, he started placing sloppy kisses down the side of her face and throat.

  She eased away with a smile. “Perhaps in the morn when you can find my lips, my love.”

  “I have never lost them, my lady,” he leered.

  Unstrapping his leather bawdryk, she struggled to lift his broadsword. Taking the heavy weapon from her with one hand, Fulke placed it alongside his knife on the floor. “Come to bed, Reina,” he pleaded.

  Avoiding his questing hands, she finished undressing him. Seeing his state of arousal, she reached past him to pull the blanket back. “I shall join you in a moment, my lord.”

  He propped himself on pillows with a slurred, “I shall be waiting, my lady.”

  Reina removed the pins holding her veil in place, after stripping to her chemise. Expecting to find Fulke fast asleep, she moved to blow out the candle and found him staring at her. “I need to lose myself within you, Reina.”

  She held his gaze as she let the chemise slide from her shoulders. Climbing onto the bed, she
straddled him. “You are my very heart, Fulke.” Leaning down she kissed him. “Let us get lost together.”

  Claiming her lips in a possessive kiss, he rolled her beneath him, slowly sliding into her welcoming warmth. Kissing her, he drove into her until she was trembling against him with the force of her climax.

  Unable to hold back any longer, he bellowed, “I love you, Reina!” spending himself within her.

  Still joined, he rolled to his side. They drifted off to sleep gazing into each other’s eyes.

  * * * *

  The men sitting below grew quiet when they heard Fulke’s roar. Talan set his mug down with a small smile as Guy picked his up with a wistful one. Osbert glanced astounded at a blushing Warin as Albin chuckled.

  Gervase sat staring at the ceiling with a perplexed look, drawing the attention of all.

  Guy set his mug down with a muttered, “I know I am going to regret this.” Turning in his chair, he asked, “What is it, Gervase?”

  Glancing at Guy, he asked drunkenly, “Do you think Fulke is so well into his cups, he forgot the lady cannot hear?”

  Albin spewed ale across the table and began choking as Warin thumped him hard on the back laughing.

  Talan glanced over at Guy, waiting for him to cuff the foolish knight. Catching his gaze, he absently picked up his ale. “What is the point Talan?” Lifting his mug, Guy drained it.

  “The point is,” Talan, slurred as he reached over to cuff Gervase, “Sooner or later, we will knock some sense into him.”

  * * * *

  Crossing onto Castell Maen land, Fulke sent Warin and Osbert ahead with instructions to have water heated. Struggling against deep snowdrifts and freezing temperatures it had been a long journey home.

  The men grew lighthearted the closer they rode to the castle.

  Snuggled in the folds of Fulke’s cloak, Reina looked up at the snow-laden clouds. Closing her eyes, she sent up a heartfelt prayer of thanks.