She set up a school for the many children in the castle complex and began to teach them to read and write. There were many days when she wanted to quit, but she kept on and was rewarded once in a while when a child learned a new word.
In the afternoons she worked with the wounded and ill. Once a man’s leg was crushed under a wine barrel and it had to be taken off. Alyx took his head in her hands and used all her training, and all her feeling, to hypnotize him with her voice. Afterward, she cried for hours.
“It hurts to become involved,” she said to Judith. “One of my children, a lovely child, fell off the wall yesterday and she died in my arms. I don’t want to love people. Music is safer.”
Judith held her and soothed her and they talked for a long time. In the morning Alyx went back to her school. Later, the man who’d lost his leg asked for her and there were tears of gratitude on his face for Alyx’s help.
Judith was behind Alyx. “Did God give you your talent to help men who need you or should you save it for prettily dressed people in church?”
At Christmas, Judith’s mother came to visit them. Helen Bassett didn’t look old enough to be anyone’s mother. At her side was her husband John, who looked as content as any man could. Together they smiled at their eleven-month-old daughter, who was just learning to walk.
Judith’s son was six months old, Alyx’s daughter two months. Everyone tried to make the festivities merry and no one mentioned how many of the family were missing.
“We were all together last year,” Gavin muttered into his ale cup.
There was no word from Raine.
In January, everything seemed to happen at once. Roger Chatworth had indeed gone to King Henry—but not alone. Whether by chance or contrivance, Pagnell had appeared at the same time.
Roger said Miles was holding his sister prisoner in Scotland and Pagnell said he had proof, not just the vague rumors of before, that Raine was training non-nobles to fight as knights, that he was attempting to raise an army against the King.
King Henry said he was heartily sick of the feud between the Chatworths and the Montgomerys and he wanted Lady Elizabeth released. If Miles did not do so, he would be declared a traitor and his lands confiscated. As for Raine, if he put more weapons in those outlaws’ hands, the King would burn the forest and all of them together.
Gavin sent a messenger to Scotland, pleading with Stephen to force Miles to obey the King. Before there was a reply, it was heard that Pagnell had been found dead and it was whispered that the Montgomerys were responsible. The King added this to a long list of grievances.
“He wants what we’ve held for centuries,” Gavin said. “Other kings have tried to take it and have failed. This one will, too.” He grabbed a mace from the wall. “If Stephen cannot reason with Miles, I can.”
Within an hour he was off again for Scotland.
“And what about Raine?” Alyx asked quietly as she held Catherine. “Who is going to warn him about the King’s threats?”
“King Henry won’t burn the forest,” Judith said practically. “There are too few of them left. Raine wouldn’t really march on the King with his band of cutthroats, would he?”
“Perhaps. Raine would dare anything if he saw some injustice. If he thought his brother were in danger there is no predicting what he might do.”
“Miles will listen to Gavin this time—I hope,” Judith said. “Roger will get his sister back and everything will be settled.”
They looked at each other for a long moment, neither of them believing Judith’s words.
“I’m going to Raine,” Alyx said softly, then opened her eyes in surprise.
“Will he allow you into the forest? Oh, Alyx, I’m not sure you should do that. The Montgomery men can get terribly angry.”
“Has Gavin’s anger ever kept you from doing what you had to do? If Gavin were in danger would you hesitate helping him in any way you could?”
Judith was quiet for a moment. “I once led Gavin’s men against a man who held him captive.”
“I merely ride into a forest. Would you care for Catherine? She’s too young to take with me. It will be cold there.”
“Alyx, are you sure?”
“I might be able to distract Raine. I’m sure he’s brooding over all that has happened and no doubt contemplating all manner of horrors to commit against Roger Chatworth. Sometimes I can outshout him and force him to listen to me. He probably won’t know what Gavin is doing to persuade Miles to release Elizabeth.”
She stood, clutching her baby tightly. “I must prepare. I’ll need a tent, for I can’t see Raine willingly sharing his with me.”
“He might forgive you the moment he sees you,” Judith said, eyes dancing.
“Forgive me!” Alyx said, then saw she was teasing. “I’ll make him sorry he accused me of betraying him. And I’ll need medicines. I owe something to those outlaws Raine leads. They helped me once, but I never helped them. I want to make up for some of my neglect and my arrogance.”
“How soon do you want to leave?” Judith asked.
“Before Gavin returns or we may have trouble. How soon can we gather things together?”
“A day if we hurry.”
“Judith,” Alyx said. “You are an angel.”
“Perhaps I just want to see my family safe. Come along now, we have work to do.”
Silently, Alyx groaned. Raine had once said Judith did twice as much in a day as anyone else. Alyx guessed it was closer to three times as much. Quickly, she handed Catherine to a maid and hurried after her sister-in-law.
Chapter Nineteen
I DON’T LIKE like this place,” Joan said from the horse beside Alyx’s. “It’s too dark. Are you sure Lord Raine lives in a place like this?”
Alyx didn’t bother to answer. Judith had said her maid, Joan, would be an asset in this venture, that Joan could keep Alyx looking good enough to make Raine notice and Joan could ferret out all sorts of information. Judith had also warned that Joan was much too familiar and must be constantly reminded of her place.
“Hello,” Alyx called up into a tree.
Joan looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Is the tree expected to answer you?” She added, “My lady” when Alyx gave her a sharp look.
From the tall branches of the tree dropped what Joan saw as a divine man.
“Joss!” Alyx laughed, and before she could dismount Jocelin had grabbed her about the waist and pulled her into his arms.
For a moment they just laughed and hugged until Alyx pulled away and looked at him. “You’ve changed,” she said quietly. “There are roses in your cheeks.”
Joan coughed loudly. “Perhaps the gentleman would like roses elsewhere than his cheeks.”
“Joan!” Alyx warned. “I’ll leave you overnight alone in this forest if you don’t behave.”
“Is that the voice of command I hear?” Joss asked, holding her hands at arms’ length. “You have more than changed. I have never seen such a lovely lady. Walk with me and let’s talk.”
When they were away from Joan and the loaded horses, he asked, “You have a child?”
“A daughter with Raine’s dimples and my eyes. She is sweet and perfect in every way. How is he?”
Jocelin knew who she meant. “Not well. Wait! He is physically well, but he is sad, never smiles and when a messenger comes from his brother he is angry for days.” He paused. “What happened after your marriage?”
Briefly, she told him of Roger Chatworth.
“So, you have left your child and come back to Raine.”
“No doubt he will welcome me with open arms.” She grimaced. “There are several reasons why I’ve returned. I owe the people here something for saving me from the burning. How many . . . died?”
“Three, and a fourth one later.”
Her hand tightened on Joss’s arm. “The King’s anger at the Montgomerys and the Chatworths is increasing daily. Gavin has gone to Scotland to reason with one brother while Raine is mine to deal
with.”
“Do you know that he won’t let any messenger read anything concerning you in a letter?”
“I guessed as much. Damn Raine and his honor! If he’d just listen for ten sentences he’d find out I’m not a traitor. The best I can hope for is to distract him for a while. I’m afraid he may decide to go after Roger Chatworth on his own, and no doubt he will if he thinks his baby brother is in danger. If his ‘little’ brother weren’t such a seducer of women perhaps none of this would be happening. But the Montgomery brothers stand up for each other no matter what.”
“Distract him?” Joss asked, smiling. “I think you’ll do that. Do you know how good you look? The violet of your dress makes your eyes glow.”
“Speaking of seducers,” she teased, looking him up and down. “I thought I’d wear simple clothes more suited for the forest, but Judith planned my wardrobe, saying beautiful gowns would make me more visible to Raine. Have I really changed?”
“Yes, you’ve filled out. Now, who is that greedy wench you brought with you?”
For a moment Alyx studied Joss. In all the time she’d known him, she’d never seen him so full of laughter or tease so much. “How is Rosamund?” she asked tentatively.
Jocelin tossed his head back and laughed. “You are too clever. She’s magnificent and getting better. Now, let’s go into camp. Raine will be glad to see you no matter what he says.”
* * *
Although Alyx thought she was prepared for her first sight of Raine, she wasn’t. He’d lost weight and the striations in his muscles were standing out. He was standing by a campfire looking down at two men who talked to him earnestly.
For a moment Alyx stood completely still, watching him, remembering every inch of him, wanting to run to him, launch herself into his arms, feel him welcoming her.
But when he turned, her breath caught in her throat. Hate she could have dealt with, but Raine’s eyes did not show the warm fires of hate. Instead there was nothing there but a frigid wasteland of ice: blue so cold it sent slivers of ice through her body. There was no flicker of recognition and especially none of welcome.
Without moving, Alyx watched as Raine turned his back on her and walked toward the training field.
“A mite angry, isn’t he?” Joan said from behind Alyx. “Those Montgomerys do have tempers. Did I ever tell you about the pit Lady Judith climbed into to save Lord Gavin? Of course, any woman in her right mind would risk all for such a man as Lord Gavin. And Miles, too. I’ve never been to bed with Lord Raine, though. Is he pleasing?”
“You go too far!” Alyx snapped, spinning around.
Joan gave a catlike grin. “At least I got you to quit feeling sorry for yourself. Now where do you want the tent? You decide while I fetch a few men to help us.”
With that she was off, silently slipping into the group of people who were slowly gathering about Alyx and the four loaded horses.
“We see you didn’t get much of you burned,” one man said, looking Alyx up and down insolently.
“Can’t burn real witches,” a woman said.
“Fancy dressin’,” came another voice. “Who’d you sleep with to get that?”
Alyx put her chin up. “I want to thank all of you for coming to my rescue when I needed help. I’m sure I didn’t deserve it, but thank you.”
This seemed to take the crowd back for a moment.
“Nobody meant to help you,” said a man with a scarred face. “ ’Twas for Lord Raine that we went. And now, from the looks of him, he wishes we’d let you burn.”
This caused a great roar of laughter from everyone and, shaking their heads, slapping one another’s backs, they went back to the camp, leaving Alyx alone.
“You plannin’ to cry?” Joan asked nastily in Alyx’s ear. “They’d like that. Here, come see what I found.”
With one deep sniff, Alyx turned away from the forest camp. Had she expected them to see that she’d changed? She looked up at Joan, who was flanked by four large, good-looking young men.
“They’ll help us set up the tent,” Joan said, slipping her arms through two of the men’s.
Alyx had to smile at Joan, who could be made happy so easily. Judith had said Joan was a cat slipping from bed to bed. With amazement, Alyx watched as Joan began to give the young men orders, all the while giving them a caress here and there. Once Joan looked up and winked at Alyx. Insolent girl! Alyx thought, turning away to hide a smile.
At the horses she began to unload the bundles she and Judith had packed.
“Need any help?” asked one of Joan’s young men from behind her as he took the bundle from her.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling up at him. “Are you new in the camp?”
At that he laughed and his brown eyes sparkled. “I was here before Raine, was here when you were a boy. You’ve changed some,” he teased, watching her.
“I don’t . . .” she began before looking away.
“I don’t guess you looked at any of us. It was always him you watched.” He jerked his head toward Raine’s tent. “I don’t guess I blame you, seein’ as how he’s a rich nobleman and you are—were—a . . .” He stopped.
“Is that how it looked?” Alyx said, mostly to herself.
“It did explain a great deal when Lord Raine told us we were to rescue you.”
“Told you, did he?” she asked. “No doubt everyone was quite cheerful at the prospect of saving me.”
The young man cleared his throat and shifted his burden. “I’ll take this to the camp for you.”
“Wait!” she called. “What is your name?”
“Thomas Carter,” he said, grinning.
Thoughtfully, Alyx finished unloading the horse. She’d spent months in this camp and to her knowledge she’d never even seen Thomas Carter, yet he’d been here all along and had even risked his life to rescue her.
Frowning, she went back to the camp and was very pleased when Thomas smiled at her.
Joan and the young men had the tent erected in a very short time and the goods stored inside. Outside blazed a warm campfire.
“Come up in the world, ain’t ya?” asked a woman from across the fire, her eyes glaring at Alyx. There was an enormous goiter on her neck, making her hold her head to one side.
“Could we share what we have with you?” Alyx asked quietly, then turned to glare at Joan, who’d gasped in protest.
The woman shook her head, her eyes wide, and left them.
“You can’t let that diseased scum near us!” Joan hissed. “Would you like to have one of those things on your neck? All she has to do is sit by us and—”
“Quiet!” Alyx said, seeing herself in Joan. “I’ll not have you snubbing these people. They saved my life and for all their filth and disease they deserve more than I can repay. And as for you, you will treat them well—and not just the men.”
Joan set her jaw firmly, muttering something about Alyx betraying her class, that she was becoming more like Lady Judith every day. Without a sound, she slipped off into the darkness.
Like Lady Judith, Alyx thought, and knew she’d never had such a compliment before. Smiling, she stood and went into her tent. Alone on the little cot, she was reminded of her nights with Raine. At least now she was close to him, and for the first time in months she was able to sleep well. Her last thoughts before falling asleep were of Catherine.
In the morning, Alyx awoke refreshed, smiling. The clean, cold, forest air felt good to her and even somewhat like home. Joan was not in sight, so Alyx dressed alone in a dress of emerald green wool trimmed with gold braid. A little cap on the back of her head did nothing to conceal the curls about her face. Her hair was longer now, and no longer did she hate the unusual color that made every strand seem to be an individual.
Outside the tent, she was greeted by an exhausted-looking Joan sitting lifelessly on a tree stump of a stool. Her hair was down her back, the shoulder of her dress torn. There was a bruise on her neck. She looked up at Alyx with bright eyes staring out
of bluish eye sockets. “They are lusty men,” she said wearily, yet so happily, that Alyx worked to keep from laughing.
“Go and rest,” Alyx said sternly. “And when you awaken we’ll talk of your disgusting conduct.”
Heavily, Joan rose and walked toward the tent.
Alyx caught her maid’s arm. “All four of them?” she asked curiously.
Joan only nodded, her eyelids drooping wearily, as she went inside the tent.
Alyx was contemplating this—four men at once?—when Raine presented himself before her, his eyes blazing angrily. She gulped twice. “Good morning,” she managed to say.
“Damn your mornings!” he growled, glaring at her. “That harlot you brought with you has worn out four of my men. They’re no good to me at all this morning. Can’t even lift a sword. I don’t know why you came here, but I think it’s time you returned.”
She smiled at him sweetly. “What a charming welcome, my husband. I apologize for my maid, but as you may remember I haven’t had much practice in handling underlings. We can’t all be born to the nobility. As to why I came here, I have a debt to pay.”
“You owe me nothing.”
“You!” Alyx spat, then calmed herself, forcing a smile. “Perhaps I do owe you something, but I owe more to these people.”
“Since when have you cared?” He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Since they risked their lives to save me,” she said calmly. “Would you care to join me for a bit of food to break your fast? I can offer you a cold meat pie.”
He seemed to want to say something but turned on his heel and left her.
Alyx kept smiling, her heart pounding as she watched his broad back retreat.
“Pleased with yourself?” Jocelin asked from behind her.
Alyx laughed aloud. “Am I so transparent? Raine Montgomery is an arrogant man, isn’t he? He thinks I’m here only because of him.”
“And aren’t you?” Joss asked.
“I shall drive him insane,” Alyx said happily. “Would you like something to eat? Do you have time to sit with me and answer some questions?”