Kingdom of Love, page 27
“What is this about?” Roger asked more gently. “Please tell me. I promise I am not the man I was before. I will listen and understand.”
“I cannot speak of it,” Helena managed to croak out between sobs.
“Pray tell, why not?” It was Tancred’s turn to ask questions. “I have patiently waited for you to put your tears aside and talk to me, and now you say you cannot speak of it? Am I not worthy of an explanation?” Helena looked back to Tancred and knew she was lost.
“Oh, my love,” she whispered, “you deserve more than simple words.”
“I will happily settle for them alone,” Tancred replied with the barest hint of a smile. “Later, however, I might well extract a heavier payment.”
Helena shook her head. “I have endangered you. Perhaps you as well, Roger. Please ask nothing more of me. I cannot speak of it!” She pushed away from Tancred and turned to leave, but neither man would hear of it, and each took hold of a slender arm.
“You are no longer a child, Helena.” Roger’s voice was stern yet loving. “I insist you bear the truth to me. I will protect you from whatever you fear.” Helena looked up and met his gaze.
“As will I,” Tancred promised.
She turned from Roger’s face to Tancred’s. Both men were so hopeful in their desire to help her, but memories of Maude loomed in her mind and spoiled the scene.
“Nay!” Helena shook her head violently. “You cannot take my punishment this time.” She ripped away from their hold and put several paces between them before turning. “ ’Tis true enough I am no longer a child. In matters such as these, the stakes are much higher, and I do not merit a child’s punishment. Nay!” She choked back a harsh, near hysterical laugh and held up a hand to Tancred’s advancing form. “ ’Twill be no simple denial of supper or extra hour of housecleaning. ’Tis now a matter of life and death, and I will not be the one to cause bloodshed.”
“What are you saying, Helena?” Tancred’s voice was soft, yet demanding. “Whose blood is to be shed?” He took another step.
“Never mind.” She struggled to calm her nerves.
Tancred again moved forward. “Helena, whose blood?”
“I’ve said too much.”
“Nay, you have said too little. Whose blood is to be shed?” He was only inches away from her now.
“Yours!” Helena exclaimed, then put her hand to her mouth. Her eyes grew wide with shock at the word she’d spoken. There was no taking it back, and she knew Roger and Tancred well enough to know that this simple announcement would not go unquestioned.
Roger saved her the moment of dilemma. “Maude.” He stated the simple word, knowing full well that his guess was accurate.
Helena dropped her hands and stared in wonder at her stepbrother. “I … But how …?” She couldn’t answer.
“I thought as much.” Roger’s eyes narrowed in anger. “You will sit down and tell us all.”
“But I cannot,” Helena said, shifting her gaze from Roger to the face of her beloved Tanny.
“You will do as you are told,” Tancred said, taking the falconer’s stool and pulling Helena to his lap. “I believe we used to resolve problems just like this when you were but a child. Shall we play one of our guessing games and learn of your dark secrets?”
Helena was appalled at the amusement in Tancred’s voice.
“ ’Tis no matter of games. She means to wed you or—”
“Or kill me?” Tancred threw back his head and roared. “She was always one to weave tangled webs. Think not much of it, nor trouble your heart on that one.”
“She killed my mother!” Helena exclaimed and tears came again to her eyes.
“What say you?” Roger stepped closer. “Can this be true?”
Helena’s trembling shoulders slumped against the security of Tancred’s arms. She gave only a brief nod before giving way to her sorrow.
“But how?”
“Poison,” Helena finally admitted. “Oh, can you not see? My mother was a thorn in Maude’s side. Mother did nothing but offer her love, and Maude cast it aside as though it were tainted. She blamed my mother and me for all of her hurts and miseries.” Helena’s trembling voice had steadied as she reached her real concern. “She tired of my mother’s interference and poisoned her. She’ll do the same to all of us, but especially to my”—she paused—“to you, Tanny.”
He smiled and slipped his warm fingers under her chin. “Maude is no threat to me, except that she divide us apart. I cannot cast off the devotion of one so dear and true in fear that one so evil and false would see me dead.”
“Do not trifle with Maude. She is evil, Tanny,” Helena said, hoping that the seriousness of the matter would settle upon him.
“Aye, I can vouch for that,” Roger agreed.
“You are in as much danger as Tancred,” Helena said. “Is it not true that should you die, Maude will take control of the estate? After all, there are no male heirs and not one relative beyond you two who lay claim to your father’s blood.”
“You are right, and the point is well taken. I had not considered Maude’s limitless treachery. The matter is such that we must work together and lay a trap for this beast.”
“But how? If I do not leave within the hour, Maude will know that something is amiss.”
“I will state that our journey is to be delayed by a day. That should give Tancred and me plenty of time to set our plans into action.”
Helena dried her eyes with the back of her well-worn tunic sleeve. “I cannot let you risk your lives. I haven’t the heart for such matters, nor the faith.”
“What say ye—this great woman of faith, who knew no fear of the years or miles that separated her from the love of her heart? Faith is all that we do have.” Tancred stroked her cheek fondly. “Without faith, we are lost.”
“Yet let us be up and about putting faith into action,” Roger interrupted. “Were you not telling me of your great philosopher and his mind toward reason?” Roger smiled conspiratorially at Tancred.
“Aye, ’tis true enough. Faith and reason. The two walk as friends, hand in hand. Ye cannot be a man of faith without putting that faith to the test. And testing your faith oft pushes a man to great depths of reasoning. Still, ’tis God’s reasons and faith in Him that lead us forward.”
“I do not understand,” Helena said, looking defensively from Tancred to Roger.
“Be of courage, Helena. That is enough of a task for you,” Roger reassured. “Tancred and I can manage Maude.”
Roger and Helena entered the great hall together. Helena was notably subdued and kept her head down to avoid meeting Maude’s stare. Maude was already seated, impatiently awaiting the formal announcement that she’d anticipated since the night before, while Arianne and Richard shared intimate conversation with Tancred.
The priest offered a blessing on the food, and the fast was broken with warm bread and porridge. Helena had no stomach for the food. In her mind she kept imagining the death of her mother. Food had been the bearer of Maude’s misdeeds, and as she thought of it, Helena choked on her porridge.
Coughing quietly into her linen napkin, Helena felt Arianne’s reassuring hand on her arm. She glanced up to meet warm brown eyes that sympathetically assured her that all was well. The slightest smile touched Arianne’s lips and then faded as the duchess turned to receive a question from one of the serving boys.
Devon had been called away, so Roger took the seat beside Helena. How very different a matter of days has made, she thought. It was once a terrifying thought to have Roger so near, and yet now Roger offers immense comfort.
“I am afraid I must plead the duke’s indulgence,” Roger announced amidst the table conversation.
“By my leave,” Richard replied, playing out his part.
Helena realized instantly that Richard and Arianne were well aware of their roles. It was the reason for Arianne’s smile and for Richard’s calm, deliberate manner. Helena wished she had some of the duke’s calm assurance. The butterflies in her stomach refused to settle, even as Roger continued with his announcement.
“With your permission, Sire,” he began, “my sister, Lady Helena, and I will be departing for our lands.”
“I beg you, no!” Richard said in a voice that hinted surprise. “My wife has come to greatly depend on your sister. Might you reconsider?”
“I wish it could be so, Your Grace, but there is much amiss in my land. Only this morn I had word of a border dispute. I must return.”
“Aye, ’twould be for the sake of your people and land. I see the need, still, could Lady Helena not stay on? We have extended a home to her as long as she desires one.”
“Aye,” Arianne joined in, turning to Helena. “You are most welcome here. Timothy will scarce know how to fall asleep without your angelic song.”
Helena smiled sadly. She was still uncertain of her own part, and for all the lives that hinged on her reactions, she was uncomfortable with the plan. “I must go,” was all she managed to say.
Arianne knew the younger woman’s distress and hurried to move the conversation on. “I will have Matilda see to your packing.”
“Nay,” Roger said with raised hand. “My sister has requested that those generous garments be left in your care.”
Arianne said nothing more, and Richard picked up the conversation. “You will certainly require provisions, and with two women, you will require an escort.”
“I beg Your Graces’ indulgence,” Maude interjected. “I should plead upon your mercy and ask that I might be allowed to remain behind. I fear I am not up to the long journey and request a few more days of respite.”
“Of course,” Richard replied after a quick, reassuring glance at his wife. “You are most welcome to stay with us.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Maude bowed her head in feigned humility.
“That still leaves you with Lady Helena’s safety in mind,” Richard continued.
“ ’Tis no problem, brother,” Tancred nearly roared. It was the cue he had waited for. “I would like very much to accompany Sir Roger and Lady Helena. Upon a time, their home was my own. It would give me great pleasure to once again view it. That is, should Sir Roger and his sister be in agreement with this idea.”
“ ’Twould be my delight,” Roger exclaimed as though hearing the idea for the first time. “I pledge you shelter and comfort for as long as you desire.”
Maude’s head snapped up at this new development. Helena noted her disgust but continued quietly picking at a piece of bread, while Roger and Tancred played out the scene.
“By my brother’s leave, I could take several of his men and accompany you,” Tancred announced.
“It would be greatly appreciated,” Roger replied, and both he and Tancred turned to Richard for confirmation.
“A splendid idea!” Richard’s words were given in such positive affirmation that Helena nearly laughed aloud. She barely controlled the smile that played at her lips, but when her gaze fell upon Maude’s pinched expression, Helena instantly sobered.
“ ’Tis settled then,” Tancred said after taking a long drink from his mug. “I will prepare as soon as we adjourn.”
“Nay,” Richard said thoughtfully. “I would ask that you spend yet another night in my care. I have need for my men until the morrow. Would another day matter, Sir Roger?”
Roger looked down at Helena. “Would the morrow be soon enough, my sister?”
Helena nodded nervously. She was twisting the dark burgundy velvet of her surcoat. “Whatever His Grace wills.”
Roger added his confirmation. “We are your humble servants.”
Everyone at the duke’s table could clearly see Maude’s irritation. She tore at her bread and crashed her cup around as though she were trying to stave off vermin.
Conversation carried them through the rest of the meal, and though nothing more was said of the Talbot departure, Helena was certain that Maude contemplated her revenge. Helena knew that her stepsister would find a way to blame her for these developments. Of course, in this case, she would have reason to do so, but Helena would give her no satisfaction in knowing that.
When breakfast was completed, Roger helped Helena from her chair, and Richard did the same for Arianne. Servants hurried around the room to clean up the mess, while everyone else flooded into the various parts of the castle and grounds to begin their day.
The duke immediately caught Roger’s attention, leaving Helena momentarily wondering what she should do with herself.
“Please say you will come and sing for Timothy,” Arianne said with a hopeful smile.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Helena replied. “ ’Twould be my honor.”
“I shall miss your voice when you are gone from this place.” Arianne’s words were genuine and heartfelt. “I have enjoyed not only your songs but the words we have shared in conversation. I have no sister, and so I have but glimpsed the delights of one through our friendship.”
“Sisterly delights are overly credited,” Maude said in a haughty tone from across the table. “ ’Tis well enough to share company as grown women, but as children”—she paused with a meaningful glare at her stepsister—“the matter can be quite different.”
Arianne gave a brief lyrical laugh. “I would well imagine it to be so. I was not without sibling. My brother, Devon, was my fondest companion, at least while I was at home.”
“Then he must know well how little sisters can play cruel jokes and spy out from their lairs. ’Tis mostly mischief and mean-spirited games that young ones have to offer.”
“I cannot call you false, Lady Talbot,” Tancred interrupted, “but neither can I imagine either Lady Helena or the duchess as mean-spirited. ’Twould be impossible for a cruel word to pass from either of those sweet mouths.”
Helena wanted to laugh, but the sight of Maude clenching her velvet surcoat in her balled fists kept her from uttering a peep. Instead, she allowed Arianne to take hold of her arm and lead her from the room.
At the stairs, Arianne paused and turned to find Maude scowling. “You are welcome to come with us, Lady Talbot.”
But Maude had already sent a serving girl to retrieve her cloak, and shook her head to reject the offer. “I am afraid I require a bit of fresh air. My condition is not so that I would feel comfortable with the child.”
“Very well,” Arianne replied sweetly. “But surely you will come and see your nephew, Tancred?” Helena stared at Arianne’s suggestion, and Maude turned red in anger. There would be no way for her to take back the declined invitation should Tancred accept.
“I would be most honored to hear Lady Helena sing. Seeing my nephew would be a fond way to pass the hour as well.” Tancred joined them at the stairs. He offered his arm to Arianne, who simply shook her head and nodded to Helena.
“I would not presume to interfere,” she said with a grin.
“Nor would I presume to contradict the duchess of the land,” Tancred said, flashing a charming smile at his sister-in-law.
Helena felt it was wrong to goad Maude, but a part of her delighted in the obvious attention. Arianne had made it perfectly acceptable for her and Tanny to spend time together, and Helena was not going to do a simple thing to discourage it. She turned to Tancred from the gray stone step above him. From here they were nearly eye level with each other, and Helena found the moment quite moving. Tancred put out his hand, and Helena touched her fingertips to his. For a moment, neither one did anything more. It was as if the rest of the world had completely forsaken them.
Tancred’s harsh face softened as his dark eyes drank their fill of Helena. She felt a blush warm her cheek and her heart beat faster. How she loved this man! Melodies welled up from within her soul, and Helena felt as though she might burst into song at any moment.
“And what will you sing for us, sweet Helena?” Tancred breathed the question in a hushed whisper, almost as if he had read her mind.
Helena smiled and spoke in an almost seductive way. “Mayhaps I shall sing a long song.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “But only if I am so inspired.”
Tancred stared at her quite blank-faced, but his eyes sparkled in amusement. “Of course. Let us pray it is so.”
They hurried up the stairs together, neither one noticing the cloaked form that stood in the shadows below. Maude’s brooding glare followed them from behind the hood of her cape.
“I warned you, Helena,” she murmured, but there was no one to hear her, nor to understand the danger Maude had come to represent.
CHAPTER 18
In the duchess’ private solar, they gathered with Timothy. The baby cooed and gurgled his approval of the new company, and when Arianne handed him to Tancred, Helena laughed aloud at the expression on his face.
“He will not break,” Arianne said with a smirk, while Tancred held Timothy stiffly. The look on his face said it all. “Do not tell me the great fearless lord of the land who came last year to best my husband now trembles before his son?”
Helena giggled, then cupped her hand to her mouth at Tancred’s look of mock disgust.
“I thought you loyal to me,” he said sternly, then softened the words with a wink.
“To find another as loyal as this one,” Arianne said, taking a seat, “would be quite impossible.” She watched her brother-in-law in his discomfort. “By my leave, Tancred, please sit down.”
He did so in a manner that caused him to move as little as possible from the waist up. Helena could not refrain from laughing out loud.
“I heard that snickering and will deal with it later.”
“Forget not, I am under the duke’s protection,” Helena said in a singsong voice. “Harm me and deal with him.”
“Aye,” Arianne acknowledged conspiratorially. “My husband would be far from tolerant.”
“Cease your prattle!” Tancred said in a voice louder than he’d intended. This sudden sternness caused Timothy to pucker his face. Tears filled the baby’s eyes, and soon he was wailing loud enough to bring down the walls.
Helena reached out and took the baby when Arianne sat back and watched in amused anticipation. Tancred was relieved to be rid of the squalling infant. He had little experience with babies. The frailty and tininess of them only served to make him feel cumbersome and awkward. Helena, he noted, was quite at ease with her charge. She began to sing to him with such love and gentleness that the infant instantly calmed.
