Page 34 of Bold Angel
At the closing of her chamber door, Ral returned his attention to the boy.
“Upon this day, Leofric, you have admitted your crime and faced this court with courage,” Ral said. “Still, justice must be served. Leofric of Braxston, you will spend the next two months in service to the women of the castle. You will work in the kitchens, scrubbing the floors, skinning the carcasses brought into the hall, helping to prepare the meals and any other tasks you are assigned. After that, should you accomplishyour duties well, you will become my page.” Ral relaxed against his chair, allowing himself a smile. “There is always room in my service for a young man with courage.”
The lad looked so stunned—and so relieved—Ral thought the boy’s legs might crumble beneath him. “Marta,” he called before that could happen. “Find the lad a place to sleep, send his mother some food, and see he doesn’t shirk his duties.”
“Oh no, milord,” Leo said. “I will do what’ere I’m asked. I give you me word upon that.”
Nodding, certain the boy had learned his lesson and would more than earn his keep, Ral waited till the lad was led away, his mother sobbing her gratitude as she hurried along behind him. Then Ral slid back his chair and stood up, signaling an end to the proceedings.
They were over at last.
Near over,he corrected with a dark glance toward the stairs. His jaw set firmly, Ral strode in that direction.
Chapter Eight
Inching the door closed as soundlessly as she could, Caryn scrambled away to the foot of the high carved bed. She had angered him again, but it had been worth it. The boy Leofric was saved!
In the passage behind the great hall, Caryn had heard his mother’s story, a broken tale, told between desperate pleas and heart-wrenching sobs. She had asked for Caryn’s help, but Caryn had declined, saying her help would be useless, that it would only enrage her husband and might even make matters worse. She had been resigned to sit in silence, hopeful her husband would be just. Then she had heard Ral’s words and the sentence the boy might receive, and her feet had moved of their own accord.
Caryn glanced nervously toward the door. In the hall below, she could hear the clatter of men moving about the great room and the sound of the dark Norman’s voice as he climbed the steep stone stairs. He’d been as angry as she had ever seen him. Mother of God, what would he do?
Caryn jumped as he lifted the heavy iron latch and strode inside the chamber, the muscles taut in his arms and shoulders, his rich plum mantle sailing out behind him. He didn’t stop walking until he stood before her, a black look marring his handsome face.
“So… my lady wife… you await me as you were told. ’Tis the first time, I’ll wager.”
Caryn wisely did not respond.
“What have you to say for yourself?”
“Very little, my lord.”
“That is a change. ’Twould seem to me that once again you have defied me.”
“I-I did not mean to, my lord. I only—”
“’Tis not enough you should gainsay me in private. Now you must do so in public as well.”
“I am sorry, my lord. ’Twas just that the boy’s mother was so distraught, so worried you would see the child maimed. She begged me to intercede and—”
“And so you did, though ’twas hardly your place to do so.”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Didyoualso believe I would order such a sentence?”
Caryn glanced down at her feet. “I was not sure.”
“Since ’tis certain you were listening to what went on, I am certain you now know the fate the boy suffered.”
Caryn smiled up at him; she could not help it. “Aye, my lord. Thank you.”
“I do not believe you should thank me so soon.” He unfastened the gold and garnet brooch on his right shoulder, pulled off his cloak, and tossed it onto the bed.
“Wha-What are you doing?”
“I mean to do exactly what I said—see justice done.”
Caryn went still. Should he wish to beat her, she knew all too well how easily he could accomplish the deed. Still, she had known the risks before she decided to help; she would not now cower in fear.
