Page 79 of King’s Knight

The one with the arrow aimed at Rory paused.

“Friends?” asked the older man in accented English, tossing her a smirk. “That one,” pointing to Rory, “calls us ‘dogs’. What would you know of our friends, small archer who speaks our tongue?”

“Merewyn, do not—” Alex began, but she cut him off.

“We are from Talisand to the north and friends of Iorwerth ap Bleddyn,” she said loudly, not knowing which of them was in charge.

The first bowman stuck his head out of the thick branches overhead, his eyes examining Ceinder and then roving over her tunic and leather jerkin. “You are a woman, yet you ride a Welsh pony and dress like one of us. Who are you?”

“My name is Merewyn,” she said. “If you serve the King of Gwynedd, I am known to him.”

The leader returned her a disbelieving stare. After a moment, he said, “I know the name.” A hasty conversation ensued among the Welsh bowmen in their tongue. She understood they were discussing her and their king, but she did not catch all their words.

With a grand gesture, sweeping his arm down the road, the older one said, “You may go, Merewyn.” Then he shouted to the trees ahead, “Allow them to pass!”

Slowly, they rode forward, Merewyn expecting an arrow in her back at any moment, but none came. The archers in the trees did not question their leader’s change of attitude but their eyes never left her as she passed in front of them.

Once they were clear of the Welshmen and some distance away, Alex pulled rein and turned to her. “Would you like to explain what exactly happened back there?”

Rory and Guy turned in their saddles waiting for her response.

“Last night I freed Gruffydd ap Cynan, the King of Gwynedd, from a cell in Earl Hugh’s castle. Before he took his leave, he asked me for my name.”

Alex glared at her, the shock of what she had done clear on his face. “You are the cause of all the excitement this morning? You set the enemy free?”

“I did. After all, Gruffydd was captured by treachery. Why should he not be freed in the same manner? Besides, he was not my enemy. Given all the Welsh have done for me… and what Rhodri means to Lady Serena and Talisand, it seemed the right thing to do.”

Rory and Guy stared at her, open mouthed.

Alex pursed his lips and let out a breath. “Well, we shall say no more of it, for your deed, good or bad, saved our lives. And frankly, I would not put either treachery or cruelty past Earl Hugh.”

“We have you to thank for our lives, Merewyn,” said Guy, finding his voice. His smile told her he did not hold her action to free the Welsh king against her.

“You continue to surprise me, wife,” said Alex. “I suspect with you, life will never be dull.”

They rode on in comfortable silence. At Wigan, the priest was welcoming and again provided them with lodging. Merewyn was glad to be out of the cold. When Alex told the priest they were wed, he was happy to show them to a chamber they could share. Alex did not make love to her that night but wrapped his body around her and, with one hand possessively on her breast, told her, “Get some rest.”

CHAPTER 15

Two days later, on a dreary afternoon, Alex and his companions rode through Talisand’s gate. He had accomplished his purpose and rescued Merewyn from the clutches of the Welshman, but none save Rory and Guy knew he had rescued his wife. Even Merewyn refused to agree they were wed. She still kept the ring he had given her on a riband around her neck, hidden beneath her clothing.

He felt a scowl building as he recalled their last conversation.

“You will wear my ring. I will not have the likes of Owain or Ranulf thinking you are available for their pursuit.”

“Nay, I will not! Not until I know your parents have accepted the idea of our marriage. They may yet expect you to wed a noble born woman. And then there is the king. Oh, and Alex, please say nothing of the babe until you have their answer.”

He knew she was resisting for his benefit but he liked it not. In his mind, they were well and truly wed and there was no way she would be slipping out of it. She was the only woman he wanted to be mother to his sons. The only woman he would have in his bed. The only woman he loved with a passion.

He cast a sharp glance at her belly before raising his gaze to her face. “Already you swell with my child,” he whispered, leaning in close so only she could hear. “You cannot hide the truth of it for long.”

She turned her head forward, stubborn as always, and said nothing.

He would see an end to her defiance. Tonight, he would raise the issue of their marriage with his father.

* * *

Jamie was in the bailey talking with Lora when Alex and Merewyn passed through the palisade gate, followed by Rory and Guy. “By all the saints, he has brought her back,” Jamie muttered under his breath.