Page 61 of Rogue Knight
She knew what he meant. He was worried they might see her as an object of their lust. Dismissing the danger she could do nothing about, she said, “I must go. A man’s life is at stake.” Glancing at the squire, she said, “Remove anything that shows you to be a Norman. Artur can give you a plain tunic. You will ride pillion with me.”
The guards did not like it but, in the end, two of them rode with her and Mathieu and two remained behind to guard her family. Emma left the house with a word to Artur to keep Sigga, Inga and the children safe. Magnus whimpered as they left, the look in his dark eyes telling her he wanted to go. She would not risk his life.
***
When they were surrounded by the rebels and their weapons taken, Geoff had placed himself in front of Malet and his family. His arm was still bleeding but not badly. Alain had taken a sword point in his shoulder and now dripped blood onto his mail. Undaunted, the Bear stood in front of Gilbert and FitzOsbern. The few other men who had been in the castle when Geoff had ordered the doors barred now huddled with the nobles. Without their weapons they would be of little use but Geoff still thought of himself as a protector. His death might at least delay that of the others.
He had not witnessed the end of the battle but he had heard the shouts of the great victory claimed by the rebels. He heaved a bitter sigh knowing the rest of his knights and men-at-arms must now be dead.
“Who is the tall one who gives the orders?” he whispered to FitzOsbern over his shoulder.
“Maerleswein,” he spit out, “the former Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a thegn who once swore allegiance to William. Beside him, the younger one with the dark hair is Earl Cospatric. He was once the Earl of Northumbria. Rebels both.”
“The leaders?”
“Aye, most likely, along with the Dane who just left.”
The one FitzOsbern had named Maerleswein pulled his long seax from its leather sheath at his waist and strolled toward Geoff and Alain. The tall Northumbrian was coated in dried blood, even his face and beard were streaked with it.
In Norman French, Maerleswein said, “You and the other knights are of no use to me.” Then he took a step toward Geoff and pressed the knife’s edge to his throat. Geoff felt a trickle of blood course down his neck and both fear and resolve streaked down his spine. He would not cower. If die he must, then die he would.
The blade was suddenly withdrawn and the rebel leader’s head jerked toward the front of the hall where a tall woman wearing a dark cloak ran through the door.
Geoff would have recognized her anywhere.Emma. Mon Dieu. What is she doing here?At her side was Mathieu, dressed as a Northumbrian, followed by two warriors, their swords drawn.
“Father!” she shouted, letting her hood drop and hurrying toward Maerleswein.
Father?
Maerleswein sheathed his blade. “Emma, why have you come? ’Tis not safe.”
Emma’s eyes were fierce as she shot Geoff a glance before drawing near to the man she had called father. Panting, she breathed out, “I come to save a friend.”
Maerleswein frowned at the guards behind Emma, his harsh glare chiding them for having failed in their duty. Facing his daughter, he demanded, “What friend could you find in a Norman castle?”
“These two knights and this squire you would slay,” she said to the blond giant she had claimed as her sire.
Geoff remembered the large shoes he had seen in the room where they had laid the sword-maker and his gaze shifted to Maerleswein’s feet. Emma was his daughter? The leader of the rebels was herfather? Disbelief gave way to rising anger that settled into his gut. All this time she had known her father plotted with the Danes to slaughter William’s knights, yet she had said not a word. She had allowed Geoff to aid the family of the rebel leader, even feeding them. For Christ sake, she had even welcomed him to her bed!
To betray me?
“Father, remember the Normans I spoke of who came to my rescue? The ones who helped Ottar, Feigr and Magnus?”
Maerleswein cast a glance at Geoff and Alain. “Theseare the French knights?”
Emma nodded. “The ones who stand before you, guarding the Norman nobles, and this squire who summoned me. I would ask you to spare them.”
Maerleswein’s face hardened into a scowl, his eyes narrowing as if he would deny her request.
“Formysake, Father,” she pleaded.
Maerleswein let out a breath and his countenance softened when he looked into his daughter’s anxious eyes. Geoff had experienced those same blue-green eyes turned on him. He did not doubt her father would relent.
“All right, Daughter. It will be as you say. They are not many and I suppose ’twill not hinder us.” Then to one of his soldiers, “Put the knights in the tower chambers and post guards at the doors. Malet, his wife and sons can take another chamber and FitzOsbern and Gilbert a third.”
“Aye, sir,” the warrior dipped his head, “it shall be done.”
“Thank you, Father,” said Emma, casting Geoff a glance that spoke of regret.
