The Lily and the Sword (Medieval 1)

Without a word, Lily turned and fled back to her room. Radulf, furious with himself, strode outside, calling for some of his men to ride with him. There were many things to do if he were to return to Lily’s lands in the north. His lands, he reminded himself. Building of the good Norman castle William had commanded be placed as sentinel in that wild country would need to begin very soon. Radulf wondered grimly how long it would take him to get the building started and stamp his fist upon those unruly lands. Maybe then he could safely return south to Crevitch, for a little time at least.

He wanted to take Lily to Crevitch. The thought of the two together brought a soft warmth to his chest. He would take her riding in the meadows along the river, and up onto the conical hill from the top of which he could see to every corner of his lands. The summer sunshine would turn her hair to silver fire, and her body would glow when he laid her down upon the green grass and loved her…

Radulf shook himself. As his father had loved his stepmother? he thought angrily. As his father had loved and been betrayed, and then died in misery? If he had any sense left, he would fight this sickness that was afflicting him. To allow any woman into his life was to open the way for torment and despair, but to give that privilege to Lily…

She would betray him. He might as well face that now. She had already lied to him and tried to run from him. How could he ever trust her?

He scrubbed an angry hand through his short hair, making it stand on end. His thoughts shifted, and he remembered Lily’s face when he had burned the golden dress. She had suffered as if it were a living thing, not just cloth and thread. She had wanted it for herself, just like all women, and did not understand his extreme actions.

Radulf shrugged irritably. He did not see why he should explain himself to his wife. Such deep and painful memories were not to be prodded by anyone, and especially not by her. He had held them tightly for many a long year, and he was not about to relinquish his grip. And he could never lay down the burden he had carried for so long at the feet of a woman he was afraid to trust.

Radulf and Lily ate again at the castle. William made rough jests about their early departure the night before, until Lily’s face was burning and Radulf’s smile was a grimace. Beneath the shallow humor, Lily knew William trusted and liked Radulf; there was a bond between them.

Lily concentrated on her food and stayed close to Radulf’s side. She had dreaded the thought of Lady Anna approaching her again, but if the golden-eyed woman was present, Lily did not see her. Just as well, for this time she wouldn’t listen so passively to the woman’s hints and innuendos. Gentle she might be, but she had a temper.

Although Lord Kenton smiled at her knowingly from beyond a group of motley mummers, he did not approach either, likely due to Radulf’s grim demeanor. Lily was glad to be left alone; she still felt drained by what had happened. If Radulf still loved Anna so much, it was best they avoided her.

Misery swamped her.

With such gloomy thoughts to occupy her, Lily did not at first hear the tentative voice. “Lily? My lady? Do you not recognize me?”

Lily blinked and looked up. A young woman stood before her, her gown fashionably cut, her hair concealed by a delicate veil, except for two golden yellow curls that brushed her rounded shoulders. Indeed, she was rounded in every respect, and blessed with healthy apple-red cheeks and sparkling blue eyes.

“Alice?” Lily asked the question even as she knew the answer. Rising to her feet, she took the hands held out to her, leaning dangerously across the table among the leftovers. The two woman smiled broadly at their good fortune.

“It is good to see you again, Lily. I heard of your…that is, I feared that you were in desperate trouble, and that I would have to rescue you. But my father would not let me. He sent me here instead, to visit my uncle and find a husband.”

Lily laughed as she was meant to. “Have you found one yet?”

“No.” Alice shook her head, her eyes dancing merrily. If her husbandless state concerned her, it was not evident. “I do not have your good fortune.”

It was said jestingly, but there was a question in Alice’s raised brows. Lily smoothed her skirts, trying to conceal her embarrassment. Everyone in York must know the circumstances of her marriage to Radulf.

“I do not know that I would wish my good fortune on you, Alice,” she said at last, and her smile was awry. “But it is good to see you.” There were not many friendly faces in King William’s castle, and Alice’s was very friendly indeed.

Alice slipped through a space in the trestle tables and stood close to Lily’s side. She was shorter than Lily, though broader. Their basic coloring was similar, both with fair hair and light eyes, but placed together like this, the two women were very different. Alice was the sun and Lily the moon, the one bright and bubbly, the other cool and pale and mysterious.

“May I visit you on the morrow, Lily? Although life here in York is exciting, I cannot help but be a little homesick. I miss my father and my home at Rennoc, and I miss you. I have been worried about you.”

Lily smiled. “I have been worried about myself.”

“When I heard Vorgen had been killed I wanted to go to you, but my father declared it too dangerous. And then when we heard you were using my name…Oh Lily, I was most concerned. Are you really all right? Was Vorgen very cruel?”

Lily grimaced. “Vorgen was the worst sort of Norman.”

“And the worst sort of husband,” Alice added softly. “May I come to see you tomorrow?”

The girl was obviously dying to hear about Lily’s troubles, and Lily did not believe there was anything other than genuine concern in her purpose. “Of course you may. Only…we do not as yet have a house here. I—”

Alice, sensing her awkwardness, waved a dismissive hand. “Furnish me with the address and I will find it, Lily. I know York very well by now. I have been shopping every day and have more new clothing than you can imagine. My uncle believes if I am to catch a fine husband, I must put on a fine show.”

Self-conscious suddenly, Lily again smoothed her hands over her skirts as she gave Alice her address. It should not matter that she could not compete with Alice’s new finery, Lily told herself impatiently. There were far more important things to think of. And yet she could not help but envy Alice, a little.

Alice had been chattering on, but suddenly she fell silent. Lily glanced up and saw that the other girl’s smile had faltered and was trembling at the edges. Her already red cheeks had grown redder. Lily did not have to turn her head to know that Radulf had come quietly up behind her.

Alice gave a low, wobbly curtsy, disclosing a great deal of cleavage over the top of her blue gown. Radulf reached past Lily to take the girl’s arm in a firm grip and help her rise. His glance to his wife was questioning but also amused. His mouth twitched.

“My lord,” Lily said with as much cool hauteur as she could manage, “this is Alice of Rennoc.”