The Lily and the Sword (Medieval 1)

Of course, there was his threat to harm her people if she did not obey him. Lily would never abandon her people; she was not the sort of woman to abandon anyone who needed her.

Radulf shook his head. He was tired and in pain. His wife was by his side, and he did not want to think ill of her. This night’s work had been for her sake as well as his own. He had wanted to free himself from his past, to face his future unfettered by those old chains.

“We will soon be there.”

Her voice brought him up from the morass of his thoughts. Radulf gave a brusque nod, which made his shoulder ache again. He gritted his teeth and let the pain fill him, swallowing all else.

It was still raining gently when they reached the inn. Lily hurried to dismount, sending one of the men into the inn to fetch Jervois while she instructed the others. They did not really need instruction, but she was concerned that they would hurt Radulf and he would not say so. His face had grown paler and paler; she was sure that he would faint at any moment and was only remaining conscious because of stubborn masculine pride.

Radulf did feel dizzy and faint. His head spun as he lowered himself from the saddle, and he had to lean heavily upon the shoulders of his men. He’d rather be drawn and quartered than faint in front of his wife. With a tremendous effort of will, Radulf pushed himself away from their support and, pulling himself up as straight as he could, walked into the inn.

The smoke made it difficult to see, and his nose twitched at the smells of confined living. It was ho

t, too, the fire blazing. Radulf wavered between continuing on to the wine jug he could see on a table or sinking onto the nearest bench. Jervois appeared beside him, looking almost as white and shocked as his lord.

“His shoulder has come out of its socket,” Lily said briskly, before worse could be assumed. “Radulf says you have helped him with it before, Jervois.”

Jervois reined in his moment of panic. “I have, lady.” The words were out before it struck him that her presence in Radulf’s party was wrong. “But…what do you outside? I…you were in your chamber.”

Radulf shook with weak laughter. “Was she, Jervois?”

“Come, help me get him to bed,” Lily cut in quickly. “Once you have dealt with him I do not think he will want to be moved again.”

But the bedchamber door opened before they could reach it, and Alice’s startled blue eyes peered out. When she saw Radulf supported between his men and Lily at his side, dripping and wet and white-faced, she gasped and scuttled back out of the way. Jervois shot her a furious glance as he passed but said nothing.

“Wine,” Radulf gritted as he sank down onto the bed.

Jervois’s tone was conspiratorial. “Best fetch it for him, lady. We have to remove his armor and clothing before I can tend his shoulder, and I fear it will hurt him a great deal.”

She nodded and forced herself to turn away. Alice caught up with her at the doorway.

“What has happened? My servant said that you sent him away. How could you be so foolish, Lily?”

Lily waved one impatient hand. “There is no time for that now. Radulf is hurt.”

“How was he hurt? You said it wasn’t going to be dangerous.”

“It wasn’t…at least…I can’t answer you now. I thank you, though, with all my heart. If I had not been there…” And she shuddered violently.

“Lily? Come, sit down. You are as much in need of wine as Radulf!”

“Lady?” Jervois said, looking less than his usual steady self. “The wine.”

Lily took a breath and nodded. “Yes. I will fetch it immediately.”

When she had gone, Jervois turned his green eyes on Alice. The girl pretended to be unaware, but there was a flush in her cheeks and her mouth was all pursed up. He knew he should be angry—he was angry—but something in her face made him want to take her in his arms and kiss her rather than rant at her.

“Lady Alice,” he began in his sternest voice.

“Oh, all right.” She turned and looked him straight in the eye. “Lily needed my help, and I gave it to her. I am sorry if I deceived you, Captain Jervois, but it was not done with any intention of causing harm.”

“And yet Lord Radulf is hurt and his lady was also in danger. They have enemies, a great many enemies, even here in York.”

Alice appeared chastened but refused to drop her gaze. “I see that now, but Lily asked my help as a friend. What sort of friend would I be if I had refused her, or had run to tell you?”

Her answer placed him in a quandary. She had plainly acted foolishly, yet if she had been a man he would have applauded her stand. He wasn’t used to hearing women speak in such terms; he had always thought honor was the prerogative of men. Was it possible that Alice of Rennoc understood the concept?

“I will send an escort home with you. It would not serve either of us if you were attacked by thieves on the streets of York.”