Page 37 of Saxon Blade Norman Blood
13
“I am going to see Cuthbert of Eglemouth this afternoon,” William announced early the next morning. “Some fields on his domains were trampled by a hunting party two weeks ago. I could not convince the barons who took part in the hunt to pay compensation for the lost crops or even apologize.” He made a grimace, as if his countrymen’s attitude grated on him. “But he is not to know that. All he will see is that he is being compensated for the damage.”
“How is that going to happen, if you could not get money out of them?” Rowena asked, selecting a piece of dried apple from the dish in front of her. She would behave as if nothing of importance had happened the day before and hope he followed her lead.
“I will give him the money myself and claim I am come on the barons’ behalf. They are not to know that either,” he added when she arched an eyebrow.
“This is some conciliation campaign you’re undertaking,” she scoffed. But in truth she was impressed that he should take the trouble of appeasing the Saxon—and bear the expense of the compensation single-handedly. “When neither party is aware of the truth.”
“Isn’t it?” He favored her with a blinding smile. “But you will get the chance to see just how effective it is to do what’s in people’s best interest, even if it is done behind their back. You are coming with me.”
She blinked. “Why don’t you take one of your regular interpreters with you?”
“No need. Cuthbert speaks my language well enough for us to converse.”
Her heart skipped a beat. He didn’t need her there, hewantedher there. Why?
“Is this your way of ensuring I keep out of trouble?” she asked more waspishly than she intended.
“Yes. And that way, you will be able to see for yourself that I do not sleep withallthe local lords’ wives—or their daughters,” he added with what looked suspiciously like a wink. “Mind you, I think you will agree when you see them that no man in his right mind would attempt to lead Cuthbert’s wife astray, or his daughters, who, unfortunately, take after her.”
Rowena bit into her apple and stayed silent. She found it difficult to handle William in this mood. Formidable as he could be, he was also disconcertingly whimsical when he wanted, and this was not what she expected of an enemy. Aggression, threat, menace, she had been steeling herself for, but she was disarmed in front of his playful teasing.
They set off shortly after, once he had given his men instructions for the day. Rowena was riding a small mare with a placid disposition. William must have remembered how wary she was of big horses and made sure to offer her a mount she could handle. This thoughtfulness touched her more than it perhaps should have.
Eglemouth wasn’t far, and they soon reached Cuthbert’s house where an intimidating matron welcomed them in. Rowena could not help a chuckle when William arched a meaningful eyebrow in her direction.
Indeed, she could well believe he had never been tempted to seduce this woman, who was about as feminine as a blacksmith. She was as tall as he was and almost as broad, with a nose that looked like a misshapen a turnip.
“Lord William.”
A booming voice made her start and she turned to face Cuthbert. Laughter stuck in her throat when she realized that she knew him. Or, more to the point, thatheknewher.
Panic set in. How had she not anticipated this? What if he revealed who she was? What would it mean for her? Though strictly speaking being exposed as Godric’s stepdaughter would not place her in any more danger, it would undoubtedly alter things.
At the moment, William assumed she was a poor farmer’s daughter, at the pay of someone else. When he was told she wasn’t, what would he do? He thought her instrumental in someone else’s scheme, and it was her only protection against retribution. She wasn’t ready to have the truth exposed, to risk his revenge, or worse, to…
To be parted from him.
It shocked her that this was the first thing that came to her mind, but it was undeniable. She didn’t want to be parted from him.
“Well,” Cuthbert said roundly. “And who do we have here? Another one of your beauties?”
“She is a beauty, I will agree, but she is not mine.” William’s voice was its usual silk, but his stance had stiffened somewhat.
Rowena could tell he did not like the man, but was doing his best to control himself so as not to ruin his effort at conciliation.
“She’s not a Norman.”
That was all it took. Realization dawned in Cuthbert’s eyes. He had recognized her. She stared at him, willing him to stay silent.
Thankfully, William spoke before the man could say anything. “Will you accept the offer of compensation for yourtrampled fields, along with the apologies of the barons who passed through your domains that day?”
Cuthbert seemed to consider this for a moment. He looked ready to slam the door in their faces. Then he looked at her and smiled. “I think I might. Follow me.”
*
It was not until Cuthbert’s house had disappeared behind the trees that Rowena’s heart settled back in her chest. Every single moment they had spent under the old man’s roof had been excruciating. At first, she had feared having her identity revealed, then she’d understood this would be blessing in comparison to having William suspect what Cuthbert had asked her to do.
