The return ride to Malvoisin was lost in Lyonene’s memory. The vision of Amicia in Ranulf’s arms was all she saw. So it was true! All that Amicia had said was true. She thought her love for Ranulf was strong enough to bear his children from other women, if need be, but she could not stand by and see him marry another—or find herself married to another man.
She allowed Kate to care for her, blindly doing as she was told. She was not even aware when they arrived at Malvoisin, or when Kate undressed her and put her to bed. She slept fitfully, feeling worse when she awoke.
For two days she was aware of nothing, only sitting in the solar and idly staring or making half-hearted attempts to sew. She felt no anger—no emotion of any kind—when Amicia stormed into the solar one morn.
“So, you know.”
“Aye, I know.”
Amicia grinned slyly. “And what say you now to your fine hopes for the child you carry? Mayhaps Lord Ranulf will allow him to stay and serve my child.”
Lyonene only watched, dully.
“I did not think you so selfish as this,” Amicia continued. “You seem to give little thought to your child, but brood continually on your own broken heart. Many women have found their husbands to stray, but they at least sought to protect their children.”
“I know of no way to protect my son. How can I work against the evil you plot? I am an apprentice to your mastery of devilwork.”
Amicia sat next to Lyonene and took her cold hand. Lyonene frowned at the woman, whose face had changed to show great concern. “My Lady Lyonene, I beg your forgiveness in this matter. I know it was due to you that I was saved from the storm and I owe you my life. I did not mean this to happen, but Lord Ranulf, I cannot explain, the man but looked at me and… I see you undertand.”
Amicia leaned closer. “I was a virgin when he took me and I could not resist.”
Lyonene looked away.
“I have never loved a man ere now and I will say that I want him, must have him, just as you want him. I have no right to ask your forgiveness, but there is a way mayhaps I could atone for some of my ill deeds.”
“There is no manner in which you could repay me for what you have done.”
“I know, my lady, and I am ashamed. You were happy before I came and I have taken away your happiness. If I did not carry his child, I would not press the matter. I would return to France and try to mend my broken heart, which would surely be the case were I to leave Lord Ranulf.”
“So what way do you plan to give me back some of that which you have stolen?”
“I cannot save you, but I mayhaps could save your child. Even now a messenger wings his way to King Edward with news of my presence in England and also tells him of the child I carry. The divortium, I am sure, will come soon.”
“How will this save my child?” Lyonene asked, her mouth a grim line.
“If you cannot be found before your child is born, he will be heir to the earldom.”
“I do not trust you. Why would you risk losing a title for your child by telling me this?”
Amicia shrugged. “I owe you my life and, too, there is a chance your child will be a daughter. Also, Ranulf must leave his title to his first-born son. Not so his estates. I do not risk so much as it seems.”
Lyonene considered for a moment. She would not have believed her had she seemed to sacrifice all for Lyonene’s child, but it was true she owed her life to Lyonene and might wish to repay her in some way. “So, you have a plan, it seems?”
Amicia put her finger to her lips and silently walked to the door, searching the empty corridor. She came back and sat next to Lyonene, her voice a whisper. “This must be done in secret. No one must know of it, that nosy valet or your maid. Agreed?”
Lyonene nodded.
“I risk much to plan this and I do not wish to be caught. I have heard your father has relatives in Ireland. This is true?”
“Aye, but I do not know them, although my father has talked much of them.”
“Think you they will harbor you until the safe delivery of your child?”
“Aye, I think they would if they knew he were in danger.”
“Good,” Amicia whispered. “Then I will arrange for a ship to take you to Ireland. You will abide there until after the child’s birth. Then, when the child is safely delivered, you may return to England, to your father’s house. I am sure the divortium will be final by then, but the church will not allow another marriage until you are found. Therefore your child will be first-born and earl.”
Lyonene frowned. “I do not understand. If the divortium is final, how will I still