At a quick gesture from Lady Margaret, the four burly men surrounded Lyonene’s slight form on the bench. She looked even more lost, more alone, when they clustered around her, towering above her.
“The woman will be held, but as befits her, not as a whore for your use. From what I hear of this Black Lion, such treatment would enrage him, cause him to forget his senses, and he might force an attack, out of anger. If the woman were killed, we would receive no ransom. If the earl were killed with no heir, Malvoisin would revert to the English king and there again we would lose our ransom.”
“There is an heir, she carries him now!”
“You are a sorcerer and know the child?
?s sex or even that it will live? The woman looks even now to be at death’s door.” Her voice was heavy with sarcasm. “Nay, she will be well-cared for while she stays here. Alice!” She turned to a large, heavy woman who emerged from the shadows. “This is Lady Lyonene. She is to be your charge. Take her to the tower room that has been prepared and care for her. Do you remember all I have told you?”
The woman nodded and walked toward Lyonene, taking her arm in hers, firmly but kindly.
“That woman is to be trusted?” Amicia asked as she watched the two leave the room. “Lyonene has a way of endearing herself to servants.”
“I am sure you have no such problems.” Lady Margaret’s eyes raked Amicia’s emaciated form. “Alice is a mute and so cannot tell our secret. She is also simpleminded. I have told her of the coming child and she will care well for the precious little countess.” She sneered at the closed door through which Lyonene had gone. “The woman’s life seems to have no hardship. Born a baron’s daughter, married for love to a handsome, rich earl … there is naught she does not have.”
“Aye,” Amicia said, grinning. “It is time she shared some of her happiness with others.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Alice?” Lyonene stretched in the cold air, the heavy wool blankets inadequate for the damp cold of the drafty donjon. “You are well this morn?” She looked at the heavy woman bending over the fire, slowly coaxing it to life.
Alice turned and grinned at Lyonene, nodding her head.
“Your mother’s cough is better?”
Alice pantomimed someone drinking from a cup and then pointed at Lyonene.
“Ah, then the herbs I recommended helped her. I am glad. It is too cold to be ill.” Lyonene tried to sit up and instantly Alice was there to help her. “It is enormous, is it not?” She smiled as she rubbed her extended stomach. “Ranulf would be…”
Alice gripped the slim shoulders, frowned and shook her head vigorously.
“Nay, I know I should not. The memories are too painful even yet. Do you think there is a chance the boy gave my belt to someone? When Sir Morell caught him, he no longer had it.”
Alice turned away.
“I know what you would say. It has been so long and there is no word. Lady Margaret says Ranulf does not answer her demands. Think you he will not pay the ransom? I have ever been a trial to him.”
Alice turned to her with a hard expression, eyes narrowed in threat.
Lyonene gave a weak laugh. “I will not begin anew. You have heard too much already. What shall we do this day? Don ourselves in cloth of gold and ride our stallions across the hills of Ireland?”
Alice smiled at her and then went to a plain wooden chest set in the corner of the room. With reverence, she opened it and lifted the leather pouch which contained the precious book.
Lyonene smiled. “It is a good day for reading. Tell me, are my guards well? They have not forgotten me?”
Alice shivered as she cast a fearful look toward the heavy oak door.
“Alice, they could not be so horrible as you seem to think. I have been here for four months and they do but sit and watch.”
Alice merely looked at her. They had discussed the four guards before and nothing had been solved. She helped her mistress from the narrow bed, the heavy pregnancy making the younger woman awkward and clumsy. Alice loosely fastened the woolen garments about her mistress and then combed her long hair neatly into place.
“Think you I should cut it? Brent told me some of the women at court seemed to think it too long. I have told you about Brent, have I not?” At Alice’s indulgent smile, Lyonene caught the big, work-hardened hand and held it to her cheek. “Of course, I have told you all there is to tell about me. You must be greatly bored with my stories.”
Alice stroked her mistress’s cheek in answer.
“Lady Margaret thinks you simple-minded. She would not like to know she is far from the truth. I do not think she would have you as my guard ’twere she to know your cleverness. Now, come and sit by me and I will read to you a while and then I will teach you more of your letters. A while longer and you will read this book yourself. Did I tell you Ranulf owns six books?” She stopped and laughed. “Do not look at me so. You are a fierce critic. I will tell you no more of my Ranulf this hour, but beware of the next, for I may remember a thing I have not told you. I doubt it, but I may.”
They both turned as the heavy door creaked open and Lady Margaret appeared. “Well, you do not seem to be the mistreated prisoner.” She sat down on a stool before the fire. “We have had no word.” She looked ominously at Lyonene. “I understood this husband of yours loved you overmuch, yet he does not seem anxious to have you returned. My messenger returned yester eve and says the Earl of Malvoisin makes merry at court with the ladies there. This does not seem to be the bereaved husband who misses and longs for his wife.” She watched Lyonene. “Have you no answer to this riddle?”