Page 36 of King’s Knight

“Yea, but I can assure you she did not smile then. She hated all Normans, especially the king who had given Talisand to me along with her.”

“Would you have taken her if she were not the daughter of an English thegn?”

The look in his father’s eyes told Alex his mind was lost in memory. “I nearly did.”

He was glad to hear that his father had wanted his mother before he knew her to be the daughter of Talisand’s old English thegn. His parents’ beginning had been rough but love had come despite their differences.

Alex wanted Merewyn no matter the circumstances of her birth and if he decided to make Merewyn his, no man would take her from him, not even the king.

With a troubled look, his father cautioned, “Keep it at friendship with Merewyn, Alex. The king, no doubt, has plans for you.”

“Sir Geoffroi warned me of such, but I would guard her even if she were only a friend.”

“Then keep her close in the king’s hall tonight. Geoff and I will intercede if necessary.”

“Your offer is appreciated, Father, but I think I can handle this.”

A smile crossed the face of the Red Wolf as he placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Aye, mayhap you can. I expect one day—and that day may not be far off—when the accomplishments of the Black Wolf will surpass those of the Red.”

Alex gave his father an incredulous look, but inwardly he smiled at the approval he glimpsed in his father’s eyes.

Soon after, they departed the manor. The distance to Westminster Palace was not far and they kept to a leisurely pace, avoiding the pools of standing water. Finally, ahead of them in the distance loomed the palace.

Passing Westminster Abbey on their right, beside him, Merewyn inhaled sharply. “That is the church?”

“Aye, the abbey is just there and, in front of you, the palace.”

“ ’Twas King Edward who rebuilt Saint Peter’s Abbey,” said Lady Serena riding ahead of them beside Alex’s father.

“The Conqueror added to the palace,” put in Alex’s father. “He found it inferior to the ones in France.”

“No doubt,” his mother muttered.

“The king tells me he has plans to make Westminster a grand hall,” Alex put in, wondering if William’s plans were not spurred on by the desire to outshine his father. What must it be like for William Rufus to live in the shadow of the Conqueror?

“I expect he will,” came his father’s response.

“I have never seen the like,” said Merewyn, staring at the abbey as they passed. Then looking ahead to the palace, she added, “I cannot imagine the palace being even larger.”

By the time they arrived, many of the William’s subjects were waiting to greet him.

Grooms in the king’s livery took their horses.

A few earls and many barons and knights congregated around the door of the palace. Alex recognized those who had hunted with them that morning as well as others from his time in Normandy. Earl Hugh waved to them from where he spoke to the king’s chancellor, Robert Bloet.

Alex’s father was well known and much respected. Thus, Earl Renaud and his beautiful English wife garnered considerable attention as they walked up the stairs.

Alex took Merewyn’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow. “Stay close,” he whispered. She looked at him with trusting eyes but also a hint of fear. “I will not leave you,” he vowed. She had to be feeling awkward and mayhap fearful to be in the presence of the Norman king and so many of his knights.

Finally, the group from Talisand neared the king, who was standing inside the door greeting his guests. As was usual, the king was attired in great finery, a crimson tunic, with jewels set into the fabric. On his fingers were many rings of gold.

Next to the king was his older brother, Duke Robert, dressed in similar garb, though mayhap a bit less extravagant. His hair, too, was shorter than William’s.

On the other side of the king’s brother stood Ranulf, dubbed “Flambard”, or “torch-bearer”, for his overwhelming personality.

Alex knew Ranulf to be clever, talkative and always full of ideas. He was the king’s closest advisor and priest, but his chief occupation appeared to be raising money for the king’s wars. In that effort, Ranulf was not above robbing the church. Alex deemed it likely it had been Ranulf’s counsel that had left the powerful position of Archbishop of Canterbury vacant for so long, enabling the king to claim the rents as his own. But more concerning to Alex at the moment was Ranulf’s reputation as a conspicuous pursuer of women. He collected them like trophies.

In truth, the handsome Ranulf might be the greatest threat to Merewyn which, to Alex, seemed an odd turn of events. At one time, he and Ranulf had competed for the affections of the women at court. Always more aggressive than Alex in seeking out willing females, Alex had tolerated the man for he had the king’s respect. But no longer. Now Alex recognized the king’s advisor for what he was, a predatory despoiler of women. Ranulf, he was certain, would not fail to notice Merewyn’s loveliness. That she was not a nobleman’s daughter only made her fair game.