Page 71 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

He vaguely recalled his mother busy with similar tasks attheir estate in Normandy, but since he had been made a squire at a young ageand then a knight, he was rarely home and gave scant attention to his family’slands tended so well by others. His life had been as a leader of men in battle.Now he must learn to be a different kind of leader, hoping for a day he couldset aside his sword.

The king’s messengers, and his own, had kept him informed.All was not quiet in the north. William harbored concern over the Welsh, whohad supported Eadric the Wild, and were now leaning toward an alliance with therebellious Earls Morcar and Edwin. Beneath its calm surface, Northumbriaseethed with rebellion.

The light filtering through the trees caught Serena’s flaxenhair, glistening like the sun. With each passing day, his ardor for his newEnglish bride grew, and the resulting vulnerability he experienced worried him.

Lovemaking consumed their nights as Serena grew ever moreadventurous, which pleased him greatly. She was a willing bedmate and seemedcontent, even happy. Still, he wondered. Would she be loyal if he was forced toface the English in battle again? And if he were killed, would she mourn?

“You are very quiet,” his lady wife teased from where shesat on her white palfrey. “Is all well?”

Stirred from his musings, he answered, “Aye, for now. Wewill move into the castle next week. I trust that pleases you.” Seeing hersmile, he reminded her, “Some rooms will be bare for a while ’til the neededfurniture is finished, but still quite livable, I think. The carpenters arebeing kept busy. Between the old hall and the new, my men will be able to bringtheir pallets inside when winter comes, though I’d ask you to reserve abedchamber for Maugris. His old bones would benefit from a soft cushion.

“Aye, my lord. I had thought of that. He is well loved byall at Talisand, and I would see him comfortable. There is a chamber that looksout on the river I think he will like. At night the stars are reflected in thewaters.”

“You seem to know the wise one well,” he replied, pleasedwith her insight. “He always seeks a view of the heavens. That is why he sleepsoutside while it’s warm enough to do so.”

“What think you of keeping the lord’s chamber in the oldmanor for Sir Maurin?” she asked. “The other two chambers would serve forguests, at least until Sir Maurin marries and sires children.”

Seeing the smile on her face, he realized she was thinkingof her handmaiden.

“I would be pleased to reward him,” he said. “You know SirMaurin seeks the hand of Maggie’s daughter.”

“I do. At least that is what is written on his face. WhenCassie took the mercenary’s knife in her chest, Sir Maurin hovered over herlike a beast protecting its wounded mate. Though she now recovers, he still isreluctant to leave her side.”

“Yea, ’tis true. I fear the knight is besotted.” Renaud hadno doubt Sir Maurin would be speaking with Angus before summer’s end.

“Will you keep the old kitchen?” she asked.

“Aye, I would think both kitchens will be needed. If shewould have the position, your handmaiden could become housekeeper in the manor,at least until she marries Sir Maurin. Then another can be found to serve ascook. Maggie and Angus can move from their cottage into the castle. There’s alarge bedchamber on the first floor near the kitchen for them. It will be warmin the winter.”

“I believe they would like that. And Maggie would have herhusband close.”

“William will be sending me more knights and men to add tothose already here. Angus and his workers will have much to do.”

“More men? Why?” she questioned with furrowed brows.

“Surely you must realize Serena, England is not yet atpeace. Talisand’s castle is one of only a few this far north. It stands as anoutpost against rebellion and to guard against the Scots for he trusts not KingMalcolm. William would have a small garrison here for as long as it is needed.”

“Oh,” she said with a small pout of her perfect lips. “Isuppose a conqueror must have his soldiers, but I did not think of a garrisonat Talisand.”

“Some will have their families with them, but not many.”

“It will change our home, my lord.”

“Yea, for a while, but I will insist on discipline andadherence to my rules.”

She pouted again and all he could think of was laying herback in the grass and making love to her. Reaching for her hand, he said, “Whenyou look at me like that, Serena, it is difficult for me not to pull you fromyour horse and have my way with you in yon meadow.”

Serena gazed at the swath of grass-covered land surroundedby wild flowers. “My lord! You would not!”

He smiled a forewarning. “I cannot say what we might findourselves doing on the return to Talisand when I am sated with food and ale,but for now you are safe as we are expected, and I would not have you arrivelooking like you fell from your horse.”

She laughed and he delighted to see it.

Slowing his horse, and pulling her hand towards him, heturned it palm up and kissed the sensitive skin, making a silent vow to haveher in the grass ere they arrived back at Talisand.

“Renaud…” she whispered, her cheeks flushed. He released herhand, and she smiled. She enjoyed his attention, of that he was certain.“Forget your schemes and tell me of your family in Normandy. I have longwondered about your origins. Surely it was not a wolf’s den in the woods assome of your men suggest when they are full of wine.”

“Nay, not so humble as that. I have two older brothers,Robert and Raoul, and a younger sister, Aveline. My father and mother stilllive, though one day our holdings will pass to Robert.”