Page 76 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“What is it about York that concerns you so?”

A shadow crossed her lovely face and this time he saw fearin her violet eyes. “You will fight my countrymen once again,” she said. “Haveyou and your king not killed enough English? Must there be more dead?”

“As long as the people choose to rebel against theiranointed king, William’s knights must deal with them. I serve as Williamdictates.”

“And I am ever in the middle,” she cried, “torn between mypeople and my husband. I cannot bear it!”

“You speak of your people, Serena. Is it the rebel EarlMorcar you think of? William tells me he is at York.” Could she still harborfeelings for the earl who abducted her to wed her? The prospect stirredjealousy within him. “The earl and his brother are with Edgar Ætheling,nephew to Edward the Confessor. Now they have a cause they did not havebefore.”

“Nay, Renaud,” she pleaded. “I do not think of Earl Morcar,or his brother, or of Edgar, though I would not see them harmed. I think of mybrother, Steinar.”

“What makes you think Steinar is in York?”

“He was in Scotland where Edgar claimed refuge,” she said.“Would he not travel south with the rightful heir to the throne?”

“We can only hope he does not,” Renaud said with a frown.

Chapter 21

No matter her pleading and her tears, Renaud could not bepersuaded to remain at Talisand. It was his duty, he said, and as the wife of aknight, she should understand.

Serena had always known Renaud placed duty above all. It wasthe reason he had wed her. But the idea that he again rode to war tore at herheart. He might be wounded or killed. When her tears had persisted, he hadassured her he would return whole and hearty. That brought her some comfort,believing her powerful warrior would be safe, but what of Steinar? Would it beher brother who would face the awesome sword of the mighty Red Wolf?

She had been teary eyed and tired for the last week and hadthought it was because of the Bastard king’s visit. But she was coming tobelieve it was not merely that, or her husband’s soon departure, but portendedmore. She had seen enough women with child to believe she carried a babe.Though happy at the possibility, she hated the idea that the father of herunborn child might soon be locked in a battle with the child’s uncle and themen who fought with him for England.

“I am leaving Theodric and Sir Niel here with nearly a scoreof men to guard you and Talisand,” he assured her. “You need have no fear.” Howwrong he was.

He stood before her in the yard, once again the proud Normanknight, the wolf’s pelt riding the shoulder of his hauberk. He had told herthat knights in both Normandy and England had come to fear the sight of thebeast’s fur, so he never failed to wear it into battle. At his side he carriedhis sword and a shorter blade on his opposite hip. He was a vision in darkblue, iron mail and silver, fierce in countenance, a knight any would see asdangerous. It did not surprise her men feared him.

Taking her into his arms he kissed her slowly, passionatelyand the scent of him so familiar to her now, lingered. Tenderly, he brushed thetears from her cheeks. She reached to his forehead to set aside an errantchestnut curl.

“I will come back to you, Serena. I promise.” He brought herfingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Then he donned his helm, his eyesthe same color as the steel protecting his head, and mounted his gray stallion.

It seemed her fate to always be watching the Red Wolf rideaway with his knights and his men, this time following his king, to whom shehad bid Godspeed. But unlike before, Serena did not intend to wait for herhusband to return to Talisand. No, this time she would follow him to York.

Rhodri must have suspected her plans for as soon as theNormans departed, he approached. “If you are planning to travel to York,Serena, I would go with you. I promised Steinar to see to your welfare, and Ishall.”

“You have spoken to Steinar?” she asked, surprised, for itwas the first she had heard of it.

“Aye. Who do you think sent me to Talisand? But he bid mesay nothing until we were ready to leave.”

“My brother. Of course. I should have known. But how didyou—?”

“Find him?” At her nod, he said, “I knew something of hisplans before he left. Then, too, I knew King Malcolm was in Dunfermline and Isuspected Edgar Ætheling and his followers would find their way there.”

“I would see Steinar, Rhodri. I miss him and I worry for hislife.”

“Prepare yourself for his anger, then. I came to help youescape, but you were determined to marry the Norman. I do not think Steinarwill be pleased with either of us.”

“Aye, mayhap you are right. I did intend to flee the fatethe Norman king decreed for me, but by the time you would have aided me, it wastoo late. At first, I stayed for Talisand, but now….”

Rhodri let out a sigh. “You care for him, I know. I have notsent word to Steinar of your marriage. I do not think he would believe it wasyour choice, much less that you could care for a Norman knight.”

* * *

It was the next day before Serena and Rhodri were able to getaway without being followed. She had found little sleep in Renaud’s bed,missing him and imagining what he would say when he encountered her in York.

The journey took them nearly two days and, because it rainedthe first day, the trip was a miserable one. Sodden, weary and sick to herstomach each morning, Serena refused to be deterred.