The Beast of Renald (The Northern Knights) Read online

  ‘We found him in the lower level, face down in the privy. When we turned him over-‘ another gut wrenching sob caught in her throat and her voice cracked. ‘A dagger, encrusted with fine jewels decorating its handle had been thrust into his heart. Halvard and his men came quickly upon us and tore Helen and I away screaming.’

  ‘That is quite the tale.’ Darc murmured and looked at her for signs of deceit.

  ‘It is the truth.’ Her eyes wet and round, gazed back at him and he saw the truth there as well as her pain and anger. He turned away and she went on.

  ‘After a year, Helen had Kelbie. Then one day, I went to the spot where Helen and I always met to get away from the…prying eyes and ears of the castle, she was not there. I thought naught of it and that mayhap she had gone off to meet with Cedric early. So I went to where they usually met for their trysts. Then, I saw her.’

  Darc watched her as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders and hugged herself, her fingers gone white. Her honey-colored eyes glistened with tears. Again he said nothing nor touched her not wanting her to stop her telling.

  After a moment, she unwrapped her arms and reached out in front of them, her fingers splayed as though feeling and reaching toward something only she could see. He knew she was lost to him, reliving the tragic moments. He felt guilty for being so abrasive.

  ‘Helen...hair like spun gold always shimmered in the sunlight. Sweet Helen… Her beautiful gown covered in leaves, dirt, insects from the earth floor and blood. So dirty. All color washed from her skin and her vibrant eyes, dull and lifeless stared back at me. How long I sat there I know not. The same mark like my father’s sat over her heart. Here.’ She pressed her hands, balled into fists against her chest. ‘I could not stop the blood. So much of it. I just remember Cedric and Halvard both appeared rather quickly. Too quickly.’

  She dropped her hands and looked at him.

  Darc’s heart twisted then at the look of her. The urge to pull her into his arms struck him hard. He wanted to hold her but dared not until she finished. Her glazed over stare fixed on him but he knew she still was not yet seeing him as she continued.

  ‘Not long after, Cedric abruptly disappeared. Halvard did not even do a mourning period of respectful peace. He beat me severely that night in the hall, in front of all for refusing his offer to wed. Though I knew no one of close acquaintance, there were a few familiar faces among the handful of nobles present, ones that had supped at my father’s table many a time whom failed to lift one hand to stop him. Not one of those selfish whoremongers did aught to help me after the kindness my poor father had shown them. With my body bruised and one eye closed, he wed us. From that day on my long days in the tower became next to intolerable, more guarded and strict. That’s when the night terrors began for me.

  ‘Halvard wanted to kill Helen’s child but on that –It was one battle I came out the victor. If not for Kelbie’s presence, I would have gone completely mad or thrown myself from the battlements the first chance I’d been given.’

  Her chest heaved with the deep breath she took and she touched his arm. Her eyes were clear. Darc let loose his own pent up breath. ‘This is why I think Kelbie is so afeared of men. My maid, Nesta and I were the only people he was used to. He was just a babe when Helen was killed. He hid whenever Halvard came for me. He screamed so much towards the end, Halvard stopped coming. A blessing.’

  Darc placed his hand over hers and rubbed the chill from her soft skin. She blinked a few times but her tears did not fall. He placed an arm around her shoulders and she collapsed against him.

  Anger rose in him. ‘Do you know if it was Cedric or Halvard who did this to your cousin?’

  He felt her flinch against him, her soft voice hoarse but firm. ‘I think…’twas both.’

  He could not keep the anger over what she had just told him out of his voice when he asked her, ‘You are not certain?’

  She pulled away and stood, snapping back, ‘Nay. I am not. If you but let me see Cedric-‘

  ‘Nay,’ Darc stated and stood, towering over her. Her angry and flushed face matched his own.

  ‘But,’ she started.

  ‘Nay, Caroline. If the man is indeed behind your cousin’s murder I do not want him around you or the boy. Nay that is it. I will find out myself.’

  Her hands flew to her hips, then she raised one quickly to her head. ‘Think you he will come right out and admit ‘tis true? He is no fool.’

  ‘Neither am I.’

  Her mouth opened and closed then she stepped to him, a hand pressed against his broad chest. ‘I did not mean that you were. ‘Tis not what I meant, Darc. What shall you do with him then?’

  ‘He shall live.’ Darc said. He had not lied, Cedric would live for now. ‘I do not gain pleasure in the death of others, Caroline. Every man deserves rightful justice.’

  He clasped her hand and held it over his heart. Caroline sucked in a breath wondering if he was aware of the significance of his intimate gesture to her. He then drew her hand up and pressed it to his warm lips, she moaned, swaying into him. She was tired and a little dizzy. She had downed too much of the wine. But she did feel slightly better having told him what she had. A large chunk of the burdensome weight of her secrets had lifted.

  ‘Guards will be placed at your back.’

  ‘There are plenty of your men about, husband. So I do think I need not worry. Though I appreciate your concern, I admit I wondered about the heavier guard. What has happened?’ she asked and gave him an innocent look. She wondered now if he would tell her of the murders.

  Darc narrowed his penetrating gaze on her.

  She knew something.

  He should have known. Castle folk knew the going-ons before anyone else. He doubted Laur had broken his trust, it had to be the woman she’d bade he send to her. Her maid, Mildred. It mattered not. He needed to tell her anyway.

  ‘Something has happened in the village.’ He told her of the murders. ‘That is why there are more guards here and why they have been doubled in the village as well. No one is to leave or enter until this matter is solved.’

  ‘Does this have anything to do with the nightmare you had last night?’

  Darc turned his back to her. ‘Nay.’

  ‘What does then?’

  ‘That is not of import now. The murders are.’

  Caroline walked to him. ‘Do you have a person in mind for them? Cedric?’

  He whirled on her. ‘I told you I know it was not him.’

  She did not look away from his furious gaze this time. ‘How can you be so sure of this?’

  ‘Because he is still under heavy guard. I understand about your cousin Helen. But, what reason would he have to butcher my serfs?’

  How could he be so sure Cedric had not done it?

  Caroline did not know if she shivered from that news or from the fact that Cedric was going to be here longer, under the same roof. A sudden thought struck her and she reached out to clutch his arm again. ‘Were the dead Halvard’s people or yours?’

  He jerked out of her grip, his face darkening as he glared down at her. ‘Halvard’s people are now my people, wife. But if it will put your pretty little brain at ease. Aye, the serfs were mine.’ His full lips thinned as he stepped around her.

  Caroline wrung her hands feeling bad for her outburst. Lives had been horribly lost and all she could worry about was if Cedric had had any part in it. He would use any distraction to get to her, she knew.

  ‘I did not mean it the way it came out. A life lost is still a precious life of innocence. No matter if they be Saxon or Norman.’

  He said nothing.

  ‘I am just so nervous with Cedric under the same roof. He showed he was capable of anything at Halvard’s and Helen’s murder confirms it. I would not put it past him to have had someone else do this.’

  He did look at her sharply then. Incredulous. A storm brewed in those blue depths that looked almost mixed with green in his anger. ‘You credit this man too much. He canno
t get past the guards watching his every move. You know not for sure that he killed your cousin. You just said so yourself only moments ago. He hides something, I am well aware, but on this. Nay.’

  ‘You are right. He has no reason to do such a thing nor could he with your men watching him.’ Her voice sounded strange to her own ears as she tried to convince herself ‘twas true. She took a deep breath and placed both of her hands on either side of her head in hopes that would stop her head and thoughts from spinning. Her mouth felt dry and wetting her lips, she said, ‘I am sorry.’

  He came to her and pulled her hands down. ‘Are you well? Mayhap you should lie down for a bit.’

  ‘I am fine.’ She said on a loud hiccough and felt her cheeks burn with mortification. ‘Oh my.’

  He looked her straight in the eyes and she was surprised to see his lips turn up at the corners. Dare the man smile at her? Embarrassment forgotten, she smiled at her thoughts and him as she lost herself in his stormy blue eyes. They took her breath away.

  ‘Come, bed it is. Too much wine. I shall seek Mildred. And worry not, Caroline. You and the boy are safe.’

  Caroline was shocked as he when she responded with conviction. ‘I know this.’

  They stared at one another. Then her gaze dropped to his mouth. Later she would tell herself the wine made her act so impulsively.

  When she stood on her toes and pulled his head down to cover his mouth with hers, she let him lead and have his fill of kisses. Her head spun for a different reason now. The wine had warmed her blood at first, now the heat this man caused in her replaced it.

  She needed comfort and needed to forget what she’d left out.

  It took her a moment to realize he’d stopped kissing her. Caroline opened her eyes. The storm was back in his eyes and he stepped away from her.

  ‘Sleep is what you need.’

  The moment of closeness was broken. He walked to the door and her heart sunk, her desire wrapping around her, unquenched.

  This time it was he who had fled.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  ‘Do you hold any ill-intent for my wife?’ Darc’s icy gaze drilled into Cedric’s.

  ‘Nay, my lord,’ the younger man answered. ‘‘Tis a simple misunderstanding. My affections go no further than that of a brother’s would toward his sister. After all she was family to me by marriage to my cousin. Lady Caroline and the child’s welfare are my only concern, I assure you.’

  The man was lying through his teeth like a serpent in the grass. Darc saw right through him. He had come to this side of the castle after leaving Caroline’s side. He stepped aside now to allow a servant in to set down a platter. Though he tried to appear pleasant, Cedric’s shifty gaze betrayed him.

  Darc knew Cedric was not behind the murders in the village, despite what Caroline believed. He’d weighed all the risks in having the man here since the day William had brought him here. With him all but imprisoned and under heavy guard, Caroline and Kelbie would be out of any immediate danger if that was what Cedric truly intended.

  In questioning him further, Cedric all but pleaded for him to believe him and that he meant no harm. He simple wished to be a loyal vassal and was grateful his life had been spared. Darc had not fallen for the tears the weak man eked out. He was no fool. He had glimpsed part of Cedric’s true character in front of the king.

  Aye, Cedric was his headache now to do with as he saw fit. If he had indeed taken part in the murder of his wife’s cousin, then he would make a rightful decision. The man was no less than a serf now. He would choose a day to judge him, but first he had to deal with the village deaths. Darc gave a nod to the jailer to relock the heavy door to the manor.

  Walking away and down the chilly and narrow corridor, he let his mind return to the kiss his wife had given him. He loosed a curse when his body warmed at the memory.

  The next day Caroline met more of Renald Castle’s interesting servants, from the kind Cook to the laundress. She was starting to remember most of her husband’s people and their names. Her education and playtime completed with Kelbie she sat back and watched him enjoy his time with Laur.

  She’d had a brief talk with the woman when they had broken their fast and was surprised with Laur’s responses.

  Laur had said, ‘The child grows restless being confined mostly indoors with what has come about and all. And with you learning your way here, well, I just thought I could help out. The little fella keeps these old bones on her toes. Just a mind to keep him from getting in the way is all, my lady. Nothing more.’ Then she stunned Caroline further when she had complimented with a crooked smile on her wrinkled face.

  ‘You and your son have brought some life back inside these dark walls. Many of us have been waiting to love a new mistress. Especially one such as you.’

  ‘What do you mean by that, Laur?’ Caroline had eyed the woman, probing.

  ‘A good heart, my lady is all. A good heart.’

  The glint of a truth and something more had sparkled in Laur's eyes and put the last bit of reservations she held for the woman to rest. And the look on Kelbie’s face helped.

  Mildred had been right about the servant. She had softened and smiled more, and seemed to come alive in Kelbie’s presence. Laur behaved like a grandmotherly figure to him. ‘Twas a good and healthy relationship developing. Caroline knew he needed more than just her to interact with in his life. And he had proven that by the way he’d taken to Laur so easily. Caroline felt a little better and even more so when she watched the two dance around the room. Kelbie enjoyed it and his laughter was so sweet to hear.

  Caroline waited until their games started to take her chance and slip away to the lower level. She told the guard watching her she was going to the garderobe. The man hesitated not even a second before turning away with a distasteful expression.

  Caroline walked toward the privy.

  When she’d woken this morn her aching head had been filled with fragments of bad dreams and what she and Darc had discussed last night. Cedric and the murders. Urgency had pushed her from the bed and as Mildred helped her dress, she’d convinced the woman to reveal where Cedric was being held. She’d barely heard much of what Mildred had talked about after that. She had one determined thought that burned in her mind.

  She would see Cedric today.

  Caroline peered around the wall. The guard had his head turned away from her. She turned down a nearby hall then carefully stole her way toward the ramparts that led to the other side of the castle. One soldier eyed her warily and she pretended interest in the activity of the inner bailey below. The moment he turned his head, she ducked down and walked along the allure, making her way to the staircase at the end.

  Once she was sure no one followed her she quickly made her way down the straight, block-style staircase.

  At the lower level, she was shocked to see that one of the guards near the front gates was none other than that Gan who had pawed his fat greasy hands on her in Halvard’s tower.

  His dark eyes burned into hers now as he watched her slip out of the forebuilding toward the building which held Cedric. Let Gan tell her husband.

  She had to see Cedric.

  Caroline almost turned around from the stench that met her at the entrance to the corridor which led to the manor-like prison built into her husband’s castle. The guards took just the littlest of sweet talk to get past, but the jailor, aged and wiser was reluctant and made it clear he followed the lord’s orders first. It took some forceful cajoling to get her way past him. But eventually she did.

  At first sight she was shocked, then angry.

  Darc had given Cedric all the comforts warranted a lord above his station. There had to be a reason, mayhap it was part of his interrogation method in getting Cedric to spill what he knew and wanted.

  Even with the reeking odor, Cedric lay with his back to her on the small bench instead of the thick cot topped full of linens and furs. Caroline could not breathe. Anger welled up inside her, sweat broke on her brow an
d her hands were clammy.

  She’d made a grave error. Her bravery slipped.

  Images of Helen’s bleeding and dead body flashed before her. What had she been thinking in coming here? Trembling with sudden fear, she turned away from his door.

  She would trust in her husband. Darc said he’d take care of all.

  Lord God she should have not let her emotions control her actions. Her worry for Kelbie and their safety could bring this murdering bastard’s attention to their feet because of her need to see for herself that he was truly locked away securely. All that she’d wanted to say to him fled.

  She should be focusing on trying to steer clear of him. Not confront him. Helen was gone and she couldn’t bring her back. Revenge she sought, aye, that she did. But what she could do now was keep Helen’s son safe and away from this man. His father. With that decided Caroline let out a hard breath and turned away and froze.

  Cedric was coming down the corridor looking right at her. A smirk of satisfaction upon his face.

  She was caught and too stunned to move at first. Panic grabbed a hold of her heart. She had sent the jailor away.

  She could run, rush past him but the distance was too close for her to exit. His laughter filled the long corridor and with nowhere to run, to her horror, he quickly cornered her into one of the crevices of the stone wall. She wanted to push him away but did not wish to touch him.

  ‘Aw, sweet Caroline.’

  She was going to be ill. ‘How long were you standing there, Cedric?’

  ‘What does it matter?’ he tugged at one of her curls by her ear. Impulse made her smack his hand aside. He laughed again and she could see that he was enjoying his torment. Then his face grew taut as he moved so his full body blocked her escape.

  ‘Who is that in your room if you are out here?’ Caroline hoped he didn’t hear the tremble in her tone. She could scarcely breathe. How had he gotten out? The hairs on the back of her neck stirred.

  ‘None of your concern.’

  Had a guard checked on him they would have believed ‘twas him they saw on the bench just as she’d so easily believed. Her eyes had deceived her just as this man had oh so cleverly done here to be in front of her instead of behind her. Someone had let him out. Someone was working with him. One of her husband’s guards? How many?