As it was, she had already made a fool of herself by collapsing in his presence. The reins dug into her palms. She had to show him she was no weak woman in need of his protection.
With the help of her superior mount and intimate knowledge of the forest, she led Alexandre and his men on a merry chase, through dormant thorn bushes and over fallen logs. She would have laughed every time one of their muffled curses floated within hearing if her shoulder did not pain her so much. She finally emerged from the woods and spurred her horse on. Hardwin kicked up clods of snow and easily outstripped Alexandre and his men.
In the bailey, she dismounted, spying Kendrick and Godric as they exited the stables.
“Isabel, my lady, you look well!” Kendrick exclaimed.
She clasped each of their hands in turn. “Where have you been?”
“Captain Thomas suggested we tend to the Welsh bodies and clear the site,” Kendrick said. “He also thought it best we get out from underfoot of our Norman visitors.”
“I am glad to see you feeling better, my lady,” Godric cut in.
Isabel nodded. “I thank you. I am still—”
“They are still here?” Kendrick dropped his hand to the hilt of his sword. “I thought they would leave once they learned of your father’s ties to Normandy.”
Her chest tightened at the suspicion in his voice. She turned around. Alexandre and the rest of his men streamed through the gates.
The Norman dismounted and strode over to her. “Perhaps you forgot your promise, my lady.” The Norman’s icy stare did not miss Kendrick’s defensive attitude or the protective stance he took in front of her.
“William is eager to renew his acquaintance with my father,” she explained in English to Kendrick softly. “He sent these men here to escort him to London.”
“And has your father returned?” Kendrick asked her without taking his eyes off Alexandre. Two more Normans now flanked the stormy-faced knight.
“No. The Normans will be staying here until he gets back. They have been...” she struggled for the right word, “well-mannered so far.”
“So far...” Kendrick echoed hollowly as Alexandre turned his unbearable stare on her.
Isabel pushed past Kendrick and returned to her horse’s side, head held high. Kendrick still had his hand on the hilt of his sword, and Godric was tense beside him. “Stand down,” she said firmly. Kendrick’s gaze flickered to her, and he reluctantly complied.
“My lady?” the Norman prompted. “I thought we had plans for today. And they did not include chasing you across the countryside.” He came to a stop next to her.
Isabel busied herself with her saddlebags and the collection of medicinal herbs she had stored there for the ride. “Oh yes…that. I decided my horse needed the exercise.”
Alexandre grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him. Her bundle of herbs scattered to the ground. He must have been too angry to see her wince in pain. Or the fact that Godric was barely able to keep Kendrick from attacking him.
The Norman held her in place as a stable boy hurried over to lead the horses away. The warmth of his hands sunk through her cloak. Her breath hitched. The sage-like smell of crushed yarrow leaves warred with the pungent odor of hyssop.
“I must insist you do not leave the castle grounds without my permission in the future,” Alexandre said. “It is too dangerous for you to wander off without an escort. You could have been hurt!” By now he was shouting, his deep voice attracting more onlookers.
“I assure you I am perfectly safe on my own lands. Although, if you are concerned, you could return my weapons. And you, sir, are the only one who is hurting me.” She looked meaningfully to his hand on her injured shoulder.
Alexandre immediately let go. “Jesu! I am sorry. Are you all right?”
Though ready to argue further, she remained silent as one of the servants gathered up the herbs and medicinal plants strewn across the ground. Alexandre watched her with concern. “I am fine,” she said slowly once the servant had retreated.
“I forgot your injury in my concern for your welfare. A thousand pardons, my lady.” He held out his arm. “We should get you inside so your shoulder can be tended.”
She wanted to protest, but nearly all the castle inhabitants were watching their interaction now. A public quarrel would just make things worse. He had done it again—made her feel like a fool.
She hesitated in taking his arm just long enough to let the man know she was not happy about being led inside like a child. As they headed to the stairs, Matilde found them. Isabel instructed her to fetch more bandages and meet her in her room.
She felt the Norman’s eyes on her as they walked to her chambers in silence. Alexandre waited for her to enter, and after a moment’s pause, he came inside as well, hovering near the door. She removed her mantle and flung it on her bed. A small amount of blood had soaked through her dress.
She saw his grimace at the rust-colored stain and took pity on him. “It opened when I remounted in the woods. It was not your fault.”
Alexandre looked at her for a moment, his ice blue eyes unreadable, before giving her a short nod. Matilde arrived moments later with two servants.
“It looks like you will be well tended, my lady. When you are through here, perhaps we can continue where we left off.” It was not a request.
“Impossible, I am afraid. I have left the running of the household to Matilde for too long.”
Alexandre studied her for a moment, silently challenging her. “Très bien. I look forward to seeing you at the evening meal.” He gave her a slight bow and mercifully left the room.
6
Captain Thomas met Isabel as she reached the high table. “I see you have heeded some of my advice,” he said as his gaze lingered on her gown.
For the meal, she had selected a soft green dress she trusted would remind all in attendance of her authority. The last time she had worn the kirtle trimmed with silk, she had successfully chased her latest suitor—all jowls and hair—away after tricking him into demonstrating his understanding of taxes in front of the other guests at the high table. The poor fool could not add or subtract. The guests’ uneasy laughter soon had him fleeing the room.
Somehow, despite her dress or her cleverness, she did not think Alexandre would be chased away so easily.
Nevertheless, she was proud of her composure even though her hall was filled with strange men who wanted to take her away from her home. She did not want to greet William the Bastard, who had thrown her world into turmoil. As soon as William realized she was on her own, he would marry her off without a care to her father’s wishes or her own. She could not let that happen.
She gave Captain Thomas a rueful smile. “If only the rest of my flaws were so easy to change as my clothes.”
“Now, now. You are twisting my words.”
“If I cannot tease you, then this meal will be most tedious indeed.” She took her place in the central seat with Alexandre and Captain Thomas flanking her. The rest of the men and women took their seats, and the meal was served.
Captain Thomas shook his head as he surveyed the room. “You placed all of Alexandre’s men at the lower tables, hmm? I did not realize you wanted to command all of his attention.”
Isabel grew hot, and it was not because of all the bodies gathered in her father’s hall. “I intended no such thing! Indeed, I did it to make him uncomfortable since he would have no one to talk to.”
Captain Thomas chuckled.