Within minutes, Ranulfs plans changed. Oh, he still wanted Gowain outlawed and eliminated. But he also intended to wed the wealthy, well-connected Lady Alys.
Ranulf’s gaze narrowed as it wandered over the great hall’s costly furnishings, carved chairs, lavish wall hangings, pristine white tableclothes set with silver plates. The candlesticks gracing the head table were wrought of pure gold, the intricate designs matching the goblets from which they drank. He was calculating their worth when the Lady Alys spoke.
“What your brother has done is monstrous. How horrible to be turned upon by your own kin.”
“It is.” Ranulf gave her his most charming smile. She was a pretty enough thing, if your taste ran to tiny blondes got up in yards of blue velvet. Her gown was so voluminous it hid her shape completely, but her features were lovely. Not that looks mattered, when a girl was heiress to a fortune.
Ranulf had made it a point to learn all he could about the Sommervilles before coming here. He’d known about Gareth’s broken leg and that the two sons of the house were away on their father’s business. These facts had made it unlikely the earl would offer to help fight Gowain. That was the last thing Ranulf wanted. Even with a larger force, it could take months to find Gowain’s hiding place and eliminate him. Time Ranulf didn’t have.
Every day, Gowain grew stronger and more daring. Soon he might become bold enough to attack Eastham or Malpas. Precious as his castle was to him, Ranulf was more worried about Malpas. Thus far, he’d managed to keep the area cut off and the outside world ignorant of what he was doing there. If word got out…
Jesu, he didn’t even want to think about that.
“Do not groan, Lord Ranulf,” Lady Alys said gently. “I promise to aid you in convincing me father.”
“I thank you for your good wishes, Lady Alys.” He’d learned she was a healer of some repute and unwed because, if you could believe it, her parents had left the choosing of a husband to her. Now he meant to be that man. “Will you have some of the roasted fowl?” Ranulf set himself to charm. No easy task, for she was a skittish thing. The meal was an extravagant one, fit for a feast day, but she ate little and drank even less. She also had an annoying habit of avoiding contact with him. Even in such lavish surroundings, with plenty of room for the diners, it was inevitable that hands brush or thighs touch.
Despite Ranulf’s efforts to capitalize on this, Lady Alys managed to keep her distance. Even more curious, she wore gloves. They were of the finest-quality leather, thin and pale as her own lovely skin. But gloves nonetheless. Mayhap she’d been burned or she suffered a skin rash. Not that he cared. He’d have taken her if she had two heads and no legs.
“Gareth, you need to stretch out and elevate your leg,” Lady Arianna said as the servants began clearing the tables.
“I must speak with Ranulf,” the earl replied.
“Why do the four of us not repair to my solar? You could be comfortable there and converse with Lord Ranulf in private.”
Ranulf could scarcely credit his luck. Dining with an earl and now invited into the Sommervilles’ inner sanctum as though he were already part of the family. The Fates had surely smiled on him…a blood connection with a noble family, a large dowry and a toothsome bed partner to initiate in all the ways he liked to be pleasured. He was less pleased when they reached the richly appointed solar and he heard what Lord Gareth had decided.
“I regret that I cannot issue a writ against Sir Gowain without sworn warrants of his deeds,” the earl said. “It may be that someone else has done these things and implicated Gowain.”
Ranulf ground his teeth together. “Your honesty and sense of duty to the law do you justice.” And I curse them both.
Lady Alys exclaimed, “Surely Lord Ranulf’s word is enough.”
“’Tis not a matter of his word, Alys.” Gareth frowned. “Have you forgotten what nearly happened to us?” He turned to Ranulf. “Years ago, my family was wrongly accused of treason, solely on the strength of rumor and the false witness of villainous men. We managed to outwit them and unmask the true criminals, but ‘twas a near thing. Though I am certain your proof is solid, I’d not outlaw a man without making certain he is guilty.”
“But, Papa…” Lady Alys began.
“‘Tis all right,” Ranulf said. He’d rouse the earl’s suspicions did he complain. “I will provide whatever you need.”
As Lord Gareth enumerated the proofs he would require against Gowain, Ranulf took a sip of the wine, rich, smooth Bordeaux wine, not the sour stuff they kept at Eastham. When he and Alys were wed, he’d eat and drink only the finest. He’d refurbish Eastham from cellar to turret. Of course, it would never be as grand as Ransford.
Hmm. Ranulf cocked his head, considering yet another course of action. If something should happen to her brothers, Ransford and the wealth of the Sommervilles would be hers. And his.
“I am sorry to disappoint you,” said the earl.
“Disappoint me? Never. Your caution and concern are proof the king chose wisely when he named you his justice. On the morrow, I will return home and begin gathering information.”
“If you and Lord Ranulf are done, may I ask a boon, Papa?”
“Of course.” The earl gave Alys a dazzling smile.
Lady Alys lifted a velvet bag from a nearby table and withdrew from it a stack of books. Kneeling at her father’s side, she handed him the top one. “I have finished my herbal.”
“Alys!” the earl cried. “What a tremendous accomplishment!”
“Thank you, Papa, but I am anxious to have them copied ere something happens to the originals. Please say you’ll let me go to Newstead Abbey.” Her pleading smile would have melted iron.
“You know I’d let you go if I could, but I’m weeks away from being able to ride, and I’d not send my precious love unescorted.”
“I could take Sir Miles and a goodly troop.”
“Nay.” Tears sprang into the earl’s eyes, and he looked to his wife for support.”
“Mayhap we could send to London for some lay brothers to do the copying,” her mother offered.
Lady Alys shook her head. “The nuns” work is the finest in the land. They alone can do justice to my books.”
Ranulf thought the lot of them stupid and sentimental. But he also saw a way to achieve his goal. “If I might offer my services, my lord. I have with me a fighting force of five knights and thirty mounted men. No one would dare strike at the lovely Lady Alys while she was in my care.”
“Thank you, Lord Ranulf. Oh, Papa. Please, please.”
“Well…” Lord Gareth murmured.
Ranulf sensed him weakening. “If we started early and set a brisk pace, I could have her there by vespers,” Ranulf said.
“Very well.” The earl’s grudging permission was drowned out by Lady Alys’s shrieks of delight.
Ranulf’s pleasure was quieter, but just as sharp. Silently he planned a small detour on the way to Newstead.
“Are you certain we are not lost?” Alys asked.
Lord Ranulf started. “Nay, I know exactly where we are. You can trust me to see you safely to our destination, dear Lady Alys.” His smile was patronizing yet smug, as though he knew something she did not.
Above