Part 24 (2/2)
Tullia and her husband, Sir Santon, came first, and the two sisters met in a warm embrace.
”How content you look, sister!” Tullia cried as her soft brown eyes took in every aspect of Lilliane's appearance.
”And you look quite the happy wife.”
”Soon to be a mother,” Tullia confided with a most rapturous expression. ”I hope you are soon so fortunate as I.”
”So do I,” Lilliane whispered as she hugged her sister anew. Her gaze sought out Corbett who was greeting Sir Santon most hospitably. All the signs were there to indicate that she might, indeed, be with child. Her second monthly flux was even now overdue. And yet she still held back from telling Corbett. She told herself she just wanted to be sure. But a little part of her lived in dread of the doubting look she might see on his face. He'd never again brought up William's accusations-lies was a more accurate term. But she feared he still believed them. Would he doubt the true parentage of this child she bore?
Lilliane shook off those troubling thoughts and smiled at her youngest sister. ”You must be quite exhausted from your journey. I had your own chamber prepared so that you may be most comfortable.”
She barely had them settled before more guests appeared on their heels. Sir Roger and Sir Charles come from London along with Lady Elizabeth and her father. Lord Gavin from Durmond and the earl of Gloucester. Even Odelia and Sir Aldis from their home in Gaston, their greeting meek and hesitant. Although there was still a reserve between her and her sister, Lilliane was relieved that Odelia and her husband seemed more accepting of her marriage to Corbett.
The castle was filled to overflowing and was in a constant hubbub, for aside from the invited guests, there were also their guards, their personal servants, and their horses to be housed and fed. The kitchen was filled with activity at every hour of the day or night as breads were baked, huge haunches roasted, and every manner of fish and fowl cleaned and prepared for the guests.
Despite the endless supervision and the myriad of details the servants plagued her with, Lilliane took a profound pleasure in hosting the Christ's Ma.s.s festivities. When she had prepared the castle for Tullia's wedding feast-and unexpectedly her own-she'd felt a certain detachment as well as a sense of loss, for she had thought Orrick would never again be her home. And then the wedding feast itself had been a complete sham.
But the preparations for these lengthy festivities were another matter entirely. She was determined to enjoy every aspect of Christ's Ma.s.s: the feasting, the games, the entertainments, and the gift giving. She did not feel at all the same trepidation she'd felt among the crowds in London, for now she was on home ground. Now she was at Orrick.
It wasn't until after the feast of St. Thomas that Lilliane felt the first qualm about the festivities. Corbett had taken the male guests on a hunt in the winter woods quite early. Most of the ladies were taking advantage of this winter reprieve from their own wifely tasks to stay long abed. So it was that Lilliane was alone with her kitchen books when the chamberlain announced the arrival of still another guest.
Lilliane hurried to the bailey as the small retinue of riders crossed the bridge, but when she recognized Sir Hughe of Colchester, her smile began to fade. Still, there was nothing to do but greet him as cordially as possible despite the instinctive dislike she felt for the man. And even though she worried about Corbett's strange interest in his brother's every move, she nonetheless hoped her husband would soon return and relieve her of any lengthy discourse with the ominous Sir Hughe.
”I bid you welcome, Sir Hughe.” She curtsied as he dismounted and tossed his reins carelessly to a waiting groom.
”What is this!” he exclaimed with a joviality not reflected in his narrow gaze. ”I bid you greet me as a loving sister-in-law, Lilliane.” With that he gave her a forceful hug and a hard kiss directly on her mouth.
Lilliane was more than shocked by his unwonted familiarity. She stepped back quite startled and stared at him warily. But Hughe seemed determined to befriend her.
”Don't be so shocked, my dear. Despite all that has pa.s.sed between our houses, I am certain that Orrick and Colchester shall now be at peace. Why, it will almost be as if we were one united demesne.” He grinned.
”Y-yes, so it shall,” Lilliane stammered, quite certain now that something was afoot. Corbett and Hughe were far from affectionate brothers. Neither Corbett's attempt at only a casual interest in Colchester, nor Hughe's unexpected friendliness toward Orrick could quite disguise that. But Lilliane was intrigued.
When Hughe inquired about a number of the guests and then finally asked after William of Dearne, her curiosity only intensified.
”William is not here,” she murmured as she offered him a tankard of ale in the great hall.
”Indeed?” Sir Hughe swished the dark-brown ale thoughtfully in the tankard. Then his watchful gaze rose to her face. ”I am surprised he was even invited. Some say he may forgo the pleasure of Orrick entirely.”
He sought information. Lilliane was certain of it. Well, so did she, she admitted to herself. It could be quite enlightening to linger at conversation with Sir Hughe.
”Oh, I'm sure he must come.” She fingered her heavy meridian ring, then affected a faint, knowledgeable smile. ”After all, his daughter, Elyse, remains at Orrick.”
”But not with his consent. I heard Corbett was quite ruthless toward William.” This time he smiled. ”And toward you as well.”
Lilliane could not prevent the frown that creased her brow, nor the color that stained her cheeks. Did the entire kingdom know of William's lies and Corbett's suspicions? Did the ladies even now whisper of it in their rooms and the men jest crudely at the expense of her reputation?
She fought down angry words and faced her bland-faced tormentor. Plainly he delighted in the troubles between her and Corbett, as if somehow he benefited from his brother's problems. Well, how much more would he delight if she magnified them even further?
Lilliane did not pause to consider the consequences as she declared war on Sir Hughe. She knew only that he was still her enemy-in spite of her marriage to his brother. She suspected that for some reason, he was Corbett's enemy as well.
”I'm afraid Corbett has a suspicious nature,” she revealed slowly. Then she gave him a long, steady look. ”I would not ask ...” She faltered, then had to restrain a laugh at the avid expression on Hughe's face. ”Has ... has Corbett always been inclined to drink?”
Any humor Lilliane felt fled at the quick flash of satisfaction that lighted Hughe's gaunt face. If she'd had any doubt of Hughe's true feelings toward his brother, they were now banished. For all his pretense of civility and even brotherly concern, it was apparent to her that he would take perverse pleasure in Corbett's downfall.
Hughe smiled expansively and let his eyes slip a.s.sessingly over her. ”He has always had a wild and ruthless streak. He was a jealous and cruel boy. No doubt he's become a jealous and cruel man.” The last was said as a statement yet the arch of his brow lent it a questioning air.
Lilliane would not confirm it and thereby lie outright, but she did not hesitate to blush prettily and lower her gaze in apparent agreement. When Hughe took her hand and patted it rea.s.suringly, she had to grit her teeth to prevent her revulsion from showing.
”Take heart, my dear. Despite the unfortunate past between Orrick and Colchester, rest a.s.sured that you may always turn to me should Corbett's vile temper get out of hand. Just send word to me and I shall see to your safety.” His smile became more knowing. ”And despite his absence, I know you may count on William's unwavering loyalty as well.”
With that clear innuendo Hughe excused himself and retired to his chamber with many rea.s.surances and smiles. Once he was gone Lilliane remained in the great hall fighting down a wave of nausea that might have been caused as much by the vile Sir Hughe as by her suspected pregnancy.
What was Hughe up to? she wondered in agitation. He and William were somehow tied together in this, and they both saw Corbett as their adversary. But why?
Her musings were halted by someone approaching. When she looked up she saw Sir Dunn's curious face.
For a moment there was silence. They'd never actually sought one another's company despite Dunn's recent overtures of friendliness. Still, the suspicious expression on his face was more a reflection of the old Sir Dunn, and Lilliane almost felt relief as she snapped, ”What is it?”
He did not respond at once and Lilliane was sure he debated in his mind how to begin. He finally drew a long breath. ”I hope I'm not wrong about you.”
”Wrong? What is that supposed to mean?”
”You spoke a good while with Hughe. He seemed well pleased when he left you.”
Lilliane stood up in exasperation. ”He is my brother-in-law. Should I not speak to him or put him at his ease? Besides, what right have you to spy upon me?”
His face grew grim and he watched her closely. ”Your loyalty lies with your husband.”
At his solemn expression Lilliane drew back and her annoyance fled. ”My loyalty is with him,” she vowed most earnestly. ”Believe nothing else but believe that.”
The blond knight's face was inscrutable as he weighed her words. When he spoke it was slowly and with much feeling. ”I believe you. He is not so sure of it, but I leave it to you to convince him. Still, I caution you to be careful of Hughe.”
”Can't you tell me what the trouble between them is?”
But Dunn only shook his head and, with a last intense look at her, quit the hall.
Lilliane did not have time to ponder Dunn's vague warning. Much too soon she was called to inspect the four pigs roasting in the huge kitchen hearths. By then the ladies had begun to rise, and no sooner were they being entertained than the men returned from the hunt.
She dispatched a servant to see the game cleaned and dressed, then sought out her husband in the great hall. Corbett was laughing at some antic of Gavin's when she entered, but though he retained his interest in the company she knew his eyes followed her.
”Good lady Lilliane,” Sir Roger boomed as he took her hand most gallantly. ”Perhaps you can answer this puzzle. Your husband swears the woods of Orrick contain the wildest of creatures. He had us all watching our backs lest some strange animal attack us!”
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