Page 55 of Knight of Darkness
He nodded before raising her hand to his lips. “Our lands,” he murmured never taking those hypnotic blue-grey eyes from her.
“Aye, of course. Our lands,” she repeated. Her nerves were on edge not knowing how their conversation would proceed during the evening meal. Had he spoken to Beatrix and set the young lady’s mind at ease? If Ceridwen were in the younger woman’s place, she would be distraught with grief knowing Wymar would never belong to her. Ceridwen had already gone through such an ordeal months ago, and she never wanted to be in such a position again.
“Shall we sup?” Wymar asked, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. His other hand was placed lightly on her waist whilst he pulled her close. Her heart flipped once more acknowledging her true feeling for her future husband.
Not waiting for her answer, he began escorting her to the raised dais reserved for the lord and lady of the keep. Once seated, Reynard took his place next to his brother whilst Richard sat to her left. With a wave of Wymar’s hand, servants began bringing in platters of food for the hungry people waiting to sup. A trencher was placed between them, and Wymar began filling the plate with the choicest of meats. He waited for her to partake of the meal, yet she was still uncertain of all her unanswered questions that continued to run amuck inside her head. She was unsure if she could stomach any food until she had her answers.
She hesitated whilst her hand lingered near the trencher. Instead, she reached for her chalice and took a drink of the heady red wine that did nothing to calm her nerves. Ceridwen’s stomach churned with the sensation of being in some sort of an eternal conflict of wanting to demand answers. But she also did not wish to appear as a shrew by daring to berate him for whatever his involvement was with Richard’s sister. Ceridwen’s eyes quickly swept the large great hall full of people. Beatrix was noticeably absent from any of the other tables Ceridwen could see causing her to once more ponder the poor girl’s fate.
Wymar leaned over and his nearness was as intoxicating as the rush of memories of their very first kiss. “You will not eat, Ceridwen?” he asked whilst whispering in her ear. “You must be hungry after your journey.”
She shivered with desire no matter how conflicted she felt. “Aye, I but awaited you to begin,” she replied with nervous knots racing down her spine.
“Ladies first,” he gently coaxed, causing her heart to flutter inside her chest.
Left with no alternative and not wishing to cause a scene, she began to nibble at the food set before her. She had not realized how famished she was until she began to eat. More wine was poured and was just as delicious as the meal she began to consume.
Wymar was preoccupied with a low conversation with Reynard leaving Ceridwen to gaze upon Richard. He appeared… uncomfortable to say the least. He cleared his throat, took hold of his own goblet before him and took a sip of his wine. He then turned to face her.
“My sincerest apologies for my sister, my lady,” he said quietly. “I pray you do not think too unkindly of her. My parents have spoiled her to the point where she has but to crook her finger and her demands have always been met.”
Ceridwen reached for her chalice and also took a sip before replying. “I have yet to have speech with Wymar regarding her,” she murmured, “so I am unsure how to reply.”
“’Twas not how I envisioned you being reunited with my friend.”
A gruntled response escaped her. “Nor I.” She glanced at Wymar who was still in a deep conversation with Reynard. “Have they always been close?”
“Of course… they are brothers,” Richard declared.
She swatted his arm knowing he mistook her meaning on purpose as an excuse to change the subject. “You must know I did not mean Reynard.”
He gazed upon her sheepishly before turning his focus to the food. He began pushing it around on his trencher but never brought any of the meat up to his mouth to eat. Clearly uncomfortable, Richard at last set the fork down to answer her. “Beatrix has been like a sister to the Norwoods. Anything more is a product of her own imagination. She can be very… determined.”
“I see.” Ceridwen sighed, pondering how to proceed. She did not wish to insult Richard but she could not let Beatrix come between her and the man she was to marry soon. “Should I be concerned as to her future motives where Wymar is concerned?”
Richard at last took a bite of his food and washed it down with a large gulp of wine. “I have had speech with her. She is distressed and at the moment inconsolable. This explains her absence and why she is not at the evening meal. But I am certain she will see reason in time.”
“Mayhap I should talk to her,” Ceridwen suggested.
His brow rose. “Such a talk may not go over well but I thank you for the offer to ease her distress.”
“I hear woman to woman discussions can be helpful, though I have little experience with them myself. I have never had another woman close enough to confide in.”
Richard nodded and continued to consume his meal. Ceridwen turned her attention to Wymar when she felt his hand rest upon her arm. He appeared concerned and she assumed he had listened in on most of her conversation with his friend.
“You heard?” she asked.
“Aye.” He gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “You are kind to offer to have speech with Lady Beatrix.”
Ceridwen shrugged. “It was only a suggestion. Given the despair the young woman projected earlier, I can understand her plight… at least to a point. I do not wish to be the cause of bad feelings between you and a woman you consider a beloved sister.”
“As I said, you are most kind,” Wymar replied, taking a sip of his wine. His eyes never left hers.
“Thatisall she is to you, is she not?” She watched his brow lift as though in disbelief before she continued. “You must know I need to ask. I do not wish our marriage to begin with a lie nor with a woman who will become an obstacle to our happiness. I will not tolerate your mistress under my roof.”
Wymar set his cup down and leaned forward so their conversation was not overheard. “Beatrix isnotmy mistress nor have I ever had the slightest inclination to make her so. Richard would have called me out years ago for such an offence.”
“As long as she is aware that nothing further is between you then I will be satisfied,” she said whilst a small part of her was still concerned. “I am not foolish enough to believe that we will never see her again considering she is like family to you and your brothers. But I do not want her to continue to believe she has a hold over your heart.”
