Page 56 of Knight of Chaos
He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Aye. I had hoped we would be able to have a leisurely stay here until we continued onward. A cup of cool ale… a good meal. We may only get a bit of bread and cheese this night if we are lucky.”
“I can only pray they will be able to offer more than that. If that is truly the extent of what they have, I may have to refuse eating as I do not wish to take food from their own bellies.”
Theobald took hold of her arms before leaning down to kiss her forehead. “If such is the case, Richard and I will scour the land until we find something for our table. I will not see a wife of mine go hungry.”
A smile crept along the edges of her mouth. “Iamhungry, but it has nothing to do with food.”
A chuckle escaped him. “My wife wishes to play…” he said with a wicked grin of his own. He pulled his tunic up over his head all the while keeping his gaze focused on her eyes.
Her hands tingled to touch his skin that was now exposed for her viewing pleasure. Broad shoulders, a light dusting of fur across his chest that disappeared into the tight hose hugging his lean hips. She licked her lips and listened to Theobald’s response. His moan of desire mirrored her own inner thoughts.
He did not take long to gather her back into his muscled arms. The bed beckoned for them to make their way to the softness of the feather mattress. Their bodies sank once Theobald laid next to her upon the coverlets. There was no need to rush in their play this day. Anything beyond their door would wait for when the lord and his lady were ready to face what awaited them. For now, the only thing that mattered was just the two of them. Theobald and Ingrid… home at last.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Theobald had beenlistening intently to the steward’s account of the happenings at Calbridge Castle. Ingrid’s expression was as harsh as his own. There was never an end to the turmoil that continued to plague them. Mayhap Reynard had been right… Theobald would be known as the Knight of Chaos if things did not improve in his life. He was tired of it all.
Richard muffled a curse. “And this knight just showed up one day and staked his claim upon the land, stripping this house of most of its valuables?” he asked with a fierce frown.
“Aye, my lord,” John replied. “He claimed the castle in the name of King Stephen.”
’Twas Theobald’s turn to curse. “He had some nerve considering most nobles in the west claim Empress Matilda as their sovereign.”
John nodded. “The people understand that, my lord, but there was none there to gainsay him. But you are here now to put an end to his tyranny.”
Ingrid began to pace the solar. “I have no notion to lay siege to my own castle,” she huffed. “They are costly both to the lands resources and the people barricaded within.”
“’Twill not come to that, my dear,” Theobald said although he had to admit he was not certain that his words were true.
She halted her frantic pacing to stare down at the drawing of the grounds of Calbridge. The castle itself hugged a steep cliff with a fast-flowing river below it so Theobald did not have to worry that they would be attacked from that direction.
“Must we send for reinforcements? How many knights did he bring with him?” Ingrid finally asked.
John took a seat. “Not many, or so I have been informed. I’ve heard tell that the original knights of the garrison are not overly fond of the man and have not pledged their fealty to him as yet.”
Richard took a chair as well. “Does this individual have a name? Mayhap we know of him.”
“He goes by de Payne.”
Theobald, Ingrid, and Richard all shared a look. Could it be possible?
“Roger de Payne?” Theobald inquired before he took Ingrid’s hand and they both took the remaining chairs set by the hearth.
“Aye. That is him. You know him, then?” John asked.
“Bloody Hell!” Theobald bellowed.
Ingrid covered her face with her hands. “Of all the people in this world it had to be de Payne. That rat bastard.”
John’s brow rose in question and Richard spoke before Ingrid or Theobald could chime in. “The lady had an altercation with the man on the battlefield at Winchester. He tried without success to… take advantage of Lady Ingrid.”
“De Payne was surprised when I told him that the lost heiress to Calbridge had been found and that she and her husband would be arriving soon to run her estate,” John said slowly.
“I assume that information did not go over well if he thought to take over the land without any contest,” Theobald replied, angry at the thought of what awaited them at their new home.
John nodded. “His temper became out of control, and he demanded to know who the heiress was, but at the time I had not been privy to your name. The message from the Empress did not have a lot of details as to your identity, only that you would be arriving soon,” John proclaimed before he stared at the group before him. “But as I mentioned, I do not think you will have much of a fight against him. He does not have many who are on his side and will be easily routed from the place.”
“As long as we can get through the front gate,” Theobald replied. John stood and went back to the table that held the map, and Theobald followed him as the two men studied the drawing.
