Velvet Song Read online

  She set up a school for the many children in the castle complex and began to teach them to read and write. There were many days when she wanted to quit, but she kept on and was rewarded once in a while when a child learned a new word.

  In the afternoons she worked with the wounded and ill. Once a man’s leg was crushed under a wine barrel and it had to be taken off. Alyx took his head in her hands and used all her training, and all her feeling, to hypnotize him with her voice. Afterward, she cried for hours.

  “It hurts to become involved,” she said to Judith. “One of my children, a lovely child, fell off the wall yesterday and she died in my arms. I don’t want to love people. Music is safer.”

  Judith held her and soothed her and they talked for a long time. In the morning Alyx went back to her school. Later, the man who’d lost his leg asked for her and there were tears of gratitude on his face for Alyx’s help.

  Judith was behind Alyx. “Did God give you your talent to help men who need you or should you save it for prettily dressed people in church?”

  At Christmas, Judith’s mother came to visit them. Helen Bassett didn’t look old enough to be anyone’s mother. At her side was her husband John, who looked as content as any man could. Together they smiled at their eleven-month-old daughter, who was just learning to walk.

  Judith’s son was six months old, Alyx’s daughter two months. Everyone tried to make the festivities merry and no one mentioned how many of the family were missing.

  “We were all together last year,” Gavin muttered into his ale cup.

  There was no word from Raine.

  In January, everything seemed to happen at once. Roger Chatworth had indeed gone to King Henry—but not alone. Whether by chance or contrivance, Pagnell had appeared at the same time.

  Roger said Miles was holding his sister prisoner in Scotland and Pagnell said he had proof, not just the vague rumors of before, that Raine was training non-nobles to fight as knights, that he was attempting to raise an army against the King.

  King Henry said he was heartily sick of the feud between the Chatworths and the Montgomerys and he wanted Lady Elizabeth released. If Miles did not do so, he would be declared a traitor and his lands confiscated. As for Raine, if he put more weapons in those outlaws’ hands, the King would burn the forest and all of them together.

  Gavin sent a messenger to Scotland, pleading with Stephen to force Miles to obey the King. Before there was a reply, it was heard that Pagnell had been found dead and it was whispered that the Montgomerys were responsible. The King added this to a long list of grievances.

  “He wants what we’ve held for centuries,” Gavin said. “Other kings have tried to take it and have failed. This one will, too.” He grabbed a mace from the wall. “If Stephen cannot reason with Miles, I can.”

  Within an hour he was off again for Scotland.

  “And what about Raine?” Alyx asked quietly as she held Catherine. “Who is going to warn him about the King’s threats?”

  “King Henry won’t burn the forest,” Judith said practically. “There are too few of them left. Raine wouldn’t really march on the King with his band of cutthroats, would he?”

  “Perhaps. Raine would dare anything if he saw some injustice. If he thought his brother were in danger there is no predicting what he might do.”

  “Miles will listen to Gavin this time—I hope,” Judith said. “Roger will get his sister back and everything will be settled.”

  They looked at each other for a long moment, neither of them believing Judith’s words.

  “I’m going to Raine,” Alyx said softly, then opened her eyes in surprise.

  “Will he allow you into the forest? Oh, Alyx, I’m not sure you should do that. The Montgomery men can get terribly angry.”

  “Has Gavin’s anger ever kept you from doing what you had to do? If Gavin were in danger would you hesitate helping him in any way you could?”

  Judith was quiet for a moment. “I once led Gavin’s men against a man who held him captive.”

  “I merely ride into a forest. Would you care for Catherine? She’s too young to take with me. It will be cold there.”

  “Alyx, are you sure?”

  “I might be able to distract Raine. I’m sure he’s brooding over all that has happened and no doubt contemplating all manner of horrors to commit against Roger Chatworth. Sometimes I can outshout him and force him to listen to me. He probably won’t know what Gavin is doing to persuade Miles to release Elizabeth.”

  She stood, clutching her baby tightly. “I must prepare. I’ll need a tent, for I can’t see Raine willingly sharing his with me.”

  “He might forgive you the moment he sees you,” Judith said, eyes dancing.

  “Forgive me!” Alyx said, then saw she was teasing. “I’ll make him sorry he accused me of betraying him. And I’ll need medicines. I owe something to those outlaws Raine leads. They helped me once, but I never helped them. I want to make up for some of my neglect and my arrogance.”

  “How soon do you want to leave?” Judith asked.

  “Before Gavin returns or we may have trouble. How soon can we gather things together?”

  “A day if we hurry.”

  “Judith,” Alyx said. “You are an angel.”

  “Perhaps I just want to see my family safe. Come along now, we have work to do.”

  Silently, Alyx groaned. Raine had once said Judith did twice as much in a day as anyone else. Alyx guessed it was closer to three times as much. Quickly, she handed Catherine to a maid and hurried after her sister-in-law.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I DON’T LIKE like this place,” Joan said from the horse beside Alyx’s. “It’s too dark. Are you sure Lord Raine lives in a place like this?”

  Alyx didn’t bother to answer. Judith had said her maid, Joan, would be an asset in this venture, that Joan could keep Alyx looking good enough to make Raine notice and Joan could ferret out all sorts of information. Judith had also warned that Joan was much too familiar and must be constantly reminded of her place.

  “Hello,” Alyx called up into a tree.

  Joan looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Is the tree expected to answer you?” She added, “My lady” when Alyx gave her a sharp look.

  From the tall branches of the tree dropped what Joan saw as a divine man.

  “Joss!” Alyx laughed, and before she could dismount Jocelin had grabbed her about the waist and pulled her into his arms.

  For a moment they just laughed and hugged until Alyx pulled away and looked at him. “You’ve changed,” she said quietly. “There are roses in your cheeks.”

  Joan coughed loudly. “Perhaps the gentleman would like roses elsewhere than his cheeks.”

  “Joan!” Alyx warned. “I’ll leave you overnight alone in this forest if you don’t behave.”

  “Is that the voice of command I hear?” Joss asked, holding her hands at arms’ length. “You have more than changed. I have never seen such a lovely lady. Walk with me and let’s talk.”

  When they were away from Joan and the loaded horses, he asked, “You have a child?”

  “A daughter with Raine’s dimples and my eyes. She is sweet and perfect in every way. How is he?”

  Jocelin knew who she meant. “Not well. Wait! He is physically well, but he is sad, never smiles and when a messenger comes from his brother he is angry for days.” He paused. “What happened after your marriage?”

  Briefly, she told him of Roger Chatworth.

  “So, you have left your child and come back to Raine.”

  “No doubt he will welcome me with open arms.” She grimaced. “There are several reasons why I’ve returned. I owe the people here something for saving me from the burning. How many . . . died?”

  “Three, and a fourth one later.”

  Her hand tightened on Joss’s arm. “The King’s anger at the Montgomerys and the Chatworths is increasing daily. Gavin has gone to Scotland to reason with one brother while Raine is mine to deal