Alys heard the horses before Cecily, who was kneeling next to a tree, praying so fervently nothing could have distracted her. It was only when the nurse pulled her by the shoulder that she crossed herself and rose to her feet, steeling herself. Two unarmed women would be easy prey for bandits. Cecily vowed she would never again be so unprepared, although she could not blame herself in the circumstances. Lord Esterby had not allowed her to take anything with her when he flung her out of his castle.
Before fear settled into her, relief replaced it. She saw William’s standard and then caught the gleam of his scabbard through the thick trees. As he approached, she gasped when she saw the jagged red scar on his cheek. She dropped back onto her knees and began to weep.
“I knew it to be ugly, but had no inkling it was so bad,” William said, jumping down from his horse and crouching beside her.
“I see nothing ugly,” Cecily said. “I weep in relief that the wound did not kill you. I had no idea you were hurt.”
“All men are hurt in battle, one way or another. It is nothing that should trouble you. Tell me, wife, why you are here in the woods.”
She glanced at the men with him and saw Hugh de Morland. “No doubt your friend has already shared my sad story. I swear to you I have done no wrong.”
“But Lord Esterby has,” William said. “And I suspect his wife is no better.”
“You must allow me to defend myself.” Cecily could not bring herself to meet his eyes. “I would never behave in a manner that would bring such shame to you.”
“You are my wife, Cecily, and I trust you implicitly. There is no need for explanation or defense. I take you at your word and now want only to restore your honor.” He motioned to his men and one of the squires dismounted and brought his horse forward. He helped Alys climb atop it, her full skirts making it difficult, but not impossible for her to sit astride the saddle. William, back on his chestnut steed, motioned again, and another squire boosted Cecily up behind him. She sat sideways, her arms tight around her husband’s waist.
The women had not covered much distance since their expulsion, and it took very little time for William’s party to reach the castle. Once they had passed through the outer and inner gates, William shouted to the men guarding the inner courtyard, identifying himself and commanding them to bring the baron to him.
To Cecily, it seemed as though it took Lord Esterby longer to cover the distance from his hall to the courtyard than it had taken her husband’s retinue to make its way through the forest. Adeline was at his side, her shoulders thrown back, a wicked look of glee on her face. It was she, rather than her husband, who spoke first.
“You ought not have come back here, Cecily,” she spat. “You are no longer welcome.”
“I am here to speak with you, Lord Esterby,” William said. “There is no need for a scene.”
“It was an attempt to avoid a scene that led me to ask Lady Hargrave to leave,” the baron said. “You know I would not have done such a thing had I any other option.”
“I will not stand idle when anyone besmirches the good name of my wife,” William said, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Father Simon, who had been standing behind Adeline, stepped forward.
“Violence will solve nothing, William.”
“I have not come for violence, Simon, my old friend,” he said. “I have come to collect Cecily’s belongings. We neither of us seek further acquaintance with any who would believe lies. Bring her things at once, her books included, and we shall be gone.”
“She can’t deny the accusations,” Adeline said.
“I have no interest in doing so,” Cecily replied. She slid down from her husband’s horse and walked with slow, measured steps until she stood directly in front of the other woman. “Virtue is a reward unto itself, and it is a reward I know well. I need not sully another’s reputation in a vain attempt to save mine, for all who are decent and honest know the truth about me. I am afraid of nothing and of no one. I thank you for the hospitality you and Lord Esterby have given me and bear neither of you a grudge. I pray you find much happiness with each other.” Finished, she turned on her heel and quitted the courtyard, not pausing even to exchange a glance with William. She did not stop until she had exited the outer gate of the castle and reached the edge of the woods surrounding it.
Her heart pounding, she wondered what William would say. Instead of allowing him to defend her, she had made a spectacle of herself. She heard someone approaching from behind and squeezed her eyes shut, terrified to see his reaction. If he had even come himself.
He had. He pulled off his gloves and touched her chin with a single finger, lifting it up. Still, she kept her eyes closed. “Open,” he commanded. She obeyed. “What a thing it is to learn one has taken a wife as fit to do battle as a knight himself. I could not ask for a better partner. Come, now, we must on to Derbyshire without delay. We’ve a house to build and an estate to manage. I’ve much to tell you.”