Shattered Vows(88)

Lord Geoffrey’s eyes glittered, the fever was back. ‘That’s when you betrayed me, you’re after my lands!’

‘Ignore him, it’s the fever talking,’ Lady Adeliza said. She touched her son’s arm. ‘Geoffrey, the fever has you, you’re raving. And in any case your sons are next in line.’

‘Sons? Sons? I’ve only one son, Henry. And he’ll kill him too, to get his filthy hands on my lands.’

‘I’d better go,’ Oliver grimaced. ‘I seem to be making him worse.’

Lady Adeliza shook her head and her veil rippled. ‘Pay no heed to what he says, nephew, he’s out of his mind. Feel his head, he’s as hot as a smithy.’

Baron Geoffrey’s face gleamed with perspiration. He lay panting against the pillow – the brief conversation had sapped him of strength. Tenderly, Lady Adeliza wiped her son’s forehead with a damp cloth. She glanced across the bed at Oliver. ‘You may not have heard, nephew, last night Lady Margaret was safely delivered of another boy. I have told Geoffrey, of course, but he’s too sick to recall it. If he can’t remember he has another son, he certainly can’t cope with anything else.’

‘My lady, I am delighted to hear Lady Margaret and the child are well. I shall give my report to my cousin later.’

‘That might be best,’ Lady Adeliza said. ‘Come back tonight, he may be calmer by then. In the meantime, if he comes to his senses I shall be sure to tell him how much Ingerthorpe has relied on you these past-’

Below, a door slammed and a gust of laughter rolled up the stairs. Lady Adeliza pursed her lips. ‘Who’s making that noise? Rosamund, go and tell them to be quiet. My son needs rest.’

‘Yes, my lady.’

Oliver caught Rosamund’s arm as she made to leave and questioning blue eyes met his. ‘I’ll tell them on my way out,’ he said. ‘The men are celebrating – they might not heed a maid.’

‘Celebrating?’ Lady Adeliza said. ‘It’s over?’

‘Yes, my lady, for now. I came to tell you that we’ve routed the rebels. The camp is destroyed.’

Lady Adeliza let out a huge breath. ‘Dieu Merci! Thank God. Was their much slaughter?’

‘Some men were killed.’

‘On both sides?’

‘It couldn’t be helped. But we took many captives and weapons. And horses, including Lance.’

Oliver was still holding Rosamund’s arm. Reluctantly, he released her. He tried not to look too obviously at her mouth. She was smiling, pleased that the rebels had been routed but he sensed some reserve in her. That smile was half-hearted and he wanted her full smile.

‘Where have you put the prisoners?’ Lady Adeliza asked. ‘In the dungeons?’

‘Yes, when Geoffrey’s recovered, he’ll want to question them.’ Oliver couldn’t stop looking at Rosamund. Her eyes. Her hair. The tantalising way she bit her lip. Her womanly, beautiful shape. His gut twisted, and he cleared this throat. ‘My Lord of Hewitt has his prisoners too.’

‘You’ve done well, de Warenne,’ Lady Adeliza said. ‘If my son needs proof of your fealty, what you have done today should speak for you.’

‘Thank you, my lady.’

Rosamund knew she was flushing. Oliver was staring at her and Lady Adeliza was bound to have noticed. He might try for a little subtlety. His eyes had darkened and when he’d taken her arm, his fingers had rubbed up and down in a secret caress. She held down a sigh, and braced herself for one of Lady Adeliza’s sharp, knowing remarks. This was embarrassing. Desire was all very well but she wanted more than to be seen as his belle-amie. She wanted his love. However, this wasn’t the place for discussion, not with Lady Adeliza watching them like a hawk.

‘You’ll be back tonight, de Warenne?’ Lady Adeliza said, smiling.

Oliver bowed. ‘As you wish, my lady.’ The latch clicked and he was gone.

Rosamund turned back to the bed, the lord of Ingerthorpe had fallen asleep. ‘Shall I fetch more cool water, my lady?’

Lady Adeliza put her head to one side. ‘My nephew is a fine young man,’ she said, eyes shrewd. ‘He’ll make a handsome husband for my Cecily, don’t you think?’

Rosamund stared blindly at the narrow window. The bedchamber seemed very quiet, and she had a lump in her throat. ‘Sir Oliver is most handsome, Lady Cecily should be pleased to marry him.’

‘Yes, she should.’ Lady Adeliza’s voice faded as she dipped the cloth into the water and bent over her son’s perspiration-streaked face. ‘As would any real woman. Unfortunately, Cecily isn’t pleased and I find I don’t want to force either of them. Bah, what a rat’s nest.’ Lady Adeliza stared into the water bowl.