GREAT PROTECTOR
A Medieval Romance
By Kathryn Le Veque
Richmond (Teutonic):
Great Protector
PROLOGUE
1384 A.D.
London, England
The old stablewas dark and dank, smelling of horses and urine. The icy fingers of winter extended from the walls as an armored figure cautiously entered the structure.
Sir Richmond le Bec’s breath hung in the damp air, a dense fog that vaporized as he passed through it. Hesitantly, he moved deeper into the stable, his blue eyes observing all within the confines of shadowed stalls.
“Richmond!”
Richmond turned in the direction of his whispered name. Without delay, he moved deep into the bowels of the structure.
At the far end of the stable in a corner stall, two figures huddled for warmth against the cold December night. There was no light to illuminate the musty straw, only the dim moon glow casting weak beams of light. Richmond could make out the forms of a man and a woman.
“My lord?” he asked softly, puzzled. “I have come as ordered.”
A face became clear in the obscure light, features the young knight was well acquainted with. Young Henry, Duke of Hereford and King Richard’s cousin, gazed at his mighty comrade, already powerful and established at the tender age of twenty-two. Le Bec was a warrior to be trusted without hesitation.
Tears suddenly spilled down the duke’s cheeks, quickly dashed away by his female companion. Richmond could see that the man’s arms were occupied; he held a bundle.
“Richmond, I must ask of you a most vital task,” Henry whispered, gazing tenderly at the parcel he cradled. “You must take this parcel and guard it with your life.”
Richmond gazed at the bundle curiously, wondering what was so important to have Edward III’s grandson reduced to tears. His perplexed attention shifted from the heap of blankets to the two cloaked figures once again; it took Richmond a moment longer to realize that Henry’s companion was not his wife.
The mystery deepened. Yet, he did not hesitate in his obedient response. “Without question, sire.”
Henry sniffed loudly and his companion shakily wiped at her own face, revealing a delicate beauty of porcelain features. Shocked, Richmond recognized his superior officer’s wife, the Lady Ellyn.
“My lady,” he said with concern. “Are you…?”
Henry did not allow him to finish. He thrust the bundle at Richmond. “You must take this precious package and see that it is delivered to the Earl of Berkshire, William de Lohr. He’s expecting it.”
Richmond grasped the bundle with mailed hands, only to discover that it was a very soft, very limp mass of swaddling. When the woolen blankets let out a weak cry, he nearly dropped the parcel out of pure astonishment; he was holding a child.
“God’s Teeth,” he muttered, clutching the babe against his broad chest. His bafflement increasing by the moment, his eyes sought the duke. “Henry…. whatisthis?”
Henry put his arm around the woman, who began to weep softly against his shoulder.
“My daughter,” Henry whispered, gazing at the bundle in the knight’s massive arms. He tore his eyes away, meeting his friend’s stunned expression. “De Lohr is expecting her. You will take her to Lambourn this night and remain as her Great Protector.”
Richmond shook his head, his bewilderment expanding. “Remain as herprotector? But…?”
Henry let out a harsh sigh, putting both arms around the Lady Ellyn as her sobbing deepened. “God’s Blood, le Bec, do you need for me to spell it out? She’s my bastard, the result of a liaison between me and the Lady Ellyn. Her husband has threatened to kill the child, for he knows it not to be his. You must take her.”
Richmond was shocked as well as baffled. “But…. Captain de Worth would never do such a thing. He’s King Richard’s household captain, sworn to uphold the codes of chivalry.”
“He’s also an enraged husband whose wife has managed to bear another man’s child,” Henry snapped savagely, clutching Lady Ellyn fiercely. “Charles de Worth doesn’t love her, Richmond. Only I love her. We have created this child with our love and you have been delegated the duty of protecting my daughter until she becomes of age. Will you do this for me?”
