Riding up the hill toward the imposing gatehouse on herdappled-gray palfrey, Leila did not think she had ever felt so tired. Theweather had proved their enemy during much of the journey, the heavyrainand mud-clogged roads slowing their progressconsiderably. Yet they had pressed on, Guy clearly anxious to reach his home.Only short respites for sleep in rustic village inns had broken theirrelentless pace.
Thankfully the day had turned sunny about an hour ago,affording Leila a much different view of the rolling countryside than that of aland cloaked in dense mist and gray gloom. They had passed many small farms andprosperous hamlets since then, which Guy had informedherwere all under his domain. His words had been confirmed when his tenants, bothEnglish and Welsh, had rushed from their modest wattle and daub homes to greetthem. It seemed everyone knew Lord deWarennewascoming home from the crusade.
The clear skies had also granted her a first far-offglimpse ofWarenneCastle, situated on the summit ofa hill overlooking the RiverUsk. Now as they madetheir final ascent, the high stone walls looming closer and closer seemed likeprison walls to Leila.
"Look. It's Nicholas, up there on the battlements,"Guy cried out, his excited voice breaking into her somber thoughts. "Andthat's Philip beside him."
Shielding her eyes from the sun, Leila spied the darklyclad priest and a small, fair-haired boy looking down at them from the hugeround wall tower at the right corner of the fortress. Yet they were still toofar away for her to make out their faces. She glanced at Guy, riding alongsideher, his roandestrierdwarfing her mare. "Howold did you say your son is, my lord?"
"Six," he replied, still gazing at the tower."I wonder if he even remembers me. I haven't seen him for almost twoyears."
Leila had no answer for him. She had had littlepersonal dealings with children, except as patients, and she certainly did notfeel qualified to gauge this young boy's mind. She did feel compassion for Guy,however. It must have been hard for him to be away from his son for such a longtime.
"I'm glad you decided to abandon your extra veils,"he added, smiling at her. "It is a shame to hide such beauty as you possess,my love. I'm sure you will win everyone's heart when they see you."
Leila blushed at his compliment and tried to ignore itsunsettling effect on her. She had left off her veils only because her plan toembarrass him had failed. If he was merely amused by her foreign garb, whatpoint was there in wearing it?
She remained silent as they came at last to thegatehouse and passed beneath the raised portcullis. Looking up at themenacingly sharp spikes, she wondered how she would ever manage to escape pastthis heavy wooden grille bounded with iron.
The journey had allowed her plenty of time to thinkabout her new plan, which depended entirely on gathering enough funds to gether back to Damascus. She already had the silver girdle and fillet Guy hadgiven her, and he had promised her a ring that had once belonged to his mother,but she doubted that would be enough. She hoped she could manage to steal somecoins here and there. Her plan was devious and cruel, but what else could shedo?
They passed through yet another gate, this one hingedand made of thick timber also reinforced with iron, but Leila took heart,noting a smaller door cut into one side. At least this gate might not provedifficult to pass through.
Then they were inside the fortress, and a swarm ofpeople was rushing forward to greet them: men-at-arms and knights who hadstayed behind to guard the castle during Guy's absence, beaming servants,officials of the surrounding villages and their wives, and even somewell-dressed ladies, whom Leila assumed were married to returning deWarenneknights, along with their children. Guy had alreadytold her there would probably be a celebratory feast in their honor thatnight, but she didn't know how she would manage it, being soweary. Perhaps if she could rest first—
She started when Guy's hands encircled her narrow waistand he lifted her to the ground. He began to introduce her to people, but thenames and faces became a blur in her mind. She simply smiled, growing all themore disconcerted by the pressure of Guy's fingers entwined with hers. He hadn'ttouched her since early that morning, when he had awakened her with a kiss and .. .
Leila's face grew so warm she was grateful for thebrisk autumn breeze blowing across the huge courtyard. She was about to ask Guyif the rest of the introductions might wait until later when he suddenlyhalted, the crowd of well-wishers around them parting as a little boy dashedforward with outstretched arms.
"Nicholas!" Guy exclaimed, releasing Leila'shand as he bent down on one knee and caught the child in his embrace. Just asquickly the boy pulled away, his eyes wide as he surveyed his father solemnly.
"I'm going to be a brave and fearsome knight andwear armor just like you when I grow up, aren't I, Papa?"
Guy seemed about to laugh, then he quickly sobered andanswered just as seriously, "Yes, you are, my son. Just like me."
"And I may have a war-horse like Griffin?"
"Bigger, I'd warrant!" Guy answeredplayfully, swooping Nicholas into his arms as he stood up. "Why, you'venearly grown into a man since I've been away. Just look at you!"
Stepping back a bit, Leila could tell Guy deeply lovedhis child and was elated that Nicholas had so readily come to him. She wonderedwhat had become of Philip,thenshe spied a priestwending his way toward them through the crowd.
She was interested to note that the older man resembledGuy no more than she did her own brother, for Philip was shorter by a head andveryspare,his hair nearly gray and clipped close tohis skull. Yet there was some slight similarity in the spacing of his featuresand in the square set of his jaw. His gray eyes were shrewd and intelligent,his expression reserved, until Guy clasped his arm heartily. Then the priestlydemeanor gave way to a half smile that nevertheless conveyed his affection.
"You look none the worse for your travels, mybrother," Philip said, the deep timbre of his voice similar to Guy's. "Imust admit I became anxious when I heard from Henry about your imprisonment inDamascus, but I can see now that you are as fit as ever. Welcome home."
"My thanks, Philip. As I fully expected, my estateseems to have prospered under yourcare,and Nicholashere . . ."
Guy gave his son another fierce hug, but the boy seemedimpatient to be let down, his inquisitive eyes fastened upon Leila. As soon ashis small feet touched the ground, he trotted over and looked up at her.
"Sir Langton told me my new mother was a mostbeautiful lady," he said, innocently appraising her features. "Ithink it is you."
Leila felt a catch in her throat and decided thishandsome child's mother must also have been very beautiful. She had never seena more striking combination of white-blond hair and blue, blue eyes; Nicholasbore the features of his father, but they were softened and refined, his legacyfrom Christine.
A rush of pity swept her for the long dead woman whohad tried in vain to win Guy's love . . . a love he had now given to her, butwhich she could not accept. How strange and mysterious were the forces thatdrove men's and women's hearts!
"The lad already has his father's eye for beauty,"Leila heard Guy say proudly, much to the appreciation of the crowd stillgathered around them. She met his gaze as he reached out and clasped her hand. "Yes,Nicholas, this is your new mother, Lady Leila deWarenne,"he answered for her. "But you must ask her yourself what she wishes to becalled." Guy leaned over and whispered in her ear, "We don't want tomake her uncomfortable."
His fair head tilted back, Nicholas looked questioninglyfrom his towering father back to Leila, who swallowed with embarrassment.
