CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
‡
When you love someone
“Gaetan!”
Gaetan heard his name screamed above the rumble of battle and he turned to see Ghislaine astride a hairy pony as she pushed through the fighting, using the bow in her hand to club men over the head with it.
In a panic, Gaetan pushed his way towards her, shoving and slashing at men, finally reaching her and pulling her off the pony. As the pony scattered, he carried Ghislaine out of the fighting, running with her into the trees, his only thought to take her to safety. He didn’t even know how long he’d run, only that it seemed like forever. He was blinded with his panic to get her to safety. But Ghislaine put a hand on his face, easing him, soothing him, and bringing him back to reality.
“You can stop, Gaetan,” she told him. “We are clear of the battle; all is well, I swear it. You can stop!”
He heard her words but he was still filled with terror for her safety. Slowly, he was able to come to a stop but he ended up stumbling to his knees, nearly dumping Ghislaine to the ground.
But she held on tight, arms around his neck. When they were on the moldering leaves of the forest, she finally let go, her hands going to his face.
“Are you well?” she asked urgently, eyes full of unshed tears. “Tell me you are uninjured.”
Gaetan had his arms around her now, kissing her furiously as he tried to speak. “I am well,” he said. “But what are you doing here? What has happened?”
Ghislaine was trying to speak but his mouth on hers made it difficult. “I had to come,” she gasped. “Jathan told me that you had left and I had to come. Gaetan, I could not let you face this alone.”
She finally put her hand over his mouth because he was kissing her hard enough to make her swoon. “But those men,” he said, kissing her hand instead. He couldn’t seem to stop kissing her. “You asked Antillius for assistance? Are those his men?”
It was so much more complex than that and Ghislaine was sick with grief at the question. How could she tell Gaetan that the price of his help was the end of their dreams? Of course, the man had to know. If she didn’t tell him, then Antillius would. But she didn’t want to tell him so soon. She, at least, wanted some time with him before the sorrow began.
Throwing her arms around his neck, she simply wanted to hold him against her, to remember this moment for the years to come when she was wrought with loneliness and sorrow. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought off the tears that were threatening to rip her apart.
“We left the village a few hours after you did,” she said, her throat tight with emotion. “Antillius brought all the men he could to help you. I knew this area and I suspected that you would meet Alary on this stretch of road, somewhere between Tenebris and Kidderminster, so we came up through the forest and we saw your men in the trees, watching the road. Téo and Aramis saw us and they waited with us and told us when to attack.”
Now, it was all becoming clear. It was such a glorious bit of good news that Gaetan was having trouble grasping it all. He held her close.
“Your timing was perfect,” Gaetan said, relief in his voice. “It could not have come at a more perfect moment. But you? You came and I did not want you to. I left orders that you should not.”
“I know.”
“I told Jathan to tie you to the bed if he had to.”
Ghislaine was still holding him, unable to look him in the eye. “He tried,” she said, somewhat remorseful. “I had to disable him.”
Gaetan frowned before pulling out of her embrace, looking at her as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear her explanation. “What do you mean ‘disable’ him?” he asked. “What did you do, little mouse?”
“I kicked him.”
“Where?”
“It is a good thing he is a priest and will never want children.”
Gaetan’s eyebrows flew up in shock. “There?”
“Aye.”
“Where did you leave the body?”
Ghislaine tried not to look too contrite. “He could not ride, so he is back at the Tertium village. He says you can come back for him and Camulos when the battle is over.”
Gaetan knew he should scold her. But then, he started to laugh in spite of himself, his big white teeth gleaming in the weak light. “I should spank you at the very least,” he said. “But I cannot muster the will. You are very determined and I adore you all the more for it.”
She was glad he wasn’t angry with her. But in looking at the man, into that handsome face that she’d come to know so well, the tears began to return.
“And I love you, Norman,” she whispered. “I love you with all that I am. Everything I have done, I have done it because I love you. You must always remember that.”
His smile turned warm, adoring. A big hand cupped her face. “I am the most fortunate man in all the world to have your love,” he murmured. “As you have mine.”
“Gate!”
Téo broke the tender moment, coming up behind him through the trees with Kristoph in tow. Gaetan forgot all about Ghislaine for the moment and rushed to Kristoph, throwing his arms around the man in a moment he’d been praying for since he realized Kristoph had been abducted. His brother, his friend, was finally safe, and his relief knew no limits.
“Kris,” he muttered, hugging the man tightly before releasing him. “You cannot know how I have longed for this moment.”
Kristoph was wearily smiling at him. “I knew you would come for me,” he said. “I never had any doubt.”
Gaetan put an affectionate hand on his cheek. “I am glad you did not doubt us, for it was a harrowing journey to find you.” He sobered. “How is your hand?”
He meant the partially cut finger. Kristoph held up his hand to show him. “It has almost healed. I do not miss it, anyway.”
“But you are well otherwise?”
“Other than the fact I could eat an entire cow by myself, I am well. But how did you happen to find me? Alary was convinced you had stopped following us, but I knew better. I knew you were around, somewhere. But how did you know?”
Gaetan pointed to Ghislaine. “It is all because of her,” he said. “You do remember her, do you not?”
Kristoph looked at Ghislaine and his eyes widened. “Of course I do,” he said, taking a few halting steps in Ghislaine’s direction. “My lady protector. It was you who helped my comrades find me?”
Ghislaine stood up, slowly because of her aching thigh. “It was because of me that Alary took you,” she said. “At first, I went to the Normans for help with vengeance in my heart. I wanted them to kill my brother for taking you away from me. But in the end, it was my own arrow that ended my brother’s miserable life and I am not sorry for that. For everything he has done and all of the people he has wronged, I suppose it was the least I could do.”
Her statement wasn’t missed by Gaetan. “It was you who put the arrow through his skull?”
Ghislaine nodded solemnly. “Aye,” she replied. “He cannot hurt anyone again. If it had to be done… it is right that I should do it. He has given our family a terrible name. We have much to atone for.”
Gaetan went to her, pulling her into his arms, and Kristoph watched with some astonishment. “What’s this?” he hissed. “Why do you hold that woman like that?”
Gaetan started to laugh. “Because I am going to marry her.” He watched the amazement on Kristoph’s face. “Do not look so surprised; you should be happy for me. Ghislaine is the only woman worthy of me, Kris, and I am not ashamed to admit that I adore her. It was a good thing her brother abducted you ’else I would have never known her.”
He meant the last part a jest, but not entirely because it was true. Kristoph looked at Téo, who simply nodded with a grin, as if the joke was on Kristoph. As Kristoph struggled to absorb what he’d been told, because he had many more questions than answers, more of Gaetan’s men wandered into the trees.
Aramis, de Reyne, de Moray, and de Lara all went straight to Kristoph, hugging the man just as Gaetan had, thrilled that he was alive and well. It was a tender, touching scene as men reaffirmed their bonds of friendship, of brotherhood. Joy was in the air on this dusky evening as the Anges de Guerre were made whole once again. A day that could have ended very badly had the best possible outcome.
There was much to be thankful for.
“The battle is over for the most part, Gate,” Aramis said. “Alary’s men have scattered.”
Gaetan took Ghislaine by the hand. “Come along,” he said. “Let us go and see to it.”
Ghislaine allowed him to lead her back through the trees, with his men in tow, until they all ended up back on the road where it was now a bloody mess with scattered bodies everywhere. Off towards the west, the Tertium were still chasing some of Alary’s men but, for the most part, the majority of them were milling around the dead and dying Saxons, stealing weapons and anything of value from their bodies. Gaetan surveyed the brutal scene.
“Give the Tertium anything they want from Alary’s wagons,” he told his men. “They can even have the horses if they wish. I will not lay claim to anything. This was their battle, not mine. It is the least I can do.”
As his men nodded, de Winter, St. Hèver, and Wellesbourne emerged from the mess, also heading to Kristoph to do exactly what the others had done. There was much hugging and rejoicing going on as their lost brother was reclaimed.
Holding tightly to Gaetan’s hand, Ghislaine watched it all. As she’d seen from the beginning with the Anges de Guerre, there was the strength of bond between them that was more powerful than anything she had ever seen. Now they were a complete brotherhood again and the joy in the air was indescribable. It almost made all of the pain and hardship they’d suffered worth the end. Certainly, one could not experience such great joy without suffering such great pain.
But that pain was only going to get worse.
Antillius appeared with a group of his men, heading straight for Gaetan. Ghislaine stood back as Gaetan went to Antillius to extend his hand in thanks. Antillius took the man’s hand and shook it.
“Words cannot express my gratitude,” Gaetan said sincerely. “That you would ride to our aid… without you, it is possible that this battle would have had an entirely different outcome. Allow me to present Kristoph de Lohr, the man you risked your life for.”
He introduced his knight, who nodded his head at Antillius. “I am in your debt, my lord,” Kristoph said.
Antillius looked at the knight they had rescued, dirty and scruffy and beaten. “There is no debt to speak of,” he said. “We have been well compensated for our efforts. Fortunately, we did not lose a man. I have a few injured, but nothing that will not heal.”
Gaetan wasn’t sure what he meant. “Compensated?” he asked, confused. “I do not understand.”
Antillius’ gaze moved to Ghislaine. “You have not told him?”
Ghislaine was back to feeling sick and miserable. When everyone looked at her, expecting an answer, she swallowed hard. She’d hoped to tell Gaetan without an audience but it seemed that was not to be.
“I… I have not,” she said quietly. “There has not been time.”
Gaetan didn’t sense anything amiss, at least not right away. He looked at Ghislaine. “What did you pay him with? I was not aware you had any money.”
Ghislaine took a deep breath, fighting to keep from breaking down. At this point, she didn’t care that others were listening. All she cared about was Gaetan and how he was going to react to everything.
“I do not have money,” she said. “I… I made a bargain with Antillius.”
“What bargain did you make?”
Ghislaine was struggling. She tried to open her mouth but nothing seemed to come forth. Gaetan was waiting; everyone was waiting. Her heart was pounding and her knees were weak. As she opened her mouth and tried again, Antillius spoke.
“The lady was terribly grieved at the thought of your demise, as you and your men faced her brother,” he said steadily. “In discussing the issue with me, she was determined to go alone and help you but I knew her help would be useless. In fact, it might even be a hindrance. I therefore offered my men in place of the army you were forced to leave behind at Westerham, but at a price.”
Gaetan was listening closely but he was starting to get the feeling that there was something wrong in all of this. He was holding on to Ghislaine’s hand and he could feel her trembling.
“What price?” he asked.
Antillius looked him in the eye. “She wanted something from me and I wanted something from her,” he said. “She was willing to pay the price, although I understand that it was only to save you and your men. It was not because her heart was in this decision. She made it because she had to.”
Gaetan was increasingly concerned. “Be plain, Antillius. What bargain was made?”
Antillius continued. “You will recall that I offered my daughters to you and your men this morning,” he said. “You will recall why. My people are a dying race and I explained to you how important it was for my daughters to bear sons, strong sons, to continue our family. I am a desperate man, de Wolfe, but you already know that. When you and your men left this morning, there were no takers to my offer, so the lady agreed that there would be at least one taker.”
Gaetan didn’t like the sound of that at all. “What could she possibly agree to?”
“I agreed that I would allow you to marry Lygia in my stead,” Ghislaine said hoarsely. She was looking at the ground, unable to face him. “I told Antillius that I would insist you marry Lygia so that at least one of his daughters could bear sons from a man of new blood. And your sons will be the strongest and greatest of them all.”
Gaetan was horrified at the mere suggestion. “How could you agree to such a thing?” he demanded. “That you would give up –?”
Ghislaine cut him off as she burst into tears. “I had no choice!” she said. “If I did not agree, then they would not help you, and if they did not help you, you would die. Your men would all die. Do you not understand, Gaetan? I did it because I love you. I would rather have you alive and married to another than a dead memory of my life that could have been. I did it to save your life!”
Gaetan was beside himself. He looked at the top of Ghislaine’s head as she stood there and wept before turning to look at Antillius. For a man that had only gratitude in his expression just moments before, now there was only hatred as he faced off against the man he’d considered an ally.
“How could you make such a bargain with her?” he hissed. “You have put her honor on the line and now mine with your unreasonable demands. How in God’s name could you manipulate her like that? Because she loves me, she agreed to your demands. Only a vile man would take advantage of a woman like that.”
Antillius was faced with a very angry warrior. Not that he expected otherwise. He was torn between defiance and remorse.
“When your family is dying off, see if you would not make a deal with the devil to save them,” he said quietly. “I am sorry, de Wolfe. I truly am. But that was the price of my assistance. If you have any honor in you, you will abide by the lady’s bargain.”
Gaetan had never felt more hollow, more devastated, in his entire life. He understood Antillius’ point of view; he simply didn’t agree with the man’s methods.
“So you would force me into a marriage with your daughter, knowing that I love another woman?” he asked, incredulous. “Surely there is another way.”
Antillius was deeply pained by the grief he’d brought about. “I wish there was. This morning, I asked you if you would be willing to marry your men to my daughters but you evidently refused and did not have the decency to tell me. Therefore, I must do all I can to provide at least one of them with a good husband and to ensure the survival of my family. Please forgive me, de Wolfe, but this is something I had to do.”
Gaetan simply stared at the man. As a warrior of consummate honor, Gaetan was a man who stood by his word. He had never broken his word, not to anyone. Even though he’d not made this bargain, Ghislaine had and, if he didn’t go through with it, he would be destroying her credibility and his right along with it.
Oh, God… is it really true? Must I do this?
He was, therefore, at a loss; he couldn’t even look at his men, knowing they heard the real reason behind the unexpected help they’d received against Alary. It was heartbreaking in so many ways because now they, too, knew his honor was on the line. They were watching him to see what he would do. Would he refuse? Or would he keep a bargain that would destroy his emotions as well as Lady Ghislaine’s? His honor, especially in front of his men, was the most important thing to him. His men had to know he was unbreakable, no matter what the cost.
Realizing he had no choice, he turned away from the group, still holding Ghislaine’s hand.
“Give me a moment, if you will,” he muttered. “I must speak with Ghislaine.”
Antillius watched the big man as he turned away, pulling a sobbing woman up against him. He almost called out to them to apologize again but he thought better of it. His apologies meant nothing. If he was truly sorry, he would have broken the bargain himself but he wasn’t willing to do that. As he stood there uncomfortably, listening to the lady’s weeping, a deep voice spoke.
“There is no need for Gaetan to marry your daughter, my lord.”
Antillius found himself looking at Aramis, the man who had defended his daughters against the Men of Bones. He rather liked Aramis, in fact.
“Unfortunately, there is,” he said to him. “Mayhap it is not the most savory bargain, but you will not interfere.”
Aramis shook his head. “I must,” he said. “If you are looking for a husband for Lygia, please consider me instead of Gaetan. I would consider it an honor.”
Antillius looked at Aramis in surprise. In fact, even Gaetan came to a halt, having heard his knight’s offer. “Aramis?” Gaetan said hesitantly. “Nay, man… you cannot do this.”
Aramis turned to look at Gaetan, his dark eyes glimmering with warmth. “Do what?’ he asked. “Marry a lovely accomplished woman? Are you so selfish that you would try to keep me from every beautiful woman in Mercia? I am quite serious, Gate. I spent time with Lygia and her sisters last night and Lygia is a lovely woman. I would consider it an honor to marry her in your stead.”
Gaetan’s mouth popped open in shock as he looked to Antillius, who was looking at Aramis with equal shock. But somewhere amongst the disbelief, hope and joy sprang forth. “Is this true?” Antillius asked. “You would actually… but why did you not say anything before now?”
Aramis cocked a dark eyebrow. “When has there been the opportunity, my lord? We have had very little time to speak that was not full of death or panic.”
He had a point. Antillius looked to Gaetan, who was heading back in his direction with his attention solely on Aramis.
“Truly, Aramis?” Gaetan asked, astonished. “You would do this?”
Aramis looked at Gaetan. “Aye, I would.” His gaze moved to Ghislaine, who still had tears on her cheeks even though her sobbing had come to an abrupt halt. He smiled at her. “Sometimes when you love someone, you would do anything to make them happy. Is that not so, Lady Ghislaine.”
Sometimes, when you love someone… Ghislaine understood what he meant immediately. Because Aramis loved her, he was willing to do what was necessary to see her happy. In this case, it meant marrying Lygia so Gaetan would be freed from the bonds of Ghislaine’s bargain. Rather than see Gaetan forced into marriage so he could sweep in and be a shoulder for Ghislaine to cry on, Aramis saw greater honor in seeing her happy.
Aramis was prepared to sacrifice himself for her joy.
“Oh, Aramis!” Ghislaine gasped when she realized the depths of his offer. “Thank you!”
She launched herself at Aramis, throwing her arms around the man’s neck as he stumbled back from the force of the blow. Momentarily surprised by her action, he began to laugh as he timidly put his arms around her to give her a squeeze. But not too much; Gaetan was watching. In fact, when he saw the expression on Gaetan’s face, he took his arms away from her to show that he wasn’t touching her at all.
“See?” he said. “I am not touching her. It is she who is holding on to me.”
Gaetan had to laugh. It was the most astonishing moment of his life, realizing that Aramis was willing to sacrifice himself for his and Ghislaine’s happiness. The man he’d known for years, the man he considered to be a brother, was displaying just how extensive his loyalty was. Gaetan was humbled by the gesture, touched beyond measure. As he pulled Ghislaine off of the man, he turned to Antillius.
“Will you accept his offer, then?” he asked. “Lygia could find no greater husband than Aramis. He is one of the finest men I have ever known.”
There was no doubt in Antillius’ mind as to whether or not he would accept the offer. In truth, he was extremely relieved by it. Now, he didn’t have to break up a man and woman who were clearly in love with each other, and Lygia would be getting a very fine husband. He looked between Aramis and Gaetan, a smile on his lips.
“I am honored by the offer,” he said. “Of course I will accept it. I am sure Lygia will be quite pleased. But I have two more daughters… well, they need husbands also and….”
“The lass with the titian hair is quite beautiful,” de Lara said, interrupting him. “Although I have not met her yet, I would like to. Would you introduce us, my lord?”
Antillius looked to de Lara, thrilled beyond measure. “That is Verity,” he said eagerly. “I would be happy to introduce you. Thank you, my lord. Thank you ever so much.”
Behind de Lara, de Moray cleared his throat loudly. “I suppose that leaves the last one for me,” he said. “It would be my honor, my lord.”
Antillius was astonished. His bargain with Ghislaine had only brought a husband for one daughter, but the loyalty of Gaetan’s men to ensure that their liege and Lady Ghislaine were permitted to wed brought forth three marriage offers to make sure Gaetan didn’t have to worry about any of Antillius’ daughters. Ever. Now, they were spoken for and Antillius could not have been more delighted.
It was better than he had ever hoped for.
It was a good day, indeed.
“We shall return home on the morrow and feast,” he told them all. “Let us celebrate this great victory and this fine alliance between Norman and Tertium. I could not ask for greater allies and fathers to a new generation of strong sons with both Roman and Norman bloodlines. Truly, they will be the greatest sons of all.”
It was the ravings of a man who was extremely happy at the course the future had taken. Aramis, Luc, and Marc went to herd Antillius away from Gaetan and Ghislaine, moving with the man towards the dead on the road and turning the discussion away from the sudden betrothal of all three of them and back to the victory at hand. It was their way of giving Gaetan and Ghislaine some privacy for, undoubtedly, there was much to say between them. A future that had very nearly come to an end.
But a future that was now bright for all of them.
Around them, the other knights wandered off, including Kristoph, leaving Gaetan and Ghislaine alone in their disbelief with the turning of the tides. So much had happened that it was difficult to absorb it all. But in spite of the grief and shock they had endured, one thing was certain – they were still together and nothing could ever tear them apart. The bond they shared and the bonds of the Anges de Guerre were things that would never leave them. Norman or Saxon, it didn’t matter. Honor was honor, and love was love, and in this new world, both had a place.
“Are you angry with me for making such a bargain, Gaetan?”
Ghislaine’s soft question met his ears and he turned to look at her, that face he loved so well illuminated by the weak light as evening fell around them. Smiling, he shook his head.
“I understand why you did it,” he said. “I cannot say I would not have done the same thing if the situation was reversed. I suppose it only helps me to understand the depth of your feeling for me and I am more honored than you can ever know. I am not sure what I have done in my life to be worthy of someone like you.”
Ghislaine smiled, falling into his embrace when he wrapped his arms around her. “It is I who am honored,” she whispered. “But thank God for Aramis. I cannot believe he would sacrifice himself so.”
Gaetan held her against him, gazing down the road to see his three knights in the darkness, wandering through the dead with Antillius. “I can,” he murmured. “Only a man of great honor and feeling would make such a noble sacrifice, and that is the kind of man Aramis is. He did it for you but he also did it for me. That is the bond of brotherhood, my lady, something you would not understand.”
She looked up at him. “But I do,” she said sincerely. “I understand that you would die for each other a thousand times over. I understand that you would make great sacrifices for each other, as Aramis and Luc and Marc just did. And I understand that they would bargain away their own happiness just so you would have the chance to live.”
She meant her bargain with Antillius in her last sentence. Gaetan smiled down at her, feeling more love and contentment than he had ever known. If someone had told him those weeks ago when he came aboard his ships to the shores of Pevensey that he would have met a woman in battle that he would come to love with all his heart, he would have thought they were mad. Warwolfe was not a man prone to love, in any sense. But on this night, it was Warwolfe who finally learned that love takes many forms, the most beautiful of which were sometimes the most unexpected.
Gazing into Ghislaine’s eyes, Gaetan knew that the battle for England had only been the beginning, not only for the Norman occupation of the country, but for him personally.
It was the moment that Gaetan de Wolfe’s life truly began.