Chapter 24
Jessimond tried to quell her nerves as they drew closer to the cutoff point to Netherfield. Ancel had been familiar with where the estate lay and had given them good directions. Fortunately, their party would pass fairly near Netherfield on their way home to Kinwick since the baron’s land sat a few leagues from the road they now traveled. Her father had told Jessimond at any point if she decided to abstain from visiting Gregory de Challon to let him know. They would continue home and never speak of it again.
Geoffrey turned his mount from where he led the escort party and approached Jessimond and her mother. They rode in the center of the ten knights escorting them. Two others had been left behind with Peter and Agatha, who would travel by cart and go straightaway to Kinwick.
“Have you changed your mind?” he asked, those familiar, patient eyes searching her own.
“Nay, Father,” she replied. “It may not work out to my liking. We may leave after only a few minutes. But I don’t want to hold on to a lifetime of regret simply because I didn’t have the courage to face this situation.”
His smile was reward enough. “That’s my girl.” He spurred on his horse and returned to the front of their group.
Jessimond wondered what kind of reception they would receive when they reached Netherfield unannounced. Since she hadn’t known if they would stop or not, no messenger had been sent ahead to inform the baron of their impending stop. Even now, she noticed that her father did not motion for a rider to peel away from the group. Their visit truly would be one of surprise.
Would it be one of acceptance?
She remembered how Peter had encouraged her not to sit in judgment of Gregory de Challon and his actions from almost a score ago. Since she now found herself in similar circumstances to Celia Achard, Jessimond was much more understanding toward her birth parents. Celia had loved Gregory, despite the fact that he was betrothed and sent her away after she’d given birth to his child. Jessimond still loved Marcus, even though he was husband to another woman. He would hold her heart even beyond the grave.
She was certain he felt the same about her.
Circumstances, though, had torn them apart. Marcus would make a new life with Ailith and become father to her young daughter, Livia. Jessimond would also need to move forward and forge her own way. Taking this step by going to Netherfield was the first of many in a life without Marcus. She was glad she had the support of her parents in this unusual endeavor. If she was welcomed by Lord Gregory, she would remain at Netherfield for a visit. If the nobleman no longer wished to know her because of the harsh way they’d parted, she would return to Kinwick without regret, knowing she had given Lord Gregory the opportunity to learn more about her.
They arrived at the locked gates and their party waited. Merryn reached out and touched Jessimond’s shoulder. She gave her mother a tight smile, trying to keep a firm rein on her emotions as the gatekeeper admitted them to the castle grounds. They trotted through the baileys as workers paused and openly studied them, interested in the new arrivals. Before they reached the keep, she spied Lord Gregory as he hurried toward them.
From the look of it, the baron came straight from the training yard, where he must have been hard at work with his soldiers. His dark blond hair was damp with sweat and his face red from exertion. He still carried a sword in his hand.
Her mother said, “He doesn’t look anything like you. Are you sure—”
“I am.” Jessimond slipped from her horse and went to meet the nobleman.
Lord Gregory halted in his tracks. He looked from her to Geoffrey de Montfort and back.
“You had Lord Geoffrey escort you here?” he asked in surprise. Then he threw his arms about her. “I am so glad you came, Jessimond.” He held her to him a long moment and then pulled away.
Still gripping her shoulders, he said, “I didn’t think you would ever come. You seemed so adamant when I last saw you. I never thought I would lay eyes upon you again.”
“I’m sorry. Meeting you—and hearing what you had to say—shocked me. It took time for me to digest what you revealed.”
The baron kissed her cheek and released her. He turned to her father, who had dismounted, as had all of their party. Her mother had come to stand next to her husband.
Jessimond took a deep breath and said, “Lord Gregory, I would like to introduce you to my parents, Lord Geoffrey and Lady Merryn de Montfort.”
The baron’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. “By the Christ! The earl and countess are the ones who took you in?”
Tears began to stream down his face as he moved toward her parents, his hand thrust out. Geoffrey took it and then Lord Gregory accepted Merryn’s offered hand and kissed it.
“I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am to you for raising Jessimond.” His voice cracked as he said her name. “I don’t know what she’s told you but my prayers were answered far beyond what I asked of the Holy Father.”
“It was a privilege to add Jessimond into our fold,” Merryn said. “She is the youngest of our six children.”
“And the one with the sweetest temperament,” Geoffrey added.
Lord Gregory looked at them hesitantly. “Would you . . . would you like to come inside the keep? We could . . . talk for a while.”
Jessimond spoke up. “We would like to stay a bit, my lord. At least, I was hoping that I might visit for a few weeks if you are receptive to the idea.”
Relief—then joy—broke out across de Challon’s face. “I would be honored.” He looked to Geoffrey. “Mayhap you and Lady Merryn would care to stay a few days before leaving Jessimond in my care? I want to prove myself worthy to you.” His face darkened. “I was immature and self-absorbed in my youth. I know now I should have cared better for Celia and for Jessimond. That experience changed me for the better.”
“We would be delighted to accept your hospitality,” Geoffrey said.
Lord Gregory had the de Montfort men take their horses to his stables and told them they would be welcomed at the evening meal and could stay in his soldiers’ quarters during their visit. He also offered them the use of his training yard and expressed his hope that they would spar with the Netherfield soldiers. Then he led the others into the keep.
After speaking to a servant, he led them upstairs to the solar.
“Food and drink will arrive shortly. I thought it best to take our evening meal together in private.”
He ushered them inside and continued. “My son, Byrom, is not home at present. He is fostering in the north. I will send word to him that his half-sister has visited Netherfield.” He looked at Jessimond. “I hope that you will agree to come back another time so that you might meet Byrom.”
“How old is your boy?” Merryn asked.
“Ten and six, my lady. He is already taller than I am and wields a sword with confidence.”
“You mentioned that I also have two half-sisters,” Jessimond said.
“Aye. They will be here momentarily.”
As the baron finished speaking, the door to the solar swung open.
“Where is she?” a young girl cried as she raced into the room, followed by a more sedate one near Jessimond’s age.
Both stopped, the younger one gawking at Jessimond as the older offered her a shy smile.
Lord Gregory said, “This is my daughter, Lora, who is ten and eight, and my youngest child, Lina.”
“I’m ten and two,” Lina said. “And very curious about you. Father didn’t think you would come to visit.” She studied Jessimond with interest. “You are quite beautiful but you don’t look like a de Challon at all. Are you certain this Jessimond is your daughter, Father?”
Jessimond noticed the indulgent smile the baron gave her as he said, “I am. Just as Byrom resembles me strongly, Jessimond is the image of Celia Achard. In fact, I called her by Celia’s name when I first laid eyes upon her. The likeness was that strong. I have no doubt she is our child.” He turned to Jessimond. “When I first caught sight of you, it was like seeing your mother all over again after being parted from her by twenty years. And death,” he added quietly.
“My grandmother always said that Lora and I favor our mother. She’s also dead,” Lina said matter-of-factly.
Jessimond wondered about the raven hair both Lora and Lina possessed, and had guessed it came from their mother.
“Both my daughters take after Egelina in their looks and height,” Lord Gregory said. “Lora is reserved, though, while you can see Lina is more outgoing.”
“And what is Byrom like?” Jessimond asked.
“Byrom is wonderful,” proclaimed Lina. “The best brother there ever was.”
Lora stepped forward and dropped a curtsey to Jessimond’s parents, urging Lina to do the same. “I am sorry my sister burst into the room and we haven’t been properly introduced to one another. You know I am Lora de Challon and Lina is my younger sister. May I inquire who you might be?”
Jessimond stepped forward to make the introduction. “These are my parents, Lord Geoffrey and Lady Merryn de Montfort. They are the Earl and Countess of Kinwick.”
“Your parents?” Lina asked, her shock obvious. “Father said that you’d been left at Kinwick and that serfs must have taken you in.” She frowned. “So, why were you traveling with a mummers’ troupe if you are part of the nobility? Was it to escape your parents? Do they treat you less than their own children?”
Horrified by the girl’s indiscreet questions, Jessimond started to reply—but Lina looked to Merryn and boldly asked, “Is it hard loving someone who isn’t truly your child? Do you make Jessimond clean the keep and wait on your children like a servant?”
“Lina!” her father roared, his face darkening in anger.
The girl shrugged. “I’m merely curious, Father. I cannot imagine finding a babe and bringing it home, only to treat it like a family member.”
“That’s exactly who Jessimond is to us, Lina,” Merryn said firmly, her tone indicating she would tolerate no nonsense from the youngest de Challon. “From the moment Geoffrey and Nan brought Jessimond home, she became an integral part of our family. I can’t think of her as anything but a de Montfort. Sometimes, I think she is the most loved of all of our children because she is the youngest of six and no more came after her.”
Lina looked amazed hearing such a revelation. “Even though she didn’t grow in your belly, you really think of her as your own? You truly love her as much as one of your other children?”
“Aye,” Geoffrey said, his voice strong, brokering no doubt. “Jessimond is a de Montfort, through and through. I love Jessimond no less—and no more—than her other siblings. Merryn and I do love each of our children in different ways, though. Sometimes, one child needs more attention lavished upon them than another one, but our hearts have room to love them all.”
Jessimond finally spoke up. “I already have a family—but I came to Netherfield in order to have the opportunity to spend time with my birth father and my half-siblings. To get to know you. You may not ever love me but I hope we can at least become friends.”
“I would like that,” Lora said, her eyes brimming with tears. She reached and took Jessimond’s hand and squeezed it.
Not to be outdone, Lina latched on to the other one. “Would you like to see the keep, Jessimond?”
Before she could reply, three servants arrived with trays of food.
“Let’s enjoy our meal first,” Lord Gregory recommended. “Jessimond and her parents have been traveling and could use some food and drink.”
As they sat, her half-sisters on each side of her, Jessimond hoped that these girls would accept her as readily as all the de Montforts had done on that day almost a score ago.