Seduced (Thrice Blessed Book 3) Read online

  Charles frowned at her. He’d thought their marriage was a happy one, but now she was suddenly angry with him. It didn’t make sense, but he wasn’t going to argue with her. Not in front of everyone.

  Marina closed her eyes as she concentrated on healing the boy. It took more power than she’d expected and she stumbled backward when she was done. Charles caught her by her arm, making certain she was steady on her feet. She tore her arm away from him. “He’ll be fine now. He should rest for a day or two, but he’ll live.” She turned and ran up the stairs, having no desire to explain herself to her husband or anyone else.

  She went into her bedchamber, sitting down on the edge of her bed and burying her face in her hands. She knew her actions had seemed strange and unpredictable. She was tired of all the death. Tired of being treated as if she was a child. It had all become too much for her.

  Ten minutes later, Charles walked into the room and sat down beside his wife. “Are you all right?”

  She jerked her shoulders into a shrug. “I’m going crazy, being cooped up in this house all the time. I haven’t been for a walk outside in over a month. Do you know what that’s like for a woman used to her freedom?”

  Charles nodded. “I understand. Give me a moment.” He left the room, going straight to his brother. “Marina needs to go for a walk outside. I’m walking with her. I’d like six men with us as well. That will leave enough here to guard the manor, but enough men to surround her and keep her safe if necessary.”

  Roland frowned at him. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “It’s either that or she goes crazy. She can’t handle being cooped up this way. None of the women can.”

  Roland nodded. “All right. Take all three of them. And Hugh as well. And take twelve men. Leave the rest with me.”

  Charles nodded, striding outside to assemble the men who would go with him and the women. He hated the idea of splitting the forces, but for only an hour, they should be all right.

  Ten minutes later, he opened the door to his bedchamber, only to find Marina just where he’d left her. He tossed her cloak to her. “We’re going for a walk. Bring your bow.”

  Marina looked at him with wide eyes. “Really?”

  He nodded curtly. “Don’t question me again or I may just change my mind.”

  She flew at him, throwing her arms around him. “You are the very best of husbands.”

  “You can show me later. I have men waiting to escort your sisters and you on a walk. Hurry.” He left the room and closed the door, a smile on his lips. There wasn’t a gift he could have given her that would have meant more to her. He strode to Christiana’s chamber, knocking before entering. “Get your cloaks and your bows. We’re going for a walk.”

  He saw the excitement on their faces as he closed the door, waiting in the hallway for the three of them to join him. When they were all with him, he led them down the stairs. “Do you all have your bows and arrows?” he asked, patting his scabbard. He knew his sword was there, but he must be certain. He couldn’t risk the woman he loved and her sisters.

  Roland watched the five people he cared the most about leave the manor, and he had to remain seated. He was well enough for a walk, but Marina didn’t believe he should leave, so he must stay. It was all he could do not to follow after them.

  Marina lifted her face to the sunshine. “The sun peeked his head out from behind a cloud because he knew we’d be outside today!”

  Christiana laughed. “You’re still as silly as you were when we were small.”

  “We need a rainbow!” Marina said, turning to her sister Eva. “Would you make us a rainbow?”

  “With a dragon flying through it?” Eva asked, smiling.

  “Yes!” Eva nodded her head toward the field, and Marina clapped her hands together. “It’s beautiful, Eva. Thank you!” The dragon was purple, as Eva always made dragons, but Marina didn’t care for once. It was just what she needed!

  “You talked our jailers into a walk in our beautiful countryside. I would kiss your feet at the moment!” Eva responded.

  Christiana walked with her head back, soaking up the sun. “It’s cold, but it’s a beautiful day. I could walk out here forever.”

  Marina lifted her bow, catching a rabbit as it crossed their path. She scooped it up by its feet and handed it to Charles. “If I’m going to do all the work hunting, you may carry my bounty.”

  Charles laughed, thrilled that she was so obviously happy over a little thing like a walk. “I’d rather not go into the woods, so we’ll walk outside of them,” he said to the men surrounding them.

  “Have more men been spotted in the woods?” Marina asked. Was he keeping things from her, so she wouldn’t go looking for trouble? Didn’t he know her better than that?

  “There have been a half dozen in the past week. We don’t dare go there.”

  “’Twould be nice if we could go in and roust them all, making them leave us alone forever, though I don’t think it would work that way.” Marina smiled as she stopped for a moment, wiping some mud from her shoe. “Do you know how glorious it feels to have to wipe mud from my shoe?”

  Christiana laughed. “It’s wonderful to be outside, isn’t it?”

  Charles watched them all, glad they’d decided to do this. “I’ll talk to Roland and see if we can make a thirty-minute walk part of our daily routine. You all need this as much as you need to practice your powers.”

  Hugh frowned. “I’m not sure how Roland will feel about that. It might not be safe for the ladies to spend that much time outside.”

  “It might not. But I don’t think it was safe for us to keep them penned up the way we were. I think Marina was close to hurting me, and I happen to like being in one piece.”

  Marina smiled at Charles. He really did understand her, and mayhap even love her. Her sisters could be right. He obviously wanted her to be happy, or they wouldn’t be strolling along outside.

  Marina froze when she spotted a man who was unfamiliar to her in their path. “Charles, look.”

  Charles held an arm out to indicate to the sisters they must stop walking. The men of the army gathered around the three ladies, while Charles and Hugh walked ahead to confront the man. “Who are you and what do you here?” Charles asked.

  “I came to join with the Norman lord who now controls this land,” the man said easily.

  Marina looked at Christiana, who had her eyes closed. “Is he evil?” she whispered, not wanting to use Christiana’s mind speak while she knew her sister was concentrating on the man in front of them.

  Christiana shook her head. “Only good is coming from him.” She walked forward, squeezing between two of the guards to join her brothers-in-law. “I am Christiana, wife to the Norman lord. Who are you?”

  The man smiled. “I’m Joseph. Your cousin.”

  Christiana studied the man in front of her before a smile broke out on her face. “And you want to join my husband’s army?”

  Joseph nodded. “Yes, I do. I’ve heard of good things he’s doing here, and there’s no need to continue fighting with the resistance. They are outnumbered and poorly trained. I fight on the side of the strong.”

  Christiana looked at Charles and Hugh, who both looked angry with her for her interference. “He is who he says. He’s our cousin, and he’s a good man. His father is our father’s brother. He’s the only cousin we have ever known.”

  Charles nodded. “If Christiana says you’re safe, then you’re safe.” He wasn’t certain how Roland would feel about it, but he felt comfortable enough to take the man back to the manor for Roland to make the decision.

  Joseph held out an injured hand. “I fell into my campfire last night.”

  Christiana called for Marina over her shoulder. “You remember Joseph!”

  Marina hurried to him. “Hello, cousin.” She held her hand over his and healed him quickly. “There. Good as new. You’ll have to join us for the evening meal and meet Roland. You’ll like him.”

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nbsp; Charles and Hugh exchanged glances. Neither liked how quickly the man was being accepted by the sisters. “How long has it been since you’ve seen each other?” Charles asked.

  Christiana frowned as she thought about it. “I believe it was the summer after our mother’s death. Joseph came here with his father, and they stayed for a month. They live south of here.”

  Joseph nodded. “Father died at Hastings.” His eyes were filled with sadness, but he said nothing more. Marina couldn’t help but wonder if one of the men they’d all grown to love had killed their uncle. How could any of them condone killing?

  Christiana gripped her cousin’s hands in both of hers. “I’m sorry to hear that. We thought we lost our father, but he was brought home to us. He was injured, but alive.”

  “He’s here?” Joseph asked with surprise in his voice. “I saw Walter knock him down. I’m so glad you didn’t marry Walter.”

  Christiana looked over at Marina, and then at Eva who had joined them. “I am too. I’m very happy with my husband.”

  Eva looked at Joseph for a moment. “Do you know anything else about Walter?”

  “Only that he’s hiding out in the woods about an hour’s walk from here. He’s plotting revenge against your family. I haven’t figured out why, except maybe he doesn’t like that you married another. Of course, everyone knows that you married your husband because you were forced to, but that doesn’t seem to matter to him.”

  Christiana linked her arm with her cousin’s. “I want you to meet my husband. Maybe you can answer some questions for him that will make him understand what’s going on better.”

  They all turned to go back to the manor, even though their full time for their walk wasn’t up. They were in a hurry for Roland to meet Joseph and hear everything he had to say about Walter. They all felt that the time for the final battle was nigh, and had for some time. Maybe Joseph was what they needed to turn the tide in their favor.

  While Roland spoke with Joseph, the sisters went upstairs together. Marina collapsed onto Christiana’s bed. “I feel so much better after that walk. I needed it. I’m sorry I’ve been out of sorts lately.”

  Eva sat down beside her sister. “We both understand. It’s hard to be locked up here as we are.”

  “It’s more than that for me.” Marina hugged her legs in front of her, not caring about being ladylike in front of her sisters. “You both are secure in the fact that your husbands love you in return. You have solid futures. I…I don’t know what I have. I love Charles with everything inside me, but I have no idea how he feels.”

  Christiana shook her head. “You have no idea how he feels? Really? He went up against Roland and arranged for you to be able to take a walk today, against my husband’s better judgment. He didn’t get upset when you healed our cousin. No, he couldn’t possibly love you.”

  Eva laughed. “She’ll figure it out soon enough, Christiana.”

  “How do you feel after our walk?” Marina asked, determined to change the subject. Her sisters made her feel as if she was a bit simple at times, but she knew better.

  Christiana shrugged. “I’m fine. I don’t think walking would hurt the babe.”

  “No, I don’t think so either,” Marina said, her hand immediately going to her sister’s stomach. “It may have jolted him a little for you to be breathing fresh air, but it has to be good for him in the end.” She concentrated for a moment. “He’s fine. No problems at all so far.”

  Christiana smiled, shaking her head at Marina. “I don’t anticipate any problems either. We don’t know for certain it’s a boy.”

  Marina frowned. “I do. It’s a boy. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

  “You’ve never even been around a pregnant woman since Mother. How could you possibly know if the babe is a boy or girl?” Eva asked, frowning at her sister.

  “I have no idea, but I know. ’Tis definitely a boy.” Marina shrugged. “Just like Christiana knows when someone is evil, I know that this babe is a boy.”

  There was a knock at the door, and Christiana called for whomever was there to come in. Charles popped his head in. “It’s time for supper. Are you coming?”

  “Is Roland finished interrogating poor Joseph?” Marina asked. “I swear that man would question a rock if he thought it could possibly be a danger to us.”

  “Of course, he would.” Charles walked to his wife and offered her his hand to help her up. “Are you feeling better after your walk, wife?”

  Marina allowed him to help her to her feet before wrapping her arms around him. “Much better. The sunshine and fresh air were just what I needed to stop feeling so cross all the time.”

  “I’m glad, because my cross wife frightens me a little. I like her better when she hugs me like she is right now.” He kissed the top of her head. “We’d better get down to supper. We don’t want to leave Joseph alone with Roland for much longer, or he’ll have him confessing to things he’s never dreamed of doing.”

  Christiana laughed. “I’m telling him you said that, Charles.”

  “You may do so. He knows that I think he could make a priest confess to murder.”

  When they got down to the main hall, they found Roland, Hugh, and Joseph all still engaged in a very intense discussion.

  “I can draw you a map,” Joseph finally said. “Would that help you?”

  Roland nodded. “That would help a great deal.”

  Marina hurried over to Roland. “You don’t think you’re going to lead an attack anytime soon, do you? You cannot sit a horse yet!” She stood glaring at her patient. We need you fully healed before you bring me more injured men to care for.

  Roland frowned. “But we have the information we need to attack Walter’s base now. If we wait, we may lose the advantage.”

  “I’m more worried about your life being lost than any advantage.” Marina shook her head at her brother-in-law, realizing how ridiculous she must look. The man was as tall as any she’d ever seen, and she was less than average height for a woman. Yet she would face him, and she would refuse to give in. He had to listen to her for the sake of Christiana and the babe if not himself.

  Roland sighed. “I’ll wait. How much longer?”

  “At least a week. I cannot say that will be enough time, though, as this injury and the healing of it were odd.”

  Joseph looked between Marina and Roland. “Odd in what way?”

  Marina said nothing more, knowing if Roland wanted the other man to know that the injury had been magical, that it was up to him to tell him.

  “The sword used on me was imbibed with magical powers. Marina was able to heal the injury in a trice, but the magic continued to eat away at me.” Roland took a deep breath. “I will wait until you say I’m ready, but know that the longer we wait, the more chance he has to move.”

  Marina nodded. “I will bear that in mind as I endeavor to keep you alive.”

  “I guess you know how I feel then, because I’m constantly endeavoring to keep you alive.” Roland’s eyes met Marina’s. “And you are constantly trying to thwart me.”

  Christiana stepped forward. “It’s time to eat.”

  The men moved from the small table where they were sitting to the dining table. “Please tell us more,” Roland said to Joseph.

  The sisters all exchanged looks. They had no desire to listen to the men’s talk of war. “Are you sure Joseph is safe?” Eva whispered to Christiana.

  Marina watched Christiana’s face as she answered. “There’s no doubt in my mind. Look how Roland has relaxed around him already. He doesn’t trust easily.”

  Robert came down for supper late, as he frequently did, and he did a double take when he realized who was at the table. “Is your father with you?” he asked, hurrying to embrace his nephew.

  “Uncle…Father died at Hastings. I’m so sorry.” Joseph was obviously very sorry to have to share the news.

  Robert sat down, stunned. “I hadn’t heard.” He shook his head. “Edward was two years older than me. I
never imagined he hadn’t made it through the battle.”

  “I was surprised you survived. I saw Walter knock you down and stab you. I thought he was killing you, but maybe he was just trying to look good to Christiana by bringing your injured body back to her for healing.” Joseph nodded at Marina. “You did a good job healing him.”

  Marina nodded. “I was able to save one parent.”

  Robert frowned at Marina. “You don’t blame yourself that your mother died, do you?”

  “Of course, I do. I was supposed to save her!”

  “No, you weren’t. She told me not long after we married that she’d have three daughters at once, but when they were twelve summers, she would lose her life in childbirth. She knew it was coming. When we discovered your power, she told me not to even let you try to save her, but…how could I just let her die? And then when you three were asleep for three days after…I blamed myself. I thought I’d lose all five of you, not just your mother and our son.” He shook his head. “I should have talked to you about it a long time ago, but I couldn’t. I still miss her, you know.”

  Marina nodded, tears filling her eyes. “So do I. Every single day. Are you sure it’s not my fault?”

  Robert shook his head. “I’m positive it’s not your fault. I let you do a great deal more than I should have trying to save her. It was meant to happen when it did.”

  She thought about that throughout the rest of the meal. After they had finished, Christiana reached out to her in her mind. “You believe him, don’t you?”

  Marina looked at her sister. “I don’t know what to believe. All these years, I was certain her death was my fault. How can I just change that belief so easily?”

  “You can because Father is telling the truth. I remember Mother talking to me when she first realized she was carrying our brother. She told me neither of them would survive the birthing, and I was to keep you from using your powers…but I couldn’t. I had to help you try to save her. She was our mother!” Even though the words were in her mind, Marina could hear Christiana’s anguish.