Aside from Heaven
Chapter 4L
Let's go Dancing
"My lord, I don't understand. This is completely unnecessary!"
William patted his mouth with a napkin and laid it gently next to his platter. "Eleanor. Please sit. That way, I will not have to repeat myself." He waited until the serving girl awkwardly took a place at the table between him and her mistress. His smile was humorless. "There have been too many deaths of young women across Harridston, and the entirety of Nottinghamshire. This killer is becoming more brazen and demented. He is proving to have heinous, perverted tendencies and I am uncomfortable having the two of you here alone." He drew a heavy, theatrical sigh. "No woman walks alone at Harridston, and the same is now for Nottingham, as well as Locksley. The women here are well watched, with the exception of you and Eleanor."
Vivienne leaned back and crossed her arms. "Let me guess. There is no man in this household."
William grinned. "I'm so pleased you understand." He nodded to Eleanor. "You will help your mistress pack the things she will need and want and ready to move come Saturday." He saw a similarity between the servant and the mistress's mulish expressions. "Yours as well. You will have your own room. Larger than the one here." For a moment, the girl's eyes lit up, but she quickly schooled her features. "Several of my lower knights and household staff will be here that morning to move your belongings to Gisborne."
"My lord, there is a spring faire in Nottingham Castle this Saturday. Surely, you have given your servants and knights the day to enjoy it."
"Surely I have, the moment they finish moving your household." He nodded to Eleanor. "If you prefer, I can send them Friday afternoon to begin. There is no need to bring the main furniture, unless there is a chair or clothes cupboard you're fond of. I can assure you, the chamber pots are new and unused." He gave the two women what he hoped was his winningest smile. "Eleanor, why don't you go upstairs and get started with the packing. I'm sure Lady Vivienne would like to yell at me in private." The two watched as the girl headed up the stairs and out of sight. He turned back to his plate and picked up his fork. "This tart is delicious. Who made it? You or Eleanor?"
"Agatha. Her son had her make it in thanks for taking such good care of his children when they were ill." Vivienne rose from her chair and went to the cupboard. "The local townspeople have been gifting us with much." She slung the doors open, revealing rows of jars and jars of preserved fruits and vegetables. "Tomorrow's chicken is in the cellar, along with several other hens, almost a dozen pheasants, a sow, and a young doe."
William's fork stopped in front of his mouth. "Someone has been hunting in the king's forest?"
"Goodness, no." Vivienne shut the doors and began to clear off the table. "That would be illegal; hunting the king's deer that he has no clue as to how many are in the forest and wouldn't miss one anyway."
William smiled and rose from the table. He began to pick up the dirty dishes. "So where did the young doe come from?"
"I don't ask. I just thank the giver. I-" she raised a finger to ward him off, "can't remember for the life of me who gave it to us."
William placed the dishes in the bucket on the counter and spoke softly in her ear. "If the kings men came through and found it, you would be considered just as guilty as the thief." If he knew what his breath blowing across the back of her neck did to her, he acted as if he did not.
Vivienne steeled herself. "And you would tell me if the kings men were to come, would you not?"
William turned back to the main room, taking the poker from the hearth and began to rouse the fire. Despite the early spring, it was still chilly in the evenings. "I will not have to worry about it when you and Eleanor move to Gisborne. Here," he set the poker aside and beckoned her to join him in front of the fire. "Should I tell you a secret?" He pulled her into his arms, a child-like grin on his face.
"I think you simply wish to kiss me." Truth was, Vivienne enjoyed and looked forward to his kisses. He heated her in a way a fire never could and she refused to confess that at night, when she explored herself beneath her quilts, she imagined it was his hands, rather than hers.
"Ah, you are correct there." He proceeded to do just that.
At some point, they both came up for air. "So, what is your secret?"
He started to tell her that during the Great Famine, he and his knights, including her father, freely poached in the king's forest, carefully to not gut the herd, in order to keep the area in food. However, as he opened his mouth, something different, if no less true, fell from his lips. "I cannot wait for you to come to my home."
The fire sparkled and reflected in her eyes. "You want me in your bed."
William pulled her closer, enveloping her in his arms and tucking her beneath his chin. "I believe we have discussed this. Your father charged me with your welfare and well-being. It is not unusual for one's ward to live with their guardian," he ignored Vivienne's rolling eyes. "You will be mistress of my household and manse, I will build you a garden house with a garden for your healing herbs and you will have run of Locksley's garden house as well. He squeezed her. "There is a solar on the top floor. No one has been in it. You can decorate and furnish it as you please."
He felt her sigh. "I know but-"
He pulled away, holding her at arm's length, while he searched her face. "Is the thought of my bed so frightening?"
It took a moment for her to answer. "Nay. Simply put, it is a sin."
William smirked. They had danced around this topic for weeks. "I will love you and keep you. You will enjoy rights as my wife until I can make you my wife." She looked up to interject, but he laid a single finger over her lips. "And I will make you my wife. Mellisande is ill and has been no wife to me for some years. She does not know her own sons and mistakes me for a demon. It would be a cruelty to set her aside." With the next admission, he lowered his eyes. "I am told her health is declining rapidly." He didn't mention that Old Edward had threatened to take Harridston from him if he did set her aside. Edward III had enough problems to worry about and Mellisande's cousin would be another problem. Not to mention, Fulks was in love with the manse and property and taking it from him would be an equal cruelty. At times, he considered just doing it and giving his youngest his grand-mother's property, as he originally planned, but as discussed a few nights back, the manse and property were run-down, in disrepair and would not be habitable for some time. William was of the conclusion that the first thing he would have to do was evict the vagabonds that were most likely sheltered there, along with an unknown number of feral animals. The assumed promise of children with Vivienne made the need to make his mother's dower house habitable a necessity.
"Who is standing guard outside my home tonight?" The question came from nowhere and startled the dark knight. "Come now, my lord. Someone has been standing watch across the way for some weeks."
"Surely, I have n-"
"William!" Vivienne stepped back and put her hands on her hips. "I have fed your men every night, taking hot tea, mulled wine, and blankets to them. Do not say you did not authorize it."
If she were feeding them, then... "I will not deny it. Harold will be out tonight and he is bringing several of the hounds with him."
Vivienne brightened. "Porcpoilue?"
William smothered a smile. Despite what he'd told Vivienne about the dog's apparent laziness, he was very loyal to his master. If William told him to protect, he would protect with his life. "Yes. Porcpoilue will be very happy situated in front of your fireplace." He shrugged. "Of course, if anyone manages to get past the guard outside, the hound will tell the intruder where your good silver and jewelry is hidden. Wot?"
As quickly as she perked, Vivienne's face fell. "It angers me that I have to be protected at all." She turned away from him and stared into the fire. "Women. We are weaker, so you say. We go from being our father's daughters to our husband's or the church's wives, to our children's mothers. We aren't allowed to be... just ourselves."
A sudden memory of Genevieve flashed through William's mind – Clun, Timmy, Genevieve, jerking away from him, a knight and riding away...
Genevieve was – or would be - an independent, intelligent woman and as Vivienne was Genevieve, it stood to be that she would be as well.
Ah, Simon, why didn't you marry her off and away? I would have never known...
William stepped up behind her and cupped her elbows. "I promise to give you as much freedom as I can. I will not deny you the freedom to move about Nottinghamshire as you will. The gardens at Locksley are in need of attention; the gardens at Gisborne need to be laid out and planted, I have hired a contractor to build a greenhouse at Gisborn for you. You may plant as you will – you would have plenty of what you would ever need. My housekeeper would like to stop taking care of my house. I will need-"
"Someone to run your household." William shrugged. "Sounds to me as if you wish to keep me busy." She suddenly spun around, an accusatory finger pressing against his sternum. "Do not speak to me of a woman's lot in life!"
In the six weeks he had with Genevieve, he learned a lot regarding independent women. In his life with Alise, that education had been refined, honed. "I do not believe in a woman's lot, Vivienne," he hoarsely whispered. "I would allow much freedom, but right this moment, I need to protect you."
She cocked her head saucily. "And you need someone to plant your garden."
The man immediately brightened. "And your garden and Locksley's garden! Oh! And my mother's dower house." There was barking outside and William turned her loose to go to the door. "My mother's dower house has been in a state of dishabille for over a decade. I wish to correct that and it needs a woman's touch, as well as my own home."
"And will my home become inhabitable when I am relocated to your manse?"
It occurred to William to tell her this home would become her dower home and it, as well as his mother's dower house and properties would go to their children as income, as well as barter to garner excellent marriages for them. "No. I suspect you will be here often, as you will have your garden and the local population to keep healthy." He threw the door open. "Porcpoilue! Come! Lady Vivienne has scraps for you!"
"I do not."
"Better find some!" And with that, the large bloodhound ran over over his master to get to the promised scraps.
~~~...~~~
Saturday dawned bright and crisp, sunlight streaming through a bare window. Vivienne blinked and squinted. Normally, hung glass and streamers from the rafters filtered the light, sent colored sunrays dancing across the wall, but these things had been taken down, packed, sent to the solarium set aside for her at Lord William's home. He'd taken great pains to make her feel welcome, that this would be home for her and Eleanor.
True to his promise, Eleanor's room, attached to the lady's bedchamber, was larger than the one she had here. It had a grand window with glass and a hearth, with a shelf and three pegs for clothes. "It's much to grand for me," her maid whispered. "M'parents will think I've stolen it from someone."
Vivienne said nothing, simply nodded. Her own chambers were more than her wildest fantasies and she wondered at the expense Lord William paid, seeing as he was insistent she would share his bed.
And the solarium... she and Eleanor would spend weeks decorating, with Hugh and Fulks' wives. A carpenter was already fashioning a cradle for William's soon-to-be born grandchild and even though Vivienne was taking women's herbs to keep from conceiving, she knew, sometime soon, she would want that cradle for herself.
With the exception of the furniture, everything at Vivienne's childhood home was gone. Clothes, soaps, her hanging glass sculptures. Her precious herb stores were packed, bottled, taken to Gisborne Hall. The only clothing left was the dress she was wearing to the day's faire and the night shift she was wearing; something she had a feeling she wouldn't be wearing much after this past night. In recent weeks, her future sisters warned her of the earthiness of FitzGisborne men. The thought excited her.
'Tis a sin!
So be it. Lord William was a quiet, broody sort, but she knew that he took care of those and that which he loved. And if he said he loved her, then she choose to believe it. She didn't fear him, she simply feared the unknown.
She and Eleanor were just finishing the breakfast dishes when a shout came from her small courtyard and a banging on her door she recognized. She opened the door, to find her horse already saddled, her Dark Knight holding the bridle.
For a swift moment, with his side smirk and his head cocked to the side, he reminded her of her wolf, the one who frolicked in her dreams. In recent nights however, he had been frantic, circling her, staying against her legs, making it impossible for her to roam the night. For not the first time, she considered telling William about it, her dream wolf, but yet again, chose to keep it to herself. How did one explain a nightmare beast who became a friend and companion to a protector?
Although she knew she would be back, she took one, long, last look at her childhood home, before grabbing her shawl, shutting the door behind her and locking it.
~~~...~~~
It was clear and obvious to one and all that Vivienne ette Ford, was more than a simple ward to the Lord of Locksley. And strangely enough, no one appeared to be bothered or offended by this. William told her to purchase to her heart's content, no matter how frivolous. Eleanor told her to take advantage of the earl's generosity. Who knew how long it would last. Fulks whispered she should buy gems and rings and necklaces, just in case, for then she would have something to sell, if necessary. Before Vivienne could gasp in horror, he winked at her, before grinning and turned to go off and find his wife.
She was informed that while Sir William had purchased clothing for her over the winter, as his... erm... ward... she was expected to purchase new spring clothing, as well. Bolt after bolt of spring pastels and embroidered silks, were laid before her for her perusal. It made her eyes cross, the sheer largess of it. For someone who was taught not to waste or overindulge, all of a sudden, money was no object and things she considered a luxury were now necessities.
It made her head spin.
Porcpoilue exhausted her, as well as his master. So many smells, cooking meats...
Late in the afternoon, just before sundown, Vivienne found the small staged area for the children's puppets. It was the last show and Vivienne laughed along with the children at the silly antics of little wooden animals on strings. It was over too soon and parents gathered their young ones and began to move towards the castle gate, heading home to tuck exhausted and over-stimulated children to bed.
"Tired?" The bench Vivienne was sitting on sagged as William sat down next to her. He reached up and cupped her cheek in his palm.
"It's been a long day," she admitted.
He leaned over to kiss her, uncaring of who saw or watched. It held a promise, and he tasted of the honey mead he'd had earlier. As he pressed his forehead to hers and broke the kiss, he whispered in her mouth, "I cannot wait for tonight."
Her returning smile was wan.
Worry lines creased his forehead. "Wot?" He pulled back, second thoughts – those rare and irritating things – ran through his mind. "Are you having second thoughts? If so-"
"If so, what?" Vivienne was exhausted. "You'll take me to Ripley's and I will take vows or you will find me a husband, not of my choosing. I cannot go home; everything I own is at your manse. I would prefer to choose my lover and I freely choose you." That admission made William relax. "I am simply tired. Between packing and the faire..."
"Where is Eleanor?"
Vivienne inhaled. "I have given her the day off. Last I saw, she was with her beau, most likely buying ribbons. I would expect to see her in your kitchen later this evening." William looked around the bailey. Merchants were harking the last of their wares before packing up. "Do you know what I would like?" She was leaning against him, head on his shoulder. "I would like some of those cinnamon walnuts that are just around the corner."
Again, honeyed lips found her forehead. "Stay here. I will buy them all." With that William rose and moved quickly around the corner, followed by his faithful hound.
He bought every single cinnamon walnut the vendor had as well as a large ham bone to keep Porcpoilue occupied for the evening. Handing the majority of the purchases (including the bone) to the young squire shadowing him, he took one bag of nuts and headed back to his lady. He came around the building, and stepped behind the small performing area.
Vivienne was gone.
~~~...~~~
William took a quick look around, not wanting to wander, but breathing faster, much like a parent with an errant child. He pointed to the squire. "Check the privies." William went to the closest vendor. "Did you see Lady Vivienne?"
The woman squinted. "Short?"
"Very."
Again, the vendor thought hard. "I saw such a woman wearing red, leave with the rubbish man. Roy. I think he said his name was Roy."
Roy. So close to Royce...
"You do not know him?" The squire returned from the privies, shaking his head.
"No, m'lord," she responded quietly. "To be truthful, it looked as if the lady was ill or very tired. She could hardly hold on to her drink." With this admission, William's heart seized. "He had her by the hand-"
William was now terrified. "Which way?" The woman pointed towards a back exit. He turned to his squire, James. "Find my sons and my knights. Have them meet me at the back exit. Then saddle my horse."
For some odd reason, it seemed to take forever to get to the back exit. It hadn't taken this long before: William knew it well; had used it many times for clandestine purposes. No one used it but for taking offal out, and for sneaking about. Vivienne wasn't ill, and he didn't think she was so tired she needed help. Nor did she have a drink. This bit of information frightened him the most.
Finally, he and Porcpoilue reached the back gate. The guard was one of the least trained. After all, who needed special training to guard junk removal? "Did you see anyone leave in the last ten minutes?"
"Aye, my lord." The guard's face was covered in pimples, a testament of his youth. "Just the rubbish man and his wagon."
"Was a woman with him?" William went to the gate and looked out. There was no one in sight."
"No, m'lord. Just a pile of waste." He shuddered. "Smelly."
Porcpoilue was growling. Just before the gate, was a discarded mug. William picked it up and pointed it to the dog. The growling turned to angry barking.
"You are sure no one was with him?"
The guard began to quake. Obviously, he missed something. "M'lord, the trash was piled high into the cart."
"Enough to cover someone."
It took a moment for it to sink in. William stepped outside the gateway, the hound following. To the side, over the small bridge, was a small pile of dropped debris. The dog immediately went to rooting in it, before coming up with a swatch of material.
Vivienne's shawl.
By now, Hugh and Fulks, along with William's senior knights were there, knowing something was wrong, but not what. Young James was leading his horse. "That monster has Vivienne." He handed the mug to Fulks. "He has drugged her and hidden her beneath the garbage. He can't have gotten far." Taking the shawl from Porcpoilue, he held it to his nose. "Quiet. Find the lady."
The dog took off and William, now mounted up, was right behind him.