Saving Cedric's Daughter

By Becky Lunt

Guy Sinclair joined his cousin Egmont Fitzgrigg in William's campaign to take the English throne but while his cousin was well rewarded for feats in battle while Guy was left with scrapes. On a twisted peice of fate, William orders him to marry a stranger by proxy to allow the girl to return to her kin.

Eidyth Hamblyn despised men in general with her hatred and distrust earned from a lifetime of abuse and neglect by her own father. How would she survive being wed to a Norman enemy?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Becky Lunt
• Release date: Dec 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463774113

Becky Lunt

My name is Rebecca but I prefer Becky. I could start waffling on about my work and life but that would bore you just as much as it does me so I will just tell you that my imagination is awesome.... Come and get lost with me in my dreams.

Book preview

Saving Cedric's Daughter

Copyright 2018 Becky Lunt

Published by Becky Lunt at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The main characters in this ebook are fictious.

Any resemblance to any person either alive or dead is purely coincidental.

Duke William and the Sherriff of Fyfield were real people but I have created a new character with my Sherriff role as Cedric and used artistic license with my William.

Table of contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

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Chapter One

8th December 1066 Berkhamsted

Guy Sinclair studied the land surrounding the makeshift camp. It had been established on the outskirts of Berkhamsted where the grass beneath his feet was green and soft. It had been the main factor when he and Ivan Wyville’s man Manfred had selected the site upon arrival earlier today. It smelled fresh … inviting after the past several days travel along a muddy road. The large

Norman force had ridden through the small village just before the sun had reached its peak but there’d been no warmth to it. Looking around, to the south was Berkhamsted bordering the fort where William of Normandy had taken up residence. In every other direction, all he could see were trees. It made him uncomfortable not being able to see through the denseness, see the danger waiting beyond. The village was all but abandoned by the local residents as they chose to avoid the invading forces.

First, William’s army had arrived after their journey north from Hastings and now close to fifty men wearing either the Wyville or Fitzgrigg emblems across their breasts had ridden in escorting the Oswald family in to meet their fate. The journey up had been fraught with both danger and concern. The safety of the gentle family his lord and cousin Egmont Fitzgrigg had married into had begun to matter and the mood amongst the men had not been a happy one. They’d all somehow come to care for the Lady Audrey Oswald and her children Catherine and Aidan but now, were forced to stand back and wait for news just as he himself was doing. The waiting had him an edge, snapping needless commands to any man that passed him in idleness. Guy avoided the direction of the fort, he’d stared at it too long already hoping … praying to see them return in safety. The day’s light was wavering in the late afternoon and the wind had turned cold as it blew the blonde strands of his shoulder-length hair and he knew if he looked even once, he’d disappointed again.

The camp, whether purposely or not had set itself so Egmont’s men were on one side and Wyville’s men on the other. He had not liked it when Wyville had ridden into the grounds of Oswald Manor on the day the old thane was buried, but he’d liked it even less when his cousin had not argued with the decree to remove the lady from her kin. The Lady Catherine had taken such a slight to heart though, and had devised her own plan. Once again, Guy was full of admiration for the beautiful young lady. She’d spent time learning to wield a sword, escaping the restrictions placed upon her and proving her love for her family was far and away her greatest strength. She was everything that appealed to him but now both groups of soldiers ignored each other making the tension palpable…unbearable. A loud crash caught his attention.

His Latin was getting better with the constant use. ‘Have a care Aidan; we’ve to eat out of that tonight!’ The young lad had overturned a heavy cauldron in his running about.

‘Sorry Sir Guy I didn’t mean to kick it over.’ The new Thane Oswald explained. His youthful energy had been a delight to watch earlier but as the hours lengthened without news, Guy’s nerves had suffered; still there was no need to take that out on the eleven-year-old entrusted to his care.

‘I know that lad, but I have no wish to eat dirt.’

‘Sorry,’ the boy said again. ‘I’ll fix it up.’

Guy turned away. If only Egmont had sent some sort of message, given some sort of sign to say the lady was not to lose her life but he had walked into the fort with Lady Audrey, Lady Catherine and Wyville upon arrival this morning and his only instruction had been to protect Aidan. Now, Guy’s mood was as low as everyone else.

‘Sir Guy… who is that do you think?’ Aidan’s question had him turning again. The lad’s gaze was towards town… towards the fort forcing him to look as well. A servant woman was being escorted by three of William’s guard, her hands struggling with the heavy pot she carried while theirs rested casually upon the hilt of their swords. The brown ill-fitting gown was covered by a filthy white apron, her hair hidden under a grey cloth but the shabbiness of her appearance did not hide the beautifulness of her face or the slenderness of her hips.

‘Rather ungallant of you having the wench struggle with the weight.’ Guy called to the soldiers reverting to his natural French.

‘Not so my lord, the girl was ordered to the kitchen as a punishment and we’ve been ordered to see that she doesn’t poison your food. Now she’s here it becomes your responsibility to watch her.’ They turned and retreated quickly in the direction they’d just come, probably eager for their own evening meal.

The girl lowered the pot to the ground waiting for her instructions; the bending offered an enticing view of her rounded breasts, just as perfect as her features. It was a view he found himself enjoying more than he should have. When she straightened again, she caught sight of his gaze and smiled shrewdly and her vibrant green eyes brightened. It was all too easy to imagine them shining with passion as he bought her to release.

‘Am I to take it back lord?’ Her voice was soft as she prompted him for instructions though the fire in her emerald eyes was anything but soft. It was strange for a servant to speak Latin but he paid it no heed.

‘No, we’ll get a fire set to keep it warm.’ He answered; the liquid contents of the cauldron looked amazing when he recalled the harsh foods they’d endured on the journey. Looking about the camp he could not see his lord’s young squire. ‘Aidan, where is Galin?’

‘Cleaning the leather Sir Guy just as you said he needed too, should I run and get him?’

‘That depends on you my young friend and whether you can remember how to start a flame. I know Galin and Egmont have been instructing you in certain tasks.’

‘Course I can, Cathy showed me years ago.’ The lad bragged readily, his youthful smile turning gleeful.

Guy was not surprised his cousin’s new bride was knowledgeable in such tasks; the Lady Catherine was not a normal lady though she’d been born to a noble family and gently bred.

‘Well, let’s see what you can do then, but you’d best be quick about it.’

The lad jumped at the new task and quickly had the rushes smouldering in the dugout pit.

‘Why are you being punished? What was your crime?’ Guy asked curiously.

‘I committed murder.’ The wench responded tartly.

‘That is hardly likely to get you sent to the kitchens, now I ask again what was your crime?’

She hesitated as she thought of the words to respond. ‘I said no.’

‘No? That is no crime.’

‘Apparently it is when you say it to the wrong person. I said no and then I made him accept no so I was the one sent away.’

Guy considered her words and determined that someone had pushed for intimacy that the wench did not wish to share. Someone within William’s court that had that kind of influence to have a punishment dealt. Rape was one crime he and Egmont detested and did not tolerate amongst their own men but other lords were not so inclined. It was a shame really; he’d have enjoyed the same intimacies if she was of a mind.

Eidyth’s shoulders ached as she lifted the black pot again, drawing upon the famous Hamblyn stubbornness to hide the grimace. Working in the kitchens had not been overly challenging but she was actually very lucky the duke had only ordered that for her attack. William of Normandy had been rumoured to have been quite cruel in maintaining discipline, so after laying him flat she had expected her sentence to be death. Her feet shuffled the few steps to where several of the new soldiers were setting a fire. There were two distinct emblems draped across the shoulders; one with three yellow lions and the other a green bird in flight. Eidyth had not seen either before but the numbers implied lords of great wealth and influence. The handle was lifted from her fingers and she spared a grateful smile to the skinny lad dressed in fine clothes. The flames flicked around the wide iron base and began to cause bubbles as the stew reheated. She used the wooden carved ladle to stir the thickening liquid.

‘Smells good.’ The skinny lad offered, his youthful face somehow familiar. The Saxon tongue was natural so the lad was a local. The quality of his shirt betrayed his breeding though.

‘I’m happy you think so little lordling.’

Eidyth turned at the noise signaling the approach of others, her hand itching noticeably for what was not there. The noise had come from the direction of the fort but she was not in a hurry to return to the unfamiliar kitchen heat praying it was not the return of the guards. Her prayers were answered as the knight that had spoken with her briefly before was offering a friendly greeting to the two elegantly dressed Saxon ladies. He was very well designed, this knight, with his long legs, cheerful blue eyes and wavy sand coloured hair she reflected. Although much taller than most other women of her acquaintance, Eidyth doubted her head even reached his chin he was that tall. It was refreshing to look up rather than down.

‘My ladies,’ his voice was just as happy as his eyes and an errant jealous thought crossed her mind, if only he looked upon her like that.

‘Sir Guy it is good to see you again,’ the elder lady replied before studying those around her. Her vibrant green eyes stopped on Eidyth and then widened in recognition.

‘Eidyth! Oh my goodness where is your lady mother? What are you doing here?’ The elder lady rushed forward with her arms reaching out. Eidyth met them with her own.

All eyes turned to stare but the scrutiny no longer bothered her. At least she recalled why the young face had been familiar.

‘Only God knows where my mother is Aunt Audrey, I’ve been from home a long time.’

‘But what are you doing here?’

‘Mother sent me to find her family in the west but I was set upon by the Duke’s army and bought here.’

‘You are a prisoner?’ Lady Audrey’s tone turned to horror, ‘oh Sir Egmont please … you must be able to do something for my niece.’

‘I am not a prisoner Aunt, the Duke has just confined me to the kitchens.’

‘Why? You are of gentle birth. Does he not know you are the Sherriff’s daughter?’

‘Do not sound so outraged Aunt,’ a soldier came forward with a bowl and ladled several large spoonfuls of the stew into it. ‘He does know of my family linage and has offered me the protection of his guard because if it although why he respects the name so I am at a loss to explain.’

‘Then why are you working in the kitchens as though you were a common serving girl?’

‘I have my reasons Aunt, but please lords, have some before it cools.’ Eidyth moved away to encourage others to eat and felt a moment of wickedness when her cousin joined the line. Her humour had never deserted her.

‘Catherine, perhaps you should not eat this, I will find something more suited to your tastes.’

‘Nonsense Eidyth, my tastes are not as delicate as they were when we were children.’ Catherine accepted a small portion and then lifted a spoon to her lips.

‘Stop!’ A second young lad yelled, ‘I think she’s poisoned it … it doesn’t taste right.’ Every Norman hesitated over eating any more. Their eyes searching the stew to find any telltale signs. One even spat the food out onto the ground in panic.

‘No Galin, she did not. If it tastes funny it is simply because my cousin cannot cook. Trust me when I tell you there is nothing wrong with the stew.’ Catherine lifted the spoon again with a generous helping and deliberately did not hesitate to shove it in her open mouth, only the slightest of twitches to her lips showed her distaste.

Eidyth’s little piece of humour was at an end but she’d been gifted with an outburst of laughter from her aunt before Lady Audrey turned serious once more.

‘I’m confused Eidyth, do please come and sit by me to explain.’ Her aunt commanded, pulling her forward by their joined hands.

‘I think it would distress you to know the truth Aunt.’

‘Regardless, I insist. Come!’

Eidyth obeyed albeit slowly and when Lady Audrey had settled herself upon a fur laid out, Eidyth sat beside her, pulling the cloth that covered her hair free. The chill breeze was a welcome feeling through the sweaty strands.

‘Now tell me the whole of it.’

‘There is not much to tell Aunt, the Duke pressed his attentions until I lost my temper …’ Eidyth shrugged her shoulders as if that should have explained it all.

‘Oh good lord, you didn’t.’

‘I did, and once he could stand again I was banished.’

‘You attacked Duke William?’ The horrified tone drew all eyes to the knight with the Viking hair.

‘There are more than enough willing women within his court he has no need to grope the one that is not.’

‘And you are certain you are not a prisoner?’ Her aunt asked.

‘I am.’

‘My lord?’ Audrey’s gaze turned pleadingly to the other knight, the darker one with eyes focused upon the graceful movements of her cousin Catherine, though with the plea his gazed turned unwillingly to her aunt.

‘I will speak with William as soon as he grants me an audience my lady.’

‘Thank you Lord Egmont, my niece should not be left here without her family to protect her. I cannot think what her mother was thinking to make such arrangements.’

Guy should not have been surprised of her gentle breeding, for her words were well educated and her poise straight and proud. But it did surprise him that the ladies were related and almost stopped his heart from beating again to hear she’d assaulted the duke.

William had been known to execute for far less crimes. But then, why did he care?

She was very beautiful, but not at all the kind he preferred in bedsport. She was tall and well formed, like Lady Audrey, they shared the same green eyes but that was where the likeness ended between this girl and her kin. Audrey had light brown hair now streaked with grey, Catherine’s was a deep brown shade where the stranger’s length was a shade as black as night. He preferred the frail type, someone that depended upon his strength … someone like Catherine, but that was not possible. Even if the lady was inclined to start a tryst, he could never betray Egmont.

This girl, this Eidyth as Lady Audrey had called her, was the exact opposite of Catherine and all he found desirable, so why was he still staring?

‘Why did your mother send you away?’ Catherine asked, settling herself. ‘Surely with Uncle Cedric away at war, Aunt Margaret would have kept you close. I know we were afraid to venture too far.’

‘The excuse she used was that Jane was to start her confinement and needed Mother’s help during the time. Mother felt it improper for me to attend being so young and unmarried myself and with Father … gone she had little choice but to send me to her kin while she made her own travel preparations. Although, she’s been trying to send me away for years this was the only time my father was not there to over-rule her orders.’

‘And your escort?’ Catherine enquired.

‘None. My mother demanded all able-bodied men accompany her north as with the entire household.’

From the attitude this girl displayed, Guy did not doubt that she’d have been a handful in her youth but for her mother to send her on her own without an escort was highly unusual even if they’d never had a coin to spare.

‘Cedric would be beside himself to know you were in danger.’ Lady Audrey stated.

‘Cedric?’ Guy repeated, the name was familiar but he could not say why.

‘My brother,’ Lady Audrey explained, ‘the former Sherriff of Fyfield.’

That name had been bandied about the fires at Hastings what seemed like a lifetime ago.

‘I doubt my father cared at all Aunt.’

‘Do not say such things Child, of course he cared. He loved you so desperately.’

‘Clearly not as much as he valued wealth and glory or his many other forms of self-importance.’

‘Harold sent a call to arms dear, your father like my husband and many other great men from noble families could not deny. He was our king.’

‘You believe what you wish Aunt Audrey, if it helps you sleep at night but I also know a different truth of the quality of man my father was and have lost no sleep over his death.’

Guy watched as Catherine and her mother remembered the fallen thane, a shared grief clouded their features with its freshness but the face of the Sherriff’s daughter hardened in anger making her all the more irresistible in her beauty. It would be a pleasure to be the one to soften the features again with pure ecstasy as he bought her to the edge of orgasm.

That lustful thought left him wanting to find a willing wench.