has this Gowain done?”
“Killed the captain of my guard, attacked and burned two farms, pillaged the villages about my castle and raided every convoy bringing goods to me.”
“These are strong charges.”
“And true. Clive,” Ranulf called over his shoulder. One of the soldiers who had been standing behind him, came forward. “Tell my lord earl what transpired the day Gowain returned.”
Clive, a big, beefy man in scarlet livery, bowed to Gareth. “He killed Donald.” The soldier went on to tell how Gowain FitzWarren had struck down the captain, who was attempting to protect Lord Ranulf from harm.
“What provoked this quarrel?” Gareth asked.
“My refusal to turn Malpas Keep over to Gowain.” Ranulf held up a hand before the questions could fly. “Let me go back and explain that Gowain left home some six years ago, after a bitter argument over property with my father. Nearly a year went by before he wrote to his mother to say he’d taken a post with Sir Falsgraff and was part of the garrison defending Bordeaux.”
“You speak of your father and Gowain’s mother.”
“Gowain is my father’s bastard, gotten on the Welshwoman he brought home the year after my mother died,” Ranulf said stiffly. “There was some talk he was not even my father’s get, but old Warren was a soft man and raised Gowain as his own.”
“Your sire is dead, then?”
“Alas, eighteen months ago.”
“And his…er, Gowain’s mother?”
“Disappeared, along with a chest of my mother’s jewelry. I assumed she’d gone back to Wales. Lacking the funds to mount a war over a few baubles, I let the matter rest. Gowain returned in April. From the meanness of his clothes and armor,” Ranulf added, flicking a speck from his fine tunic, “I judged he’d fallen on hard times and come to beg a handout. When I apprised him of our father’s death, he did not grieve, but demanded Malpas Keep, which he claimed was his mother’s dower property.”
“Was it?”
“Though Elen sometimes portrayed herself as Warren’s wife and chatelaine of Eastham, there was no marriage. Thus, no part of my property was hers…or her bastard’s. Had it been otherwise, do you think she’d have run off to live in some hovel in Wales?”
“I suppose not.” Gareth stroked his chin. “I am sorry for your misfortune at his hands, but why have you come to me?”
“I’ve come to you for a ruling in your capacity as magistrate of His Majesty’s court. I want Gowain and those who ride with him declared outlaws.”
“That is a serious step. And this seems a personal matter. Can you not capture him and bring him to trial yourself?”
Ranulf’s jaw flexed. “’Tis not just a personal matter. He has aligned himself with a band of brigands who were hiding in the hills, runaway serfs and soldiers without a lord. They know every acre of land and every hiding hole in the district, and have managed to elude capture. Gowain has turned the experience he gained fighting the French all these years and now preys on his own countrymen. Is that not so, Clive?”
“Aye.” Clive’s hamlike fists clenched at his sides. “He’s a black one, is Sir Gowain, wild and bloodthirsty as any Scots riever, but canny, ye understand. He favors swooping down on unsuspecting merchants, kills the leader right quick, then forces the rest to surrender. We laid a trap for him, with my men posing as merchants. Gowain sent the leader back to us in pieces.”
A shocked silence fell over the hall.
“These are grievous charges,” Gareth said slowly.
“Aye. If you declare him an outlaw and put a writ about, those who have been helping him will cease, lest they be outlawed, too,” Ranulf said quickly.
“He can also be hanged without a trial,” Gareth muttered.
“’Tis no more than he deserves for killing innocent men, women and even children.”
“Children,” Alys whispered, appalled by the story.
“What proof do you have of his deeds?” Gareth asked.
“Proof?” Ranulf scowled. “My storage sheds lay empty, for he’s stolen my supplies. My captain is dead and others with him. Several farms have been burned to the ground.”
“Was Gowain seen perpetrating these crimes?”
“I know he is guilty,” Ranulf growled.
“Hmm.” Gareth stroked his chin. “Still, I’d not act hastily in this matter. Will you sup with us ere I think it over?”
“Of course,” Ranulf said smoothly, but his clenched fists and narrowed eyes betrayed his anger over the delay.
Nor could Alys blame him. “Papa, surely you will grant his request,” she blurted out. “This Gowain must be stopped.”
Ranulf turned and stared at her so intently her cheeks flamed. “Who is this charming lady who pleads my cause?”
“My daughter, Lady Alys,” Gareth said with pride. “May I also present to you my wife, Lady Arianna?”
Ranulf bowed deep, first to her mother, then to Alys. “You seem in need of a dining companion,” he said to Alys. Mounting the dais, he took the seat to her left.
Within minutes, Ranulfs plans changed. Oh, he still wanted Gowain outlawed and eliminated. But he also intended to wed the wealthy, well-connected Lady Alys.
Ranulf’s gaze narrowed as it wandered over the great hall’s costly furnishings, carved chairs, lavish wall hangings, pristine white tableclothes set with silver plates. The candlesticks gracing the head table were wrought of pure gold, the intricate designs matching the goblets from which they drank. He was calculating their worth when the Lady Alys spoke.
“What your brother has done is monstrous. How horrible to be turned upon by your own kin.”
“It is.” Ranulf gave her his most charming smile. She was a pretty enough thing, if your taste ran to tiny blondes got up in yards of blue velvet. Her gown was so voluminous it hid her shape completely, but her features were lovely. Not that looks mattered, when a girl was heiress to a fortune.
Ranulf had made it a point to learn all he could about the Sommervilles before coming here. He’d known about Gareth’s broken leg and that the two sons of the house were away on their father’s business. These facts had made it unlikely the earl would offer to help fight Gowain. That was the last thing Ranulf wanted. Even with a larger force, it could take months to find Gowain’s hiding place and eliminate him. Time Ranulf didn’t have.
Every day, Gowain grew stronger and more daring. Soon he might become bold enough to attack Eastham or Malpas. Precious as his castle was to him, Ranulf was more worried about Malpas. Thus far, he’d managed to keep the area cut off and the outside world ignorant of what he was doing there. If word got out…
Jesu, he didn’t even want to think about
