Conquer My Heart

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

“Sister, my Lord bade me to come and fetch you. He wishes to thank you for your gentle care of his knights.”

Briana whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice. Up until now she had successfully hidden her identity. No one had questioned the charity of the piously garbed figure gliding silently about the hall. Gilford had caught her unaware in the small storeroom connected to the kitchen. No one usually trespassed in this quiet place where she mixed her herbs. She cursed herself silently for letting her guard down.

 Gilford’s mouth flapped as wide as a door with a loose hinge.

Briana couldn’t help but grin. “’Tis not a ghost you see,” she said in a low tone, not wishing to be overheard. “What do you think?” She whirled round in her costume. “Behold, your lady is now a sister.”

Gilford’s expression grew fearful. “My lady! You must leave at once. If the Viking discovers your game, he’ll set you up as an example. He’s not one to bear defiance well.”

“Defiance is not enough.” Briana thrust her chin forward and leaned closer to make her point. “Revenge is what I seek.”

“I beg you to put this aside.” Gilford’s face creased with dread. “You cannot win.”

“Mayhap not, but I can make his life a misery until my father returns. And that, is what I plan to do.”

“The Normans have won. We know not your father’s fate.”

“Nay! William is not yet crowned. Until he is, I’ll guard my father’s holdings and wage war from yon forest while I await his return.”

Gilford shook his head as though out of patience. “You must leave now, before someone gives you away. I’ll tell him I tried to find you, but you’d already gone.”

Briana allowed him to push her a few steps toward the door, then stopped in her tracks. “Nay. Take me to him. ‘Twill do my heart good to receive his humble thanks for my labors this day. Besides, he may grow suspicious if he thinks I’m avoiding him.”

Gilford expelled a low curse. “Why do I waste my breath? Once you’ve set your mind to something there’s no altering you from your course. I pray your boldness won’t bring the Viking’s wrath down upon both our heads.”

She shrugged off his skepticism, as he was wont to scold whatever she did. “’Tis too late. He’s already here.” With a sweep of her hand, she indicated Gilford should lead the way.

Briana followed him through the hall to the stairway with her hands clasped devoutly in front of her, her head bowed humbly. She had fooled the Viking in the village surely she could do it again. After all, he had only seen her from a distance on the battlements during their negotiations. It was true, he had heard her voice, but Sister Bridget had a milder tone. There was no reason for him to suspect a thing.

 Gilford stopped outside the bedchamber door. “He retires in the eventide to take his ease by the fire.”

“’Yea, he sleeps in my father’s bed, trespassing like an unwelcome guest,” she whispered fiercely. “Soon, I’ll see to it that he’s too busy to rest his thick head upon that sacred pallet.”

Gilford motioned her to silence with a frantic wave of his hand, then knocked upon the door.

The Viking bade them enter, then dismissed Gilford saying, “You may go. I’ll speak with the sister alone.”

Gilford flicked her a fearful glance. Only after she nodded did he bow from the room.

The Viking motioned with his hand for her come closer.