Free A Love For All Seasons by Denise Domning

you vow to tell no one of this night's work and there's no beating, I'll say I did it. In return, you must vow to grant me a favor when I ask it of you." He went on in explanation, since she was just a lass and might not know about giving her word. "Be careful how you swear, for an oath is a promise made before God. You'll be damned to hell if you break it. Place your hand upon your heart as you say the words."
    Johanna of Stanrudde placed her hand upon her chest. "I will grant you a favor, this I vow." When she was done, she breathed in relief and smiled. "Thank you, Robert."
    "Rob. My name is Rob." He yawned. "Just know that if anyone's truly angered over this, I'll spill the truth."
    "No one will be," she assured him. "I won't let them be."
    He snorted in disbelief. "You're barely more than a babe. What can you do to stop them?"
    Johanna shot him an impatient look. "I told you, I am mistress here. Everyone must do as I say. I have been mistress for six years, ever since my mother died with my newborn brother, just as your mother did."
    Stunned, Rob gaped at her. "How do you know it was a babe's coming that took my mother?"
    Johanna laid a hand on his shoulder. Oddly enough, his skin didn't crawl at her touch. "Aleric told us your tale before he returned to Papa."
    All the pain of Mama's death and Papa's betrayal poured over him, the wave of sadness dragging him down into despair once more. A shudder shot through Rob. If Master Walter's servant had said this much, it was certain everyone here also knew Papa had disowned him. He could never again return home. Tears stung at his eyes, and he buried his head into the folds of his blanket in shame.
    "Rob?" Johanna's voice was hesitant. "Papa always says a good master is like unto a father to all those who dwell under his roof. If you like, I will share my papa with you."
    Her words lit a fire in his heart. Rob wrenched himself around, not caring that she might see his tears. "I don't need your father, I have one of my own!" he shouted. "Go away, go away and leave me be."
    He threw himself back down onto the mattress and pulled his blanket up over his head. To his horror, a sob escaped him, then another. Even the knowledge that Johanna listened did not stop them. Not only could he never go home, but there was no one left to love him.

Stanrudde
Two and a half hours past None
The eve of Saint Agnes's Day, 1197
     
    Rob reached the abbey's gateway only to find the tiny portal inset into the much larger gate doors barred. As he tore the wood from its braces Johanna screamed once more. He yanked on the wee door's handle. It gave not an inch. He whirled. Brother William danced just behind him, near the entrance to the tiny room that was the porter's domain. The monk's eyes were wide in frantic worry for the woman beyond the walls.
    "Open the damn door!" Rob roared at him.
    Brother William squeaked. His hands fluttered in the air as if he had no idea how such a thing was done.
    "Brother, your key," Colin called from the hospitium's window. The monk blinked then ducked into his cubicle. Iron jangled as he wrenched the key ring from its peg.
    His heart consumed by worry, Rob yanked open the tiny square window in the door to scan the market's field. Trapped by the boiling crowd at the center of that expanse was a lone and mounted woman. Even though her face was hidden by her cloak and wimple, Rob knew it was Johanna. His fiery girl kicked out at those around her, which was far better than her mount was doing; the stupid beast but turned in confusion.
    Rob drew a calming breath. That Johanna fought so said she was yet unharmed.
    With a cooler head, he assessed the folk seething around her. Their shouts, threats, and curses re-bounded against the abbey's thick walls, then disappeared with the smoke that swirled up from the city's sea of thatched roofs and into the clouds. Despite the violence of their words, the horde seemed content to simply rebuke Johanna because she was wealthier and