by Abby Gordon
Anna glanced up to see her husband’s scowling eyes staring down several of the other men.
“A smart man knows better,” she murmured. “A foolish man will learn.”
“A foolish man will be dead,” Armand added with a grin as the Frenchmen took their seats.
“That is true,” she agreed with a nod, dropping her gaze to read the letter.
The date was the same as she’d been taken. Rose touched her sleeve.
“Lady, will you read it to us? We loved her too,” she asked quietly, tears in her eyes.
Anna glanced at the Queen who nodded. “She was a courageous woman. Such valor should be honored,” came the permission.
“Dearest Anna,” she began. “You have been my life. Nothing else has mattered since the day we met. Do you remember? You were being made to read the hated Greek when you wanted only to be outside with your blade and bow. All you wanted was to learn whatever Marco was doing. He would be so proud of you as the Root of Catalan and the Root of York. If I don’t return to Whitehall, I hope I died fighting, with a blade in my hand. If I was captured, I know that you will give me Justice. Look to the Queen’s example.” Her eyes went to the startled ruler. “Elizabeth Tudor is a woman of great intelligence and political cunning. Her emotions and moods are deep and true, but she has a discipline you are still learning.” Anna gave a little laugh. “Still teaching me, Alicia.”
“Always,” murmured Armand.
“A rare woman,” Etienne agreed quietly.
Taking a deep breath, seeing how moved the Queen was, Anna continued.
“It has been the honor of my life to be your Protector. Now I give your life into the hands of one I know will guard you with his last heartbeat, with his last breath. I know I said rough things about Sir Owain. I would take them back. I saw his face when he came to the Queen after you were taken.” Anna reached out blindly. Owain’s hand grasped hers. “He had realized his purpose. He is your Shield and your strength. Give Rose my blade. Tell her I’ll be watching o’er her.” Behind Anna, Rose sniffled, and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I love you, little sister. Be brave and true. Love and live well. Alicia.”
Putting the letter on her lap, tears blinded her as she reached up to cover Rose’s hand with her own. For a long moment, no one spoke. Anna gathered herself, knowing what she had to do next. Lightly squeezing Owain’s hand, she stood, placing the letter on the table.
“Majesty, I beg permission to swear my fealty to the Crown of England.”
As she spoke, Anna watched Elizabeth Tudor go from a woman touched by praise from a noble fighter to a regal queen.
“Granted,” came the cool tone.
The eyes. She appreciates and approves of this. Hoping her demeanor echoed the queen’s, Anna steadily walked the length of the room. Behind her, the Roses of England gathered. Closest was Owain with Daffyd, Rose, George and Miles. Then Jasper and Eoin and a dozen others. In reverence, the Frenchmen stood, right fists over their hearts. Reaching the queen, Anna dropped to one knee. As she went down, so did the Roses.
“Majesty, I, Anna Elizabeta de Catalan and Plantagenet of York, Root of the Rose of England, Wales and all lands ruled by your Crown, Baroness of Corwen, do pledge the undying fealty of myself, my descendants and the Roses of your lands to your majesty and all those who follow. I pledge to lead a good and honorable life, doing nothing that would stain my honor or yours. I pledge to protect your life with my own. To my last heartbeat. To my last breath. I am yours.”
Anna drew the Walsingham blade and raised it over her head.
“Roses,” her voice rang out. “Will you pledge the same?”
The two dozen behind her drew their knives.
“So, pledge we all,” they shouted, raising their fists.
There. The glimmer in her eyes. Briefly there and gone. Just long enough for us to see.
“Lady Anna, as Queen of England, Ireland and Wales, I accept your fealty and pledge. For you and your Roses have shown your love and loyalty to my person and the Crown. No king or queen could ask for greater proof than what you have done.”
“For the Rose!” Anna declared. “For the Queen!”
The rafters shook as they echoed her cry.
The gazes of the two women – powerful in very different ways – locked, cementing a friendship that had started the day they met and deepened the day of the attack. Elizabeth would always know that Anna would do anything and everything to protect her. Anna knew that she had a queen who would never disappoint, never let her down, would always be worthy of her oath.
They woke before dawn, dressing swiftly in warm clothing. Despite her elevation in status, Rose had insisted on tending to Anna. When her newfound cousin had said she would find another, Rose had scowled and been informal as it was an informal group in the Baron’s outer chamber. The Heirs were on their ships readying their men. Lord Raoul had retired to the room prepared for him. Mary had also sought her bed. Rose suspected she had slept little the night before for crying over Griffin leaving. It was only Owain and Anna, Rose and Daffyd, with Jasper playing an uncomfortable fifth.
“Find another in Berwyn, Anna, but for this ride, Mary and I shall take care of you.”
Anna had sighed, while Owain chuckled. “Jasper, are all the women in the family this stubborn?”
“Mm,” the Yorkshireman considered then laughed slightly. “Aye, they do seem to get stubborn at the worst of times.”
“Oh, that is the truth,” muttered Daffyd with a grin at Rose.
Now, they all gathered in the courtyard where weeks earlier they had before setting out to rescue Anna. Rose bowed her head, wishing desperately that Alicia was with them. Meeting Phillipe had been a comfort. To be able to discuss the warmth, courage and wit of the woman who had given her life for Anna.
“All right, sweetheart?” Daffyd murmured quietly from his mount next to her.
“Thinking of Alicia,” she whispered.
Alicia, whose body had been buried temporarily in the Queen’s chapel. Part of Anna’s plans for a new London center for the English Roses was to have a small chapel and a small ground where her beloved Protector would be interred. The archbishop had already offered to make himself available to consecrate the ground. As Owain had stated, every English Rose would know the woman’s valor that they could strive to live up to her example.
“Roses,” called Anna.
“Root,” came the answering shout.
The queen emerged with a few members of the Privy as Sussex came with his company from the stables.
“My Lord Sussex,” the queen greeted him. “May God’s angels watch over you as you ride to save England from treachery which would cast us back into civil war.”
Sussex doffed his hat and bowed from the saddle. “We will hunt down the villains and bring them to justice.”
“I have no doubt of that, my lord lieutenant.”
Replacing his hat, Sussex nodded to Leicester, Corwen and Anna before signaling his men. With a cheer, his men galloped after him as he rode out the gate. The queen met Dudley’s gaze, then turned to her cousin and his wife.
“I have no doubt of your success,” she stated quietly. “I hope you find all that you seek. May God give you the strength to face it.”
That startled Rose who leaned forward trying to see Anna’s face. Did the queen know something? The two were talking quietly alone for some moments before we all parted for a late dinner. Smiling at the brief flare of jealousy, Rose reminded herself that of course Anna and the queen would have secrets from others. Except probably Owain.
“Thank you, your majesty,” Anna replied. “May we salute your majesty?”
“Wake them up, Anna,” the queen smiled.
“Roses,” called Anna.
“Root!”
“For the Rose!”
“For the Rose!” they thundered back.
Rose saw Anna inhale deeply before bellowing. “For the Queen!”
“For the Queen!”
&n
bsp; “I think they might have heard that in York,” commented Leicester, winking at the queen.
“She did say, wake them all up,” Anna retorted, grinning at the monarch. “Well, husband? Can we gallop now?”
Laughing, Owain nodded to his cousin as he gathered his reins. “Aye, wife. We gallop until the horses have no energy left.”
They turned their mounts slowly, but as they walked through the company, their speed increased until they were galloping out the gate. Turning, they took Ermine Street and headed north to York.
Taking advantage of the cooler weather without rain, they rode at a steady pace. The leaders of the company stayed together the first two days, reviewing plans. Jasper was fascinated by how Root Anna wanted to ensure the Earl of Leicester had whatever he needed to act in the queen’s name. Dudley was confident based on what Jasper had told him and Sussex that the justices were not involved and that once they began holding court regarding those they ensnared at the Minster and environs the rebellion would start to collapse. As Sussex reached his base in the north, he would send two men to York with any further knowledge gained. If they discovered anything of importance, they would send two men to Sussex.
As they rode north, they passed a small village the first day. Jasper didn’t understood when the Root had glanced at her husband.
“Owain, there’s a likely spot to rest for the night.”
The Shield had rolled his eyes, reached over and kissed her boldly in front of the amused men. “No taverns for you, minx,” he stated.
They rode until full dark. Guards set, men tended their horses, rolled up in their blankets and slept. Near the Root and Shield, Rose and Daffyd lay on the ground as Jasper came back from checking the guard. When Daffyd sat up, sword in hand, Jasper stopped, spreading out his arms.
“It’s only I,” he stated quietly.
“I’ll learn your shadow,” replied Daffyd.
“It does me good to know you’ll protect her.”
“With my life,” murmured Daffyd, his eyes going to the sleeping woman. “What is he like? Sir Godfrey?”
“The most honorable man alive,” Jasper replied unhesitatingly.
“Such strength,” Daffyd agreed. “It must have been hard for him, and you, all these years. Staying true when you only had a dream to hold onto.”
“Aye, it was hard,” sighed Jasper. “There were days I despaired, but Godfrey refused to give up hope. And his faith kept the rest of us strong. And now that faith has been proven.”
Three days later, as the rains lashed at them, Anna fretted about losing time even though Jasper said they’d gone much further as a company than he expected. Finding shelter under trees, Daffyd and Rose spoke of the future.
“Wales or York?” she wondered, safe and warm against him.
“My home has always been Wales,” he replied. “That’s where my family is. But your family has been without you for so long, it seems almost cruel to take you away from them again.”
“But we can leave Wales and visit York, can’t we?” Rose questioned.
“Aye,” he smiled, kissing her forehead. “Oh, my Rose. We will figure this out. Perhaps, with winter coming, they’ll come to Wales until spring. That would give them time to know you again. To know the Root, to know my family.”
“I like that idea,” she nodded, sighing. “Family. I didn’t think I had any at all and now I have you and your cousins. I’ve cousins in Root Anna,” she giggled at the thought. “And Sir Jasper who is also my uncle. I have a grandfather. Most of all, I have a brother. I had dreams of us. Riding. Learning to fight. And thought they were just dreams.”
With a sigh, she fell silent, closing her eyes. Daffyd kissed her temple.
“Sleep, sweeting,” he murmured. “Our dreams are becoming real.”
Chapter 19
His head still spinning a bit, Jasper rode eagerly ahead of the company. Two miles outside the city, he saw a familiar silhouette.
“Geoffrey?” he whispered.
“Jasper?” The boy stared. “You truly made it. You returned.”
“Aye, lad.” Reaching across, Jasper hugged him. “Where’s Godfrey?”
“Waiting outside the gate.”
“What’s happened?” Jasper asked as they walked the horses. “What’s happened to Edward?”
“It’s been awful, Jas,” Geoffrey told him. “We’ve no idea what’s happened to Sir Edward or even if he’s still alive. Celeste Black came twice to Talbor manor to speak with him.”
“Really?” That bore well. “What did she say?”
“She wouldn’t say much to me.” The boy seemed insulted at that. “But Granda was with me and spoke to her the next day and he seemed to think she’d changed her mind about things. But she never came back.”
“She might not have been allowed,” Jasper commented. “Her father wouldn’t have wanted her to go too far from home.”
“None of the women of York are leaving home lately,” Geoffrey said darkly. “Edmund’s men are prowling everywhere, attacking all they find and laughing at them when they accuse.”
The Root will not like that. Not one bit.
“The Elders do nothing to stop them?”
“The Elders act as if it’s perfectly natural.”
“Has John Black been doing that as well?” Jasper suddenly asked.
“Mm,” Geoffrey frowned. “No. Now that you ask, I don’t think he has. But then he wouldn’t have after what happened with Julia and Meggie.”
“Jasper,” came the hiss from a stand of saplings out of sight of the gate.
“Godfrey,” breathed Jasper, grinning at the man.
“You bring word from London?” asked the old man.
“Word and aid,” Jasper told him with a grin. “Gather all Roses you trust and meet at sunset. The thicket along the stream near the manor of the Root.”
“What aid?” Godfrey muttered. “We would need an army to cleanse York.” He waved at Jasper. “No, lad. The sun sets in two hours. I’ll have the trusted Roses there. Come, Geoffrey. I’ll need you to get the ones furthest. You know who I mean?”
“Aye, Granda,” the boy nodded, grinning at his uncle. “I can get mine before you get yours.”
“Scamp,” the man chuckled fondly as the boy rode off. “What are you not telling us, Jas?”
“You’ll see,” Jasper promised, reaching out and clasping his hand. “But it’s the best news, my captain. I swear to you.”
At the old title, tears were blinked away. Godfrey nodded.
“God speed, Jas.”
“For the Rose,” replied Jasper.
Trembling, Rose was glad she rode before Daffyd as the sun set. Home. This was home. The Elders killed my parents. Although she knew she would be the focus, Anna wanted the initial meeting to be between Rose, Godfrey and Geoffrey. ‘You’ve been too long apart,’ she had smiled, outlining her plan. ‘All of you,’ she glanced at Jasper to include him. ‘Have been the most faithful Roses a Root could wish for. Uniting your family is the first step in cleansing York,” she stated firmly, echoing the words Jasper had said Godfrey had used.
And so, with Anna and Owain at the head of the column, plus Jasper to show them the way, Daffyd, with her before him, would ride into the thicket behind Anna, with Root Raoul next to them. Rose and Daffyd had glanced worriedly at the Heirs. Armand had merely winked at her. Etienne seemed more concerned about his father.
As they rode around York to the east, Anna gestured for Daffyd to ride nearer.
“Does any of this seem familiar?” she asked Rose.
“A little bit,” she replied, her gaze going over the wall of the city a mile to their west. “I think Granda’s house was to the north. A bit beyond the wall.”
Jasper had reined in near enough to hear her answer and nodded.
“You’ve a good memory,” he smiled. “It was half a mile to the north. We’d have races to see who could run from captain to Root and back.”
“You won,” Rose guessed.
>
“Not I,” he shook his head. “Your uncle Will did. He was like a rabbit none of us could catch. Your father and I would try to beat each other. He won most until I got older.”
Rose smiled, as she learned more about her father. Jasper had been a willing storyteller regarding her parents, about Godfrey and Geoffrey. But he’d refused to discuss his wife. Rose hadn’t pressed him. All she’d had to do was watch Owain with Anna, secretly pregnant with their first child, and imagine his grief if anything like that had happened to her. Except Rose was certain Owain wouldn’t let the villains live. What must Granda and then Geoffrey have gone through? And Jasper? To constantly be around, to have to serve the Elders? What agony!
“We’re nearly there,” announced Jasper, riding slightly ahead of them again.
His arms holding Rose securely, Daffyd returned the gelding to behind Anna.
“Soon, sweetheart,” he murmured in her ear. “Are you excited?”
“Excited and nervous,” she whispered, resting her head on his chest. “What if they don’t like me?”
“They’ll love you as much as I do,” he told her. “And if they don’t, well, I’ll kidnap you to the March and only Owain and Griffin will ever be able to find us. No one will ever bother you, or threaten you,” he buried his head briefly against her hair. “God’s blood, I couldn’t bear to lose you the way Jasper lost his wife. In such a way.”
“I was just thinking that,” she nodded.
“Sir Godfrey,” Jasper called out in a normal voice.
“Aye, Sir Jasper,” came a voice from Rose’s past. “You’ve quite a company with you.”
“I do indeed, Captain,” he replied as Anna pushed her hood back. “Captain. Roses of York. Our Root has returned.”
For a heartbeat, the thirty Roses in the thicket stared.
“The eyes,” Godfrey breathed, falling to his knees. Geoffrey knelt beside him as the others followed them. “You’ve Lady Alinor’s eyes. Oh, that I lived this long, Root Anna.”
“Thank you, Captain,” she replied. “And I brought you something as well.”
As she spoke, Daffyd dismounted then reached up. He caught Rose by the waist and as soon as her feet were on the ground, she was moving.