Foremost (The Lost Princesses Book 2)

by Jody Hedlund

  “And you discovered she felt the same for you?”

  I shook my head. “She may care about me, may even feel something for me. But it cannot compare with my devotion to her.”

  “She loves you too. Everyone can see it.”

  My heart gave an extra beat at his observation. Even if he was right, however, it couldn’t stop me from trying to clear her name and give her the freedom to continue her work as a physician. “Maribel is a naturally loving person. But her love for me isn’t strong enough for marriage.” I met Christopher’s gaze, hoping he’d see the truth of my words.

  “With time, her love will grow stronger.”

  “With time, she will grow to despise me if I trap her into a union.” Although I’d marry Maribel in the blink of an eye, I’d never force her. Nor would I allow the queen to force her.

  “You should have thought of that when you slept with her.”

  “Nothing happened between us. We were both cold and exhausted. I did what I could to protect her and keep her warm.”

  “And that involved kissing her again?” Christopher was direct and truthful. Under normal circumstances, I would have appreciated his frankness. But not at this moment, not when so much was at stake.

  “I was half asleep and didn’t realize what I was doing.” I lied, of course. Perhaps Maribel had still been half asleep, but I’d been fully awake and had known exactly what was happening. If we hadn’t been in imminent danger, I wasn’t sure I could have resisted her for long. Even though I’d vowed not to kiss her again. “It was a mistake.”

  “Now you must rectify that mistake.”

  Dried brush in the fire crackled, shooting sparks into the air and reflecting the unsettled emotions sparking inside me. I chose my next words carefully. “You must know I desire nothing more than to marry Maribel. But she wishes to become a nun so she can continue using her abilities as a physician. She’s spent years perfecting her medicines and learning her skills. God has gifted her, and she doesn’t want that to be for naught.”

  “She can marry you and still help heal others.”

  “Very few would accept a woman physician. She’d likely be shunned. However, if she becomes a nun, people will more readily look to her for healing.”

  Christopher stared into the fire as though contemplating my words. Finally, his shoulders relaxed, and he made himself more comfortable against a boulder. “I would like to disagree with you, but I am afraid people are established in their ways. She would face many prejudices and obstacles as a woman practicing medicine.”

  “Precisely.”

  “I regret she will have to give up her aspirations.”

  “Would you have the woman you love give up her aspirations for you?”

  Christopher glanced to the tent where the women had retired. The hard lines around his eyes softened. “Never.”

  I felt no need to respond, for my answer echoed his. Instead, I laid my head back and studied the darkness overhead, the thin layer of clouds and the faint light of the stars that lay beyond. The quietness of the night was eerie. Except for the voices of the soldiers around the fire, I heard none of the usual sounds from owls or bats or even wolves. This high, mountainous part of the Highlands seemed devoid of all life.

  “I empathize with your dilemma,” Christopher said. “But you must also comprehend the precarious nature of the rebellion. Adelaide needs the support from as many people as possible and can ill afford to alienate anyone with rumors of impropriety within her family.”

  “I do understand,” I offered. A great deal more was at stake than just Maribel’s dream of being a physician. As one of the lost princesses, she was now part of a larger plan, one that went beyond her personal goals to those of an entire nation. Mercia had languished far too long and required healing on a much bigger scope than she’d be able to provide as a physician.

  “We all must make sacrifices.” Christopher’s voice was tinged with the sadness of one who’d already suffered. “And I am sorry for Maribel’s sake that she will have to sacrifice her ambition. But you must convince her that her goal now lies not in healing just a few but in seeing all of Mercia whole and healthy.”

  His words echoed my thoughts. They resounded with both wisdom and truth, and I realized he was a man I could respect. He was clearly an honorable and wise advisor to the queen.

  “If for no other reason, you must persuade Maribel for her own safety.”

  “Her safety?”

  “Ethelwulf sought Adelaide so he could wed her to his son, Prince Ethelrex. By such a union, he hoped to end the rebellion.”

  My heart thudded faster. Colette had spoken of the king’s intentions, but I’d put them from my mind, too busy with trying to survive to give her words credence. Apparently, I needed to be more vigilant than I’d realized. “Since the queen is now wedded to you, then you believe Ethelwulf will attempt to capture Maribel for the prince?”

  “I have no doubt of it.”

  I blew out a tight breath. I couldn’t let Maribel fall prey to his plans. “I understand the gravity of the situation. However, Maribel can persuade others but is not easily persuaded herself.”

  “Then she resembles her sister,” Christopher said wryly.

  I bent forward and tossed several more handfuls of brush onto the fire, knowing we needed to turn in for the night but not quite ready for our conversation to be over.

  “They are both strong and beautiful women,” Christopher added. “And they will not be tamed. Nor should they be. Even so, there are ways to soften their wills.”

  “Soften? How?”

  Christopher grinned. “You will learn.”

  I thought to the kisses in the labyrinth, to the way Maribel had melted in my arms. “I don’t want to manipulate her.”

  Christopher’s grin widened. “I could never manipulate Adelaide, nor would I dare try.”

  “Then what would you suggest?”

  “A little affection can oft go a long way.”

  A little affection? I could show my affection, couldn’t I?

  The nuns had indulged Maribel’s whims, as had I. She’d grown up sheltered, among a community who loved her and would never harm her. As a result, Maribel loved and trusted freely. And I didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize her faith in me—especially coerce her into marrying me for her safety as well as the greater good of Mercia.

  Yet, as much as I wanted to support her becoming a nun, I knew Christopher was right. Not only was her destiny intertwined with the queen’s and Mercia’s, but her safety was at stake. I couldn’t allow Ethelwulf to force her to wed his son.

  We had to get married. Soon. And when that moment happened, I wanted her to love me. She’d never be able to love me with the same fervor as I loved her. That would be impossible. But as Christopher advised, I needed to do more to claim her affection.

  All these years, I’d remained silent and patient in my feelings for her. Was it time to finally pursue her with more ardor, to be more vocal and demonstrative? If she saw how much I loved her, perhaps she’d love me in return and be able to willingly give up her goal of becoming a nun. It wouldn’t be easy and she’d miss her work. But would my love for her be enough?

  I’d have to try to win her. It was the only thing left to do.

  At first light, we departed. Once again I rode with Maribel, squeezed behind her in the saddle. She was drowsy and leaned her head against my shoulder as though she would sleep longer.

  For a minute, I held myself away from her, just as I had yesterday. But after a few moments of trying to maintain my distance, my new resolve from the previous night’s conversation with Christopher needled me, reminding me I must make an effort to show her my attraction and woo her at the same time.

  I wiggled my gloved fingers on my thigh, trying to gain the courage to reach for her hand and hold it in mine.

  We rode behind Christopher and Adelaide again today, and though the shadows of the early morning shrouded the couple, I noticed the way
Christopher had wrapped his arm around Adelaide’s waist. He bent forward and murmured in her ear. She responded by leaning back into him as if she’d taken pleasure in his contact.

  Did I dare follow Christopher’s lead? Of course, he was married and had every right to hold his wife. But still, if I had any hope of winning Maribel, I needed to do more.

  I stretched my fingers, and then before I could talk myself out of anything, I slipped my arm around her middle. The move seemed to jolt her awake. She started and stiffened.

  Embarrassed heat climbed into my neck, and I was grateful for the shadows that hid my flush. I was tempted to withdraw, but I swallowed my timidity and leaned forward until my lips brushed her ear.

  She sucked in a sharp breath, which told me she was fully awake now and aware of my nearness. She didn’t move, as though waiting for me to do more.

  But what? What should I do next? Perhaps say something?

  My mind began to spin. What could I say to Maribel to show her my ardor? I hesitated, but then realized I was breathing in her ear, which was mortifying. I swallowed hard. “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?”

  Once the words were out, I wanted to slap my head. Couldn’t I come up with something more original? More poetic? More chivalrous? Perhaps tonight at the campfire, I would ask Christopher for advice on how to woo a woman. I obviously had no skill at it.

  To my surprise, Maribel’s hand slipped over mine where it rested on her waist. Her fingers splayed against mine. I wished we weren’t wearing gloves, that I could feel the smoothness of her skin. Nevertheless, warmth spread through my chest at the realization she hadn’t pushed me away, that she’d even accepted my attention.

  “You told me my hair was pretty the other day,” she said, almost shyly. “But no, you have never mentioned that you think I am beautiful.”

  The heat in my neck rose higher. I wanted to find a way to lighten the mood, to shift the conversation to something playful, as I usually did when the topic turned too serious. But I was already wading into unfamiliar territory, and I couldn’t back out now.

  I bent in again to her ear. “You are, without question, the most beautiful woman I know.”

  She laughed lightly, a pleasant sound. “Edmund, you only know two women—Colette and me.”

  My mind flashed with a dozen witty responses, but I threw them all away. Instead, I pressed closer. “You are the only woman I need to know.”

  The seriousness of my tone must have surprised her as much as it did me because I could feel the quick catch of her breath again.

  I didn’t want to frighten her with an abundance of zeal all at once, so I sat up straight. I tried to think of something else to say, but my thoughts jumbled together so much that I almost missed Sheba’s distant call.

  The hint of warning penetrated my haze. I listened more carefully, and this time her communication was clear. Men were pursuing and closing in around us.

  “Lord Langley,” I shouted, urging my steed forward.

  Christopher glanced at me over his shoulder.

  “We need to prepare for battle. Ethelwulf’s soldiers are nearly upon us from the southwest.”

  At my terse warning, Christopher reared his horse around and began issuing orders. His men immediately scattered to do his bidding. I scanned the surrounding area to find a safe place for the women. Up ahead sat a grouping of boulders. The formation of the rocks would provide a wall of sorts to shield them from arrows and any other dangers.

  Even as I spurred the horse toward the safe spot, Sheba’s squawk resounded closer. Christopher glanced up to the sky, apparently now hearing her. She flew high, circling above us.

  “How much time do we have?” Christopher called as he scanned the rocky terrain, likely deciding where to position himself now that his knights were scrambling into places.

  “A few minutes. Maybe a little longer.” Sheba usually gave me more advance warning. My guess was that yesterday’s hunting had worn her out, and she hadn’t noticed the enemy’s approach as early as she might have otherwise.

  Christopher nodded curtly. “I shall remain hidden and take out as many as I can with my bow and arrow. You stay with Maribel and protect her.”

  “What about the queen?”

  A glance around showed that Adelaide, with several other knights, was already riding back down the path we’d traversed.

  “Firmin will defend her with his life.” Christopher motioned toward the giant soldier galloping behind her.

  “I’ll protect her along with Maribel among those boulders yonder.”

  “If the battle becomes too dangerous, I shall bring her to you.” With that, Christopher urged his horse toward higher ground.

  Thankfully, Maribel didn’t protest as we dismounted and took cover among the rocks. And I was grateful she was of the mind to hide away, unlike her sister who had plunged headlong into coming danger.

  “Stay low and near the horse,” I cautioned Maribel. “And if anything happens to me, you must get back on and ride away as fast as you can.”

  I’d considered asking Sheba to carry Maribel, and perhaps I still would. Even if the eagle was weary, she could lift Maribel out of harm’s way faster than the horse could.

  “What about you?” Maribel crouched behind a boulder that was double her size.

  I already had my sword in one hand and dagger in the other. Although my wounded shoulder ached, it was healing well thanks to Maribel’s careful attention. I hoped I would find the strength I needed for the battle. “I’ll be fine, Maribel. I may not have learned everything Wade tried to teach me, but I can fight well enough.”

  As I spoke, a cry of alarm rose into the air, the sign the enemy was upon us.

  Chapter

  17

  Maribel

  The battle echoed all around me. The clash of metal against metal, the pounding of hooves, the shouts of commanders, and the groans of the wounded and dying.

  Terrified, I huddled in the spot where Edmund had insisted I wait. Although I couldn’t see him, I knew he crouched nearby. He’d already engaged in combat with a soldier who’d ridden past. While I hadn’t been able to see the fight from my hiding place, I’d heard every gravelly footstep, every clank of swords, and every grunt, even the one that told me Edmund had wounded his opponent.

  When Edmund had checked on me a moment later, I’d wanted to throw my arms around him and demand he stay hidden with me. But the grim set of his lips and the crimson dripping from his sword had frozen me in my spot. The idea of men taking the lives of other men went against everything I’d ever learned and been trained to do as a healer.

  Mostly, I was worried something would happen to Edmund, that he’d be hurt again.

  Have I ever told you how beautiful you are? His words from earlier reverberated through my body. You are the only woman I need to know.

  I wasn’t sure what had prompted his boldness, but his declaration had done something to my insides I couldn’t explain, almost as if they’d expanded within my chest, making the space there larger and in need of more of him.

  Shutting my eyes and fingering my rosary, I lifted a prayer for him, for Adelaide, for all the rebels. I’d already come close to losing Edmund on several other occasions over the past week. I didn’t want anything to happen today.

  At a crunching step behind me, my eyes flew open. Before I could turn, a gloved hand slid over my mouth as the scent of leather and horseflesh assaulted my nostrils. The strong hand bruised and nearly suffocated me with the pressure as I was dragged backward.

  It took several seconds for my mind to register what was happening, that the enemy had discovered my hiding place and had crept in from behind. Once the realization hit me, I started to kick and twist and cry out, even though the sound was muffled.

  A sharp prick against my spine stopped me. “Don’t fight me, Your Highness,” came a low voice. “You’ll fare much better if you cooperate.”

  As my captor began to force me back once more, I ceased
my struggle, the painful tip of a knife urging me to submit and move faster.

  Sheba cried out and circled overhead. Had she seen my predicament? I willed her to swoop down and carry me away.

  “Shoot that eagle,” my captor issued the command, “before it causes us any more trouble.”

  “No!” I screamed, but the hand cupped across my mouth stifled the sound.

  “Ah,” my captor sneered. “The eagle is your pet?”

  “Maribel!” Edmund shouted, racing around the boulder.

  The prick in my back moved to my throat right beneath my chin. “Don’t come any farther,” my captor said. “Or I’ll take pleasure in carving the princess up.”

  Edmund halted. He was only a dozen paces away, and yet it felt like a league. In an instant he took in the situation, his eyes flickering to me, my captor, and then behind me. The lines in his face hardened, and his shoulders stiffened. He gave a sharp whistle just as the twang of an arrow punctured the air.

  I couldn’t lift my head, but at the angry oath from the bowman, I guessed he’d missed Sheba.

  “Let the princess go, Theobald,” Edmund demanded in an unyielding tone, one I’d never heard him use before.

  Theobald? The captain who’d murdered Edmund’s family?

  The captain’s grip remained unrelenting. “So Princess Constance decided to have a Fera Agmen guard her sister.”

  Apparently, King Ethelwulf’s people still called Adelaide by the name our parents had given her. And they apparently also refused to acknowledge her title as queen.

  “Your skills might have given you a warning of our advance,” the captain continued with his condescending tone, “but it won’t prevent us from taking what we came to get.” He jerked me back painfully, and the rocks that scraped against my legs caused me to cry out.