“Don’t you dare take this upon yourself, Larkin. You offered to help me. I sent you away.” And because he stood there without speaking a word, she continued to rage at him. She told him to quit being such a man. He was not responsible for her. On and on she went, until there was nothing left. When she had finished, he merely watched and waited, his expression serene. She opened her mouth to say more but shut it.
“Are you finished?” he asked calmly.
When she could think of naught else to say, Anna discovered that Larkin had given her exactly what she needed: someone to rail against. She hadn’t felt this good in years. He was too smart by any measure, and she was immediately wary.
• • •
It was clear to Lark that Roger had struck Lady Aubrianne, and more than once. “I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble by allowing you to tend to my hand,” he told her. “I would rather lose my finger than see you hurt.”
When she spoke out again, her words sounded more weary than angry. “You must think very highly of yourself if you believe this was about you. My trouble started years ago.”
He reached out and cupped her chin, tilting her face up. He’d been mistaken earlier. The sallow color near her eye was not from any illness. The sunlight told him a different story. He frowned at the red welt high on her cheek and the cut on her along her jawbone. She met his gaze steadily, daring him to speak.
When he daubed away a smear of blood on her chin, her eyes softened at the gesture, and his breath hitched. In that instant, his heart was lost. He would accede to anything she asked. “What would you have me do, m’lady?”
Her eyes told him everything: an overwhelming need to be protected, then a resolute denial of the very idea. Lark nodded and removed his hand. “Nothing, then. But know this: he will not touch you again while I am here. Not even if you beg me to let him. I swear this to you.”
Before she could comment, a tiny woman inserted herself between them, the back of her head coming no higher than his chest. Lark could not help but smile. First Will, and now this speck of a woman. Lady Aubrianne had brave friends indeed. Used to making people cower, this was a new experience for Lark.
The woman—her maid, Lark guessed—studied Aubrianne’s face. “If we put a cold cloth on that right away, it might not bruise this time,” she stated, ignoring the man towering behind her. “He’ll be one of the Royal Guard, then?” Grainne deduced.
“Yes. Larkin, this is my friend Grainne.” Grainne beamed at him, squaring her shoulders.
“I’m her maid, m’lord.” Lady Aubrianne rolled her eyes.
He bowed to Grainne. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Grainne. And I am no lord; that title has gone to my older brother.” He wondered what had prompted his admission.
“Larkin, if your finger troubles you,” Lady Aubrianne reminded him, “find Grainne.”
He nodded, then leaned forward. “I meant what I promised you, m’lady.”
“I know,” she replied, and stepped away.
Larkin’s only thought at the moment was to control the urge to beat Roger to a pulp. But she had turned back to him, and the pain in her eyes took the wind from his rage.
“Larkin,” she began, “in the stable, you said if ever I needed a favor…”
“You need only ask, Lady Aubrianne,” he prompted, and waited for her to give him permission to pulverize Roger into dust. Her request was not what he expected.
“I do not want the others to know. I say this not out of pride, nor even to protect him.” She glanced at Grainne. “My people have withstood more years of abuse than I. I can bear them knowing. But Baldric and the others—I cannot fathom it would make a difference if they knew. Do I have your word that you’ll not mention this?”
“Lady Aubrianne, surely you do not think that Baldric would…” Lark halted midsentence as disappointment filled her eyes. Reluctantly, he assented, “You have my word.”
“Then I thank you, Larkin.”
Lady Aubrianne then disappeared into the castle. Her maid scrutinized him a moment longer, and then followed her mistress. Lark stalked back to the others.
Baldric must have sensed his mood. “Come, Roger, let us walk off these fine pasties.”
Lark’s eyes bored into Roger’s back as they walked away. Trian whispered to him so the others could not hear. “Just make sure we have proof of his treachery before you kill him.”
“Am I so transparent?” Lark asked.
Trian grinned. “Only to me. And Baldric, of course.”
Chapter Thirty-One—Anna’s Ride
“I’m off to find Gilles,” Anna explained to Grainne once they reached her chamber. Grainne placed her hands on her hips in disapproval. “Say your piece, Grainne. I’m in a hurry.”
“Will he keep his word, m’lady?” Grainne asked.
“I believe him to be honorable,” Anna replied. “Now, if I am to return with Gilles before supper, I have to leave. Can you pack my saddlebag and send it to Will? He’ll have already saddled Tully,” Anna explained. “And, Grainne, I don’t want anyone to know it’s me going. Baldric would never allow me to leave, at least not by myself. He’ll think I’m Will. We are the same height, and I’ve borrowed his hat to hide my hair. No one will be the wiser.”
“Then why not let Will go, m’lady?” Grainne suggested hopefully.
“Three reasons,” Anna stated. “One, he needs to tend to the horses. Two, Tullian is the fastest horse and he’ll only let me ride him. And three, well, I feel the need to ride.” Anna gave what she hoped was an engaging smile, trying to hide her worry. There was a fourth reason: she needed time to think about what she was going to do once she returned to the keep.
“You only needed to mention number three, m’lady,” Grainne stated with a beleaguered sigh, then turned before leaving the chamber. “And I’ll make sure to check in on your friend Larkin while you’re away.” She was gone before Anna could reply.
Something about Grainne’s tone discomfited her, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Anna shrugged. She donned Will’s floppy hat, pulling it low. She headed to the stable. When she reached Tullian’s stall, she leapt onto her great horse’s back. “See you later, Will. Remember, keep out of sight if you can.”
“I will, m’lady. Ride safely.” They laughed at how ridiculous he sounded, both knowing full well that she would ride as recklessly as possible.
As she left the stable, Baldric and his men turned their heads to watch her. How could they not? Tullian was magnificent. To distract their attention from her, Anna put him into a high-stepping trot. He performed beautifully. “All right, Tully-boy,” she whispered, “time to run!” He lunged forward, and they galloped through the gate. In record time, they made it to the mill crossing. Anna chanced a look behind. No riders pursued.
Chapter Thirty-Two—Explanations
“Find Roger,” Baldric ordered Ailwen. “I want to know where that rider is headed.” But Roger was already walking over to the gathered men.
“I see that you were admiring my greatest horse,” he said, “sire to all that I am breeding.”
“Where is that rider headed?” Baldric demanded, in no mood for Roger’s gilded tongue.
“There are broodmares in the southwest hills,” he explained smoothly. “The rider you saw went to retrieve them.”
Lark stepped closer, shouldering Roger out of the way to confer with Baldric.
“What is this about?” Roger shouted. “You arrive uninvited and question me as if you have a right to know what I do on my own land. I insist you tell me what is going on.”
Lark raised an eyebrow in amusement. He would not have thought it possible, but Roger’s face darkened to a deeper shade of red. “As I understand it, it is your wife who breeds the mares. And to her stallion, Tullian.” He ignored Roger’s sputtering and turned back to Baldric. “The rider headed to the mill, then crossed the river and continued southeast. It’s consistent with Roger’s explanation.” Still, Lark was troubled. Something was not
quite right.
Baldric nodded, then addressed Roger. “We’ll speak later about the King’s reasons for our arrival. For now, Roger, just know that the King believes men from Nifolhad have breached our shores. Do you believe your rider to have safe passage to the mares?”
“That rider, on that steed, is better able than most,” Roger answered. “If there is any danger, I am not worried in the least for the safety of the mares.”
It wasn’t lost on anyone that Roger’s concern was not for the rider, only his property. Baldric suggested they meet in the great hall in an hour to discuss the King’s reason for their mission. In the meantime, he and his men could be shown to their quarters.
• • •
Gorman was in the stable harassing Will when Lord Roger found him. “My chamber, Gorman. Now!”
Gorman followed like a dog at heel. He knew firsthand how cruel his lord could be when displeased. And right at this moment, Lord Roger was seething. “Report,” he ordered, once they were in the chamber.
“I circled ’round the immediate area, m’lord,” Gorman began. “The only tracks I found belonged to Baldric and his men. I followed the signs for over an hour and didn’t see any divergent trails. Six riders total.”
“Assign a man to ride farther east to make sure,” Lord Roger commanded. “Anything else?”
“No, m’lord,” Gorman stated. “Just Cellach’s trail, riding south to the mares as was reported this morning.”
Lord Roger sat and motioned for Gorman to join him. “Godwin suspects foul play. Why else would he have sent Baldric? Send someone you trust to relay what is happening here.” His lord paused and stared into the dead ashes in the hearth. “The timing could not have been worse. My brother is waiting for me to join him not a day’s ride from here. If Baldric sends one of the guards west…”
“Beg pardon, m’lord,” Gorman ventured, “mayhap the timing is perfect.”
Lord Roger’s eyes gleamed. He leaned forward. “What did you have in mind?”
• • •
The earlier meeting in the great hall went as expected. As Baldric walked to the center of the courtyard, Lark kept close to his side. Near the fountain, Baldric reaffirmed his certainty that Roger was colluding with Nifolhad.
“The man played his part expertly,” Lark said admiringly. “In one brief meeting, he explained away the mysterious tracks found in this region, and Ragallach’s involvement with the Nifolhadajans. His offer of a list of the tradesmen who have had business dealings with the men from Nifolhad will work to our benefit, I think. We’ll know who is loyal to him that much easier.”
“Pass the word to the others,” Baldric commanded. “I want a watch placed on our corridor while we sleep. I would also like to speak to Lady Aubrianne. She is Chevring-bred through and through, and my heart revolts against the idea that she is involved in this mess.”
“I’ve met the lady, Baldric. Your heart speaks true. She knows something, but I think she has not trust enough to speak,” Lark confided. “Her woman, Grainne, is loyal to her lady. And Will, the young man from the stable. He was ready to fight me to protect his mistress.”
“Fight you?” Baldric demanded, “Please tell me you didn’t mistakenly threaten Lady Aubrianne.”
“Of course not—the boy protected her out of instinct.” He looked at the stable and thought of his horse. “I’d like to check on Rabbit. I missed a nasty burr, and Lady Aubrianne tended to him.”
“I’ll join you,” Baldric offered.
When they entered the stable, both men were surprised to find Will feeding the horses. The mares must have been close for him to have returned so quickly. A woman stood nearby, speaking in hushed tones. She wore a long white apron covered with food stains. Lark shook his head as Baldric, a man who loved his stomach more than anything save his family, introduced himself.
“Forgive my interruption,” Baldric begged, approaching the woman. “From your attire, I see that you must be the person who prepared those delicious pasties.” Patting his stomach, Baldric continued, “I’m embarrassed to say that I ate three.” Lark held up five fingers, earning a scowl from Baldric. “Perhaps four, I lost count. Poor Lord Roger, we spared not a single one for him.”
Lark smiled and left Baldric to his conversation, and went to see Rabbit. His horse had every amenity: clean water, oats, and fresh hay. His wound had been left uncovered, allowing the air to aid in the healing process. The sore was much improved. Behind him, he could hear Baldric talking to the woman—Doreen, she had said loud enough for him to hear. Lark checked the other stalls for the beautiful stallion he had seen earlier. The great horse was not there. Nor were the mares that were to be retrieved.
He felt the telltale prickle on the back of his neck that warned him when something was amiss. He’d had it in the courtyard when Will had ridden away on Tullian. Thinking back, Roger had never said that it was Will who had cantered out. And where was Will’s absurd hat? It was on the head of the other rider, of course. It occurred to him then, he’d known it even as he observed the horse and rider galloping away—where Will’s lanky frame caused him to move awkwardly, the long form of the rider had been graceful.
“Will, where is Tullian, and who was riding him?” But Lark already knew the answer.
“Out, m’lord,” Will answered nervously, edging closer to the rear exit of the stable.
“I can see that he is out,” Lark stated, taking a step forward. Will stopped retreating and stood his ground. “What I want to know is out where, and with whom?”
“Here now, sir, you leave off my boy,” Doreen ordered. “He owes you no explanation.”
“It’s all right, Mum. She said not to lie if asked.” The stable hand stood straighter and met Lark’s darkening eyes. “There’s but one rider Tullian will allow on his back: Lady Aubrianne. She’s gone to fetch her mares.”
“Lord Roger knew his wife was riding out on Tullian?” Baldric had come forward and nearly bellowed his question.
“Of course, my lord. It was he who sent her.”
Baldric was incensed. “Lark, can you track her?” Lark didn’t hear him. He was already pulling his saddle from the tack room.
“But m’lord, she’ll be back with—”
“I don’t care,” Baldric shouted. “Her father and I go back a long way. He would do the same for my daughters if he thought they were in the slightest danger. If she is already returning Lark will just escort her the rest of the way. Now, help him saddle his horse.”
“I’ll take care of Rabbit, Will,” Lark stated. “You can help me by collecting my gear from my room. On second thought, there’s no time. I have my sword and knife.”
“I’ll go and question Roger,” Baldric added.
“Pardon, m’lord,” Will said. “He departed two hours ago.”
Lark shot a meaningful glance at Baldric. “You didn’t happen to hear where he was headed?” his mentor asked.
Will shook his head. “No, but it was he and seven of his men, m’lord. They rode off in pairs, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest.” Baldric narrowed his eyes, and Lark was curious to know why a simple stable boy had taken time to note the exact details of his lord’s departure.
“His man Gorman is still here,” Doreen interjected, taking the attention off her son. “Probably in the barracks eating.”
Will had reached into his pocket for a clean rag and was placing it between Rabbit’s side and the saddle’s cinch, while Baldric drew Lark aside to confer. “Smart, riding off in different directions. He knows I won’t split up our group to go in search of him. We’ll have to wait for his return.”
“Stay close to Warin and the others,” Lark cautioned. “We don’t know who we can trust.” He turned to see Will attaching a small bundle, a waterskin, and a bedroll to Rabbit’s saddle.
“My supper, sir, in case you don’t find her right off.” Lark nodded and jumped onto his steed.
“M’lord, the fastest route is by the mill, then on to the
valley,” Will advised. “When it turns west, head east. We hid the mares in the fertile glens; you should be able to pick up the trail then. If you don’t, cross over the first stream, then follow the second south. You’ll see where the mares bedded down last night. If you miss Lady Aubrianne’s tracks, you won’t miss those left by the horses.”
Sensing his master’s impatience to be off, Rabbit pawed at the stable floor and snorted violently. “One more thing, sir,” Will advised. “Ride as hard as Rabbit can take. Lady Aubrianne was in one of her moods. She won’t spare any thought for a leisurely ride. More than likely, she’s already reached the mares.” Lark gave Rabbit his lead, and they bounded from the stable.
• • •
Will watched as Lark tore through the courtyard and out the main gate riding as expertly as his lady. His mother had turned to speak to Baldric, and he heard the worry in her voice. “My good friend Grainne has spoken highly of yon guard. If Lady Aubrianne is in any danger, he’ll be able to protect her, won’t he?”
Baldric nodded. “If anyone can, it is Lark. I would trust him with my own family.”
“He’ll have help. My man, Gilles, is with the mares,” she said proudly.
“Let me escort you back to the castle, Doreen, and you can tell me what to expect for supper.”
Before they left, his mother turned to him. “As soon as you’re done here, Will, come along to the kitchen. I’ll fix a new meal for you. Perhaps enough for two,” she amended when Lord Baldric held out his arm for her to take.
“Thanks, Mum. I’ll be along in a moment.” He finished settling the horses and was on his way to the kitchen and the promise of his mother’s cooking. He had almost made it when Gorman blocked his path.
“Was that the guard Larkin who rode out?” the brute demanded. Will nodded. “Why was I not informed? Tell me what you know!”
As quickly as he could, Will explained that Lord Baldric was concerned for Lady Aubrianne’s safety and had sent the guard after her. He ducked his head as Gorman’s hand shot out to box his ear.
Wild Lavender: The Aurelian Guard - Book One Page 16