His time was running out, though. He would be permitted to stay at Rushen for only a few more days, then he would have to move on. The Earl of Salisbury was not a man one could annoy and not expect to suffer some kind of consequences.
Letting the final notes from his lute fade into nothingness, Nicholas accepted the goblet of wine one of the pageboys offered him. It was welcome after his performance to wet his dry throat and to give him the confidence needed to confront the earl. Swallowing all the wine in two large gulps, he then wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his tunic. It was time to face the dragon.
The earl as before ignored him when he stood before the dais. Not wanting a repeat of the previous evening, Nicholas loudly cleared his throat. The earl glared down at him in irritation.
Executing an elaborate bow, which he hoped would impress the earl, he began to speak. "My lord, I wonder if I can have a moment of your time?"
Saying the earl was perturbed by Nicholas's impudence in addressing him personally, was putting it mildly. He looked down at Nicholas with complete revulsion. "What could a lowly minstrel possibly have to say that I would deem of any importance?" Then with a negligent wave of his hand, he dismissed the man before him. "Be gone, before I have you thrown in my dungeon."
Nicholas felt a moment of hesitation. He had heard much about the earl's dungeon during the short time he had been at Rushen. It was situated beneath the guardroom, within the keep. Prisoners had to be lowered down by ropes to the dungeon below. Scarcely a ray of light penetrated the gloom down in that miserable place.
Willing to take his chances, Nicholas persevered. "My lord, please do not belittle what I have to impart to you. It is of grave importance."
Surging to his feet, the earl leaned upon the trestle table to stare down at Nicholas. "Have you no sense? I thought I made myself perfectly clear."
Nicholas bowed his head submissively. "Aye, you did, my lord. But what I have to say will affect you greatly." Lifting his head, he found the earl staring at him intently. "I have information in regards to your daughter and her husband."
The earl straightened, then motioned for Nicholas to follow him. Leaving the hall, he pulled the minstrel into a dark corner outside in the bailey. A full moon high above provided limited illumination to see.
"Speak minstrel, and if you are wasting my time, you will pay for disturbing me."
Nicholas adamantly shook his head in denial. "Nay, my lord. I would never trifle with you."
"Then get on with it man. My patience grows thin."
"Your daughter's husband, the Earl of Somerset, has died." Even with the limited amount of light, Nicholas was able to see the earl flinch.
"When did this happen?"
"A month ago, my lord." Nicholas began to relax. It was quite obvious to him, judging by the earl's reaction, he had not known this.
The earl was not at all pleased with the information the minstrel passed on to him. After all the machination and wooing, was it for naught? He did not like to lose, ever. Looking at the minstrel, he recognized the sly side of the man. Something he saw in himself. Narrowing his eyes, he began to question the minstrel. It was easy to see the man knew more than what he had said so far. He seemed quite pleased with himself.
"How well do you know of my relationship with Forwin? I have the feeling you were closely acquainted with the man."
Nicholas let a knowing smile play upon his lips. "I know all, my lord. And other things you were never privy to."
When the minstrel did not continue, the earl could easily guess what he wanted to receive in return. The man expected to be rewarded for the information he would impart.
"You will be rewarded." Backing the minstrel further into the corner, he saw a flash of fear cross his face. Satisfied with his reaction, he then calmly said, "Now, tell me all. Do not leave out anything. And if you decide to ever come back once I am done with you, to seek more coin for what you know, it will only end with your being one of my guests. In my dungeon."
The earl was shrewd indeed. That thought had passed Nicholas's mind more than once before meeting with him. But being in his presence, Nicholas knew he would be risking his very life if he tried such a thing as the earl had said. "I will tell you all, my lord. I was wronged just as you were. To see you exact retribution on those who cheated you will please me to no end."
Chapter Twenty Two
Even though they felt time was of the essence, Terric was ever mindful of his small son in their midst. Whenever Jordan began to cry, needing to be fed or have his bottom changed, his father would find an appropriate place to stop.
At night, both pavilions were set up, allowing Jacqueline and Terric a modicum of privacy, a place away from Beth and Edwin. The only other person who shared their pavilion was Jordan.
Their first night on the road, Beth took Jordan to stay with Edwin and herself, giving his parents the much needed time to get reacquainted with one another for which Jacqueline was very thankful.
That night, Jacqueline felt as if everything would be all right in the world again. Being in Terric's arms did that for her. After such a long separation and almost losing each other, consummating their marriage was all the sweeter for it. The bonds they had made in the past were reaffirmed.
Falling into each other's arms once alone, lips met with a burning need. This first time was quick and desperate. Later, after they had staunched their driving hunger, that would be the time for a long, gentle loving.
Molding Jacqueline's soft curves to his body, Terric rocked his throbbing erection against her. He had not touched another woman during their long separation. The need to be inside her overrode all else. Pulling at Jacqueline's clothes, he quickly peeled them off her body. Once she was gloriously naked before him, Terric stepped back and shucked his own.
Jacqueline skimmed Terric's body with her gaze. Finding him fully engorged and standing erect, she let her fingers trail down the length of him. His shaft jumped beneath her fingertips causing her body to ache and weep with desire.
Taking her hand off of him, Terric growled, "Enough. You do much more of that and this will end before we have even started."
Wrapping Jacqueline in his arms once more, Terric kissed her with all of the love and desire he felt for her. Sucking her tongue into his mouth, he entwined it with his. She tasted like heaven.
Terric lowered Jacqueline to the floor. Following her down, he ran his hands down her back until he cupped her bottom. He rubbed his cock against her clit. The wetness pooled at her opening, coated the very tip of him. He moaned at finding her already more than ready for him.
Nudging Jacqueline's legs further apart with his body, Terric surged into her wet canal. Jacqueline groaned and clutched at his back. The feel of her body embracing him sent Terric over the edge. Pulling out slightly, he slammed back into her.
Wrapping her legs around Terric's waist, Jacqueline held on as he pounded into her. He wasn't gentle, but she didn't want gentleness right now. She wanted him hot and hard inside her. As he pushed into her, she could feel him almost touching her womb, he was in so deep. Matching his pounding thrusts, she felt her body clench as her climax washed through her. Jacqueline moaned when Terric soon followed her, filling her with his seed.
Lying in his arms, now curled up against his naked body, Jacqueline felt that if she were to die at this very moment, she would die a happy woman. Not that she intended to do any such thing, she mused.
Propping herself up on one elbow, she looked down at her husband. Terric's eyes were closed, but she knew he was not asleep. Without opening his eyes, he smiled then asked, "Are you going to stare at me like that all night?"
"I would not find it a hardship. Just the opposite to be exact."
Terric opened his eyes and reached up to gently tuck her hair behind her ear. During the months of being apart, her hair had grown back in. It was not as long as it once was, but it now hung past her shoulders. He loved her hair, the color of auburn that turned a burnished copper in the fi
relight. Running his hand through the full length of it, he watched how it curled around his fingers as if it were possessively holding him close.
"Have I told you how much I love you, Jacqueline?"
Leaning down, she kissed him on the chin, feeling the stubble from the new growth of beard that was beginning to show. "Oh, just a few hundred times these past few days."
"Good. I do not want a day to go by that I do not tell you." Seeing the smile fade from Jacqueline's lips, Terric pulled her back down to his chest, holding her close. "What is bothering you?"
"I hope I have not brought you into something you will regret later. Or get you hurt."
Holding her closer, Terric shook his head. "Do not say that. Do not even think it. You have made me a very happy man being my wife. These past few months have been a living hell, not having you by my side. I never want to go through that again."
"Nor would I." Knowing she had to try to get some sleep before Jordan woke up wanting to be nursed, Jacqueline let her eyes drift closed. On the morrow they would continue their journey to Nunney. Once they reached the castle, then she could lay her fears to rest.
* * * *
The days it took to travel to Nunney were passing pleasantly. The weather was holding, and there was no rain to dampen their spirits. Having to contend with wet and mud would have made the trip extremely trying.
For the small group of travelers, the days on the road were euphoric. There were no pressing matters to deal with, no intrigues affecting their lives. Those were forgotten at least for the time being. An old bond was re-established while a new one began to form.
Each evening Terric and Jacqueline retired to one pavilion with their son, leaving Beth and Edwin to share the other. The first night had been uncomfortable for them both. Beth trusted Edwin to act appropriately, but she still felt a trifle uneasy sharing the pavilion alone with him. The emotions she felt while in his presence she was just not ready to face. Even though William's passing was over a year and half gone, Beth could not let go of him as of yet. She had a feeling she might never be ready, so the emotions Edwin engendered made her feel as if she were betraying William.
Because of that, she tried to distance herself from Edwin. He noticed the change immediately. Therefore, knowing she would want more privacy, he hung a dividing sheet from one of the spokes on the pavilion roof supports essentially creating a separate room for Beth to sleep within. The gesture was not lost on her.
With that one small kindness, Beth began to relax around Edwin. The second night she started the ritual of having a goblet of wine with him before retiring to her part of the pavilion. While they drank, they also talked about a lot of things.
Edwin spoke of his childhood on the streets of London. How his mother had been a whore and he had no idea who his father was. But what affected Beth the most was hearing how his mother had abandoned him to the streets at the tender age of five. It made her heart break for the small, lost boy Edwin had been.
Beth talked of her growing up with her three older brothers, how she had each one of them wrapped around her finger. Edwin could not help but laugh. It was not at all hard for him to picture Beth getting whatever she wanted from her brothers.
But this night, their final night on the road, they both knew their lives would be returning to normal. And so it was, they both allowed themselves to relax and enjoy the last evening. The wine flowed a little more than previous nights. Barriers were weakened.
By the end of the night, Edwin knew he was head over heels. When it came time to bid Beth a good night, he impulsively leaned toward her and kissed her. She allowed him that kiss, all too briefly, then jerked away.
"I am sorry, Beth. I should not have done that."
Beth placed her palm along his cheek and gently caressed it. "If our situations were different …."
He stiffened. "Is it because of my lowly birth?"
"Nay, nay!" Beth was quick to disabuse him of that notion. "Nay, that is not what I meant. It is all to do with me. I am starting to have feelings for you, but I feel like I am doing something wrong. I feel as if I am making less of William's memory."
"I understand. I will not push you. But I want you to know one thing. If ever you need me, I am here for you."
She felt much relief. Alienating Edwin was the last thing she wanted. She valued his friendship. "Thank you, Edwin. I am here for you, as well."
After brushing a kiss across his cheek, Beth then disappeared into her sectioned off sleeping area. Edwin sighed deeply. It was in no way a grand declaration of love, but it was a start. He could settle for that.
* * * *
Taking a deep breath, Jacqueline filled her lungs with the fresh spring air. She loved this time of year. Seeing all the trees sprouting new green growth after the winter months of dullness, made her spirits lift. The air was laced with the smell of fresh vegetation.
Feeling Jordan squirm against her, she rubbed his small back to settle him. She smiled down at her son. He was strapped to her chest with a blanket that she had made into a sling, then securely tied around herself. Since it was such a nice day and they were not too far from Nunney, she had decided to ride on horseback for the last leg of their journey. It was a much more comfortable way to travel than being bounced around in the baggage cart.
Terric had not been too pleased with her decision at first, but in the end he relented. He could see Jacqueline was near her wit's end tolerating the jostling in the cart. He was not able to ignore the pleading look in her eyes.
Beth rode next to Jacqueline while Edwin and Terric rode up in front. The two men-at-arms drove the cart at the rear. What happened next would turn the lovely spring day into a nightmare.
As they approached the outskirts of Nunney village, a large party of men on horseback charged from the wooded area that ran parallel with the road they traveled. The men reached the slower moving cart first.
Realizing how much danger they were in when the armed men cut down the men-at-arms, Terric moved into action. Yanking violently on his mount's reins, the horse reared as he turned him quickly back around. With sword drawn, Terric rushed to reach Jacqueline and Beth. Before he rode past Edwin, he looked over at the squire and bellowed, "Take them! Do not leave their side, no matter what happens. Get them inside the castle."
Edwin grimly nodded his head. "With my life."
When Jacqueline made no move to follow Edwin and Beth in taking flight, Terric yelled, "Go!" To make sure she complied with his order, he used the flat of his sword to slap her horse's rump. Her mount whinnied, then took off at a gallop. Satisfied Edwin would keep the women safe, he then let loose a battle cry and raced to meet their attackers.
Terric knew he was outnumbered and he would not be able to defeat them. He only hoped to keep them busy, to give the others enough time to reach the castle and safely get behind the gates before he fell.
* * * *
They were getting closer. The sound of pounding hooves seemed to draw nearer no matter how hard she urged her horse to go faster. Looking over her shoulder, Jacqueline found she was not too far off the mark. The two men who had broken away from the main group to give chase, were definitely gaining on them. Setting her heels into her mount's sides, she pushed it for greater speed.
Edwin and Beth flanked her on either side. They, too, kept glancing behind them. When the gates of Nunney Castle came into view, Edwin let out a whoop. They would make it. Jacqueline could see figures on the walls running to man the drawbridge. Thundering across the causeway that spanned the moat, they cleared the drawbridge before it was once again raised shut behind them.
Once in the bailey, Jacqueline swiftly dismounted and began to unwind Jordan from the blanket keeping him secured to her. He seemed not at all perturbed with their mad flight.
Sir Guy, who had been up on the walls, ran to meet them. "Is anyone hurt?"
Jacqueline shook her head. "Nay, but Terric is still out there. You have to send out some men to help him."
"We
cannot, lass."
With each second that passed, the feeling of desperation grew inside her. But when Sir Guy refused to send out reinforcements to save Terric, Jacqueline began to panic. "What do you mean? We cannot just leave him out there!"
Sadly, Sir Guy looked at her. "If we lower that drawbridge again, there will be no stopping them from entering Nunney. I told you before. The castle's defenses are totally inadequate."
She would not, could not, accept that there was nothing they could do to help Terric. She would not abandon him. Not now.
Quickly shoving Jordan into Beth's arms, Jacqueline ran toward the gatehouse where the mechanism for raising and lowering the drawbridge was housed. Before she could reach it, a pair of strong arms snagged her around the waist from behind, lifting her off her feet.
Pulling Jacqueline back against his chest, Sir Guy held on to her tightly as she fought to free herself. When she started to yell at him in frustration, he spoke to her sharply. "I will not allow you to put the castle at risk for just one man. Even if that man happens to be your husband."
His words seemed to penetrate through her frenzied attempts to gain her freedom. Jacqueline ceased her struggles. Thinking she had finally come to her senses, Sir Guy placed her back down onto her feet so she stood in front of him. But Jacqueline was not done yet.
Her elbow shot back, catching him squarely in his stomach. Groaning, he tried to grab Jacqueline as she took off at a run once more. He was only able to grab a fistful of her cloak, which he held onto firmly.
Recovering his breath, he turned her around to face him. He held her firmly by each of her arms. "Now, lass, if you do not desist this behavior, I will have you locked in your chamber."
Realizing she was unable to win in this, she broke down. The thought of losing Terric now, after all they had endured, she could not accept. But it seemed that was exactly what she was going to have to do. Tears poured down her cheeks unchecked.
A Tournament Knight Page 19