Autumn wanted a marriage to a man she loved and who loved her in return. Just like what her sisters, Summer and Spring, had. She didn’t want to be a prisoner of a lord, an enemy, or even a prisoner of love. If Benedict could never find love in his heart, then she would have to find a way to draw it out. That is, she would do it similar to the way he’d drawn out her feelings of sexual pleasure.
Thoughts of just how she could do that were floating through her mind when a hand clamped over her mouth from behind. Her hands shot up, trying to push her attacker away but, instead, she was dragged into the shadows of an alcove, not even able to call for help.
“Lady Autumn, don’t scream. It’s just me,” came a man’s voice in her ear.
She recognized, at once, the voice of her guard, Lester. He released his hand from her mouth and she spun around.
“Lester!” she said, keeping her voice low so the guards on the battlements wouldn’t hear her. “How did you escape the tower?”
“The boy let me out,” he said. “Now come with me. I’m getting you out of here and back to Mablethorpe to safety.” He grabbed her hand and started to drag her away, but she pulled out of his hold.
“Are you crazy?” she whispered. “Do you think we’re just going to walk out the front gate?”
“The boy said Lord Ravenscar is down at the dock. A lot of his knights are there, too. This might be our only chance.”
“What boy helped you escape? And what about Nairnie? I won’t leave her here.”
“Then find her and meet me outside the castle walls. Bring horses, too. I’ll try to sneak out the postern gate. Here comes a guard, I’ve got to go.”
“Nay, wait!” she said, but he had already disappeared in the shadows.
“Lady Autumn, is everything all right?” called out the guard from further down the battlements. “I thought I heard a man’s voice.”
“That was just me. Humming,” she added, trying to sound convincing as she hummed in a low octave. She hurried down the stairs of the battlements, almost crashing into Nairnie who was shuffling across the courtyard with a basket of fresh cut herbs from the garden slung over her arm.
“Nairnie, I’ve got to talk to you.” She quickly scanned the courtyard and then pulled Nairnie into the shadows.
“Slow down, lassie, I am an old woman,” said Nairnie. “What are ye doin’?”
“Lester has escaped.”
“Escaped? How?”
“I’m not sure. Right now it doesn’t matter. He is leaving and wants to take us with him.”
“Leave?” Nairnie looked confused. “Is that what ye want, lass?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Well, I’m no’ goin’ anywhere without ye.”
“If he’s caught, he’ll be killed,” said Autumn. “We’ve got to help him.”
“If Benedict finds ye had anythin’ to do with it, he’ll make ye pay for yer betrayal to him.”
“That’s the chance I’ll have to take. I can’t let them kill Lester. He’s only trying to protect me.”
“What do ye suggest we do?”
Autumn glanced around again. “We need to get outside the castle walls with horses right away.”
“Ye still didna tell me if ye’re leavin’ or no’.”
“I can’t leave, Nairnie and you know it.”
“Because of Benedict?”
“Partially,” she admitted. “I’m not ready to give up hope on him yet. But the other part is because of the orphans. If I leave here now, I’m not sure what will happen to them. Benedict seems to be accepting them, but I want to make sure they’ll be taken care of before I leave here forever.”
“Then I guess we’ll need to get a horse to Lester before it’s too late. What do ye suggest we do? Ask the stableboy to saddle one for the escaped prisoner?”
“Nay,” she said, seeing Nelek riding in through the gate. “I can get Nelek to bring me outside the castle walls. Then I might be able to help Lester without anyone knowing about it.”
“What is goin’ through that daft little head of yers?”
“Give me your basket of herbs, Nairnie.”
Nairnie pulled the basket to her chest protectively and squinted one eye as she cocked her head. “What happened to yers?”
“I left it in Lord Ravenscar’s room along with my cloak last night. I don’t have time to get it.”
“I dinna want even to ask why.” She handed her the basket. “Go quickly, child, before the guards discover Lester is missin’.”
“Nelek,” said Autumn, running across the courtyard, dodging a few dogs and also an alewife and two children along the way.
“Lady Autumn,” said Nelek with a big smile, sitting atop his horse. “What can I do for you?”
“I need you to take me out to the field so I can collect some herbs.”
“You seem to have a whole basket of herbs right there,” he said, nodding his head.
“Nay, these are no good.” She dumped the herbs out of the basket to the ground. “I need the ones that grow outside the gate. Can you find me a horse and escort me?”
“Well, I don’t know,” he said, seeming to weigh out his decision. “Lord Ravenscar might not like it.”
“He won’t mind. He’s taken me there himself. I need a particular herb that grows behind the castle. It’s for little Rab’s arm,” she lied.
“If it’s for the boy, I’m sure Lord Ravenscar will understand. After all, he does seem to be fond of him. All right, give me your hand and I’ll pull you up. You can ride with me.”
“Nay.” Her heart jumped. She needed to secure a horse for Lester, so this wouldn’t do. “I’d like a horse of my own. How about that one?” she asked, pointing to the stableboy walking by leading a saddled horse to the stable.
“We’ll take that horse,” Nelek told the boy with his finger in the air. In a matter of minutes, they were outside the castle walls just like Autumn wanted. She waited until Nelek wasn’t looking, then she slipped off the horse and slapped it on its rear, sending it to where Lester was hiding. Nelek was watching the men on the docks and thought she was picking herbs. It worked to her advantage because she saw Lester run up to the horse and mount it. He looked over to her, but she waved him away. Then Nelek turned atop his horse, spying Lester.
“Isn’t that the prisoner?” he asked.
“Whatever do you mean?” she said, pretending not to see him.
The alarm bell rang from the castle, and there was no denying it now. Shouting was heard and she saw Benedict look up from the dock and run toward his horse.
“The prisoner has escaped,” shouted Oxley, riding his horse at neck-breaking speed over the drawbridge, making his way toward them. Benedict and his steward quickly mounted their horses and rode up to join them. They all met in the middle, right where she was.
“What’s all the shouting about?” yelled Benedict. “And why the warning bell?”
“The prisoner escaped,” shouted Oxley. Autumn first noticed Torkel sitting in front of Oxley on the horse. The boy was holding one hand in the other and she could see he was bleeding.
“He went that way,” shouted Nelek, pointing to the guard that was riding away and quickly disappearing.
“How did this happen? Get him and throw him in the dungeon,” spat Benedict, shaking his head.
“We need to kill him,” said Oxley. “As well as this little thief that helped him escape.”
“Torkel?” said Autumn. “You did that?”
“I did,” the boy admitted.
“Get the guard and then I’ll deal with the boy,” ordered Benedict.
“Yes, my lord.” Oxley shoved Torkel off the horse and the boy fell to the ground. When he did, Benedict’s dagger fell out from under the boy’s tunic. Oxley quickly took off after Lester.
“My dagger,” said Benedict. Then he spoke to Autumn. “I told you one of the children stole it. What are you even doing outside the castle walls?”
Nelek answered for her. “Lady Au
tumn asked me to bring her to the field to collect herbs.”
“She did, did she?” Benedict glared at her, the beast Nairnie had spoken of glowing in the anger in his eyes. “I think Lady Autumn belongs in the dungeon as well.”
“It’s not what you think,” she said. “I had no part in setting Lester free. I admit I brought a horse to him, but only because I didn’t want you to kill him.”
“You were planning on escaping as well,” he said. Disappointment showed in his eyes.
“Nay, that’s not true. You know I would never leave without Nairnie. She’s not here so that should prove it to you.”
Torkel got up and grabbed the dagger and started to run.
“Egads, not him, too,” said Benedict. “Sir Gawain, please collect the child.”
“I’ll get him,” said Nelek. “He likes me, so I’m sure he won’t put up a struggle.” Nelek took off on his horse, chasing Torkel.
“Benedict, please don’t kill Lester,” begged Autumn.
“Lady Autumn, you will address me by my proper name and title.” Benedict’s eyes flashed over to Sir Gawain. Autumn realized her mistake, addressing him so casually in front of one of his men.
“Sir Ravenscar, I will do anything at all if you’ll just let him go,” she said, not wanting to give up hope.
“He’s a traitor. You know as well as I that he’ll be back with a small army to get you.”
“Then the girl should leave as well,” suggested Sir Gawain.
“Aye,” he agreed. “Perhaps that would be best. Lady Autumn, I release you. You are free to go.”
“You release me?” Her heart ached as if he’d stabbed a dagger right through it. This isn’t what she wanted at all. She wanted to stay here with Benedict, but he didn’t seem to care about her. After what they’d shared together, she thought he must have some feelings for her. Perhaps Nairnie was right. He didn’t care for her and would never love her. All they had between them was lust.
“Go,” he said. “And take Nairnie with you.”
She didn’t like this and was not just going to walk away. She cared for Benedict and she’d not even had the chance to tell him how she felt yet.
“Fine. I’ll go,” she said, angry about the outcome of the situation. “But only if I can take Torkel and the rest of the orphans with me.”
“Nay,” said Benedict. “The boy released the prisoner not to mention lied about stealing my dagger. He’ll stay and so will all the orphans. I should never have given them so much because this is how they show their gratitude. Now go, Lady Autumn. Get back to the castle and collect your things. I’ll make sure a wagon is prepared for you and Nairnie. You’ll both leave Ravenscar Castle immediately.”
“Nay. I won’t go,” she boldly answered.
“What did you say?” he asked from atop his horse.
“I am not leaving, and neither is Nairnie.” His dark eyes bore into her and she saw a muscle twitch in his clenched jaw.
“Sir Gawain, help my squire collect the boy,” said Benedict, even though his help wasn’t needed. He was sending his steward away so they could talk in private. Autumn knew it as well as Sir Gawain.
“Aye, my lord,” said his steward, turning his horse and leaving them.
“Give me your hand, Lady Autumn,” said Benedict, reaching out for her. “I’m taking you back to the castle where I’ll personally help you pack your things.”
“I don’t have anything to pack. All I have is what you gave me, or have you forgotten you kidnapped me? If I were leaving, I wouldn’t take any of it anyway. I don’t want anything from you.”
“Why are you acting this way?” He shook his head and looked up to the sky. His dark hair lifted in the light breeze. His scar seemed to glow in the sun, reminding her exactly who he was.
“My guard was only trying to protect me. Please, let him go.”
“I can’t and you know it,” he said from atop his horse. “If I do, he’ll be back with an army led by those triplet bastard brothers of yours. The man has to die now that I know I can’t trust him.”
“What about Torkel?” she asked with a heavy heart. “Are you going to kill a child, too? For that matter, what about me? Was that just a lie that you’ve never killed women or children?”
His eyes flashed fire at her comment, making her wish she had never said it.
“If you have a better idea, Lady Autumn, I’d like to hear it.”
“The boy just wants attention,” she said. “I’m sure he meant no harm. And if your only worry about letting Lester go is that he’ll return with my brothers to get me, then yes, I do have a solution.”
“Please, I’d love to hear it,” he said with a cocky tone to his voice. “What would that solution be?”
“Marry me.”
“What?” His head jerked around and his eyes studied her with intensity. “Why would I want to do that?”
“Because then you’ll have an alliance. My brothers will not attack Ravenscar or cause trouble at all if you are my husband.”
“That’s an absurd idea and I’d never do it.” He looked the other way.
“Then you’ll have to kill me as well as Nairnie, because neither of us is leaving.”
“Damn you,” he swore under his breath, still looking in the opposite direction.
“Lord Ravenscar, we’ve got the boy and your dagger,” called out Nelek as he came riding up with Torkel sitting in front of him on his horse. Sir Gawain was right behind him.
“Shall I follow Sir Oxley and help him catch the escaped prisoner?” asked Sir Gawain.
Autumn saw Benedict rub the back of his neck and shake his head in thought. The rest of his men from the dock were mounted on horses and approaching quickly. She held her breath, waiting for his answer.
“Nay,” Benedict finally answered. “Sir Gawain, take half a dozen men and hunt down Oxley, instead, because it’ll take all of you to bring him back without the prisoner in tow.”
“I don’t understand, my lord,” said Sir Gawain. “Are you talking about letting the prisoner go? If you do that, we’ll have a war on our hands in a matter of days.”
“Nay, we won’t,” he said, forcing the words from his mouth, still not looking at Autumn. “We’ll not be attacked because we’ll have an alliance.”
“An alliance?” asked Nelek. “With who?”
“With the bastard triplets of the crown,” answered Benedict.
“We don’t want the bastard triplets at our door,” Sir Gawain warned him. “They are restless, ruthless and reckless.”
“It won’t matter, Sir Gawain,” said Benedict. “When the bastard triplets arrive here, the alliance will already be formed.” He turned with tired eyes that looked right through her. “They won’t battle with us because their sister, Lady Autumn, will be my wife.”
Chapter 22
Everything happened so fast from that point on that Autumn’s head began to spin. They’d just returned to the castle courtyard when Benedict started shouting out orders left and right.
“Nelek, fetch the priest, quickly. Everyone, gather around because there is going to be a wedding. Men, watch for Sir Gawain and Oxley and the others to return. Where is the priest, Nelek? I said to hurry!”
“Aye, my lord,” said Nelek, hopping off his horse. “The priest is already here as he arrived this morning to say mass. I’ll collect him and it shouldn’t be but a moment.”
“Don’t leave the boy. Guards, make sure Torkel doesn’t disappear. I don’t have time for any more nonsense.”
Autumn was standing with her hands on Torkel’s shoulders when Benedict came over and snatched his dagger out of the boy’s hand.
“God’s eyes, has no one the sense to take the weapon away from him?” grumbled Benedict. “Torkel, what were you doing with this to begin with?”
“I’m sorry, my lord. I was playin’ with it, pretendin’ it was mine,” answered the lad.
Benedict held his dagger by the hilt, waving it in the air as he spoke. Autumn
put her arms around Torkel protectively and pulled him backward.
“You will pay for what you’ve done. How did you even manage to release the prisoner?”
“I was changing posts with Sir Oxley when it happened,” said one of his men, coming to join them. “The little sneak stole my keys when I wasn’t looking and opened the door. When I realized it, I ran back to the room, but the prisoner was already gone. The whelp tried to stab me with the dagger. I pushed it away and that’s when he cut himself. Then he took off at a run. Thank goodness, Sir Oxley caught him.”
“Let me see your hand, Torkel,” said Autumn softly, trying to take a look.
“There’s no time for that,” said Benedict, yanking her away from the boy. “Here comes Nelek with the priest. Let’s get this over with quickly. I have more important matters to concern myself with now.”
“Lady Autumn, are ye all right?” shouted Nairnie, hurrying at a near run from the keep.
“Nairnie, Torkel is hurt. Please help him,” she cried, being pulled by Benedict to the center courtyard.
“What’s happenin’?” Nairnie rushed after her.
“I’m marrying Lord Ravenscar in exchange for Lester’s safety,” she said.
“Not so loud,” Benedict growled. “I don’t need everyone to know why we’re doing this.”
“Lady Autumn.” Nairnie took Autumn’s hand in hers and spoke softly as Benedict talked to the priest. “What are ye thinkin’? Ye canna marry Benedict. Ye willna be happy.”
“It was destined to be, Nairnie. You told me yourself that you saw us married. That’s why I suggested we wed as an alliance. This way, Lester can go free.”
“So ye’re sacrificin’ yerself, just like yer sister, Summer, did when she married the evil Baron Mowbray.”
“I’m not sacrificing myself, Nairnie. You don’t understand. I want to marry Lord Ravenscar.”
“That’s enough talking. Come here, Autumn.” Benedict handed his dagger to Nelek. “For God’s sake, get the blood off this dagger. I’ll not use it until it’s properly cleaned.”
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