Chapter 27
A light breeze blew through the solar window. Brithwin stretched and pressed her hands to her back. “I am pleased with our progress.”
Elspeth, bent over the sleeve she sewed, scrunched her eyes and pulled another stitch through the fabric. “Aye, milady, ’tis coming right along.”
Brithwin returned to her sewing. She shifted in her seat. Marjory’s fierce conviction about Clarice continued to gnaw at her, and she could not force the thoughts from her mind. Elspeth's warning about Clarice rang in her ears. Mayhap she should ask Elspeth if she thought any differently now that she had spent more time around Clarice.
A light rapping on the door broke into her thoughts. Clarice stuck her head in as if Brithwin’s thoughts had conjured her up. Brithwin quickly sent a prayer of thanks for not voicing her question to Elspeth.
Clarice stepped into the room. “I have been looking for you.”
Brithwin paused, the needle halfway through the fabric. “I am here, working diligently, trying to pass the time until my lord returns.”
Glancing at Elspeth, Clarice hesitated. “Do you have time to walk with me in the garden?”
Brithwin stood and set the gown in the chair she’d vacated. “Fresh air would be a welcome change. I could use a good stretch, as my back aches from bending.”
Elspeth looked from her work. “Would you have me continue, milady?”
“If you do not need a rest yourself.” Brithwin moved to the door and stopped. Elspeth was a devoted friend. “Thank you.” She smiled at her and stepped out the door.
They had strolled through the garden but a brief while when Clarice curled her lip. “I cannot believe you thank your servants for doing their jobs.”
Brithwin raised her brows. “’Tis true I expect them to do as I ask, but a thank-you lets them know I appreciate them.”
“If I were lady of the castle, they would learn to show me their appreciation.” Clarice brought her hand to her chest. “If I wanted to, I could send them on their way and find others to take their place.”
Brithwin shook her head. “My people work hard for me.”
“Oh, well.” Clarice flitted her hands in the air. “’Tis not the reason I asked you out here. I have good news.”
Brithwin meandered to the roses and leaned over to smell their delicate fragrance. “I thought we came for fresh air.”
“You came for fresh air. I came to give you news.”
She straightened and considered the feverish glitter in Clarice’s eyes. “And what, pray tell, is that?”
Clarice moved to stand by her. “Lord Rosen Craig returns—not an hour’s ride from here.
“He comes home?” Brithwin’s insides quivered with excitement. “How did you find this out?”
“A traveler saw them.” She crossed her arms and smiled smugly.
Brithwin sucked in a breath. “I should go and see to a fine meal.”
“Wait. ’Tis why I told you out here. Let us ride and meet them.”
She stepped away from Clarice, shaking her head. “Nay, my lord forbade me to leave Hawkwood.”
“Would it not be a fine surprise? He is not far out by now. Surely he would not mind. He is nearly here, and it is safe for us.”
Brithwin chewed her bottom lip. She would love to meet him, but she did not want to risk his displeasure. Much had happened lately to draw his ire.
“I have not asked much of you, my lady. I wish to get out of this stuffy place, away from the smells of animals and unwashed bodies. Whoever has tried to harm you and Lord Rosen Craig is far away from here by now. They would know he is looking for them.”
Brithwin’s resistance began to waver. “Mayhap if we take a few guards with us.”
Clarice stomped her foot. “Nay!” She hesitated then smiled. “What kind of welcome is it if we ride up with a small army? Besides, he gets closer as we speak, and think how long it would take to gather men. I go with or without you.”
“’Tis not safe for you to go alone. You are sure he is not far?”
Clarice grabbed her hand and hurried toward the stables. “You have my word.”
Two horses stood saddled and ready. Brithwin stopped and stared at the palfreys. “You readied the horses?”
Clarice shrugged. “I did not want to waste time, and I knew you would decide to go.”
The words Marjory had spoken earlier returned. But hear this, milady, she is like a snake in the grass waiting to strike. I see it in her eyes. Brithwin shrugged them off. She missed Royce fiercely, and though Clarice was her friend, she would not have Clarice welcoming her husband home without her. And if she truly trusts Clarice, she needs to act upon that trust.
One of the stable men came out to assist them onto their mounts. When they reached the portcullis, the gatekeeper stopped them.
“Good day, milady, Miss Coble. ’Tis a beautiful—”
“We are in a hurry. So if you please,” Clarice cut in.
The gatekeeper looked at Brithwin with raised brows. “I understood milord asked you not to leave the safety of Hawkwood.”
That was a kind way of putting it. To be precise, he’d commanded her to remain. Brithwin forced a smile and hoped she didn’t look as guilty as she felt.
Clarice glared at the man. “You dare to question her?”
He cleared his throat. “I am following milord’s orders.”
Brithwin’s smile wobbled. “’Tis all right. We are on our way to meet my lord.”
The gatekeeper tipped his head and looked at Brithwin. “I have not heard any word as to his return.”
“You question your lady again?” Clarice straightened in her saddle and glared at him. “I will speak to Lord Rosen Craig about your disrespect.”
Disregarding Clarice, he continued to meet Brithwin’s gaze. “I mean no disrespect, milady.”
Brithwin brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “I understand, but we have had word he is not far, and we go to meet him.” And as much as she didn’t wish to disobey Royce, she wanted to show faith in her friend.
His gaze quickly slid to Clarice and then returned to Brithwin. “Are you certain, milady? I do not want to feel milord’s wrath.”
“I will take all responsibility for leaving.” She hoped the assurance would put his mind at ease.
Clarice nudged her horse forward. “Come, my lady. If we do not hurry, he will be here before we leave.”
A few minutes later, as Brithwin looked over her shoulder at the protection of the walls falling further behind them, doubt crept in. Remembering Royce’s words that there were places good for an ambush, she scanned the area in front of them as they approached a copse of trees.
A chill crept up her spine. “Perhaps we should turn back. I do not feel good about this.”
Clarice smiled. “Let us ride a little farther, and if we do not see him, we will return.”
Brithwin’s belly knotted. She wanted to return but did not want to leave Clarice. “Not much farther.”
They had ridden halfway through the cluster of trees when there was a thunder of hooves hitting the ground and a snapping of branches. Her stomach vaulted. She had made a grave error. How she knew the horses were not her husband and his men, she did not know, but she was certain.
She reined her horse around as a rider broke through the trees in front of her. Pulling the reins to the right, she urged her horse on. Another rider plunged toward her and she refused to relinquish her mind to the panic that wanted to take over. She yanked her palfrey to spin around in the other direction. To her horror, men crashed through the woods from every side.
Her horse sidled to the right, and she fought to keep him under control. A large warhorse barreled down on her, and its rider reached for her reins. White rimmed her horse’s eyes before he reared up. Brithwin grabbed at his mane but caught air.
The ground slammed into her back. She could draw no breath. When she opened her eyes, the trees and sky spun above her, and the yells of men around her faded.<
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†††
Brithwin’s body went limp, and Clarice screamed.
Edmond jerked his horse toward her. “Shut up, you witless wench.”
“Is she—is she dead?” she whimpered.
“I said, keep quiet,” Edmond growled. “She lives.”
Clarice, still upon her horse, glanced down at Brithwin lying on the ground. “Are you sure?”
He dismounted and hunkered next to Brithwin. “I am certain.”
“Then I will be on my way back to Hawkwood.” She nudged her horse with her heels.
A burly man snatched the reins, halting the animal.
Edmond grinned. “Sorry, but that won’t be possible.”
Clarice’s knees weakened. “What treachery is this?”
“No treachery. I will not have you going to Hawkwood and letting them know Brithwin is missing.” Edmond slipped his hands under Brithwin and lifted her effortlessly. “You must remain here until the sun sets. Once darkness falls, ’tis nearly impossible to follow.”
“I will not stay here alone.” Clarice shuddered. “’Tis dangerous to remain by myself.”
The men chuckled and exchanged lascivious glances.
“Your friend might say it is not safe with us.” Edmond smiled.
Clarice shifted her gaze to Brithwin’s still body. Her heart stuttered. A good person would not commit such a terrible act of betrayal up on a friend. “We had an agreement.” She couldn’t prevent her eyes from returning to Brithwin. What had she done?
“You will stay.” His voice brooked no argument.
“I will depart once you do, I assure you. I owe you nothing,” she sniffed.
Edmond addressed the knight holding her reins. “Stay with her. You can let her go on her way just before dusk, and come meet up with us at Rosen Craig.”
The knight sat on his warhorse and nodded.
“Nay! You cannot leave me here with this—” Clarice looked into the man’s eyes devouring her and was unable to finish. A chill ran down her spine.
“Be careful, milady.” Edmond’s slow words resonated with warning. “This man is the only person here to tend to your safety.”
“How am I to know if I can trust him to be honorable?” Clarice’s gaze shifted from Edmond to the burly knight who nearly drooled.
The knight let out a loud guffaw. “No one ever called me that.”
Edmond looked at the man and frowned. “We need her cooperation, so mind your hands, if you want to keep them.”
Her guard gave a loud humph.
Edmond handed Brithwin to a mounted man and climbed on his horse. After retrieving Brithwin, he turned to Clarice. “If you stay here and do as you’re told, Sir Honorable Knight here will not trouble you. However, if you try to flee, you are at his mercy.”
“But I have no food, no drink. How can I stay here all day?” Clarice argued.
Edmond jerked his head toward the knight holding her horse’s reins. “He has food in his bag.”
Edmond disappeared with Brithwin into the brush and trees. Clarice slid from her horse. She stepped away from her mount and whirled around. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“I heard something coming from there.” She pointed in the opposite direction that Edmond had left.
“Nay, probably an animal spooked from the horses.” He dismounted from his horse and stretched.
“Could someone be watching us?” Her voice faltered.
“Nay. ’Tis just you, me, and the animals out here.” He smirked.
†††
Thomas pushed his horse until its sides heaved. A single rider broke through the trees, and no other followed. His gut coiled. The gatekeeper had said both Miss Coble and Brithwin had ridden out of the castle gates on mounts. He hastened to meet the rider, praying it would be Brithwin.
The men surrounded Clarice, and Thomas reined in beside her. “Where is my lady?”
“I do not know.”
“What do you mean? You left with her, did you not?”
She cowered as his voice thundered. “Brigands attacked us. They separated us. I do not know where they took her.”
“Which direction did they go?”
“I do not know. I was frightened and only worried about getting away.”
“Do you remember anything? A fallen tree? A creek? Anything at all that can help?” Thomas longed to spur his destrier on in search of Brithwin, but he needed to know anything this woman could remember.
“Nay. I saw nothing unusual. Just trees,” Clarice whimpered.
Thomas shifted his attention to Philip. “Take the lady back to Hawkwood while the rest of us fan out to search for milady.”
Darkness was nearly on them, but Thomas couldn’t give up so easily, even though he knew a search with a cloudy sky and no light would be fruitless. They broke into the line of trees, and the small amount of light they had disappeared. Slowing their horses, they rode into the woods a short way when Thomas had them stop. They sat silently, the only sounds the heavy breathing of the animals they sat upon. Thomas strained to hear riders in the distance, but not a sound reached his ears. He glanced around, but there was no way to see tracks or evidence of the party that had taken Brithwin.
He’d failed her. Royce had trusted him to keep her safe. He’d failed them both. The men all looked to him for direction. But he could see in each of their faces the doubts they had of their mission.
“We can see nothing to guide us. We return to Hawkwood and leave by dawn to search again.”
Back at the castle, Thomas summoned Clarice from her room. She slumped in the chair before him.
He narrowed his eyes on her. “Why did Brithwin leave the castle grounds when she was given orders to stay within the walls?”
Clarice stared at her hands. “We went out to meet Lord Rosen Craig.”
A knot formed in his gut. “Who told you Lord Rosen Craig was on Hawkwood land?” It took all of his power not to shake the woman to get quicker answers.
Clarice leaned back with a sigh. “I do not know what you are asking.”
“Answer my question.” He stood in front of her chair. “What made you think my lord and his men were on Hawkwood land?”
“A messenger came by and told me.”
“Who is this messenger?” He glared at her. “No one else has seen him.”
“Well, I did.” She glanced up and turned away. “He came in early and gave me the news.”
Thomas folded his arms in front of him. “The gatekeeper saw no one enter whom he did not know.”
Clarice frowned. “You doubt my word? You would believe a servant over me?”
“He is not a servant but a knight, and he has no reason to lie.”
“Are you suggesting I do?” Her voice rose.
He didn’t trust this woman. Something about her sent up warnings. “You tell me, Miss Coble. How is it you managed to escape and not her?”
“I will not sit here and listen to this.” Clarice stood, nearly bumping into him. “When Lord Rosen Craig returns, I will tell him of your treatment of his guests.”
“Sit down!” Thomas bellowed.
Clarice fell onto the chair as if her legs had given out.
Thomas leaned forward, resting his hands and weight on the chair’s arms. “You will not leave until I have my answers. Now, did the boy Lucas go with you?”
Clarice looked genuinely puzzled. “No. Just Lady Rosen Craig and I went out. Why do you ask?”
He straightened back up. “He is missing also.”
She shifted in her seat. “Oh.”
“Did you recognize any of the men who took milady?”
Clarice clasped her hands in her lap. “No.”
Thomas frowned. “How is it you escaped and not Brithwin?”
“They separated us. All but one man went with her. That man guarded me and would not let me leave. They said they didn’t want me alerting anyone that she’d been taken.”
“The messenger. Y
ou said he told you. Why would a messenger go to you and not milady?”
“I was frightened. Perhaps I misspoke. The boy addressed my lady, and I heard him.” She yawned. “I am very tired. I wish to retire for the night.”
Thomas frowned. “Aye, you may go.” He did not believe further interrogation would get anything helpful out of the woman anyway.
Clarice had no sooner walked up the stairs when the gatekeeper strode in.
“Sir Thomas, may we speak?” The gatekeeper glanced to where Clarice had exited.
“What is it?” Thomas was glad to see the man, for he had questions to ask.
“I am not remiss in my job. I saw no messenger arrive, Sir Thomas. But milady’s friend, Miss Coble, was very insistent they go. When I tried to stop milady, Miss Coble became angry.”
“Milady—did she go willingly?”
“Aye. I would have stopped her if she did not. She appeared to be hesitant, and Miss Coble did most of the talking.”
“And you are certain there was no messenger?” Thomas was sure of what the answer would be, but he needed to hear it one more time.
“Aye. But Miss Coble did receive a message yesterday and then went out of the gates shortly thereafter.” The gatekeeper brushed his curly hair out of his eyes.
“Is there any more you can tell me?” Thomas was ready to break down Clarice’s door to get answers.
“Nay.”
“You may go.” Thomas didn’t wait for the gatekeeper to leave before he headed up the steps, two at a time.
He pounded on Clarice’s door. “I need to speak with you Miss Coble.”
“I am to bed.”
Thomas didn’t care a whit. He burst through the door and she let out a gasp. He could barely contain his fury. “You will answer my questions with the truth this time. I am told no messengers came today, but I understand you had a messenger deliver you a missive yesterday. What was it?”
Clarice pulled the covers up to her neck. “’Twas a missive from my brother. He has found another old man to marry me off to. But I will not do it.”
“Why did you leave shortly after?”
Sword of Forgiveness (Winds of Change Book 1) Page 26