“So where is William? He should not be out where he can be seen by just anyone.”
Martha shrugged. “He said something about meeting someone.”
“Leah,” Thomas said with some antipathy in his voice. His mother's eyebrows rose. “Would that be a problem if he were?”
Thomas felt a little foolish for letting his jealously show. “You would think he would mind his urgent family business before trotting off with some floozy,” he said, using anger to disguise his embarrassment. Thomas had attempted to curry Leah’s favor in the absence of his brothers, but to no avail. Leah had spurned his advances. The audacity of that woman! The advantages of a partnership with him should have been obvious, but she pretended not to care about such things. She would care one day.
“I would hardly call Leah a floozy,” Martha said dismissively, picking up the parchment in front of her again. “But no, I think he said something about meeting David and Neil.”
“Well that's perfect,” Thomas said, flopping down in a chair.
“You are in a sour mood this morning,” Martha observed.
“Is there some reason I should be otherwise?” Thomas demanded. “I just discovered my brother has been captured and possibly killed; we don’t know where he is or who we are going up against; and from the looks of it, my two younger brothers and I are planning on riding in there ourselves and demanding his release. Then to top it off, it is not even important enough to them to be here to finish hammering out our plan.”
“Thomas, do not be silly,” Martha said. “You know how much there is to be done. They are simply trying to get an early start and will be about later.”
“Yes, well, given everything,” Thomas broached the subject again hesitantly, “are we making a mistake?”
“I'm surprised to hear you say that.”
“I was confident with Henry because he needed to see that everyone else was sure of this quest, but there are a lot of unknowns in this situation.”
“Console yourself with the thought that this is all we can do,” Martha told him. “We will go forth with faith that we are helping a brother who may one day be returned to us spiritually as well as physically. We must prepare as if it is a trap and leave the rest up to God.”
“But it will be risky. Whatever we decide, lives will almost certainly be lost. Is it right to exchange many lives for one, or more to the point, to exchange the lives of valiant warriors who are willing to give themselves in the service of others for the life of a potential tyrant? Is the fact that this is our brother tainting our judgment?”
“Let me ask you,” she responded gently. “If this were not your brother but one of your men that were in the same situation, would you go after him?”
“Of course.”
“Even though you might lose your life?”
Thomas considered this. He knew there was a time when he would not have hesitated to affirm this, but so much had changed. Was one man worth his own life? The happiness and comfort of his wife and children? “Yes,” he reluctantly consented.
“And if you knew you would die in the course of that errand, would you harbor any ill will toward the captive or those who sought his safe return?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“Then don't other men deserve the same chance to serve without us assuming it is more than they are willing to give? Do not let the fact that it is your brother taint your judgment.”
Thomas was still uneasy about it. Nevertheless, he knew he could not protest much more without his own motives being exposed. “When are William and Thomas returning?” he abruptly changed the subject.
“They should be back this afternoon. I believe Henry wanted to introduce Mary to William,” she said. “That should be interesting.”
“Ahh, yes. What is she like, this Mary?”
Martha shrugged. “She is a Mayfield, there is little doubt about that.”
“Ahh,” Thomas said sagely, though he did not understand the significance of that remark at all. Under different circumstances he would have been terribly curious, but not today. He had too much weighing him down.
“Thomas,” Martha said suddenly as he rose to depart. “Do be careful. I am risking three of my sons for one son. Bring them all back to me.”
“Do not worry yourself, Mother. What could go wrong?” he said with a confidence he did not feel and forced himself to grin at her. “And keep an eye on this place,” he said as Sebastian entered the room. “I am convinced that Sebastian is stealing the whole house brick by brick.”
“I beg your pardon, Sir Thomas?”
“I am confident that if you check his chambers you will find most of the east wing hidden beneath his mattress.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
“Henry? Sir Henry.” Henry turned to see Mary hurrying to catch up to him. He froze and his face hardened, the memory of that morning's interview still entirely too fresh in his mind. “I am so glad I found you; I have been looking everywhere.”
“Yes, well I have been busy,” he said curtly. “I am just on my way now to meet William to check supplies for our journey.” He made as if to turn to keep walking, but she put her hand on his arm.
“Sir Henry, in our interview this morning, I fear that I said some things that caused you pain. If that is the case, I deeply regret my words.” Henry did not reply, so she continued. “I spoke in a passion roused by the attachment I have come to feel for you in our short time together. If I spoke harshly, it was only because I fear for your safety so. I would have talked you out of this dangerous endeavor for my own selfish motives, but I see that it is something that you must do, and I support you in it and should be honored if I could attend you upon your return.”
Henry stared at her, some of his guard relaxing, but he was still suspicious. “Thank you, milady. Your words mean much to me,” he said politely but without a great deal of feeling in his voice. “I would have lamented that we had left on anything but the most cordial of terms, and once again, I express my sincere apologies for having brought you to my boyhood home only to abandon you here. I hope you will forgive me my rudeness.” He bowed slightly and again started to turn to go.
“Henry,” Mary spoke again quickly to keep him from retreating. “I should be very happy here at Dawning Court with you… provided it was my home, too.” Henry stared at her and comprehension slowly spread over his face.
“Mary, I—Are you—Who should—” he started and stopped a number of times, then grinned foolishly. “Come now, we must tell everyone!” she smiled back.
“If only you were not leaving so soon,” she lamented.
Henry's face hardened at this. “I am sorry, too, but I thought I made it clear that I have no discretion in this matter.”
Mary looked away coyly. “I only thought you might have a bit more leverage with your betrothed waiting on you than you did with a childhood friend.”
“Unfortunately, a change in my situation has not changed any of the realities that force my hand,” Henry said with a hard edge to his voice. “You think I want this? I don't. I was not lying when I said I hate this brutal life. But at the moment there is no help for it. I must ride this last time.”
“And you won't think better of your choice of helpmates when you are months on the road?” Her seeming insecurity could not but endear her to Henry that much more.
“Am I so inconstant that you need worry about that? My mind is made up.” He took Mary by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. “Mark my words. One month after I return, we shall be wed. And I shall make sure all know it before I depart as a symbol of my commitment.”
Mary returned his look with a searching gaze of her own before finally speaking. “I shall wait with baited breath.” They both relaxed, and Henry resumed his walk with his betrothed on his arm. “And I shall make all the arrangements.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
“There's someone I want you to meet,” Henry said, trying to contain his excitement. “This is Mary.” He stood asid
e to draw attention to the short, dark-haired girl beside him.
“Mary, it is a pleasure to meet you,” William said bowing, slightly unsure of what the connection between the two was. Mary smiled pleasantly. “William, I presume” she said. “I understand you have only just returned from Egypt. Is that so?”
“I have just returned from…” he stopped himself from repeating the brothel joke he had used with his friends but could not think what to say in its place, so he did not say anything.
“Well, that's wonderful,” Mary said cheerfully. “The last time I had the pleasure of seeing you, you were merely a cute little scamp running about the castle getting into mischief.”
“That has not changed,” Henry chimed in. Mary erupted in a gale of laughter that was far too loud for the jest made, and it took William off guard.
“Last time?” William asked, confused by the reference.
“Oh, I am a Mayfield,” she said simply. “Henry has told me so much about you. I am so pleased we now have the opportunity to meet face to face.”
William gave a sly smirk at Henry. “I hope he hasn't told you everything about me,” he said, still not sure what Henry's relationship with this young lady was. Was he courting her? Was he hoping William would be interested in her, or did he have different motives altogether? Such information would be very helpful in how charming William thought he should be.
She laughed a light, musical laugh. “No, it was all flattering,” she assured him.
“Well, Henry always was a skilled liar,” William laughed. “And for that I am grateful.” Mary again erupted in loud laughter beyond what would have been expected. William gave Henry a sidelong glance, but Henry was just standing there with an adoring smile on his face, his eyes transfixed on Mary.
“So how has my brother been so blessed as to become reacquainted with you?” William asked, seeing that Henry’s interest in this young woman was far more than cursory.
“Sir Henry was part of a group of scholars that was reviewing some ancient papal documents found by some of our crusading soldiers in the Holy Land. I saw him and was instantly taken with his knowledge of ancient languages and scripture.” She smiled up at Henry and closed the gap between them, hugging his arm. “And he was so adorable, I was instantly smitten.”
Henry flushed. He had never been particularly suave where women were concerned, so it seemed incredible to see this outgoing, charming lady shamelessly flattering him. It was either a match made in Heaven or something else entirely, but it was clear Henry was accepting it at face value. “Is that right?” William turned the conversation to Henry to take the pressure of carrying it off of himself. That Henry was a gifted scholar was true, but William was trying to remember if he had ever met a woman that was charmed by that. William found himself wondering if this girl could possibly be what she seemed. Henry shrugged mildly. “That is fairly accurate.”
“Well, how is it that the Mayfields have such a lovely daughter that we were not aware of?” William asked.
Mary swatted the air toward William. “I believe your brother might be trying to charm me away,” she said to Henry.
“T'would that I had the power, lady” William said without enthusiasm. He was quite sure he was out of things to discuss with this young lady. At this last remark Mary smiled up at Henry, who stood close and put his arm around her shoulders. “Well that's wonderful. I do hope we will be seeing more of you, then,” William said, not meaning a word of it.
“Actually that's why I wanted you two to meet. I hope that we will be seeing a lot of Mary. She and I… are betrothed.” Henry announced a little shyly.
William almost choked, then caught himself and forced a smile. “Is that right? Oh, how wonderful,” William feigned excitement.
“I am afraid that I must divest myself of the company of you two charming gentlemen lest I keep my lady in waiting, waiting,” Mary glanced at William to see if he had caught the jest.
He gave a hollow chuckle, “Oh my, we wouldn’t want that, lest she become a lady in mourning, this morning.”
“So soon?” Henry protested. They both ignored William. “I was hoping you could spend the morning with us.” William cringed inwardly at the thought.
“Now I musn’t keep Charlotte,” she said sternly. Then more gently, “I will see you later.” She smiled at him and then turned to William. “William, it was very nice to re-make your acquaintance.”
William bowed a bit awkwardly. “The pleasure was all mine, milady.”
***
They both watched her shapely figure retreating, each thinking his own thoughts that were very different from the other, until she was out of earshot. “A lot has happened since we last saw each other,” William said conversationally. As a result of William’s flight after the tournament, they had not seen each other in over four years.
“Remember when we were talking all those years ago?” Henry said thoughtfully. “I predicted that the next five years were going to be dramatic for our family.” They automatically fell into stride beside each other. “I feel like that prediction has been borne out. In some ways I feel as if I never left, and in others everything seems so different. We should probably begin by inspecting the stables to be sure we have the mounts that will be required.”
“Via the Battlements?”
“William, we must make haste—” Henry began.
“Forgive me, Sir Henry. I have been granted a reprieve of a single day to visit my childhood home. Part of me wants to visit one or two of our childhood haunts.”
Henry grumbled but did not protest further as they walked toward the battlements of Dawning Court where they used to play as children. “So you mean the last five years were all your fault?” William teased him. “Then you have some serious explaining to do.”
“It sounds silly, but I mean it,” Henry explained. “It pertains to anyone you care to look at. John is still married, but his relationship is worse than ever, and things may have changed irrevocably for the worse. Richard is still lost to distant lands searching for glory, or at least that is what I assumed before your arrival. Thomas now has two children that are laying bare the weakness in his marriage that we all knew was there. And I don't know about you, but I have been forever changed by my time over… there...” he trailed off, his eyes distant.
“That is very true,” William agreed emphatically. “I used to have this bone tooth necklace that I loved. Well, I dropped it somewhere over there, and I think I shan’t see the likes of it again.” Henry shook his head and ignored the comment. “And now I've met Mary,” he said suddenly, snapping out of it. “You see, everything is the same and yet quite different. It can never be like it was again.”
They mounted the staircase of a tower. “I noticed Edward was conspicuously absent from your list.”
Henry shrugged. “Edward is still persisting in his libidinous fantasy world. I can’t imagine that too much has changed for him. Besides, you know we don't mention his name around here,” Henry added with a sardonic smirk.
“That is right,” William agreed quickly. “What was it we used to call him as children? Whipping Boy? Let us refer to him as Whipping Boy,” William declared. “Then we shall never be in danger of violating the unspoken command to never utter our brother’s name.”
“You know, it was so long ago, all that happened with Edward, I'm not sure if I remember it accurately.” Henry broached the subject. He remembered perfectly what took place with his brother but wanted to query William’s memories and feelings in general on the subject as he was the youngest Dawning.
They emerged on the top of the battlements to stroll the length of them. They were mostly unoccupied these days except for a soldier at each end, keeping watch. As such, it was generally a peaceful place.
“What’s to remember?” William said carelessly. “The family outfitted him with enough equipment and money to sustain a small army. He rode out of Dawning Court with our expectation that he would join up with the soldiers crusadi
ng in the Holy Land. Next thing we heard, he had not gone to Jerusalem at all but had taken the money and supplies intended for the cause and had set himself up in Europe, where he began his search for the pure carnal man.”
“I remember him sitting on his horse in his armor with all his pack animals around him. Even at that age, I remember thinking he did not look ready for what he was getting into.” Henry filled in the sympathetic details that William had omitted. Henry sat on the inside edge of the battlements. William shrugged and threw himself onto his back across the opposite parapet. Henry cringed as William came to rest with one arm and one leg hanging carelessly over the fifty foot drop. “What are you doing?” Henry demanded of his younger brother. “Have you no concern for your own life at all?”
William looked up at him in surprise. “What are you talking about, Mother?”
“Why would you deliberately move to the very precipice of disaster?”
“This is where I’m comfortable.”
“Well, it makes me quite uncomfortable.”
William groaned. “Do not trouble yourself; I assure you I am quite well.”
“Yes, well, the onus will fall on me to explain to Mother where the red stains on the rocks below came from. So for my sake, please…”
“Oh Henry, you will never change. How’s this?” William rolled up on his right side so no body parts were dangling off the edge and propped his head on his hand.
“What are you talking about? I have changed,” Henry said, slightly affronted.
“No you haven’t,” William said simply. “You have not changed because people do not change. You are as you have always been. Your brothers are the same as they have always been. Only their circumstances have changed. The difficulties you observe they are having now are merely the fulfilling of the promise of the weakness of their characters that was always present.”
Henry reddened at being contradicted so directly. “Well you have changed,” he asserted in anger. “Before you left, you weren’t such a buffoon that it is impossible to carry on a conversation with you.”
The Knights Dawning (The Crusades Series) Page 27