by Anne Herries
She gave a little cry of alarm, turned and ran. Raphael must be warned at once. She heard Sir Edmund shout and knew that he was pursuing her. She had wandered some distance from the hall and most of the craftsmen had disappeared, probably in search of their evening meal. Could she reach help before the knights caught her? As her foot twisted in a rut in the ground she stumbled, and in the next moment Sir Edmund was upon her. His large hand went over her mouth, his other arm about her waist as he lifted her from her feet.
Rosamunde struggled and tried to scream but the normally busy courtyard was empty and there was no one to notice as she was carried back to the outhouse where the men had met earlier and thrust inside. Literally thrown to the floor, she landed with a bump and lay with her eyes closed, listening to the men arguing over her.
‘You took a risk. Supposing someone saw you?’ Sir Ian said.
‘Stop worrying; everyone has gone in for supper. Give me that rope. We’ll bind her hands and feet and gag her. No one comes here these days. Besides, we shall leave as soon as we have finished our work here,’ Sir Edmund replied persuasively.
‘He will look for her,’ Sir Ian objected. ‘When she does not join us for supper he will send for her and search the castle. We should leave now; take what we have and go before the castle is alerted.’
‘Damn the wench,’ Sir Edmund spat, seeing the truth of his confederate’s words. ‘If it had not been for her interference we should have been away with his gold and jewels before anyone knew what had happened.’
Rosamunde lay with her eyes shut, hardly daring to move while they argued over what to do with her. She was in great danger but her fear was more for Raphael than herself. She felt someone kick her feet.
‘Open your eyes, harlot,’ Sir Edmund demanded, scowling at her. ‘You brought this on yourself, spying on us and meddling in our business.’
‘I was merely out for a walk,’ Rosamunde protested. ‘You will not get away with this. Master Mellors knows there is a thief in the castle. If I do not appear for supper, Lord Mornay will search the castle, and when he finds you, you will wish you had never been born.’
‘Be quiet, woman. You will change your tune before we’ve done with you. Stand up and put your arms behind your back or I’ll beat you to within an inch of your life,’ Sir Edmund snarled.
Reluctantly, Rosamunde stood, putting her hands behind her back. Sir Edmund made short work of tying her hands and gagging her. She was then made to sit down and her ankles were bound. Raising her head, she glared at him defiantly over her gag.
‘You’re a proud wench but I’ll humble you,’ he vowed then glanced at Sir Ian. ‘Get the horses ready. If Mornay has the castle searched, it may work to our advantage. In the midst of the panic we can leave by the side gate.’
‘Why not take what we have and leave now? Forget the woman,’ Sir Ian begged.
‘Leave her behind to tell all she knows? He would hunt us down if it took a lifetime!’ Sir Edmund exclaimed, shaking his head.
‘Kill her, then. The dead cannot speak.’
‘No, she’s worth good money,’ Sir Edmund mused, looking at her speculatively. ‘If he sends to look for her,
I’ll say I saw her leaving the castle. When they all ride out in search of her, we’ll take her and leave.’
* * *
Rosamunde watched as the two men walked away, leaving her alone in the outhouse. What light there was came through a crack in the wooden walls but it was fading fast. No one would come here, for the building had not been used in years. She struggled furiously with the bonds that bound her wrists. If she could free herself there was still time to warn Raphael of their plans. Sir Edmund had done his work too well; the bonds held and she felt a wave of anger and despair sweep over her. Raphael had warned her of the dangers outside the castle but no one had thought the worst danger of all would come from within…
‘Where is the lady Rosamunde?’ Raphael asked of Elspeth. He had come in search of her himself when she did not join them at supper. ‘Mellors tells me you have all been working hard on my behalf. Is your lady too weary to dine in the hall?’
‘No, my lord. I believe she went for a walk. I saw her leave the hall and walked towards the area where the craftsmen ply their trades.’
‘It is dark now. Surely she would not stay there so late? She must be hungry,’ he said.
‘Do you think something may have happened to her?’
‘Why do you ask? What do you know, woman?’ he barked, impolite in his sudden anxiety for Rosamunde.
‘It is only…I have noticed the way a certain knight looks at her, my lord. In the past he was known as a vicious bully and it is because he remains here that many of the village people will not offer their labour here in the castle,’ Elspeth said hesitantly.
‘Of whom do you speak?’
Elspeth’s gaze dropped. ‘Forgive me—it is of Sir Edmund Roth I speak, my lord. I know it is not my place but I must warn you that he is not to be trusted. More than one village girl has been raped and beaten by that monster.’
‘Why did you not tell me this when you first came?’ he asked.
‘I thought you might have me beaten or send Sir Edmund to punish my family.’
‘Is that what my father would have done?’ Raphael said a little bitterly, deeply unhappy at this further evidence of the previous Lord Mornay’s iniquities.
‘Forgive me. There were many injustices carried out in his name, though I cannot say he gave those particular orders,’ Elspeth replied.
Raphael inclined his head. ‘I thank you for your honesty. Sir Edmund and his friends shall be questioned—but first I must find Rosamunde.’
‘Lilia and I will help to look for her,’ Elspeth said. ‘She spoke of being hungry. I do not think she would have missed her supper.’
‘We shall make a search of the castle and outbuildings,’ Raphael announced heatedly. ‘If she has come to harm, the culprit will pay with his life.’
Turning, Raphael ran down the twisting stair. He could not think that Rosamunde had run away for she’d given her word that she would remain here until he could take her home. Perhaps she had been talking and had forgotten the time—yet he had a cold feeling at his nape, instinct telling him that something was wrong.
If anything had happened to her he did not know what he would do. She had somehow become important to him; he owed her his protection for his honour’s sake, but there was more to his feelings than simply honour. He had no time to explore just how he felt, for Rosamunde must be found, but the sense of panic seeping through him told him that he could no longer afford to ignore her future.
He entered the hall, searching for his steward. Mellors might have some idea where she was, and if not a search must be made of the grounds.
‘If you look for the lady, sir, I may be able to help you.’ Raphael swung round, staring into the face of the knight he had now been warned of three times: by Rosamunde, her serving woman and the mysterious message awaiting him in his chamber the first night of his homecoming. He ignored those warnings at his peril.
‘What do you know of her?’ he barked at Sir Edmund, his suspicions now thoroughly aroused. ‘Have you seen her this evening?’
‘It must have been an hour ago, perhaps more. I saw her leaving by the side gate. She was carrying a bundle and seemed anxious not to be seen,’ Sir Edmund replied smoothly.
‘Why did you not send word to me at once?’ Raphael snapped.
‘I did not realise at first that it was Rosamunde. I thought perhaps the woman Elspeth was paying a visit to her home in the village, perhaps taking goods that did not belong to her. It was my intention to confront her when she returned, for I had heard of a missing item of silver,’ the man said glibly.
‘Indeed? If you thought her the culprit, why did you not go after her? I think you lie, sir.’ Raphael saw the expression of alarm in the knight’s eyes and knew he was right. Raising his voice, he cried out, ‘Sir Jonathan—knights to your lord; we hav
e a traitor amongst us.’
‘Damn you,’ Sir Edmund muttered. ‘You and that interfering wench.’ He drew a dagger from beneath his tunic and rushed at Raphael. ‘You should have died in the Holy Land, as your father believed would happen. He was easily led and we grew rich on the spoils we took in his name. Now you would have us live as paupers.’
Raphael seized his wrist as Sir Edmund attempted to plunge the thin blade into his heart. They tussled for a while, Sir Edmund swearing, his face red with temper as he sought to murder the lord to whom he had so recently sworn allegiance. However, he was a bully who had lived on the fat of the land for years, forcing others to do his bidding and neglecting to train, while Raphael had spent months of hard fighting and continued to train every day. His grip of iron intensified and an oath of pain left the knight’s lips as the dagger suddenly went spinning away. Then Raphael’s fist connected with his chin and he staggered back into the arms of two burly men-at-arms. Roth’s arms were taken and held, though he continued to struggle and spit defiance at his lord.
‘You will not find her. Sir Ian has taken what we’ve stolen and she is…’
‘Safe, my lord,’ Elspeth’s voice called from behind them. ‘She is found. Sir Ian feared what had been done and has left the castle in a hurry. When I saw him saddling his horse, I asked where she was and held on to his bridle with all my strength until he told me where to find her. In desperation to be gone before the men discovered his treachery, he cried out that Sir Edmund had bound and gagged her and left her in one of the outhouses. I sent servants to look but it was I that found her.’
Raphael spun round to look at Elspeth, his eyes frantic. ‘Where is she now? Is she harmed? And what of Sir Ian?’
‘Sir Ian rode off after he told me where to find my lady. I thought it more important to free her than waste time having him apprehended. My lady is well enough and in her chamber changing her gown. She bade me say that she intends to dine in the hall,’ Elspeth said with a smile. ‘She begs you will go to her at once, for she has much to tell you.’
‘I shall deal with you later,’ Raphael growled to the prisoner, then glanced at his men. ‘Make sure he is confined securely and see he does not escape. There is more to this business and I intend to discover the whole truth.’
Raphael walked swiftly from the hall, taking the steps two at a time as he ran up the twisting stair. He knocked at the door of Rosamunde’s chamber. Lilia opened it, moving back to allow him entrance. Rosamunde was seated, having her hair brushed by the old woman Maire, but she dismissed both women as soon she saw him and took the brush herself.
‘Forgive me for summoning you, my lord,’ she said calmly as she finished brushing her hair. ‘I wanted to speak with you in private. I heard something you should know concerning Sir Edmund and Sir Ian: they have been robbing you ever since your father took ill, and this night they plan to steal the key to your strongbox and murder you. It seems they prefer the old ways, and Sir Edmund in particular has been feathering his nest by terrorising your people.’
‘How did you learn this?’ Raphael demanded, his mouth set grimly.
‘Most was from their own lips. I went out to take the air and wandered in the direction of the old wool-shed where I overheard their nefarious plans for you and me. Prior to that, some things I have noticed for myself—and Elspeth also told me that one of your knights has ill-treated village girls. Sir Ian is a coward and spiteful, but obeys Sir Edmund in everything. It was not hard to piece the puzzle together.’
‘Why did you not come to me at once?’ he asked hotly.
‘I would have done so but they saw me.’ She laid down her brush and rose to her feet, turning to meet him. ‘Sir Edmund realised that I had overheard them and ran after me. I tried to reach the hall but stumbled and was captured. He dragged me to the outhouse and bound me with ropes. My fate was to be given or sold to Baron Sigmund.’
‘Damn them,’ Raphael said under his breath and moved towards her. He reached out to touch her cheek, his fingers trembling as he traced the curve of her face, and then ran his thumb over her mouth. ‘Roth shall be severely punished, and that knave Sir Ian too, when we catch him. Tell me, has he harmed you in any way? If so, I shall tear him limb from limb on the rack.’
‘No, I beg you!’ Rosamunde cried. ‘I am unharmed apart from being somewhat shaken. Roth is a thief and he would have murdered you, but let him stand his trial and be punished accordingly. I would have no man tortured for my sake.’
‘You are as wise and generous as you are beautiful,’ Raphael murmured, and moved closer. He bent his head to kiss her, lips gentle and seeking as he explored her sweetness. A shudder went through him and he held her tighter, feeling the sweep of surging desire as she melted into his body. In that moment he finally understood that he could not stand by and watch her wed another man.
‘I thought that I could never feel more than fleeting lust for a woman after Messalina died…’ A little moan left his lips. ‘God forgive me—I want you, Rosamunde. I thought it would be better to let you go, to give you a chance of happiness with a knight who could love you as you should be loved. But you belong to me and I cannot let you go.’
‘I belong to no one but myself,’ she said tartly, suddenly remembering what Sir Edmund had said. ‘Why did you tell Baron Sigmund that you might wed me?’
‘It was an impulse, said in order to protect you,’ he said.
‘Said without my consent,’ she retorted, a flash of pure anger in her vivid green eyes. ‘Why should I wish to be married to a man who cannot love me?’
‘If we wed I would protect and care for you—and make sure that your father is protected from his enemies. I care for you as deeply as I am able, Rosamunde. Do you not think it might be a good match?’ Raphael said persuasively.
‘Perhaps. Why can you not love me?’ she asked, gazing up at him. ‘And who is Messalina? You say you want me but…’ Her words were hushed as he took her lips with a fierce passion that had her swooning against him, her body heated with desire and trembling, begging, for something she did not fully understand.
‘Messalina was my wife. I cared for her and ended up betraying her,’ Raphael said harshly, finally drawing away from her with difficulty. ‘Because of my neglect she now lies in her grave and cries out for revenge I cannot give her. How can I seek happiness in the arms of an innocent woman when I am guilty of such a sin?’
‘I am certain you did not betray her willingly,’ Rosamunde said softly, her eyes never leaving his, for she felt his agony and her heart went out to him, even as she flinched from the knowledge that he had been married already. Despite that, she wanted to comfort him for his hurt, and wanted to be with him, to see him every day. ‘Whatever happened was not of your doing.’
‘You are too generous. But I will admit the sin was of omission. Messalina begged me to stay with her that night. I left her because I wanted to talk and drink with my friends. While I was gone a renegade band attacked her home and killed her and her father—and all but one of their servants.’
‘You blame yourself for her death?’ Rosamunde asked incredulously.
‘I am surely guilty.’ Raphael sighed.
‘You are guilty of neglect but not of murder,’ she said vehemently. ‘Have those that committed the crime never been punished?’
‘My friends and I sought them, but it was not possible to find the men who murdered and…’ He shook his head. ‘If I could avenge her, perhaps I should find some peace.’
‘You must learn to forgive yourself,’ Rosamunde said gently, and smiled. ‘Yes, you were somewhat at fault, because you ought to have listened to her concerns—but the rest does not lie at your door.’
‘You think she would forgive me?’ Raphael asked hopefully.
‘If she truly loved you, she would forgive you. I am sure of it. She would not want you to grieve for ever, my lord,’ she said.
‘I wish I could believe that.’ He held out his hand to her. ‘Your hair looks pretty left
loose. Shall we dine,
lady? The men will have finished long before we join them, for I left orders they should not wait.’
‘I am truly hungry,’ Rosamunde said, her hand trembling as she allowed him to take it. ‘We should show the men that I have not been abducted.’
‘They already know it,’ he said with a smile. ‘I do not know what I am to do with you, lady. You might be safer wed, for your beauty makes you vulnerable. Sir Edmund is not the only man who may seek to take advantage of you.’
‘I told you I have no thought of marriage. I have no dowry and cannot expect to wed,’ she said firmly.
Raphael was silent for a moment. He knew that he must speak now or lose her. He could not lose her! He turned his head to look into her eyes. ‘I should be proud to wed you, Rosamunde. I cannot promise to love you as you would have me love you. I may not always be kind—life has made me harsh and sometimes cruel—but I would swear to protect you with my life.’
‘When I asked you why you could not love me, it was but an idle question, my lord.’ Rosamunde’s heart raced wildly. ‘My lord, I did not mean to ask—I would not have you feel obliged to offer marriage to me. Also, what you said to Baron Sigmund about wedding me means nothing, for I know it was said only to protect me.’
Raphael smiled oddly. ‘Do you imagine I would ask if I did not truly want you?’
‘No.’ Her breath came in a little gasp. ‘No, I think we both knew what we wanted from that first night when you kissed me to punish me…’
‘It was not meant to be a punishment,’ Raphael denied. ‘I was angry with myself for wanting something I thought beyond me. I am not worthy of another chance at marriage, but I would have you to wife, Rosamunde…if you will have me?’
‘I…Yes,’ she breathed softly, knowing she would never care for another man the way she did for Raphael. ‘Give me a little time to accustom myself to the idea—but, yes, when you return from your business I will wed you.’
‘Then it is sealed,’ he said and raised her hand to kiss it. ‘My dear, I would give you time to accustom yourself to the idea of wedding me if I could, but I think we should announce it in the hall this night—and we shall swear our troth before I leave. That way my knights will swear to protect you with their lives and keep you safe until I return. Any man who dares to lay a finger on you will know the consequences.’