When the girl opened the door at the top, Ali laughed. “Well, well, well. This is a surprise. It isn’t even The Night of Three Kings and yet here are two fine gifts. All we need is frankincense and myrrh.”
The oldest of the two Douglas brothers woke and struggled with linen binds. “What in Christ’s nails do ye think yer doin’?”
Ali pushed his head back onto the mattress. “Drinking is a terrible vice. It just cost you Naward.”
“We’ll see what DeBruce has to say about this.”
Hugh shook his head, this whole night most unbelievable. “Actually, he gave us his blessing.”
The other man moaned. “Brian, I told ye. Mither’s spirit said we would pay for our sins.”
Ali knelt beside them and widened the older man’s eye using thumb and forefinger. “They’ve been given some kind of poison, m’lord.”
The Scot shook his head out of Ali’s grasp. “Beware if ye want this accursed keep. My dead ma haunts it.”
Turning toward Hugh, Ali shoved his sword into its sheath. “What would you have me do with them m’lord?”
“Lock them in the dungeon… they do have one, I assume? Then see they’re put under guard. We’ll get a ransom and put it to good use but right now, I need to speak to the people of the bailey. Was anyone hurt?”
“I think someone stubbed their toe. Did I ever mention my people don’t drink?
Hugh rolled his eyes as he pulled the two useless lairds to their feet. “Aye. You may have mentioned it once or twice or over a thousand times.”
“Don’t make light of it. It’d be wise to consider it forbidden among your warriors, as well.”
“I will think long and hard… There. I’m finished. I vow to never, ever, allow my whole damn army to drink at once.”
Ali laughed. “Maybe you’d dare if you had a ghost working in your favor.”
Hugh chuckled. “As long as it leaves me be. That reminds me. Post a guard at the door. I’ll not have this supposed ghost wandering freely through my new keep. Aye, and before we dare eat or drink, we should question the cooks.”
Downstairs, he and Aliyar stood at the door to the large kitchen, oven fires burning low. Six women cowered by an old oak cupboard in the furthest corner of the room.
“Which of you poisoned the lairds?” Hugh needed answers.
The oldest, the one named Agnes responded calmly. “None of us has that kind of knowledge, m’lord. I swear it.”
He shook his head at her feeble attempt at lying. Many enemies had tried and few still lived. “Until I have the poison, I ban you all from the keep, surely you can understand.”
A black woman with a scar running down her face stood up tall. “It were the ghost of the lairds’ mither. I swear it. And it were not poison but the wrath of God.”
The rest of the women muttered in agreement and crossed themselves.
“Nonsense. You think me senseless?”
Pottery rattled in the cupboard causing them all to stare, mouths gaping.
After a moment, the dark woman jutted out her chin. “Ye asked us to tell ye the truth. The least ye can do is allow us to explain what we think we saw. Then decide what you will.”
Women are a tiresome lot.
Hugh sat down, weary of their foolishness and yet could not deny that the shelves had moved of their own accord. “Very well but make quick of it. Know this. I’ll not have my people poisoned. Better I hang you all outside the gates.”
Female sobbing made him regret his harsh words. He’d forgotten how women took everything as if gospel.
Suddenly, a bark inside the wall made him take note. “What was that?”
The wooden bench toppled as he drew his sword, crouched, and glanced around the room.
“’Twas the ghost. Ye’ve angered her.” When the older woman, obviously in charge, knocked on the bricks with her wooden spoon, he slammed his sword on one of the shelves, scattering pottery shards everywhere.
“By God’s blood. I have not!”
One of the youngest girls, shaking madly, piped up. “It were no their mither. It was that lay-sister from the Priory. The healer. She was here. She poisoned their wine, called it dwale.”
“Damnation, the woman is a menace.”
Still, he chuckled at her cleverness until the gray-haired cook added, “It’s true, she was here but later we found her tunic, pieces of rope, and a few heavy rocks by the moat. Poor, wee lassie jumped in the muck rather than be raped by those two.”
“She’s dead?” Stunned, Hugh sat and his throat dried. “Not possible.”
The woman covered her face with her hands and shoulders heaved. “It’s all my fault. I should’ve seen her to the bailey. Ach, now. I’ve got friends who would’ve taken her in… Holy Mother Mary, I never thought she’d do such a thing.”
I’ll kill the bloody bastards.
Hugh’s eyes watered, his fists clenched, and yet still, he clung to hope. No body was found so she might still be alive.
“Thank you for your honesty. For that, you may stay in Naward but never again on this side of the drawbridge. Understood?”
They nodded, put their few belongings inside large scarfs, and he escorted them to the gate. There he squatted by the moat, trying not to picture Rose lying lifeless, deep within.
Why didn’t you trust me? I would’ve kept you safe.
He’d just wiped his eyes when Doğan approached. “M’lord?”
“Aye?”
“A woman is within the smithy walls.”
Hugh’s patience snapped as he stood. “God’s blood! Not you, too. Did you drink from the well? What did you eat?”
“No sir. I assure you. My mind is strong. I strode to the wall and put my ear to it. A woman was crying.”
“Show me.” Hugh’s heart grew light as he followed him through the narrow streets to an open pit with a huge flat stone.
Doğan pointed to where tools hung upon a stone wall. “There.”
“Find some men, tear it down.” When he found her, he’d take that lay sister over his knee. Then? Well, then he’d kiss her until those beautiful lips succumbed. He’d strip her of cloth and lay her bare upon his bed until she moaned and opened her legs. He’d…
“Hugh? What ails ye m’lord?” Out of breath, Ali stopped outside the smithy. “Did an axe hit your head?”
“It’s nothing. That wall needs my attention but we’ve more urgent things to discuss right now. How many of the merchants are loyal Scots?”
“Seems your people are quite accustomed to changing sides. Most didn’t even bother to get out of bed.”
“How many are prisoner?”
“About two hundred warriors suffering from the worst hangover I’ve ever witnessed. What happened to them?”
“The kitchen women said it was dwale.”
Ali whistled through his teeth. “And to whom do we owe thanks?”
“The healer, Mary Rose.”
Ali’s eyebrows raised and one side of his mouth went up.
“Apparently, after she overheard our plans with DeBruce, she came here. Then, she tried to convince the two Douglas lairds that she was their kin. When they threatened to rape her, the kitchen help insists that she drowned herself in the moat.”
When Ali’s face saddened, Hugh grabbed his shoulder. “Hold on. Doğan heard a woman within the keep’s wall. God’s blood, I have no time for such games.”
“I’ll find the wench but…”
“Aye?”
“If you’d permit. She’s pretty and intelligent. When I find her, I want her as my own.”
“No.” Hugh balled up a fist.
“Can I ask why not?”
“No, you may not.”
The corners of Ali’s eyes crinkled. “It’s true, then. You have feelings for this girl.”
“Mayhap I don’t want my commander poisoned in his sleep.”
“Look me straight in the eye and tell me you don’t want her in your bed, to sink into her virgin—”
“Aliyar! Sure
ly you have something else to attend to.”
Ali smirked and waved. “Farewell. I’m off to Carlisle to return with our people. In the morn, we’ll eat within our own great hall, as disgusting as it is.”
He was still laughing and shaking his head as he disappeared around the next corner.
Do I want the sweet healer between my legs? By God, I do.
In the past, he’d paid an occasional camp whore but this was far different and disturbing. Just the thought of her made his balls ache. Maybe she had some kind of recipe for putting a man under her spell. He’d heard of such things in the east but up until now had no belief in that kind of nonsense.
I’m probably merely suffering from a bout of healthy lust. I’ll find a willing wench and… Nay. Only Rose will do.
A man covered in soot, with massive arms and hands approached. “I understand you need some help breaking though my back wall?”
Hugh nodded. “Let me know when you succeed.”
By all things holy! I’ll find her and bed her.
Chapter 10
Upstairs in the tower, Rose felt her way in the dark.
Maybe I should dash down the stairs, fall on my knees, and beg the leader’s forgiveness. But then what?
She hadn’t harmed anyone and if anything, her dwale had been a miracle. The Destroyer had control of the keep with all the land surrounding and no one was injured.
This is so unfair. I’m a menace?
She walked all the way below the moat and plopped down on the cold stone floor. If only things were different. She’d don a beautiful gown with the softest of slippers. Her hair would be braided and combed, her body soaked in lavender. Mayhap dressed as a noble, The Destroyer would take notice. He’d take her to his table, slice her meat into small pieces, and bring his knife to her lips.
She’d lean in, he’d lean in, and they’d kiss. After, they’d rise, he’d take her in his arms, and walk her to his chambers…
Her finger found the ache between her legs and she pressed. Every time she saw the man, this strange feeling got worse.
How did I make such a huge mess of my life?
Now, The Destroyer was going to make the kitchen women leave their livelihood, all because of her.
A menace?
On her knees, she cried and prayed until her knees ached and her eyes were swollen. Only one option was clear. She’d need to use dwale one last time to convince The Destroyer to allow her to stay in Naward.
At the sounds of women speaking outside, she felt her way back to the tower and stared down. Carrying large bundles, Agnes, Catherine and the rest of the kitchen servants left the hall with heads hung low. However, after crossing the drawbridge, midway through the bailey, merchants approached and one by one they disappeared.
Unlike me, they must have family, someone who cares for their wellbeing.
The Scot warriors appeared in the square next. Tied to their horses, they either ran to keep up or were dragged to the outer wall. One of her brothers cursed most foully and was rewarded with the flat edge of a blade to his back. After that, they all were led down under the great arch, across the meadow, and into the forest.
Despite the righteousness, she sighed. First it was Mother Abbess, then Sister Cecilia, and now her brothers. Albeit the nastiest sort, they were the only kin she had.
At clicking paws on stone she turned, squatted, and gave the hound with the wagging tail a hug.
“Good boy.” She patted his head and stayed at the window until her eyes drooped.
After he curled up, she lay down with him as pillow but alas, her sleep was restless as she dreamed of wars, murder, and blood.
Beating drums startled her from another of her nightmares and she bolted to the archer’s slit where the sun was already high in the sky.
What now?
Her breath let out when she spied a long line of horses, people, and carts making their way toward the keep wall.
“Doggie, here come my new friends.”
When women’s voices came from the kitchen, she pounded on the little door. “It’s me, Rose.”
“Rose? Where are you?” Azzah’s muffled voice sounded too far away so Rose dropped onto hands and knees, with nose to the wood.
“Pull on the big cupboard’s feet and I’ll push.”
The cabinet moved, Rose squeezed through, and brushed herself off. She hugged Azzah while the other three women stared with mouths open. One she recognized as Simone, little Val’s mother and the other two had hid her in the tent outside Lanercost.
“We were all so worried.” Azzah took Rose’s hand and led her to a bench by the oven where they sat.
There, a wrinkled woman placed a piece of dried meat in Rose’s hand, poured her a cup of juice, and gave a kiss to her cheek.
Azzah translated for the ancient, “Teita says to tell us what happened. Start at the beginning, after you left us in the camp.”
So much has happened in such a short time.
Rose shook her head and swallowed. “Well, I followed The Destroyer and Aliyar through the gates of Carlisle. The guard let me enter without issue because I’m his healer. Then, I went to the kitchen and offered to bring DeBruce and his guests some food. Once I was upstairs, I saw a map of Naward and the three men discussing a battle.”
She unpinned her brooch from her undertunic and turned it over so they could see the marks etched into the back. “This was left with me as a child by my birth mother. The verra same coat of arms was in DeBruce’s chambers, the same shade of green as worn by the Douglas. From that, ’twas plain to see. I am a Douglas.”
Several women crossed themselves and a few others muttered, eyes wide. “By Allah.”
“But when I got to Naward, my brothers threatened to do awful things to me, unholy and base. That’s why the kitchen women offered to hide inside the walls. Then, all their warriors returned from Inglewood, very drunk. I had a woman poison the keg they drank from and when the battle began, they could barely stand, let alone wield their swords. They were so groggy that they couldna fight. I overheard The Destroyer call me a menace.”
Azzah giggled and the rest almost fell over laughing.
“And prithee, what jest is this?”
“You don’t know? In The Destroyer’s mind, he took the castle dishonestly. You stole his honor.”
“I don’t understand.”
Azzah hugged her tight. “Pay it no mind. What are you going to do now?”
“I want to stay here with ye. I have no other place to call home.”
“You must first speak with m’lord. He’ll know what to do.”
“Mayhap I will.”
I just need to be assured he’ll listen.
Chapter 11
That night, Rose waited inside the walls while the great warrior paced in his chambers. Surprisingly, this evening’s meal had gone just as planned. Even though the hound tested The Destroyer’s meal, Azzah managed to dose his chalice.
After a while, his straw mattress crunched, he groaned, and his breath became steady. Shaking, she stepped on the ancient lever, the stone slid forward and she squeezed through the hole.
The Destroyer’s boots clomped the floor right beside her ear, he bolted upright, and yawned. “Damnation. I’m so bloody tired.”
Holy Mary, mother of God…
Rose dug in her heels, slid to the wall on her arse, and squeezed her eyes shut, praying his blade quick and sharp. When nothing happened, she dared lift her lids. There he sat, motionless in the moonlight, with chin raised as if studying something above her head near the rafters.
She tip-toed over and whispered in his ear, “I need to tell ye something, m’lord.”
“Be quick. I’ll do whatever you ask but it won’t come cheap.” At the cold, far-off, tone, a shiver ran down her spine.
Suddenly, he cried out, “For the love of all things holy, halt! They are naught but children.”
Whatever haunts this knight, surely, ’tis not me.
Her chest grew
tight as she bit down hard on her lower lip. Then, with palms cupping his soft beard, she stared into his unseeing eyes, dreadfully sorry that she’d brought him to this state.
“Do not weep, Sir Destroyer. Surely those wee bairns are with Christ in heaven.”
“Don’t you see him?” When he pointed to a corner of the room with an empty bench, Rose shuddered. Dwale had a tendency to make men see the unknown but this was far worse than normal.
“There’s no one there, m’lord.” Perhaps if she ministered to his sick mind, God would forgive her for this night’s terrible mischief.
She knelt at the floor in front of him, her hands on his knees. “God forgives every sin, m’lord, if ye just ask.”
“You don’t understand. I fought for the highest bidder and in so doing, sold my soul. Children were hiding where only warriors should’ve been.”
“Simply confess.”
“I’m damned ghost! Damned for eternity! There’s no forgiveness for someone like me.”
The dark centers of his eyes shrunk, the effect of dwale almost at an end but she just had to help him find peace. It was the least she could do after bringing him such misery.
“I know of a kind and gentle lay sister who’s only thought is the well-being of others. Prithee, if ye’d do one small favor for her, ye might become more at ease.”
Hugh moaned. “Better that she run from me.”
Rose poured him another glass of wine and brought it to his lips. When he swallowed and quieted, she was so relieved that she plopped down beside him on the bed.
This is going to be a lot more difficult than I thought.
~~~
Neither awake nor asleep, Hugh sensed something horribly off and worked to clear his thoughts. For certain, a beautiful woman sat on his bed and not just any woman. It was the beautiful healer he’d been wanting to bed since seeing her near-naked in Inglewood.
Why not just enjoy?
In his experience, nightmares never shifted to sweet dreams and he’d be a fool to waste this one. Tipping up her chin, he brushed his lips across hers. Usually, a woman responded to his touch but this dream-angel struggled.
“Why fight me, angel?”
Her Haunted Knight Page 7