A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy)

by Lana Williams

  Florence’s face turned an unbecoming shade of red. Her lips narrowed until they were all but invisible. “Is that what all this is about? You are angry because your chamber wasn’t prepared for your arrival?”

  “Nay. I am angry because you act as though you do my grandfather a great service and yet nothing gets done.” Alyna continued despite the woman’s anger. It felt good to speak her mind. “Perhaps you should rethink your position here, Florence.”

  Hilde took a step closer to Florence. Her gaze held Alyna’s, her message loud and clear. She was on Florence’s side and would aid her in any way she could.

  Alyna felt a presence at her elbow and turned to find Enid beside her, Nicholas in her arms. He reached for her and held on tight, his gaze warily on Florence.

  “We’ve been looking for you, my lady. Nicholas insisted we find you,” Enid said in a quiet voice.

  Beatrice and Mary stood next to Enid, their anxious expressions replaced by a resolve Alyna found heartening.

  Florence eyed them all, but her gaze landed on Alyna, hatred glaring out of her blue eyes. “You will regret this outburst, Alyna. In fact, I can guarantee you will rue the day you crossed me.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Celery seeds are effective in sweetening

  the blood but should not be harvested the first year.”

  Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal

  Alyna hurried along the well-worn path, a basket of fresh herbs from the garden in tow. She’d left the keep later than she’d planned since Nicholas hadn’t wanted her to leave him today.

  But she was more than ready for some fresh air. She was beginning to feel daft from being indoors so long.

  After the confrontation with Florence, the past few days had been dedicated to tending Matthew, although Alyna had managed to more closely examine the damaged tapestry. Just as she had suspected, someone had applied lye in several places, causing the destruction. The odor and appearance of the woven threads made it obvious. She’d considered showing Florence, but the woman would merely insist Alyna had done it while it was being cleaned.

  The only thing Alyna could do was remain on guard against additional trouble. Beatrice and Mary had told her that Hilde was wearing a wrap of some sort on her hand. That was very interesting information indeed. If she’d handled the lye improperly, it could have very well burned her skin. Alyna had looked for Hilde several times, but the maid was nowhere to be found. Alyna didn’t trust her any more than she trusted Florence and had instructed Beatrice and Mary to keep a close eye on them both.

  Matthew was well on the road to recovery and so the rest of the day was hers to do with as she pleased. She’d left instructions with Enid for his care during her absence, and Nicholas was with Charles. Today, she would do something she’d wanted to do since Matthew had been injured. She was going to visit Gunnell.

  Though Alyna had been concerned with the knight’s progress at times, from what little Alyna could get out of the close-mouthed healer, Gunnell had not seemed concerned. No matter how kind or friendly Alyna had been when Gunnell checked on Matthew, she remained aloof and distant.

  Alyna knew why–the woman had second sight.

  Mayhap Royce and the others preferred to use a different explanation for what she said and did, but Alyna knew the truth.

  She was quite certain Gunnell hadn’t yet come to grips with her gift. The servants’ gossip said that a change had come over the woman when she’d been recovering from a sickness that had nearly taken her life three years past. As to the extent of her ability, no one would say.

  As far as Alyna could tell, Gunnell knew everyone called her crazed and played upon it, using it as a way to keep people at a distance. Perhaps Gunnell even felt she truly was mad.

  Whatever the matter, Alyna intended to find out. She and Gunnell needed each other. In the years since her mother’s death, Alyna had felt she didn’t belong in her own home, thanks to her father. The feeling of isolation, of not fitting in, of having to earn affection and respect from others continued to plague her. Perhaps helping someone else would help ease her own feelings of insecurity.

  Gunnell appeared to be uncomfortable with her gift and speaking to someone about it who understood might help. If Gunnell could control her talents and understand them better, Alyna was certain she’d be happier. Perhaps she could better assist the people in the village, resolve Royce’s problems with the thieves or even foretell the results of the harvest. There were endless possibilities, as well as responsibilities, that came with second sight.

  Gunnell was right to guard her ability as it took little to strike superstition in the villeins. The matter had to be handled with caution.

  Though it seemed selfish, Alyna hoped with all her heart Gunnell could explain what she’d meant when she’d told Alyna that her destiny had not yet changed. She’d had plenty of time to ponder Gunnell’s remark during her bedside vigil with Matthew. If her destiny hadn’t changed, did Myranda’s predictions still hold true? Above all, Alyna wanted to know if she’d escaped marriage to Tegmont.

  Everything was so unclear to her. Her grandfather might have more answers than Gunnell, but he hadn’t yet returned. Royce refused to give her any information about his whereabouts other than to say he would come home soon. What choice did she have but to seek advice where she could?

  The time drew nearer when she had to plan her and Nicholas’s future. With each day that passed, he showed more signs of his gift. Soon, very soon, she wouldn’t be able to hide it, and she’d need more than just Enid and Charles to help protect him. She would need others to guard him against those who might hurt him or use his gift for their own purpose. It would take several years for Nicholas to learn to control it, to realize when he should reveal it and how to hide it. Until then, she would stop at nothing to protect him.

  She needed a safe place to raise her son with people upon whom she could depend. While her grandfather had been very kind so far, he hadn’t been forthcoming with information. His relationship with Florence also left a question in her mind as to whether she could truly trust him.

  Alyna could only guess at the trouble Florence would cause if she saw any suggestion of Nicholas’s talent. She might try to turn her grandfather against them. While the chance of her succeeding seemed unlikely, Alyna needed to have a secondary plan in place. Her grandfather had been very tolerant of her and her son, but all that could change when he found out the truth about Nicholas.

  Alyna knew Florence was right in one respect. There were few men who would be willing to marry a lady with a young son, especially if they discovered his ability, not to mention that he was not her son by birth.

  That mattered not. What mattered was Nicholas. By seeking out Gunnell and her knowledge and experience, Alyna could help him. Maybe, just maybe, she could help Gunnell as well.

  “Good morning, Lady Alyna.”

  The words startled her. So immersed was she in her thoughts, she hadn’t seen or heard Sir Edward’s approach.

  He guided his destrier to keep pace with her, much to her displeasure. His chain mail was covered with a surcoat, and his black hair was bare to the sun.

  Her good manners were an annoyance at times like this, as she felt obligated to respond to his greeting. “Hello, Sir Edward. Where is the war this fine day?”

  Edward threw back his head and laughed at her question. “No war today, my lady. I have just returned from the field below the village where I checked on the preparations for our jousting practice. We’re nearly ready to begin. You will come and watch.”

  Alyna was reminded of why she found the knight so irksome. Never did he ask, but rather just assumed others would do as he demanded. She stepped away from his big, black horse as it pranced too close for comfort. “Nay, sir. I am out visiting for a time. Then I must return to check on Matthew."

  “Who are you visiting?”

  Alyna continued down the path, hoping the knight would catch her hint and let her go on her way unaccompani
ed. “The healer, Gunnell.”

  “Gunnell? Why would you want to see her?” Edward guided his horse even closer. “The village would be better off if she were sent to an abbey for care. The woman’s a loon.”

  “Nay, she is not.” Alyna again moved away from the large hooves that seemed to get closer and closer to her slippered feet. “She has a great knowledge of the healing arts. You may need her assistance one day.” Alyna glared up at the knight. “After all, she saved Matthew’s life.”

  “Matthew, ha! If that boy had half a brain, he wouldn’t have gotten injured in the first place. So busy was he, staring at your window, that he didn’t follow the lesson I taught. He’ll learn from his mistake.”

  Shocked, Alyna halted. “How dare you. How dare you insinuate he is at fault when it was your sword that struck him.”

  “Oh, now, my lady, no need for anger. ’Tis past time for him to learn to eliminate distractions, even if they are as beautiful as you.” He chuckled as though he’d made an amusing joke.

  Unable to hold her temper, Alyna continued, “Beware, Sir Edward. Those you injure either by your tongue or your sword may come back to haunt you.”

  “Are you a witch that you can cast an evil spell over me? I believe Lady Florence would agree, but not I, my lady.”

  “I don’t need to be a witch to see your future. You will die a lonely, old man with no one to mourn your passing.” Alyna knew she went too far, but could not stop herself, not after the way he spoke of Gunnell and Matthew. If there were any justice in the world, her prophecy would be fulfilled.

  “I promise to come back to haunt you if your words hold true.” Edward chuckled and kicked his horse into a gallop, his laughter trailing behind him.

  Alyna shook her head, astounded by the knight’s behavior. It appalled her to realize he took no responsibility for injuring Matthew. Would Royce do nothing about this? She would ask him about it the next time she saw him.

  Pushing aside her dark thoughts, she continued on the path, greeting some of the villagers who worked nearby in the bright, spring sunshine. The sky was clear, but held the threat of evening showers on the distant horizon. She took a deep breath of the sweet air and tried to calm herself.

  Gunnell stood in the doorway of her cottage, glaring. Her hands were fisted on her hips, as though to block Alyna’s entrance to her home.

  Alyna could understand Gunnell’s reluctance to allow strangers into her small cottage, especially if she thought those strangers considered her crazed or worse yet, a witch.

  “Greetings, Gunnell.” Alyna wanted to avoid any sort of confrontation, so she sent her a bright smile and sat down on a tree stump placed outside the cottage door. Certain she would get no response, she continued on. “Sir Edward is a cabbage, is he not?”

  Gunnell looked astounded at Alyna’s insult to the knight.

  Alyna caught sight of the herb garden at the side of the cottage and went to investigate. Several plants grew there that she was unfamiliar with. “What is this?”

  Gunnell followed to see what she pointed at. “Lungwort, my lady.”

  “And what do you use it for?”

  “Chest disorders and the like.”

  Moving along, Alyna found another she hadn’t seen before. “And this one?”

  “That would be wormwood, used to rid the body of worms.”

  “Your knowledge is most impressive.” Alyna handed her the basket she’d brought. “I thought perhaps you used all of your toft for growing healing herbs, in which case you might like to have some for cooking.”

  Gunnell stared at the basket Alyna had given her as though she wasn’t quite sure what to do with it.

  Alyna continued her tour of the garden and exclaimed over the wide variety of herbs.

  Gunnell followed her and answered the questions Alyna directed her way, her expression still wary.

  “Mama?”

  Alyna turned to see two young children approaching Gunnell.

  “I asked you two to stay inside,” Gunnell scolded gently.

  “We did that already.” The young boy spoke for his little sister. “We’re ready to do something else now.”

  Alyna laughed at the boy’s comment, and Gunnell allowed a small smile as well.

  “Very well. Come and meet Lady Alyna.”

  He drew his sister forward by the hand, and the two children gazed up at her with curiosity. “This is Stephen, who is six, and Catherine who is three years.”

  “Nearly four,” the little girl added.

  Alyna bent over. “I can see you are very wise for your age, Catherine.”

  The little girl was a miniature replica of her mother and nodded solemnly at Alyna.

  Gunnell smoothed her daughter’s hair. “Where are your manners?”

  “Aye, my lady.”

  “Stephen, you appear to be a most excellent older brother. I always wished I had an older brother.”

  “Really?” The little boy looked at her as though he thought her statement odd. “Why?”

  “Stephen,” his mother reprimanded him.

  “For all sorts of reasons,” Alyna answered, “but mostly because I wanted someone older and smarter to play with. You two are very lucky to have each other.”

  “Go on now and let me speak with Lady Alyna.” Gunnell gave them each a squeeze on the shoulder as they ran off to play.

  “Catherine was my mother’s name,” Alyna told Gunnell as she watched the children run down the hill.

  “Aye, my lady, I know.”

  “Did you know her then?”

  “I was quite young when she left, but I remember her.”

  For some reason, that pleased Alyna. “I miss her,” she admitted in a soft voice.

  “Everyone thinks you’re a lot like her.”

  “Really? In what respect?” Alyna couldn’t contain her curiosity, nor her pleasure.

  “Oh, some of your gestures, the way you stand with your hands folded before you, your hair. Those sorts of things.” She bent over to pluck a weed. “How old were you when she died?”

  Alyna didn’t think Gunnell realized she was now participating in the conversation. That was a major step forward as far as Alyna was concerned.

  “I was in my tenth year.” Thinking back, Alyna could still remember the horrible helpless feeling of her mother’s last few days. “She took ill. I didn’t know how to help her.”

  “Sometimes there’s nothing you can do.”

  Alyna shook her head and continued. “Enid and I did what we could, but it happened so fast. A healer came, but she couldn’t help either.” She chose not to mention that the healer had been Nicholas’s mother.

  “’Tis a horrible thing to watch someone die.”

  “It must be far worse to know they’re going to die before you help them,” Alyna said, trying to imagine how she’d feel if she were cursed or blessed, depending on one’s view, with second sight.

  Gunnell bolted upright, alarm in her expression. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “I know you are not crazed, Gunnell.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re speaking of, my lady.”

  “You have a wonderful gift, and I’d like to help you with it.” Alyna held her gaze.

  To her surprise, Gunnell’s face crumpled, and she burst into tears. “Please, I beg you. Don’t tell anyone. I’ll be burned as a witch for certain. My children need me.”

  Filled with remorse, Alyna put her arm around the woman. “Nay, Gunnell. My apologies. I didn’t mean to upset you. I swear I won’t tell anyone.”

  Alyna guided her inside the cottage so others in the village wouldn’t see her crying. She left the door ajar to help light the dim interior and led Gunnell to the bench at the table. She searched out a vessel of ale and poured some in a small cup and passed it to the distraught woman. “Really, I’m terribly sorry. I’ll leave you in peace.”

  Still sniffing, Gunnell said, “Nay, my lady, stay. Forgive me for my behavior.” She shook her head as she explaine
d, “It’s just that no one other than my husband has ever told me they don’t think I’m crazed, and I’m not even certain he believed it when he said it.”

  That comment brought more tears. Alyna rose from the table and found a rough woven cloth on a shelf. A pitcher of water sat on a small table. She poured a bit into a basin and wet the cloth. Apparently Gunnell needed a good cry and Alyna could think of nothing else to bring her comfort.

  Gunnell took the cool cloth with gratitude and held it on her face for a moment or two.

  “I’m certain your husband knows you’re not daft.”

  “Nay.” Gunnell shook her head in denial. “You should see how he looks at me sometimes. I see these things, and words pass through my lips before I can halt them. I sound like I’m possessed by an evil spirit or crazed as they say.”

  “Oh, Gunnell.” Alyna’s heart went out to the woman.

  “My children.” Gunnell’s lip quivered with the effort to contain her emotions. “The other children tease them, and I know Stephen and Catherine can’t help but believe some of the things they hear. They’re not blind or deaf. They see how I act and hear what I say.”

  “How long have you had the visions?” Alyna was certain if she had more information, she might be able to help in some way.

  “Shortly after I had Catherine, I fell ill. I was sick for a fortnight and nearly died. At times I wanted to, as I was so miserable. I couldn’t care for my husband, nor my children. But I knew they needed me, so I fought to live. You don’t know how often I’ve regretted that decision.”

  “Surely you don’t mean that,” Alyna protested.

  “Oh, but I do. I’m not normal anymore. I’m not the woman my husband married. And my children, my poor children.” The woman continued to sob.

  Alyna gave up on the cloth and just held Gunnell. Chewing on her lip, she tried desperately to think of some way to comfort her. “Remember the positive side of your gift. I’m sure you’ve saved many lives. After all, you saved Matthew’s.”