by Shea,Lisa
With that in mind, she had to consider the very real option that she was being played. Was the friendly behavior a carefully laid plan, meant to lower her defenses? Was he still planning on using her in order to get to the gypsies and track down his quarry?
There was no way to know for sure. She could only try her best to discern the truth.
She dressed carefully, putting on an outfit that was loose fitting and dark in color. It would allow her freedom of action if it came to a fight, and the ability to become lost in the shadows. She braided her hair along her brow line, coming down to a thick braid down her back. A sword and dagger completed the outfit. She sighed when she looked at her reflection in the small mirror on her dresser. She was hardly the ideal, alluring female now - but in the end it did not matter. The safety of her patient was foremost in her mind.
She heard laughter as she came down the stairs, and steeled herself to keep moving. She knew before entering the hall what awaited her. Her sister had escalated her outfit. The crucifix was nestled even lower in her bosom, and unless Sarah’s eyes deceived her, the rouge which had brightened Rachel’s cheeks had now highlighted other aspects of her anatomy as well.
Sarah averted her eyes and moved to her seat by her father, nodding generally to the others at the table. She focused on consuming her oatmeal as quickly as possible so that she could get about her work. Her parents, sensing her mood, talked between themselves, and her sister was exclusively focused on flirting with Reynald.
Sarah finished her meal in record time, pushing herself up to stand. “I will be out for the day,” she offered to her parents. “Reynald will be coming with me today.”
Rachel immediately stood, her face flushed. “He went with you last,” she insisted. “Today should be my turn.”
Reynald’s face remained passive. Sarah wondered if she imagined a flicker of impatience in his eyes that was quickly tamed. Was it her own wistful thinking? Was she coloring his responses with what she hoped to see?
“Today’s ride is something I need to do,” Reynald commented quietly to Rachel. “However, I can spend the day with you tomorrow, if you are available,” he added with the hint of a smile.
Rachel brightened. “Promise? All day?”
Reynald nodded, his face serene. “Yes, Rachel. I will be available on Friday for escort duty with you.”
Sarah did not wish to hear any more. She turned and headed out of the main hall, heading toward the stable. Before she knew it, Reynald had joined her to move easily at her side.
Their saddling and preparing of the horses seemed a natural ritual now, and they moved past each other in a dance as they fetched tack and gear. Together they rode side by side out of the castle gates.
To Sarah’s surprise, Reynald did not ask any questions at all as she led him down the road. He seemed patient, content to follow where she led. She found that she enjoyed the peace of the quiet ride as much as she had liked the conversations of previous days. The two walked their horses across the miles, the morning sun streaming down across the quiet wooded path.
Sarah’s mind drifted to Abigail, the reason he had given for accompanying her on this ride. Something struck her as odd about his story.
“Reynald, if your mother remarried and had Abigail with a new husband, why can Abigail not go to her father for support? Surely her father would wish to see his granddaughter?”
Reynald shook his head. “Mitchell was the name of the man my mother married when I was ten. He was elderly at the time, and he aged quickly once he became her husband. He passed away almost two years ago.”
Sarah looked down. “Oh, I am sorry. That must have been very hard on Abigail.”
Reynald kept his gaze on the forest around them; the branches and thickets grew denser the further they traveled into the woods. “It did not seem as if it was a great loss to her,” he admitted quietly. “Her father had never been attentive. I am afraid she looked more to me than to either of her parents for caring and support. She took it hard when I left.”
He let the silence drift on for a while. “I did send them money regularly, and wrote letters to her. She liked that, and wrote me frequently.”
Sarah thought about that for a while. How would it be when she was forced to live apart from her sister, to abandon Rachel to the fates? How would her sister fare when she was not there to keep an eye on her? She knew that siblings could not live together forever – and yet it was a hard step to contemplate taking.
Time rolled on, and they moved along smaller and less well-defined paths. Finally they reached a quiet glade with a small stream running alongside it.
Sarah pulled to a stop. Reynald reined in alongside her, his eyes curious but calm.
“This is where we part company,” explained Sarah with a quiet smile. “Sit tight, and I will return to you after a while.” Her eyes became more focused on his. There was still the possibility that this was all subterfuge. “I promise you, however - if you attempt to follow me ...”
Reynald held his hands up, his face serious. “I value my sister’s safety as much as you do,” he vowed with meaning. “I will not do anything to compromise that. I am sure after you talk with her that she will agree to see me, and I am willing to wait.”
He paused for a long moment, holding her eyes. At last he spoke again, his voice tight with emotion.
“I do not deny that this is hard on me. Please tell her ... tell her I love her. No matter what else she may feel, she should know that much.”
Sarah sat for a long while, looking him over. He was the consummate soldier - broad shoulders, well-muscled, his eyes sharp and clear. She knew that he could overpower her in a fight without batting an eye. Even so, he was willing to wait, to abide by her wishes. She could see in his eyes that he meant what he said.
She nodded at him, then pulled her horse to turn down the path. Over the next half hour she doubled back repeatedly, stopping to listen at random intervals. She had no sense that she was being followed. Finally she pressed forward toward the camp.
Lloyd ran forward with a smile as she rode into the clearing. “Sarah, it is so good to see you!” he called out before she had even drawn to a stop. “Abby is eagerly awaiting your visit!”
He escorted her with a quick step through the camp to the tent. Abigail sat out in front of the structure, her young baby held in her arms. Sarah was pleased to see how happy and healthy she looked, and knelt down immediately before the pair.
“Oh Sarah, she is just perfect,” gushed the new mother. “Sure, she wakes us at all hours of the night, but she is such a darling. She cannot help it if she gets hungry! She is growing every day, and is just an angel.”
Sarah gave mother and daughter a full evaluation, and was quite satisfied that both were progressing well. She sat alongside the pair, taking the baby’s tiny hand in her own. She looked up at Abigail, and her face became more serious. “Abby, a man came to see me recently about you.”
Abigail suddenly became quite still and drew her baby in against her breast. “Who was it?” she asked in a whisper, her face tense.
“His name is Reynald, and he says that he is your brother. He is a Knight Templar ...”
Abigail looked behind Sarah, scanning the clearing, her voice tight with panic. “Is he here? Did he come with you?”
Sarah patted her gently on the arm. “It is fine, he is not here,” she quieted Abigail. “He said to tell you ...” she blushed, but continued. “He said to tell you that he loved you, no matter what.”
Abigail’s eyes welled with tears, and she held her child close for a long while. Sarah waited with patience for the woman to speak at her own pace. When Abigail finally looked up again, Sarah saw that her face was now streaked.
The girl’s voice was tremulous. “Reynald is not angry with me?”
Sarah’s heart swelled with sympathy. “He is sincere; I believe in him,” she reassured the girl. “He agreed to wait a distance away. He wants to see you and the baby, but he understands the si
tuation you are in. He is willing to do this in a way that keeps you completely safe.”
Abigail’s face melted with relief. “He ... he wants to see me? The baby too?”
Sarah held the girl’s hands in her own. “He loves you,” she repeated. “He wants to see both of you. If you are willing …”
Abigail nodded enthusiastically, and Sarah was touched by her love for her brother.
“Well, then, here is the plan. When I return in two weeks, I will bring a horse for you both. The baby will be a full month by then, and it will be safe for you to ride a short distance. I will escort you from camp, so your companions are not in any danger. Reynald will be able to talk with you, to see for himself that you are safe.”
Abigail looked down. “What if he tries to take me away from Lloyd?”
Sarah shook her head. “He knows that you love each other and are married. He respects that. He just wants to hear, from your own lips, that you are safe and happy. He wants to do what he can to help you.”
Abigail brought her eyes up again. “How about my mother?”
Sarah gently gave a squeeze to Abigail’s hand. “It does not seem that she has changed any,” she related sadly. “Parents can be like that. Do not worry about that for now. Your brother loves you, and he will stand by you. You have him, you have your husband, and the baby. That is a lot.”
Sarah’s eyes shone. “Aye, that is,” she agreed with a smile. “I had not thought to have even that much.”
Sarah talked with her for a while about the baby and her health. She desperately wanted to know more about Reynald - about what type of a brother he had been and about the type of child he had been growing up. She held her tongue, knowing her hours with Abigail were limited. There was enough time for such frivolous discussions later. For now, the safety of the mother and child were paramount.
It seemed all too soon when it was time to go. She gave Abigail’s hand a squeeze, promising her she would be back in two weeks with the horse. Then she was off at a gallop, returning to the clearing.
Reynald was waiting alertly when she came in to meet him, and his face relaxed into a smile when he saw the look on her face. “Abby is doing well? The baby also?” he asked before she had even drawn fully to a stop.
Sarah dismounted easily, going over to stand before him. “She is a beautiful mother,” she praised in reassurance. “The baby is a delight and growing at a healthy rate. Do not worry, you will see soon enough for yourself.”
Reynald’s face lit with joy. “She has agreed to see me?”
Sarah had not seen him so honestly happy since she had met him, and the thought warmed her immensely. “Yes,” she confirmed. “Your sister was very pleased with the news that you wanted to meet with her. She will come to see you in two weeks, with her child.”
Reynald sighed in relief. “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this,” he murmured to Sarah, taking her by the hand. “Abigail was always the sweetest of children. She was a treasure in our household, and it was very hard for me to leave her. Out of all of my family, it is she that I miss the most.”
Sarah held his hand in her own. “I understand, really I do.”
The afternoon sunlight streamed in to the small clearing; warblers called from the trees. Sarah saw the love in Reynald’s eyes as he thought about his younger sister. Suddenly she wished that he felt that same affection for her - that he would gaze at her with that same look.
She flushed, drawing her hand away and turning from him. She mounted her horse, heading back toward home. In a moment, she heard Reynald following along behind her.
Sarah became lost in thoughts of loving one’s sister without hesitation, without any limits. She thought of Rachel’s recent request for money and wondered what she had driven her sister to do by refusing to help.
When they had arrived at home, Sarah headed off in search of her mother. She tracked down Mathilde in the sitting room; the woman was embroidering a shawl by the long windows. Sarah sat down across from her mother, admiring the fine, elegant stitches being laid down on the cloth.
“So, what can I do for you on this fine afternoon?” asked Mathilde with a generous smile. “It appears your ride went well?”
“Yes, very well,” agreed Sarah with a nod. “I actually have a favor to ask of you.”
“Yes, what is it?” prompted her mother, laying aside the needlework.
Sarah hesitated, her face turning crimson. She reminded herself that this was for her sister’s sake. She pushed herself to speak. “I … I need to borrow five pounds.”
“Oh? What for?” asked Mathilde with amused interest. “You rarely ever …” She quickly shook her head. “No, never mind. You do not need to tell me the cause. Yes, certainly I will do that.” She called out for Polly, who came into the room in a few minutes.
“Fetch me my lock box,” Mathilde asked the maid with a nod. It was only a short while before Polly returned with the engraved wooden box cradled in her arms.
Mathilde drew a slim iron key from the collection at her waist and carefully turned it in the lock. Propping the lid open against the window, she carefully counted out the coins for her daughter.
“Use them wisely,” she cautioned her daughter with a smile. “Money does not grow on trees, you know.”
Sarah gathered the money up in her hands, standing and nodding. “Thank you, I appreciate this,” she said to her mother, dropping a small curtsey. She turned and headed up the stairs to her room. Once there she dug an old scabbard out from a lower drawer and slid the coins down into its base for safe keeping. She lay the scabbard on her dresser top, then sat at the foot of her bed, staring at it for a long while.
* * *
True to his word, Reynald left early the next morning for a ride with Rachel. Sarah watched the two of them head out the gates, willing herself not to be jealous of her sister. Reynald was not hers, after all, and he was free to spend time with all members of the family equally. Besides, it was comforting that Reynald was keeping an eye over her sister, if there really were rogue Templars out there seeking to cause harm.
She spent the day busying herself in the garden, tending to the plants and making up new poultices. She focused on her father’s words.
She needed to be happy and content in her own world.
It was not that she was unhappy, she thought as she weeded through the sage, enjoying its fresh aroma. She had pretty much everything she needed here. She had good food, a soft bed, and parents who cared for her. She was living her daily life in a way which suited her.
She sighed deeply. She remembered back to the night with Cecily, when she was handling the breech baby. Having Reynald by her side, being able to count on him to help her and support her, had been such an incredible feeling. It was one thing to have her mother provide praise for her when she returned from a call. It was quite another to have a man by her side actively supporting her in her life’s work. Once she had realized just how powerful a feeling that was, it was hard to go back to being on her own.
The day slipped by in a long train of thoughts, and she forced herself to focus on her planting, to immerse herself in her work. She had managed to finally lose herself so thoroughly that she jolted in surprise when her sister grabbed her around the waist, bubbling out in a burst of laughter.
“There you are, you stick-in-the-mud!” cried out Rachel in delight. “I should have known to look for you out here. I had so much fun with Reynald! Did you know he is an excellent rider? Few men can keep up with me and my steed, but Reynald managed it! He did not even complain when I took the fences by the old pond, like our stodgy guards do! He is an amazing man.”
Sarah smiled, standing and brushing the dirt off of her dress. “I am delighted you enjoyed yourself,” she offered with a warm laugh. “It is true, few can keep up with you and your energy!”
“He even bought me some fresh tarts when we visited town,” remembered Rachel, licking her lips. “They were delicious! What a sweetheart he is.”
> The mention of money swept Sarah’s mind back to the slur at the graveyard, to Ethan’s innuendo about Rachel’s activities. Sarah dropped her eyes for a moment. “Rachel, you know how you said you needed five pounds? I was able to get it for you after all. I have it, up in my room.”
Rachel shook her head, doing a spin around the garden. “Hah, you pigeon-egg, that was days ago. I got the money for myself. Life is a summer’s breeze and never rests!”
She did another twirl then ran off toward the house.
Sarah watched her go with misgivings. Part of her wanted to ask how Rachel had acquired the cash, but another part of her felt it was better not knowing. She sighed, then moved slowly back down to her knees, pulling gently at the weeds sprouting amidst the sage.
* * *
Sarah fought the urge to look again at Reynald’s empty chair, to wonder what corner of the realm he was delving into today on his quest for the wolves’ heads.
She needed a distraction.
She took up the last spoonful of venison stew, then turned to Rachel. “How would you like to go for a ride to Melksham, to listen to some music?” she asked, drawing a smile on her face. “I hear a new group of musicians has come into town.”
Rachel’s face lit with pleasure. “That sounds wonderful!” she gushed. In no time at all the pair were riding out together in the open sunshine. Cedric trailed along a short distance behind, wearing his typical leather armor with long sword.
Sarah enjoyed the afternoon’s ride immensely. Her sister was witty, offering insightful, if often cynical, commentary on the people and places they rode past. They finally reached the village and stabled their horses before strolling around town. Cedric took the opportunity to visit with his sister and young nephews at the edge of town, leaving them in the safety of the crowd. Sarah had great fun shopping and enjoying the open air with her sister.
At last they came to the main building on the green, the two-story tavern with its wide windows and peaked roof. The interior of the tavern was comfortably laid out. There were several circular wood tables, a large fireplace in one corner which sat dormant, and large, open windows which sent a nice cross breeze through the room.