by Connie Mason
Chiding himself for being fanciful, Falcon passed the cart and took the lead from Sir Dennis. Rosamond rode up beside him. "Is aught wrong, Falcon?"
"Did you call me a few minutes ago?" he asked.
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"Nay." She looked at him oddly. "I heard naught."
Falcon grunted but wasn't convinced. He had distinctly heard someone calling his name, someone pleading for help.
Mariah.
It couldn't be. His imagination was getting the better of him. Falcon had been uncomfortable leaving Mariah, and because of it, his mind must be playing tricks on him. He lifted his head. The breeze whispering through the trees seemed to repeat the same words, over and over.
Help me. I need you.
Falcon dropped back to speak with his squire. "Jamie, I want you to return to Mildenhall. I have a feeling that all is not well there. Find out what you can and report back to me at my quarters in London."
"Do you suspect foul play?"
"I have naught but my suspicion. Go, lad. I will be waiting anxiously for your return."
Jamie let the rest of the party pass him before wheeling his horse back toward Mildenhall.
"What was that about?" Rosamond asked when Falcon rode up beside her. "Why did your squire turn back?"
"You need not concern yourself with Jamie," Falcon replied. "I but sent him on an errand."
While his answer seemed to satisfy Rosamond, it did little to ease Falcon's disquiet. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones, hear the warning in the air.
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Mariah prayed feverishly for deliverance from this latest threat to her and Robbie. She rose up from her knees when she heard the key turn in the lock. Osgood burst inside, his face red, his fists clenched. Walter hovered be-
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hind him, looking no less threatening than his father. Mariah waited with bated breath for Osgood to tell her whether or not Robbie had been found.
"Where is he, Mariah?" Osgood blasted. "How could one small boy disappear into thin air?"
Mariah's relief was so enormous, her legs turned to jelly and she collapsed into a chair.
Osgood grasped her arms and pulled her to her feet. "You know where he's hiding! Tell me."
Mariah shook her head. "Nay. I opened the gate to you in good faith. I had no idea you intended harm to me and mine. How could I have hidden Robbie when I was on hand to greet you in the courtyard?"
"What about the healer? She could have taken the boy away."
"Nay. We both saw Edwina was in the hall, remember?"
"Someone fled with the brat through the postern gate. Perhaps one of the servants. I made a mistake, but it won't happen again. The gate is well guarded now. No one else will leave without my knowledge."
"We went from house to house in the village," Walter growled. "If the boy was hiding there, we would have found him."
Father Francis pushed into the chamber. "Did you harm any of the villagers?"
"Bah, they knew naught," Osgood sneered. "A dumber lot I've never seen."
"How long do you intend to keep me imprisoned?" Mariah asked.
"You are free to leave the solar to work in the kitchen. You and the healer are all we have until the servants can be persuaded to return."
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"You must allow me to travel back and forth to the village to administer to my flock," the priest pleaded.
"I have no intention of preventing you from doing God's work, Father," Osgood replied piously. "You may continue to administer to the sick and dying in the village.
"While you are performing your duties," Osgood continued, "you can tell the cotters that I mean no harm to their lady or to them. Inform the servants that they can return to their duties without fear."
Mariah's hopes soared. Father Francis would be a link to the village and thus with Robbie, for she knew with a certainty that her son was in a place no one would think to look for him. It worried her, however, that she did not know how long he would have to remain hidden. She prayed it wouldn't be long.
"Go down to the kitchen, lady," Osgood ordered, "and help the healer prepare the evening meal."
"Where are my men? Have you harmed them?"
"They will come to no harm," Osgood promised. "Once you and Walter are wed, he will have need of them. Henry won't interfere once you and Walter are husband and wife, but slaughtering your men would bring his wrath down upon me and mine."
"Do you give your word as a knight of the realm not to harm my men or servants should they return?" Mariah asked.
"Aye, you have my word. We need the servants as well as the guardsmen, for doubtless they will remain to serve you after you wed Walter. I shall release your steward, to prove my good faith."
Head held high, Mariah brushed past Osgood and Walter and descended the stairs. Father Francis followed
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close on her heels. Now that Osgood had sworn not to harm her people, she would send word through Father Francis for the servants to return. Despite her distrust of him, she hoped Osgood would keep his word.
Mariah entered the kitchen, her mouth watering when she saw a haunch of venison roasting over the fire, bread baking in the hearth oven and various pots hanging on hooks suspended over the fire.
Then she spied Edwina, basting the venison as it turned on the spit. Mariah flew to the healer and hugged her. "Where is Robbie?" she whispered into the old crone's ear. "Is he well?"
"He is well. Fear not, Osgood will never find him, but the lad cannot remain hidden in the alewife's cellar forever. I made arrangements for Robbie to be transported to London with the next shipment of ale that leaves the village."
"London! Robbie will be lost there; 'tis a big, wicked city. All kinds of bad things could happen to him there."
"Becca promised to take him to the king and explain your predicament."
Panic-stricken, Mariah cried, "I cannot let them go alone! I need to go with them. If Becca cannot gain the king's ear, I know not what will become of them. Becca is a country lass—she knows naught of London."
"Mayhap there is something I can do to help," Edwina confided. "I will think on it and confer with Father Francis. He is allowed to travel freely between the castle and the village."
"I wish ..."
"What do you wish, Mariah?"
" 'Tis fanciful of me to think Falcon might learn of our
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predicament and send help. But now that he has Rosamond, I fear Robbie and I are naught to him."
"You should have told him that he is Robbie's sire," Edwina scolded.
Mariah shook her head. "To what purpose? Falcon's future is with Rosamond. He already distrusts me for lying about my relationship to Edmond. Robbie will always be a bond tying me to Falcon, but I can never tell him about his son. I would die if he took Robbie away from me. I cannot bear the thought of Rosamond raising him."
"You don't know Falcon would take Robbie away from you," Edwina chided.
Mariah's answer was forestalled when Osgood stuck his head into the kitchen and barked, "What plot are you two hatching? My men and I are hungry. Get to work."
"We are planning your demise," Mariah said sweetly. "Are you sure you trust us around food?"
Swearing violently, Osgood summoned one of his mercenaries to watch over the women, warning the guard that he was to be the taster, so he had best make sure naught poisonous was added to the food.
The women exchanged amused glances as they turned their backs to Osgood.
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The day following Osgood's occupation of Mildenhall, Father Francis passed on Osgood's promise that the servants would not be harmed if they returned. By midday, a few hardy souls had straggled back, relieving Mariah and Edwina of kitchen duty.
Edwina had managed to speak at length with Father Francis e
arly that morning before he left, and together they'd arranged a precarious escape for Mariah.
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After the priest left, Edwina explained the details to Mariah while picking herbs in the kitchen garden, where they couldn't be overheard.
"Father Francis is arranging your escape as we speak," Edwina murmured.
Mariah bent close to Edwina, glanced around to make sure no one was about and asked, "Am I to leave with Robbie?"
"Aye. If all goes well, you, Robbie and Becca will be smuggled out of the village today."
A mixture of pleasure and fear suffused Mariah's face. "If you can make that happen, you are a miracle worker. Tell me more."
"Father Francis is the miracle worker, not I. He and the alewife are arranging for a shipment of her best ale to be delivered to the keep today while the men partake of the midday meal. The ale will be welcomed, for Osgood's men have depleted the stock on hand. Among the kegs will be one large enough to hold an adult, one that has never contained ale. While Horace unloads the filled kegs, Malcolm will help you into the empty one.
"When they return to the village, they will reload the wagon with ale to be delivered to a village south of here. Two of those kegs will hold Robbie and Becca. To anyone who asks, Malcolm will say that he is making a regular delivery to the alehouse in the neighboring village, but instead, he will be taking you, Becca and Robbie to London. Once you arrive, you can seek the king's help."
Mariah worried her bottom Up with her teeth as she imagined all the things that could go wrong. If they were caught, Robbie would become Osgood's pawn, and she would be forced to wed Walter in order to protect Robbie. But if everything went as planned, she and Robbie would be free to seek the king's help.
Another alternative was to let Robbie and Becca leave without her. But they would be like two lost lambs in a wild and lawless town. She might never see her son again.
"What are you thinking, Mariah?" Edwina asked. "I know the plan Father Francis and I have hatched is a dangerous one, but 'tis the only one that has a chance of working."
Mariah stared at the old woman who had befriended her when she'd arrived at Mildenhall as a young girl. After her parents' deaths, when Edmond had become her guardian, Edwina had assumed the role of mother. She would trust both Edwina and Father Francis with her life. "I will do it," she whispered.
"Take naught with you but a change of clothing and whatever coin you can lay your hands on."
"Sir Martin has hidden away some gold coins; I know where to find them."
"Malcolm and Horace will deliver the ale while Osgood and his men are eating, so you won't be missed. When Malcolm brings the wagon around to the kitchen, you are to sneak out the door and climb into the keg. God go with you."
"I will need God to pull this off," Mariah muttered.
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Jamie reached the village with a powerful hunger. He made straight for the alehouse and ordered a meat pie, hoping to get some information along with his food.
The serving girl greeted him enthusiastically, having made his acquaintance during his stay at Mildenhall
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keep. "Jamie, what are you doing back here? I thought you left with Sir Falcon's party."
"Falcon was uneasy after leaving and sent me back to inquire at the keep. I stopped here first for a bite to eat, and information. Is all well at the keep, Callie?"
Callie glanced about the crowded taproom and whispered, "Not here. Osgood has placed men throughout the village. It wouldn't do for you to be recognized or be seen talking to me."
"Sir Osgood occupies Mildenhall?" Jamie gasped. "What happened?"
"Come around to the kitchen after you've eaten and I'll explain."
Jamie gobbled his meat pie and left. Cautiously he worked his way around to the kitchen entrance. Callie was waiting for him.
"How did Osgood get inside the keep?" Jamie asked without preamble.
"He used trickery. Now Father Francis is the only one allowed outside the gate. Since Sir Osgood thinks him harmless, he's been our only source of information. Osgood is pressuring Lady Mariah to wed Walter."
"Has a marriage taken place?"
"Nay. Our lady refused, but only because Robbie has disappeared and Osgood cannot use him to force Lady Mariah to his will."
"Do you know what happened to Robbie?"
"Nay, no one does. We believe, but cannot be sure, that he's on his way to London with his nursemaid to seek the king's help. Osgood's mercenaries searched the keep, the village, everywhere a lad could hide."
"What about Lady Mariah? Is she well?"
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"According to the priest, she is."
Jamie gave Callie a swift buss on the cheek and hurried off.
"Where are you going?" Callie called after him.
"To London, to report to Falcon. Take care, Callie."
Chapter 12
Upon his return to London, Falcon heard on the street that King Henry had taken his army to France to lay siege to Normandy. If the gossip proved true, Falcon needed to be with the king.
Though Rosamond wanted Falcon to secure a special license from the bishop so they could wed immediately, Falcon resisted the pressure of her constant nagging. He refused to do anything until Jamie reported back to him. The feeling that all was not well at Mildenhall intensified with each passing hour.
Soon after their arrival, Falcon escorted Rosamond to her father's town house.
"Papa, you look ill!" Rosamond cried when her father met them at the door. "Come, sit down. I have some news to impart. Falcon and I are betrothed and are to be wed soon."
Lord Norwich, once a robust man, did indeed look ill. His face was pallid, his skin sagging. He was not the same man Falcon had known five years ago.
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"Where have you been, daughter? I came up to London despite my illness, hoping to find you here."
"I was at Mildenhall, visiting Lady Mariah. Falcon happened to be there on the king's business,"
"Are you sure marrying Falcon is wise, daughter? You can do better than a landless knight."
Falcon shifted uncomfortably, unaccustomed to being talked down to.
"You agreed to the match once," Rosamond said, pouting. "Now that I am a widow, you have no say in my choice of husband. I have an estate and wealth of my own, and I want Falcon."
Lord Norwich stared at Falcon with intense dislike. "Do you promise not to leave my daughter at the altar? I cannot bear for her to be disappointed again."
"What happened before was unavoidable," Falcon retorted.
"So I was told," Norwich bit out.
Falcon deliberately changed the subject. "I heard on the street that King Henry is in France. Is it true?"
"Aye, so I've heard, but I cannot say for sure."
"If it's true, I intend to join him as soon as I can. Perhaps it would be best to postpone the wedding until I return."
Norwich sent Rosamond an "I told you so" look. Rosamond, however, was having none of it. Glaring at Falcon, she stamped her foot. "I like this not! We will be wed before you leave or not at all. I have waited too long to be your wife."
/ prefer we not wed at all, Falcon thought but did not say. But he knew he might never get another chance to
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wed an heiress. "Very well," he agreed. "Once my business affairs are in order, we can be wed."
A catlike smile curved Rosamond's mouth. "Make it soon, Falcon. I don't like waiting for what I want."
Falcon decided to leave before he said something he'd regret. He had always known Rosamond was spoiled and demanding, but the size of her dowry had made him overlook those qualities. Perhaps he should have examined her faults before agreeing to marry her.
"I must leave," Falcon said. "There's a great deal to do before we can be wed. I will be in touch, Rosamond."
Rosamond grasped his arm. "I'll walk you to the door.
"
Once out of sight of her father, Rosamond stopped, twined her arms around Falcon's neck and pulled his head down to hers. Her lips were soft and plump, and for a moment Falcon allowed himself to explore them, probing between them with his tongue to taste her.
The kiss did naught to arouse him. If Rosamond were Mariah, his cock would be in full rut and eager for consummation. Rosamond's kisses left him cold. He broke off the kiss and took his leave, much to Rosamond's vexation. He had a great deal to think about. Marrying Rosamond would be for the rest of his life. Was that what he wanted?
Falcon returned to his rented rooms above the Fox and Hound Inn near Whitehall. The rooms were comfortable and had proved adequate during his years of service to the king. Besides, the inn had a fine cook and the quality of the food was excellent. And the inn's stableman took good care of his horse.
After bathing and eating an excellent meal, Falcon took himself off to Whitehall. It didn't take long for him
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to learn that the king, having set his sights on Normandy, had sailed across the channel with his army three days earlier. Falcon heard the details from Lord Humphreys, one of the king's advisors.
"Did Henry leave any instructions for me?" Falcon asked.
"None that I am aware of. You have just returned from Mildenhall, have you not?"
"Aye."
"Is all well there? Henry was fond of Lord Edmond and wanted to help his widow."
"All was as it should be when I left," Falcon hedged.
"I assume you want to join the king as soon as possible."
"I do, but not until I settle my affairs in England."
Falcon left Whitehall soon after their conversation. At loose ends, he dropped in at the Cock and Crow, where he knew he'd find his friends enjoying their leisure time. He wasn't disappointed. Falcon joined Sir Dennis and several others; they spoke at length about the king's return to Normandy and their desire to join him. Falcon promised to inform them when he was ready to depart, and then took his leave.