Years later, Margery no longer had to care for Amelie, although she still served as a nursemaid. The woman was thirty-six years old now, only three years younger than Lady Edeline, yet even through the passage of time, she was remained youthful and pretty. Her head was covered in the traditional wimple which accentuated her unblemished skin and large, striking hazel eyes. More than once, admiring glances were cast at the nursemaid. However in every case, she displayed indifference to the attention she garnered. Strangely enough though, John was not one of her admirers.
“He startled me at the door,” Margery said, catching Amelie’s eye and flushing. She dropped her gaze to study the hem of her gown.
It was usually Margery who sent Amelie reproachful looks for behaving out of turn. However now that the situation was reversed, it felt odd to censure the nursemaid for her rudeness.
Clarisse averted her gaze from the nursemaid, looking embarrassed by the woman’s behavior. She looked sympathetically at John and explained, “The king’s men have just arrived, and we are on our way to meet them.”
John flicked a look of dislike at the nursemaid before turning his back on her. “I am well aware of the king’s men, my lady,” he said, addressing Clarisse. He raised a hand and rubbed at his jaw. “However I have come to speak with Lady Amelie about a different matter.”
“You have worthwhile news for me, sire?” A tiny hope ignited in Amelie’s heart, but she kept her face still.
The knight nodded his head, and threw a cautious glance over at her cousin and nursemaid. “I would speak with you alone, my lady.”
Clarisse shrugged while Margery narrowed her eyes at him, although she made no further comment.
Amelie gave her mother a quick look, and debated whether she should include her in the discussion.
“Lady Edeline would also appreciate the information I have,” John said, following her gaze.
“We cannot know for certain if the information you give me has merit.” Amelie frowned at the commander. “If it proves to be another false lead, the news will unnecessarily raise my mother’s hopes.” Unable to help it, her gaze fell once again upon her mother. “’Tis best that she is kept ignorant…at least until we have concrete details of my father’s whereabouts.”
Lady Edeline got up from her stool. Picking up a cup that sat at a nearby table, she returned to her spot by the window. She moved almost as if she was in a dream, unconcerned about the commotion at the solar door. It had been a little over a year that her mother suffered from yet another miscarriage. She had barely recovered from the loss when she complained of nausea, headaches, and blurred vision. The physician couldn’t determine what was wrong with her. It was fortunate that Margery had herbal knowledge, and brewed a special remedy for her mother to sip throughout the day.
“We should leave Mother to rest. Come now, Sir John,” Amelie said, indicating to the door, “You may speak with me while we make our way to greet our visitors.”
Chapter 3
“You have word of my father, Sir John?” Amelie asked briskly, ignoring the tightness in her chest.
They had descended the narrow stairway, and were now making their way down the long corridor toward the great hall. John pressed his lips tightly together, and looked as if he didn’t want to divulge the entire truth. Her brows wrinkled, and she bit back the words that she knew she would later regret. The commander was more suited for fighting rather than politics and administration, but Lord Stanbury was confident in his abilities in both areas. She knew that John disapproved of her interference. However now that her father was gone, she had full control of the castle. The knight was reluctant to take instruction from her, likely because he still viewed her as a child that needed protection. But she was a full-grown woman now, and she didn’t want or need to be shielded from the truth. She wanted answers.
Still, frustration mounted whenever she dealt with the commander. While John agreed to search for her father, he only half-heartedly went along with her ideas. Resistance was in his face every time she ordered him to do something. The knight wanted to wait until her father returned to Stanbury Castle. But what would happen if Lord Stanbury never returned? What then? With the king’s men here, she knew that the castle inhabitants would begin speculating on her father’s perceived guilt. That wasn’t something that she could prevent. Yet she couldn’t bear to have the family name dragged through the moat, or to have the servants gossip about their affairs.
“Well?” She stopped and faced John, the furrow between her eyebrows deepening. “What is this worthwhile news that you have, sire? I asked you to report back to me with your findings. Are you here to tell me that you have once again found nothing of value?”
His jaws tensed, and for a moment he seemed to struggle to form the words in his mouth, but when he spoke his tone was civil and bland. “Nay, my lady. We did find something of value.”
“Well what is it?” she snapped. He seemed to take forever imparting with the news, and Amelie made an irritated sound at the back of her throat. “Do not keep me in suspense.”
John abruptly stiffened his spine and looked down at her from his great height. A shadow passed through his eyes, and he looked as if he was going to say something significant. But once again he clamped his mouth shut, averting his face.
The look didn’t go unnoticed by Amelie, and suddenly she began to feel guilty for her severe speech. Rarely did she speak harshly toward a knight of high stature.
She started to walk again and the commander fell in step with her. “I am sorry, Sir John,” she said, passing a weary hand over her forehead and sighing. “I realize that my anger toward you is unwarranted. Of all my father’s men, you are the most loyal. I understand that you dislike my involvement in these matters, and think I should leave them for you to deal with. But I also know that you would not deny me or my father.” She paused, allowing her words to sink in. “Many people here think that Lord Stanbury is dead, but I refuse to believe this. In my heart I know that he is alive, and that he needs my help.”
“There is no need to apologize, my lady.” His face relaxed slightly, and he seemed mollified by her explanation. “I understand that you worry about your father’s welfare. I worry for him too.”
“I thank you for this, sire. Even my own mother would not understand the efforts I have made in order to search for my father. She seems to believe that he will return shortly. And perhaps in her illness she is convinced of this, for she is holed up in her private chambers, and is not aware of how much time has passed. However, you and I know better.” She forced her lips into a smile. “Now tell me what ‘tis that you have found.”
He didn’t need any further encouragement.
“You will be happy to hear that I have news of Lord Stanbury’s last whereabouts,” the knight said, his words staying careful and measured but his eyes suddenly glinting.
Amelie’s footstep faltered, and her heart skipped a beat. Still, she forced her legs to continue walking.
“It appears that Lord Stanbury was in Wykeham before he disappeared,” he continued. “I thought we would yield more information in London, since that was the last place Lord Stanbury had visited. However you were right to send scouts to the nearby villages and towns. ”
Their steps echoed in the narrow corridor. The two women were silent, and followed several feet behind them.
“I never thought to look at Wykeham since ‘tis so close to Stanbury,” John said. “But that day he disappeared — he didn’t tell anyone where he was going. I even asked him if he required an armed escort, but he said that he didn’t need one.”
“’Tis not your fault that he is missing, Sir John,” she said.
A troubled look crossed his face as though he recalled the last interaction he had with the lord. “I should have insisted that he take a guard with him.” He sent her a tight smile and raised a large hand to squeeze his shoulder. “I just didn’t know where he was going, or what he was thinking.”
“You did not sa
y what the scout found in Wykeham,” Amelie said, reminding him of the report that he had yet to recount. She forced the impatience from creeping back into her voice. “Was it something that will lead us to my father?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” John said, coloring slightly as he was jerked out of his thoughts. “The inn keeper at the Fox Trail confirmed that a nobleman who fits Lord Stanbury’s description was there.”
“How do you know this?” she asked, lacing her fingers over her stomach, willing herself not to become too hopeful. Over the past two weeks, there had been many clues that led nowhere. The disappointment and frustration from the lack of information always left her in a bad state. She didn’t want to face another disappointment.
“The scout I sent overheard the inn keeper discussing an incident involving two noblemen. When the knight inquired further about the lords, the inn keeper became closed-mouthed and hostile. No one else would answer my man’s inquiries either. ‘Twas when the scout went back to the stable that he recognized Lord Stanbury’s black courser since there is no mistaking the bold, white streak on its forehead.”
“The villagers would know what my father looks like as he is their liege lord…” She frowned, trying to make sense of what John said. “Why would the inn keeper deny, or even refuse to answer the knight’s questions?”
“I believe that the inn keeper has valuable information, and for some reason he is unwilling to part with it.”
“We will have to speak to him, and find out what he knows,” she said. Her arms fell to her side and she exhaled deeply, trying to release the tightness in her chest. “I am glad to hear that my father is still alive.”
“Alive at that time, aye,” John said, looking at her almost apologetically, “however we do not know of his status now.” He let out a puff of air as if he debated whether he should continue. “My lady,” he said finally, his voice low and full of resignation. “As much as I hate to admit that I was wrong, Lord Stanbury has been gone for far too long. We have not heard word from him, and even though we may not want to think it, we must prepare for the worst.”
The worst. Death. She frowned. Nay, this was not what she wanted to hear. A silence fell between them, and the only sound that could be heard was John’s metal boots scraping across the stone floor. Amelie realized the wisdom in the commander’s counsel. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to even acknowledge the possibility that her father had somehow died. How could he be gone when she hadn’t the chance to tell him how much he meant to her? She winced. The last time she told him that she loved him was when she was a little girl. That was when they shared good times, before the worries and responsibilities of the castle rested upon her shoulders, and before her father became embittered by his inability to produce a male heir.
“I thank you for your words of advice,” she said, sighing inwardly. There was no point in voicing her fears to the commander.
“I thought that you would be glad to hear about these current findings,” he said. They were almost at the entrance to the hall and John hesitated. He turned his head, making sure that the two other women were still well out of earshot. “The stable master would not release the horse, so the scout had to come back to Stanbury without it.” He paused, and almost as an afterthought, he continued, “I should send my man back to Wykeham with an official writ, and retrieve Lord Stanbury’s horse from the inn’s stable.”
“Do not bother with that, sire,” Amelie said. “I will retrieve the horse myself.”
“This is good, my lady. I shall have two men —”
“Nay,” Amelie interrupted. “I shall go alone.”
He stopped and stared at her as if she had lost her mind. “I cannot let you do that, my lady,” he said shaking his head. “Surely you know ‘tis not safe to leave the castle on your own.”
“Keep your voice down,” she hissed.
But it was too late. Clarisse and Margery caught up with them. “Where are you going, my lady?” Margery asked, frowning. “You did not mention anything to me about a journey.”
“I am not going anywhere,” Amelie said, cutting her off.
“I allow that you may have moments of privacy, my lady.” The frown on Margery’s face deepened. “However my intention is not for you to make plans without my knowledge or approval.”
She cringed inwardly at her nursemaid’s stern tone, remembering all too well the many tongue lashings she received as a child. However she had come to an age where she didn’t need a nursemaid any longer, and she wished that she could get rid of the servant. But even as she desired this, Amelie knew that it went against convention; she was an unmarried woman, and a chaperone was a necessity. Still, Margery sent her a severe look that made her feel like a child who was caught raiding sweets from the cook’s cupboard.
“I do not appreciate the look that you are giving me, Margery,” she said irritably, her face turning into a hardened mask.
“But she is right, Amelie,” Clarisse cut in. “We clearly heard you telling Sir John that you planned to go somewhere by yourself. Now why would you go anywhere alone, especially now that the king’s men are here?”
Looking from Clarisse’s curious gaze to her nursemaid’s censorious one, Amelie sighed. Ever since she learned of the treasonous plot, she had doubled her efforts to acquire the truth. She hadn’t told her mother, Clarisse or Margery about her plans, but it wasn’t necessary to hold the secret any longer. She now had a lead. And with this lead, she was foolish not to investigate it.
“I am going to the village of Wykeham,” she said finally. “I had eventual plans to tell you both of this.”
She swept through the doors and crossed into the great hall.
“But why Wykeham?” Clarisse asked, quickening her steps to match Amelie’s pace. “Why do you need to go so far?”
“Indeed, ‘tis far,” Margery said, hurrying after them. “That village is north of Stanbury, and several hours away.” She pursed her lips. “When were we supposed to find out about your plans, my lady? When you’re gone? You didn’t leave much notice for me to accompany you. There is much to pack —”
“As I told Sir John, I plan to go alone,” Amelie said, her words ringing with finality.
“Alone?” Margery repeated incredulously.
A servant carrying two buckets of water headed toward them, and they fell silent.
When the servant was well out of earshot, Clarisse spoke up. The expression on her face was grave and laced with concern. “Margery does have a point, Amelie. Everyone knows that the main road is unsafe to travel.” She hesitated, and then carefully ventured to add, “Edgar is away, however I can ask Geoffrey to escort you to Wykeham. He can be here within a day or two. Will you not wait until he arrives?”
“You may ask your brother to come here,” Amelie said, “however I have no time to wait for his arrival.”
“Talk some sense into her, sire,” Margery threw a desperate glance at John. Her eyes appealed for his help, and any trace of her earlier hostility toward the knight was gone.
“I have tried my best,” said John stiffly. “However Lady Amelie will not listen to me.”
“Will the two of you stop speaking about me as if I am not present?” Amelie said, making a sound of disgust. “I have decided to go to Wykeham, and I will not be deterred from this plan.”
They continued through the great hall and toward the large oak doors that led into the courtyard. The hall was quiet now that dinner was over, and the servants had finished clearing up the trestle tables. They had pushed the long tables along the walls, leaving an open path for them to walk.
“Lady Amelie, consider my words again.” John held the heavy doors for them to pass. “I still think ‘twould be more prudent to send a guard to retrieve the horse.”
“Fine,” Amelie said, brushing past him. “Send a man out, but my plan to speak to the inn keeper remains unchanged.”
“But —”
Amelie held up a hand. “Did you not just tell me that the inn keeper r
efused to speak to the scout? Perhaps if I go, I will have better luck in gleaning more information about my father.”
John opened his mouth to say something more, but Amelie shook her head to stop him from arguing with her. She already knew that his opinion would be filled with condemnation.
“Since my father is not here and my mother is incapacitated, I will not have you nor anyone else question my decisions.”
“Then the nursemaid is correct, my lady,” John said, his lips tightly compressed. “You cannot go alone to Wykeham. I will need to accompany you.”
“Nay,” she shook her head. “That will not be necessary. As commander, you need to stay here to attend to the garrison, and to be present in case my father returns. The steward, meanwhile can manage the castle affairs during the few hours that I am gone.”
“But my lady —”
“You are dismissed, Sir John.”
“Aye, my lady,” he said, the expression on his face becoming carefully blank. Then giving her a small bow, he withdrew.
“There is danger in this undertaking,” Margery said, casting a glance at John’s retreating back. She smoothed her hands over her apron. “’Tis very risky indeed.”
“That is a risk that I am willing to take,” Amelie said stubbornly, looking straight ahead. “My father is missing. One of the most powerful men in England, my own uncle — the Lord High Steward and Duke of Hangrov — has pointed a nasty finger at my father, implicating him of high treason! Lord Stanbury is a most loyal vassal to the king, and ‘tis impossible for me to believe that he would betray the monarch. Something is afoot, and I plan to uncover what ‘tis.” She swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in her throat. And when she spoke again, her voice cracked slightly, “I cannot allow my father to hang for something that he did not do.”
A Knight's Duty (The Knights of Honor Trilogy, Book 2) Page 2