She took a deep breath and said, “How do you feel about me, Daniel? Are you just fascinated with me because I’m a leader of a rebel group? Is that all?”
He shook his head. “No, not just fascinated.”
Robin sighed with frustration. “I know what you said before, that you were enamored with me, but what did you mean by that.”
Daniel nodded. He looked into her eyes with a sober expression as he took her hand and said, “I think I understand what you’re saying, Marie. You’re asking me what my feelings are for you. Right?” She nodded as he continued. “Am I just leading you on, having fun, and nothing more? Am I really enamored with you? In other words, is there something in our future?”
Robin nodded once again as she nervously bit her lip. She was instantly sorry she had approached the subject. She was afraid of his answer.
“My feelings for you are deep, Robin Marie,” Daniel said earnestly. “I can assure you of that. But could we please wait until this whole thing with Hanna is over before I completely answer your question? Is that all right with you? We have a mission to accomplish and we can’t let our emotions get in the way or distract us. We need to find Hanna and keep her safe. Just one wrong move and everything we’ve fought for could be wasted. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I understand,” Robin said.
“We need to be aware of everything around us. King Rupert, I’m sure, has spies everywhere.”
She gave a crooked smile and nodded.
Daniel affectionately smiled back as he lifted her chin upward and brushed his lips against hers. “And yes, I do enjoy kissing you.” He tenderly and lightly kissed her warm lips again. “And yes, it does make my heart pick up speed when I do.” He then pressed his lips more firmly against hers, giving her a lingering kiss.
Robin sighed as she responded to his affections.
Then Daniel pulled back and said with a grin, “And yes, I don’t want to come back down to earth again as I’m kissing you, but I know I have to, for your sake. So I find myself letting you go.”
Almost breathlessly, she nodded and said, “I…I…uhm…”
Daniel chuckled and whispered, “I understand completely.”
Chapter 18
As Daniel walked through the door, Anna came rushing toward him and asked what he needed. With a smile, he said, “Tell Father I’ve arrived. He’s expecting me.”
It wasn’t long before Charles came walking toward them with arms extended toward Robin. He gave her a hug and then led them to the dining room.
“You’re just in time for a delicious meal, my dear. I’m so glad that Daniel brought you along. I told Anna to expect two more to stay and eat.”
Robin smiled as he seated her at the table. Then Charles took his place at the end and rang the dinner bell. As they chatted, he told them about the news in town and what was happening.
“Son, you wouldn’t believe it. The soldiers have taken over our community. They say it’s because they’re supposed to keep the law but I suspect there’s more. I know there’s something going on.”
When Anna brought in a cart of food to serve, Charles smiled and thanked her.
“Well, son,” he continued. “Tell me exactly what you’re going to do when you find this servant of Edmund’s?”
“As you know,” said Daniel. “We’re going to spread the word to all the communities that we have evidence of foul play and King Rupert was behind it. We’ll let them know we’re having a meeting so we can prove it.”
“What if Rupert finds out about it?” asked Charles as he watched Anna place the platters of food on the table.
“If he does, it won’t matter because we’ll have too many followers for the soldiers to control. They wouldn’t dare break it up or the people would suspect the king to be guilty.”
Charles nodded. “That’s good reasoning. And how about Edmund’s servant? What is her role in all this?”
Daniel remembered telling his father some of the details of their plan, so why did he want him to repeat it once again? Did he have an idea to add to it?
He shrugged his shoulders and answered, “We’ll tell her to testify to the fact that Edmund was poisoned by Rupert…”
A clatter of plates fell to the floor and everyone instantly turned toward the sound. Food was spread all over the floor, including utensils and some broken plates. Anna stood with widened eyes and a pale face staring at Daniel. She quickly knelt to the floor and began picking everything up as she apologized.
Instinctively, Robin got up from her chair and knelt down beside her to help clean up the mess. “It was an accident. Don’t worry. I’ll help.” When the woman glanced up at her, Robin could see the fear in her eyes. “What’s wrong, Anna?”
Anna didn’t say a word but quickly scooped up the food and placed it in a bowl. Robin knew something was not right. The woman was trembling. Why was she so frightened? It couldn’t have been because of Daniel’s father. Dropping the platter was an accident. Then it dawned on her. Anna had dropped the food just at the moment Daniel mentioned Edmund’s death.
“Anna?” The servant glanced at her but continued cleaning up. When she saw the woman’s hands shaking as she picked up the food, she said, “It was hard for you to change your name, wasn’t it, Hanna?”
The servant gasped as she looked up at Robin.
“You are Hanna, aren’t you!”
The servant nodded as tears welled up in her eyes. “I loved Edmund so much. He was a great king. He loved the people. I was so honored to know him, to serve him, and that dirty murdering Rupert…” Anna burst into tears as she held her apron up to her face and cried.
“I knew it,” announced Charles as he pounded his hand on the table. “I suspected but wasn’t sure. That was why I asked you to come visit me.”
Daniel was in shock from everything he had just heard. He turned to his father and said, “How did you know?”
“The servants know how I feel about Rupert. I haven’t let it be a secret. So one day I said something derogatory and Anna got upset and called Rupert a dirty murdering…” He smiled. “Well, I had better not repeat what she said in front of Marie. But in other words, I had never told her that he murdered Edmund. She let it slip and I noticed.”
Robin helped Hanna to her feet and led her to a chair. After sitting her down, she knelt beside her and said, “Hanna, do you understand what our mission is?”
She nodded.
“Would you be willing to put Rupert in jail with your testimony? If we can convince the people of what kind of person he really is, then we can make a stand. This is the only way we can do it. We need the support of the people.”
Hanna was a short slender woman with gray hair placed in a bun at the back of her head. After a few moments, she nodded. “Yes, I will. I’m tired of running.”
After the initial shock, Daniel realized he had known her for five years but never suspected she was running from something. He finally said, “You can stay here until its time for the meeting. I think you’ll be safer with my father.”
“Not so!” Charles said. “I’ve heard the gossip. One of our neighbors told me this week that the king has heard about a group of rebels who are asking questions about the former servants of Edmund. He has now put out a search for the servants as well, and he’s not stopping until he finds them. So far, no one has been found. I think they’ve kept their anonymity quite well.” He sighed. “But there’s one problem that recently came about.”
Robin asked, “What’s that?”
“The king has now, as of today, put out a reward for the capture of Hanna.”
Hanna gasped. Her eyes widened as fear overtook her. “No!” she exclaimed as she put her hand to her chest.
Robin immediately touched her hand and said, “We won’t let any harm come to you. I promise.”
Charles looked at Daniel and said, “What I’m worried about is how fast the news will spread. The people don’t have much money and the reward will be tempting to them. They don�
�t know why the king wants her. So they won’t think anything of telling on her. Money is the motivation.”
Robin’s mind was working furiously, trying to come up with a solution. Finally, with triumph in her voice, she announced, “I’ve got it!”
After telling everyone what her idea was, they all agreed. There was no other alternative. It was the best plan they could think of.
***
As Robin helped Polly pull on her best dress, she said, “There’s nothing to worry about. You’ll wear a coat with a hood over your head and look like a lady visiting Charles, the nobleman. No one will suspect a thing.”
Polly said excitedly, “I’m so glad we found Hanna. Without her, our hands are tied. It would just become a war between the rebels and the aristocrats.”
Robin nodded. “How about Captain Nathaniel?”
Polly smiled shyly. “I wouldn’t want to fight him.”
As they walked out of the bedroom, Daniel asked, “Ready?”
They nodded.
“Where is your father keeping Hanna?” asked Polly.
“Behind a secret panel in my father’s bedroom. That’s where he hides his valuables. And she is very valuable.”
As they walked out the door, Robin took Daniel’s arm and asked softly, “Do you think anyone has told on her for the reward? Would they really tell on their own kind?”
Daniel affectionately put his hand upon hers and said, “You bet they would. It’s all about money. I spoke to father today and he said he has noticed a few soldiers standing around his house lately. He thinks someone has told on Hanna.”
“Really?” she said as Daniel helped the two women into the carriage.
He nodded. “In fact, his house has already been searched once. The soldiers said it was just a routine search and they were checking everyone’s home in the neighborhood. But father doesn’t believe it. He thinks they know something.”
After Daniel slid in beside her and took the reins in hand, he glanced at her and said, “Don’t worry, Robin Marie. Our plan should work just fine.”
He whipped the reins of the horse and it sped down the road.
***
As they pulled up to Charles’ home, Daniel looked around. He could see the soldiers at each end of the street. Was this a good idea to take Hanna now? If they came at midnight, then it would look suspicious. It had to look like they were just visiting.
As he helped Polly down from the carriage, a soldier came riding by and greeted them. Daniel said he was visiting his father. When the soldier got down from his horse and looked at Polly, she pulled her hood from her face so he could get a good look at her. She looked just like a sophisticated lady.
With a charming smile, she asked, “Do you happen to know Captain Nathaniel?”
The soldier nodded. “I sure do.”
Polly smiled and said, “Tell him hello for me.”
The soldier smiled back, tipped his hat with his fingers, and then climbed upon his horse and rode away.
Daniel smiled with relief. “You handled that very nicely. Now he knows who you are and he won’t stop us when we leave. I think he needed to know who you were.”
“I thought so, too,” said Polly.
As they walked into the house, Charles greeted them. “I saw the soldier stop you outside. They’ve been here everyday. I’m glad you’re here. Let’s get this done with so she’s safe. I have a feeling they’re going to do a more thorough search next time.”
He led them to his bedroom, pushed the fake wall aside, and everyone walked in. It was a comfortable and cozy room. Hanna was lying on a bed reading by candlelight. A tray of leftover food was sitting on a small table. When she saw them, she jumped to her feet with a smile of relief.
“Can I leave? This little room is getting smaller and smaller by the minute.”
Robin hugged her and then introduced Polly, and then told her what they were going to do. Hanna understood and agreed. The men left the room so they could exchange clothes.
“What if they find out that Polly didn’t leave after all?” asked Hanna.
“Don’t worry,” said Robin. “Charles is going to take her home in the morning when the soldiers change guard. He’s got their routine down pretty good.”
While Polly put her dress on, Robin helped Hanna into hers. Then they headed out the door to meet everyone in the study.
Charles and Daniel were deep in conversation when they arrived. Robin saw Charles nodding and then he laughed. She heard her name mentioned and she wondered what they were talking about. When Daniel noticed the women standing at the doorway, they stopped talking and he smiled.
“Ready to go?” asked Daniel.
He walked over to the women and helped Hanna with her coat and slipped the hood over her head. Then he led them out the door. After helping each one in the carriage, he whipped the reins and the horses took off. The soldiers didn’t stop them but waved as they rode by. It couldn’t have run more smoothly.
After they arrived at Robin’s home, he helped them out of the carriage as he said, “I’m sure she’ll be safe here. Everything should be all right. While you’re protecting her, I’ll get the posters printed and then I’ll have all two hundred and fifty of my men go from town to town putting them up on trees, posts, and in windows of merchants. They’ll also spread the word about the meeting by mouth. I’m putting an ad in the newspaper about it, too.”
As he led them to the door, Robin asked, “How about Edmund’s Legionnaires?”
Daniel nodded. “I’ll make sure the title has an announcement that includes them. It’ll say something like: Attention! All Concerned Townsfolk and Edmund’s Legionnaires!” He smiled. “That should get their attention. What do you think?”
“It sounds great.”
Before she closed the door, Daniel touched her arm and said, “Got a moment?” When she nodded, he continued, “Stay home. Don’t go out. Keep your bow and quiver with you at all times, just in case someone recognized you in Georgetown. I’ll tell your rebels to stand guard outside your home both night and day. We need to protect Hanna, don’t we?” He squeezed her arm affectionately and smiled. “Besides, I don’t want any harm to come to you, either.”
The fondness for her could be seen in his eyes and that alone made her heart leap within her. She smiled and reluctantly shut the door.
Chapter 19
All week long, each of her rebels took turns standing guard outside. Merek stopped by in the mornings and took his turn, watching for anything suspicious.
She was grateful both her parents were at the Bakery so they wouldn’t be involved, in case something did go wrong. Hanna had a tough time sitting around doing nothing, so she volunteered to do the cooking every day. She even cleaned the house so thoroughly that Robin wondered if there was a speck of dust anywhere in the house. Her mother was overjoyed by it.
Robin always helped Hanna with the cooking, such as chopping vegetables or whatever was needed as they talked. She was learning something new about King Edmund every day. Robin didn’t realize what kind of person he was deep down inside. Hanna helped her to appreciate him more and more as she told story after story about him.
One morning, Robin awoke with a deep foreboding. Not understanding why, she quickly washed up and got dressed. As she walked into the kitchen where Hanna was cooking breakfast, a feeling of depression seemed to overwhelm her.
When she heard horses’ hooves and voices outside, she ran to the window to see if it was Merek. He was due any minute to check up on them and stand guard. She gasped as she saw a dozen soldiers dismount their horses right in front of her home. Merek was nowhere in sight.
Robin ran to Hanna and whispered, “We’ve got to go right now. There are soldiers outside.”
Hanna’s eyes widened as she left their hot breakfast on the table and followed Robin. Silently closing the back door behind them, they ran through the backyard and down the hollow. When they got to the river at the bottom, they stepped into it and followed it
downstream, crouching among the cattails as they went to keep hidden. In many spots the water came up to their waists, but they didn’t dare climb out for fear of being seen.
Each step they took seemed laborious and every now and then the skirts of their dresses would get caught in some brambles growing next to the bank. Once Robin’s sleeve got caught on a wild rose bush growing on the edge of the bank and she had to pull it away. As she did so, it ripped her dress.
When they came to a turn in the river just behind a hill, Robin stopped and peered through the cattails. She could hear the voices of the soldiers and see them in the distance as they searched. They must have figured out that she and Hanna had been home because of the hot food left behind.
With haste, she led the way around the hill, following the river as they went. Daniel had mentioned that it would be best to follow the river in case they had to get away. He said to follow it for about five miles until they reached a giant oak tree with wide limbs and plenty of shrubbery for cover. They would be safe there. That area was hidden from view and hard to reach by foot.
As they continued downstream, she kept alert, listening for voices and watching for danger. After a couple hours, Robin finally saw the huge oak tree and all the shrubs that Daniel had described. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“We’re here. Let’s get out. I’m so water logged.”
As they climbed out of the river, Robin soon realized they needed to dry their clothes out. Everything was drenched, making it hard to move about and she was shivering. Robin slipped off her gown, stockings, and two petticoats. Then she laid them across some bushes to dry.
Robin looked down at her deep rosy colored corset, which gave her the lovely shape and support she needed. Under it was her white linen chemise. It was wet, but no matter. She needed to keep somewhat of her modesty while drying off.
Robin collapsed upon the grass as Hanna slipped off her clothes, as well. As she lay still, she felt the sun beating down on her and it felt so good. It began warming her up. Hanna lay down beside her and laughed as she looked at her own beige colored corset.
The Rebels of Cordovia Page 11