“But Ah may be able to get a clue to where your mother is if Ah see … “ Brun began.
“You must leave now, Sir knight,” Lady Hélène said firmly. “Perhaps when Lady Hope is not so ill she can show you the note. We will have her tended to immediately.” The women almost pushed Sir Hugo out of the room and left me alone again with the nodding old woman.
Once again I started to slip out of the bed and once again the door opened. Three women entered the room. I pretended to be asleep and peeked at them through my lashes. Lady Hélène had returned and led two strangers to the bed. I saw in a flash that the older must be the Duchess of Sherbourne, Lady Godwin. Lady Godwin wore a richly embroidered bliaut of green damask and a simple white veil with a gold circlet covering her beautifully braided gray hair. Beside her was a woman whose face and form were hidden by robes much like Sadaquah’s but in soft rose, peach and golden yellow shades. I could see beautiful, downcast dark eyes but nothing else. The old woman sleeping beside me snorted and roused herself.
“It is very kind of you to offer the service of your woman, Lady Godwin,” Lady Hélène said. “The earl was so concerned about this young lady. She is a healer, you say?”
“Indeed, she is highly skilled in the medicinal arts of Araby,” Lady Godwin said. She seemed very kind and concerned about me. “Tahira, canst thou do aught to aid this poor child?”
The Arabic woman pushed her veils aside and I almost cried out. She was like a dusky-skinned angel, so beautiful she was. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut and made my body rigid as she tried to examine me. Her hands were so gentle and I felt the skill behind them. I knew she would discern that I was not ill. I feared what would happen when she announced to Lady Godwin that I was acting a part.
“Mall amr, Tahira?” Lady Godwin asked. I was startled to hear her speak Arabic.
“Gracious lady, the child seems fearful,” Tahira said. “Perhaps it is because we are so many. May I see her alone?”
“Of course,” Lady Godwin said.
“I was instructed not to leave the lady alone,” Lady Hélène said uneasily.
“Thou mayest trust Tahira completely. She will not leave her,” Lady Godwin said. “The Lady Hélène and I shall just go down the hall and wait, and thou shalt make us to know what thou dost need, Tahira.”
Tahira’s flowing garments rustled as she bowed assent. The other three women hurried out, the old one waddling and grunting as she went. Tahira’s hand smoothed my brow.
“Open your eyes, child,” Tahira’s voice said gently. I obeyed but I could scarcely meet her searching gaze. “They have told me you are to wed the young earl, but I do not know your name.”
“Hope,” I said. “You will not tell them that … that there is nothing wrong with me?”
“I am only a servant,” Tahira replied. “I cannot presume to tell the great ladies of England anything.” Her lips turned up slightly at the corners. “You are afraid of something, though. What is it? How can I help you?”
“Someone here in the castle is trying to kill me,” I said. “He attacked my home, and my mother and my uncle are missing. The earl calls him friend, though, and will not believe he has done all this. I saw what he did and he wants me dead because of that.”
“What a terrible weight you carry, poor child,” Tahira said. “But why did you come to the castle if your enemy is here?”
“We must have proof of what he has done,” I explained. “I have pretended to make peace with him and ask for his help. I wanted to question some of the servants here who must know the truth.”
“You have such courage,” Tahira said softly. “Tell me who this man is, and I will try to inquire for you. Then you can stay here and not put yourself in more danger.”
“He is a Frenchman who calls himself Hugo Brun,” I said eagerly. “Oh, thank you, lady, for wanting to help me. I ...” I broke off. Tahira had grown white as I spoke Hugo Brun’s name. She backed away from the bed.
“Oh, lady, oatherni -- your pardon. Against that man I can be of no help to you. I cannot … I cannot cross his path.”
“Why? Has he done something to you, too? Tahira, what is wrong?” I stretched out my hand to her. Tahira hugged herself, shrinking into her robes. “It is impossible,” she said. “God would not force me to face him again. When I saw him I could not believe he was here. Minfadlak, taffadhal -- Oh, merciful Christ, protect me!”
I quickly ran to her and put my arms around her. She sobbed and clung to me. “Never mind, Tahira,” I soothed. “I know how fearsome that man can be. You need not help me. Go back to your lady, and tell her whatever you must. Please, I am sorry to have upset you so. Do not be afraid.”
Tahira mastered her weeping and looked closely at me. “How is it you English have so much courage? How do you have such strength? I am so weak. Lady, I will help you if I can. Stay here and let me go for now. I will tell my lady I have given you a sleeping draught and that I will return to see to you in the morning. Pray for me, lady, that God will give me some of your courage. I am so afraid of that man. But I must help you find your family.”
“What has he done to you? How could you even know him?”
“Do not make me speak of it, lady,” Tahira whispered. “I will go now, and come again later.”
She slipped out of the room and closed the door. I ran to listen as she spoke in the hallway to Lady Godwin and Hélène. Hélène insisted that I must have some attendant, and Lady Godwin quickly told her that Tahira was free to care for me as long as she was needed. I heard Hélène insist that she intended to have a woman outside my door for the night, and I saw that my plan to slip out was hopeless.
Truly God was gracious to me to send Tahira my way. No one could have been more perfect to suit my need. Tahira came back into the room, pretending to shut the door but leaving it open a crack. We watched until Hélène and Lady Godwin had gone away and a very alert-looking servant woman had stationed herself outside.
“I go now, lady,” Tahira said. “I fear to leave you alone, but for our business it seems best.”
“I have friends in the castle,” I assured her. “They will watch over me. If I see them in the morning, I will tell them you are helping us, and they will protect you too.”
“Can anyone protect us if that man decides to reach out his hand toward us?” Tahira shuddered. “I hope you will stay safely here, lady.”
“I cannot promise that,” I answered. “But we shall meet back here in the morning.”
“As you wish,” nodded Tahira.
Though I passed a wakeful night the woman at my door outlasted me and I fell asleep for a few hours. I was delighted to see she was gone when I awoke, though, and the hall was empty. I cursed the bulky nightgown I wore and searched the room until I found my man’s clothing again. No one seemed to take notice of me as I slipped along the hallway and tried to think where I might learn something about Sir Hugo Brun. Sadaquah was right about the castle being in an uproar over the unexpected visitors.
Everywhere preparations were going on. Roasting spits were being set up in every fireplace and in the great hall and courtyard, barrow loads of turnips and leeks and potatoes wheeled right through the hallways, bedding collected and laid on the floor. I learned that more company was expected on the morrow – a large number of lords and ladies and their retinues.
It was not unusual for even those of noble blood to sleep in the hallways when such a crowd overwhelmed the hospitality of a castle keep. In some case it was warmer and more comfortable than the drafty, poorly insulated private chambers on the outer wall. The castle would be crammed with people. I thought surely God had ordained this visit for our purposes. The castle full of strangers and Tahira brought right to my room, so sympathetic and ready to help; all answered our purposes.
“Lady Hope,” hissed a voice. Sir Chris reached out a hand and pulled me behind a curtain. “Assalam’alaikoo. I thought you would at least remain in your room through breakfast. I should have known better.”
“Well, lady, we can use help,” sighed Sir Chris. “But I have learned a thing that will gladden you. The Lady Ada was brought here only a short while ago.”
“My mother! Oh, Sir Chris, can it be? Where is she? Take me to her!”
“That I will, lady,” Sir Chris replied. “But stay you a moment and hear my words. I have not spoken to her. We do not yet know what happened to her in the attack on Colchester. I have only heard that she is here. Take great care what you speak of to her.”
“What do you mean?” I demanded. “Do you think my mother cannot be trusted?”
“Nay, nay, do not put words in my mouth, my lady,” growled Sir Chris. “But do you remember that she may have seen the Frenchman, since she knew there was danger and put you out the window. You may find that she plays a part as you must play one. She is in peril of her life here, too, and we must not put her in greater danger. Come quietly and we will see if you can gain entrance to her room.”
I followed Sir Chris along less-traveled corridors through the castle until we came to a hallway. Sir Chris yanked me back out of sight as a figure came up to the door from the opposite direction. We could not see her face, but I cried out in delight as I recognized Tahira’s robes.
“That is the Arab lady I told you of!” I whispered to Sir Chris. “No doubt she was asked to care for my mother as she was for me. I will approach her, Sir Chris.”
“Well, then,” Sir Chris nodded. “Feema baad – later – As soon as you can, let me know what you learn from Lady Ada. I will be here or by your room.”
I stepped quickly forward. Tahira started at the sound, but relaxed when she recognized me. “I was told that my mother is here in this room, Tahira,” I said. “Is it the Lady Ada you come to see?”
“That is the lady’s name,” nodded Tahira. “She is your mother? Praise God, lady. Half your quest is ended.”
“But there is still danger if she knows what I know about Sir Hugo Brun,” I said.
“That is true,” nodded Tahira. “Come. You must not be seen here in the hall.”
She led me into the room. I hurried toward the canopied bed and parted the curtains. My mother lay on the bed, pale and looking completely drained of strength. I took her hand and kissed it. She opened her eyes and they filled with tears.
“What happened to you, mother?” I asked.
“There was a fire,” my mother said wearily.
“Yes, mother, you sent me for help, remember?” I said.
“No … no … Men came to help us,” my mother faltered. “There was so much confusion. I thought we were being attacked. I only wanted you to be safe, my darling. But I was so worried about you. Someone told me you had been here but had run away and could not be found. They said you had gone mad.”
“Mother, I am fine,” I insisted. “But Uncle John?”
“They told me…” My mother closed her eyes. She opened them quickly as Tahira came up to the bed. “Who is that?”
“A friend, mother. She is skilled in healing. Let her see to you.”
I stepped back while Tahira examined my mother. My mind roiled with questions but I scarcely knew if I dared ask them. I did not know if I should tell my mother what had befallen me. What if she were truly ignorant of Hugo Brun’s treachery? Better that she should remain so. She would be safe from his wrath then. But where had she been all this time? Why had everyone thought her dead? What kind of plot was in the works here?
“Hope?” my mother called. I hurried back to her side. “I must speak with you,” she said urgently. “Send the woman away.”
Tahira nodded to me and slipped out. My mother gripped my arms and pulled herself up into a sitting position. “Men took me from the manor. I thought they meant to help me but they put a sack over my head and drove me in a cart to a desolate, ruined place. I thought they must be waiting for a ransom but it was so cold I became sick. Apparently my captors grew frightened I would die. I became feverish and do not know for certain how it happened, but the earl told me he received word that I was at the public house in Lynn. The earl’s men found me there and brought me here just this morning.”
I realized that my claim to have heard from my mother had probably saved her life. Hugo Brun must have believed my story and arranged to have my mother freed before she could harm his plans.
“Oh, Mother,” I whispered. “What of my uncle?”
“I do not know what became of my brother,” my mother said. Brun must have realized that my mother would be unable to help us find Uncle John. “My dearest,” my mother interrupted me, as I was about to tell her how Sir Chris had saved my life. “They say that knight who came to the house … the stranger who wore the red tunic with a black lion upon it ... They say he was seen there and that it may have been he who set the fire. I thought … I thought I saw another man leading them … but I do not know who he was. Perhaps I was wrong and he came to help. Perhaps it was that stranger, the knight of the black lion, who had me taken away. He was so fierce, and he would not say who he was.”
I drew back from the bed. They had worked upon my mother’s mind, sick and confused as she was, and made her believe Sir Chris was the enemy. I did not know how to tell her the truth. Even if she believed me, I was afraid she might speak of him to someone who would tell Sir Hugo Brun. Well did I understand now why Sir Chris had bade me be cautious of how I spoke to her.
“Mother, do not tell anyone I came to see you,” I begged. “I am supposed to be sick in bed. They will be angry if they know I was out.”
“Of course, my darling,” my mother said fondly. She patted my face. “Hope, the earl has talked to me of Robert’s love for you. Now that your uncle is gone, it may be best if this match goes forward. We are destitute now. They tell me Colchester is destroyed. We must live somewhere. All these years I truly thought Richard was alive and would come to claim you. But I know better now than to think that God will rescue us from our troubles that way. Just as we were thrown upon my brother John when your father died, so we must look to the earl now that we are alone again.”
My cheeks burned as I realized my mother was finally agreeing to the thing I had wanted with all my heart only a few days ago. But at what a cost! How sick at heart, how resigned she seemed. She believed my uncle was dead. I did not know what to think anymore.
I only knew that suddenly marrying Robert was not at all in the center of my plans. I thought of one who had been my true knight, who had helped me and protected me when no one else would, who had given his duty without reserve and already suffered for his service to me. Sir Chris filled my mind and I could only think of how soon I would speak to him again. I realized that I loved him.
“Mother, you must rest now,” I said softly. “Do not fret about any of this. Let me go now, and I will see you later.”
“Be careful,” my mother urged. “Do not make the earl angry. He is our only hope. And you are my only Hope.” She kissed me on the forehead and I broke away from her with a sob and fled the room.
I ran straight into Robert’s arms. He startled me so much I fought him. He covered my mouth and pinned my arms, his beautiful red velvet tunic crushing against my chest.
“Hope, be still,” he hissed. “I will not hurt you. Why are you fighting me? We have tried to take care of your mother. We had nothing to do with her being sick.”
“I know that, Robert – that you and your father would not harm her. But ...” Still I tried to squirm away.
“Please, Hope, just let me talk a little.” I nodded and he released me. “These Arabs all over the castle,” Robert shuddered. I caught a glimpse of a swirling brown robe and realized Sadaquah had taken Sir Chris’s place. He disappeared. Robert did not seem to recognize him. “It is like the place was full of devils,” Robert went on.
�
�What do you want?” I demanded.
“Hope, that knight with the scarlet tunic was seen at your house the night the fire started,” Robert said.
“Of course he was,” I said. “He came to see Baron Colchester.”
“You knew he was there?”
“I saw him. He spoke to my mother.”
“But he did not remain there? Why?”
“He … he would not give his name or tell mother his business. She would not wake the baron. He was not well. Sir Chris was to come back in the morning.”
“Sir Chris?” Robert echoed sarcastically. “He would not tell your mother his name but he told you?”
“That is not his name. He told me he was estranged from his father ... He said he wanted to ask forgiveness before he could honorably use his name again. He gave me leave to call him that.”
“He would not say what his business with Baron Colchester was, either?” Robert prompted. “No,” I said. “And your mother did not trust him and would not let him remain – Is that not so?”
“That is so.”
“Hope, what reason do you have to trust that knight? You do not know who he is. You do not know why he came late at night and demanded to see Baron Colchester...”
“He did not demand anything. He was most courteous and gentle. My mother was only afraid because she did not know his face.”
“He has the face of a devil. It is as dark as that heathen he keeps by him.”
“Robert, he has been in the Holy Land. They say the sun is hot and burns men alive there.”
“He does not even speak like a real Englishman. Hope, why do you trust him? Why do you believe him over Sir Hugo? Brun told me he saw the knight of the black lion skulking away from the manor just before the fire broke out. Could it not have been he who set the fire?”
“No!” I cried. “That is the Frenchman filling your head with lies. Would Sir Chris have helped me and cared for me all this time if he were evil? I know he is good. You cannot make me hate Sir Chris, Robert.”
Hope and the Knight of the Black Lion Page 11