A Knight's Honor Page 20

  "You were wise to come to me, Becca," Falcon said. "I've been searching for Mariah and Robbie since the day she visited me in my rooms. Your lady explained that Os­good had invaded Mildenhall, but she left before I could offer my help. I didn't know where to find her, because she didn't tell me where she was staying."

  "You'll help us, then?" Becca asked in a trembling voice.

  "Help us, Falcon," Robbie begged. "I miss Mama. What if Osgood hurts her?"

  Falcon's heart went out to the lad. "Of course I'll help, Robbie. Did you doubt it? Where are you staying?"

  "At the King's Arms," Becca replied.

  "Damnation! That's just around the corner! I spent two days looking for you while you were but a stone's throw away. I'll send Jamie to fetch your things as soon as he re­turns. Meanwhile, I'll engage a room for you and Robbie here, where I can keep an eye on you until we leave for Mildenhall."

  "You're going to take me home!" Robbie crowed. He sent a superior look at Becca. "See, Becca, I told you Fal­con would help us."

  Becca dashed away a tear. "That you did, Robbie lad, but your mother said Sir Falcon's wife wouldn't approve."

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  "My wife?" Falcon nearly strangled over the word. "Why would Mariah think I was wed when I said naught to her about having a wife?"

  "I know not, sir. Are you saying you're not wed?"

  "That's exactly what I am saying."

  "When can we leave, Falcon?" Robbie asked.

  "Tomorrow, if at all possible, Robbie, my lad. It will take but a few hours to gather my men, and then we will leave London to reclaim Mildenhall for you and your mother."

  True to his word, Falcon and his party left London the following day, riding full tilt for Mildenhall. He prayed he wasn't too late, vowing to rid Mildenhall of Osgood's vile presence once and for all.

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  As Falcon neared Mildenhall, Mariah waited at the portcullis for her guardsmen to appear, pacing back and forth while Walter watched her.

  "Marrying me is a wise choice, Mariah. I swear you won't be sorry," Walter said. "You have naught to fear from me as long as you remember your place."

  "Like your mother and Elizabeth have naught to fear from your father?" Mariah goaded. "You could have helped both of them had you shown some gumption. In­stead, you stood by while your father abused them."

  Walter's expression turned sour. "At least Mother knows her place, which is more than I can say for you. So did Elizabeth until you turned her against us." His expres­sion softened. "You'll learn soon enough, Mariah. And when you do, you'll realize I'm not the ogre you think me. All I need from you is a son."

  "Over my dead body," Mariah muttered beneath her

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  breath. She knew exactly what would happen to Robbie once she bore Walter a son.

  "What did you say?"

  "I said naught."

  Walter's reply was forestalled when Osgood appeared, prodding Edwina and Father Francis before him.

  Edwina's face drained of all color when she saw Mariah. She stopped in her tracks. "Mariah, what have you done?"

  "Move," Osgood snarled, giving Edwina a vicious shove. She stumbled, and then sprawled on the ground at Osgood's feet. Father Francis helped her up.

  "Hurt her and our agreement is off," Mariah warned.

  Edwina, leaning heavily on Father Francis, hobbled to­ward the gate, her gaze fixed on Mariah's face.

  "Raise the portcullis!" Osgood shouted.

  The portcullis cranked open. "Go," Osgood ordered; "both of you."

  Edwina and the priest walked through the gate. "What is this about?" Edwina whispered so only Mariah could hear. "Why did you return? Are the king's troops on their way?"

  "I know what I'm doing," Mariah replied. "Father Francis, take Edwina to the village. Tell Mr. Maypole I sent you, that you're both to be given rooms in his inn."

  "Mariah," Edwina pleaded, "please tell me you're not going to do anything foolish."

  "Don't worry. Robbie is safe," Mariah whispered. "He's with Becca; they're staying in London at the King's Arms. It's near Whitehall. Take care of him if I'm not able. Please go now; my work here isn't finished."

  Mariah watched as the pair hurried down the path to­ward the village; then she turned to confront Osgood. "Where are my guardsmen? Not all my terms have been met."

  Osgood muttered a curse and raised his arm. It must have been a signal, for immediately a line of men, pos­sessing neither armor nor weapons, emerged from the keep and proceeded under guard to the portcullis.

  "Never let it be said that Osgood Fitzhugh didn't keep his word. As you can see, your guardsmen are unharmed." He laughed. "They will be of little use to you without weapons or horses."

  "At least they are free to seek employment elsewhere," Mariah maintained.

  Each guardsman stopped before her to bow over her hand and renew his fealty as he walked through the portcullis.

  "Sir Maynard," she whispered as her captain of the guard paused before her, "meet me in the stables behind the inn at midnight tonight."

  The men moved on.

  "Well, Mariah, I kept my part of the bargain. The rest is up to you. Walter will go with you to fetch Robbie."

  "Walter may call for me tomorrow at the inn," Mariah replied with false bravado. "You've kept me waiting so long, 'tis too late to leave tonight."

  Osgood kept his rage well in hand, though Mariah could tell he was eager to vent it.

  "What nonsense is this? Are you not a woman of your word?"

  How easily lies slipped from her mouth. "It grows late; we will leave to fetch Robbie tomorrow and not before."

  "Is he not in the village?"

  "Nay, he is not. Your men made a thorough search of

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  the village, so you must know he is not there. He is nowhere near Mildenhall."

  'Then you will abide the night here with us."

  “I will await Walter at the inn," Mariah insisted.

  Osgood scowled at her. "Walter will accompany you. I trust you not, Mariah."

  "Then we are even, Osgood. Walter may come if he wishes, but I doubt he will find room at the inn."

  "I'm not going to sleep in a stable, Father. I enjoy my comforts too much. Send one of our men to keep watch over Mariah until I fetch her in the morning."

  "Very well, but if she tricks us, I'll retaliate in a way she won't like. Sir Martin and the servants will suffer the consequences if she does not keep her word."

  A chill settled deep in Mariah's gut. How in God's name was she going to get out of this mess without harm­ing those she cared about? She would set Father Francis to praying for deliverance from this impossible situation.

  Spinning on her heel, Mariah set off for the village be­fore Osgood could change his mind. Moments later, a mercenary, having received hasty orders from Osgood, jogged after her.

  Dame Helen, the innkeeper's wife, rushed forth to greet Mariah when she arrived at the inn. "My lady, you've returned. Are you all right?"

  "I am well, Dame Helen."

  "Who is that?" Helen asked when Osgood's mercenary placed himself between her and Mariah.

  "Osgood sent one of his men to make sure I don't flee. Did Edwina and Father Francis arrive?"

  "Aye, they occupy our last two rooms."

  Mariah started toward the stairs.

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  "Where are you going, lady?" the mercenary asked.

  "I need to speak to Edwina and Father Francis."

  "Nay, 'tis not allowed. Sir Osgood ordered me to stand guard outside the door until Walter arrives in the morning to fetch you. You are to confer with no one."

  "What harm can there be in talking to a priest and an old woman?" Mariah argued.

  "I know not. I have my orders, lady, and dare not dis­obey them. Sir Osgood deals harshly with failure."

  Mariah had no choice but to climb the stairs, enter her room and fum
e in impotent rage as the door slammed be­hind her. After pacing the length of the room and back several times, Mariah opened the door and peered into the hall.

  To her consternation, the guard prowled outside her door. "Is there something you wish, lady?"

  "Naught from you," she replied, closing the door and leaning against it. How was she to slip out to meet Sir Maynard with a guard watching her?

  Later that evening, Dame Helen arrived with Mariah's supper. "Are Edwina and Father Francis all right?" Mariah whispered.

  "Aye. They tried to visit you, but your guard turned them away."

  "I'm to meet Sir Maynard in the stable at midnight, but I don't know how I'm to accomplish it without alert­ing the guard." She ran to the window, disappointed that no sturdy tree existed for her to climb down. Despondent, she sank onto the bed. "How will I ever get out of this? Naught Osgood could do will make me give up Robbie to him."

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  "Don't lose hope, my lady. Your guard was yawning when I passed him. Mayhap if I offer to send up a chair for him to sit on and feed him tea laced with soporific herbs, he will fall asleep so you can sneak out to meet Sir Maynard."

  Mariah clasped Dame Helen's hands in hers. 'Thank you, Dame Helen. Any help would be appreciated."

  Mariah ate her supper without really tasting it. Would her problems never end? She worried about Robbie and Becca, alone and friendless in London.

  To make matters worse, her thoughts kept straying to Falcon. The man must be a total degenerate if he could make love to her so passionately just a few days after marrying Rosamond. Had he no conscience, no morals?

  Was she any better than he for allowing a married man to make love to her?

  Thrusting Falcon from her mind, Mariah worried about how Osgood would react when she refused to lead Walter to Robbie. Her remaining hope for rescue rested with Sir Maynard and her guardsmen. If she was able to meet with them tonight, she intended to send them to seek help from Edmond's neighbors, men who had been friends with her husband. But would that help arrive in time to save her?

  Mariah awakened from a light doze as the chapel bell tolled Matins. The hour of midnight had finally arrived. She rose from her chair and tiptoed to the door. Holding her breath, she opened the door and peeked out. If God was good to her, she'd find the guard sleeping.

  To her utter delight, the guard was sprawled in a chair that Dame Helen had provided, a cup sitting on the floor

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  and his head resting against the wall. His mouth was open, emitting loud snores. Mariah stepped out into the hall, closed the door behind her and tiptoed past him. In a trice she was down the stairs and out the door, racing around to the stables.

  The comforting scent of horses and hay greeted Mariah. There was no light, no sound, just utter silence and obsidian darkness.

  "My lady," someone whispered.

  "Sir Maynard, is that you?"

  "Aye, we're here, my lady."

  "I don't have much time, so listen carefully."

  Though she saw naught but shadows, Mariah felt the reassuring presence of her loyal men.

  "Tell us what you wish us to do, my lady," Maynard said. "We are too few to storm Mildenhall, and have no weapons, armor or horses."

  "We need help, and quickly. I want you to make your way with the greatest haste to the estates of Lord Edmond's friends. I know Lord Branbury to the east of here and Lord Thornhill to the west would help if they were made aware of my predicament. Both estates lie but a short distance from Mildenhall. Beg the lords to lend you whatever you need in the way of weapons, armor and mounts. And most important, bring men to help reclaim Mildenhall for Edmond's heir."

  "We are afoot, my lady," Maynard reminded her.

  "Take six horses from Master Maypole's stables. Ride double if you must. Do not attempt to reclaim Mildenhall until you have sufficient weapons and help to succeed. Arrange to meet and coordinate your efforts the day after

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  tomorrow at the huge willow tree near the brook in the forest beyond the village."

  "What about you, my lady?" Sir Maynard asked. "Come with us."

  "Worry not about me. Reclaim Mildenhall for Robbie. If something happens to me, Edwina knows where to find him. She and Father Francis will see him restored to his rightful place at Mildenhall."

  "But, my lady—"

  Suddenly a light appeared in the stable yard. "Lady Mariah! I know you're out here somewhere." The light swung in a wide arc.

  "Go," Mariah hissed as she stepped aside to allow her men access to the horses. "I'll keep the guard occupied while you lead the horses out of the stable. Make as little noise as possible."

  The men melted into the darkness. Mariah heard movement in the stalls as she strode off to waylay the guard. She met him in the courtyard. He grasped Mariah's arm, hauling her back toward the inn.

  "You have caused me a great deal of trouble, lady," he growled. "What are you doing out here?"

  "I felt in need of some air," Mariah fabricated.

  He shook his shaggy head. "I must have fallen asleep; Sir Osgood will have my head for this." His grip tight­ened on her. "Did that old witch you call a healer give me something to make me sleep?"

  "Do not blame my friends for your incompetence."

  The guard stopped abruptly beneath a tree, his face red with anger as he turned to confront Mariah. "We will both suffer for this, lady."

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  Mariah knew a moment of fear as the guard's rage es­calated. Would he strike her? Then something behind the man caught her eye. A shadowy figure moved stealthily toward them. She watched in disbelief as the figure hov­ered behind the mercenary, lifted something large and heavy and brought it down on the man's head.

  The rush light dropped from his hand as he made a slow spiral to the ground. Mariah snatched up the torch and lifted it high. Stunned, Mariah saw Dame Helen standing over the mercenary, a heavy iron skillet dangling from her hand.

  "Are you all right, my lady?" Helen asked.

  "Aye, and I thank you, Dame Helen. But you shouldn't have done that. You could be in serious trouble."

  "Nay, my lady. The brute here"—she nudged him with her toe—"didn't know what hit him. I heard him stum­bling down the stairs, grabbed my skillet and followed."

  The sound of horses' hooves pounding away from the inn brought a smile to Mariah's lips. Her guardsmen had gotten away; help would he on its way soon.

  Helen must have heard them, too, for she said, "You must leave with your men before the guard awakens."

  "I cannot. The people at Mildenhall will suffer if I leave."

  "Don't be foolish, my lady. Leave now, while you still can. Robbie needs you."

  Mariah was torn. "I cannot leave Sir Martin and the servants to face Osgood's wradi. I fear he will kill them."

  "You must leave regardless. You alone, can petition the king for help. If you are imprisoned, there will be no one

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  to make Sir Osgood pay for what he has done and may yet do."

  After much soul-searching, Mariah agreed to leave. She could do more for her people if she was free than if she was locked up inside the keep.

  Chapter 14

  Falcon drove his men relentlessly toward Mildenhall. When darkness made travel unsafe, he called a halt a short distance south of the village and led his men through the forest to a clearing well back from the road. They took care of their horses and ate a cold meal of bread and cheese. Then everyone but the guards posted as lookouts rolled up in their cloaks on the ground, resting their heads on their saddles.

  Falcon did not join them just yet. Strapping on his sword, he set off to scout the immediate area. He had no idea why he felt uneasy. Perhaps it was Mildenhall's tow­ers, which rose like sentinels against the night sky, that drew him from the safety of the campsite. Or perhaps it was thoughts of Mariah imprisoned inside the keep, at Osgood's mercy.

  No matter how long or hard Falcon thought about it, he could not figure out what
had made Mariah leave his bed and flee to Mildenhall. Her actions did not make sense. What did she think she could accomplish on her own?

  Falcon paused when he emerged from the forest onto

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  the road. The little-traveled dirt track was deserted, just as it should be at this time of night. He knew he should re­turn to camp and try to sleep, but being this close to Mildenhall and Mariah made him anxious to do some­thing . . . anything. Sighing in resignation, he decided to return to camp, but stopped in his tracks when he heard what sounded like a horse carefully picking its way down the rutted road.

  Falcon melted back into the shadows, eager to learn who would risk life and limb traveling on a moonless night well after Matins. The horse and rider approached from the village, that much Falcon knew. When the horse drew abreast of him, he unsheathed his sword and stepped in front of the startled animal.

  "Halt!"

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  Fright pounded through Mariah's breast when she real­ized she was being challenged. She had no idea Osgood had posted guards this far from the keep. For a moment she considered digging her heels into her mount and risk­ing injury or worse to escape her challenger. But the man holding the sword looked big and burly enough to drag her from the saddle as she dashed past him. When he grasped the horse's reins, Mariah knew she had hesitated too long. She had been caught. Her fate was now in Os­good's hands, for she would not lead Walter to Robbie no matter what they did to her.

  "Dismount!"

  Mariah hesitated, but in the end had no choice but to obey. She slid from the horse's back. When she turned to confront her nemesis, she heard a loud gasp. And then the man whispered her name.

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  "Mariah?" .

  Mariah's heart pounded furiously as the man slowly lowered his sword. Nay, it couldn't be. "Who is it?"

  The man grasped her arm and dragged her against him. She recognized his scent as a familiar heat enveloped her, and nearly collapsed in relief. What was Falcon doing here? How did he know she had returned to Mildenhall?