“The tunnel is the key, my lord. Fitzjohn doesn’t know it exists.”
Huw’s head snapped up at that. “How did you manage to keep it secret? Surely the steward would have noticed the empty barrels?”
Godric shook his head. “Oh no, he’s too high and mighty to move barrels himself. It’s the cook and the kitchen staff who look after that, and the cook is one of the key members of our group.” He settled himself upon a bundle of hay near a window. One of the shutters was open. “Best sit here, my lord and lady. We can see out into the bailey. Make sure no one’s in earshot. There seem to be more watchmen out tonight.”
Huw and Matilda joined him. Peering out of the window, Matilda saw no one would be able to approach the stables without passing within view. As Godric had said, there were more watchmen patrolling the walls. Fitzjohn’s order to double the guard had clearly been obeyed.
“The tunnel was first built in your father’s time, my lady. It didn’t go all the way down to the river then. He wanted to dig a well but died before it could be finished. When it became clear Fitzjohn was going to bring the place into ruin, those of us who were against him decided to dig the tunnel you found. We intended to use it to bring armed men into the castle.”
“Who do you mean by ‘we’?” Huw was leaning forward. Matilda could tell he was already running through various plans of action in his mind.
“In the castle itself, so far just myself, the cook, and the blacksmith. Although there’s a lot of ill feeling against Fitzjohn, so we hope most of the servants would at the very least not prevent an uprising if not actually join us in a fight. But we haven’t dared spread the word for fear of it reaching Fitzjohn’s men. Most of the men in the village are also involved.”
“I see you’ve made a good start,” said Huw. “This should make things much easier for us.” Then he frowned. “What stopped you from taking action?”
“There were so few of us. We might have been able to take the guards by surprise and hold the castle for a day or two, but as soon as reinforcements arrived, we wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
Huw nodded. “Then that’s where we come in. With the forces of both Gwynedd and Powys behind us, there won’t be a problem holding the castle. Besides, King Stephen is unlikely to have the resources to divert his attention to Coed Bedwen when he’s defending himself against Maude.”
Godric’s eyes were shining. “After all this time, it’s hard to believe this is finally going to happen. When do we act?”
“First, we have to salt any food and drink stored in the keep. The last thing we want is for Fitzjohn to shut himself and his men up in the keep for weeks.”
“That’s my task,” Matilda said.
Huw frowned. “We should rethink that. It’s too dangerous. Perhaps Godric or one of the laundresses—”
“It has to be me. Nothing’s changed since we last discussed this. I’m the only one to be trusted who can enter the keep without suspicion.” Something had changed, though. Last night had changed everything. It gave Matilda a thrill to know Huw cared for her enough to try shielding her from danger. It seemed there was a man she could trust after all.
Her realization made her even more determined to win Coed Bedwen. For Huw’s sake as well as her own. “I have to do this, Huw. I’m the best person for the job.”
The lines between Huw’s brows deepened, but he gave a curt nod. “Very well. If you’re sure.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow morning. The sheets from the keep are to be washed tomorrow, and I offered to fetch them immediately after chapel.”
“Just don’t take any risks.” Huw’s concern kindled a glow in her chest that eased the knot of dread. “As to when we act, it needs to be as soon as we can get a message to Owain. Fitzjohn is already looking for Matilda and suspects she might come here. That’s why the guard has been doubled. They seem to be concentrating on people entering the castle, but the longer we stay, the greater the risk of Fitzjohn seeing her.”
He glanced out of the window. Matilda wondered what he was doing until she realized he was taking note of the number of guards. “I’m going to ask Owain to send us twenty armed men to get into the castle through the tunnel. That will be more than enough to take control, even without the help of more servants. Owain’s main force can wait outside the village, ready to cut off any attack from that side and to get into the castle once the gates have been opened.”
“I’m sure most of the villagers and servants will be willing to help,” Matilda said, remembering the ill feeling for the Normans from Nesta and Elen. She doubted Elen’s case was isolated.
“But we can’t count on it,” said Huw. “And most of them will have only had the most basic training.” He frowned. “Still, they would be useful to keep guard on any prisoners.” He looked at Godric. “Spread the word to those we can trust.”
Then another thought occurred to Matilda. “How will you get to the tunnel entrance without being seen from the walls?”
“We’ve already done several trial runs,” said Godric. “That’s what I was doing last night. The men can get to the river from the village without being seen from the castle. There’s a low alder scrub which will provide cover until they draw level with the entrance.”
“And that section of the bank is out of sight of both the keep and the walls,” said Huw with a pleased nod.
“The men in the village will guide the soldiers to the right path,” Godric said.
“Then we’ll need to get word to the villagers as well as Owain,” Huw said. “We—”
He broke off, putting a finger to his lips. Matilda heard footsteps approaching. She shrank back, out of sight of the window, her pulse racing.
Huw seemed unconcerned. He slipped into the stall that contained the lame horse. In front of Matilda’s eyes, he shrank, became an insignificant servant. He made a show of picking up the horse’s leg and examining the hoof. “There you go, my beauty,” he said. “We’ll have you galloping with the others in no time.”
Matilda wondered if she could ever remain so calm in the face of danger. Her first instinct would have been for them all to hide, but when she thought about it, she saw that would have made the guard suspicious. The lanterns were all lit, and he might have heard their voices. Huw’s quick thought had provided the guard with a reasonable explanation.
Godric quickly recovered himself and joined Huw. Matilda kept out of sight, knowing her presence would not be so easily explained.
After a few moments while the men fussed over their patient, Huw relaxed. “He’s gone.”
Matilda wiped clammy hands on her gown and sat back on the hay.
“One other thought occurs to me,” said Huw, as though the interruption hadn’t happened. “Matilda and I will leave through the cellar tomorrow, once she’s dealt with the food and water. It’s time we made our report to Owain and have him bring his forces here. How did you get in last night? Do you have a key?”
“Yes, I managed to steal the steward’s key and make a copy.”
“Then make an excuse to miss chapel tomorrow morning and unlock the door for us.”
“Easily done. I’ll just say this gelding still needs my attention,” Godric declared.
“Good,” Huw said. “Then next time you see me, it will be to take Coed Bedwen. Matilda will be safe away from here during the fighting, of course.”
Matilda opened her mouth to protest, then thought better of it. Common sense told her that as she had no experience with weapons she would only endanger anyone who felt duty bound to protect her. “I’ll wait at the Boar’s Head. It will be the best place to use as a meeting place for the villagers.”
Now Huw looked like he was going to object, but then he gave a grudging nod. “Agreed. But promise you’ll stay inside until it’s safe.”
“As long as you promise to come as soon as Coed Bedwen is ours.” She wanted Huw to come for her, not Owain or her uncle. It might make sense for her to avoid any fighting, but the thought of waiting at th
e Boar’s Head, not knowing if Huw was alive or dead, made her feel sick.
“I promise. Don’t worry about me, Matilda. I’ll always be there for you.”
I’ll always be there for you. An icy cold dread shot through her gut.
Huw took her hand. “Are you unwell? What’s the matter?”
“I…no…it’s nothing. I’m quite well.”
She took a few deep breaths, and the feeling eased. She attempted a smile. “It’s just the excitement of all the planning, that’s all.”
But a deep uneasiness remained that was nothing to do with the prospect of action. It was a memory that she struggled to keep buried. And along with it came the deep conviction that eventually, all men would let her down.
****
Huw looked at Matilda a moment longer, sure that her sudden pallor was due to more than the anticipation of action. He hoped she wasn’t going to be ill, but if she was, it was high time to get her safely away.
“We’ll leave in the morning,” he said. He had been reluctant to leave, not wanting the main action to fall to others. Untrained others at that. However, his worry for Matilda pushed that from his mind. Now he couldn’t get her away soon enough.
After that there was little more to say. Once they’d checked none of the watchmen were looking their way, Huw and Matilda slipped from the stable.
Huw slipped his arm around Matilda’s waist and nuzzled her ear, relishing the shiver and gasp of pleasure this elicited. “With so many watchmen about, we’re bound to be seen before we reach the hall,” he murmured. “They’ll ignore us if they think we’re returning from a tryst.” Mainly, however, he had to admit he relished the opportunity to hold her close.
Matilda leaned into his embrace. “I can’t bear to think they’re looking for me,” she said. “I’m glad we’re leaving tomorrow.” There was a slight tremor in her voice. She obviously hadn’t recovered from her turn.
“Tell me what’s really wrong,” he said. “Do you feel ill? You went as white as a ghost back there.”
“I’m not ill. I don’t know what it was. I felt…oh, I don’t know.” She gave a half laugh. “You must think I’m mad.”
“I don’t. Something clearly affected you.” He tugged her closer, enjoying the way her slender waist felt so right in the crook of his arm.
“It was…oh, this must sound foolish, but have you ever had that feeling when something really terrible has happened, and you wake up in the morning and just for a moment you think everything is well, then the memory of the awful thing hits you?”
He nodded. It had happened to him several times after his parents had died. The blissful forgetfulness, followed by the sickening lurch of reality. And again, after his great-uncle’s brutal words.
“Well that’s how I felt just now, only…” She shook her head. “No. Ignore me. It’s just a foolish fear. It’ll pass.”
She didn’t sound convinced, but by this time they were only a few strides from the doors to the great hall. There was too great a danger of being overheard, so Huw couldn’t press her further.
The wicket gate was flung open with such force that it rattled on its hinges. Acting faster than thought, Huw pulled Matilda aside.
“Send him to me in the morning,” a voice snapped. Fitzjohn.
Huw heard Matilda gasp with fear. They had only the barest instant before Fitzjohn would be through the door. Large torches blazed on either side of the archway, providing more than enough light for Fitzjohn to see their faces. There was only one thing to do. Making sure his back was to the door, he seized Matilda in a devouring kiss. He wrapped both his arms around her, ensuring that she was completely hidden from view.
Half of his attention was on the sounds in the doorway, but that was fighting with the urge to lose himself in Matilda’s kiss, the way she opened to him, parting her lips to allow him to taste her deeply, tangle their tongues in a heated caress. By the heavens, the sooner they were safely established in Coed Bedwen, with a chamber, and, more importantly, a bed to themselves, the better.
Fitzjohn’s footsteps had faded, but he didn’t release Matilda just yet. Better to be on the safe side. He molded his body to hers. She trembled in his embrace and wound her arms around his neck.
Finally, he pulled away, fighting for breath. The nearby torch illuminated her face, showed him her swollen lips, flushed cheekbones, and eyes glazed with passion. He knew she was his. Her body responded to his like iron to a lodestone. But he wanted more than her body. He wanted her heart. And that still eluded him.
“Are you sure he’s gone?” Matilda peered over his shoulder.
“Quite sure. But that was close. And if you ran into him without me to protect you…it doesn’t bear thinking about.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow. As long as we take extra care, we’ll be safe.”
“I know. But I…”
She smiled. “You hate leaving when the action is about to start.”
He grimaced. “You know me too well. It feels…cowardly.”
“You risked your life coming here. How is that cowardly? Besides, you’ll be leading the soldiers through the tunnel. You’re not leaving the action. You’re starting it.” Her mouth pulled down. “Admit it, it’s the thrill of danger, of near-discovery that drives you. I was watching you tonight. You came alive when we were discussing plans, and when the watchman drew near, the air around you crackled, you were so…impassioned. That’s why you don’t want to leave, not because it feels cowardly, but because danger is your bread and water. You thrive on it. And, admit it, you don’t know if you can survive without it.”
It was unpleasant, to be on the receiving end of such an outright challenge. He was the one who was supposed to expose buried truths, not Matilda.
“Go on,” she said. “Be honest with me. You promised. Be honest with yourself. Would you ever truly be satisfied with a life devoid of all danger?” The unspoken words were clear: could he be happy with her?
Maybe this wasn’t the right time or place, but he could no longer hold back from pouring out the truth.
“Once I would have agreed with you. You’re right—I did need danger like I need to breathe. But now…the one thing I want most in the world is you. And I want to protect you, make sure no one hurts you ever again. You’ve filled a…a void in my life that I thought would remain forever empty.” The power his blood oath had held over him was gone forever, replaced by his desire to take care of Matilda. Not that he would ever reveal that side of himself. There was no need for her to know.
He took a deep breath. “I love you, Matilda. Never doubt that. I love you more than life itself. If you believe nothing else, believe that.”
Matilda looked up at him, a sweet smile transforming her face that caused Huw to catch his breath, hope blossoming in his heart. Then she nestled her head against his chest.
“I do believe you,” she said. Those four words set the blood pounding in Huw’s ears. “You know how hard I find it to trust men, to trust you, but now…after last night I saw how foolish, how unreasonable my mistrust of you has been. You’ve never let me down, and I’m starting to believe you never will. I—”
But Huw couldn’t wait for any more. He pressed her back against the wall and kissed her again, pouring all his love into the act. Finally, he had broken down the barriers in her heart. Soon he was yearning for more than mere kisses. He wanted to make love to her, demonstrate with his whole body just how much he loved her. Judging from the way Matilda clutched at his shoulders and pulled him tightly against her, she felt the same.
He broke the kiss breathing heavily. “We’d best go in before I do something foolish.” Like take her right here against the wall.
At Matilda’s disappointed sigh, he gave a soft laugh. “It won’t be long before we have a bedchamber all to ourselves where we can spend every night in each other’s arms, but it’s not seemly for the lord and lady of Coed Bedwen to be caught coupling in the shadows of the hall.” No matter how much he wanted to.
****
“I overheard Fitzjohn saying he was riding out this morning,” Matilda murmured as they filed out of the chapel after morning prayers. “I’ll deal with the supplies in the keep right away, before he comes back.”
“Take care,” Huw replied. “Go on to the laundry yard and wait for me there when you’ve finished. I’ll come and get you when our way’s clear.”
If only there was another way, someone else prepared to take the risk. But Matilda was right. She was the best person for the task, and he had to let her go. He watched her until she disappeared, then went to the stables.
Godric stopped him just outside. “Fitzjohn’s given orders for his horse to be saddled,” he said. “You should go before he gets here. The cellar door is open.”
Huw nodded and hurried away, head down. He was so busy wondering where he should wait while Matilda was in the keep that he didn’t watch where he was going and nearly ran into a man striding toward the stables.
A voice that made his blood run cold snarled, “Watch where you’re going, fool.” A quick glance up showed him Fitzjohn, his fist raised as though he was about to strike.
Huw hastily bowed his head. “Beg your pardon, my lord,” he said in his thickest Welsh accent. Anything to avoid Fitzjohn associating him with the troubadour.
He moved to walk on, but Fitzjohn grasped his shoulder. “I haven’t given you permission to go yet.” Then his eyes narrowed. “You look familiar. I’ve seen you before, somewhere else.”
Huw shook his head. “I’ve only just started here, my lord. I came from Aberffraw.” He named the location of Owain’s llys on Anglesey, knowing Fitzjohn had never been there.
Fitzjohn gave him one last, long look, then said, “Get on with your work then, man. And watch where you’re going in future.”
Huw walked away, fighting the urge to run. Just when he thought he was clear, he blew out a shaky breath. He glanced back to see Fitzjohn looking his way, frowning.
Bound to Her Blood Enemy Page 18
