Noble Line of de Nerra Complete Set: A Medieval Romance Bundle

by Kathryn Le Veque

  As they moved along, Teodora glanced over her shoulder at the small-boned lady riding at her side. The woman had been introduced as Owen’s sister-in-law, the Lady Dessa-Etienne of Guillaume. The silence between them, until this moment, had been an oddly strained one.

  “A good many of these men are from other countries,” Teodora replied belatedly to Dessa’s statement. “What you see is the bulk of John’s mercenary army.”

  So this was the feared mercenary army. Dessa took a good look at them. To actually see the thousands of men in what seemed to be a fairly organized group was truly frightening. It was a bigger army than she had ever seen and could ever hope to fight.

  The army that had wounded Cullen.

  “So very many of them to support the king,” she murmured. “It makes Owen’s resistance seem so… futile.”

  Teodora shook her head. “England needs men like Owen the Black, men willing to resist the tyranny so rampant in this country. And it makes me proud that Cullen was a part of it.”

  Dessa looked at her, puzzled. “Cullen?”

  “Aye. My husband, Cullen.” Teodora couldn’t understand why Dessa looked further perplexed. “The injured man I came for?”

  Recognition dawned. “You mean Monty.”

  Teodora nodded. “Aye, Monty.”

  Dessa studied the woman with a bit more scrutiny. She’d all but ignored the tall beautiful woman since their introduction. She knew very well who she was and found that she had a powerful aversion to her, for obvious reasons. This was the woman who had Monty’s heart, and always would. There was hurt there, although she’d pretended otherwise. In truth, she found herself overwhelmingly curious about the woman Monty could love.

  “When he first came to us, he would not tell us his name,” she said. “Owen began calling him montagne, meaning mountain. Somehow it became Monty, the Champion of Thieves.”

  Teodora almost laughed. “Champion of Thieves? God’s Bones, what a reputation.”

  “A reputation you said not a moment ago that you were proud of.”

  Teodora sobered. “I am. But if you only knew how noble and moral Cullen is… well, to be labeled the Champion of Thieves is rather paradoxical for him.”

  Dessa’s eyes flashed with indignation. “He’s a fine man and a great warrior. He has taught me well in the warring ways.”

  Teodora looked at her again, sensing some jealousy, or perhaps even competition. Cullen had sworn he’d been faithful to her, but had this pretty little woman been something of a temptation? The way she was speaking of Cullen, Teodora wondered. But the truth was that she never once doubted that Cullen had been truthful. The man was as solid as a rock. Perhaps he had been tempted, but thinking she was dead, she couldn’t blame him. She wouldn’t have even blamed him if he’d followed through.

  But she was very glad he hadn’t.

  “As I said, I am very proud of him,” she said after a moment. She would not indulge the woman’s apparent challenge. “And all you say about him is true; he’s a fine man and a great warrior. I am glad he was able to teach you warring skills.”

  Dessa watched Teodora carefully, somewhat bewildered that the woman’s anger hadn’t risen against her. She had been very cool, agreeing with the assessment of her husband. It made Dessa feel rather small that her bold words had been so deftly handled, though jealousy had not motivated her statement – it was possessiveness.

  Monty belonged to Owen’s people, as their champion. She didn’t want him to return to the woman they were referring to as his wife. But the more she gazed at Teodora, the more she realized that a gaggle of outlaws could not compete against such a fine, beautiful lady. It was only right that Cullen return to his true and happy life with the woman he loved. In that, Dessa felt a good deal of disappointment.

  But she understood.

  The women fell silent as they approached the open gates of Rockingham. There were sentries on guard duty. But because there were so many unknown men wandering about, the Rockingham soldiers didn’t give much notice to the two cloaked figures entering the bailey on horseback. Still, it was obvious that they were women, and it was a strange sight to see women riding in the midst of sleeping men. One man reached up and grabbed hold of Teodora’s arm.

  “You,” he growled. “Where do ye think ye’re goin’?”

  A bolt of panic shot through Teodora. She had commanded these men, once. They knew her on sight. She struggled to keep the hood of her cloak pulled over her face.

  “We’ve… we’ve business with the Lord Justice,” she said, altering the pitch of her voice so she wouldn’t sound like herself. “Let us pass, please.”

  He held her tight, his gaze moving up and down her person. Then he looked at the horse; it was a fine steed. The soldier, now suspicious, tried to look at Teodora’s face.

  “What business?” he demanded.

  Her stomach was lurching. She didn’t dare look at Dessa. “That’s between the Lord Justice and me. Let me pass or I shall tell him that you obstructed me.”

  “I am not obstructin’ ye. Tell me yer business and I shall let ye pass.”

  Teodora thought furiously. “He… he has sent for my friend and me. For company.”

  The soldier understood and reluctantly let her go. “Move along, then. Next time, just tell me ye’re a whore and I shall not detain ye.”

  Cheeks flaming, Teodora directed her horse to the steps of the great keep. She and Dessa secured the horses and quickly dismounted, hurrying in through the open front doors of the structure. It was dark inside, the torches having long since burned out, but there was faint light coming from a small fire in an alcove directly off the foyer. Wasting no time, Teodora ran for the stairs.

  “Where are you going?” Dessa hissed as she ran after her.

  “To my chambers,” Teodora replied. “I’ve got to start in the most logical place and work my way clear until I find my father and my child.”

  Dessa scampered up the stairs after the longer-limbed Teodora. “But it is so quiet. Do you think they are up here?”

  They reached the top of the landing and scurried down the dark corridor. “We’ll find out, won’t we?” Teodora replied.

  They were quiet as they raced down the hall, finally coming to a large oaken door. The iron latch was secure and Teodora, with shaking hands, lifted it carefully. Slowly, she pushed the door open.

  The chamber was dark, with not even a fire in the hearth. Teodora pushed the door open wider and slipped inside. Dessa followed. Bolting the door from the inside, Teodora felt her way along the wall until she came to the table beside her bed. Fumbling for a flint and a candle, she finally managed to light a taper after several unsuccessful attempts. Dessa stood beside her, wide-eyed and wary.

  “There’s no one here,” she whispered as the room came to light in the weak flame. “The chamber is empty. Where could they be?”

  Teodora held the candle up, looking around. Nothing had been moved or changed. Everything was neat and tidy, as Norma and Willa always kept it. Teodora sighed heavily, lost in thought.

  “In truth, I did not expect them to be here,” she said softly. “But from here, I am not sure where to go. The servants’ quarters, perhaps. My inclination would be to search the lower levels.”

  “Why?”

  “Because my two maids were taking care of my child,” she said. “I suspect my father has gone in search of them, and the logical place to look would be their sleeping quarters.”

  Dessa nodded. Just as the women turned for the door, a massive figure suddenly stepped into view. He had been shielded by the wardrobe and the women never saw him. Dessa gasped, immediately unsheathing her sword. It was ungainly and she struggled with it, making a rather comical picture. Teodora, startled as she was, found herself watching Dessa wrestle with the weapon. She almost reached out to help her. But Dessa freed the sword and raised it defensively, protecting her and Teodora from the man blocking their path.

  “Back away, knave, or meet my blade,” she
said threateningly.

  The man in the shadows stepped forward, the soft light from Teodora’s candle illuminating his face. When Teodora recognized him, relief filled her.

  “Sean,” she gasped. “Thank God it is you. Where is everyone? Where is my baby?”

  Sean’s eyes glittered. “Good evening, Lady Barklestone,” he said formally. “The Lord Justice thought you might return to your chambers and told me wait for your reappearance.”

  Teodora eyed him. This didn’t sound like the Sean she’d seen at the outlaw camp, the one who had helped with Cullen. This was the Sean she’d known at Rockingham, the one who was deeply loyal to the king and to Barric. Warily, she eyed him.

  “And so I have come,” she said quietly. “Now, you will tell me where my child is.”

  He replied, though not unkindly. “In safe hands, my lady.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Precisely that, my lady. She is being taken care of.”

  Teodora’s cheeks flushed, her natural protective instincts beginning to rage. “She is my child and I will take care of her myself.” She suddenly pushed forward, shoving Dessa out of the way. “Tell me where my child is, Sean.”

  Sean cocked an eyebrow. “You should be, perhaps, more concerned with your father.”

  Her cheeks went from red to white all in an instant. “My father?” she breathed. “What has happened?”

  “Nothing as of yet. He, his knight, and the physic are all resting comfortably in the vault until a decision can be made.”

  She felt sick. “Decision? What nonsense is this?”

  “Why, treason, of course,” Sean said calmly. “Though I am sure the king will be merciful should you cooperate.”

  “Cooperate?” she was torn between outrage and despair. “How?”

  Sean took her by the arm, firmly, so she would not escape. At this moment, Teodora would not dare try. “The king is not unreasonable.” He sounded as if he were trying to help her. “He wants something, my lady.”

  “What?”

  “You.”

  Teodora knew the story. But somehow, she wasn’t as frightened as she had been before. “What does he want from me, then?”

  Sean led her toward the door, reaching down to unlatch the lock. “Your company, I believe. I am sure if you were to willingly comply, your father and the others would be spared. This silly matter of treason would be forgotten.”

  “And my daughter?”

  “She would be returned to you, of course.”

  Teodora gazed at him, realizing that he wasn’t trying to be manipulative or cruel. He was simply stating the way of things.

  Over the past several months, she had come to know Sean de Lara as a dependable, honest man. Terrifying, but dependable nonetheless. He had no particular love for the Lord Justice, but he was loyal to the king, and to the oath he swore, and he was a very skilled knight. In fact, she trusted him almost as much as she trusted those close to her. Therefore, she was unafraid to look him in the eye.

  “The truth, Sean,” she said softly. “Is my daughter well?”

  He nodded. “A bit hungry, but well. You needn’t worry.”

  “And my father?”

  “Well enough.”

  She was relieved. “May I see my daughter, then?” She knew better than to ask for her father.

  “Immediately after we visit the Lord Justice.”

  “Then what?”

  “I imagine you will be leaving with the king’s caravan come the morrow, my lady.”

  “Leaving? Where is he taking me?”

  “I do not know.”

  That caused her to falter. “But I cannot leave,” she hissed. “You know I cannot leave. Cullen is…”

  Sean’s fingers dug into her arm. “If you want to live, and if you want your child to live, you will not mention de Nerra,” he rumbled. “You will not mention where you have been and you will not mention what took place in that outlaw encampment. If you do, we all die. I cannot make it any clearer than that. Do you understand me?”

  She was beginning to tremble, from fear and shock and the realization that something terrible was going to happen to her if she didn’t comply. “Sean,” she begged softly, tears welling. “Please…”

  He shook her, though not roughly. Just enough to get her attention. “Everyone will die,” he rasped. “Obey and live. Resist and die. Tell me you understand me.”

  Teodora sensed that he was trying to help her. In his own cruel and barbaric way, he was trying to help her. Certainly, she could resist, but at what price? Her father’s life, as well as Chadwick’s and Anthony’s? And what of Holly? Her small, helpless daughter in the clutches of fools? Until she could think of a plan of action, her only choice was to comply, as Sean had suggested.

  There were too many lives at stake not to.

  “I understand,” she whispered. “I understand everything.”

  Sean would have breathed a sigh of relief had he allowed himself to. Taking the lady by the arm, he pulled her toward the door, but his gaze moved to Dessa. He’d recognized the woman from the outlaw encampment and although he didn’t know what she was doing here, he knew that he had to send her back with a message.

  “Only Lady Barklestone is requested,” he told her. “You are free to go. Do not linger. Return to the encampment and tell them Lady Barklestone will be departing Rockingham on the morrow. On the morrow. Do you understand?”

  Dessa was looking at the enormous man with a great deal of fear, but she realized that he was trying to tell her something. On the morrow. He was telling her to go back and tell the outlaws.

  Perhaps they could prevent such a thing.

  Dessa understood very clearly what was expected of her. There was no doubt in her mind.

  Cullen must know…

  The Outlaw Encampment

  A few hours before dawn

  The thunder of hooves woke him.

  The night was dark, darker still inside his cramped little hut. Owen barely had time to roll from his bed of furs and rushes before the door was flying open and a small, cloaked figure rushed inside. Through the darkness, Owen recognized Dessa’s form and he grabbed her before she could pitch herself off into the dark hearth.

  “Dess!” he hissed. “Christ, what’s the matter? Where is Monty’s wife?”

  Dessa was gasping for breath, her cheeks red and her eyes wide. She looked positively terrified.”

  “T-they…” She swallowed hard, struggling. “They… they took her!”

  Panic surged through Owen. “Who took her?” He shook her when her panting prevented her from answering him fast enough. “Damnation, girl, who took her?”

  Dessa swallowed again. She was as close to swooning as she had ever been in her life and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath.

  “A knight took her,” she breathed. “The same knight that was here, helping Monty. He took her to the king!”

  “Knight? What knight?”

  Dessa shook her head. “I don’t know his name, but he was the one who brought the physic to Monty. When we went to search her chamber for the child, he was waiting for her. He took her away.”

  Owen could feel doom and gloom settling over him. He released Dessa and sat heavily in the nearest chair. By this time, Delaine was awake, her frightened gaze moving between her sister and her husband. Owen scratched his head wearily, thinking that he never should have let Teodora go. He should have insisted that he go personally, or at least bade her wait for her father to return.

  Why hadn’t he insisted? Why?

  “Do you mean to tell me that she’s been captured?” He sounded as if he was almost afraid to ask.

  Dessa nodded, her breathing slowing somewhat. She gazed warily at Owen, afraid he might somehow blame her. “I know you sent me to aid and protect her, but…”

  Owen waved her off. “It doesn’t matter now. Did he say anything at all?”

  Dessa wiped the sweat from her forehead. She had been heated from her harried fligh
t in spite of the cold temperatures. “Her father and his knight and the physic have been captured, too. And the babe. The man told Monty’s wife that all would be released if she would only cooperate.”

  Owen didn’t like the sound of that at all. He cocked an eyebrow. “What in the hell does that mean?”

  Dessa suddenly felt very tired. Now that the rush was over, she was desperate to sit down. Owen certainly wasn’t going to like her reply. “He said that the king wanted her,” she said quietly, pulling up a milking stool and plopping down. “He’s going to take her with him when he leaves on the morrow.”

  Owen felt as if a cold dagger had just been pushed through his chest. “Take her?” he repeated. “Christ, take her where?”

  Dessa shook her head. “He didn’t say. But he did mention that they would leave on the morrow.” She watched Owen’s anxious face. Now that the excitement had worn off, she was full of anxiety. “What are we going to do, Owen?”

  Owen’s features were pale. Delaine lit a small fire in the hearth and even the soft orange flames weren’t enough to erase the darkness of his trepidation. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “Her father has been captured, too, did you say?”

  Dessa nodded solemnly. “She has no one to help her, Owen.”

  “Aye, she does.” Delaine’s voice was soft. When Owen and Dessa looked at her, leaning far over the hearth, her dark gaze was sure and steady. “Don’t look at me like that, either of you. Of course she has someone to help her.”

  “Who?” Owen asked.

  “You.”

  Owen wasn’t shocked by her suggestion. He had, in fact, been expecting it. “Are you suggesting I take on all of King John’s army to rescue her?”

  Delaine stood tall, a look of sheer determination on her face. “Must I tell you your duty, Owen? Do you know that if it were me being held hostage by the king, Monty would do everything in his power to save me? He would not lament limited manpower, or lack of weaponry, or anything else. The man would not make excuses. For the respect he holds for you and in honor of his oath as a knight, he would simply do what needed to be done.”