by Aston, Alexa
“I don’t think so, my lady,” he said quietly. “I found no blood. Just the knot on your head. Does anything else ache?”
“My wrist. You’re certain you found no blood?” she insisted.
“No, I didn’t. May I examine your wrist?”
She nodded, wincing as she brought her fingertips to the goose egg.
Drake lifted her right arm and, using the candle, examined her delicate wrist more carefully.
“Good news, my lady. Though I know it hurts beyond measure, your wrist is merely sprained. A severe sprain, but it will heal more quickly than a broken bone would.”
She sighed. “I knew I injured it. I tried to break my fall.”
He didn’t ask if she’d lost her balance or tripped. Instead, he said, “I can summon the healer for you if you wish but I would be happy to see to you myself. My mother was a renowned healer and taught me much about herbs. I can brew something to ease your pain and help you sleep. If you trust me, that is.”
He only hoped Lady Faylinn would agree to him seeing to her injuries. Karys, the Mallowbourne healer, had difficulty moving about these days. Drake had seen her limping painfully along, each footstep filled with effort, even as she paused to catch her breath as she crossed the bailey. He couldn’t imagine waking Karys in the middle of the night and how long it would take her to come to the solar. With his knowledge of herbs and healing, he could easily see to the baroness.
She still looked a bit confused but said, “I will give you the key to my storeroom. You should be able to find what you need.”
Her hands moved to the keys draped from the chatelaine around her waist and she cried out.
“I’m sorry. I forgot about my injured wrist.”
“Show me which one is the storeroom’s key,” Drake said.
She did and he removed it. Taking a pillow, he placed it alongside her and propped her arm upon it.
“I’ll return shortly,” he promised and left to venture to the storeroom. “Keep your wrist elevated on the pillow.”
Once inside the storeroom, Drake found everything he needed quickly since Lady Faylinn had every herb neatly labeled and stored. He retreated to the kitchen and put on a small pot of water to boil and then returned to the storeroom and used the mortar and pestle to grind both chamomile and comfrey. He chopped some hyssop and added oil to it, mixing it thoroughly. By the time he returned to the kitchen, the water was boiling and he divided it, steeping the herbs in separate cups. He found a tray and placed both cups on it, along with the paste of hyssop. The sweet smells wafted toward him, reminding him of the many good times he’d spent in his mother’s company learning about the various medicinal properties of herbs.
Drake carried the tray upstairs and entered Lady Faylinn’s bedchamber again, finding her asleep. He couldn’t help but drink in her beauty as he rested the tray on the table. It was a shame she’d been married to a man thrice her age. At least now that she had gotten with child, her future might be secured. If she bore a son. If not, she would become a pawn for her family—or the king—to wed as they saw fit.
She stirred in sleep, a deep frown creasing her brow. Suddenly, her eyes flew open and she began babbling.
“She tried to kill me. She almost did. She pushed me. She wants Mallowbourne. She can’t have it. I might have a son. She is so angry about that. She doesn’t want me to have this babe. It shouldn’t matter. She’s a girl. She couldn’t have Mallowbourne anyway.”
Drake sat on the bed and took her by the shoulders, gently shaking her. He saw true fear in her hazel eyes, now more green than he’d ever seen, as her upset grew.
“Sabelina will kill me. She’ll do it. I know she will. She’ll kill me and the babe with me.”
He tried to shush her, knowing how head injuries could make a person say crazy things.
“I’m here, my lady. You and your babe are safe. I brought things that will calm you.”
He reached for the first cup and brought it to her lips. “Drink, my lady. This is comfrey. It promotes healing and will help your sore wrist.”
The babbling ceased and she drank deeply from the cup. He took it away when she’d finished it, trading it for the chamomile.
“Try this, my lady. It will help you sleep.”
She did as told, almost as a child might, finishing it and gazing at him with trust.
“Lie back, my lady. I’ve brought hyssop for the knot on your head. It’s soothing and smells quite pleasant.”
Drake eased her back to the pillows and dipped his fingertips in the hyssop, rubbing it gently against the swollen, tender spot on her temple.
“That feels nice,” she said, her words slurring.
He sat with her until sleep came and then left, knowing he needed to let Lady Sabelina know her stepmother had been injured. Until the baroness was fully healed and up and about, Lady Sabelina would be in charge of the keep. He hoped by morning that Lady Faylinn’s senses would have returned to her and she wouldn’t make such wild accusations against her stepdaughter.
Drake rapped at Lady Sabelina’s bedchamber door several times and paused before repeating the action. Moments later, the door flew open and the young woman eyed him warily.
“I am sorry to disturb you so late, my lady, but there’s been an accident. Lady Faylinn must have lost her balance and she took a fall down the stairs.”
The noblewoman’s eyes grew large. “Oh, no! Please, Sir Drake, tell me she isn’t dead. I cannot lose her and Father.” Tears welled in her eyes.
“She is fortunate to have only suffered a few minor injuries. Her wrist is severely sprained and she bashed her head against the stairs during her fall. I discovered her during my rounds and took her to the solar.”
“Oh. I see.”
Drake was good at reading people and it surprised him to see disappointment flit across Lady Sabelina’s face. What worried him even more was the resentment that flickered in her eyes, replacing the concern of a moment ago.
“Your stepmother should be fine with rest. My mother was a healer and I gave Lady Faylinn a few herbs to calm her and aid her in sleep.”
“I see. Well, that was very kind of you, Sir Drake.”
She started to close her door but he slid his foot into place to prevent it from shutting.
Her brows arched. “You have more to share?” she asked haughtily.
“I think it wise to have someone stay the night with Lady Faylinn. Mayhap you would like to do so, my lady?
Annoyance flitted across her face. “That’s certainly a good idea. I will do so shortly. Thank you again, Sir Drake.”
He left reluctantly as she closed her door, wondering at Lady Sabelina’s disdainful reaction to her stepmother’s accident.
Suddenly, he worried that mayhap Lady Faylinn’s ramblings hadn’t been ramblings at all.
Drake returned to the solar. While he didn’t think it appropriate for him to sit by the baroness’ side throughout the night, he could stand guard outside the solar’s door so that when Lady Sabelina did arrive she would be greeted with his presence. He did so until an hour before dawn.
The daughter of the household never came.
Anger filled him at Lady Sabelina’s lack of interest in her stepmother’s accident. If it were, in fact, an accident. As dawn approached, Drake left his post. Once more, as the castle came to life and its inhabitants began to stir, he toured the bailey, checking with sentries and men on the wall-walk. Satisfied that all was well, he returned to the barracks to wash and changed into a fresh tunic for the day.
He planned to keep an eye on Lady Sabelina. Starting now with mass.
Drake entered the chapel just as the priest began the mass. He didn’t see Lady Faylinn in attendance. It didn’t surprise him, knowing that the herbs he’d given her would make her sleep deeply for some time, keeping her restlessness to a minimum so as not to jar her wrist. He would need to craft a sling for her, though, once she decided to be up and about.
He glanced about during commu
nion, looking for Karys. The old healer should have a look at Lady Faylinn’s injuries this morning. It surprised Drake when he couldn’t locate her in the crowd. Karys never missed mass. Concerned, he moved through the back of the chapel and found Resa.
Bending low, he whispered in her ear, “Have you seen Karys?”
The servant shook her head. “No, Sir Drake.”
“Find her. Lady Faylinn had a fall late last night. I tended to her but Karys should come to the solar and see if the baroness needs further care than what I provided.”
Resa nodded and slipped away.
Once mass ended, he made his way in Lady Sabelina’s direction, wanting to ask how Lady Faylinn fared. He was interested to see if she would lie to him and pretend she had sat by her stepmother’s side through the night. The young noblewoman was deep in conversation with Mallowbourne’s captain of the guard. He came up behind the pair, keeping a slight distance, but Lady Sabelina’s words were easy to overhear.
“I am very worried about Faylinn, Sir Stephen. She said some wild things last night. I was shocked by the depths of her grief at my father’s passing. I’m afraid. Very afraid—that she’ll kill herself.”
“What?” the knight exclaimed.
“It’s true. Faylinn said the stairs hadn’t worked. She threatened to throw herself from the highest parapet at Mallowbourne. She has me terribly worried that she’s not right in her mind. I decided to lock her inside the solar before I came to mass this morning because her ramblings frightened me so. For her own safety, of course. But something must be done.”
Immediately, Drake knew Lady Sabelina was lying. Lady Faylinn had everything to live for now that she was with child. Guilt rushed through him. The baroness hadn’t been talking idly. Lady Sabelina was a threat to the baroness and her babe.
“I’m troubled to hear this, my lady,” Sir Stephen said. “What can I do?”
“I’ll need to write the king at once. Faylinn hasn’t even done that, which shows you how she’s slipping. Usually, she takes care of everything in such an efficient manner. In fact, I have a servant staying with her. I’ve locked her in her room for now for her own protection. You can provide me a messenger to take my missive to the king. I will write him today and inform him of Father’s death and Faylinn’s . . . unusual behavior.”
“Very good, my lady.”
Sir Stephen left and Drake approached. “I wanted to inquire about Lady Faylinn’s health,” he said, not wanting the noblewoman to know he’d overheard her conversation with Sir Stephen and what Lady Sabelina had falsely revealed.
She shook her head in pity. “Faylinn admitted to me that she threw herself down the stairs last night. She claimed she wants to be with Father. She’s desperate, Sir Drake. I fear the next time she might succeed in harming herself for good. I have a servant with her now.”
It took all his willpower to mask his true emotions. “Lady Faylinn must be protected at all cost. I’m sure you agree.”
“Yes,” she said slowly and he knew she wondered where their conversation might lead.
“A servant is not enough. I volunteer myself, Lady Sabelina, to watch over and protect Lady Faylinn. I am experienced with herbs and can help her recover from her injuries. I say without bragging that I’m the strongest man at Mallowbourne so there’s no way she could overpower me. Let me stay with her and keep her safe for you. I won’t allow her to leave her bedchamber.”
Drake saw several emotions flit across Lady Sabelina’s face. He’d pushed her into a corner and there was no way she couldn’t agree to what he said.
Pushing her further, he added, “Take me to her now. And let Sir Stephen know that I will be on duty both day and night. My knightly code demands that I protect my liege lord and his family to the point of death.” He smiled charmingly. “I will see not a hair is harmed on Lady Faylinn’s head. You have nothing to worry about, my lady.”
Chapter Six
Faylinn awoke to both her head and wrist throbbing. She brought her left hand to her head and felt the bump on her temple along the hairline. It was large and tender to her touch. Her wrist, propped on a pillow, looked swollen and discolored. She tried to turn it gently and stopped when a sharp pain erupted. She lay in bed, confused, feeling sluggish. Then she remembered.
Sabelina . . .
Fear filled her. She could feel her stepdaughter’s hands on her chest again, shoving her backward. Trying to break her fall by throwing an arm out. And then lying there as Sabelina loomed over her. The vicious kick to her head. Faylinn knew it was not just her life at stake—but that of her unborn child. She must protect the babe at all cost.
That meant escaping from Mallowbourne.
She rose from the bed. A wave of dizziness washed over her and she clutched the bedpost with her good hand. The nausea passed and she went to Amaury’s chest, pulling out a satchel. In it, she placed her few jewels and then retrieved her husband’s purse, packed with coins. Her efforts drained what little energy she had. Though she was weak, desperation drove her to get away. She needed food first and then she would leave.
Hiding the satchel under the bed, Faylinn gingerly made her way into the solar, her legs shaking. She reached the door and turned the latch.
Nothing happened.
She’d been locked inside. On Sabelina’s orders, most likely, but why?
Footsteps sounded in the corridor and she went back to the bedchamber with the little strength she had left, her head pounding fiercely. As she climbed into bed, she wondered if she should feign sleep and see what she might learn. Then she heard a voice coming from the solar. A male voice. Terror struck her. Sabelina had sent someone to kill her and the babe. Her eyes frantically searched the room and saw nothing she could use as a weapon. She cried out wordlessly to the Holy Mother, pleading for help.
A shadow loomed in the doorway, blocking it with his large size. Faylinn swallowed, her good hand going to her belly protectively. The man stepped through the doorway and she recognized Sir Drake Harcourt. Her stepdaughter followed closely behind him. Crossing the room, the knight paused next to the bed, while Sabelina came to stand at the foot. She couldn’t read the expression on the young woman’s face and tried to make her own a blank.
“Good morning, my lady,” he said softly. “You might not remember but I found you after your accident last night.”
She frowned, thinking a moment, and then vague images came to her. The knight carrying her upstairs. Giving her something to drink.
“I do recall, Sir Drake,” she said carefully, still unsure why he now accompanied Sabelina. She didn’t think such an honorable man would be in league with her stepdaughter but, at this point, Faylinn trusted no one. “You gave me something for my pain, I believe.”
He looked pleased with her answer. “You remember. That’s a good sign. Blows to the head can play with a person’s memory. It can be hard to recall events leading up to being injured. Some people do but many others find the days before their fall a blank.”
She remained silent, not wanting to give away how much she truly recalled, and then decided she could use what the knight had just said to her advantage.
“I’m afraid you’re right, Sir Drake. I don’t remember falling or striking my head.” She brought a hand to her brow. “I awoke and discovered this painful lump.” She didn’t dare look at Sabelina at this point and kept her eyes on Sir Drake.
“May I examine you? I did when I found you on my rounds last night.”
“Your mother was a healer,” she said. “You told me that.”
“Yes, she was.”
“I don’t see that this is necessary, Sir Drake,” Lady Sabelina said, disapproval in her voice. “I can send for Karys. She is the Mallowbourne healer. It is her responsibility to see to Lady Faylinn. Not yours.”
“I have already done so, my lady. I sent Resa to fetch Karys just before mass concluded.”
His hand touched her head gently, his fingers lightly rubbing the knot she’d discovered. An odd sen
sation ran through her. Some kind of tingling.
“It’s still large but it didn’t break the skin. No stitches are required. I can rub some of the hyssop paste on it again to help relieve the bruising. The scent is pleasant.” He paused. “I’d like to check your wrist now if you’ll allow me.”
Faylinn nodded and his fingers moved slowly along her skin. As before, the tingling occurred at his touch, causing her belly to tighten in response. She kept her head down, afraid to meet his gaze. Then he rotated her wrist and she winced.
“It isn’t broken, my lady, merely sprained. I will craft a sling for you which you will need to use for a sennight or more. I will also brew some new herbs for your pain.”
“Thank you, Sir Drake. I would appreciate that.”
“Might I examine your head once more, Lady Faylinn? Though I only discovered the one knot last night, you may have struck your head in more than one place. Since several hours have passed, I might find another injury swelling.”
“Do what you must.”
He bent close, his face so near hers that she felt his breath on her cheek. He ran his fingers lightly over her scalp, bring a delicious sensation which startled her. As he eased her head around to search the back of her scalp, his lips grazed her ear.
So softly that she could barely hear, he whispered, “I know. Say nothing.”
The knight continued his thorough examination and Faylinn believed he had figured out it had been Sabelina who’d hurt her. Mayhap she had even told him so last night though she couldn’t remember doing so. She would do as he instructed.
His fingers fell from her head, leaving her with an oddly bereft feeling, and he stepped away.
“I found no other bumps. You were very fortunate, my lady. You could have been much more severely injured. Broken bones. Even your neck.”
She managed a feeble smile. “I suppose I was. It’s not like me to be careless. I must have tripped and lost my balance. Mayhap the hem of my cotehardie came loose.” She looked to her stepdaughter, trying to hide her true feelings of dread as she gazed at Sabelina. “I’m so sorry to be such a bother to you. I know you’re still upset at losing your father and don’t need to assume my tasks. I will do my best to heal quickly and not give you any trouble.”
