by Aston, Alexa
“The road is dusty,” Ashby said as he turned and kissed Faylinn’s cheek. “Garrett and I returned as soon as we could. Give us time to wash and then we’ll share everything with you.”
“Come to the solar in an hour,” Madeleine said. “It will be time for the evening meal by then. I’ll have it brought to us so we can discuss things privately.”
Faylinn thought to return to her bedchamber but she ran across Lyssa and Cynric and decided to spend time playing with them. Cynric had discovered blocks and the Stanbury carpenter had carved numerous ones so that the young boy could build. They sat on the floor and erected tall stacks, which Cynric then proceeded to knock down. Laughing, he would gather the pieces again and the process would start over.
Annie interrupted their play, telling Faylinn she should make her way to the solar. The servant took charge of the children, leading them into the great hall for the evening meal.
Faylinn arrived and saw Madeleine had poured wine for everyone. Two servants set trenchers out and platters of meat and fowl, along with stewed pears, cheese, and bread. Seating herself, she took a sip of wine and waited for her brother and the earl to tell them about their trip to see the king.
As they ate, Lord Garrett began. “We went to London first but it was as I suspected. The royal couple and their family were staying at Windsor Castle.”
“It took some time and a bit of Garrett’s charm but we gained a private audience with the king,” Ashby continued. “I gathered it was most unusual for Edward to agree to such a request.”
“The matter was too sensitive for the ears of other courtiers,” the earl noted. “If the king had read Lady Sabelina’s missive—which he had—and acted upon it, it left a messy situation that had to be dealt with.”
“So King Edward had read my stepdaughter’s lies,” Faylinn said, saddened to think of what Sabelina had written of her and Drake.
“The king was quite angry when introduced to Sir Drake,” her brother said. “From his reaction, we knew Lady Sabelina’s missive had reached the king.”
“You said he’d acted upon it. What did he do?” asked Madeleine.
“We’d missed stopping his solution to Mallowbourne’s supposed problems by a day,” Lord Garrett told the group. “Edward had named a Sir Bevil Manville as the new Baron of Gaynesford and he’d left to journey to Mallowbourne and wed Lady Sabelina.”
“Can he be stopped?” asked Marielle, worry creasing her brow.
“The king sent a bevy of soldiers, along with Sir Drake, to ride after Sir Bevil,” Ashby revealed. “Hopefully, they will reach Mallowbourne in time to prevent the marriage from occurring.”
Faylinn cleared her throat. “What did the king say would be done with Sabelina?”
“Your wicked stepdaughter will be taken to a London convent, Faylinn,” Ashby said. “You need never worry about her again.”
Relief swept through her. “That is good news.” She shook her head. “And bad news for the nuns, I’m afraid. Sabelina is not especially devout.”
“I don’t know if she will be forced to take vows or merely be told she is to remain at the convent,” Ashby said. “Either way, she will soon be gone from Mallowbourne and no more of her poisonous lies will be spread.”
A loud knock sounded at the door and the earl said, “Come.”
A grim-faced knight stepped into the solar. Faylinn recognized him as Stanbury’s captain of the guard.
“My lord, we have caught two trespassers during patrol.”
Lord Garrett rose. “Is it who we expected?”
“I believe so,” the soldier replied. “They have not given us their names. They lurked in the woods beside the meadow.”
The earl turned to her. “My lady, would you recognize soldiers sent from Mallowbourne?”
“I would. For many months, as my husband grew more forgetful, I attended a portion of the day’s training activities. I know the names of every man in the yard.”
“Then bring these interlopers here,” Lord Garrett ordered.
“They are in the corridor, my lord. I’ll fetch them at once.” The captain went to the door and motioned for the men to be brought into the solar.
Faylinn held her breath, waiting to see who might appear. A guard of eight men marched in the prisoners, their wrists bound behind their backs. Both men found her at the table and each glared at her.
She rose and said, “This is Sir Conrad and Sir Hamond. Both are soldiers from Mallowbourne.”
Sir Hamond spit. “How dare you betray Lord Amaury and lay with Sir Drake! I curse the bastard child you carry.”
Ashby leaped to his feet and slammed his fist into her accuser’s nose. A loud crunch sounded as blood spurted.
“How dare you not believe and support your liege lord’s widow!” her brother shouted. “The baroness carries Lord Amaury’s child. Lady Sabelina deliberately spread false rumors about her stepmother—and even tried to murder her. Your loyalty was to Lady Faylinn. You are a disgrace.”
Faylinn watched as the Mallowbourne men exchanged confused glances. Both turned to her.
“It’s true,” she told them. “My stepdaughter’s mind is unbalanced. She is obsessed with remaining at Mallowbourne and controlling it. She sought to murder me and my unborn child and then offered herself to the king as bride to the new Baron of Gaynesford, claiming I had killed myself.”
The men looked to each other again and then Sir Conrad faced her and said, “Please forgive us, my lady. I am ashamed I believed Lady Sabelina’s lies. I . . . trusted her because . . . I . . .” His voice faded.
“Why did you trust her?” demanded Ashby.
“Because I lay with her,” Sir Conrad admitted. “I was enamored of her. It clouded my judgment.”
“You what?” Sir Hamond shouted. “I lay with her. I told her that I loved her.”
Faylinn could only shake her head, seeing the depth of Sabelina’s deceit.
“What would you have me do with them?” Lord Garrett asked her.
Not ready to render a decision, she asked, “May I think on it, my lord?”
He nodded and turned to his captain. “Place them in the dungeon.”
*
Drake had mixed feelings as they neared Mallowbourne. The king had instructed him to aid Sir Bevil and acclimate the knight to the estate. Drake was happy to do so for a time but would have to leave if Faylinn returned with her son and wed Sir Bevil. He couldn’t watch the woman he’d loved and bedded be a wife to another man. He also knew it would be difficult for the other soldiers to accept him again. Sir Richard had promised Drake that he would make sure all knew he was blameless but Drake knew there would be some who would never believe he hadn’t fathered Faylinn’s child.
As the group of knights ventured down the lane leading up to Mallowbourne, they passed tenants walking along the road. The gates stood open and Drake realized the tenants headed to the wedding. If people were still coming, then they weren’t too late. He exchanged glances with Sir Richard and knew the royal guardsman had come to the same conclusion.
They rode through the gates, hooves thundering, scattering people left and right. Drake took the lead and led the soldiers directly to the chapel, where a crowd already gathered. He brought Starlight to a halt and Sir Richard cantered to the front of the riders as the assembled group parted, allowing the soldiers to come to the very steps of the chapel. The Mallowbourne priest stood at its door next to a man dressed in wedding finery. Drake heard the people murmuring and a few called out slurs with his name. More curses began to be shouted at him. He hardened his heart to them—but they hurt all the same.
Sir Richard wheeled his horse and shouted, “Silence!”
The crowd followed the knight’s orders and he dismounted as the rest of the soldiers remained in their saddles. Drake was close enough, though, to hear the exchange between the royal guardsman and the man who must be Sir Bevil.
“There will be no wedding,” Sir Richard said, loud enough for those gathered t
o hear. “You are to disperse.”
Murmurs swept through the assembled people. No one moved.
“What’s going on, Sir Richard?” the groom demanded. “You’ve interrupted my wedding ceremony.”
“As I said, there’s to be no wedding.” The captain handed the knight a scroll.
Sir Bevil took it and unrolled the parchment. His eyes scanned it quickly and he looked up, puzzled. They fell again to the page and he read aloud, “Do as Sir Richard and Sir Drake instruct. They act upon my orders.” He glanced up. “It’s signed by the king. My question is, why should I listen to a word Sir Drake Harcourt speaks after his treachery?”
Drake thought the king shrewd to not commit any specifics to paper. If the missive had been intercepted, no one would be able to construe any meaning from it. Sir Bevil’s words, though, let him know that Lady Sabelina had already poisoned the knight’s mind.
More raucous cries sounded, disparaging Drake. His jaw tightened but he did not betray the swirling emotions within him.
Sir Richard glared at the crowd and cried out, “Whatever rumors you’ve heard or been told regarding Sir Drake and his behavior are all vicious untruths. I am Sir Richard, captain of King Edward’s royal guard. Sir Drake Harcourt met with the king in a private audience and the king directed Sir Drake to come to Mallowbourne with me and other representatives from the king in order to right the injustice done to him and Lady Faylinn.”
“The baroness is alive?” someone called out.
“Yes and doing very well. She is at her brother’s estate in Sussex, awaiting the birth of her and Lord Amaury’s child.”
“It’s the baron’s babe?” another voice asked.
“It is,” Sir Richard assured them.
Sir Bevil stepped up. In a loud voice, he said, “Though there’s to be no wedding, it would be senseless to let the feast go to waste. Let us all head to the keep, where you’ll find the great hall ready to host a banquet.”
As the people of Mallowbourne cheered, Drake thought Sir Bevil clever to reward them in this manner. If he became the next baron, this gesture created goodwill with all. Even if he merely acted as guardian for Faylinn’s newborn son, Sir Bevil would still be looked upon with favor.
Those gathered moved en masse away from the chapel. Drake felt someone pat his knee and he looked down, seeing a sweet servant who’d always had a ready smile when she served him his meals.
“I always believed in your innocence, my lord,” the woman said.
“Thank you,” he replied, overcome with emotion.
Sir Richard told the erstwhile groom, “Come to the keep, my lord. We will tell you about your narrow escape and your future role at Mallowbourne.”
The guardsman mounted his horse and turned to lead the group of horsemen toward the keep. Drake fell in behind Sir Richard and the others followed suit. As they rode, they ran into children streaming flowers along the path and a confused Sabelina d’Albert, who held a bouquet and was calling out to people passing her.
“Where are you going? My wedding is about to start.”
Drake noticed no one would meet the noblewoman’s eyes as they hurried past her, their eyes averted.
By now, the children had stopped distributing their flowers as some of their parents captured them by the hand and led them away. Other children merely dropped their flowers and followed their friends. The flow of people continued to the keep as Lady Sabelina turned in circles.
Then she spied the coming horsemen and looked over them. He knew the minute she spied him.
“You!” she screeched.
The bride threw her bouquet in his direction and then rushed toward him. Drake quickly swung from Starlight’s back, not wanting her to jerk him from the horse. She flung herself at him, clawing at his face and cursing him. He grabbed her wrists as Sir Richard called for restraints. Before she knew it, her wrists were bound in front of her. She shrieked obscenities at him, her language more colorful than that of any soldier he knew.
Sir Bevil arrived and Lady Sabelina ran to him.
“Help me, my lord,” she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. “I do not understand what is happening.”
His face remained guarded and he merely said, “I cannot,” and walked away.
Sir Richard took her by the elbow and said, “You are to return with this escort party to London, Lady Sabelina. You will be placed in a convent for life.”
She fell silent, her breath rapid, and then a cry emerged from her like that of a wounded animal caught in a trap. Her long scream pierced the spring day.
“It was all for nothing. Faylinn wins, after all. I hate her. I hate her!”
She collapsed to her knees and Drake heard her murmur over and over, “I wish I was dead.”
Sir Richard said, “Men, stable your horses and come to the great hall to eat your fill. We will leave once Sir Drake and I have spoken with Sir Bevil.” He looked to Drake. “Take the lady to the keep and secure her in her bedchamber. Go with him, Sir Marcus, and stand guard until we leave.”
“Yes, my lord,” Drake replied and handed his reins to another knight, as did Sir Marcus.
Going to Lady Sabelina, he gently took her elbow and brought her to her feet. She didn’t seem to recognize him as he led her away and inside the keep. He took her to what had been her bedchamber and guided her to a chair, easing her into it. Her glassy eyes stared straight ahead, as if seeing nothing. Drake left the room and closed the door behind him as Sir Marcus took up his post.
He went down the stairs and heard the noise of celebration coming from the great hall. More people streamed into the room, ready to partake in the wedding feast. He spied Sir Richard standing with Sir Bevil and made his way toward them.
“Where can we discuss the situation in quiet?” Sir Richard asked.
“The steward’s office is nearby,” Sir Bevil said. “I’ll take you there.”
Once in the office, Sir Richard said, “We are here to inform you that you are now warden of Mallowbourne, not the Baron of Gaynesford. Sir Drake will be your second-in-command and will guide you in managing the estate until you receive notice regarding Lady Faylinn’s babe.”
“I was told she had killed herself and that she could not be buried with her husband because she could not rest in consecrated ground.” He paused. “If she is with child, I may not be the next Baron of Gaynesford.”
“No,” Sir Richard replied. “It will depend upon the gender. The king commands you to act as guardian if it’s a boy. You’re to raise him and wed Lady Faylinn upon her return. However, if it’s a girl, you will receive the title outright and King Edward will allow you to wed a lady of your own choosing.”
“Then I am in limbo,” Sir Bevil muttered, clearly upset by the turn of events over which he had no control.
“Better than wed to a treacherous liar who smeared Sir Drake’s reputation and tried to murder Lady Faylinn and her unborn child,” snapped Sir Richard, obviously put out at Manville’s behavior.
Sir Bevil’s eyes grew large. “I see there is much I do not know regarding Lady Sabelina. I must thank you gentlemen for arriving when you did.”
“Sir Drake will remain with you,” Sir Richard said. “The rest of us will escort Lady Sabelina to London. When the time comes, you will receive a missive from the Earl of Montayne, who shelters Lady Faylinn at Stanbury in Sussex. The earl will also notify the king as to the babe’s gender.”
Sir Bevil shook hands with the king’s guardsman, who took his leave. Turning to Drake, the knight said, “I put myself in your hands, Sir Drake. Help me make Mallowbourne strong in these turbulent times.”
Drake nodded. “I am at your service, my lord.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Six months later . . .
Faylinn sat sewing in the solar while Madeleine nursed Lyon. The babe had come the first week of June and she had helped in the delivery. Madeleine’s labor had been swift and uneventful.
Marielle had also given birth a week earlie
r. The missive arrived from Ashby, letting them know that Marielle’s labor had been long, as a first one always was, but that she had given birth to Valentine, a healthy boy. Both mother and son were doing well and had sent their love, hoping for a visit sometime soon.
Her own time approached. Two days earlier, the babe had turned, dropping slightly, and she felt its feet kicking and nudging beneath her ribs. That was a good sign, with the head ready to descend into the birth canal. She thought back to Rosina’s difficult labor, with Joseph being breech, and gave praise to the Virgin for her babe’s placement within her belly.
Lyon finished nursing and Madeleine burped the babe. He closed his eyes and Faylinn gazed upon him.
“Would you like to hold him?” her friend asked.
She smiled. “You know I never tire of that.”
Rising, she set aside her sewing and went to her friend, lifting the boy from Madeleine’s arms and returning to her chair.
Madeleine sighed. “Lyon is so different from Cynric. From birth, Cynric was always in motion. Most babes sleep a good portion of the day for several months. Not Cynric. He barely napped for an hour a day. It was as if he worried too much would happen if he closed his eyes for very long.”
“Lyon is certainly different,” Faylinn agreed. “Even when he’s awake, he is calm and relaxed. He rarely cries, only coos and smiles.”
Madeleine laughed. “Cynric cried quite a bit. Once again, as if he demanded everyone’s attention.”
“It’s interesting how you and Garrett made two such beautiful boys and yet they are dissimilar in so many ways.”
“I am curious as to what Lyon will be like when he’s walking and talking,” mused his mother. “I only hope that the two brothers are close.”
“They will be,” answered Faylinn. “And Lyssa has been so good with little Lyon.”
“She is made to be a mother,” Madeleine agreed. “I only hope if Garrett and I are blessed with another child someday that I am able to give her the sister she longs for.”
Lyssa entered the solar and came straight to Faylinn. “Annie says it’s time for Lyon’s morning nap.”
