Her Darkest Knight

by Amy Mullen

  "I would have understood why you wished to go through the old trunks you found at Renoir. At the time, I thought it was most strange. I would have understood the way you stared at the wooden horse and understood why it moved you so much. It was yours, and you had it back."

  "Aye. The stones and bundles of twigs were mine as well."

  "And of the maps and ring?"

  "I have given it much thought. The only explanation is that they belonged to your brother Gavin."

  "Gavin stayed there, so aye, that is my assumption as well. That is also Gemma’s guess. The ring matches my sister’s necklace, which once belonged to my mother. The ring may have been given to Gavin by my father."

  "Then all the more reason for you to keep it."

  "Thank you," she said. It was odd to sit quietly with her. They were not alone, yet it felt as if they were. She was quiet and peaceful.

  "You have not changed your mind about wedding me, have you?" he asked.

  "I do not have a choice in the matter, but no, I have not changed my mind."

  "I would not force it if you wished out. I would ask Henry for relief if you wanted it."

  "You are a good man. I can see that. Many couples marry and never love each other. Marriage is not about love, but securing lands and families. I know that. I have always known that. And before you say anything, I do not wish to discuss the love issue again."

  "I am sorry I hurt you," he said. "We have a fortnight left before we can wed. I hope I can make you happy to be wed to me in that time. So when you say your vows, you have no regrets."

  "You worry too much," Isabel said.

  "Are you ready, milord?"

  Turstin glanced up to see Matthew standing a few feet away. He released Isabel’s hand and stood quickly. "Aye, ‘tis high time we rode. I want to be back to Blackstone as soon as we can. They must be worried. Did you see anything?"

  "Nay," Matthew replied. "I did a large circle about the shack and found nothing to suggest anyone was near. Everything appears clear."

  "I hope our luck holds out. Time to get home."

  "You said home," Isabel said as she hastily stood as well.

  "Aye," Turstin said, "I guess I did. Let us ride now."

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  They rode to Blackstone through the woods. The roads were limited, but the trees were plenty. Turstin and Matthew both decided that riding among the trees was the safest option, though not necessarily the fastest. They stopped only once, and even then, did not rest long. Each was motivated by the knowledge they could sleep once they returned to Blackstone.

  Their small party was spotted long before they reached the gates of the castle. A good number of Blackstone men-at-arms rode out to meet them. Matthew held his arm up and grinned at the approaching men so they would know all was well. The men encircled the party, and all rode the last leg of the trip out in the open.

  Isabel sat in front of Turstin on his horse and scanned the horizon anxiously for any sign of home. A small part of her wished the trip to be longer, because she enjoyed riding with him, his arms around her as they went. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe. She could not stop thinking about the kiss they had shared, and it took all of her strength to not turn around to repeat the experience. If she had not been so tired and so sore, she might have done it.

  "We are home," she said as the towers of Blackstone came into view. She could hear the horn blow, alerting those within that they approached. As they crossed the bridge over the moat, Isabel wiped away the tears in her eyes as she watched her sister run across the bailey to welcome her.

  Turstin helped her down from his destrier as Gemma barreled toward them. Once on the ground, Isabel almost fell as her sister threw her arms around her and squeezed. Her body still hurt, but the welcoming embrace of her sister was worth it.

  "Oh, I am so happy you are safe. Oh, my dear, sweet Isabel," Gemma said with a sniff as she squeezed her tighter.

  "Why, Gemma, I did not know you could run so fast," Isabel said as she laughed and cried at the same time. "But I am most happy to see you."

  Gemma backed up and inspected her sister. "What has happened to you? You have been hurt! Who did this to you? Nicholas has been searching for you and is growing frustrated. He should be back soon, before the sun sets. Oliver has taken men out, and so has Willis. Nicholas has had every able person searching. He will be pleased you have been found."

  "We can talk about it after he returns, if you do not mind," Isabel said. "We are in dire need of a good meal and a bit of rest."

  "And you!" Gemma whirled around to face Turstin, who appeared tired and dirty. He had just handed his destrier off to a soldier and stood, waiting for the reunion to be done. "You found her. I do not know how to thank you for bringing her back to us." Gemma ran to him and threw her arms around him.

  A lump formed in Isabel’s throat as she watched. At first, he did not seem to know what to do with his arms, but his body relaxed and he returned the embrace. When Gemma finally released him, she then gave Matthew the same treatment.

  "Now," Gemma said, whipping around. "I think mayhap you might all want a bath. Quite frankly, you are all filthy. I will have Leda speed up dinner so we may eat before sunset. I will have baths sent up at once for all three of you. Matthew, you may bathe in my quarters. You will wash, we will eat, and then we will talk. After that, you must sleep."

  "Agreed," Turstin said. "Isabel, please try to relax, and remember you are safe now."

  "I know," she said. "Please remember, too, you are soon to be family and as you can tell, your name does not change that fact. It does not matter."

  He nodded curtly, and with quick strides and energy she did not herself possess, he strode toward the great hall. Just as he walked through the arch in the inner curtain wall, Constance appeared.

  "Oh, you are here," she said as she too ran toward Isabel.

  "Let us go inside. I am exhausted. I need to bathe," Isabel told her. Gemma flew past them toward the kitchens.

  "What happened to you?" Constance asked.

  "I was taken aboard a slave ship. I was to be sold overseas. Turstin found me. I am happy to see you suffered no harm."

  "They did not come for me," Constance said.

  Isabel began to walk. She had nothing on her mind other than a bath and some food. At the moment, the sight of Constance irritated her.

  "How lovely for you."

  "I am so sorry you went through that...." Constance began but started to cry, and her sobs echoed off the stone walls. The racket drew the attention of everyone within eyeshot of them.

  Isabel stopped in her tracks and whirled back to stare at her friend. "What is going on? I am home. Why are you so upset?"

  "I cannot hold it in any longer. This is not how this was supposed to happen. You are scratched and bruised and cut. You were supposed to be safe!"

  "What?" Isabel said. "I was supposed to be safe. Whatever does that mean?"

  "Oh no, I cannot say anymore. I feel terrible. I must leave at once and never come back again. I am a terrible person, Isabel. I hope one day you can forgive me."

  Anger flared as Isabel listened to the girl. Her fists formed into knots as she stared at someone she no longer knew. As her entire body tensed, Constance continued to sob on her knees in the grass.

  The horn sounded again, and the gates opened. Nicholas had returned.

  "You are not going anywhere," Turstin said from behind Isabel. She glanced over her shoulder to see him standing but a few feet away. "I think Nicholas is going to demand you stay, and so do I."

  Constance stood slowly, her eyes wide with fear as her tears dried. "No, you cannot keep me here. I must go home at once. I did not do this."

  "But it sounds as if you did not stop it."

  "You?" Isabel said. "You had something to do with what happened to me?"

  "I did not, I mean, not in the way you think. I was told it would be different."

  "Mayhap you should stop speaking," Turs
tin warned. "I have never struck a woman, and I’d like to keep it that way. You will be escorted to your room and stay there until you are summoned."

  "I will not! I will gather a horse now and be on my way."

  "You will not leave Blackstone," Turstin said. His face grew dark, and he took one stiff step in her direction.

  "Stop! Do not touch me!" Constance screamed. A few soldiers came running, stopping short of them by a few paces. "I want to go to Tenwick. Release me at once!"

  "What is all of this?" It was Nicholas.

  Turstin stood his ground, fists planted on his hips. "The good news of Isabel’s return is overshadowed by this hysterical girl," he said flatly.

  Nicholas rushed to Isabel and hugged her. He pulled away from her and studied her face. "Are you well?"

  "Aye, I am. Turstin found me. If he had not come…" Isabel trailed off, as an involuntary shudder wracked her entire body "…I would be gone forever."

  "And of the yelling?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he glared at Constance.

  "She knows something about why Isabel was taken," Turstin said. "I informed her she was going to stay up in the guest room she occupies until we have time to deal with her."

  "Is that so?" Nicholas said as he gently squeezed Isabel’s arms above her elbows.

  "Aye, ‘tis so," Isabel replied. "I have been deceived, and I do not know why. We only wish to bathe and eat right now. We are exhausted and have had little to eat. Ernost and his family sheltered us last night."

  "Ernost? He is a good man. I am glad you found help with him," Nicholas said.

  "I want to leave. Please," Constance said, her voice no more than a pathetic whimper.

  "If Turstin says you are to stay, you stay," Nicholas said. "You, there." He pointed to two of his men standing at attention. "Take her to the quarters at the far end of the hall in the solar. Put her within and guard the door. She is not to leave for any reason until I come for her."

  "Aye, milord," the taller one said. They moved toward Constance as her eyes widened.

  "Nay, nay," she said, again in a whimper.

  "Go quietly so they do not have to force you," Nicholas said.

  The girl’s shoulders slumped as they neared. "I will go willingly." She walked ahead of them, her head down and her eyes cast to the ground.

  ****

  Gemma had arranged for the meal to be served early, while Isabel and Turstin bathed, so the family could dine in private after the others had finished. As the hall cleared out, a refreshed Turstin stood near the flames of the hearth with a skin of wine in his hand, waiting for the meal to begin.

  "Is there anything you need, Turstin?" Gemma’s soft voice alerted him. He was no longer alone.

  "My needs are met. I await supper with great anticipation," he said as he faced her.

  "Isabel told me you saved her from a ship. I am most grateful."

  "She is to be my wife. I could not allow anyone to harm her. I would not let them take what was mine," he said.

  "But of love, Turstin? Did you save her out of love?"

  Before he could reply, Isabel came down the steps with Nicholas not far behind her. Relief washed over Turstin, as he had no idea what to reply to Gemma’s question. Isabel walked purposely toward them, completely eliminating the need to say another word.

  "Is it just us for supper, then?" she asked. "I have seen the children. ‘Twas so good to see their smiling faces. Miles seems upset. Did he worry?"

  "Of course he did," Gemma said. All three moved to the dais to be seated. "He paced atop the walls."

  "He should not worry so much about adult problems," Isabel said.

  "You did," Gemma said.

  "’Tis true," Isabel said with a soft laugh. Her eyes danced with merriment, and her skin glowed from bathing. Turstin felt as if someone had punched him in the gut when she locked eyes with him. "I was to become a knight to avenge my sister. Can you imagine?"

  "Aye," he replied with a chuckle. "I can."

  They sat as the food was served. It was the four of them for supper, with only a few others in the hall, coming and going as their chores dictated. As soon as he started to eat, Turstin began to tire. He sat up straighter and focused on his food. Sleep would come when it would, but there was much to attend to before.

  "I know it might not be easy, but you must tell us what happened," Gemma said as they neared the end of their meal. "Nicholas told me about Constance, and we must deal with her before we sleep this night."

  Isabel glanced at Turstin momentarily, and he gave her a quick nod. As she spoke, he listened to her retell the part of the tale he had heard from her as they rode from the home of Ernost to Blackstone earlier in the day. She spoke quickly and earnestly, telling her family of her troubles. A silence fell as she spoke, her soft words reaching only their ears.

  When she was finished, a tear rolled down her cheek, and Turstin almost broke in half. No woman should have to endure what she did. No woman should know the fear she felt. He had failed to protect her because of his pride. Had he not left Blackstone as he did, she would not have gone to Tenwick with Constance. The sour feeling in his gut grew as he heard her finish her story.

  "I am sorry, Isabel," he said, unable to hold back any longer. "Had we not argued, you would not have been outside the walls without me."

  "Stop," Isabel said, holding her hand up. "We can talk later, but I assure you this was not your fault."

  "I’ve heard enough," Nicholas said, ignoring the exchange between Turstin and Isabel. "I will get the girl." He stomped off across the hall and took the steps two at a time. Turstin picked up his wine as they waited, but they did not wait long.

  Constance stood before them within a few minutes. Her face was a crimson hue, and she shook as she faced them. The two soldiers who guarded her remained, standing near the hearth.

  Isabel stood and stepped up to face Constance. "I do not pretend to understand anything you said in the bailey earlier this eve. I want you to be clear when you speak now. Did you have something to do with what happened to me?"

  Constance blanched. Turstin stood back. The woman he was to take to wife had poise and grace, and now, she was bold and strong. It was as if God molded her just for him. She was a woman any man could be proud to love.

  "If I speak, will I be able to leave? Can I return to Tenwick?"

  "You will return to Tenwick on the morrow, when your father arrives. A message has already been sent."

  Constance nodded as she frowned. "I will tell you what you need to know. I cannot live with the secret any longer, and I cannot live with what happened. You deserve to know the truth."

  Isabel stood straight as Constance fumbled around, clutching her skirt and fiddling with her belt. "’Twas Ronan’s idea. You see, we are in love."

  "Ronan?" Isabel asked. Turstin gasped but held his tongue. The same soldier who had approached him and warned him from Constance. The scene now made sense.

  "He wants to marry me, but we cannot wed. I turned down suitors, because I cannot be with anyone but him," she said, tears now falling.

  "Stop with the fake tears and tell the story," Isabel commanded.

  "We cannot wed, so he devised a way for us to be together. When Turstin came and announced he was your betrothed, Ronan formed a plan. He said if Turstin would marry me, he could acquire work at Renoir, as Turstin would need all the men he could get. I would marry Turstin, but I would have Ronan in my home."

  "So you had to get rid of me?" Isabel asked, her astonishment evident.

  "He told me you would be waylaid long enough for Turstin to turn to me. He said Turstin desired me, and it would be easy for my father to offer for me, once it was time to do so."

  "Did it not occur to you I would not get Renoir if I did not marry Isabel? This makes no sense, Constance. You need to start speaking the truth."

  "’Tis the truth, for he knows who you are. You could have petitioned the king and taken it back anyway."

  "He knew?" Isabel said. "How
could he have known? None of us knew until just a short time ago."

  "I do not know how he knew, but he knew. This was his plan, and he promised you would not be hurt. You would be taken to another part of England and returned once I wed Turstin."

  "This is ridiculous," Isabel said. "You did not think anyone would be hurt? Sending me away for how long? A year? So you could wed the man promised to me, a man you knew I was falling in love with? How could that not cause pain?"

  "I meant you would not be physically harmed."

  "Have you any idea what I have been through?" Isabel asked as her voice rose. "I was chased, caught, tied up, thrown upon a horse, and then to the ground. I was locked up and gagged. Once I managed to escape that, I was hit over the head and taken again. When I awoke, I was tied to a pole in the hold of a boat. I was to be sold as a slave overseas. To escape, Turstin and I had to fight for our lives and flee from a place I hope I never have to see again."

  Constance’s shoulders shook as a sob escaped her. "I never meant for this to happen. I only wanted to be with Ronan. I trusted him. I love him. I did not think beyond what he said and the promises he made."

  "No, you did not think," Nicholas said as he stood. "You could have gone for any baron or knight with lands. You could have married any man, and Ronan could have come with you. Why Turstin?"

  "Because Renoir was close. With another husband, I could have ended up anywhere. Ronan said he wanted to live in Renoir. He spoke of it passionately."

  "Why?" Turstin said. "It has been empty. He would have been a boy when it was last occupied. It should have no meaning to him."

  "He would not explain why," Constance said. "He would simply say I had to trust him."

  "So the last two years we have spent together meant nothing," Isabel said. "We were never friends, and your stay here was to ruin my life, not spend time with me before I wed. You told me Turstin was not right for me and urged me to be rid of him. You care only for yourself."

  "No, ‘tis not true!" Constance said in protest. "I did care for you as a friend. I care about Ronan more. I am sorry."