A Winter's Knight

by Fiona Neal

  “I am sure,” Edmund remarked.

  “I could definitely eat,” Nigel said.

  “Food would be welcome by all of us.” Edmund lifted the unconscious woman from the cart, and the ostler came for the horses.

  They went into the inn, and the chubby landlady came forward. “All is ready. Please follow me.”

  They went to two large rooms at the back of the inn on the upper floor. They walked inside and felt the heat from the fireplace, which had a large blaze, and so did a brazier. Edmund appreciated the comforting warmth.

  The woman and a maid placed the violently shivering Lady Alice on a feather mattress which was on the bed. The chubby woman also removed Alice’s shoes. Shielding her from views, they removed her cold clothes and put a warm shift and stockings on her. They then covered her with a linen sheet and woolen covers that the landlady had warmed by the fire. A hot stone, wrapped in a thick woolen cloth, was placed at the unconscious woman’s feet.

  “Is it possible to have our food brought to the rooms?” Edmund asked.

  “Yes, sir knight,” the landlady said. “We also have pike today.”

  “That sounds appealing,” Edmund remarked.

  “I hope your lady wife recovers soon,” the landlady said. “The other knight said you have not been married long. I am sorry she is ill.”

  “Thank you,” Edmund said.

  “Sleep is the best medicine,” the landlady told him, going to the door. “Now, I shall have your food brought to you.” The woman turned, curtsied, and made her exist.

  Crispin and Nigel left to go to their rooms.

  Edmund approached the fire, quickly removed his chain-mail shirt and padded jack beneath. He then put on his tabard again.

  He surveyed the accommodation. It was a cozy place. The big fireplace glowed with an inviting fire. There was a trestle-like table, and a small window. The walls had a whitewash on them and reflected the light, which today seemed rather meager, for the weather was bleak, and the sun had just set.

  A serving girl knocked and Edmund opened the door. The dark-haired maid entered with a tray. She placed a bowl of hot soup on the table. Next came a pike roasted in a crust, mushy peas, and curdled cheese and eggs. A dish of apples and honey cooked in almond milk served as the dessert. Another woman also placed flagons of ale on the table.

  A ewer bearer entered, and Edmund washed his hands and received a clean napkin.

  Edmund offered a silent prayer of thanks for the food.

  He seldom ate alone, but he was pretending to be Alice’s husband, so he had to look after her—for the present.

  Again he thought that she might die, sparing him from killing her and imperiling his soul. Still, he couldn't help it. He desperately wanted her to live.

  Oh, why had the evil Camden put his horrible task in my hands?

  Still, Edmund did not want to think about what he must do. For now, he just wanted to eat and think of pleasant things—if only for the time it would take to consume the meal.

  The first spoonful of vegetable stew pleased him with its taste and warmth. He clearly could see and savor the parsley, carrots, saffron, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, sugar, and mustard. This was not an inexpensive dish with all those expensive spices.

  Even though he was alone, Edmund used the fingers of courtesy, employing his thumb and middle finger to pick up his food and cover his mouth as he consumed his pike and other nourishment.

  His hunger assuaged, he felt so much better physically now, but the pain of what he must do to Lady Alice threw again a great pall over his spirit.

  Life had proven to be so unpredictable. One minute, he was Lord De Winter’s most trust knight. He did not have great wealth, but he had earning power.

  And I have honor and the trust of Lord De Winter.

  But in the next moment, he had agreed to become an assassin, killing this gorgeous, desirable, good woman.

  He would deliver death to her, and she would never expect in her strangest dreams that he would do so. The whole ugly business made Edmund feel cheap, vile, and so dirty.

  He had to snuff out the life of the one woman he truly wanted. That was the cruelest blow, for all he wished to do was love and honor her. No, that wasn’t all quite true. He wanted to possess her body. He wanted her as the mother of his children.

  But Edmund must save his innocent sister. Dear, sweet, Edith deserved to live.

  Nevertheless, it was unlikely Lady Alice would survive the night. She looked very ill. Still, he thought she would die of shock last night, but she survived. Furthermore, he hated the fact that she must die.

  At least she had stopped shivering. In fact, she looked at peace.

  God, in your mercy, spare me from taking this woman’s life. Help to me save my sister in some other way.

  Chapter Three

  At last, the battle of fighting the cold had finally stopped. Alice felt relieved. She had never experienced such discomfort. It seemed as if the frigid temperature had paralyzed her muscles and had sunk into her bones—but now she no longer experienced the pain in her hands and feet.

  And she felt so weak. She remembered fainting. Now, all she felt was peace and warmth.

  Had she died?

  Could that be? Wouldn’t she have to go to the Pearly Gates and meet with St. Peter? Yet…there was no one here. This certainly couldn’t be purgatory because there was no pain. Purgatory was a place where you were purged of your minor sins. She wasn’t there because this place was too peaceful. She wanted to enjoy the complete tranquility for a while.

  She remembered how Sir Edmund’s arms felt around her. They felt so strong. As she almost toppled from the saddle, though, he had caught her.

  Alice felt quite drawn to the man. She wished she could be with him every day. He respected her, as did her grandfather. She wanted to share her meals with him, but she shouldn’t entertain such thoughts.

  My grandfather will choose my husband.

  Nevertheless, Sir Edmund was also the most handsome man she had ever seen—and he seemed so virtuous. She liked that about him.

  Still, she had been cool to him, but she had to be. She remembered the horrible attack on her a few years ago. She had done nothing to encourage that knight. She had been hurrying to her rooms, thinking about her evening meal.

  The inebriated man had reeked of strong drink, too, and he was a married.

  Even if he had an arranged marriage, he had no right to use me, an innocent woman, with whom to commit adultery.

  Alice had no doubt that was the disgrace he had planned for her.

  Oh, she was frightened. The man was so menacing. “No,” she cried. “Please, don’t.” Gasping, she opened her eyes and saw the Sir Edmund standing over her.

  “Are you all right, my lady,” he asked. “I heard you call out.”

  * * * *

  “I’m sorry,” Alice said. “Uh, where are we, Sir Edmund?”

  “The Grey Goose Inn, my lady,” he explained. “When you fainted, we weren’t far from it, and we had planned to stay the night here. I am sorry you got so cold.”

  “The low temperatures have always bothered me. I get so cold.”

  “And I think you are still in shock from losing your family.”

  “Yes, I have a tendency to overestimate my abilities. I will try not to do that again. This time, I became a liability.”

  “I should not say that. We did not lose any time. Are you hungry, my lady?”

  “I suppose I should eat something.”

  “But aren’t you hungry, my lady? We ate lunch hours ago, but you did not eat much.”

  “I was too grief stricken, but I try to fast.”

  “You don’t need to fast now,” he said. “You need to gain your strength. I suppose you did not eat much breakfast either.”

  “I didn’t,” she admitted. “I had a few mouthfuls of porridge, but my stomach roiled. I had some ale, which I don’t like.”

  “What do you want now?”

  “Some hot
soup would be nice, and a bit of cheese, and bread. Today is a fish day.”

  “Yes, it is.” He nodded. Some days of the week were designated fish days by the church, other were flesh days when meat was allowed. In truth, though, meat was eaten seldom, even by the rich. Venison, pork, and beef were saved for holidays.

  “Well, no more fasting for a while, my lady. You are no longer in the convent. ” He moved to the door, haled a servant, and ordered what she requested.

  The food came promptly, and Alice ate all of it. She wanted to be able to travel.

  When he was finished, Sir Edmund took the tray and put it on the table.

  “Do you need anything else?” he asked.

  Alice swallowed hard. She had the most urgent need to empty her bladder, but she didn’t want to say that.

  “Shall I give you a few minutes of privacy?” Edmund asked, and he took the chamber pot from under the bed.

  The handsome knight displayed his finely honed gift of perceptiveness. “Thank you, Sir Edmund.”

  “I shall leave you then.” He left the room.

  Alice relieved herself, but she still felt so weary and shocked by the death of most of her family that she got back into bed and lay down.

  When she heard the knock on the door, it started her and she jumped. Oh, the death of her family members had wreaked havoc with her nerves. Alice heard him ask for admission, and she gave permission.

  “Did something frighten you, my lady? You look pale,” the handsome knight asked.

  “I am tired, Sir Edmund.”

  “Then you must sleep, my lady.”

  “Where will you sleep?” she asked.

  “On the floor near the fire,” he replied. “I can sleep on the ground if I must. I did so during the war between the Empress Maude and King Stephen, and on other occasions.”

  “Yes, I am sure you did, but take this other pillow, Sir Edmund. I use just one.” She patted the feather-stuffed pad.

  Edmund took the cushion. “Thank you my lady

  * * * *

  As he bedded down for the night, Edmund could not miss that the Lady Alice seemed uneasy, and she looked so vulnerable. In all his years as a knight, he had killed many enemies, but he had never hurt a female. He never hurt anyone who was not the designated enemy. He cringed inwardly and swallowed hard against his distaste for what he must do.

  Still, he must comfort her—to make her last hours at least a time of ease and solace.

  When the time came to break her neck, she would be sleeping. He would do it very quickly. She would never know. The lady would just die.

  Edmund would just leave her body, and pretend to find her tomorrow morning. Everyone would believe she had died of the cold and trauma of losing her family.

  He could then ransom his young sister, the sweet Edith, God willing.

  What was he thinking? God certainly would not will the murder of an innocent young woman—even if Edmund had mitigating circumstances.

  But now, he would reassure the beguiling Lady Alice. Edmund walked toward her. He took her hand and knelt. “You are my liege lady. I promise to protect you with my life, even after we arrive at De Winter Castle.”

  Oh, he had spoken the greatest lie of his life. He was worse than any man on earth. He had a plan to murder this woman, but he was saying all the proper things to gain her trust and confidence. He was planning to perpetrate the most despicable act.

  Dear God, let me find a way to avoid hurting Lady Alice, but still deliver my sister from harm’s way. You know everything, Lord. I do not wish to commit this heinous murder. Please help me to save both women and my immortal soul.

  Lady Alice looked as if she would confront him about the veracity of his statement. She would be right in doing that, for he had uttered a great falsehood—the greatest of his life.

  “Thank you, Sir Edmund. I am tense, but surely you can understand that I’ve been dealt a harsh blow, or I should say blows. I can never pursue the life in the convent that I wanted. I must embark on an existence for which I have no training and little skill because I never thought I should be an heiress.”

  “Yes,” he said, feeling compassion. The emotion resounded in his voice. “But I believe God has another mission for you. He will not fail you. He never fails us, as we fail him, my lady.”

  Edmund hoped what he said would be true for him, too. He needed to find another way to cope with this situation. He just could not commit cold-blooded, premeditated murder.

  “Perhaps you are right,” she said. “I hope so. Rise, Sir Edmund.”

  “We have two more days to travel, my lady,” Edmund informed her, getting to his feet. “I have been awake since yesterday. I hope you will give me permission to sleep, for I fear I shall lose consciousness if I do not retire now.”

  Though thoroughly exhausted, Edmund knew he would probably not sleep. He would wait until she fell into a deep slumber, and then he would kill her. By so doing, he would condemn his soul to eternal damnation—unless he had the opportunity to confess and receive absolution.

  A shudder quaked through him at the thought of eternal punishment.

  “Yes, of course, we must both sleep,” she replied.

  He saw the firelight gleam of her long tresses—the De Winter red hair, which was so beautiful and so alluring.

  “Thank you and good night, Sir Edmund.”

  “Goodnight, my lady,” he replied, knowing that he would never speak to her again, unless God showed him a way to avoid murdering her.

  His heart heavy with grief and regret, he reclined on the hearthrug and covered himself with the woolen covers. Tears filled his eyes, making the view of the flames blur.

  No one knew what he must do except Lord Camden, the wily traitor—and God. The evil man pretended to be Lord De Winter’s friend and ally, so when he asked to see Edmund, the knight had gladly gone.

  Edmund was never so surprised when he saw his innocent sister at the Camden Castle. She had been in the care of his eldest brother, Clive, Lord Moreton. She didn’t even realize she was a captive. The girl thought she was Camden’s guest because she was a friend of his daughter, Lady Jane.

  Edith still thinks she is a guest.

  Lord Camden dismissed the girl and came right to the point. He wanted Lady Alice De Winter dead.

  When Lady Alice was killed, Lord Camden would return Edith to Edmund. Lord Camden would then petition King Stephen for control of De Winter Manor, and he would likely get what he wanted. The evil lord would soon have Lord De Winter killed as well.

  Edmund shuddered at the mere thought of that.

  Still, he must save his sister. Edith was as innocent as the Lady Alice.

  * * * *

  Edmund took her soft, lovely hands in his. Their white flesh and beautifully shaped fingers fascinated him. Everything about her intrigued him. She was the loveliest woman he had had ever seen, and he had viewed many pretty woman during his jousts, travels, and visits to the royal court. Many of them had offered their favors.

  Nevertheless, none compared to Lady Alice—none.

  She was kind, virtuous, and polite…without the arrogance of many high-born ladies.

  She smiled at him and drew closer, caressing his face. He became aroused and when Alice leaned ever closer, he took her in his arms and kissed him with all the passion in his heart.

  Alice responded, returning his ardor.

  Edmund could barely believe that he was actually kissing her, holding her, and this fine lady, who outranked him, made it quite obvious that she wanted more when she parted her soft luscious lips and allowed him entry.

  Edmund answered her physical request by removing her shift. He had never seen such perfect breasts. He took the pink tip of one mound into his mouth, gently suckling and she moaned.

  “Please don’t stop, Edmund,” she entreated.

  He had no intention of stopping. He proceeded, making love to her, removing their clothes between kisses and caresses.

  Just when he was to take fu
ll possession of her body, he woke.

  Edmund’s saw the Lady Alice sleeping, for the light of the fire had not completely died. She seemed so peaceful.

  Now, do the foul deed now.

  Edmund silently stood and walked to the bedstead. In the meager light, Alice’s abundant hair gleamed like bright copper. But there was no time to admire her beauty. Such a delay would prove pointless. He must break her neck quickly and quietly.

  Edmund bent over her and placed his strong hands around her lovely slender neck. One quick snap and the lovely white would break. It would be easy, for she had delicate bones. The woman would never know what happened. She would find herself in heaven—a far better place to be. He would be doing her a favor to release her from this miserable life, where men killed—where something must die to provide food for others.

  “God, please forgive me,” he whispered.

  * * * *

  Edmund’s hands began to shake violently. It was one thing to kill on the battlefield, another to murder a good woman—a woman he desired with every inch of his body and soul. His trembling perspiring hands suddenly would not obey him.

  If he killed this woman, he would be damned for all eternity. But before he died, Camden would have something with which to blackmail him for the rest of Edmund’s life. This abhorrent act would be just the beginning of many murders Camden would force him to perform.

  Camden will turn me into a heinous monster.

  Edmund could not even live with this one act of violence. Murder and betrayal were most atrocious acts. He was a knight. He had vowed to protect women and be faithful to his overlord. How could he violate his promises to God?

  Lady Alice moaned and Edmund straightened. His hands dropped to his sides. He immediately vowed to go to Lord De Winter and tell him what was afoot.

  Why hadn’t I thought of that alternative before? Perhaps I didn’t because I was so stunned.

  Edmund’s liege lord would believe him. Hadn’t the man trusted him with bringing his beloved granddaughter home? They would devise a plan to rescue Edith, but for the moment, he must pretend that he had killed Alice.

  “Dear God, thank you for the thought that saved me from becoming a murderer,” he whispered.