by Fiona Neal
“Yes, it is. I miss the loving regard of your grandmother.” A wistful expression came over his handsome, unlined face. “Shall we play a game of chess?” he asked. “We’ll sit by the fire and stay warm.”
“Yes, I think that is a good idea. I have not played in a long time,” she admitted, “so please have patience with me.”
A knock on the door, startled them.
“Hide, Alice,” Lord De Winter whispered urgently.
She ran into the anteroom and peeked through the slightly ajar door.
An old female servant entered, carrying a tray with goblets. “The hot apple juice you requested your lordship.” She put the tankards on the table.
“I did not order any apple juice, but thank you, Martha,” her grandfather said, sounding puzzled at the woman’s sudden appearance.
Woman then quickly took her leave. Actually, her exit happened too quickly, for her footsteps sounded too fast.
Three armed men suddenly rushed into the chamber, their swords drawn. Alice gasped when they tramped in as she peeked into the room. She could not miss the murderous look in their eyes, as two went for her grandfather, she ran forward, picking up heavy chair.
One man knocked it out of her hand, and Alice screamed when the man assaulted her. She had never been so terrified her in life—except when that drunken man tried to assault her. These men wanted to murder her and kill her grandfather.
“Please do not hurt my grandfather!” she screamed.
Lord De Winter drew his sword. He then drew a knife from his boot and hurled it at one man, but the weapon missed its mark.
“Do your worst,” Lord De Winter shouted. “I shall die fighting!”
The rough soldier punched Alice’s jaw, and she crashed against the wall. Pain shot through her head a second time; but then, she felt nothing when she slumped to the flagstones of the floor because darkness of unconsciousness swallowed her.
Chapter Six
Sir Edmund, Sir Crispin, and Sir Nigel burst upon the scene.
Edmund saw the soldier punch Alice, and she dropped to the floor. The man then took out a knife. He seemed about to slash Lady Alice’s throat.
Fury suffused every part of his Edmund’s body and soul. How dare this miscreant strike the lady like that? He hoped the brute had not killed her. She seemed like such a delicate creature.
Determined to make the rogue pay for his misdeed, Edmund lunged at her attacker, and Crispin and Nigel dashed inside to help Lord De Winter.
The sharp clang of swords echoed off the stone walls. Edmund heard thuds and moans and prayed that God would spare Lord De Winter and his two best friends.
Edmund then saw his opponent’s weak spot and drove his sword into the man’s throat. Alice’s would-be abductor fell backwards down the flight of steps. Edmund then hurried inside the room. Both of Lord De Winter’s assailants lay dead in pools of blood.
He also heard a loud scream and a heavy thud.
“Oh, Martha is dead. She fell and smashed her head,” someone shouted.
And then, except for the sound of heavy breathing, everything went quiet silent.
“Where is my granddaughter?” Lord De Winter asked. Miraculously, Lord De Winter remained unhurt.
Edmund had heard the old lord had few equals with a sword. Apparently, his reputation was well deserved.
“There,” Edmund answered the old Lord's question and pointed to the unconscious Alice, gasping for breath and sweat dripping down his face.
His friends and Lord De Winter were also breathing deeply and perspiring.
“Is she alive?” Lord De Winter asked.
“I hope so,” Edmund replied. “The traitorous thug dealt her a mighty blow to the jaw, but you’ll never have to worry about him again. I killed the swine.”
They hurried to Alice who lay on the cold flagstones of the floor. Her face was pale except for the large bruise on her jaw and cheek.
Lord De Winter knelt and took her wrist. “I feel her pulse. She is still alive, thank God.” The old lord heaved a sigh of relief, and his face relaxed.
His heart overflowing with gratitude, Edmund lifted her, cradling her as if she was the most precious thing in the world. To him, she was.
Nevertheless, even though Lady Alice was still alive, she could have an injury that could take her life. Edmund shuddered inwardly at that most frightening thought.
Edmund carrying her, the earl and the two other knights escorted Alice to her small, spare bedchamber.
He could never have her as his wife, but Edmund had come just in time to save her from abduction, suffering, and likely death.
But why had these men come to attack Lord De Winter and Lady Alice?
I am supposed to kill Lord De Winter.
Had Lord Camden become tired of waiting for the old man to breathe his last? Mostly likely, the villain had grown weary of it.
Edmund had just brought Edith here to De Winter Manor three days ago. Furthermore, he had told Camden that it would take some time to find the right opportunity to do the foul deed—not that Edmund had any real plan to kill his liege lord.
So…who were the assassins, and from where did they come?
As captain of the guards, Edmund needed answers to these questions, so he could prevent another attack—which he knew would likely come.
* * * *
Alice heard a moaned, and her jaw and head hurt furiously. She then realized that she had moaned, and she opened her eyes. “Grandfather,” she uttered in barely a whisper.
“Do not try to talk, darling lady,” her grandfather advised, taking her hand. “You are safe now. We are safe now.”
“What happened?” she croaked out.
“It seems that there was a plot to kill me. I’ll let Sir Edmund explain it.”
The handsome knight came out of the dark shadows of the small room and approached the bed. Sir Crispin and Sir Nigel stood on either side of him. The three men reminded Alice of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael because they seemed so noble and courageous and, oh, so handsome.
But Edmund appeared to be the most handsome. Even in the dim room, his golden hair gleamed like a bright halo, catching any light that existed. His very presence helped to sooth her.
“How did you know my grandfather was in danger?” she murmured.
“As captain of the guards, I do have my informants,” Edmund related. “It seems a squire had gone to the kitchens for some cider for the men. As he approached, he heard old Martha. She had let these men into the castle and, she said she would take them to Lord De Winter’s quarters. The elderly woman said she would be glad to see his lordship die a painful and bloody death.”
“If I remember correctly, Martha hated everyone,” Alice whispered. “I don’t know why she was so full of bitterness.”
“I did not know the woman had such animosity for us.” Lord De Winter looked shocked.
“My squire saw money, sent by Lord Camden, paid to Martha to supply information about this household. She related that when the deed was done and you were dead, my lord, she would retire to a cottage on his estate.”
“She could have retired to a cozy home here,” Lord De Winter remarked. “I pension my elderly servants. She must have hated us with a vengeance.”
“Anyway,” Edmund continue, the squire hurried back to me and gave me the information because he said they were on the way to Lord De Winter’s quarters at that very moment. I immediately enlisted my two most faithful friends, and we were not a moment too soon,” Sir Edmund said.
“No, you weren’t,” Lord De Winter agreed. “They would have killed me. I am old, but I still can wield a sword. Those rogues did not expect me to be able to do that.”
“I know about your skill. You killed one man yourself,” Sir Nigel related.
“I still practice my swordplay,” Lord De Winter told them. “One never knows when it will be needed, as you have just witnessed.”
“That is certainly true,” Sir Crispin said.
“Wher
e is old Martha now?” Alice asked.
“I believe she is dead,” Edmund replied. “I heard a scream and then a thud. Then a servant shouted that Martha had fallen down the steps and smashed her head.”
“In her haste to leave me, she must have tripped on the steps. Likely, she cracked her skull on the stone floor,” her grandfather stated.
“They have all died unshriven,” Alice said and shivered with fear.
“It was a frightful business,” Sir Crispin commented gravely.
“But this will happen again,” Lord De Winter told them. “Lord Camden wants me dead. And when they discover Lady Alice is here, they will try to abduct her…unless she is married. And they will find out her whereabouts because we can’t keep her hidden forever.”
Alice did not want to hear about her marriage; even though she knew what her grandfather had said was true.
“Unfortunately, we cannot hide her forever,” Edmund affirmed.
“And apparently, Camden probably already knows Alice is alive and I am, too,” Lord De Winter stated. “Obviously, his informants in this castle told him.”
“Yes, they most probably did,” Sir Crispin added.
“You must be married as soon as possible, my dear,” her grandfather stated. “It is a matter of life and death. And I have chosen your bridegroom.”
“Not yet, my lord, I beg of you,” she protested with urgency.
The man stared at her, looking surprised and perplexed.
“I need time to adapt, my lord. Just a few days ago, I was preparing to live a life or poverty, chastity, and obedience.”
“And it would seem obedience is the attribute you have the most trouble achieving,” her grandfather stated.
“But we discussed this subject, Grandfather.” Alice attempted to sit up, but she fell back on the pillow.
“I see the subject troubles you,” her grandfather said, “so put it from you mind, my child. Sleep now. You must regain your health. That is the most important thing, In the meantime, I shall assign guards outside my door to help protect us.”
As they walked away, Alice heard Edmund ask, “Do you think that Camden knows Lady Alice is alive?”
* * * *
“I don’t know, Sir Edmund,” her grandfather replied. “Camden may know, but I don't know how he could have discovered about Lady Alice. I never told any of the servants.”
“If he did know, how did he find out, my lord?” Edmund asked. “Just a few of us knew the lady was here.”
How, indeed? But one soldier did try to murder her. Was that because she was a witness to the attempted assassination of her grandfather?
“Do you believe that Martha knew of Lady Alice’s presences here in the castle, my lord?” Sir Edmund frowned. “That would mean Lord Camden also knows.”
“But how could she, Sir Edmund?” Lord De Winter asked. “I never told anyone. I do not believe Sir Nigel or Sir Crispin divulged that information, and you certainly didn’t. The girl wore the garments you smuggled into her, and she kept to her room. No servant ever saw her. As for Martha, she usually stayed in the kitchen except for the time she came to give me the hot drink.”
“But that killer went for Lady Alice, my lord,” Edmund said.
“Yes, but he probably wanted to eliminate a witness to my murder,” Lord De Winter said.
“That sounds logical,” Sir Edmund said. “I hope that it is true.”
But the doubt haunted Edmund. If Camden knew Lady Alice was still alive, De Winter Castle should get ready for other attacks. This last one was a vile assault. The woman he desperately loved could have been killed.
As things played out, she was now recovering from a brutal act of violence. He flinched, merely thinking about the terrible blow she sustained.
Edmund hurried back to his rooms, where Edith waited for him. The girl sat by the fire, working on her tapestry.
“Edmund, come sit by the fire.” She smiled, slipped the needle into the cloth stretched by the frame, and stood and took his hand leading him to a chair.
The fire played over her long blonde hair, the color of which was similar to his.
“I trust you had a good day,” she chatted.
“Actually, Edith, it turned out to be fine, but it could have ended in a terrible tragedy.”
Curiosity lodged in her lovely deep blue eyes. “What happened?” She turned to the table, poured him a drink of ale, which she had recently warmed, hoping he would come soon, and gave it to him.
“Thank you,” he said. He took a long quaff, and said, “There was an attack on Lord De Winter.”
The young girl gasped. “Please tell me that kind man is all right.”
“Yes, Edith. Crispin, Nigel, and I intervened.”
A look of relief played over her delicate features, and she exhaled a long breath. “God be praised.”
“Yes,” he said and he proceeded to give her the details of the event, leaving out the part about Lady Alice. He trusted his sister, but it was not up to him to disclose such sensitive information without permission from Lord De Winter.
“You were lucky you all escaped unscathed,” she said when he finished.
“Yes,” he said. “But it is my job to take risks. After all, I am a soldier.”
“I know, Edmund, but you do not have the temperament to do battle. You are really a gentle soul. I can see you more administering a big estate and taking stock of how many bale of hay you have harvested instead of engaging in combat.”
“You are right, Edith, but I was not given the choice. I was born a third son, and my father made the decision of my career for me. At the time, I was not in a position to say otherwise. And if you remember our father, he would not have listened to me anyway.”
“Yes, I do remember our father.” Edith nodded. “Please do not give up hope, dearest brother. Fate may change things for you.”
“Yes,” he said. Nevertheless, Edmund believed he would carry his sword until he died of natural causes, or someone killed him.
“Speaking of a changing future, Edith, has the notion of marriage crossed your mind? You are of age to take a husband.”
“Yes, it has, but our older brother, my legal guardian, has not said anything about the subject. I do have nightmares about his matching me with some man old enough to be my father or grandfather, just because the old man thinks a young wife will provide him with an heir.”
“I know that happens, Edith, but I hope the man you marry will be near your age and in love with you. Love matches do occur.”
“I pray for that, too. Why do men use us, Edmund?”
“I don’t know,” he replied, and told hold of her soft, white hand. “But take heart. This is a busy castle. We have men learning to be knights here, and maybe one who is to your liking with find you.”
“Thank you for the encouragement, Edmund,” she said and kissed his cheek. “I shall hold on to that thought.”
* * * *
The next day, Alice felt better. She still had a terrible bruise, which she saw in the copper mirror, and she felt sore, but the terrible headache was gone, probably because she had asked her grandfather for a remedy she had brought from the convent.
Alice also felt well enough to be able to get from bed, wash, and dress.
Now, she peered out the window and looked into the small garden. She saw a few birds, but all of the flowers were long gone. Just the evergreens stood staunchly under their covering of snow.
Alice then thought about her prospects of marriage. She still did not wish to have a husband, but what her grandfather had said was true. While she was still unwed, she was like a deer stalked by hunters. The thought made her shiver.
But what could she do? She had been traumatized by the attack on her person by that drunken soldier—that inebriated, married soldier.
Alice felt sorry for his poor wife. The woman probably suffered greatly
Would her marriage result in an attack on her body until she conceived?
Oh, God, I f
ear that near rape has made me unfit to wed.
On the other hand, some men seemed capable of gentleness and kindness. Her grandfather was, and so was Sir Edmund. Sir Nigel and Crispin appeared to be kind and considerate. She could not imagine them forcing their lustful intentions on any woman.
Oh, she wished she could discuss the matter with the Abbess Enid. That woman was wise and kind. Nevertheless, the reverend mother had never married. Would she know how to advise me?
Alice certainly had no friends here in the castle, she realized as she picked up some embroidery her grandfather had secretly provided for her. Alice had already started working on it, and she sat by the window, looking at the lovely white fabric. Perhaps she would make a table cloth for her grandfather.
Her grandfather…how long could she keep him from marrying her off to some wealthy man? Not long, she concluded. Lord De Winter did not wish to get rid of her, but he was so very concerned for her safety.
And that fearsome attack on him only made the situation more urgent, for it resulted in her being hurt. Except for the timely intervention of Lord Edmund, Alice would likely have been killed.
She had to tell someone about what had happened to her, she concluded as she plied her needle. She must give vent to the fears in her heart. But whom could she tell?
Perhaps God would provide her with a person.
But I am reluctant to marry even though my life is at stake because I do not know if I can be a wife in every sense of the word.
* * * *
“So what do you think of my plan, Sir Edmund?” Lord De Winter asked a few days after the attack.
Lord De Winter sat by the fire, but Edmund stood in the room that the older man liked to use as his place for carrying out the affairs of his estate.
“I’m stunned, my lord, to say the very least on the subject.”
“And you are hesitant,” Lord De Winter added with a smile, as he drummed his fingers on the wooden arm of the chair.
“Yes, I confess I am.”
“Why?” Lord De Winter smiled and cocked his head.
“Your plan is so nontraditional, so unusual, my lord.”
“But it is not something that has not happened before,” Lord De Winter stated.
“True, but such things are so rare, my lord.”
