The Knight's Maiden in Disguise

by Ella Matthews

  ‘That Caerden has put it about that he has taken his soldiers for a training exercise by the coast—’

  ‘I was told they are in Caernarfon,’ William interrupted.

  ‘Well, they are not at either place. The merchant says they are camped to the east of here, just outside Chepstow.’

  There was a beat of silence as the men stared at each other. William’s blood ran cold. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘It’s you who says to never trust a merchant, but I could detect no signs of the man lying.’

  ‘Chepstow was the King’s next destination.’

  ‘Until he decided to come here?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  There was another beat of silence as William’s whole mission changed in an instant. He stood and began to pace around the fire. Caerden’s men outside Chepstow could surely only mean one thing: an ambush.

  He came to a stop in front of James. ‘You know that I cannot afford for this mission to go wrong.’

  ‘I know, neither can I.’ For once, James didn’t laugh at him.

  William nodded. James’s elevation to knighthood stood on the line. Between the two of them, they had to find a solution.

  ‘You will ride to Chepstow.’ James nodded at William’s command. ‘If Caerden’s men are stationed there, you will head straight to meet with the King’s Knights. They should still be camped near Warminster. Inform them of our concerns. If there is no sign of them, you will head straight back here. If you are not back within two days from now, I will assume the worst and rendezvous at Chepstow on day four.’

  ‘Aye, Sir William.’

  ‘If we assume that there is an ambush planned, then my arrival here and my announcement that the King is due to come here instead of Chepstow may have changed their plans. It is possible Caerden will return here with his soldiers instead. If that appears to be the case, I still want you to go to the King’s Knights, but send word to me before you leave. I don’t care if you have to bribe a whole score of merchants. I will work on the proviso Thomas has already sent a message about our arrival to Baron Caerden and I will prepare for the worst.’

  ‘Aye, Sir William.’

  ‘You will leave now.’

  James merely nodded and reached for his mount’s reins. For all his jibes and mockery, James was exceptionally good at following commands.

  They began to walk back out of the forest.

  ‘Who was the lad you were walking with last night?’

  William’s whole body jolted at the mention of Ave. He frowned—that had never happened to him before. ‘That was Ave, the stable master. I was trying to get some information out of him.’

  ‘Did you manage?’

  ‘Not really.’ Unless you counted the soft curves he’d seen in the moonlight. The fact that Ave was a woman pretending to be a man was yet another mystery he hoped to understand.

  ‘I told you, you should use bribes.’ There was a hint of laughter in James’s voice, but William’s mind was already elsewhere. What would it be like to touch the soft skin behind Ave’s ear? Would she tremble or push him away? Why was she hiding her beautiful self, when she should be showing the world her loveliness? Good God, had he just thought the word, loveliness? What on earth was wrong with him and why was he thinking of this right now? The King’s life was on the line, as was William’s own future. A woman’s earlobes should be the last thing on his mind. Ave should be the last thing on his mind, aside from being a valuable insider he could use to help uncover the truth.

  ‘Are you all right, Sir William?’ William turned to look at James. His squire was frowning at him. ‘You seem a little...’ James waved a hand in the general direction of William’s face ‘...distracted. I know I have joked with you about your choice of a wealthy bride, but I am taking this mission seriously. You do not need to worry about me.’

  ‘I know you will, James.’ He didn’t add, It is not you I am worrying about.

  James nodded, apparently satisfied with William’s response. He vaulted up onto his horse. ‘Until we meet again.’

  William nodded. ‘Godspeed.’

  He stood, watching James race away from him until he turned a bend in the road and disappeared out of sight.

  The sun was rising now and in the distance he heard a cockerel cry. He turned and gazed up at the castle. It dominated the skyline. What secrets lay within? There was only one way to find out.

  Chapter Five

  Avva stood on the edge of the training yard, her arms resting on the ringed fence. A couple of young pages were riding, a lacklustre trainer watching their moves. Avva wished she could show the boys how to control their mounts. If she could get across to them the joy of riding, then perhaps they wouldn’t treat her horses with such indifference.

  She closed her eyes and turned her head. A cool breeze soothed the slight headache she’d woken up with this morning. She was still reeling from her actions last night. Now that she wasn’t addled with too much ale she couldn’t imagine what had possessed her to be so foolish as to spend an evening talking with a complete stranger. A noble one at that! The very sort of person she normally avoided at all costs. And to think she had drunk so much ale at the same time. Her blood ran cold as she tried to remember everything she had said. Last night she’d been sure she hadn’t given the game away, but in the fresh light of the morning she wasn’t so sure.

  She had been caught up in the depths of his charming smile and the interest he’d shown in her. He’d asked her questions and she’d answered, the words pouring from her. His attention had warmed a part of her she’d thought frozen. And...and it would do no good to think of him any more. Hopefully she’d said nothing ill-advised or, at least, nothing that would draw attention to her and her brothers.

  She would just have to forget about William. If the thought of his long fingers running along the back of her hand popped into her head, she would push it to one side.

  She opened her eyes and turned her attention back to the riders. She winced as one of the boys jerked too hard on his reins—she longed to yell at him to pay more attention, his sloppiness was hurting her animals. She held her breath, but fortunately for the young man the pony he was riding was a placid, old mare, who merely tossed her head in annoyance at the rough handling.

  ‘That lad’s going to have to greatly improve his riding skills if he’s going to make a competent knight.’

  Avva closed her eyes again, half hoping the deep voice she’d heard was in her imagination. But of course it was William who spoke and who was standing behind her. He’d been in her thoughts ever since she’d awoken that morning, it was inevitable that he had appeared just as she’d resolved not to think of him any more.

  She didn’t want to turn around and look at him. She knew she would be ensnared by those eyes once again and, in the midday sun, she was sure he would be able to read the strange feelings she was experiencing in her expression.

  ‘He’s got a few years to go until he finishes his training,’ she said instead, watching as the boy in question fumbled a turn.

  William snorted. ‘By now, he should have mastered the basics. He’s not going to be much more than a foot soldier at this rate.’

  She didn’t comment. If she didn’t engage him, perhaps he would go away again.

  Instead, he moved forward and copied her stance, leaning and resting his arms next to hers on the wooden fence. Even as she told herself not to, she glanced down at his arms next to hers. He’d pushed up his sleeves, revealing the muscled length of his forearms beneath. Avva tried to keep her eyes on the riders, but her gaze kept returning to William’s exposed skin and the corded muscles that bunched beneath.

  Neither of them spoke.

  Moments passed. Everything faded into the background—the riders, the cool breeze and even her headache disappeared. She became aware only of his breathing, the steady rise and fall of his
chest in the periphery of her vision. The sound became her world.

  Many heartbeats passed. Neither of them moved.

  And then the strange spell was broken. The pages’ lesson came to a halt and the sullen boys began to move their horses towards her.

  She half expected William to go when the riders dismounted, but without speaking, he took the bridle of one of the horses and walked back with her towards the stables. There was something strangely compelling about this man. She knew that if she spent much more time with him she would fill the silence with her secrets. Maybe that was his plan.

  ‘You can tie her up there.’ She nodded to a post near the stable entrance.

  He shot her a smile, but completely ignored her remark. He led the mare into the stable and proceeded to remove her saddle.

  Avva stood stock-still. She’d never seen a knight act like this—those that visited Caerden were lazy and privileged and barely even spared her a glance when they deposited their horses in her care. It was almost as if William wanted to help ease her burdens, but that couldn’t be right.

  Although she’d like to believe that he was helping her because he was a good man, experience told her that most people only went out of their way when there was something in it for them. The problem was, Avva couldn’t see what she could offer William.

  Following him into the stable, she watched as he worked in methodical silence, seemingly unaware that she was staring at him. After a while she turned to her own gelding and began to strip him of his saddle.

  ‘Thomas has been showing me around the castle.’ Avva looked up. William had finished and was leading his horse into a stall. ‘It is not in a good condition. Do you know why that is?’

  Ah, here it was. Her heart thudded painfully. Deep down, she’d known Sir William wasn’t interested in her really, but to have confirmation was more painful than she’d anticipated. Sir William was after information and he thought Avva could provide it. But unless he was after knowledge about the running of the stable, Avva couldn’t help him. She did not get involved in the goings-on at the castle, not even wanting to know any of the gossip that fuelled most people’s interest. Even if she did know anything, no matter how small, she would not impart any of her insights to a stranger.

  ‘I’m afraid I know nothing about Baron Caerden’s spending habits. You would do well to speak to someone else.’

  She held out a grooming brush to him, wondering if he’d take it now that she was of no help to him.

  He smiled slowly at her, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. He reached out and took the brush, his fingers brushing against her hand as he did so. Just like last night, his touch sent a strange tingle across her skin and she snatched her hand back, pressing it against her stomach. His smile deepened. She frowned and turned her back on him. She wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard his soft laughter before his footsteps headed into the stall and the sound of the brush passing over the pony’s hair reached her.

  ‘I’d like to see the underbelly of the castle,’ he said, after more moments had passed in silence. ‘Would you show me?’

  Her stomach twisted. Spending more time with William was dangerous, not just to her safety but also her equilibrium.

  ‘I...’ What reason could she give not to help him? ‘I...’

  She was saved from having to think of a reason by the sound of heavy hoofbeats approaching the stable. Her heart fell—there was only one person who rode quite like that. She quickly led her pony into a stall and closed the door, standing to attention just outside. She knew how much the rider expected his every need attended to.

  Sure enough, Barwen Montford, the Baron’s constable, chief of the guards and one of the most feared men in Caerden, rode in. He didn’t stop to see whether anyone was in his way, before bringing his horse to a stop in the centre of the stable. In Barwen Montford’s world only he existed.

  He swung his leg over and jumped down, handing Avva the reins without comment.

  Sweat coated his horse’s neck and the stallion panted wildly. Barwen paid no attention to his horse’s distress, only stopping to remove his sword from the side of the animal. ‘Bring my saddlebags to my quarters. Don’t dally.’

  She nodded in response. She’d made the mistake of answering back once. The faint scar she carried on the base of her throat reminded her never to do it again.

  Barwen cuffed her over the back of her head with the back of his hand anyway, the casual slap making her teeth hurt. As Barwen made to walk out of the barn, William’s arm shot out from over the top of the stall door. His large hand wrapped around Barwen’s upper arm, bringing the man to a sharp stop.

  Barwen froze, as did Avva. She wanted to say something in warning to Sir William, but her words stuck in her throat.

  Barwen had probably not been stopped in his tracks for years, if ever. As far back as Avva could remember Barwen had been mean and avoided by anyone not in his inner circle. Even Steward Thomas feared him and he was one of Caerden’s most trusted men.

  Barwen tried to twist away from William’s iron grip. All Barwen succeeded in doing was putting himself in an uncomfortable position.

  Even as her heart raced, Avva had to suppress a smile. Barwen, half turned towards the door and with an expression of shock on his face, suddenly looked ridiculous rather than fearsome.

  ‘Do you have any idea who I am?’ Barwen growled, his neck turning purple.

  ‘I know that you are not the King of England and that is the only man I answer to.’ William’s voice was calm and measured, but the muscles in his arm flexed as he kept a tight grip.

  ‘Take your hand off me, you insolent cur. Or I shall remove it from your body.’

  William only smiled at the threat. Avva wanted to warn him that Barwen was completely serious, he would remove William’s arm without a second thought, but her tongue stayed rooted to the roof of her mouth. It didn’t matter if Barwen found out Sir William was one of the King’s Knights, he would still carry out his threat. Barwen was clever and manipulative, but he also had a disturbed mind and Avva had seen him do some truly terrible things, without even blinking with remorse.

  ‘You can try.’ William smiled, but this was not the warm gesture he’d shown to Avva. It was a truly terrifying grimace of teeth and for the first time Avva saw William not just as a nobleman, but as a fierce warrior, a man who was more than a match for Barwen. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought. ‘But you won’t succeed in your attempt. I know you’re not Caerden and you are not his steward, so who are you?’

  Barwen’s jaw went slack. No one had ever spoken to him like this, no one had shown such a lack of concern at his threats. It was gloriously terrifying. Avva didn’t know where to look. Half of her was thrilled at the way William was speaking to Barwen, the other half was petrified. Fearful at what this confrontation might mean for William’s safety, but also for her own. Barwen would not appreciate Avva witnessing his humiliation. It could mean bad things for her in the future.

  Barwen’s eyes were tiny slits in his face, his face a mottled red. ‘More importantly, who are you?’

  William’s arm flexed and Barwen’s scowl deepened.

  ‘I am Sir William, a member of the King’s Knights. I am here on His Majesty King Edward III’s behalf. Now perhaps you will answer my question. Who are you?’

  Barwen puffed out his chest. ‘I am Barwen Montford, constable to Baron Caerden.’ He clearly thought his name and rank would impress William, but the knight’s expression remained blank and Avva couldn’t tell if it meant something to him or not.

  Even Avva wasn’t sure of Barwen’s exact role. Oh, she knew he was officially the head of the Baron’s guards, but his role seemed to be more than that. He appeared to be everywhere. He, Caerden and Thomas appeared to be the unbreakable threesome and it wasn’t clear who was the worst out of the group. Barwen was the most terrifying, but she avoid
ed them all for good measure.

  ‘Well, Montford, I am sure we will meet again. In future, don’t hit anyone who hasn’t done something to deserve it.’

  Barwen’s eyes cut to Avva and she shrank back against his horse, trying to hide herself in the shadows.

  ‘Montford.’ Barwen turned his gaze back to William. ‘Take care that you listen to me.’

  William released his hold, shoving Barwen away from him. Barwen snarled, but seemed to think better of carrying on the confrontation. After one last glare at Avva, he turned and strode towards the stable door without a backwards glance.

  ‘What were you thinking, Sir William?’ hissed Avva when she was sure Barwen had left.

  William turned his attention back to her. ‘He hit you across the back of the head. Did you expect me to stand around and not do anything?’

  That stopped Avva in her tracks. No one had ever looked out for her before—not even Aven had stood up to Barwen on her behalf. But that wasn’t the point. ‘I can fight my own battles when I need to. Now all you’ve done is draw attention to me.’

  William frowned. ‘He will take heed of my warning or face the consequences.’

  ‘And when you leave?’

  William let out a long exhale. ‘I will make sure he will not bother you after I have left.’

  ‘How?’

  Avva wanted to shake him. How could he stand there so calmly, stating so confidently that he would protect her when he had no way of ensuring that?

  ‘You don’t need to worry. I will take care of it.’ He let himself out of the stall. ‘I need to return to Thomas. We have more things to discuss. I will return tomorrow morning for you to show me around the castle.’

  ‘I... I...’

  William grinned at her. Before she could regain her power of speech, William strode out into the courtyard.

  Chapter Six

  Avva awoke to the sound of the cockerel. She jerked up and scrambled to her feet, narrowly avoiding hitting her head on the roof of the loft. She’d overslept. It had been so hard to get to sleep last night. Every time she’d closed her eyes, she’d seen Barwen’s glare directed straight at her. Fortunately, whatever business he was attending to within the castle had kept him from meting out any punishments for her witnessing his humiliation yesterday. But that hadn’t stopped her from worrying about it all night. She’d seen first-hand the havoc he could wreak. She had to hope William would stay away from her today and that Barwen would forget all about her.