Defiant

by M. J. Haag

  We’d only reached the market district when a commotion on one of the side streets caught my attention. A group of boys, some of them familiar to me, were surrounding another, smaller lad. I couldn’t see what they were doing; but having been the center of such a circle before, I couldn’t allow it to continue unchecked.

  Without thought, I veered in that direction.

  “Eloise,” Hugh called.

  “Just a moment,” I said before calling to the boys. “You there! Stop pushing him.”

  The motley group broke a part and scattered in different directions. The little boy straightened, looked me in the eye, and placed what they’d been fighting over on his head.

  My eyes widened at the sight of the cap with the king’s insignia, and my gaze shifted to the lad’s face. The delivery boy.

  He turned and sprinted off in the opposite direction.

  “Wait!” I lifted my skirts and bolted after him. I’d barely covered any distance when I was lifted off my feet and spun around.

  I stared wide-eyed at Hugh’s angry face.

  “I told you to stay with me,” he said.

  “I know, but I need to—”

  “Return home where you’re safe. Will you listen, or must I carry you?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him before catching myself. He didn’t deserve to be a target for my temper. He was only worried about me, which I understood. Carefully masking my frustration, I promised to stay close, and Hugh released me.

  My vexation still hadn’t dissipated by the time we arrived at the wagon. It didn’t ease during the ride home, either.

  Maeve waited on the front step when we pulled into the yard. Her expression subtly changed to worry when she saw no one else accompanied us.

  “Oh dear,” she said, coming down the steps as I jumped from the wagon. “I feared it might not be an easy task. Has word already spread?” She looked to Hugh.

  “It will now. Eloise spoke to Mrs. Tiller about Anne and Judith. Told her that she found Anne’s cap in the woods.” He looked down at the ground, his frustration and upset clear. I realized my slip, that only Kellen had known about the cap, and looked at Maeve.

  She was visibly surprised.

  “You should have told me, Eloise. Who is Mrs. Tiller?”

  “Anne’s mother,” I said. “I rather hoped we’d find Anne there. That the cap I found in the woods meant nothing. Unfortunately, Mrs. Tiller said she hadn’t seen Anne since well before her disappearance.”

  Pity clouded Maeve’s features. There wasn’t a hint of anger or admonishment that I hadn’t confided in her.

  “I never thought of Anne’s mother,” Maeve said. “I’m so sorry that you had to speak with her, Eloise. I should go see her immediately. What a mess.” She looked truly upset.

  “I’m sure Mrs. Tiller would like to hear from you, especially to know that we haven’t given up hope. But probably not today. I let her know that we spoke with the king’s guard, but she was very upset and went inside without a word.”

  “I understand.” She exhaled slowly and looked away for a moment. “Were there no candidates then for help?”

  “I did get a few names. We were going to check them, but Hugh insisted we’d been gone too long.”

  She glanced at Hugh with a frown.

  “She tried running off.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Really, Hugh, you make me sound like an errant child. I heard a lad being terrorized by his peers and stepped to the side to put a stop it.”

  “Of course you’re not a child,” Maeve said soothingly. She hooked my arm and guided me toward the house, leaning in close so her next words were just for me. “I believe Hugh feels guilt for Judith and Anne’s disappearances. He probably feels an even greater need to protect the rest of us now. Try not to fault him for that.”

  “I vow I don’t. I truly do understand.”

  She patted my hand.

  “I knew you would.”

  We went inside and joined Kellen in the sitting room where she was reading one of Mr. Bentwell’s books. She glanced at me, her expression changing as our gazes held.

  “No guests?” I asked.

  “No,” Maeve said. “I let those who appeared know that we are now only accepting guests between ten and two so we can spend more time together in memory of your mother. I’m sure word is spreading quickly.”

  It felt good to know that Kellen and I wouldn’t need to hide away the majority of the day anymore.

  “Why don’t you two read while I fix us something to eat?” Maeve suggested.

  Kellen closed her book.

  “We’ll cook; you can look at the estate business. Eloise and I wouldn’t know where to start with that.”

  Maeve smiled and moved off to the small writing desk where Mother and Judith used to go over household expenses. Kellen and I quietly left the room.

  “What happened?” Kellen asked as soon as the kitchen door closed behind us.

  “Your ability to read me is uncanny.”

  “You stared at me with an intensity equal to the pig’s when you’re about to feed him. It wasn’t hard to deduce that you wanted to tell me something.”

  I laughed.

  “You know me better than anyone.”

  “And no one will ever know me as well as you. Now tell me.”

  “I saw the boy who delivered the necklace.”

  She stopped slicing bread to stare at me. Her already pale skin paled further.

  “You did?” she asked softly.

  I nodded. “When I tried to chase him down, Hugh stopped me. But I know a few of the boys who were with him. Through them, I think I could find the boy. I just need to get to town without Hugh in tow.”

  Kellen considered me for a moment and exhaled heavily.

  “You already have a plan, don’t you?”

  “Yes. I believe Hugh needs some tea with dinner,” I said with a smile.

  The world around me was full of night noises, the small sounds keeping me company on my ride into town. Kellen hadn’t liked the idea of me going off on my own once everyone was abed. But I’d pointed out to her that both Judith and Anne disappeared during the day, and I also knew who to watch for.

  However, she still wasn’t fully convinced that Kaven was acting alone despite his frustration in the woods the day I’d snuck into the retreat and the fact that we’d not once run into anyone else. Neither of our beliefs could be proven without speaking to the lad who’d delivered the necklace, though. Thus, the necessity of my late-night ride.

  While most of Towdown rested peacefully as I entered town, a few establishments still welcomed customers. It was their rowdy enjoyment of abundant libations that would keep me safely unnoticed. Hopefully.

  I’d tied my hair back and tucked it into my hood to hide the golden sheen that might attract unwanted attention. I’d also borrowed one of Judith’s dresses. I knew she wouldn’t mind. Not when doing so was meant to help find both her and Anne. No one would question a woman of lower class going to an alehouse for a late meal.

  Dismounting near the smith, I gave the boy there a coin to watch after the horse. Then, I walked the short distance to Crumbs and Casks. No one questioned the cloak I kept firmly in place and pulled low to cover my features.

  It took some time before I spotted the boy, lurking in the shadows across the street. Not only was he a bully, he was also known for lifting coin from anyone too drunk to notice. Finishing my drink, I left the alehouse and walked down the street. When I was abreast with his shadow, I flicked a coin to him.

  He caught it, his eyes wide with surprise.

  “I have another one for you if you can answer a question for me.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Who was the boy with the cap today? The one with the king’s insignia.”

  The boy snorted.

  “Tommy Bell? That little shite is claiming he secretly works for the king. No one believes him. You shouldn’t neither.”

  “Where can I fi
nd Tommy Bell?”

  The boy gave me directions to a home on the outskirts of town. I tossed him another coin even though he deserved a beating for his part in today’s disturbance. He nodded his thanks and watched me shrewdly as I walked away. I wasn’t a drunkard though, so I was safe.

  After collecting the horse, I tried finding Tommy Bell’s home on my own, but it was impossible to spot any landmarks or signs in the dark. Twice, men called out to me, and only my wits and a quick mare kept me safe.

  Knowing I was running out of time, I turned back and made my way home, relieved to leave the late-night debauchery behind and annoyed I hadn’t located the boy. My mind dwelled on how I would find my way back to town in the daylight. Hugh would never allow me to chase down some random boy. And, given Maeve’s worry and understanding of my suspicions, I doubted she’d allow it either.

  I was so lost in thought, I did not immediately notice the silence in the trees. The mare did. She snorted and sidestepped a moment before something launched itself at me from the trees. The mass collided with me and knocked me sideways off the horse. We landed with bruising force that numbed my arm and robbed me of breath.

  While I lay stunned, my attacker ripped back my hood.

  “You?” Kaven said.

  I opened my mouth, not to speak but struggling to inhale.

  His angry expression turned to worry as he rolled off of me and helped me sit up.

  “Breath out first then in,” he said.

  I managed to regain my air on the second try.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked.

  Turning to him with an incredulous gaze, I punched him square in the nose.

  “Of course I’m hurt, you ass! You knocked me off my damn horse!”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose, sniffed, and blinked at me.

  “You have no idea how grateful I am that you do not hit as hard as you knee.”

  “Please, allow me to try once more.”

  He stood and offered me his hand, standing at an angle lest I attempt to maim his manhood again.

  I reached for the hand and stopped, realizing what I’d been about to do. Instead, I slapped his hand away.

  “Is this how you lured them? Kindness? A trick?”

  Hands now at his sides, he tilted his head to study me.

  “Lured who?”

  “I will not fall for your games,” I said. I glanced at my horse, wondering if I could make it to her and mount before he caught me.

  “Why are you out here, Eloise?”

  “That’s none of you concern.”

  “I believe it is.”

  “Well, I believe it’s not. If you’re not here to accost me or drag me into the trees to kill me, then I must be on my way.” I stood cautiously, focused on him.

  “That’s a strange thing to say.”

  “Is it?” I said, arching a brow at him. “Our first meeting you threatened me. Our second meeting you physically accosted me, warranting the defense of my person. Both encounters were hardly shining examples of chivalry.”

  “Only those who threaten the Crown need fear me.”

  “That’s hardly a comfort since you would be the one to determine what warrants a threat. Did picking berries on your land threaten the Crown? Does my presence here threaten the Crown?”

  “Did you enter the king’s retreat two days past?”

  My pulse leapt, but I kept my fear from my expression.

  “Why would I enter the king’s retreat? That would be death, wouldn’t it?”

  He tucked his hands in his pockets and considered me.

  “A simple trespassing would be a slap on the wrist. Maybe a public flogging. Stealing from the king would cost you far more than that. Did you take something?”

  I snorted.

  “Did you not hear me? I’m too smart to do something so stupid.”

  “Or perhaps you left something for the prince to find.” He took a menacing step toward me.

  “Touch me and I’ll—”

  “That’s enough of that,” he said, grabbing me and tossing me over his shoulder.

  I kicked hard, connecting with the front of his thigh. He grunted and swatted me on the butt hard enough to elicit a squeal.

  “You beastly pig ass son of a—"

  “I’ll do it again,” he warned.

  A moment later, I was sitting sideways on my horse with Kaven’s hands on my thighs to steady me.

  Our gazes locked as he looked up at me, and my breath caught. What was it about Kaven that made my good sense flee and my heart beat so erratically?

  “You are by far the prickliest woman I have ever met. Are you dangerous, Eloise?” he asked, reigniting my ability to reason.

  “Ask your testicles,” I said.

  With a swift nudge of my heel, I sent the mare flying, knocking Kaven aside in my haste to get away. His low chuckle followed me up the road.

  My pulse didn’t begin to slow until I reached the path to our house. I glanced over my shoulder before dismounting and continuing on foot. The road was empty as I’d guessed it would be. Unsure what that meant, I snuck into the barn and quietly unsaddled the mare. There wasn’t much of a risk that Hugh would hear me and wake. Not with the tea that Anne used to make for Mother in his belly. Hugh, though, was the least of my worries.

  “That was close,” I said to the horse. “No more night rides.” She nickered softly as I wiped her down then returned her to her stall. With a quick check to ensure everything was in place, I left the stable.

  All was silent as I let myself into the kitchen and tiptoed toward the dining room. There, I had to pause to wipe my palms on my dress. In my mind, I imagined Maeve hearing me and her expression of disappointment. Hadn’t I vowed I wasn’t like a child? Yet, here I was sneaking around like one.

  Taking a calming breath, I made my way up the stairs without a creak. The candle still burned in our room, not an unusual sight.

  When I slipped into the bedroom, I found Kellen sitting up in bed, a book open in her lap, just as I’d left her. Her gaze met mine, and I smiled slightly. She sighed, closed the book, and blew out the candle. In the dark, I got ready for bed.

  However, even as I lay safe and comfortable in my own home, sleep escaped me.

  My mind dwelled on my meeting with Kaven. The encounter had been all wrong. He’d aggressively knocked me from the horse, and I had been certain I’d found my end. Especially since I had bashed his head with a rock the last time we’d met. Yet, he’d offered his hand to help me to my feet, and everything after that had been wary and—I frowned—courteous. No, that smack on my backside had not been courteous. However, it had been earned. I grinned in the dark, remembering the punch to his nose and the kick.

  My humor faded as I struggled to come up with an explanation for his behavior. Was Kaven even more dangerous than I thought? Did he seek to lull me? To what purpose, though?

  Chapter Twelve

  “Must you be so loud?” I asked.

  “Yes. It’s not like you to sleep in. Wake up before it’s noticed.”

  Sometimes, I hated Kellen’s practical logic. I crawled out of bed and saw she’d already brushed out Judith’s dress. Not a trace of dirt remained from my late-night encounter with Kaven.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  She rolled her eyes at me and helped me with my hair as soon as my mourning dress was over my head. We’d just opened the door when Maeve stepped out of her room.

  “Up late reading again?” she asked.

  Kellen smiled.

  “Mr. Bentwell’s books are addicting. We will need another candle for our room, but I promise not to stay awake as long tonight.”

  Maeve waved away her concern.

  “Reading is good for the mind.”

  Kellen’s cheeks pinked as we made our way toward the stairs, and I blinked at my sister. There’d been only a handful of times I’d seen her flush.

  She caught my look and shook her head slightly.

  Keeping my question to my
self, we followed Maeve to the entry where she stopped for her cloak.

  “Promise that you’ll stay inside while Hugh and I are gone,” she said.

  “I promise,” Kellen and I said at the same time.

  Maeve smiled.

  “Good. Bar the doors until we return. Answer for no one.” She hesitated. “I don’t like leaving you like this.”

  “We will be fine,” Kellen said. “If we hear something, we’ll hide in the attic. No one will find us there.”

  Maeve nodded.

  “We won’t be long.”

  She opened the door and stepped out. The faint jangle of an approaching wagon stopped her from going further. She paused and looked back at us with a frown. I could see the indecision on her face.

  “You’ve already turned away visitors and stated when we will receive guests. It won’t look unusual for you to do the same today,” Kellen said, moving to the door.

  Maeve waved goodbye as Kellen closed it. She had her hand on the lock when she hesitated. She caught my look and shrugged.

  “It would sound odd to our visitor if I slid the lock into place now.”

  I shook my head at her always considering mind.

  “I’ll go fix us breakfast. I’m hungry for hot oats this morning.”

  “That sounds lovely.”

  The door behind us opened before we reached the dining room. We both stopped and watched Maeve along with another woman enter.

  “Fate saw fit to help us this morning,” Maeve said, spotting us. “This is Sabine, Anne’s cousin.”

  The young woman nodded to us.

  “Anne’s mother came to see me this morning. She said that Anne’s taken a bit of leave and asked if I can step in for her to ensure she doesn’t lose her position. I can cook and clean well, if you’ll have me.”

  “We are very much in need of your assistance,” Maeve said, “and we thank you for your kind offer.”

  “I’ll fetch my bag from the wagon and tell my father that I’m staying.”

  Maeve waited until the girl left to look at us.

  “I hope this is all right. I typically never hire without references.”