Rowan's Revenge

by June Francis

  She did not look up from her task but said gruffly, ‘You will tell everyone that we have taken each other for man and wife?’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘You expect me to deny it?’

  She met his stare. ‘No. But perhaps it would be wiser if we kept it quiet for now.’

  He thrust out his jaw and the candlelight caught the flash of anger in his eyes. ‘You would have me treat you like your father did your mother? No, Kate. We might not have exchanged our vows in the presence of a priest, but I intend to keep mine.’

  She was deeply moved. ‘But what of Sir Thomas? If he were to hear from someone else that we have exchanged vows of marriage without his permission, then he could be angry and hold back my father’s inheritance and his help in our gaining Merebury. Let us keep quiet and face him together. When you tell him that you have solved the mystery of Sir Roger’s death, then you tell him what we have done.’

  Owain was silent for so long that Kate thought he was not going to let her have her way. Then he nodded, ‘But I tell you, Kate, I will not go quietly if he were to attempt to separate us. I would fight for you.’

  She cupped his face between her hands. ‘I want no talk of fighting. I would want to die if you were killed.’

  His features softened and, taking one of her hands, he pressed it to his lips. ‘Let there be no talk of dying. We will worry about Sir Thomas and what he will say and do when the need arises. For now let us make the most of the time we have together.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  ‘A messenger has come at last,’ called Kate, pausing in the stable entrance.

  ‘From Sir Thomas?’ asked Owain, straightening from inspecting the mare who had cast a shoe. Over a month had passed since he had been wounded.

  ‘He wears the Stanley livery and says he has come from Knowsley.’ She could not quite suppress her nervous excitement.

  Owain allowed no emotion to show on his face as he asked Diccon to take the horse to the smithy. The youth nodded and led it away, winking at Kate as she moved aside to allow him to pass. Owain wiped his hands on a piece of rag before placing an arm about her shoulders. ‘I thought to hear from Sir Thomas before this, but it seems our affairs are of small matter in his scheme of things,’ he said, adopting a cheerful note.

  Kate fell in with his mood and smiled. Soon it would be Christmas and she prayed that, by then, Sir Thomas would have set his seal of approval on their match. They crossed the stable yard and hurried past the herb and vegetable gardens and entered the hall. They found the messenger, steam coming from his garments as he warmed himself by the fire, eating bread and cheese and drinking from a cup of mulled wine. He sprang to his feet when he saw them and inclined his head towards his host.

  ‘You have a message for me,’ said Owain.

  ‘Aye, Master ap Rowan. Your presence and that of the Lady is required at Knowsley on the morrow.’ The man reached inside his doublet. ‘I have it written here in his secretary’s hand.’

  Owain raised an eyebrow and took the scroll from him. ‘Your master is well?’

  ‘Aye!’ The man’s eyelids blinked rapidly as he gazed at him.

  ‘Good.’ Owain smiled warmly. ‘Tell him we will be there. Finish your repast, best you be on your way before darkness falls.’

  The man looked dismayed. ‘You have no written message for me?’

  Owain shook his head. ‘My word is enough.’

  He took Kate’s arm and strolled with her out of the hall. She made to speak, but he placed his finger to his lips and shook his head. He took her to the parlour and there broke open the seal on the folded parchment and spread it flat on the table. He read the letter silently until its end and then an exclamation escaped him.

  ‘What is it? What does it say?’ demanded Kate, resting her hands on the table and looking across it at him.

  He read aloud, ‘A complaint has been lodged against you concerning your enquiries into the death of Sir Roger Miles. Your enquiries are prejudiced by your betrothal to Mistress Kate Fletcher.’

  Kate gasped and he looked up at her with a faint smile. ‘It does not end there. I’m also accused of having stolen two chests of money and of plotting with the Lady Catherine and the Fletcher family to kill Sir Roger in revenge for my brother’s death. We must answer these charges forthwith the day after next at Lathom, taking the chest with us.’

  Kate’s face was ashen. ‘We must not go. We will be imprisoned and even…’ She stopped as he shook his head slowly. The colour returned to her cheeks. ‘It is a fake. Whoever wrote this does not know I am a Stanley.’

  Owain’s blue eyes hardened. ‘I expected a counter-attack for what happened at the Devil’s Graveyard before now but, when a week—two weeks passed, I started to believe that without coin to pay mercenaries to do his bidding the Comte really had departed for France.’

  ‘This letter is intended to lead us into a trap.’

  ‘An ambush on the road.’ Owain picked up the letter and folded it before placing it inside his surcote. ‘He must think I’m a fool to believe I would take you or the chest with me. The road between Chester and Birkenhead is too well frequented to make an ambush easy, so his plan must be to surprise me nearer Lathom.’ He eased his shoulders back. ‘It is time to finish this. I will leave tomorrow and take the ferry to Liverpool. I have friends there. Sir Thomas could be on his way north and, having heard this, the Comte decided to take action before he arrives. Perhaps he has guessed that he has become my prime suspect for Sir Roger’s murder.’

  ‘You will not go alone,’ said Kate, frowning. ‘Your shoulder has not long healed. The Fletcher family will ride with you.’

  Owain frowned. ‘That is not sensible.’

  ‘It makes more sense than your plan to go alone,’ she retorted, beginning to pace the floor. ‘Better still…why don’t we all go today? We could leave within a couple of hours.’

  He shook his head and when he spoke his tone was steely. ‘I will listen to no more of this, Kate. I will not put your life in danger. You will stay here. If it makes you happy, I will taken Diccon and a couple of men with me. There is not much for them to do until the new year.’

  She shook her head stubbornly. ‘I will not stay behind to fret myself into flinders over what might be happening to you and Diccon. If you leave me behind I will follow you…unless you intend locking me in my bedchamber?’

  Owain continued to stare at her and then suddenly his expression changed and he held out a hand. ‘So be it. I will leave my brothers in charge here so we will not be parted just yet.’

  She took his hand and he drew her into his arms and kissed her deep and long. Immediately she responded and within seconds he had unfastened the bodice of her gown and had buried his head between her breasts. His hand slid up her skirts and she unlaced his breeches, praying no one would come in. She doubted there would be opportunity for lovemaking during the next few days and she could not help remembering last night when he had come to her. They had tried a new position because his shoulder was so much better and ended up collapsing with laughter in a tangle of arms and legs. After Gwendolyn’s death, Owain suggested that Beth might move into his stepmother’s chamber and share the care of Anna with Agnes. Beth had fixed him with a knowing look, but agreed. Since that time, Owain had been a regular visitor to Kate’s bed and now she gasped with pleasure as he entered her and quickly caught his rhythm. The risk they took acted as a stimulant and they came together almost immediately. Soon she was fastening her bodice. ‘That is going to have to last until…’

  ‘The next time,’ said Owain, smiling.

  The journey to Birkenhead passed without incident. Occasionally Beth commented on the passing scene and made reference to their flight from Merebury. At Owain’s request, Kate had not discussed the contents of the letter with her mother, but Diccon knew what it said. When they reached the Mersey, Owain paid the toll for the ferryboat to the monk at Birkenhead Priory and waited its arrival from Liverpool.

  Kate gazed a
cross the water towards the cluster of buildings on the other side. The tower owned by the Stanleys and the castle that spoke of the other great power in that place, the Molyneuxs, could clearly be seen. In the shadow of these two edifices lived those who made their livelihood from the sea. Several windmills showed starkly against the sky on top of the hills that rose behind the small port. To the south lay a vast heath of common land crossed by several paths, one of which led to Sir Thomas’s manor of Knowsley; Lathom and Merebury lay to the north. As the returning ferry boat neared the jetty, Kate was apprehensive. Suddenly she wanted to return to the comfort and safety of Rowan Manor, but there was no going back. They had to go forward to meet their fate.

  To his amazement, the first person Owain set eyes on as they landed in Liverpool was Nat Milburn. He was standing on the quayside in conversation with a mariner. Owain wasted no time strolling over to his friend and hailing him.

  Nat started. ‘What do folk say? Think of the devil and he’s sure to appear. You were on my mind and here you are.’

  Owain could not help grinning. ‘Why was I on your mind?’

  ‘I was talking to Sir Thomas Stanley only this morning and your name cropped up.’

  Owain’s grin slowly faded. ‘He’s here in Liverpool?’

  Nat gazed at him severely. ‘If you’ll just listen. I mentioned seeing you in France with your betrothed, Lady Catherine, and he said that it could not have been her because she was dead. I told him that he must be mistaken, that I’d seen her in your company in France. He said the Lady was definitely dead as you’d sent him word to that effect and that the person I’d met was his cousin, Katherine Stanley.’ He scratched his head. ‘Now I might be approaching my fortieth birthday, Owain, but I’m not going deaf. I’d swear on Holy Scripture that you said the lady was Lady Catherine Miles. I remember I recognised her.’

  Owain wondered what Sir Thomas had made of that word betrothed. ‘I misled you. I’ll explain later. Tell me…where is Sir Thomas now?’

  ‘Set out for Lathom this morning. There’s a dispute concerning salvage rights in a ship that ran aground on a sandbank, which requires his presence. Told me that if I were to visit you then I was to give you a message from him.’

  ‘And what was that message?’

  ‘That you were to attend him forthwith. Something about another will belonging to Lady Catherine turning up.’

  Owain scowled. ‘Who has produced this will? And did he want me to bring the Lady?’

  ‘The prior at Burscough Priory has the will.’ Nat screwed up his face. ‘Can’t remember what else Sir Thomas said about the Lady. Someone interrupted us, but he did mention something about the twelve days of Christmas.’ He added in a disgruntled voice, ‘So why did you fool me into believing that his cousin was Lady Catherine Miles…and how was it I knew her face?’

  Owain said shortly, ‘Later, I’ll explain later. It’ll soon be dark and the lady and her mother are weary and I need to find somewhere for us to shelter for the night.’ He indicated Kate and Beth with a gloved hand.

  Nat looked in their direction and immediately said, ‘You remember my aunt who lives at Old Moore Hall? She will happily provide hospitality. Although your men will have to stay at the local hostelry.’

  Owain smiled and thanked him. ‘I always knew I could rely on you to come to my aid, Nat.’

  Nat brushed his thanks aside and said gruffly. ‘Just remembered Sir Thomas mentioned your father’s death. Sorry to hear of it.’

  Owain’s expression sobered. ‘It was a grief to me. I would have liked to have made my peace with him, but it was too late.’

  ‘How has your stepmother taken it?’

  Owain grimaced. ‘She’s dead, but leaves a daughter.’

  Nat sighed. ‘Died in childbirth, I suppose. Sad, very sad.’

  Owain did not correct his supposition, but instead said, ‘Tell me what brings you to Liverpool?’

  ‘Family trouble,’ said the older man, rolling his eyes. ‘Sickness at home and so the children have been sent here to my aunt. My sister is remarrying at Candlemass. Now she and my aunt insist that I must take another wife.’ Nat rasped a fingernail along his unshaven chin. ‘My aunt suggested that I ask a spinster of her acquaintance. So having met the woman and believing her one of good sense, I did what they suggested…only to have my proposal thrown back in my face,’ he said indignantly. ‘She said she didn’t want a husband who was always carousing on the continent. I tell you, that knocked the wind right out of my sails.’

  Owain chuckled. ‘You’ll have to find a woman who’ll be more than willing to have you stay at home with her.’

  Nat said gloomy, ‘Show me one.’

  Owain smiled. ‘Let me introduce you to Mistress Beth Fletcher.’

  ‘Master Milburn,’ said Beth in a voice that was just a breath of sound. ‘I don’t know if you remember our first meeting here in Liverpool ten, twelve years ago?’ There was a blush on her cheeks.

  Nat stared at her as if seeing a ghost and then he blinked and grasped her hand. ‘Aye! But I thought you were dead.’

  Kate glanced at Owain, who winked and took Merlin’s reins from her before turning to his men and speaking to them in a low voice. Kate could scarcely believe what appeared to be happening between her mother and Master Milburn. ‘I have told Owain that you all may stay at my aunt’s home,’ he was saying. ‘I’m sure she will make you welcome.’

  ‘That is kind of her and you,’ said Beth.

  Nat beamed down her. ‘She’ll enjoy your company.’ He offered her his arm and she took it and headed uphill towards the castle.

  The others followed. ‘You might be interested to know, Kate, if you don’t already, that Nat’s relatives in Liverpool own a mill, a kiln and a lime pit, as well as being involved in shipping,’ whispered Owain. ‘And Nat, himself, is heir to land in Yorkshire. His family own great flocks of sheep and they export woollen cloth.’

  Kate cast him a smiling glance. ‘You consider that news is of interest to me?’

  ‘I know he’s looking for a wife,’ he said softly.

  ‘You are suggesting that Mother and Master Milburn could make a match of it? They’ve only just met each other again after…you heard her…ten, twelve years.’

  ‘But they’re obviously taken with each other. Falling in love can happen at any time and in an instant.’ His eyes held hers and a delicious shiver rippled through her as she saw he wanted her.

  ‘You have great experience of love?’ she murmured, attempting to look demure.

  ‘Of a surety! It means, of course, giving all of oneself.’

  ‘Surely that is the only way to truly love a person,’ she responded, meeting his burning gaze and feeling a singing in her spirit.

  ‘If only we were alone, I would kiss you in such a way you would not want me to stop,’ he whispered.

  ‘We must walk on or Diccon will hear you,’ she murmured, wishing she had allowed him to tell everyone that they had plighted their troth.

  Dusk was falling by the time they reached Old Moore Hall. They passed through a pair of iron gates into a courtyard. Nat directed Owain and Diccon to the stables.

  Kate gazed at the house, which was partly covered by climbing ivy. The building was two storeys high and built of sandstone like many in this part of England. Its ground-floor windows overlooked the courtyard and to the front of the house lay a lawn and empty flowerbeds, protected from winds that swept in from the Irish Sea by a high wall. The front door was opened to them by a serving man, whom Nat sent to inform his aunt that she had guests.

  Kate and her mother glanced about the old hall, noticing that the fireplace was in the centre. Smoke from the log fire wended its way lazily through the rafters to a hole in the roof. Towards the rear of the hall was a double staircase that led to a gallery on the first floor. An elderly woman suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs.

  Nat called up to her and she descended with a rustle of skirts. Her face had the colour and texture of a
weathered apple and her grey hair was covered by a hood, tied beneath her chin. She was followed by several dogs and a girl. The old woman’s eyes were speculative as they alighted on Kate. ‘It came as a great surprise to me when Nat told me that Sir Thomas had a cousin whom I have never met,’ she said in a high-pitched voice. ‘But you have a look of the Stanleys.’

  ‘It seems your cousin wants the relationship known, Kate,’ said Owain.

  ‘And why shouldn’t he?’ said Mistress Moore, beaming at the pair of them. ‘Welcome to my home. I hope you enjoy your stay with me.’

  They thanked her but, before Kate could introduce her mother, Nat Milburn stepped forward and did so. ‘Aunt, this is Mistress Beth Fletcher. She is not a stranger to Liverpool. In truth, we recognised each other when we were introduced. Please make a friend of her for my sake.’ There was such warmth in Nat’s voice that his aunt looked at him sharply before shaking Beth’s hand.

  ‘I’m pleased to have you here. I wager my nephew did not tell you that his three children are staying here, too? The lads are twins and imps of Satan. Fortunately I’ve managed to get them into school, so they won’t bother you much. The girl, Cicely, has seen ten summers and is a great help to me.’ She ushered them over to the fire. ‘Please make yourselves comfortable. No doubt you’re hungry.’

  They murmured agreement. Beth smiled at Nat’s daughter and whispered something to her. Kate removed her gloves and held her hands to the fire, listening to Mistress Moore order a serving man to mull wine. Already another man had been dispatched to the kitchen for meat, cheese and bread.

  In no time at all they were seated by the fire, warming their hands on cups of mulled wine, fragrant with nutmeg and slices of fruit. The old woman settled herself in a great carved armchair, its hardness softened by a cushion. Nat’s daughter sat on a footstool at his feet, darting glances every now and again at Diccon.

  Kate was amused. It was obvious that her brother had found someone to admire him and he was kind enough to treat her gently. It boded well for family relations if all went well over the next few days. At least for the moment they were safe. It wasn’t fit for man or beast to be outside. The wind howled round the eaves and the faint roar of waves pounding the shore could be heard despite the thickness of the sandstone walls. She smiled at Owain sitting across from her and regretted that he would not be sharing her bed that night.