“I retired early,” he told them, not wanting the man to know he’d snuck back in the hidden postern gate with Willow and Hazel after dark. The search for the ruby was still going on, and no one had noticed them entering the keep and heading to their chambers. He would have returned the way he’d left through the front gate since he’d already been searched, but Willow insisted she would just die if any of the noblemen saw her without her sleeves and with dirt on her face and gown. She had wanted to stop at the creek to wash up but, after finding Hazel, he didn’t want to chance it that the girls would run off again.
Neither of the women was talking to him now since they were so angry with him. If he was lucky, mayhap they’d cooled down and would speak to him this morning when he escorted them to the great hall for the morning meal.
He still didn’t understand why Willow had been acting so strange yesterday but planned on having a good, long conversation with her about it today.
“I didn’t see Lady Willow around here either last night,” said Sir George.
“My sister was upset by the turn of events and the chaotic crowd,” explained Conrad. “Willow took her to their chamber early.”
“That’s funny,” said Chester. “One of the guards came to their room with a handmaiden to search them, and there was nobody there.”
“For God’s sake, what is going on?” spat Conrad. “They are ladies, not thieves. I will talk to Lord Beaufort about this personally.”
“It was his idea,” said Sir George, leaving Conrad at a loss for words.
The door to Willow’s chamber sprang open. Willow emerged with Hazel standing silently right behind her. Willow was dressed to the hilt, looking like a queen. Gone were the smears of dirt on her face and the soiled gown. Her hair was actually braided this morning and tucked under the crown on her head. With her low-cut bodice, she boldly displayed much more cleavage than she should. That damned gold heart brooch she always wore winked at him in the light, drawing even more attention to her chest.
“There you are,” said Willow, sounding happy and like she was no longer angry with him. “I was starting to wonder if you’d gotten the squire’s message.”
“What message?” asked Conrad. “I can’t even find Toby. Did you send him somewhere?”
“We’re ready to go if you are,” Willow continued. Hazel nodded silently in agreement from behind her.
“Ladies, shall we?” Conrad held out his arm and stepped forward, but Willow reached out and took Sir Chester’s arm instead. Hazel shyly took the arm of Sir George.”
“What is going on here?” growled Conrad. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I don’t like it.”
“Oh, Sir Conrad. I didn’t even see you there,” said Willow, making both of the other knights chuckle. “If you’ll excuse us, we don’t want to be late for the feast.”
“Wait,” he said, stopping the barons in their tracks. “The Ladies Willow and Hazel are my responsibility. I will escort them to the great hall.”
“Then why did your squire come to our solar this morning and ask us to take the ladies there?” asked Sir George.
“He did?” Conrad’s brows dipped. “I didn’t send him with any message.”
“I did,” stated Willow boldly. Her hand went to straighten her crown as she spoke. “After all, Lady Hazel and I don’t want to be escorted by anyone who doesn’t want us near them.”
“Stop it,” said Conrad. “This isn’t funny, Willow.”
“I want you near me, Lady Willow,” said Chester, putting his hand over hers atop his arm and smiling from ear to ear. Conrad didn’t miss the man’s glance down at Willow’s cleavage. His blood boiled. He felt as if he wanted to kill the man or strangle Willow, or perhaps both.
“Good day, Sir Conrad,” said Willow, laughing and talking with the knights as the four of them headed to the great hall. Conrad stood there with his mouth open, unable to believe that not only Willow but also his sister had just disobeyed him.
“Ah, there you are, my lord,” said Toby, hurrying down the corridor, looking over his shoulder at the foursome as he walked. “Why are the barons escorting the ladies?”
“Where the hell have you been, Squire?”
“Well, after Lady Willow came to the door this morning and asked me to deliver a missive to Sir Chester and Sir George, she had me deliver a missive to Lord Beaufort as well. I am just now returning.”
“What are you talking about? No one came to my door this morning.”
“Aye, she did,” insisted Toby. “You slept right through it, my lord. Your snoring was so loud I could barely hear Lady Willow since she was whispering. I was going to wake you, but she said I should let you sleep.”
“Since when do you take orders from her? What is the matter with you?”
Toby shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure why I did it. I suppose it was because she asked so sweetly and it sounded important. She told me you wouldn’t mind.”
“You fool. Don’t you realize what you did?”
“I only delivered missives.”
“Aye, missives asking the knights to escort the ladies to the great hall this morning. And I’m sure the message to Lord Beaufort was asking him to seat them all together at the dais.”
“Ooooh, I see,” said Toby. “Sorry about that, my lord. But mayhap, Willow’s reason for doing this was because you said neither of them was talking to you, being so angry with you and all.”
“Thank you for pointing that out. From now on, if you do anything, and I mean anything at all for Lady Willow without my knowledge of it first, I will have you flayed. Do you understand?”
“Aye, my lord. Are you going to go down to the great hall and demand they let you escort them instead?”
The thought crossed his mind. Actually, he also had ideas about throwing a few good punches at Sir Chester, and then Sir George and then Sir Chester again. But he wouldn’t. Instead, he needed to figure out just what Willow was doing.
“Nay,” said Conrad. “I am going to let the girls stew in the trouble they are brewing. They’ll come running back to me when Sir George and Sir Chester frighten them.”
“What if they don’t?” asked Toby. “What if the ladies enjoy being with the barons more than they like being with you?”
That made Conrad think. Hadn’t Willow said something about him not wanting them, and now they were with the barons? What had he done? His sister was hurt and angry overhearing what he said about her, and Willow was acting so odd he didn’t know what she was thinking. Willow made the comment that she was going to find the thief and get the ruby returned to Earl Alnwick. He was curious how she thought she was going to accomplish that task. Mayhap, he’d sit back and just watch for a while as things unfolded. He’d watch from a distance, but still stay close enough to step in at the first sign of trouble.
“Toby, I don’t know what Lady Willow is up to, but I can guarantee you whatever it is, it’s dangerous, stupid, ridiculous, and I’m not going to like it.”
“Shall we stop her?” asked Toby.
“Nay,” answered Conrad. “Lady Willow is sly and cunning, but she is also naïve. That is what scares me.”
“Do you think the knights will try to take advantage of her?”
“They try anything, and mark my words, I will step in and stop it before it begins. The last thing I want is for anything to happen to either of the two women who mean something to me.”
“I’ve never heard you talk this way before,” said Toby.
“That’s because I’ve never met anyone like Lady Willow before, and I doubt I ever want to again.”
Willow’s plan was working beautifully. She not only managed to make Conrad jealous, but she also secured a spot next to Sir Chester during the meal. This was her time to question him and find out if he could possibly be the one who stole the earl’s ruby.
“Lady Willow, we were surprised to get your missive this morning,” said Chester.
“Aye,” agreed Sir Geo
rge from next to him. “It’s such a pleasure to escort you ladies to the dais table.”
“We appreciate it, don’t we Lady Hazel?” Willow asked, trying to pull the shy girl into the conversation.
“We do,” said Hazel.
Willow saw Conrad enter the great hall with his squire. All the seats at the dais were taken since Willow brought the barons, so there was nowhere for Conrad to sit. He said something to his squire and then walked straight up to the dais. Willow sat next to Sir Chester on one side, and Lord Beaufort’s wife, Lady Ernestine, on the other. Earl Alnwick was on the other side of Lord Beaufort.
“Good morning, Earls,” said Conrad approaching the raised table.
“Lochwood, it seems your spot has been taken,” said Beaufort. “Perhaps, we can make room for you at the table if we all squeeze in.”
“No need.” Conrad raised a hand. “Everyone seems quite comfortable. I wouldn’t want to upset that.” His eyes flashed over to Willow. She quickly looked the other way. “Did you find the thief who stole the ruby?” asked Conrad.
“Nay, not yet,” answered Earl Alnwick. “But I’m not giving up hope.”
“That’s right,” said Beaufort. “Everyone who hasn’t been searched yet will be searched today before the competition continues.”
“As they should,” agreed Conrad.
“Lady Willow, I don’t believe you have been searched yet. Nor Lochwood’s sister,” said Lord Beaufort.
“Me?” Willow looked up in surprise. “Lord Beaufort, surely you don’t think I had anything to do with the disappearance of the ruby?” She picked up the goblet and took a sip of wine.
“I can search her for you,” said Conrad, almost causing her to choke on the wine when she heard him. She coughed, and Sir Chester patted her on the back.
“I’m sure Lady Willow and Lady Hazel don’t really need to be searched,” said Lord Beaufort’s wife. “After all, they are nobles and Willow is your ward, Walter.”
“Nay, I insist we be searched just like everyone else,” said Willow. “Shall we do it now, so wagging tongues don’t start rumors?” Willow stood up, and Sir Chester jumped to his feet as well.
“Sit down, Willow,” said Conrad under his breath. “No one thinks you’re a thief. Now, eat your meal.”
“I’m no longer hungry,” Willow retorted, not liking the fact Conrad was telling her what to do. “Sir Chester, if you don’t mind, will you escort me back to my chamber?”
“Me, too,” said Hazel, jumping up as well, followed by Sir George.
“Now, now, I don’t want my meal interrupted,” said Beaufort. “I’m sure it can wait.”
“Conrad, I’m not feeling well,” said Hazel. “Will you walk me back to the room?”
“I’ll do it,” said Sir George, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“I’m her brother. She’ll feel more comfortable with me.” Conrad climbed the dais to help his sister. “Willow, are you coming?”
“Me?” Willow saw this as an opportunity and didn’t want to waste it. If Conrad was with Hazel, she could be alone with Sir Chester and try to figure out if he was the thief. “I haven’t eaten yet.”
“You just said you weren’t hungry,” Conrad reminded her.
“Well, I’ve changed my mind.” She sat back down.
“Fine. I’ll be back for you.”
As soon as they left the room, Willow sprang into action. “Sir Chester, would you like to go for a stroll?”
Chester was just spooning some stewed rabbit onto his trencher, and his hand stopped. “Now? But the food is just being served.” He looked like a man who liked to eat, so she was sure he wouldn’t want to miss a meal.
She had to convince him to go with her now. If she waited until the meal ended, Conrad would be back and be watching her like a hawk. It was her duty to her late queen and her country to use her skills to find out the answers she needed. Boldly, she placed her hand on his arm and looked deeply into his eyes. “I thought you wanted to get to know me before the competitions are over.”
“There will be plenty of time for that after the meal,” said Sir Chester, taking a bite of the stew and making a slight moan of delight.
“I’ll go with you, Lady Willow,” said Sir George, now sitting by himself since Hazel had left.
“I’d like that very much.”
Sir George got up, but Sir Chester jumped to his feet as well. “Nay, I’m taking her.”
“I’d like to get to know both of you,” she told them. “Perhaps all three of us could go for a stroll?”
The men chuckled.
“I’ve never strolled with three before,” said Sir George.
“Neither have I, but I’m willing to try it,” added Sir Chester.
“Great! We can make it a threesome,” said Willow, noticing the lustful looks on the men’s faces. “I mean, a walk with all of us,” she corrected herself. Taking hold of one man’s arm on each side of her, she strolled across the great hall and out the door. They were about to take her outside, but in order to know if they had the ruby, she would have to search through their things in their solar.
“Where would you like to go, Lady Willow?” asked Sir George.
“The two of you are sharing a solar, aren’t you?” she asked.
“We are.” Sir Chester exchanged a glance with Sir George.
“Why don’t we go there and have a glass of wine?” asked Willow.
“I like that idea.” Sir George took a decanter of wine and a goblet off the tray of a passing server. “Now we’re set.” He chuckled. It made Willow’s stomach turn into a knot. Mayhap she was playing with fire as Conrad had told her. The last thing she wanted to do was to get burned.
“Our solar is just down the corridor,” said Sir Chester.
As they walked, Willow started up with the questions. “A ruby the size of the one that the earl had stolen must be worth a lot.”
“Aye, it is.” Sir George poured wine into the goblet as he walked.
“I’ll bet anyone would give just about anything to have it.”
“I know I would,” said Chester with a chuckle.
“It would pay off a lot of my debts,” added George.
“I remember when I heard it was stolen, I was standing in the courtyard talking,” said Willow. “I was astounded. I’ll bet both of you were torn away from your own activities when you heard the announcement as well.”
“Aye, I was waiting for Sir Bedivere in the great hall, but he never showed up,” Sir George told her. “It seems he was waiting at the mews for me instead, talking with the Ladies Anabel and Grace.”
“I was in the practice yard preparing for the competition,” said Sir Chester.
“I wonder what the guard who was watching the ruby was doing when it was stolen?” asked Willow.
“Mayhap, you should ask Lord Bedivere,” commented Chester under his breath.
“Aye, he has seemed to befriend the guard. I heard he’d been asking to see the ruby again several times after our initial viewing,” added Sir George.
Willow didn’t think either of these men stole the ruby, but she still needed to be sure. She wanted to go through their trunks in their room to see if she could possibly find it hidden there.
“Here we are, my lady.” Sir Chester opened the door to the solar. Willow’s heart raced. It wasn’t proper to enter the room with the men. If anyone saw her, they might get the wrong idea. There could be an entire scandal. Still, she felt it was her duty as a member of the Followers of the Secret Heart to investigate further.
Looking over her shoulder, she scanned the corridor, glad she didn’t see anyone watching. All she had to do was to make up an excuse to get the men to leave, and she could go through the room quickly and search it before they returned. Since Lord Beaufort had already searched them, if one of them were the thief, they would have probably hidden the ruby back in their things afterward. She had to know.
“Lady Willow, how about some wine?” asked Sir George holdi
ng up the goblet and decanter and smiling.
“Oh, yes. Of course. Just put it on the table. I will have some in a minute. I think I’d like a breath of fresh air.” Willow hurried to the window and threw open the shutter. If the men tried anything with her, she could always yell out the window for help.
“Come, sit on the bed and talk with us,” said Sir George, plopping down on the pallet and patting the area next to him.
“Aye, we would like to get to know you,” added Sir Chester. “After all, if we win one of the last two competitions, you might be the wife of one of us.”
That thought didn’t sit well with Willow. Not that the barons weren’t kind, but she couldn’t picture being married to either of them. She tried to push the vision from her head because she could only see being married to Conrad.
She decided she needed to find out her information and leave quickly. Conrad was sure to go back to the great hall and notice she was missing. Willow didn’t want him to know she was here. He would only think she was leading the men on and playing a game again. Sadness filled her heart as she realized that was exactly what she was doing. Even though she had a purpose behind it, Conrad wouldn’t care.
She walked over and purposely knocked over the decanter of wine and the goblet. They fell to the floor, spilling wine everywhere.
“Oh, my!” She pretended it was an accident. “I am so careless. How will we have our wine now?”
“I’ll get some more wine. I’ll be right back.” Sir Chester ran to the door and left the room. One down, and one more to go. However, Sir George was still sitting on the bed smiling at her and looking more than comfortable.
“Silly me,” said Willow, faking a laugh. “I forgot to tell Sir Chester I prefer red wine over white. White wine sours my stomach.” She held her stomach for effect.
“I’ll tell him,” said George jumping up and hurrying to the door. “Stay here, I will be right back.”
As soon as the door closed, Willow ran to the corner and threw open a trunk and started digging through their belongings, hoping to find the ruby. In one trunk she was surprised to find needlepoint! She held up a cloth embroidered with colorful flowers, noticing Sir George’s initials on the bottom. She might have thought a lady had given it to him, but when she found more needlepoint that was in progress at the bottom of the trunk, she realized she had discovered an embarrassing secret.
Seductive Secrets (Secrets of the Heart Series Book 2) Page 13
