The smell of must and rat droppings should have been a dead giveaway. Not to mention the weak floor boards and the low ceiling. What was she doing up here anyway?
She struggled to remember. The last thing to happen was Cedric proposing to Charism. Right? The idea sent her head swimming again and she fell down on one of the ancient beds. How could this have gone so horribly wrong?
Her intent was to introduce Cedric to Charism and scare him off. But it hadn’t worked. He’d stood there and claimed the King of England had given him Greenbriar! Oh, and the best part was first he had to marry the mistress of the keep. Instead of running, the ogre of a man had asked for Charism’s hand in marriage!
Sarra dropped her head into her hands. Charism had sent her a searching look. She had known what Charism sought, but she was stunned by the proposal and unable to answer even the simplest of questions. Then to top off her embarrassment, she’d swooned. Charism must have had Cedric bring her here instead of her own rooms.
Lying back on the mattress, Sarra stared at the cobwebs dotting the ceiling. The weaving of the web was like interlocking lies. The more she lied about herself the worse things seemed to get. Father would be disappointed to know she’d been deceiving so many people. Her Heavenly Father was probably not pleased either.
But what could be done about it now? If Sarra revealed her true identity to Cedric, would he be willing to forgive her? Would he perhaps be willing to give a second chance to get to know him better? Did she want to get to know him better? The Scot had come here to steal her land! There had been no question as to whether the lady of the keep wished to marry and have him as lord. Nay, the king had decreed it and Cedric was here to collect. The audacity of the man!
Sitting bolt upright on the bed, Sarra realized she had no desire to be saddled with a man such as Cedric. There was the little matter of him thinking Charism was the mistress. This might cause a problem. But on second thought, Sarra was sure there would be a solution.
Leaving the attic room, she descended to the main floor. The house was in the bustle of preparing for the supper meal.
“Oh, mistress, I didn’t see you there,” said Ella as she rushed by.
“Ella, don’t call me mistress at the moment.”
“What? Why not?”
“Because for now Charism is the mistress.”
Ella stopped and peered at her curiously. “Do we have another unwanted visitor hereabouts?”
“Nay. Aye, I mean. Cedric MacNeil…”
“The stranger?”
“Aye. He proposed to Charism today.”
Ella was completely baffled. Her face was a blur between happiness and sadness. “I don’t understand.”
Taking a deep breath, Sarra explained, “The King gave Cedric the rights to Greenbriar if he marries the mistress.”
“Oh. I’m afraid I still don’t follow.”
“I introduced him to Charism as the mistress.”
“But why?”
“Ella. Do you think I want to marry a man whose only desire is for my land?”
“Nay,” Ella replied, her head dipping in shame.
Sarra instantly felt guilty. The maid didn’t understand but it wasn’t her fault. Sarra didn’t completely understand herself. How could she feel this way about Cedric yet be willing to disregard it all because of his desire to take care of Greenbriar land? Shrugging to herself, she decided it didn’t matter. She had made her choice.
“Ella, do you know where Charism has gone?”
“Nay. She didn’t say.”
“Do you know where Cedric is?”
“Nay.”
“Very well.” She left Ella and the others to prepare the meal. Grabbing a piece of bread and shoving it in her mouth, she went in search of Charism. She needed to speak with her.
When Sarra stepped outside, she was shocked. While she had lain upstairs in the abandoned room, the sky had darkened and night had descended. Perhaps the bustle from inside hadn’t been from preparing the supper meal but rather the clean up. She sighed as her belly rumbled. Maybe she should go back and look for more leftovers and seek Charism at a later time.
Before Sarra could decide on a course of action, she heard footsteps. A glance over her shoulder revealed a strange man staring at her. Over the past few weeks there had been many new people entering the keep. Some had been merchants coming to sell wares. Then there was the group of Scots who helped to stop the raiders from stealing the sheep. But this man didn’t remind her of anyone that she’d seen.
Studying the newcomer, Sarra asked, “Are you looking for someone?”
“Aye, I am,” said the beady-eyed man, while turning his head to the side and spitting into the dirt.
“Perhaps I can help you.”
“I doubt it.”
“I am familiar with all the regular inhabitants of the keep. If you don’t mind telling me who you seek, I’m sure we can find them.”
The strange man winked, and laughed. His finger ran up his nose, pulled out something long and slimy, and flicked it over into the grass. Sarra, sensing danger, backed up a step. No one was nearby and she wondered if she should scream now or wait. But before she had time to react, the small man jumped forward and clamped his hand across her mouth.
She struggled, kicking and biting. But it was no use. The little man held all the tighter, pulling her roughly against his chest and dragging her to a nearby horse. The pointed heel of her shoe left deep furrows in the dirt. If he was able to get her astride his beast and out of the keep, the knights might never find her. She had to break free.
With one last superhuman effort, Sarra sank her teeth into her captor. When he grabbed his hand, she screamed. Before the last note of the yell sounded, the man’s fist rose and smacked her hard on the cheek, sending her reeling to the ground and into a world of instant blackness.
Chapter Twenty-Six
When Charism returned to the keep, Ella was fidgeting with worry.
“What is up with ye, lass?”
“Mistress Charism—”
“Not ye too!”
“Oh Charism, the mistress Sarra is gone!”
“What? What’s this ye say?”
“She came down from the room above and was looking for ye. My lady was babbling something about Cedric askin’ for yer hand. Then she left. I thought she was goin’ to find ye. But then when she didn’t come back and ye didn’t come, I started to worry. I sent out James and the lad didn’t see anything except some furrows in the dirt. Now he thinks someone took her. Oh, what are we going to do?”
“Where is James now?”
“By the stables where he found the footprints. A couple of others say there was a strange man hanging about the keep today. How many times has Sir Henry requested the gates stay closed? Now we have a stranger in our midst and he’s taken Sarra.”
“He’s taken who?”
Charism eyes spread wide. In her discussion with the maid, she’d failed to notice the entrance of the Scotsman. How much had he heard? There was nothing doing. The truth, or half of it, was her only choice. If she told the man, then maybe he could help in Sarra’s search.
“Cedric, it appears my maid may have been taken.”
“Taken where?”
“We don’t know.”
Cedric’s brow furrowed. Anguish seemed to light his eyes. Like a caged animal, he paced. Hands knotted and twisted at his side as he asked, “Why would someone want yer maid?”
Charism was unsure what to say. This was an unusual situation. Would it be all right to tell the young man the truth or continue the ruse? Especially when the ruse could cost Sarra her life? Charism hesitated a little too long and Cedric spoke again.
Through clenched teeth, he said, “Since she is but a mere maid, I guess it is not yer men’s concern. We shall get her back. I’ll take the Scots with me. Where should I start?”
Charism could tell Cedric was angry. The assumption that she didn’t care rankled, but to explain her feelings for Sarra wou
ld only complicate matters more. Right now they needed to find the lass, nothing more.
Ella told Cedric where to find the stable lad and Charism followed him as he stalked to the location. When he found James, the boy was down on his knees studying the area.
“What have ye found?”
The boy jumped to his feet at the sound of Cedric’s authoritative voice. “Not much. Looks like she was dragged. Then she stood up. Ye see the firm indentation of feet here. Then I think the kidnapper must have conked her on the head, because this looks like her side. The young mis—maid didn’t have a chance. I think whoever it was took out of here not long ago on a horse. But that’s all I know. Too many hoof prints directly out of the keep’s gate to determine which direction they might have traveled.”
Charism watched Cedric as he ran a hand through his shoulder-length brown hair. The man was extremely handsome and virile. Sarra could do a whole lot worse. Too bad the lass hadn’t just admitted who she was in the beginning, then this might never have happened.
Now Cedric was talking and Charism tried to pay attention. “I need to gather everyone who was in this area and see if they saw or heard anything. And I need the gate keeper. Perhaps the man saw which way they went when they left. Lad, go now and retrieve him.”
“Aye,” said James.
“Charism, go and retrieve Sir Henry and tell him what has happened. I’ll retrieve Duncan and his friends to see if they can help.”
Charism hurried off. She was more than happy to have another in charge of this situation. She only hoped they weren’t too late.
****
Her neck hurt. Her head hurt. Her bottom hurt. Sarra was bouncing around. With every bump her head would loll downward and then snap back up. Where was she?
Working to peel sticky eyelids away from dirt-covered cheeks, she noticed a grove of trees coming straight toward her. She cringed, for there was no escape. But at the last minute, their course changed to weave around the trees.
With the movement, reality began to set in. Sarra was on the back of a horse with her attacker, riding farther and farther away from home.
The scream for help had caused the stranger to send a fist up the side of her face. Without a doubt that was the cause of the thumping in her head. In hindsight it might have been prudent to escape first then scream.
The grotesque smell emanating from the figure sent bile into Sarra’s throat. The sickening feeling was exacerbated by the awkward way the man had of riding his animal. If they didn’t stop soon Sarra feared she would lose any contents resting in her stomach.
“May we stop?” she asked, moving her body away from him as much as possible while sharing a horse.
In a mocking tone, he repeated her adding, “You are no longer in charge, Lady Sarra.”
Horror engulfed her. Not only did this man know her name but he also knew she was the mistress of Greenbriar. “What do you want?”
The maniacal laugh coming from the stranger grated her nerves and set her on edge. “What do I want? What a question to ask me. Why, I want everything.”
“Everything? Why have you taken me from my home?”
“Hmm, good question.”
“Who are you working for? Who sent you to take me against my will?”
“Ah, Lady Sarra. Mistress of Greenbriar. To only a few. I’m sorry, my lady, but the secret is out. Everyone in London knows you have been playing suitors for a fool. Don’t be deceived, the King knows about your plan. Nay. One day he will send one to you and you won’t be able to refuse. That is… if you live.”
The whites of his eyes glared in her direction. Sweat beaded upon her brow and ran down her neck. Fear was becoming a new companion. Rather than beg and plead for answers, Sarra focused on the woods surrounding them. There had to be a landmark of some kind. Something familiar, something to tell where she was. A marker to lead her home later.
“Don’t bother looking.”
“What?”
“Lady Sarra, I know you are aching to discover your whereabouts, but it is pointless. I have prepared for everything.”
“Who are you?”
“The Duke of Hotham.”
“Duke of where?”
“Precisely.”
“I don’t understand.”
The man stopped the horse unexpectedly, dismounting suddenly from behind her and almost causing her to fall to the ground in his wake.
When his feet were on the ground, he walked to a small flowing stream, bent down and cupped a handful of water and brought it to his lips. He drank greedily until he received his fill.
This was her opportunity. Upon the horse by herself she could escape, but as she reached for the reins a wave of dizziness washed over her. Stars danced and twinkled before her eyes.
Determined to leave, even if she fell from the horse within a few steps, she picked up the reins again. That was when the man finished. His head came up from the cool water gasping for air.
Twisting, he shook the water free from his face. The sight of him caused her to pause. While his eyes were still beady and his features small, the man wasn’t quite as hideous as Sarra originally thought. In fact, if his clothing wasn’t torn, and he combed his hair then he might almost be attractive. In a way the stranger reminded her of… a gasp escaped her mouth as he stood and stared directly at her.
“It can’t be!”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cedric found Duncan outside the walls. “Rally your men. Sarra has been taken.”
“Who?”
“Sarra, the maid.”
Duncan rolled his eyes but he didn’t move.
“Duncan, I want yer men to help me. Here is my plan.”
“Now Cedric, when I agreed to come here and fake the sheep raid so ye could save yer mistress from us rowdy Scots, I didn’t think ye was goin’ to forget yer plan and go chasin’ after some maid. Let the lass go.”
“Nay. Ye don’t know Sarra. She wouldn’t just run away.”
“So ye do know her?”
“Aye. I do. And she is the mistress’ favorite. Charism won’t get married without the lass. I have to retrieve her.”
Duncan was skeptical but listened as Cedric related what Duncan was to do. When the details were explained, Cedric ran to his lodgings. Grabbing his claymore and placing it on his back, he hurried to the stables. There he saddled a stallion named Windchaser.
Since his last experience of riding one of the keep’s horses, Cedric had inquired as to a more appropriate beast for the future. This horse held a reputation in the village of taking the lead and flying like the wind. Therefore it seemed more fitting to his task. Cedric was certain he could follow the tracks of Sarra and her captor. Upon reaching the gate, Sir Henry stopped him.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m going to rescue Sarra.”
The knight appeared to have something to say, but bit back his words. Charism came and stood beside him, squeezing his arm in a reassuring manner. “God go with ye, Cedric MacNeil. And may ye bring back my maid in one piece.”
With words of farewell and good luck wishes, Cedric exited the gates. On his way out, he told the gate keeper to close the gates after Duncan and his men made their own departure. The tracks of horses were spotted immediately. But which one belonged to Sarra’s captor?
If one used logic, it was evident any horse leaving the keep would need water. Cedric remembered on his initial walk to the estate passing several watering holes which might suffice. He headed for one such place. His pulse quickened. So little to go on, but it was all they had.
Cedric feared greatly for Sarra’s safety. He prayed Duncan would be ready and following behind him soon. Not knowing whether her captor was indeed on his own or if a whole army waited to assist him, Duncan could be a crucial asset. And even though he wasn’t as knowledgeable about the faith she had spoken of, he knew prayer worked wonders.
Cedric traveled all afternoon. As the horse walked, he began to notice a single se
t of hoof prints. Since the area was an unknown to him, there was no way for him to decipher where Sarra was being taken. The only option open was to follow and see where they led him.
As the sun rose above the mountain and dawn became a reality, Cedric prayed he wasn’t too late. If Sarra was gone, he would have lost more than just the chance to marry the mistress and gain his land. The opportunity to experience true love would be lost as well.
****
Sarra studied the stranger.
“Why are you shocked?”
“Wilt Hotham?”
“Aye. Do you know what you’ve done?”
Sarra shook her head.
Wilt walked toward her. His body trembled with rage. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he shook her violently. “Of course you don’t know! Why would you care if you ruined someone’s life? As long as you are able to be lady of your precious keep, you don’t care about anyone or anything.”
“That’s not true,” Sarra said, lips trembling in fear.
“Aye. But it is true. Your antics destroyed my brother. We lost everything!”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Must I tell you everything? Fine. I will tell you. When you told my brother your aged friend was the mistress, made him sick on your keep’s foul food, and scared him witless until he ran back to England with his tail between his legs, my mother disowned him. Not only did she disown him but myself as well! Mother held me responsible for his failure to marry you and gain Greenbriar land for the Hotham family. After she took away what little hope we had of a future, my brother jumped into the River Thames and drowned!”
“I’m sorry,” said Sarra, not looking Wilt in the eye.
“You’re sorry? You’re sorry? Of course you’re sorry. I’m holding you hostage! Did you not realize your antics might cause a problem?”
“Nay,” Sarra whispered breathlessly.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. We are going to be married. And then I won’t have to worry about mother’s money or anything else. Greenbriar will be mine and I can do as I please.”
There Your Heart Will Be Also Page 13
