by Julia Latham
Julia Latham
T HRILL OF THE K NIGHT
To Lisa Hilleren, fellow Packeteer and writing buddy: You have an incredible gift for figuring out the heart of an idea, and you know how much I have relied on you. You’ll always have my gratitude. And now you’re starting a new chapter in your life, giving us all a wonderful example of courage and belief in yourself.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Lady Elizabeth Hutton lay curled in bed, half asleep, half…
Chapter 2
John, Baron Russell, sat angrily on a bench in a…
Chapter 3
On the second day of her new identity, Elizabeth awoke…
Chapter 4
John lay back on the bed as each of his…
Chapter 5
When someone knocked on the door that afternoon, John exchanged…
Chapter 6
John felt Anne’s cry reverberate through her tense body where…
Chapter 7
John’s sleep was restless and filled with dreams of darkness…
Chapter 8
Elizabeth spent the rest of the morning feeling restless and…
Chapter 9
Elizabeth remained perched on the bench of the cart, looking…
Chapter 10
Elizabeth suddenly realized that Sir John was carrying her, and…
Chapter 11
Elizabeth spent the night wrapped in a blanket in front…
Chapter 12
John felt frustrated and guilty and angry when they were…
Chapter 13
The next morning, while John was meeting with Milburn, Elizabeth…
Chapter 14
John waited for Anne to reappear after her visit with…
Chapter 15
As he kissed Elizabeth, John’s anger dissolved into the passion…
Chapter 16
The next morning, as Sarah and Katherine were mounting their…
Chapter 17
The next afternoon, Viscount Bannaster returned with an armed troop…
Chapter 18
John paced his bedchamber, avoiding the bathing tub with its…
Chapter 19
In the morning, Elizabeth left Anne inspecting another basket that…
Chapter 20
Elizabeth came wide-awake in the middle of the night, and…
Chapter 21
Elizabeth spun in her chair in time to see John…
Chapter 22
John was lost. Never had he let himself become a…
Chapter 23
The next morning, Elizabeth waited in the kitchen as Adalia…
Chapter 24
Getting out of the castle proved far easier than getting…
Chapter 25
John, now standing hidden within the crowd in the great…
About the Author
Other Romances
Copyright
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Chapter 1
Castle Alderley
Gloucestershire, England, 1486
Lady Elizabeth Hutton lay curled in bed, half asleep, half awake, disturbed by the sound of pounding feet on the winding staircase that led to her tower bedchamber. Frowning, she opened her eyes to see her lady’s maid, Anne Kendall, fling open the door and slam it shut behind her. She leaned back against it, breathing rapidly, her face pale.
Elizabeth sat up in bed, the coverlet falling to her waist. “Anne? What is it?”
“Viscount Bannaster.”
Elizabeth groaned. “Is he still here? I was hoping that when I feigned illness yesterday rather than be introduced to him, he would realize the uselessness of his courtship.”
“Then you feigned too well. He stayed.”
“Does he not care that he looks a fool? I am already betrothed!” Although it didn’t feel that way. She hadn’t seen her betrothed since he was thirteen years old, and she eleven. And even then, it had been his brother she was first to marry. But William had died being thrown from his horse, the next brother was also dead, and she was down to John Russell. He had spent his adult life in Normandy. Had word even reached him that he was the newest heir of land and wealth—and a bride?
At least being betrothed had been a protection of sorts. Until recently.
Anne came to perch on the edge of the bed. She had black hair and eyes framing the palest skin, and to see her looking even whiter gave Elizabeth the first inkling of fear.
“Elizabeth, his soldiers have apparently been hiding in the forest. They swarmed into the castle just now.”
“Oh God, who has been killed?” she cried, flinging back the coverlet and coming to her feet. Her night rail was no protection against the early morning chill.
Anne reached to take her hand. “No one, thank God.”
Elizabeth began to shake with relief. Anne handed her her dressing gown and Elizabeth gratefully wrapped it around herself. She could not take any more deaths.
“It was too overwhelming and sudden,” Anne continued. “Your men were in the midst of changing duties, and no one anticipated such a maneuver. They are confined to the barracks for now, until Lord Bannaster determines what their next ‘duty’ should be.” She hesitated. “He was still assigning guards to the base of your tower, so I was able to ascend before anyone saw me. I heard him say that he will be up to see you in one hour.”
“He thinks he will be admitted to my private chamber?” Elizabeth demanded, trying to force a laugh of disbelief. She had been in command of Castle Alderley since her parents died of a fever six months before. She was not about to relinquish her control.
But Holy God, how she wished her father were here. The ache that never went away was beyond tears now. None of this would have happened if the Earl of Alderley still held the castle, if Elizabeth had any brothers to inherit the earldom. But the only family she had left were two younger sisters, sixteen and fifteen, both being educated with another family, as Elizabeth had been. She had friends and servants, people to help her, but the responsibility for them all was hers alone.
For a moment, she felt disoriented, weak, a woman caught in a situation not of her own making. Her parents were dead, her first betrothed, a man she’d worshiped from childhood on, was dead. She felt passed off to the next brother in line, and now taken advantage of by a nobleman who lusted after the earldom.
But she was not the type of woman to allow herself to feel overwhelmed. She always took matters into her own hands. After her parents’ deaths, she had sent a missive to her betrothed alerting him to her situation, telling him that, although he had not planned it, he had to return to marry. She had vague memories of him always in the background being compared to the brilliance that was his eldest brother. But now he was the baron, and she had heard nothing from him. She was considered one of the greatest heiresses in the kingdom—was that not enough to lure him?
“I will let this villain speak, and then I will make whatever decision is necessary,” Elizabeth said with determination. “Surely the king will not tolerate such an outrage.”
“Lord Bannaster is King Henry’s cousin,” Anne said bleakly.
Elizabeth straightened her shoulders. “I care not. I am in the right here. He cannot force me to wed him, not when a betrothal is as binding as any marriage ceremony.”
“Unless the king decrees otherwise.”
Elizabeth threw up her hands. “Anne, I need no more pessimism!”
“Forgive me. I only know what you tell me, that the king is growing impatient with your maidenly status. Your unsettled estate weighs on his mind.”
Elizabeth frowned at her.
Anne rose to pour water into a basin. “Let me help you prepare.” But as she gathered linen and soap,
she suddenly paused. Her expression turned distant, then determined.
“What are you thinking?” Elizabeth asked.
“You have never met Lord Bannaster,” the maid said slowly. “Neither have I. You sent word to his lordship about your illness through another maidservant.”
“Mayhap he didn’t appreciate the slight,” Elizabeth said with bitterness.
“Nay, that is not what I mean. I have an idea. If he keeps control of Alderley, you’ll be trapped here, at his mercy.”
“The king would not allow—”
Anne put up a hand. “It will be some time before the king knows what is going on here. Think you Lord Bannaster will permit someone to inform his mighty cousin? Nay, Lord Bannaster knows what he’s doing is illegal. He must be counting on a few days’ secrecy to conclude his plan, whatever it is.”
“’Tis a good thing you were educated with me,” Elizabeth observed wryly. “One of us has to show some intelligence.”
“The only way to foil him is to make him think everything is going as he wishes. He’ll become overconfident—the servants say he seems quite pleased with himself.”
“So you’re saying I should let him think he’s cowed me?” Elizabeth said, aghast.
“Nay, you’ll be long gone, because I shall take your place.”
She gaped at her dear friend. “What are you saying?”
“You’ll pose as me and slip out of the castle unnoticed. We’ll make sure all your servants understand the deception. No one will give you away.”
“You want me to leave you all here to submit to his wrath?”
“But he won’t know! He’s never met you.” Anne smiled grimly. “I think I can do a decent job being as stubborn and controlling as you.”
In more relaxed times, Elizabeth would have playfully thrown a cushion at her friend. But now she could only shake her head. “I cannot do it, Anne. When Bannaster finds out, think you that I can allow my people to suffer for me?”
“But Elizabeth—”
“Shh, give me a moment.” Elizabeth opened the shutters and looked down on the inner ward below. It was strangely quiet. The people who moved about seemed to scurry fearfully. They all depended on her for the necessities of life; she would not abandon them. Calm returned as she realized that she could deal with this situation. She turned to face her maid. “Anne, you are brilliant.”
“I do not understand. You just said you would not—”
“I said I would not leave the castle. But aye, you and I will switch places, leaving me free to move about the castle and figure a way out of this dilemma.”
Anne blinked. “Oh. I see. And then you could also escape if you need to.”
“I won’t be escaping.”
“But—”
“We have to hurry. Thank God you’re tall like me!”
An hour later, Elizabeth and Anne descended the tower stairs one floor, to Elizabeth’s private solar. It was the chamber she’d always used for needlework with her mother’s ladies. They were all married now with their own households, but Elizabeth was left to defend herself.
Anne looked uncomfortable in Elizabeth’s gown—the bodice was a bit tight on Anne’s generous figure. But the red embroidered brocade looked stunning with Anne’s black hair, which she wore freely hanging as an unmarried maiden.
Elizabeth wore a wimple covering her red-blond hair, with the ends of the fabric draped to disguise her chin and neck. Her gown was a plain brown, with little decoration other than a square neckline to show her white smock up to her neck. It made Elizabeth almost feel invisible wearing it.
This plan would work—as long as she could warn the other servants before they accidentally revealed her identity.
Trying to bolster her own spirits, she smiled at Anne. “You’ve known me almost a lifetime; you know what I’d say. Perhaps you will be able to talk the viscount back to sanity. He has to realize what he is doing cannot be borne.”
“But we are many days’ journey from London,” Anne cautioned. “He might feel free to do as he pleases.”
“You will show him otherwise,” Elizabeth said sweetly. “You can do this.” She put her arm around the maid’s shoulders.
They didn’t have to wait long. They heard several heavy footsteps. The viscount was punctual. Remembering herself, Elizabeth shrank back behind Anne, as a proper lady’s maid should.
The door opened, and a plainly dressed stranger entered, holding the door wide for another. Viscount Bannaster was surely the second man, for his garments were of the finest fabrics. An embroidered codpiece exaggerated his manly attributes beneath his short doublet. A soft-crown hat perched on his dark brown hair, with a feather curling almost to his shoulder. When he saw Anne, Elizabeth could see his tension replaced by relief. God forbid his captured bride wouldn’t be pretty enough for him.
Lord Bannaster swept the hat from his head as he gave Anne an elaborate court bow. “Lady Elizabeth, how good to finally meet you.”
Anne said nothing for a moment, and in a panic, Elizabeth tapped her from behind.
In a cool voice, Anne said, “But sir, we have not met. Who are you to invade a lady’s private solar?”
Elizabeth almost choked with suppressed glee. Where had this brave, icy Anne come from?
Lord Bannaster’s man narrowed his eyes, and his lordship’s face reddened. But to his credit, he only revealed a tight smile.
“Lady Elizabeth, I am Thomas, Viscount Bannaster. I have come on behalf of the king to see to your protection.”
“The king…sent you?” Anne asked.
Lord Bannaster’s hesitation was slight. “Nay, but as I am his cousin and was traveling nearby, I took it upon myself to see to his interests. There are factions in this part of the country that have not expressed their clear support of King Henry. He needs this part of Gloucestershire settled. Have your people informed you about the raids on your property?”
Elizabeth held her breath. Had Anne been nearby when Elizabeth had listened to the captain’s report about the raids?
Anne inclined her head. “If you mean the theft of several dozen sheep out of thousands, then aye, I know of it. My men are handling it. And how is this your business, my lord?”
“Only that you need a man in charge, so that these things will not happen.”
“Sheep are never stolen from men?” she asked wryly.
Oh, well done, Anne! Elizabeth thought.
Lord Bannaster shot Anne a disapproving look. “But suitors don’t become embroiled in arguments and fights over men. I am going to petition the king to make me your guardian.”
Guardian, Elizabeth thought with reluctant admiration. Lord Bannaster was not stupid enough to boldly demand to wed her. Nay, he was going to sidle his way in by stealth. His motivations could be anything from sudden poverty to simple greed. Alderley was the largest prize in the kingdom. But her betrothal contract was rare, since the earldom was involved. He must be a very ambitious man.
“Your offer is appreciated,” Anne said coolly, “but I am not in need of a guardian. My betrothed has been apprised of my situation.”
“Forgive me for being cruel, but for all you know, my lady, he doesn’t even know he’s been named the heir. He might never return from the dangers of Europe. The protection of the castle is too important to ignore.”
Anne clutched her hands together behind her back, and to Elizabeth’s worry, they were shaking.
“I have my own well-trained army,” Anne said.
“But there are thieves in these woods, as you yourself have admitted. Your soldiers will be needed there. My own men will gladly help defend Castle Alderley from your ambitious, dangerous suitors.”
And he didn’t include himself in such a description?
“I will explain the situation to your men,” he continued.
“Am I your prisoner?” Anne asked.
Lord Bannaster gave a rich laugh. “My lady, of course not! But men have begun to quarrel over you. All of this wealth,” he w
aved an arm about the room, “and your husband will inherit the earldom.”
Elizabeth had been right about his motives. She leaned forward and whispered quickly, “Only the Russell heir.”
Anne drew herself up. “Only the Russell heir will inherit the earldom, as the king decreed.”
“King Edward made that document, and he is long since dead. You are a defenseless woman. With you roaming freely about this castle, anyone could seduce you with flattering words, or take you off to compromise you. I feel that you need to remain here in your comfortable suite of rooms until this precarious situation is settled.”
“So how long do you plan to keep me a prisoner, my lord?”
“That is a harsh word. Once I reach London, it shan’t take long to convince my dear royal cousin that I can help him by becoming your guardian. While you wait, you will live in comfortable, familiar surroundings and do whatever you ladies do to keep yourselves amused. Your maidservant will see to your comforts and apprise you of the castle itself.” He paused. “As for the man in charge, I regret to inform you that your steward was shocked to see my men peacefully enter your ward this morn. Though I tried to explain, he drew his sword on me. He must have had a weak heart, for he died before we even came to blows. Allow me to express my condolences.”
