by Aston, Alexa
“Sit. Stay there. Do not move. Do not utter a word—else I’ll cut out your tongue.”
His appearance frightened her more than his words. She had a good idea that these men were from Lord Ingram. The nobleman would want her intact. But she heeded the warning all the same. She would listen and learn as much as she could.
And then do her best to escape.
“Want me to build a fire?” the thin one asked.
“Nay. Even though we’re far off the road, de Montfort will have figured out the girl is missing. And more than likely, he’ll know who was behind her disappearance and send out men to search. I don’t want to risk that tonight. Mayhap tomorrow night we can chance building one.”
“But ’tis late, Folc. And we left camp so quickly, we didn’t bring anything to eat with us.” He gave the other soldier a sullen glance. “Not that we’ve had much the past few weeks, watching for that one.” He tossed his head Elysande’s way.
So these two had lurked around Kinwick for weeks. Elysande hoped they were the only two that Lord Ingram had sent.
“Find some berries or edible leaves if you must, Ernis. We can stop and buy food as we travel tomorrow. I promise you’ll have a full belly then.”
“But what do we do with the girl? If we ride into a village with her slung over a horse, people will remember and tell de Montfort’s men. Especially if he waves a coin or two in their faces. I thought that was why we left the road today as we traveled. So that no one would see us with her.”
Folc rubbed his chin in thought. “You’re right. We can’t ride all the miles north with her thrown over a horse like a sack of flour. That won’t do.”
Elysande took calming breaths as the men fell silent. Being jostled on the horse had left her stomach sore and bruised. Since it was dark now, she’d been on the animal for many hours. Her mouth was tender due to the tight gag she’d worn, while her wrists had been rubbed raw as she’d try to loosen the leather ties. If she couldn’t escape before morning, then she hoped these criminals would come up with a better way of travel until she could get away.
“A wagon,” Folc finally said. “We need to buy a wagon. Or better yet, steal one.”
“But that’ll take forever,” complained Ernis. “Horseback is much faster.”
“I don’t care,” the one called Folc told his companion. “Lord Ingram said to bring the girl home or don’t bother to return. We lost everyone but the two of us in the attack on the way to Kinwick. We’ve waited a few weeks and finally found the opportunity to snatch our prize. I’d rather be safe and make it home at a slower pace than be caught and hanged by de Montfort and his men.”
He stroked his chin again. “We can bind her wrists and ankles and lay her down in the bed of the wagon. Throw in sacks of all kinds. Oats. Flour. Salt. And goods, too, as if we’d been out trading. She’ll be covered up. Out of sight. De Montfort will be searching for soldiers on horseback. He wouldn’t give us a second thought.” He laughed. “I can see him now, riding by us without a glance.”
“We look like soldiers,” Ernis pointed out. “Two soldiers driving a cart. I say that’s a suspicious sight. If he came upon us, he’d stop and question us at the very least.”
Folc thought on the words. “Then we’ll find new clothes.”
“And how are we to do that? Stop at the next village and wait while some woman volunteers to stitch together something for us?” Ernis threw a hand down in disgust.
“No,” Folc replied. “We’ll simply kill the next men we come across and take what they wear.”
A chill brushed Elysande’s soul at his quick, heartless words. It let her know exactly the kind of men who had taken her—ones cut from the same cloth as Lord Ingram.
*
Michael paced in front of Tempest’s stall. His horse happily munched on an extra measure of oats provided by his master. He wanted the animal ready for the ride ahead.
He reached to pick up the lantern and go look for Lady Albreda but stopped himself. She said she would meet him here. He needed to trust her word.
Michael had never met a more single-mined woman. Once her father left the great hall, she adamantly told him she had no intention of marrying him. And why. After he quizzed her and was satisfied with her answers, they’d come up with a risky plan.
Which would be put into action as soon as she arrived.
He heard a noise and looked up. From a distance, he thought he saw a shape moving through the stables. He lifted the lantern and held it high.
“Sir Michael?” a voice called out.
“Aye.” He moved to meet her. The noblewoman was dressed in traveling clothes, the hair he had yet to see still hidden under her caul. She brought nothing with her.
“Come, my lady. I’ll saddle Tempest and we will be on our way.”
She followed him back to the horse’s stall. Michael opened the door and began readying the animal for their midnight ride.
As he did, he asked Lady Albreda once more, “And you are absolutely certain?”
“I have no doubts, my lord. I’ve wished to be a Bride of Christ my entire life. My mother understood this, as she believed she had the same calling from God. Though she was forced to wed my father, she knew of my deepest longing. I know had she lived, Mother would have convinced my father to void our betrothal contract and see the bridal price returned.”
Lady Albreda paused. “Father thinks he’s doing what is best for me, but I must follow my heart—and it leads me toward God. He has three other young daughters by his second wife. Once I’m gone, my stepmother will make sure that his focus is on them. He’ll be too busy finding them husbands to give me much thought.”
“And you think leaving in the middle of the night is the best plan?”
“I do. If I’m led to the chapel at noon tomorrow, I will refuse to go through with the wedding vows.” A steely glint formed in her eye. “I have the right to break the contract. Just as I have the right to join a convent and be with my sisters in Christ. No man—not even my father—can keep me from my chosen bridegroom.”
He had told her about a convent two hours from Sandbourne when she’d expressed her religious desires to him earlier. Albreda said she had no particular nunnery in mind and would be happy at any of them, as long as she could serve Christ Almighty.
Michael led Tempest from his stall. “Then let us ride, my lady.” He lifted her into the saddle and handed up the lantern to her. He didn’t know if the moonlight would be sufficient enough to light their way.
The empty bailey seemed foreign to him. He’d never seen it lacking in activity. They cantered through it and arrived at the gate.
“Open. I wish to pass,” he called up to the gatekeeper.
After a moment of hesitation, the man did as asked. Michael figured the gatekeeper knew how close the current earl was to death. That being the case, he wouldn’t wish to alienate the new earl by asking him pesky questions about where he rode off to in the wee hours.
They rode without conversation. Michael concentrated on the road before them, hoping to keep Tempest from stepping into any holes. The two-hour ride took closer to three to complete, due to the care he took. He would have the advantage of the sun rising and lighting his path on the final hour of his way back. He hoped to return to Sandbourne by the time morning mass began.
They arrived at the walls of the convent. He climbed from Tempest’s back and reached for Albreda. She might be small in stature, but she had a heart of steel. Michael admired her commitment to the path she had determined was the right one for her.
But he felt he must ask again before he left her behind, if only to soothe his conscience. “My lady, I need your reassurance a final time. Is this truly what you wish?”
She took his hand and pressed a fervent kiss onto it. “I will not change my mind, my lord. I am where I have always been meant to be.”
Michael saw how she glowed in happiness and knew she’d made the right choice. He turned and rang the bell at the gate.
Some minutes later, the thick wooden door that was surrounded by stone opened. He explained to the elderly nun before them why they were there and that he wished to speak to the abbess before he left Lady Albreda in the convent’s care. The nun motioned for them to follow her. Once they reached the doors to the nunnery itself, Michael hobbled Tempest and told him to be a good horse. The nun offered to take the horse to the water trough as they conducted their business so the animal would be ready for the ride back, and Michael agreed.
It surprised him to see nuns already dressed and filing through the corridors at this early hour. The bells chimed three, and he supposed they headed to prayers. He wondered when they might sleep.
The old nun returned after a few minutes and escorted them to her abbess. Michael allowed Lady Albreda to state her case, which she did with eloquence.
He spoke up and told the abbess that he would see that the bridal price, which would be returned to his family with the voided contract, be sent to the convent. That would, no doubt, be a welcome addition to the convent’s coffers and guarantee Albreda a place for life.
Michael thanked the abbess and turned to wish his former betrothed goodbye.
She surprised him by kissing both his cheeks and then expressed her gratitude, once more, for his help in her great escape.
“God will look upon you with favor, Sir Michael.”
At that moment, he believed her words with all his heart. Only yesterday, he had met this woman and was to marry her today. Now, thanks to her calling, she generously stepped aside to unite with Christ Almighty as one of His brides.
Which left Michael free to marry the bride of his choice. It was an unspoken prayer that had filled Michael’s mind and heart since his father had revealed the news of his betrothal. One that had never left his lips because he knew how hopeless the request was.
Yet now? He had faith that God wanted him to care for Elysande. To make her his wedded wife. To raise children that would love and be loved.
“I’ll never forget you, my lady,” Michael swore. “You have a generous heart and will do God’s work for many years to come. Of this, I am certain.”
A genuine smile lit Lady Albreda’s face. “Thank you, my lord.”
He left the two women, his footsteps light, and returned to the courtyard where Tempest awaited him. Faint light tickled the dark line of the horizon. His ride home would pass much more quickly.
Two hours later, Michael rode through the gates of Sandbourne, the same gatekeeper granting him access. He returned his horse to the stables and gave Tempest a thorough rubdown before returning to his chamber and doffing his clothes. He washed from the basin and put on a clean gypon and cotehardie, as well as pants that did not have the dirt of the road upon them. He left his travel-stained clothes in a heap by his bed—and went downstairs to face Lord Lambdin.
Mass had already started as Michael slipped into the chapel. As he listened to the Latin passages, he glanced about the chapel. This would have been his wedding day. He would have taken his vows and entered this very place a married man.
It occurred to him that he didn’t have to send the missive he’d written to Elysande, the one where he revealed they couldn’t marry because he’d been promised to another woman. He would leave mass and slice the parchment into pieces before burning it. Then he would stay until his father was no more and he became the Earl of Sandbourne. Michael’s first action would be to return to Kinwick and learn if Lord Geoffrey had heard from the king. Michael prayed that the king would’ve sent word that he looked favorably upon the request. If that was the case, Michael would marry Elysande as soon as possible.
He doubted she would prefer returning to Hopeston for the ceremony since she hadn’t grown up there. They could come to Sandbourne, but he thought it best to wed at Kinwick. Lady Merryn would be thrilled with that idea. Michael could escort Lady Mary to her childhood home and also bring Lady Avelyn along for the ceremony and feast.
Then he could return to Sandbourne with his bride by his side and live as blissfully as he saw Geoffrey and Merryn do every day. They looked to be more in love as time passed. He hoped the same would be true for Elysande and him.
Michael left the chapel as mass ended and went to the great hall to break his fast. He was famished after his long ride. He saw Lord Lambdin enter and steeled himself for their conversation.
The nobleman approached the dais where he sat. “I haven’t seen my daughter this morning. Have you?” he asked candidly, his eyes searching the room as he spoke.
“I have, my lord. There are certain matters which we must discuss regarding Lady Albreda.” Michael paused. “Will you accompany me to the solar? I must speak to you and my father together.” He rose and stepped down from the dais.
Lambdin’s eyes narrowed. “Say what you have to say, Sir Michael. Here and now.”
Michael owed the man that much. “Lady Albreda and I will not wed at noon today.”
The nobleman’s eyes widened. “What? Where is she? What the Devil have you done with my sweet girl?”
“Your daughter chose to break the betrothal contract, as was her legal right.”
“Break it? Break it? Surely, you jest, Sir Michael.”
“No, my lord, I do not. ’Twas what Lady Albreda wanted and I agreed to abide by her wishes. She didn’t want to marry on earth, Lord Lambdin. Instead, she has chosen to become a Bride of Christ and left Sandbourne.”
“God’s teeth! I knew it! I knew she would find a way.” He glared at Michael. “And it seems as if you’ve helped her in this nonsense. Where is she hiding? I will see her returned at once. This ceremony takes place today, regardless of her wishes,” Lambdin said angrily. “Albreda is a foolish woman to attempt to flee this marriage. I would have thought you would have exercised better judgment, my lord, and not indulged her in this fantasy.”
Michael stood his ground. “She is far away, my lord. Out of your reach. Lady Albreda has gone to live a quiet life at a nunnery a few hours from here.”
“Impossible. She had no way to get there.” Then understanding dawned in the nobleman’s eyes. “You. You delivered her there, didn’t you?”
“Aye, my lord. After much serious conversation, she convinced me she would never be happy or fulfilled as my wife. Because of that, I escorted her to her chosen destination.”
Lord Lambdin’s temper exploded. “How could you have done such a foolhardy thing? To sneak out in the middle of the night with my sweet child and ride in secret to some nunnery? I won’t accept it, I tell you. I demand that you take me to her. Now! The two of you will be married without delay.”
Michael shook his head. “She has been offered sanctuary by its abbess. ’Twould be impossible to force her to leave the convent.”
The nobleman’s face turned bright red. “I won’t pay for her to be there. She needs to wed. She needs to be my good girl. I know what’s best for her. I cannot let her go and ruin her life.”
“Lady Albreda told me she has a calling to Christ. That her mother understood this.”
At the mention of Albreda’s mother, all the air seemed to go out of Lord Lambdin. “She’s the only thing I have left of my sainted first wife.”
“And she’s happy now,” Michael said gently. “Your daughter has a strength of mind coupled with a strength of character. I have never met a woman who knew such purpose and was willing to sacrifice whatever was necessary in order to live her life the way she believed it should be lived.”
Michael placed a hand on the nobleman’s shoulder. “You should be happy for Lady Albreda, my lord. It is her desire to give herself over to the Christ. If you could have seen the look of joy on her face and witnessed how content she was in her new surroundings, you would know she had made the only choice possible.” He paused. “The lady told me you have three more daughters at home that you should concentrate on now.”
Lambdin sighed. “She truly seemed happy?”
“Aye, my lord. She seemed a different person altogethe
r.”
The nobleman’s natural color slowly returned. “I lost her mother many years ago. I just wanted Albreda cared for, as I cared for her dear mother.” His eyes met Michael’s. “I suppose you’ve done me a favor, my lord. I couldn’t see what she truly needed. I was blinded by my vision for her. I should be grateful to you.”
Lambdin paused and gave him a hopeful look. “I don’t suppose you would consider wedding another one of my daughters? That way the bridal price wouldn’t have to be returned.”
“Nay, my lord. I have other plans for choosing a wife.”
The nobleman nodded. “Then I will see that the monies are returned to you.”
“To my father, actually. I supposed I must go and break the news to him now. Will you accompany me to the solar?”
Lambdin nodded, though Michael saw the reluctance on the older man’s face.
Suddenly, Houdart came rushing up, out of breath. “My lord? ’Tis your father. Hurry.”
Michael ran through the great hall and up the stairs. He raced down the long corridor and entered the solar, crossing to his father’s bedchamber.
As he entered, he heard the gasps as his father strained to breathe. Michael sat on the bed and took his father’s hand in his, the first time either had touched one another.
“Come to see me . . . die?” the earl rasped.
“Aye,” Michael said. “And to let you know that I won’t be marrying Lady Albreda, nor any of Lord Lambdin’s daughters.”
“You would defy me?” his father spit out. “Refuse to honor . . . the betrothal contract?”
Michael smiled. “I would. All my life, you have been a man full of malice. You took delight in treating me harshly and heaped your cruelty and abuse on my mother. You never cared for anyone—not even yourself.” He released the earl’s hand and stood.
“I plan to live my life in exactly the opposite manner of yours. I will wed the woman I love and cherish her each and every day of our lives together. Not only will I honor and respect her, but I will lavish love upon every son and daughter that we make together. My children will never suffer from a lack of attention or love. They will thrive and mature and do great things, all with the support of their parents.”
