“Aye, I shall.” Hamon shot Albin a smug smile as he returned to the bar.
“Lecie,” Albin began.
“As for you, Sir Albin,” Lecie interrupted him. “You have accused a loyal worker of a grievous wrong which very well could have cost him a hand, if not his life. The only way I can see to make amends to him is to ask you and Sir Talan to withdraw from these premises. You are no longer welcome here.”
“That seems a bit much, do not you think?” Leofrick spoke from behind his father. “After all he was seeing to your welfare and no harm was done.”
Albin moved to where he could study Hamon behind the bar.
Obviously pleased by the outcome, Hamon filled cups of ale to overflowing with a self-satisfied smirk.
Without taking his gaze from Hamon, Albin addressed Lecie loud enough for him to hear. “What has he threatened you with, lass?”
Lecie’s soft gasp of surprise caused Hamon to slosh ale onto the bar.
Regaining her composure, Lecie stiffened. “I am afraid I do not know what you are talking about, Sir Albin.”
“Do you not?” He questioned her softly, his gaze never leaving hers. “I think otherwise.”
In reply, Lecie turned to the sheriff. “Is it not my right to refuse these men room and board, Sheriff?”
“Lecie, these men are knights of the realm here under order of King Henry,” the sheriff began. “Surely you would not put them out over so slight a misunderstanding?”
“Do you think Hamon would consider it slight if King Henry’s justice were to take his hand and means of living, Sheriff?”
“Mayhap not,” he hedged. “Still, these are Baron Erlegh’s men. They have been staying here these few years past.”
“And as of now, they are no longer welcome,” Lecie reiterated. “Knights or not, I will not have them falsely accuse a member of the staff.” As the sheriff was about to argue, she added, “Can I or can I not have them arrested for trespass if they refuse to leave?”
“Lecie.” Sheriff Richard seemed scandalized. “I know you have been overly taxed of late, yet you must think of what you are saying.”
“Are you refusing to do your duty as sworn to the king, Sheriff?” Lecie stood her ground.
The sheriff seemed unsure of what to do as Tugger bounded into the passageway with Clayton hard on his heels.
Jumping on Albin, the dog whined for attention as Clayton grabbed hold of his collar. “I did my best to stay in the kitchen like you instructed, Sir Albin. Tugger had other ideas.”
“No harm done.” Albin’s eyes narrowed on Lecie. “Besides, it looks to me like we are finished here.”
“Clayton.” Lecie’s eyes were wide with fear as she stepped around the sheriff to reach him. Turning him towards the steps, she clenched her hands when they began to shake uncontrollably. “It is past time for your bath. Go on up and I shall tuck you in after.”
“Do I really have to?” Clayton turned an imploring gaze upon her. “I am not at all that dirty.”
“Clayton,” Lecie snapped pointing to the steps. “Take Tugger above this instant. He can watch you bathe if you would like.”
Stung by her harsh tone, Clayton turned sad eyes on Albin. “Thank you for taking me to the festival today, Sir Albin. I truly enjoyed it.”
“It was my pleasure, lad.” Albin ruffled Clayton’s hair with a fond smile. “Best do as you are told.”
“Thank you too, Leofrick,” Clayton called as he led Tugger away. “The puppet show was ever so much fun.”
About to reconvene the conversation after Clayton obeyed, Lecie observed the twins hovering within earshot through the archway leading to the kitchen. “Osana and Sabina,” she snapped. “See to Clayton and go to bed.”
Sharing a perplexed look at Lecie’s unusual display of temper, the twins hastened up the steps after Clayton without a word.
Lecie listened for the creaking floorboards above her head as Hamon passed cups of ale to the sheriff and his sons. Passing close behind her in the narrow space, he directed a smirk at Albin as he lightly caressed Lecie’s shoulder.
Lecie flinched away from his touch, interrupting the sheriff in mid-sentence, as Albin suddenly made a lunge for Hamon.
Talan instantly moved forward to block Albin from throttling the man, murmuring something in his friend’s ear.
Albin glared daggers at Hamon yet seemed to heed his friend’s words as Talan addressed the astonished sheriff. “We shall do as Lecie has requested and make camp at the tower for the duration of our stay in Rochester.” Turning to Lecie, his look was indecipherable. “Would you permit us to gather our belongings?”
Averting her eyes, Lecie’s voice wavered as she stood aside. “By all means, please do so.”
“Albin,” Talan prodded softly. “Come, my friend.”
His fists still clenched, Albin stepped in front of Lecie. Only when she reluctantly met his gaze did he nod curtly in dismissal. “Goodbye, Lecie.”
“Fare thee well, Sir Albin,” Lecie murmured.
She wiped a stray tear from her cheek as she moved to watch Albin ascend the steps. Noting Hamon’s regard, she turned her back on him. “Sheriff, we have a stew this eve if you and your sons would care for some.”
“It is kind of you to offer.” Gesturing for his sons to enter the common room his gaze touched on Hamon before coming to rest on her. “If you will permit it, I would like to pay my respects to your father first.”
“He would like that very much.” Glancing over her shoulder at Hamon, Lecie struggled to keep her tone neutral. “Hamon, please see that the men are served, Sheriff Richard wishes to pay his respects to my father before he joins them.”
“That I will,” Hamon replied with narrowed eyes. “Do not be overly long. Your father needs his rest.”
“How kind of you to take such an interest in Edric’s wellbeing,” the sheriff observed.
“In truth, I am quite fond of him,” Hamon replied without missing a beat. “He has grown weaker these days past and as I said, he needs his rest.”
“I do not plan on taxing Edric’s strength with a lengthy visit.” Flashing his eyes towards his sons, the sheriff spoke to Lecie. “Shall we?”
Leading the way up the steps, the sheriff clasped Lecie’s arm as she was about to enter her father’s chamber. “Has Hamon threatened you, Lecie?”
An image of Clayton strolling alone along the riverbank had her shaking her head. “No,” she replied truthfully. “He has not threatened to harm me in any way, Sheriff.”
Lecie willed her heart to slow as the sheriff searched her eyes for the truth. After a moment, he seemed to accept her response. “If, as you say, it were indeed a misunderstanding, do not you think you were a tad harsh on the knights?”
Her gaze involuntarily moving to Albin’s door, she came close to blurting out the truth. “No, I do not.”
“Very well,” the sheriff acknowledged. “With your father so ill, it is your decision and I shall respect it.”
“Thank you, Sheriff,” Lecie responded softly as she felt her heart break.
* * *
Shoving his belongings into his saddle-pack, Albin mumbled an expletive.
Already packed, Talan stood in the doorway waiting for him to finish. Catching sight of Lecie as she followed the sheriff into her father’s chamber, he turned his attention to Albin. “Are you sure about this?”
“Aye, Talan.” Albin angrily snatched up his pack. “I am sure. The bastard is holding something over her head and I would wager my sword arm it has to do with the boy.”
“Then once we depart we shall get to the bottom of it,” Talan assured him. “Just keep your head about you until that time.”
“By all that is holy, we shall.” Ignoring Talan’s advice, he shoved past him into the passageway. “If that bastard Hamon so much as looks in my direction I shall wring his scrawny neck.”
“Albin,” Talan hissed. “Do not make threats within earshot of the sheriff.”
�
�Hang the sheriff,” Albin grumbled. “If he were worth his salt he would have already wrung a confession out of the sod below.”
Nearing Edric’s door, Albin slowed when he heard Lecie’s voice. Kneeling on the floor beside Edric’s bed, she looked up with anguished eyes.
Instinctively he was about to offer her comfort when Talan cleared his throat softly behind him. Tearing his gaze away from Lecie, he bounded down the steps.
“Do not provoke him, Albin,” Talan called hard on his heels.
The common room had filled to standing room only since they had left it. Weaving their way through the boisterous crowd, Talan waved Leofrick back into his chair when he moved to stand. “We came to take our leave, my friend.”
“And to ask that you keep a wary eye on Hamon,” Albin added, his narrowed gaze on the bar.
“Cool your ire, Albin.” Leofrick spoke above the din of drunken revelers. “My father is not fooled by Hamon’s falsely sweet words.”
“Then why has he not arrested him?” Albin shot back.
“Easy, my friend,” Talan leaned close to say. “Do not offend those who are willing to lend assist.”
“Forgive me,” Albin grumbled. “I am unused to feeling helpless.”
“Not necessary,” Leofrick responded with a smile. “We are as fond of Lecie as you appear to be.”
Albin’s eyes flared in surprise as he met Leofrick’s gaze. “I am thinking of the children as well.”
“As we all are,” Leofrick chuckled. “Have no fear, they shall be well looked after.”
Albin’s face suffused with color as he mumbled his thanks.
“Talan.” Leofrick changed the subject. “Come for a visit on the morrow. After today’s turn of events, I know Mylla would be pleased to see you.”
“Thank you, I shall. At the very least I owe her an apology for my rash behavior.” Nodding to the remaining men, Talan nudged Albin as he kept his narrowed gaze on Hamon all the way to the door.
The two friends rode in silence along the river towards the silhouetted stone tower on a rise in the distance. Riding towards the flickering light of several small campfires, Albin dismounted in the shadow of the scaffolding rising high above them. Tying his horse, he ignored the curious gazes directed his way as he unbuckled his saddle.
Talan glanced his way as he followed suit. “Hamon will not do anything foolish with so many eyes upon him.”
A non-committal grunt was Albin’s only response as he set his saddle on the damp ground. Pulling his cloak about him, he settled against the worn leather as he folded his arms behind his head.
Talan settled down beside him preparing to wait out Albin’s foul mood.
Gazing at the star-filled night sky, Albin eventually broke his silence as the sound of the workers snores began to carry to them on the wind. “Lecie loves Edric.”
In response to the observation, Talan studied Albin’s profile by the light of the moon. “Did you doubt it?”
“I just never realized how much, is all.”
“Edric is all she has, Albin.” Talan propped himself on an elbow. “Once he is gone, she will be left without a man’s protection. If Hamon is any indication, you can see for yourself what is in store for her.”
“Edric made me promise that I would look after her,” Albin admitted.
“I hope you let him down easy enough.”
Albin jerked his head in Talan’s direction. “Leofrick is under the impression I have feelings for Lecie. Why would you doubt it?”
“Why would I not? You have often said you would never take a wife.”
“That was before...” Albin trailed off.
“Before what?” Talan prompted. “Lecie?”
“Zounds,” Albin swore. “Never mind.”
“It all makes sense now.” Settling back, Talan smiled. “Before this moment, I never would have believed it possible.”
“I said, never mind,” Albin snapped.
“Rest easy,” Talan continued unperturbed. “At least Gervase and Guy were as unaware of your attachment as I.”
Returning to his study of the stars, Albin grumbled, “Saints be praised for small favors on that score.”
“You know, Lecie shares your attraction. Had I known your feelings on the matter, our conversation would have gone differently.” A heavy exhalation from Albin was Talan’s only response as he added, “Even our liege has taken note of the fact she often paid you more notice than the rest of us.” When Albin refused to respond, Talan changed the subject altogether. “So what should we do to expose Hamon at his game?”
“I have to get Lecie alone,” Albin replied without elaborating.
“Do you think she will confide in you?” Talan slanted his gaze towards Albin. “By her reaction in the common room, it is obvious she fears Hamon.”
“I do not plan on giving her a choice,” Albin ground out. “I will not rest until she tells me what hold Hamon has upon her.”
Pulling his cloak tight around him, Talan closed his eyes. “When do you plan on approaching her?”
“When I am assured the festival revelers have returned to their cottages.”
His eyes flying open, Talan sat up. “You mean to return to the inn this night? Do you think it wise after being ordered away in the presence of so many witnesses?”
“Aye,” Albin agreed. “I do. I shall not have Lecie live another moment in fear of Hamon.”
“What of Edric?”
“What about him?” Albin shot a glance at Talan. “I gave him my word to look after Lecie and that is what I plan to do.”
“Hamon’s chamber is off the common room. Do you think we can enter without his knowledge?”
“We?” Albin flashed his eyes in Talan’s direction. “You are courting the sheriff’s daughter. Do you think it wise to risk a charge of trespassing?”
“Lecie would never press charges against us,” Talan brushed off the threat with a resigned exhalation. “How could you even think she would?”
“If Hamon has indeed threatened the lad’s life, I believe she to be capable of much more than that.”
“Either way, I am going with you.” Talan resettled himself. “Your temper cannot be trusted anywhere near Hamon.”
“And what of your display of temper this afternoon with de Glanville? Had Lecie not warned me, neither one of us would be having this conversation.”
“True enough,” Talan acknowledged. “The man is as foul as Hamon and if he thinks to wed Mylla he is in for a rude awakening.”
“He is indeed.”
“Anyway, I owe Lecie a debt of gratitude for her actions at the festival today.” Talan closed his eyes with a smile. “And if we happen to be arrested for trespass, I have no doubt Mylla will approve of my attempting to do a gallant deed on behalf of her friend.”
Albin cocked an amused brow as he studied his friend’s profile. “Who are you, and what have you done with the surly Talan I have known for so long?”
“I think you already know the answer to that question. Wake me when it is time to go.”
“So long as you do not start spouting sonnets to her beauty, remind me to thank your lady for making you more pleasant to be around.”
“Aye, I shall do that,” Talan quipped unperturbed.
His thoughts turning to what he would say to Lecie, Albin once again resumed his stargazing vigil.
* * *
Apart from a few drunken stragglers at the bar, the common room stood empty as Lecie wearily made her way up the steps to the sleeping chambers. Checking on her father one last time before turning in, she found herself entering Albin’s vacated chamber.
Setting the tallow candle on the dresser, she opened the shutters to the cool evening breeze. Moonlight streamed across the polished wood flooring as she gazed down at the gardens lost in thought.
Tears burned the backs of her eyes as she eventually blew out the candle to curl up in her chemise on the unmade bed. Giving into her heartbreak, she inhaled Albin’s musky clean sc
ent on the bed sheets as she sobbed brokenly into the pillow until exhaustion finally claimed her.
In the middle of a disturbing dream, Lecie woke to the floor creaking outside her door. Fearing it could be Hamon, she climbed from the bed to check on the children. Pausing only long enough to put her ear to the door, she heard the tread of booted feet making their way to the end of the passageway.
Her protective instinct had her flinging the door wide, startling the silhouetted figure too tall and muscular to be Hamon. Whirling around, the hulking shape of a man bore down on her, causing her to back away from the door in fear. Before she could throw the bolt, he entered the chamber quickly closing the door behind him.
“Who are you and what do you want?” The fear in her voice palpable, her heart hammered against her ribcage.
“Have no fear, lass. It is me.”
Recognizing Albin’s deep voice, Lecie came close to collapsing against him in relief. Instead, she made her way to the dresser to light the candle. Only after collecting her reeling emotions, did she recall the danger he placed Clayton in by coming back to the inn.
“I thought I made it perfectly clear that you and Sir Talan are no longer welcome here, Sir Albin.”
“Aye, you did that well enough.” Closing the distance in two strides, he gazed into her upturned face. “What has Hamon threatened you with?”
“I do not know what you are talking about.” Unsettled by his nearness, Lecie averted her eyes. “You accused an innocent man of a heinous crime and I merely held you accountable for doing so.”
“Bullocks,” he swore softly. “You cannot even look me in the eye when you spew that offal.”
Accustomed to hearing worse, Lecie did not even flinch. “Men like you deem themselves above commoners like me and Hamon.” Calmly meeting his gaze, she struggled with the emotions roiling through her. “Is that the reason you took such offense to being banned from the inn?”
“There is nothing common about you.” Seizing her shoulders, Albin pulled her against him. “What has he threatened you with, lass? Tell me so I can help you.”
Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 02 Page 8
