Fawkes clenched his hands into fists, fighting the panic and fury building inside him. It could not be what it sounded like. She would not betray him. Not with that wretched fop. Not with any man. There was some other explanation. There had to be.
“Milord?”
“I… Which way did she ride?”
“North.”
The performers were on their way to Shrewsbury, which was to the north. Fawkes nodded curtly and left the watchtower.
He strode to the stables, intent on ordering the first squire he saw to saddle up his horse. But by the time he reached the building, the intense rush of emotion had faded. It was ridiculous to believe there was anything going on between Nicola and de Ronay. She’d caught the man with two different women. There was no way she thought so poorly of herself that she would dally with such a faithless scoundrel.
He halted. If he pursued her, the whole castle would think she had cuckolded him. Nay, better to go about nonchalantly as if he thought nothing of his wife going off riding in the early morn.
****
The pathway narrowed. The horse jerked at the reins and sidestepped, causing Nicola to curse. Her frustration was with herself as much as her mount. She should have waited until the ostler had saddled Mist rather than riding off on this half-trained animal. She also should have taken the main pathway, instead of the route through the forest. But this way was quicker, and when she set out she’d been convinced she must warn Gilbert about the impending attack. Now she realized waiting a few minutes for another horse would not have mattered. Besides, she should have told Fawkes what was happening. She’d be forced to tell him everything anyway.
She grimaced. Fawkes would be very angry. Not only because of her foolishness in conspiring with Father FitzAlan, but also because she hadn’t told him about it right away. If he’d known the situation when he first came to Valmar, they might have been able to send some sort of envoy to London, making it clear that Mortimer was dead and Fawkes had taken his place. That alone might have been enough to deter John from scheming to seize Valmar and Mordeaux. Now the only thing they could do was prepare for the arrival of the enemy force.
The horse balked again, jerking Nicola sideways. She needed to calm herself. Her distress was affecting the horse. If she weren’t careful, she’d end up getting thrown. She sought to focus on the pathway and ignore her troubling thoughts.
There was a rider coming from the opposite direction. For a few seconds she was uneasy, then she realized it was Robbie. Since he’d grown up at Valmar, he would know about this shortcut to Mordeaux.
They reined their horses. Robbie gazed at her in surprise and puzzlement. “What are you doing here, lady?”
“I’m going to Mordeaux. I must speak to Sir Gilbert about an important matter.”
“He’s not there.”
“What do you mean he’s not there?”
Robbie shrugged. “Apparently, he rode off to visit one of the holdings and never came back.”
Nicola went rigid. “When was this? When did he leave?”
“Two days ago. In his absence, Adam FitzSaer has taken charge.”
“FitzSaer! But what about Sir Gavin? In the past, he was in charge when Gilbert was away.”
“I don’t know, milady. I didn’t speak to him.”
“Is Lady Hilary concerned her husband hasn’t returned?”
“Aye. She wanted to send out men to look for him. FitzSaer said he would if Gilbert is not back soon.”
“But no one has gone to look for him yet?”
“Nay.”
Nicola wondered if FitzSaer was in on the prince’s plot. Was it possible he’d done something to Sir Gilbert to get him out of the way?
She had to know what was happening at Mordeaux. But if FitzSaer was involved in Gilbert’s disappearance, then confronting FitzSaer could be very dangerous. She also had to get word back to Valmar, so Fawkes would know what was happening. She nodded to Robbie. “Continue on to Valmar. When you get there, immediately find Fawkes and tell him what you’ve told me about Sir Gilbert and FitzSaer.” Should she also have him warn Fawkes about the prince’s plot? That seemed too complicated a message to pass on through young Robbie. And she wanted to be there to explain herself when Fawkes found out what she’d done.
“And you, lady? What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to try to find out what is happening at Mordeaux. I won’t stay long. Tell Fawkes I will return to Valmar very soon.”
Robbie nodded.
They maneuvered past each other and Nicola continued on the narrow trail. When Fawkes had sent FitzSaer to Mordeaux, she’d worried the knight would cause trouble. But she’d never considered he’d do something like this. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that FitzSaer was somehow involved with Gilbert’s disappearance. It was also very possible FitzSaer was involved in the impending attack on Mordeaux.
Although how could he know about that? Even she hadn’t known of the prince’s plans until de Ronay told her. Still, if there was a chance FitzSaer was involved, for her to go to Mordeaux by herself might be dangerous. If FitzSaer took her prisoner, he would possess a powerful bargaining tool.
By the time she reached the edge of the trees and Mordeaux Castle loomed ahead, she’d made up her mind. Instead of proceeding on to the castle, she turned the horse and headed for the houses down near the river. The first one she came to belonged to an old woman named Ethelinda, who grew vegetables for the castle kitchen. This time of year she was at the keep almost every day.
She found Ethelinda in her garden, harvesting beans. She looked up. “Where’s the horse you usually ride?” Ethelinda motioned to the gelding. “That one looks bad-tempered. You’d best keep him away from my garden.”
“I will.” Nicola tightened her grip on the reins. “Have you been to the castle today, Ethelinda?”
“Aye. Right after sun-up.”
“Was…did anything seem amiss?”
“The gate was down, if that is what you mean. And I guess everything is all topsy-turvy since Sir Gilbert left.”
“Have you heard any more about where he went or why he went there?”
“Not a thing.”
“And what about Adam FitzSaer? How did he take charge? Why him and not someone else from the garrison?”
“Don’t know, lady.”
“Have there been any visitors to the castle recently?”
“The entertainers were here two days ago. Word is that FitzSaer turned them away.”
Nicola’s breath caught. “FitzSaer spoke to them? Not Sir Gilbert?”
“Nay. He was already gone.”
Nicola’s anxiety turned to fury. What a lying sneak de Ronay had turned out to be! Not only had he taken her money and broken his agreement with her, he’d come to Mordeaux first and likely shared the news of the enemy army’s arrival with FitzSaer. Which meant FitzSaer might already be planning to surrender the castle to the prince’s allies, with the idea he would be rewarded in some way.
She dare not go to Mordeaux now. Instead, she must make haste to Valmar and tell Fawkes everything she knew.
To Ethelinda she said, “I must go. Thank you for the information.”
****
“Fawkes!”
He turned to see Robbie coming toward him.
“What is it?”
The young squire was out of breath. “I’ve just come back from Mordeaux. Lady Nicola told me to tell you that Sir Gilbert has disappeared. He rode out two days ago and never came back. Adam FitzSaer has taken control.”
“FitzSaer? What the devil! What gives him the authority to do such a thing?
“I don’t know. Lady Nicola seemed alarmed as well.”
“You say you saw her and she told you this? Where did you see her? And where is she now?”
“I met her as I was coming back from taking Glennyth to Mordeaux. She bid me rush back and tell you about Sir Gilbert and FitzSaer.”
“Did she say what she
was doing?”
“She was on her way to Mordeaux. I suggested she ride back with me. She declined, saying she must find out what was happening there.”
So, she hadn’t followed after the jongleur after all. Fawkes was relieved to think he had not pursued the entertainers and made a fool of himself. But what was it at Mordeaux that drew Nicola so intensely?
Nay, he could not think about that. He must focus on the real issues. His castellan had disappeared and a man he didn’t trust was in charge of Mordeaux.
Fawkes dismissed Robbie and walked back to the keep and up to the solar. He explained to Reynard what Robbie had told him, then said, “This business with Sir Gilbert being missing is alarming. Especially since FitzSaer is the one who’s taken charge.”
“Why would FitzSaer be in charge?” Reynard asked. “At Mordeaux, he has no more authority than any other knight.”
“Which likely infuriates him. That’s probably why he’s taken this opportunity to seize control. And the thing is, who would stop him? When I sent him off to Mordeaux, I didn’t really give any explanation for doing so to anyone there but Gilbert. With him gone, who’s to know how sly and untrustworthy FitzSaer is?”
“Glennyth knows. But she may not be able to convince anyone at Mordeaux. I wish she hadn’t gone there. I feel as uneasy as you do about all of this.” Reynard looked down at his still-bandaged hands. “If it wasn’t so far, I’d go with you to fetch her.”
“I’ll take an escort.” Fawkes said. “I’ve underestimated FitzSaer so far. I won’t do so again.”
****
By the time she rode into Valmar Castle, both Nicola and her horse were sweaty and fatigued. Alexander hurried down from the gate tower to help Nicola dismount. As soon as he drew near, she asked, “Where’s Fawkes?”
“He went to Mordeaux.”
“Alone?”
“He took a handful of knights.”
What if he encountered the army sent by Prince John? They’d be hopelessly outnumbered.
“Lady Nicola.”
She turned to see Reynard. Except this wasn’t the cheerful, easygoing man she remembered. Reynard’s green eyes were wary and accusing. “Fawkes was distraught when he discovered you’d left this morning. I know you are used to doing whatever you wish, but you’re married now, and ’tis inconsiderate to worry him.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But I’m more worried about Fawkes going to Mordeaux. He might be in danger.” How was she to explain? The only way was to tell Reynard everything. She dreaded revealing to Fawkes’s captain her foolish attempt to play politics. He would think she was a lackwit. Looking back, her actions did seem very ill-advised. She’d let her fear and hatred of Mortimer cloud her reason, and foolishly offered her dowry, and herself, to some unknown ally of Prince John’s. Her hatred of Mortimer had gotten the better of her judgment. Now she must now deal with the consequences.
Nicola took a deep breath. “I will tell you why I rode off this morning. And the rest of it.”
Reynard’s green eyes widened. “What is it? What’s wrong? Has something happened at Mordeaux? Is Glennyth in danger?”
“I don’t think she is. At least not yet.”
“Not yet?” Reynard took a step toward her. The jovial knight had vanished. In his place was wild-eyed stranger. She didn’t really want to face Reynard alone, but the bailey was hardly the place for this conversation. “’Tis a lengthy tale. I think we should go to the solar.”
Reynard gave her a hard look and started off. Nicola followed, her stomach tight with foreboding. After this, Reynard might despise her. She could hardly blame him. It was her fault Mordeaux and Valmar were threatened. Her fault there might be a battle in which people she cared about could die. Even now, she worried for Fawkes. He’d taken a handful of knights to Mordeaux. How would he and his men fare against an army?
As she climbed the tower stairs, she was consumed with regret. Why couldn’t she have trusted Fawkes? Why had she been unable to see him for what he was? A man who was reasonable and fair. Fawkes would have been angry with her, but he would not have let that anger rule him. And now, because of her stupid lies, his life might be in danger. When she thought of him riding off to Mordeaux with only a small escort, her insides twisted with warning. Maybe they should send more knights after Fawkes. But for that to happen, Reynard would have to give the order. And he would not do that unless he understood what was at stake.
They reached the solar. Reynard, who was clearly winded from climbing the stairs, sat down. Nicola remained standing. She felt too restless and unsettled to sit.
She began by telling Reynard of her conversation with Father FitzAlan the winter before. Then she explained what de Ronay had told her, and how she tried to get a message to Prince John to stop the plan. But de Ronay had taken her money and gone off with the other entertainers. Now she feared FitzSaer was somehow involved in the prince’s plot. It was possible he had seized control of Mordeaux with the intent of handing it over to the enemy army.
She stopped pacing and halted in front of Reynard. “If I’m right about FitzSaer’s intent, Fawkes might be in danger.”
Reynard’s eyes flashed with fury. “If you had told Fawkes the truth in the beginning, there would be nothing to worry about. All of this mess could have been avoided.”
“Except the part involving Gilbert and FitzSaer,” she said, defensively. “I told Fawkes not to send FitzSaer to Mordeaux.”
“That’s still your fault. Fawkes wanted rid of FitzSaer because he was spreading lies about you. And having just learned of your scheming and manipulation, I’m not sure everything FitzSaer said was a lie.”
Nicola wanted to scream with frustration. Men were all alike. None of them understood what it was like to be utterly powerless and unable to choose your own destiny. Neither Reynard nor Fawkes would ever understand the choices she’d made.
But she couldn’t think about that. The important thing was what she did from now onward. “I’ve made mistakes, I admit it. But dwelling on them helps nothing. We need to concentrate on the present, and deal with what has happened, no matter whose fault it is.” She wished Glennyth was here. The wise woman would be able to defuse Reynard’s anger and help him see things logically.
Reynard crossed his arms over his chest. “What do you think we should do?”
“First, we must get Fawkes back here. Once he knows everything, he can decide on a course of action.”
“Why are you worried for Fawkes? What other secrets are you holding back?”
“Nothing. As I just told you, the attack on Mordeaux could come at any time. I don’t want Fawkes to face an enemy army when he’s unprepared.”
“Other than the word of this jongleur, do you have any reason to think John has sent a force to seize Mordeaux?”
“Nay. But de Ronay was very clear. He said John planned to attack, and the attack would come soon.”
“But how can we believe a man like that? He seemed so sly and devious.”
“He has no reason to make up this tale. Nay, I’m certain an attack will come despite my attempts to prevent it. The truth is, even if de Ronay had taken my message to Prince John, it probably wouldn’t have made any difference. The enemy is likely on their way here already.”
She sat in her sewing chair, feeling as if a great weight was crushing her chest. Her decisions might have endangered everything and everyone she cared about.
Reynard was silent. Finally, he said, “I can’t decide whether to send more knights after Fawkes, or wait and see what happens.” He raised his gaze to hers. “Do you think the people of Mordeaux will support FitzSaer? Will they follow his orders?”
“Perhaps. For a time. Since Sir Gilbert is missing and FitzSaer has taken charge. But I also don’t believe they would take FitzSaer’s side against Fawkes.”
“Then I think we should wait for Fawkes to return.”
She didn’t want to wait. All her instincts told her to get on a horse and go after Fawkes. She looked up
to see Reynard watching her.
“I can guess what you’re thinking. Don’t you dare even consider it. If you run off and anything happens, Fawkes will move heaven and earth to rescue you. I don’t intend to see him risk his life over you again.”
There was reason in his harsh warning. If she went to Mordeaux and FitzSaer took her hostage, he would have a powerful advantage over Fawkes.
Nicola got to her feet. “I won’t leave Valmar before Fawkes returns, I promise.”
****
As he rode toward Mordeaux, Fawkes’s fury at FitzSaer gradually faded, replaced by a creeping unease. He’d been too comfortable with Gilbert de Vescy, the calm, competent castellan. It had never occurred to him to replace the man with one of his own. Nor had he seen fit to leave more than a couple of his knights at Mordeaux. He’d been so intent on seizing the main prize, Valmar, he had not taken the right steps to protect his hold on the other castle. Now he was paying for his lack of foresight.
Mordeaux Castle came into view. Protected on the one side by the river and a deep sloping hill on the other three sides, it was not without its defenses. Fawkes squinted; the portcullis was down. He would have to ride up and demand entrance, and hope they would let him into the castle. If they would not, there was nothing he could do. Other than go back to Valmar and get more knights and build siege engines.
He led his men toward the portcullis and then halted. Would the guards at the gate be loyal to him or to FitzSaer? “It’s me. Fawkes de Cressy. Open the gate.”
There was murmuring in the tower above. Then someone called down, “A moment.”
Fawkes studied the complex pattern of the iron portcullis. A moment later, footsteps echoed down the stairs from the gate tower along with whispered conversation. After what seemed like an eternity, a face appeared in the opening of the gate tower. “Under what authority do you claim overlordship of this castle?”
Fawkes was furious now. They were clearly stalling. “I have a writ from King Richard, as everyone at Mordeaux knows. If you do not open the gate instantly, I vow I will see you all punished.”
“What is their plan?” Engelard asked in a low voice. “Do they really mean to turn us away?”
Lady of Steel Page 23
