Lady Gwyneth's Hope (Ladies of Ardena Book 4)

by Rachel Skatvold

  “It appears they knew of a secret underground passageway beneath the walls. It would have taken someone who’s lived inside the castle walls with knowledge of the entryway to help them find it.”

  “I see.” Fiona stopped pacing and crossed her arms. “‘Tis no surprise, the countess would still have loyalists. We should have seen this coming.”

  Niall studied the queen’s gaze, praying he had read her expression wrong. “I assure you, Lady Sibeal played no part in this. She knows her mother belongs in the tower and could be a danger to her as well, now that she has escaped.”

  Fiona clamped her eyes shut for a moment and sighed. “I want to believe she is innocent, Milord. I truly do. I will not accuse her of this crime, but you must understand why others in the kingdom might have cause for suspicion.”

  His heart sunk. “Are you saying my wife may no longer be safe here in Kiely?”

  “I’m afraid so.” She sat at her desk, resting her forehead in her hand for a moment before looking at him again. “Niall, I have already sent a carrier pigeon with a message to warn Daireann of an attack, but I need you to fetch Leland from there anyway. Make haste and go quietly. Please, take your wife with you. While you are gone, I will do my best to calm the waters. When you and Lady Sibeal return with their king, safe and sound, all suspicions will be put to rest.”

  His eyes widened. “But, Your Highness, Leland gave me instructions to stay here in case your child should come early.”

  Fiona’s hand moved over her belly, appearing to think over his words. “We’ll be fine. I will ask Widow Delany to stay here at the castle in case I should go into labor. My main concern is Leland’s return at the moment. We don’t have reason to think Fergus’ soldiers will return, correct?”

  Niall nodded. “They were only here to free Lady Kyna. They have what they came for and are long gone by now.”

  “I hate to think what the countess has planned for the future, but we mustn’t worry about that now. We’ll post extra guards and seal off the secret passages. I’m sure we’ll be safe until you return with Leland.”

  Niall thanked Queen Fiona, departed from the castle in haste and retrieved his horse from the stables. Upon reaching the gates, the guards eyed him with caution, telling him the suspicions had already begun.

  After some hesitation, they opened the gates and let him out. He rode at a casual pace until reaching the cover of the trees, then he urged his horse into a hazardous gallop. He had to reach Sibeal before anyone else did. She most likely had no idea of the danger her mother had put them both in.

  He crossed the stream in front of the cottage and leapt off his horse before he had a chance to stop. “Sibeal!” he called, trying to remain calm as he entered their quaint home. “Sibeal, are you here?” He searched every room and then raked his fingers through his dark hair. Had someone taken her? It was too difficult for his heart to comprehend.

  Oh, God, please help me find her.

  Soon after his desperate prayer, Niall remembered something. Widow Delaney left an open invitation for Sibeal to come to her cottage if she ever became lonely while he was away. That’s where she had to be.

  Niall rushed around the cottage, gathering extra clothing, supplies and food for their journey. Last, he opened a wooden box under the bed, grabbing his wife’s shepherd’s sling. The weapon had saved them both from Commander Lorgan and his men last year in the caves beneath Carraig Capall. He knew Sibeal wouldn’t want to leave without it.

  With two satchels in hand, Niall left and pushed his horse into a gallop again. Although the widow’s house wasn’t far, the trip seemed to take an eternity. He slowed down upon reaching the cottage and dismounted, not wanting to startle the poor woman as she tended to her garden.

  She looked up at him with a smile and wiped her hands on her apron. “Good day, Niall.”

  He swallowed a lump rising in his throat and attempted to act calm. “Same to you, Aunt Edna. Have you seen Sibeal this morning?”

  “Aye, she’s inside, finishing up some bread pudding. Your wife loves to bake and has a hunger to learn. You should be mighty proud of her.”

  Niall breathed a sigh of relief and hugged the dear woman before him. “Bless you, Aunt Edna. Bless you.” He left the widow with a puzzled look on her face and rushed into the cottage.

  Sibeal looked up from stirring a pot over the fire and smiled. “Well, isn’t this unexpected? I thought you wouldn’t be home until tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind me coming to stay with Aunt Edna.”

  Niall pulled her into his embrace and they shared a long, tender kiss. He didn’t let her go afterwards, breathing in the sweet honey scent from her golden hair. “Praise the Lord, you’re safe.”

  She leaned back, her green eyes gazing into his with concern. “My love, has something gone amiss? You’re trembling.”

  He caressed her cheek, never so relieved to hold her in the safety of his arms, but his sense of urgency returned. “We have to leave Kiely. I’ll explain on the way. There’s no time to spare.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Preparations

  Leland arrived at Beatha Castle exhausted from the long journey. However, seeing Tristan waiting for him in the courtyard made it all worthwhile. He pulled him into a brotherly hug. “It certainly is good to see you again, Cousin.”

  “You too. We have much to catch up on.” He stepped back and motioned to his left side. “May I present, my betrothed, Princess Gwyneth.”

  Leland kissed her hand. “‘Tis a privilege to see you again, Your Majesty. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Also, I must thank you for being so kind to my sister. She speaks highly of you in her letters.”

  Gwyneth gave him a warm smile. “Thank you, King Leland. I think highly of her as well. She’s become like family.” She glanced to one side and her smile widened. “Speaking of Isla, here she comes.”

  Leland could hardly believe his eyes. He’d left his sister in Beatha as a child, but she had matured into a beautiful young lady in his absence.

  She ran into his embrace, her happy tears soaking a spot on his tunic. “Oh, Leland, I’ve missed you so!”

  “Me too.” He stepped back and held his sister at arm’s length. “I can see you have been well cared for here in Daireann though. You have grown even more beautiful since the last time we met, like Mother.”

  Isla’s eyes filled with happy tears. “Truly? I do hope she would be proud of me.”

  “She would. I believe it with all my heart.”

  Tristan smiled at them and motioned toward the castle. “Shall we go inside? There will be great celebrations in the days to come. You should take some time to rest.”

  Gwyneth smiled at her reflection in the mirror as a few last-minute alterations were pinned into place on her lavender gown. She glanced over at her mother. “What do you think? Will this do?”

  “Will it do?” Her mother stepped forward and smoothed the intricate patterns on her sleeve. “‘Tis perfect, my sweet Gwyneth. I can hardly believe in two days hence you will be wed. It seems like only yesterday you were a little princess bounding through the fields. Your father would be so proud of you. Not to mention, your betrothed is the grandson of Kian, the High King of Ardena. ‘Tis an honor for our family and kingdom.”

  “Aye, sometimes I forget he was a real man and not a legend who brought about the golden age of peace when you and father were children. Perhaps God has chosen Tristan to follow in Kian’s footsteps and put an end to the unrest Fergus has caused.”

  Her mother nodded. “I pray it to be so. However, above all, your father and I always desired you would find love and happiness when you chose your husband.”

  Gwyn nodded, but her smile faded. “I know he would have wanted me to find love. He once told Airell he wanted his daughters to have the privilege of choosing their husbands. However, do you think I’m making the right decision?”

  Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “About marrying Tristan? Are you having second thoughts?”

&
nbsp; Gwyn nodded and wiped tears from her eyes. “I don’t know. I’m happy. I really am, but I’ve never been away from Daireann. I suppose the thought of leaving home frightens me.”

  Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace. “The thought is difficult for me as well, my daughter. However, I believe God has a greater purpose for you than either of us could have imagined. You may have to leave Daireann, but keep your hope in God. He will lead you down the right path.”

  The eve before her wedding, Gwyneth tossed and turned. No matter what position she rested on the bed, she couldn’t seem to sleep. Her thoughts tumbled over and over in her mind. She loved Tristan. There was no doubt she would be happy by his side, but why did she feel so uneasy?

  Gwyn pulled on her robe and journeyed out to the terrace by her chambers. To her surprise, there was already someone there. She approached with a smile and touched her friend’s shoulder. “Couldn’t sleep either?”

  Isla startled and then relaxed after recognizing her. “No, I’m afraid not.”

  “Is something troubling you?”

  “I don’t know. I loved seeing my brother again and I’m honored to remain here for your wedding to my cousin. We’ll soon be related.”

  “Aye, you’re right. I may even come to live in Kiely for a while and we’ll see each other all the time.”

  “I know. That will be wonderful, but knowing I’ll be treated as a princess upon my return to Kiely causes me anxiety. You understand the weight the position adds all too well.”

  Gwyn nodded. “I do. At times it used to terrify me, but now I think of it as a privilege. I have the opportunity and influence to make a difference. ‘Tis a weighty responsibility, but God didn’t put it on us by mistake. He knows what He’s doing.”

  Isla focused on the stars twinkling in the night sky, her shoulders relaxing. “I never thought of it that way. Thank you, dear friend. Your words have given me courage.”

  Gwyn embraced her. “Courage comes from our Heavenly Father. As long as He is with us, there is no need to fear.”

  They watched the hints of the morning sunrise on the horizon before Isla yawned. “We should go back inside. Perhaps we can catch at least another half an hour of sleep before we have to start preparing for your big day.”

  “Aye, we should.”

  Gwyn turned, coming face to face with a guard she didn’t recognize. A gasp escaped her mouth. There were at least half a dozen of them coming out of the shadows. She tried to scream, but her mouth was tied with a gag, muffling the sound as it left her throat. One of the men grabbed her waist, although she fought him. It was no use. He was too strong. Her captor threw her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Isla kicking her legs as another man captured her. It became clear, there was no chance of escape—at least at the moment. They could only pray someone would see them being taken. It was their only hope.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Taken

  Tristan woke up with a song in his heart. He stepped out on the balcony and breathed in the fresh spring air. It was a joyous, beautiful morning—even more lovely with the knowledge he would marry the woman he loved in a few hours’ time.

  He recalled the first evening they met. She had invited him to dance. Tristan had politely declined, opting to play a game of dice instead. He regretted turning her down later, but soon they would share their first dance after becoming husband and wife.

  Movement caught his eye from below—guards racing in different directions. They appeared to be on full alert. Tristan’s heart sunk. Had something gone amiss? Was there an unexpected enemy outside the gates? He peered to the left, shielding his eyes to see over the walls. He didn’t see anything—only the village beyond. Everything outside the gates appeared peaceful, but inside the courtyard was a different story.

  Tristan dressed in haste and headed out of his chamber, taking the back way to avoid the wing of the castle where the royal family stayed. After all, he couldn’t risk seeing his bride before the ceremony.

  He reached the lower level when Leland came from the other direction, almost colliding with him. “Tristan, have you seen Isla this morning?”

  He furrowed his brow. “No, I haven’t. She should be with Gwyneth, preparing for the wedding. Has anyone checked if she’s in her chambers?”

  “Aye, we have.” Leland sighed and gripped Tristan’s shoulders, speaking in a low voice. “I didn’t want to alarm you without due cause, but no one can locate Princess Gwyneth, either.”

  Tristan’s heart pounded, realizing the guards in the courtyard and the absence of the two princesses were no coincidence. Something had gone terribly wrong.

  Gwyn struggled not to succumb to exhaustion as they traveled on and on by horseback. She rode in front of her captor, without stopping until nightfall. The man carried her to the base of a tree trunk where he tied her up next to Isla.

  Her friend sighed in relief and leaned against her for warmth. “Where do you think they are taking us?”

  Gwyn glanced at the men setting up camp while keeping her voice down. “We traveled west all day. I’m assuming they are taking us to the coast. We must look for any way to escape before they put us on a ship.”

  Isla shivered against her. “Who are they and what do they want?”

  “I’m uncertain. I couldn’t see any of their faces, but we’re going to be all right.”

  Her friend sniffled against her shoulder. “How do you know? It all seems so hopeless.”

  Gwyn rested her head against Isla’s and shushed her gently. “Do not despair, my sister. There is still hope, for God is with us.”

  After an entire day of searching for clues to find Gwyneth, Tristan returned to the castle with a heavy heart. Although everything within him dreaded walking into the great hall, still decorated with flowers and greenery for the ruined wedding, he forced himself to anyway.

  Once inside, he found Airell pacing by the hearth. She studied him with hopeful eyes. “Any news?”

  He shook his head, staring at the flames. “No, there is no sign of them anywhere.”

  Airell’s face contorted, but she composed herself quickly. “There has to be someone with information. How could two princesses just vanish like dandelion seeds on the breeze?”

  “Their guards were missing as well. Were they found?”

  “Aye, six of them were tied up in the servant’s quarters. Their uniforms had been taken.”

  Tristan’s eyes widened. “Were they questioned?”

  She sighed and crossed her arms. “Aye, the ones who weren’t badly injured during the whole ordeal. Unfortunately, they were caught by complete surprise during a shift change and couldn’t recall many details.”

  He gritted his teeth. “So that’s why there was no sign of struggle in Gwyn and Isla’s chambers. They trusted the guards would protect them. They never suspected the men were imposters. They’ll pay for this whenever we catch up to them. If only we knew what direction they took them. Searching without a lead isn’t helping Gwyn or Isla, but what else are we to do? It all feels so hopeless.”

  Airell nodded. “I know how you feel. I just received word my squire is missing too—a boy I met many years ago and think of as a brother. I fear he may have been killed during the attack.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Milady.”

  She wiped her tears. “Thank you. Even though things look bleak, we must simply try our best to carry on and ask for God’s help. I sent a servant to deliver a message to Tiernay, requesting aid. Even so, it will take a long while for the Brannaghn army to arrive.”

  Tristan produced a lopsided smile, in spite of the tense situation. “‘Tis ironic you are sending for aid from Brannagh. It seems like only yesterday I journeyed here to request aid from Daireann to rescue you from Brannagh. Oh, how our circumstances have changed in such a short amount of time.”

  She released a light chuckle. “Aye, they have.”

  He sobered while meeting her gaze. “I
must ask for forgiveness, Your Majesty. You of all people know my past sins against you and your husband. The thirst for revenge blinded my reasoning.”

  “I hold no ill will against you, Milord. ‘Tis in the past. When my sister is found and you are wed, I will be honored to call you my brother-in-law.”

  Tristan smiled with tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Queen Airell. Your words mean more than you know. I shall find Gwyneth and Isla and bring them home, if it is my last act on earth.”

  “But what direction shall you go? My uncle, Lord Edmund, is gathering the Daireann Army as well, but doesn’t know where to lead them yet. We don’t have enough clues to know where these men may have taken them.”

  “The western sea would be the easiest escape route from here. I shall gather my men at first light and travel to Áthas. Leland is coming with me as well. If Gwyneth and Isla are taken aboard a ship in the harbor, someone may see something. Gwyneth is loved by the people. They will recognize her face. If we find anything, we will send word to bring the army.”

  “Thank you. I pray for your safe journey, Milord. May our Heavenly Father guide and protect you during the treacherous days ahead.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Betrayed

  Gwyneth awakened at dawn and ate a meager breakfast of cold watered-down gruel. She encouraged Isla to eat as well, but she was too anxious to stomach very much of it.

  Soon they were back on the path leading toward the sea. The trail was rough and long. By nightfall of the second day, they reached the coast. To her dismay, they camped south of Áthas by a small isolated inlet. It left little chance of finding help from the villagers.

  The air by the sea was cold that evening and their location offered little shelter. Gwyn and Isla huddled together with one small blanket and got very little sleep. By the morning, she was relieved when the sun appeared and warmed her shivering body.