Her Haunted Knight

by Stella Marie Alden

  “Bloody, pompous ass. I despise that entitled manner.”

  And how the mere mention of my father makes me furious.

  “He’s no better or worse than the rest of this God-forsaken island.” Staring forward at the keep gate, Aliyar asked, “Tell me again? Why did you return?”

  He wore a half-grin and Hugh, enjoying the familiar banter, calmed. “I’m asking myself the same damn question.”

  “Changing your mind?”

  “I didn’t say I was changing it. You asked why I thought it was a good idea to return to England and for the life of me, I can’t remember.”

  “Well, there was that thing with the Sultan’s daughter.” Aliyar’s dark brows raised twice.

  “That was a misunderstanding. She never said who she was and why she was dressed inappropriately. Most importantly, why the hell was she in my tent?”

  “As I recall, there was that wager in the harem.”

  “I’m not discussing the size of my cock again, Ali. Having pissed side by side for many years, you know I’m well-endowed. My God, she was a truly remarkable beauty.”

  “Her father was rather reasonable after she was examined by his surgeon.”

  “Thank God she was still a virgin. Things would be quite different, if she’d slept with me or some other unsuspecting fool.”

  Ali chuckled as they rode under the huge iron portcullis outside the garrison. “I thought mayhap you needed some help recalling how we got here. Your old mind grows feeble.”

  At twenty-nine, Hugh did feel way too old. When he was that young knight’s age, he’d been fighting in Jerusalem for over a year.

  Once in the bailey, Hugh had to pay more attention to his surroundings. He directed Wind through the narrow streets and attempted to smile at peasants and nobles alike. At the insistence of his growling stomach, he stopped at a stall, leaned over, and grabbed a stick with chunks of sizzling lamb. After tossing the merchant a coin, more came forward, fervently shouting out their wares.

  When he noticed a shop with grain, he tossed down some gold and told them where to find Azzah. She’d see to it all were fed until they could hunt freely in Inglewood.

  Next, a young whore lifted her skirts above her knees and Ali shouted over the din, “Look there, my friend. Your reputation precedes you.”

  “Bloody infidel.” With a smile, Hugh leaned over and gave the girl a penning for a meal as he and Aliyar exited the bailey.

  After traversing the wooden bridge over a deep moat, they arrived in the inner circle of the keep where all three dismounted.

  A page took the reins and Hugh stroked Wind’s nose before handing her off to the lad, “Treat her as you would the king’s charger or suffer the wrath of The Destroyer.”

  “Y-yes, m’lord.” The boy nodded with eyes wide and took great care.

  Ali dismounted and turned to Hugh. “Did you need to scare the piss out of him?”

  “Fear is one’s greatest ally in a place like this.” He said it loud enough for the knight in front to hear but the lad was too busy limping in his damaged armor to pay heed.

  The young fool heaved a sigh when they stopped at the foot of a large staircase and pointed up.

  “I insist. After you, Sir Symthe.” Ali smirked and stepped back with his arm out.

  Picturing the lad trying to manage the steps, Hugh gave up on trying to keep his face impassive and chuckled.

  The boy’s brows furrowed as he shouted to the guards, “These two jesters have a missive for DeBruce from King Edward.”

  Hugh and Aliyar left their swords with two armored knights at the top and entered the private chambers of Robert DeBruce. Dressed in a red patterned wool, the heavy-set earl stood from where he sat by the fireplace and strode forward with sword arm outstretched.

  Hugh put Edward’s missive in the man’s hand and waited as it was uncurled onto a table.

  “Well, well, well. Despencer’s bastard comes home to roost.” The frowning earl held the edges down with two flat stones, stroked his beard, then eyed Ali with brows raised. “And his merry band of infidels.”

  “We are not godless, m’lord.” Ali’s jaw ticked and his hand inched toward the knife hidden at his back.

  The Earl, unaware of the danger, leaned in closer. “So, you would use England as a foothold to your religion? Do—”

  “All have happily agreed to be baptized, m’lord.” Hugh jabbed his elbow into Ali’s ribs as he stepped between the two.

  Thankfully, the earl let go of the subject. “Good. A priest will come as soon as you’re settled. Understood?”

  After they both nodded, the Earl studied the missive once more, crossed his arms, and glared at Hugh. “I see here that Edward promised you one of my holdings. Which of my loyal vassals would you suggest I oust?”

  Edward had guessed that this might be DeBruce’s attitude and so Hugh was prepared. “I’d take some castle overrun with Scottish bastards or any troublesome lot that won’t pay taxes. Personally, I’d favor the home of those dressed in a green check who attacked us in Inglewood and threatened my women.”

  DeBruce’s smile seemed more fox than human. “So, the Douglas clan thought they’d found easy prey. I hope you killed them all?”

  “Nay, m’lord. I told my soldiers to hold back. I wasn’t sure if they had your blessing.”

  His bushy, red brows furrowed making deep wrinkles over his nose. “Prithee, why would I ask them to attack?”

  “Let’s just say, I’m sure Edward will be pleased to learn it wasn’t sanctioned.” Hugh’s stomach churned as he maneuvered through the dangerous terrain but DeBruce seemed unaffected.

  He waved a hand in the air, dismissing an imaginary fly. “The Douglas clan is a boil on my behind. They took Naward about a month ago and what with the war in Wales, I haven’t had the men to root them out. I tell you what. Leave your people with me in Carlisle. If you manage to retake the keep, you can be my steward. If not, I’ll see your people are indentured and cared for.”

  Slaves.

  Clearly, failure was not an option.

  When Hugh sighed, DeBruce chuckled, and a young lass knocked on the door. She set green cheese and burnt biscuits down on the table and backed away.

  Being a servant, Hugh paid her no mind but if he had, he would’ve noticed that deep inside the cowl was the woman who’d haunted his every thought since yesterday.

  Instead, he focused where the earl rolled out a parchment with a drawing of Naward. “The keep has barracks that can house four hundred and you can be certain that the Douglas clan has at least that many in route from the north by now.”

  The earl wandered over to the open shutters and Hugh joined him, following his gaze down into a large area between the barracks. Men grunted, swords clanged and arrows thudded against straw. A tall stone wall stretched into the horizon. Parts of it stood fifteen feet high but in places, it had fallen to mere rubble.

  Hugh’s caravan rested in the field beyond, trusting him to find them a home.

  I must make this work.

  Robert DeBruce shook his head and heaved a sigh. “While Edward busies himself with petty skirmishes, a threat much more ominous waits just north of that wall. The Romans knew. The Scots are a wild, savage lot and constantly pressing south. Should we not stem the tide, the English shall have a war so fierce that all their rivers will run red with blood.”

  Hugh watched the man, suddenly hearing a new meaning in the tone behind the words. “And where do you stand, m’lord?”

  “Should something happen to Alexander, obviously, I’m best suited to take the Scottish throne but of course, I’d want Edward as an ally.”

  Hugh stood silent for a moment, thinking how best to respond. “So, we’ve miraculously just arrived to solve your problem. You can blame Edward for the fall of Naward.”

  Twisting his mustache, the earl’s mouth curled up on one side. “Something like that might be said.”

  “Before I do this task, I need to know. How fond are you of thi
s Douglas clan?”

  “Och. Not a bonnie sod among them. Their laird was as evil as they come. It’s rumored he killed his own two baby daughters. Dowries being what they are, he didn’t want to see his wealth diminished by female offspring.”

  Hugh grunted and wondered how much was true.

  DeBruce is a clever man, of course he’d tell me the worst so I’d have no misgivings about putting the Scots into the ground.

  “I’ll take Naward as long as you agree that my people settle there, forever.”

  The earl grinned and rubbed his palms together, eagerly. “Done. How many men do you have?”

  “It isn’t the numbers that matter, m’lord. It’s the courage and conviction in their hearts. Have no fear, we’ll take the keep.”

  “Excellent. Dine with me tonight and we’ll discuss battle plans.”

  Chapter 5

  While Aliyar and Hugh bartered in Carlisle, Rose crawled out from under the rugs and hopped on her foot, asleep from sitting too long. Biting down on her lower lip, she gazed up at the castle where The Destroyer was supposedly talking with DeBruce. How long before his handsome head topped a pike outside the gates?

  I can’t just stand here and do naught!

  Perhaps she could put in some good words for the man and his people. The guards in the keep knew her, as did the women in the kitchen, and the head groom. By God, last winter, she’d healed the earl’s grandson of a terrible fever. In truth, hadn’t she helped all of Carlisle?

  DeBruce will certainly grant me an audience but what will I say to help the foreigner’s cause?

  She rushed to the portcullis and held her cloak tightly at the neck as she stood in line behind several carts of pigeons. What if someone from Lanercost followed? Her life would be over if they found out she killed the new abbess.

  Regardless, I must pay this debt.

  Yesterday, The Destroyer saved her. Today, she’d do the same for him.

  Matthew, the guard at the gate, grinned, displaying a gap where his two front teeth used to be. He’d almost died from the blade that’d torn off his helm and left a vicious scar across his chin and mouth.

  Rose walked forward, and curtsied. “How is yer gentle wife?”

  “She’s well, as is my son. Two he is, now. A strong lad.” Matthew let her jump to the front of the line, ignoring the curses from the many waiting.

  “Tell her I send my prayers and will visit as soon as I’m able. And prithee, if someone from the priory comes looking, don’t tell them ye saw me.”

  “Lass, if you’re in trouble, let it be known. Me and my lady will keep you safe.”

  “I would if I could. God bless ye.” Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, she crossed through the bailey with her face tucked deep within her cloak.

  Because of that and the light rain, she went by unnoticed until she was stopped at the door to the main hall.

  “Sorry, sister.” The unknown knight held her shoulder with an apologetic smile.

  Rose lifted her basket, overflowing with bark and fresh fronds. “I have a recipe to solve the earl’s indigestion.”

  The guard rolled his eyes. “Ach. You must know our cook.”

  “Dame Frieda? Indeed, I do. I’ve no idea why DeBruce keeps her.”

  “I suspect it’s to force all to eat elsewhere. That way he keeps his hall empty and more coin in his coffers.”

  Rose giggled. “Yer probably correct.”

  “Go on in. What did you say your name was, sister?”

  “I’m no nun. I’m simply Rose, a healer.” She passed through DeBruce’s great hall and into the warm kitchen and gave every one of the women a hug.

  Then, she asked, “Did you see a huge man and a dark foreigner?”

  Frieda put floury hands on her ample hips. “They’re upstairs. M’lord wanted me to feed them. Between meals? What am I? Some kind of saint? Thinks I can conjure up a miracle?”

  Rose noticed a pile of hard biscuits on the table and found cheese, pork and jam in the larder. “Would ye like me to take these upstairs for ye?”

  “Such an angel. What a dear. Would that you lived here instead of all these useless wenches.” Behind the cook, seven kitchen girls made faces at her while working their stations.

  With a wink, Rose picked up the tray, and strode up the stone stairs. She stopped at the top when the two guards crossed pikes in front of her.

  “I bring food from Dame Frieda.”

  Geoff’s long mustache twitched and he tried not to smile when she held up the tray.

  The other shook his head and kissed a cross hanging from his neck. “Godspeed with that. Best you drop the tray, then run for your life.”

  Before the laugh in her belly let go, Rose entered the room and set the tray on the table with head bowed low. As expected, none of the three acknowledged a mere serving girl.

  Not wanting to be accused of spying, Rose slowly stepped back toward the door but stopped at the sight of the drawings on the table.

  Stunned, she listened carefully as DeBruce held up a piece of green wool and pointed. “This is the Douglas color and that is their shield’s crest. Be sure not to harm any others.”

  Dear God in heaven. That symbol matches the one on my brooch. I am Douglas?

  The Destoyer’s brows furrowed above piercing hazel eyes and his voice went low. “And if other Scots defend Naward with these dogs? What am I to do? Allow them to run me through?”

  “You’ll give any other Scots plenty of opportunity to surrender. I’ll not have a war. But any Douglas? You have my permission to kill each and every last one of them.”

  Rose gasped.

  This cannot be. Surely, I misunderstood. They would destroy all of her clan, her kin?

  If she were a knight or even noble, she’d speak her mind at the evilness of this undertaking. Instead, she backed out the door, dashed down the stairs two at a time, and said farewell in the kitchen.

  The Destroyer and DeBruce plot to kill my family? I must not allow it.

  Lifting her tunic, she rushed across the main hall, through the main keep, and held her nose over the wretched moat. Then, she stomped out the gate toward Castle Naward.

  She knew the way well. For heaven’s sake, the towers were visible from her bed chambers. On foot, she could be there by nightfall.

  The whole way she dreamed of how she’d greet her long-lost kin. They’d take her in their arms and kiss her cheeks. They’d sit her down, dress her in fine robes, and allow her the luxury of a bath. They would all be so happy to see her that they’d not question her motives for leaving the priory.

  I bet they’ll even mount their chargers and avenge my dear friend Cecilia.

  The closer she got to the castle, the bigger the dreams.

  I have kin! What could be more wonderful? Maybe there are nieces and nephews, cousins and grandparents.

  Tears stung at the thought of no longer being alone in the world but when she got to the gates, she halted.

  If only I had a better cloak and tunic, I’d be more credible.

  Suddenly, horse hooves clomped on hard ground, making her turn.

  Five men in green wool approached atop snorting, sweaty chargers. Pulling up on the reins, a red-headed warrior wearing a bloodied tunic waved his fist. “I told ye we should’ve put them in the ground. Now, The Destroyer is at Carlisle, talkin’ with that two-faced DeBruce.”

  “The earl would nae betray a Scot.” Another, with a similar face stopped at the portcullis.

  “So say you? Dinnae he kiss the ring of Edward? Swear fealty? He’s a bloody English. That’s what he is.”

  “He’s jest bidin’ his time till Alexander dies. Then, he’ll take the throne and give us this land and more.”

  “You’re daft for believin’ it.” The younger of the two spit on the ground and when the iron gate rose with an ominous squeak, Rose followed them into the bailey.

  The first man dismounted and she tapped him on the shoulder. “Pardon me, m’lord.”

  “B
egone, good nun. If ye need pray, find someplace else.” He turned on his heel but she grabbed his leathered-covered forearm.

  “Prithee, I’m yer kin.” She lowered her cowl and the man stared with his mouth open wide.

  The other swung a leg over his charger, grabbed a knife, and tore off Rose’s wimple.

  Her scalp screamed out in pain when the closest pulled up on her short locks. “She looks verra, verra similar to you, brother.”

  Rose’s heart sunk at their rough behavior. This was not at all what she expected. “Believe me, lairds, I was left at Lanercost as a babe. I’m a Douglas. I have proof.”

  “Tell me woman, are ye a virgin? Have ye lain with a man?” This came from the younger of the two.

  “Let go! Ye, ye are beyond repulsive.” She tried to pull out of his grasp but he just laughed and lifted his tunic to show off his huge bulging shaft.

  “Go into the kitchen and get cleaned up. If your willin’ to sleep with us, ye can be whoever ye want to be.”

  Rose considered showing them the brooch but it was clear it wouldn’t matter. They’d take her proof and steal it.

  No, no. There must be another answer.

  They dragged her into the kitchen and threw her at an old woman wearing an apron and cap. “Agnes. Get a couple laddies to bring in a bucket. Clean her up. Give her some bread. Then send her up. We’ll both be havin’ a go at her.”

  Rose stared after them with her jaw dropped open.

  Oh, what a fool I am.

  The cook stopped stirring at the fire, turned, and stepped forward. “Well, let’s get a look at ye lass. Did you at least get them to promise ye silver?”

  The old woman was almost nose to nose to Rose when she dropped her spoon and her hands went to her mouth.

  “Ach! No! Holy blood of Christ! It cannae be? Rose? Is yer name Rose, lassie?”

  “Aye. It is. Do ye know me?”

  “I knew yer dear mother. Yer so similar, ye could be her ghost. I was with her when she left ye in the hatch at the priory. Why in God’s holy name are ye here? Did not the prioress tell ye to never return?”

  Rose reached into her purse and held up the brooch. “She gave me this upon her death. I don’t understand.”