A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy)

by Lana Williams

  Alyna smiled, trying to put aside her hurt and remember her priorities. “Then let us eat.”

  Her grandfather took Nicholas from her and sat him on the bench. He gestured for Alyna to sit and did the same. Alyna realized Hilde had vanished. The maid moved about like a ghost, disappearing when it suited her.

  Her mind still reeled at the news of Royce’s departure as trenches were placed before them. Florence kept her distance now that she’d delivered her news. Did Royce’s absence have something to do with the trouble Gunnell had foreseen?

  “Alyna.” Her grandfather’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts. He looked about to make certain no one overheard. “I fear I return from my travels with bad news.”

  Her worry increased tenfold. “What is it?”

  “You were right. Lord Tegmont is most unhappy with your disappearance. He has threatened to take Montvue if your father doesn’t fulfill the betrothal agreement.”

  “Oh dear.” Alyna wasn’t surprised by the news; it was just what she’d expected of Tegmont. What to do about it was another matter. She couldn’t possibly marry Tegmont. There had to be some other solution. “What do you advise?”

  “I fear little can be done.” He shook his head, his voice low. “Your father shouldn’t have made the match in the first place, but I suppose he had no choice. I’d wager that Tegmont threatened to declare him a traitor if your father didn’t agree. Tegmont has caused nothing but trouble for years now.”

  Alyna glanced at Nicholas to make certain he paid no attention to their conversation. His attention was focused on the roasted venison before them. “You mean because of his involvement with the barons disloyal to King Henry?” she asked.

  “It started well before that. What he did to Royce’s parents is unforgivable.”

  “What do you mean?” Alyna’s confusion increased. “What does Tegmont have to do with Royce’s parents?”

  Blackwell looked at her in surprise. “I thought you knew. That Royce had told you.”

  “Told me what?” It was all Alyna could do not to scream the words at him. What on earth was he talking about?

  “Tegmont is Royce’s uncle. Tegmont murdered Royce’s parents and left Royce, their only child and heir, for dead in a terrible fire in the keep. All so he could take the holding for his own.”

  Alyna’s heart stopped beating. She was certain of it. How could anyone do something so horrible? No wonder Royce had nightmares of fire. “That’s terrible!”

  Her grandfather tore a chunk of bread off the trencher. “Royce has planned revenge against his uncle since that day.”

  The coldness filling her made it impossible to breathe. Had Royce shown interest in her only in an effort to take revenge against Tegmont?

  “I had been gathering information on the disloyal barons, one of whom was Tegmont, when our paths crossed. Our motivations might be different, but Royce and I share similar goals. We would do most anything to stop those barons. Needless to say, Royce has a more personal involvement, considering that Tegmont murdered his parents.”

  Shocked, Alyna froze, hardly able to process what her grandfather had said. She shook her head in denial. Surely everything they’d shared hadn’t been a lie. It couldn’t be.

  Yet the idea took hold and wouldn’t let go. She could think of no reason Royce had withheld all of this from her except one.

  She was part of his plan of vengeance.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Black Hellebore is oft used to kill

  wolves and foxes, but it can also be

  used to cure gout.”

  Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal

  Alyna lay in bed, the darkness of the night a match for the despair in her heart. She shivered. The furs that covered her provided no warmth. The sounds of Nicholas and Enid snoring softly brought her no comfort, not this night.

  Had Royce made love with her only to humiliate his uncle? Did he care for her at all?

  And her grandfather–had he used her as well? Blackwell had sent Royce to fetch her from Montvue. Had their purpose been to save her from marriage to Tegmont or simply to thwart Tegmont’s plans?

  The voice of doubt echoing in her mind would not be silenced. Why else would Royce act as though he cared for her if not to use her in his quest for vengeance? He couldn’t possibly want her for herself. How often had her father told her how ugly and worthless she was?

  Doubt burned deep in her heart until her breath came in hitches.

  Her mind said it wasn’t so. After all, she’d been the one to make the final choice to lay with him. She couldn’t fault Royce for seeking revenge, but she could fault him for using her in the process.

  She hoped she’d covered her hurt at the information her grandfather had shared with her. She didn’t want Lord Blackwell to know she’d fallen in love with Royce, that they’d made love. The last thing she wanted was Royce to be forced to marry her.

  For a brief moment, she allowed herself to relive their times together. Royce had seemed so sincere, the memory of his tenderness pushing back her doubt.

  Oh, she wished she knew how he felt. If he had some affection for her, wouldn’t he have told her? But then she realized that even if he had, she couldn’t compete against his lifelong goal.

  Tears slid down her cheeks as sobs burned her throat. Would she have a chance to show him the kind of life they could have together? The joy they could share? The good memories they could make to help ease the pain he’d suffered all these years?

  Or would his need for vengeance erase their chance at love?

  ***

  The next day dawned with a dreariness that matched Alyna’s mood perfectly. She lay in the warmth of her bed, reluctant to rise and get on with the day. By the stillness of the chamber, she knew Enid and Nicholas had already woken and left her to sleep.

  Unfortunately, her confusion and doubt had not resolved themselves during the night. Her thoughts took up much the same path they’d been on when she’d fallen asleep. She rubbed her temples, but still her mind continued like a mill, grinding the same worries over and over.

  Annoyed with the pointlessness of her thoughts, she threw back the covers and prepared to dress.

  A quick peek out the window confirmed the coolness outside, and she donned warm clothing. She splashed water on her face with the hope of erasing some of the signs of her sleepless night.

  To her relief, only a few servants remained in the hall breaking their fast. The bread and cheese tasted bland, but she’d had little to eat the night before, so ate as much as she could bear. The day stretched endlessly before her, and she tried to think of how best to fill it.

  The herb garden would be a pleasurable way to pass the day and a productive one as well. She dusted the crumbs from her fingers and rose from the table.

  “Good morning, my lady,” Enid greeted her as she made her way to where Alyna stood.

  “And to you as well, Enid.” Alyna managed a small smile in the hope of avoiding any questions.

  “Did you sleep well?” Enid asked with a frown.

  Since Alyna knew perfectly well Enid knew the answer to the question, she answered as truthfully as she could. “Nay, I did not. I fear I couldn’t settle. I think I’ll try a different pillow tonight.”

  “I’ll find another for you. Perhaps a bit of lavender in the stuffing will help.”

  “Thank you.” She managed a smile. If only the solution were that simple. “Where is Nicholas?”

  “He’s with Charles down at the stables. I’m certain he’ll return before long.”

  Alyna nodded. Nicholas loved horses, even Sir Edward’s, though it had caused him injury. But as long as Charles was with him, Alyna wouldn’t worry. “I’ll be in the herb garden if you need me.”

  The morning passed slowly for Alyna though she spent it doing one of her favorite things. With the low, gray clouds hiding the sun, she lost track of time.

  “My lady?” Enid stepped out of the small garden door. “If I’d have kn
own you had this much to do out here, I’d have come to help you.”

  “I’ve neglected it these last few days, so the weeding took more time than I’d intended.”

  “You’ve got it as tidy as can be now. Did Nicholas get bored and move on to other things?”

  Alyna looked up in surprise. “Nay. He never came to see me. I thought he was still with Charles.”

  Enid’s cheeks reddened. “Actually, I’ve been with Charles, and we both thought Nicholas was with you.”

  Fear gripped Alyna, but she pushed it away. “I’m certain he’s fine. He’s never wandered away before. Let’s find Charles, and we’ll decide where to look for him.”

  Charles was in the stables and gave Enid a sly wink when they approached. His expression grew solemn when Alyna asked him about Nicholas. “He was with me for a bit this morning, but I haven’t seen him since.”

  “When did he leave?” Alyna asked, her stomach dropping like a stone.

  Charles now looked worried as well. “Hilde came and got him and said you’d sent her to fetch him for you.”

  “Hilde?” Alyna and Enid asked in unison.

  “Aye. She said the boy was to come with her, that you’d asked her to fetch him for you. He seemed a bit reluctant, but I thought it was because he didn’t want to leave the horses.” Charles’s face had gone pale with worry. “I told him he had to go, that he could help me with the horses later.”

  “Oh, dear Lord,” Alyna said as panic took hold. “I didn’t speak with Hilde today, and I would never have had her come and get Nicholas.”

  “Is there some sort of problem with her?”

  Alyna shared a look with Enid. Her maid shared her opinion of both women. “She and Lady Florence have been up to no good, but surely they wouldn’t harm Nicholas. You two search the grounds, and I’ll see what Florence has to say.”

  Alyna hurried across the bailey, back to the keep, where she passed through the hall, then into the kitchen, but no one had seen Nicholas. She made certain everyone knew she searched for him. She peeked in her own chamber and called out his name, hoping against hope to see him playing there.

  Nothing.

  Trying to contain her panic, she knocked on Florence’s chamber door. “Lady Florence? ’Tis Alyna.”

  No sound emitted from within the chamber. Alyna was about to turn away when the door opened slowly.

  “What is it?” Florence asked impatiently.

  Alyna gritted her teeth. Could the woman never be civil? “Have you seen Hilde?”

  “Why?”

  “I need to speak with her.”

  “Why would I know the whereabouts of a servant?”

  Alyna realized if she failed to gain Florence’s cooperation, it would just take that much longer to find Hilde and Nicholas. Time was something she couldn’t spare. “Nicholas is missing. Hilde spoke to him earlier today, and I’d like to know when she last saw him.”

  Florence scoffed. “She has nothing to do with that child. Why would she?”

  “I don’t know. That’s what I’d like to ask her. Please, Florence. Do you know where Hilde might be?”

  “I haven’t seen her since earlier in the day. She was in the hall then.”

  Alyna’s panic escalated. As she’d suspected, Florence was no help. Perhaps Charles and Enid had already found Nicholas. If not, she’d find Hilde. Without Florence’s assistance.

  “It’s no wonder you can’t find that boy. He wanders around as though he’s the lord of this keep. You should watch him more closely.”

  The last thing Alyna needed was a lecture on Nicholas’s care. Though sharp words came to mind, Alyna didn’t voice them. She didn’t have time to argue. Instead, she said, “Please let me know right away if you see either of them.”

  Florence didn’t bother to respond, but shut the door in Alyna’s face.

  On her way outside, Alyna asked a servant to find her grandfather as quickly as possible. Although she might be overreacting, the situation didn’t seem right. More importantly, it didn’t feel right. For a fleeting moment, she longed for Royce. He would know what to do.

  From the top of the steps of the keep, she scanned the bailey for Charles or Enid. She spotted Charles first, striding at a brisk pace toward her. From the grim look on his face, the news was not good. Tears filled her eyes, and she put her hand over her mouth to stop sobs from escaping. Now was not the time. She had to try to stay calm, to think of where Nicholas could be.

  “Alyna?” Lord Blackwell joined her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nicholas is missing.” She looked at him, praying he’d tell her that her son was with him.

  “Are you certain?” he asked as Charles hurried up the steps.

  “There’s no sign of him, my lady,” Charles said, breathless from his brisk pace. “But the guards at the gate did not see him leave either. Nor have they seen Hilde.”

  “Hilde? The maid?” Lord Blackwell looked confused. “What does she have to do with this?”

  Alyna explained what little they knew, relieved to have his assistance. He immediately organized a search of the grounds and sent several of the men-at-arms into the village to look for Nicholas. Enid returned empty-handed as well, so she and Alyna went back into the keep to search every nook and cranny.

  “Where could he have gone, my lady?” Enid asked as they entered the hall, tears in her eyes, worry in her voice.

  Alyna shook her head as she hooked her arm through Enid’s to support them both. Terror filled her, numbing her mind. Somehow, something horrible had happened, just as Gunnell had predicted. Florence had to know more than she’d let on. “Enid, go look in the kitchens one more time. Ask anyone you come across to help search for him. I’m going to speak with Florence again.”

  “Aye,” Enid agreed as she wiped her eyes and rushed off.

  Alyna started up the stairs as a servant entered the keep.

  “Lady Alyna?” he called to her.

  “Aye?” Hope rose within her, and she hurried toward him. “Have you found Nicholas?”

  “Nay, but I’ve a message for you.” He handed her a rolled parchment sealed with wax.

  “Where did this come from?” She looked at the seal on the message, but didn’t recognize it.

  “It was delivered to the front gate a short time ago. Don’t you worry. We’re all searching for young Nicholas.” The man bowed his head and left the keep.

  Alyna sat down on the steps with the parchment in hand. She did not want to open it, for somehow she knew it held bad news. With trembling fingers, she broke the seal and unrolled the paper.

  ‘My Dearest Alyna,

  You have what I want, and it seems I now have what you want. If you would like to see what I have alive, come to me. Come alone and tell no one. An escort awaits your presence at the postern gate. And then we will both have what we want.’

  The missive was signed with a ‘T’.

  “Oh, dear God.” She buried her face in her hands. Lord Tegmont had Nicholas. Her poor baby must be so frightened. She would follow Tegmont’s instructions to the letter, and she would hurry. Surely he wouldn’t hurt her son.

  There would be no need, for she would do anything he wanted to keep Nicholas safe.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “Combine lemon balm, catnip, and chamomile

  to relieve nervousness.”

  Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal

  Royce and Hugh surveyed the encampment from just inside the forest edge. The budding trees and bushes provided them with excellent cover. The rest of the men remained farther back in the woods with the horses.

  Thomas had led them right to the camp. The thieves had picked an excellent location from which to wreak havoc. A sheer rock face protected the back of the camp, and a small river guarded the front and one side. It would be a simple matter to cross the river but not without being seen. The only side that could be approached without difficulty would force them to leave the cover of the trees and cross an open meadow.

/>   “Well?” Hugh asked, his voice down to a whisper. “What do you think?”

  Royce shook his head. “I don’t see any sign that a trap has been laid for us.”

  “True enough, but I don’t trust Edward. Nor do we have any reason to trust Thomas.”

  “He led us here well enough but we know this is only one of their camps.”

  “I say we watch for a bit longer and see what we can see.”

  Royce nodded. “No reason to rush things.” He tamped down the urge to take the camp now. The sooner they could have words with the leader, the sooner they could return home. Blackwell hadn’t returned before they left, so Royce had left a message for him. But there was one important conversation he was eager to have with Blackwell that had to be in person.

  “I told Edgar to keep a close eye on Thomas and make certain he doesn’t leave his sight even to piss.”

  Royce smiled. “We’ll take the camp when darkness falls. By then, we’ll have a better idea of how many men there are. I want the leader, Daniel, alive, to provide the proof I need to make certain Larkspur becomes mine.”

  “Thomas will need to identify him for us. I’ll fetch him.”

  Royce continued to watch the camp. The men he counted numbered no more than twelve, unless some were sleeping.

  One man tended a horse, five sat by a small fire, two others prepared a meal, and at least five milled elsewhere about the large camp. All seemed in the same dirty, bedraggled state as Thomas had been. Bedding lay on the ground and several rough shelters were clustered near the rock wall.

  Royce and his men were outnumbered, by how many it was hard to say, but that didn’t worry him. His men were well-trained soldiers, whereas the thieves had banded together for the sake of a paltry reward. Their skills had been honed from life on the run, not from formal training. Plus, Royce’s men would have the element of surprise on their side.

  Royce wanted to make certain Daniel was in camp. He needed the leader to identify Tegmont as the one who paid the thieves and gave them orders. With luck, the man would also confirm that Tegmont had ordered an ambush on Pimbroke. That move had been a foolish one on his part. He’d risked far too much and it would cost him.