The big, iron portcullis lifted and he slipped under it, quickly, and was immediately surrounded by soldiers who offered to help him with the lady but he shrugged them off. He was struggling at this point, exhausted from travel, exhausted from the run across the swamps. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was carrying the lady, who was a featherweight in his arms. He was, simply, weary.
But he was also relieved. Finally, he felt as if they had made it to safety but he still didn’t feel as if he could relax. He had to get the lady to the keep where his mother would tend her. Slogging through the mud of the bailey, water still puddled from the recent rains, he made his way to the big, squat keep. As he approached, men were coming at him from the direction of the newly-built knight quarters. He could see Jorden de Russe and Rhun du Bois heading in his direction and as he neared the keep, they broke into a run and intercepted him.
“Nay,” de Russe said, blocking his path to the keep and reaching out his big arms to take the lady. “Henry’s men are in there. Your father opened the gates to them and they are all in there. I will take the lady, Chad. You go inside and see what is transpiring.”
Chad let Jorden take Alessandria without a fight. In truth, the news that Henry’s men were actually inside the castle came as something of a shock.
“He let them in?” he said in disbelief. “Did you tell him that they had chased us all the way from Newington?”
Jorden nodded. “I did,” he said, glancing at the pale, frozen lady. “Let Rhun tell you. Let me get the lady to a fire.”
Chad watched Jorden whisk Alessandria away but his view of the man’s retreat back to the knight quarters was blocked by Rhun’ face.
“Your father is loyal to Henry,” Rhun said simply. “That is why he let the men in. He did not want them to return to London to tell the king that Canterbury denied them entrance. Moreover, he wants to know why they have come. He wants to hear Henry’s directive from their own lips.”
Chad sighed heavily. “Did he?”
Rhun shook his head. “I do not know,” he said. “Your brothers and cousins are all inside, gathered in your father’s solar. They have been there since dawn. I do not know what has been said so you must go to your father immediately.”
Chad had every intention of doing that. In fact, he found that his temper was rather piqued at this point. He didn’t like that his father had opened the gates to men they had been running from. Men who wanted Alessandria. He took the first step into the keep, pointing in the direction of the knight quarters as he went.
“You and Jorden stay with the lady,” he said. “She is cold and hungry and wet. Make sure she is dried and fed, and protect her with your life. Keep her out of sight until we can settle this. Is that clear?”
Rhun nodded. “It is, Chad.”
He turned and made haste to the knight quarters as Chad continued up the wide stone steps, having recently replaced the retractable wooden stairs. More and more modern conveniences and comforts were coming to Canterbury Castle these days, but Chad wasn’t thinking about any of that. He was thinking of Henry’s men, now possibly filling his father full of the king’s venom, and he wasn’t pleased in the least. They weren’t going to get their hands on the lady and if they did, it wouldn’t be without a fight.
He’d give them a good one.
His fists were balled by the time he entered the keep.
CHAPTER THREE
Alessandria had no idea who the enormous knight was who had taken her into a fairly new structure that had been built against the outer wall of Canterbury, but at this point, she was beyond caring. Her hands and feet were so cold that she could no longer feel them and when the knight set her down, carefully, on a stool in the middle of the structure’s common room, she nearly fell over. The cold, and her exhaustion, gave her little by way of balance.
But she managed to stay upright. She just sat there and shivered as the big knight stood over her, looking at her with a great deal of concern. Finally, she heard him sigh.
“Lady,” he said in a soft, deep tone, “you are clearly in distress. Would you permit me to be of service?”
Alessandria lifted her head to look at him. He had a big head and a big, square jaw, and his long, dark hair was tied at the nape of his neck. He didn’t look particularly wicked and even if he did, she couldn’t summon the strength to fight him off.
“W-what did you have in mind?” she stammered through chilled lips.
The big knight took a knee next to her. “Firstly, I believe proper introductions are in order,” he said. “I am Sir Jorden de Russe. I serve the House of de Lohr. Believe me when I tell you that it is my earnest desire to be of service to you and nothing more.”
Alessandria looked at him, her teeth chattering. “I-if you truly wish to be of service, I could use a fire to dry my clothes.”
“And food?”
“I could eat.”
De Russe swung into action. The first thing he did was reach out to touch her clothing. He simply touched her right sleeve and he could feel that it was still damp. Her wrist was exposed and he brushed her skin, feeling that it was like ice. Quickly, he stood up and disappeared into another room. He was banging around when the entry door opened and the other knight entered. He looked at Alessandria curiously and, lured by the banging in the other chamber, went to see what the commotion was about.
Shivering and twitching, Alessandria could hear the knights in the other room, discussing her situation, and she heard more banging about and doors opening. They were evidently moving from one chamber to another. She couldn’t see them but she could hear them. As she listened with some interest, a small male servant suddenly appeared from the chamber where the knights had been and fled from the structure.
Surprised, Alessandria watched the entry door slam as the man bolted into the bailey. Curious why the man should run like that, she turned in time to see de Russe emerge from the chamber.
“My lady,” he said. “I have moved a bathing tub into the far chamber. I have sent a servant for hot water and something dry for you to wear. If you would come with me, I shall show you where you can rest.”
Alessandria stood up, unsteadily, and moved stiffly in the direction he indicated. The chambers of the knight quarters were all connected, with no corridors linking them, so she passed through one chamber with two beds in it into another chamber with three beds in it, and finally to the last chamber where there was only one big bed and a small window that overlooked the keep and bailey.
Inside this chamber, she found the other knight on his knees in front of a hearth, loading it with wood and kindling. He noticed her when she came in and he smiled politely, but Alessandria was rather wary of the man’s appearance. He had bright blue eyes, rounded big at her approach, which were disturbing. It gave him a rather mad appearance. De Russe, coming in behind her, indicated the knight on his knees.
“This is Sir Rhun du Bois, my lady,” he said. “He is also at your service.”
Alessandria simply nodded, looking around for the nearest stool because she was convinced her legs wouldn’t support her for any length of time. Everything about her hurt. As she went to plant herself on the edge of the bed because there was no chair or stool that she could see, they heard the entry door open and a female voice called for Jorden.
He responded immediately. “In here, Lady de Lohr.”
Swift footfalls approached and, suddenly, there was a tall woman standing in the doorway, her bronze-colored hair pulled back and pinned at the nape of her neck. She was quite lovely and directly behind her came a young woman about Alessandria’s age. The younger girl had the older woman’s hair color but not nearly the woman’s height. She, too, was very beautiful. Before anything could be said, the older woman went straight to Alessandria as she sat on the end of the bed.
“Sweet Mary, look at her state,” she breathed, appearing greatly concerned as she looked over Alessandria’s condition. Then, she turned quickly to the young woman behind her. “Gathe
r something from your sister’s chest. They look to be about the same size. Bring her something warm and bring combs and soaps. And have the cook send food right away.”
The young woman fled but the older woman wasn’t satisfied with the speed in which things were happening. She snapped her fingers at de Russe, although it was not an impolite gesture. It was simply a gesture of haste.
“You have sent for hot water, Jorden?” she asked.
“Aye, Lady de Lohr.”
“I require a blanket or a large measure of linen.”
Jorden disappeared into the next chamber as Rhun, still on his knees, managed to strike the flint on the first try and coax forth a rather healthy blaze. With the knights in motion, the older woman smiled kindly at Alessandria.
“Forgive my haste, my dear,” she said gently. “I am Liselotte de Lohr. This is my home. I will take great care of you.”
Alessandria sensed kindness from the woman. It was in her eyes and expression more than her manner. Her manner suggested that she was no one to trifle with.
“M-my lady,” she greeted through quivering lips. “I am Alessandria de Shera.”
Liselotte put her hand on Alessandria’s shoulder, meant to be a gesture of comfort, but the moment she touched the rank, damp wool, she drew her hand back with a look of horror.
“Sweet Mary,” she hissed again. “We must remove you from your clothing now. Jorden?”
She very nearly bellowed to the big knight, who immediately returned to the chamber, holding a big coverlet in his hands.
“Here, my lady,” he said. “This was all I could find that would be acceptable.”
Liselotte took it from him. “Thank you,” she said. “Now, go inside and find Veronica. I fear she will be overwhelmed with what she must find for the lady. Make sure she brings female servants with her and make sure they bring everything I need to tend the lady.”
De Russe hesitated. “Chad told me not to leave her, my lady,” he said. “Henry’s men are here and they want to take her.”
“Why?”
“Because Henry wants her, my lady.”
“Why?”
De Russe scratched his head, seeing that she wanted an answer. “It is a political move, my lady,” he said. “If you want to know more about it, then you must ask your husband. Meanwhile, I have been ordered to guard the lady and guard I shall. Henry’s men will not take her unless I am told otherwise by Lord Daniel or Chad.”
Liselotte’s eyes flashed. “Ridiculous,” she said. “What on earth could Henry want with this child? Go, now, and do as I say. Rhun will guard the door for now. We will be perfectly safe until you return.”
De Russe turned to do as he was told but he wasn’t happy about it. Chad had told him to remain with the de Shera girl and Lady de Lohr, Chad’s mother, was sending him out on errands. His choice was to either have Chad upset with him or Lady de Lohr. Those being his choices, he chose Chad. Better not to rouse the anger of the formidable Lady de Lohr.
When the door shut behind the big knight, Liselotte returned her attention to Alessandria. She smiled timidly at the girl, knowing that there was something of a mess brewing that involved her and feeling rather sorry for the child. But first things first; the lady needed to be tended and Liselotte indicated the fire.
“If you will, my lady, please stand by the fire and remove your damp clothing,” she said kindly. “I will hold up this blanket to protect your modesty.”
Alessandria was already on her feet, nearly toppling, but managing to keep her balance. The lure of the fire was great. Still, something that Lady de Lohr had said made her pause.
“All of my clothing, my lady?” she clarified.
Liselotte nodded. “Everything,” she said. “I do not know how long you have been in damp clothing, but the sooner we remove it, the better. How did you come to be so wet? Was it raining whilst you traveled?”
Alessandria shook her head, uncertain about removing her clothing in general much less in the presence of a woman she did not know. It was all very awkward for her and she was fearful that she might offend Lady de Lohr with her reluctance.
“It was not raining,” she said hesitantly. “I fell from a horse and into the water. Sir Chadwick jumped in to save me. I do not know how to swim, you see, so if it weren’t for him, I am sure I would have perished. Then there were men chasing us so we hid from them.”
Liselotte listened with concern. “Forgive me, my lady, but I am ignorant of why or how you have come to Canterbury,” she said. “All I was told was that there was a young woman who required my assistance. My son told me that, but it was all he told me. Why are Henry’s men after you?”
She was persistent. She didn’t receive a suitable answer from the knight so she was seeking clarification to her confusion. Unfortunately, Alessandria didn’t know much more than Lady de Lohr did. She lifted her slender shoulders.
“I was told it was because Henry wishes to hold me hostage to ensure the loyalty of my brother and cousins,” she said. “I have been at Newington Priory for the past six years, you see, and have been far removed from whatever the rest of the House of de Shera has been involved in. Sir Chadwick and his men came to Newington last night and said that I was to come with them, otherwise, Henry’s men would take me and I might find myself in the vault.”
Liselotte was shocked. Shock gave way to outrage. “Henry would hold you hostage?” she repeated, aghast. “I know that the House of de Shera supported Simon de Montfort but to take a young woman hostage to enforce their loyalty to Henry is disgraceful. What a horrible man!”
Not strangely, Alessandria felt better hearing the woman’s outrage. It made her feel comforted, as if she had a defender in the tall and elegant Lady de Lohr. Though the nuns at Newington had always been kind to her, they had never shown quite as much concern as Lady de Lohr was showing. That kind of attention was all quite new to her.
As Alessandria stood there, uncertain about stripping off her clothes, Liselotte began to help her, unfastening ties and encouraging her to pull off the damp, smelly clothing. Knowing she had no choice, Alessandria began to pull off her clothing, which didn’t amount to more than a rough woolen overdress, a damp shift beneath, and shoes that had been passed down to her from another ward at Newington. There was a hole in the left toe. But she dutifully pulled off the outerdress, laying it carefully before the hearth as Liselotte held up the coverlet to shield her from the room. The shift quickly came off then, as did the shoes, and as soon as she was completely nude, Liselotte wrapped her up in the warm, dry coverlet.
“There,” Liselotte said with some satisfaction. “Sit by the fire and you will warm up quickly now.”
Alessandria was in heaven wrapped in the heavy coverlet. She didn’t even care that she was nude beneath it, her modesty shot to pieces by the comfort of the thick blanket. Nay, she didn’t care in the least. The dry coverlet won out over any foolish protests of stripping off her clothing and she sank to the floor where the fire was warming up the stones of the hearth, wrapping the coverlet tightly around her and getting as close to the fire as she could without setting herself ablaze.
Heat blasted Alessandria in the face as she huddled close to the fire while Liselotte picked up her damp clothing and held it up, inspecting it. It was durable and well-made, but hardly the dress of a noble young lady. Liselotte eyed the clothing and the young lady seated by the hearth. All of this was quite curious to her because it was most definitely clothing worn by the clergy. The fabric was horrifically coarse and the shift underneath wasn’t much better. Liselotte cringed when she thought about such things close to a delicate lady’s tender skin.
“Are you a nun, Alessandria?” she finally asked.
Alessandria shook her head. “A ward, my lady,” she replied. “I have been considering taking my vows, however.”
“Why?”
Alessandria had to grin; Lady de Lohr was very curious about things and not afraid to ask questions. She rather liked that kind of direct ho
nesty. “Because I consider Newington my home,” she said. “Truthfully, it is the only home I have ever known. My mother died when I was young and my father immediately sent me away to foster.”
Liselotte was looking at her with some sympathy. “How old were you when your mother died?”
“I had seen five summers, my lady.”
Liselotte shook her head, clucking with sympathy. “So young,” she said. “I am sorry to hear that. I have five children and it was difficult to send each one of them away to foster. With my youngest, I could not bear it, so she simply went to Rochester, which is not far away and the stewards of Rochester are related to the House of de Lohr. They are family. I went to visit my youngest every week until my husband put an end to it.”
Alessandria wondered what it would be like to have a mother that was so attentive. “How long did your youngest stay away?”
Liselotte turned away, busying herself with Alessandria’s damp clothing. “When my husband told me I could no longer visit her, I simply brought her home,” she said, eyeing Alessandria and seeing that the woman was fighting off a grin. She broke down into a smile. “Do not think me so smothering, my lady. Veronica wanted to come home. At least, that is what I told her to tell her father. Wait until you have children of your own; you will understand.”
Alessandria’s smile faded. “I will not marry, my lady,” she said. “I plan to….”
She was cut off by a knock on the door and Liselotte went to answer it, producing a parade of people when she opened the panel. Servants with buckets of hot water rushed into the room and to the copper tub, filling it. A female servant had brought linens and other things to bathe with, while Liselotte’s youngest child, Veronica, brought up the rear with her arms full of garments.
Alessandria pulled the big coverlet tightly around her, covering herself completely as the crowd of people filled the chamber. She could smell fresh bread and her stomach growled, but she didn’t move, rooted to the spot and afraid to move lest the coverlet fall away and some measure of skin was exposed. So she remained huddled by the fire, out of the way, as people went in and out, and Liselotte held up the garments her daughter had brought to see which ones would be the best option for a small and rather skinny young lady.
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