by Jody Hedlund
When Father began negotiating for my position as the future Marchioness of Clearwater, I’d understood my new role, that I would please Father best and earn his favor again if I made an advantageous match. Such was the place of a daughter. I might not be the center of his attention anymore, but I could still make him proud by the efforts I made in securing a match that would elevate his status and prestige.
Of course, I didn’t begrudge Charles Father’s affection since he suffered so often from the seizures that left him weak and tired. During the times I’d visited my brother at Wigmore, I witnessed his attacks, his eyes rolling back in his head, his frail frame wracking with uncontrollable movements, and his gasping struggles to breathe. I feared for his life every time I watched him go through that. And I lamented his weakness and inability to truly enjoy life.
I understood Father’s driving need to find the Holy Chalice. He was seeking a remedy to not only save Charles and lessen his suffering but to improve the quality of his life. Father had been on a mission to find the Holy Chalice for the past year. He’d even gone to the continent in his search.
If he believed Lord Pitt now had the ancient relic, I couldn’t fail to find it. Not only did it have the potential to help Charles, but finding it would be one more way I could make my father take notice of me and appreciate my skills. Perhaps he’d love me again, the way he had before Charles had been born.
After another glance over my shoulder to make certain I was still alone, I lifted the lid of the first treasure chest. Silver and gold coins glimmered in the amber candlelight. I wasn’t interested in the coins. Instead, I dug my hand through the pile and searched beneath for anything else buried there. The clinking of the metal seemed to echo off the walls, and I was sure the women in the corner of the great hall could hear my searching.
“Check in Lord Pitt’s solar,” came a woman’s voice.
I jerked back, removing my hand from the chest. At my hasty movement, some of the coins slid from the pile and spilled onto the floor with a decisive jangle.
“In there!” The woman’s voice was louder, and I recognized it as belonging to Lady Glynnis. “In the treasury closet!”
I lowered the lid of the chest and scrambled away from it while frantically searching for a hiding place. None of the chests were big enough and none wide enough to fit inside.
The rapid footsteps approaching the half-open door told me that not only would I find no place to hide, but I also wouldn’t be able to make an escape. My sights returned to the bottom shelf with the dusty armor. Were there any old weapons I could use to fight my way free?
I saw nothing that would be helpful and resigned myself to the only option I had left: stay and make an excuse for why I was in Lord Pitt’s treasury room, then pray everyone believed me.
The door swung wide, and the light from the arched windows poured inside revealing me standing in the middle of the treasury room.
A tall knight I recognized from among Aldric’s men filled the doorway. Behind him two other knights approached. And a woman wearing an elaborate headdress.
The heavily padded roll with dangling jewels belonged to none other than Lady Glynnis. As she pushed her way forward, the knights stepped aside, allowing her access to the treasury room.
Her hefty chest rose and fell in labored breathing, and her fleshy cheeks were red from exertion.
Had she followed me after I left the sewing circle? If she’d hurried after me, perhaps she’d noticed that I’d veered off into her husband’s chambers instead of ascending to the next floor where the women’s rooms were located.
“Arrest this woman.” Lady Glynnis pointed her bejeweled hand at me, her fingers laden with rings and her wrists with bracelets and ribbons.
“My lady, I was only searching for a vial of medicine to ease the sting of my cut.” I swiped up one of the glass bottles from the shelf.
“You’re a thief.” Her words were sharp and her small dark eyes full of accusation. “Just as I suspected.”
“No,” I replied hastily. “I assure you. I have no intention of stealing.” I’d only planned to take the chalice to heal my brother. That wasn’t the same as stealing out of greed, was it?
“Then why did you open the chest?” She glanced at the unlatched lock along with the telltale coins scattered on the floor.
“It was already ajar.” Surely God would forgive me for my lie. After all, I was doing this for Charles and my father, not for myself.
“I see you are a thief and a liar,” Lady Glynnis retorted. “I suspected as much.”
I shook my head but before I could find another excuse, something to extract me from my guilt, she turned to the knights. “Lock her in chains and throw her in the dungeons.”
Panic churned inside like a wagon wheel spinning in mud. “No, my lady. You are mistaken.”
“The only mistake I’ve made is not discovering and exposing your thievery to his lordship sooner.” She motioned the knights to seize me.
Had she purposefully laid a trap for me? Was that why Lord Pitt’s chambers were deserted and the doors unlocked?
I groaned inwardly at my foolishness. I should have known my search was too easy. I should have suspected Lady Glynnis would be looking for a way to punish me for drawing Aldric’s attention during the feast away from her favored ladies. Throwing me into a dungeon would ensure I was out of the way—perhaps even permanently if Lord Pitt was angry enough.
I took a step further into the closet. I needed a way to remove myself from the pit I’d dug for myself.
“I demand to see Sir Aldric,” I addressed the knights. Aldric had protected me and made certain others treated me with respect and kindness. He would be my ally now—at least I hoped he would. “I insist you take me to your commander.”
“He’s away, my lady,” said the tall knight closest to me.
“It’s of no consequence one way or the other,” Lady Glynnis said. “There’s nothing he can do to help you.”
“Should we wait for his return?” the tall knight asked. “She is his prisoner.”
Lady Glynnis glared at him. “If you refuse to obey me and lock this thief and imposter away, I shall report you to my husband directly and make sure you are severely punished.”
Since coming to live at Tolleymuth, I’d heard enough tales from the other women to know that while Lord Pitt was fair, he was strict with his men and held them to the highest standard. He certainly wouldn’t tolerate any form of disrespect, especially to his wife.
As if concluding the same, the knights moved forward, their swords clanking against their chain mail. The tall knight again hesitated before taking hold of my arm. “I’m sorry, my lady.”
I considered resisting. Cecil had taught me how to fight with my fists. While I wasn’t as proficient with my hands as I was with the sword, I was lithe and nimble compared to these men. I’d likely be able to get away from them.
But where would I go if I escaped? Lady Glynnis would only demand that the knights search the grounds until they found me. Then they’d throw me in the dungeons anyway and perhaps lock Izzy with me.
If I went with them now, I’d prevent Izzy from suffering the same fate. At least I prayed she would remain safe.
The tall knight tugged me forward, and I allowed him to pull me out of the treasury into the solar. “Should we take her to the tower?”
Lady Glynnis shook her head, her eyes now glittering with self-satisfaction. “I told you to take her to the dungeons. She broke into Lord Pitt’s treasury and attempted to steal from him. After his kindness and trust, she has betrayed him and deserves to suffer as the prisoner she is.”
The knight nodded his acquiescence. One of the others took my opposite arm, wedging me between them while the third knight moved ahead to lead the way.
As they ushered me out of Lord Pitt’s chambers, my thoughts whirred in every direction. One clamored louder than the rest: I’d failed to find the Holy Chalice and now likely had lost my chance to finish searchi
ng for it. Even if Lord Pitt showed mercy and didn’t make me languish in the dungeons, he would no longer allow me to roam around the castle unsupervised. He’d keep me under close surveillance for the duration of my captivity.
A heavy burden fell upon my heart. I’d failed my brother. More than that, I’d failed my father. I dreaded the news I would have to send him, that I hadn’t been able to do the one thing he’d specifically sent me to do. I’d hoped to earn more of his love, but now I’d likely lost what little that remained.
I didn’t resist the knights as they led me down long hallways and winding stairwells. When the first knight finally unlocked and opened a thick door, the damp waft of cool musty air that greeted me told me we’d reached the dungeons.
After lighting a torch, the knights guided me down many steps that went deep into the earth. The darkness and dankness circled around me, making me shiver and wish I’d brought my cloak.
At the bottom, we turned into a low-ceilinged tunnel made of stone. Along either side were cave-like rooms barred shut with iron grates. As far as I could tell, they were empty of other prisoners.
We stopped in front of the first grated door. The leading knight inserted a key and wrenched the door open, its hinges squealing loudly as if the door hadn’t been used in a while.
By the torchlight, I could see the curving walls containing iron rings used to further secure more dangerous criminals. Old hay was strewn in loose piles across the dirt floor, and strands of broken webs hung from the ceiling. Other than a flat pallet, a triple-legged stool, and a tin chamber pot, the cell was devoid of any furnishings.
I walked inside of my own accord and stopped in the center to gather my bearings. The knights closed and locked the grate, and I watched them as if in a dream.
As the knights retreated toward the stairway, the tall one lingered, peering at me with anxious eyes. “Is there anything I can get you, my lady?”
“When Sir Aldric returns, will you take him word of my predicament?”
“He’s gone hunting and will be away for several days.”
For a moment, I considered the possibility that later I could pick my cell lock with one of my hairpins and make my escape from Lord Pitt. But my situation was far different from when Izzy and I had tried to escape during the ride to Tolleymuth.
Now I was hemmed in on all sides by the thick castle walls. I would have too many obstacles and guards to overcome. By myself, I might be able to accomplish it. But if I attempted such an escape with Izzy, I’d only endanger her further. And I certainly couldn’t leave her behind.
For now, I had to bide my time in the dungeons. I expelled a defeated breath but just as quickly lifted my chin. “Then will you see that no harm befalls Lady Isabelle?”
“Very well, my lady.” He bowed his head. “I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you.”
He hurried after the other knights, their footsteps pounding the stairs as they ascended, taking the light with them and leaving me in utter blackness. And despair.
Chapter
13
The braying of the hounds welcomed our horses through the gatehouse. The dogs were likely complaining they hadn’t been allowed to accompany us, believing like everyone else that we’d gone hunting. Rather, our riding expedition over the past few days had taken us near the border so we could spy on the clandestine dealings the Marcher barons continued to have with the Welsh.
We’d returned with a half a dozen hare and several quail, which weren’t nearly enough to account for the length we’d been away. Nevertheless, the game would provide a cover if anyone asked of our whereabouts.
The past few July days had been hot. Grit filled every crevice of my face, and my tongue was parched. I would relish a cool splash and drink from the well.
But even as I nudged my horse into the inner bailey toward the well, the downturned gazes of several of the knights by the barracks set my nerves on edge. If they were avoiding making eye contact, then something was amiss.
Immediately I veered toward the men, studying their faces and attempting to read their expressions. Anxiety and wariness were clearly written there.
“What is it?” I called to the cluster.
Before they could answer, Sir Darien and Sir Robert stepped out of the armory and strode toward me.
“What news have you?” I said as I scanned the castle grounds for any signs of distress. Had they engaged in a skirmish or fended off an attack?
“Welcome back, Sir Aldric.” Darien reached to take the reins of my horse. I handed them over and slid from my mount.
“Don’t waste time with pleasantries, Darien,” I rebuked.
“Three days past, Lady Glynnis caught Lady Olivia stealing from Lord Pitt’s treasury and had her locked in the dungeons.”
A knot cinched in my gut and pulled taut with both anger and frustration—mainly at myself for not anticipating that something like this might happen. After catching Olivia rummaging in my chamber, I should have known she’d get herself into further trouble, that she wouldn’t be happy with just her mother’s brooch. I should have forced her to finally tell me what she was searching for.
“That’s not all, sir,” Darien continued, his young face solemn.
“Go on.”
“Lady Glynnis has petitioned Lord Pitt to hang Lady Olivia as a thief. We’ve heard rumors the execution will take place on the morrow.”
If Pitt had agreed to the execution then the charges against Olivia were indeed substantial and credible. Pitt wouldn’t move forward otherwise.
Lady or not, he wasn’t afraid to administer justice where it was due. Only last year, Pitt had almost burned Sabine at the stake to determine whether she was a witch. Bennet had denied the charges against her. And although I hadn’t been sure what the markings on Sabine’s arms meant, whether she was truly innocent, I’d fought for her freedom alongside Bennet because he’d loved and believed in her.
If Pitt could threaten Sabine’s life, I had no doubt he’d kill Olivia in order to administer justice as well as show his strength and superiority. I understood he couldn’t allow a crime like Olivia’s to remain unpunished. He had to exact swift justice, or he would only encourage others to question his authority.
I spun and began to stalk toward the keep. I had to convince Pitt not to execute Lady Olivia. Surely he could find some other way to punish her besides taking her life.
My pulse thudded a hard tempo that matched my heavy steps. By the time I entered the dark interior, a quiet desperation had gripped my muscles, making me turn my steps in the direction of the stairwell that would take me to the dungeons.
As I descended with several knights following closely behind, I held up a hand to halt them. “Wait for me here,” I said tersely, as I took the torch from the closest guard and resumed my descent.
When I reached the bottom of the long stairway, I held the torch up and scanned the cells for her.
“Lady Olivia,” I said softly. “It is I, Sir Aldric.”
At my voice, a scuffling in the first cavern drew my attention. I shifted the torch so that its light fell past the grated door. Inside, Lady Olivia rose to a sitting position on a pallet. She blinked, her eyes not accustomed to the light. Her hair had come loose from her usual neat plaits and coils and now fell in disarray over her shoulders hanging almost to her waist.
She hugged her arms to her chest. “Sir Aldric, I have been waiting for your return.” Her words came out stilted through chattering teeth.
A quick scan of her cell revealed its barrenness. She had no blanket, not even a cloak to keep her warm. Although the July day was hot, the temperatures down in the bowels of the earth were always cold and damp.
That she was in the dungeons instead of one of the tower rooms made me angry enough. Surely a woman of her stature should have been given the honor of staying in the tower. The accommodations were sparse but would have been brighter and warmer. To find her here in the dark and cold without any comforts turned my stomach. We
weren’t brutes, and we would treat ladies, even those accused of thievery, with the respect they were due.
In two long strides, I was at the base of the stairs calling up to my men, “I want several blankets and a cloak brought to me at once.” I would, in fact, take her to the tower just as soon as I had the chance to speak to Pitt regarding the transfer.
In the meantime, I would provide her with warmth and light.
“Has anyone fed you?” I said returning to the grate and studying her through the darkness.
“Yes,” she stammered, her body visibly shaking. “Several of your men have done what they could to alleviate my discomfort.”
I could guess which of my men had done so, and I would reward them later. For now, I needed to release her from the dungeons. I stalked back to the stairs. “Bring me the keys to the cells.”
“Lady Glynnis has the keys,” Sir Darien called down. “She has made it known that she plans to keep them until it’s time for Lady Olivia to receive her punishment.”
I wanted to curse Lady Glynnis but swallowed my retort. What reason did her ladyship have to get involved? Had Olivia done something to offend her?
“Where are those blankets?” My voice rose to a shout, but I didn’t care.
“They are on the way, sir.”
“Send a servant to fetch a hot meal and warm ale for the lady.”
“Right away, sir.”
I returned to the cell to find that Olivia had moved to the grate and stood only a half a dozen paces away. At the proximity, I could see the smudges of dirt on her pale face, the bits of hay and dust that coated her gown, the evidence that she’d attempted to cover herself with the stale straw for warmth. Her body still shook even as she rubbed her hands over her upper arms in a futile effort to elicit heat.
I was tempted to peel off my hauberk and offer her the tunic underneath. But I was layered in dust and sweat and my garments would smell of the sourness of my travels.
