Lord of Fortune

by Darcy Burke

  Kersey’s eyes widened briefly, and the gray lightened with surprise. “Perhaps that’s why I was summoned. The note from Rhys didn’t say specifically.”

  It wasn’t, but again, it wasn’t her place to enlighten him. She neither confirmed nor denied his assumption. This was a pivotal moment—she could become the seeker that Penn had groomed her to be, pursue the hunt her grandfather had started and been unable to finish. Or she could say nothing and await Penn’s return.

  There wasn’t really a choice at all.

  “My grandfather was Jonathan Gardiner.” This elicited another flash of surprise in Kersey’s expression. “Penn and I are looking for the White Book of Hergest. We believe Timothy Foliot has it in his possession and that you can perhaps help us obtain it.”

  All that was rather moot, she realized. Or at least it could be since she had a clear path to the book—if she believed the note. And yet, she couldn’t go to this meeting at dusk on her own as the note demanded. Only a fool would embark on such a dangerous folly.

  How she wished Penn hadn’t left!

  It took Kersey a moment to respond. “I’m familiar with this book. However, I can’t help you get it. I’m probably the last person Foliot would care to see,” he said wryly.

  “Right. Because you stole that sword from Penn’s sister.”

  He flinched slightly. “You heard about that.”

  “I did. I understand you may not be entirely trustworthy, but you’re the only hope we have.”

  He studied her a moment, his eyes narrowing shrewdly. “It sounds as though you and Penn are quite close.”

  “We’re working together to find the White Book of Hergest.”

  “Why? What’s so special about this book? I know who your grandfather is, so I wonder what it has to do with the Heart of Llanllwch.”

  She didn’t necessarily want to get into the specifics—Penn’s belief that the heart was fake, the theft of the dagger, or anything else. Especially if Kersey couldn’t help them. “Since you can’t provide assistance, I’m not sure there’s any point in my telling you.”

  “You’re a cunning thing, aren’t you? I see why Penn would like you.” He pushed away from the tree and took a step toward her. “Perhaps I can help. I’m familiar with Foliot and his…organization. Which I’m not particularly proud of.” His gaze darkened. “But there’s a lot I’m not particularly proud of,” he added softly.

  Somehow, she’d been thrust into the thick of this family, and she wasn’t sure what she thought of it.

  “Ah well, I can’t change the past. I can only do my best to repent.” His gaze flicked to her skirt. “What was the paper you found?”

  Her pulse quickened. “I didn’t find it.”

  “Yet you were reading it out here.” He lowered his voice dramatically. “Is it a secret? Maybe a love note from Penn?” He smiled to show he was teasing. At least she thought he was teasing.

  “It isn’t from him,” she said.

  “You didn’t answer my question about why you’re meeting Penn here. If you’ve been working together, why isn’t he here?”

  She fumbled for an excuse but could only think to say, “I didn’t meet him here. We arrived together. He’s gone on an errand with Egg.”

  “And left you at Hollyhaven with his parents.” He cocked his head to the side. “I’d say he set out to do something dangerous and didn’t want you to accompany him. Perhaps he went to find the White Book on his own.”

  “I don’t believe that’s what they’re doing.” She prayed Kersey wouldn’t ask.

  “Well, since I am here and you and Penn are in need, perhaps I can assist you. I suppose we must wait for Penn to return.”

  Except if she really wanted the White Book, she could trade the heart for it at dusk. And that was what she and Penn wanted, what her grandfather had wanted. However, her grandfather had also found the heart. Could she really turn it over to the Camelot group? She realized she wasn’t entirely sure it wasn’t fake. It seemed Penn had impacted her in many ways.

  The adventurous spirit he’d sparked in her begged for action. She wanted to make this trade, and standing in front of her was a person who could possibly help. If she could trust him.

  She stared at him closely. “Did you mean what you said about repenting?”

  “I did,” he said cautiously. “Why?”

  “Because I am in need of assistance, and Penn isn’t here. I’m wary of trusting you, but I don’t think Penn will return in time.” Doubt crept over her. Perhaps she should have asked Rhys.

  “I can see you already regret asking me to help. Let me put you at ease. I owe Penn and his family, and I would appreciate the opportunity to repay their kindness and care. They were there for me in…dark times. I repaid them with villainy.”

  “That all sounds rather epic,” she said drily. “The note you saw me reading arrived in my room this morning.” She probably ought to have asked the maid where it came from. Penn would’ve known to do that. Again, she wished he hadn’t left.

  “From whom?”

  “I don’t know, but I suspect someone in the Camelot group.” She withdrew it from her pocket and handed it to him. As he reached for it, she pulled her hand back. “Do you swear I can trust you?”

  “You can.”

  She pinned him with a threatening stare. “You should know that I’m a fair shot, and I don’t appreciate being betrayed.”

  “Thank you for the warning.” He placed his hand over his heart. “I swear on my life you can trust me.”

  She gave him the note and watched as he scanned the lines. “Do you recognize the hand?”

  “I don’t,” he said, frowning. “But this has to be from the Camelot group since they are in possession of the book. Unless the author is lying and looking to dupe you.”

  “I considered that, which is why I won’t go alone.”

  He returned the note to her keeping. “Would you have asked Penn if he were here?”

  “I would.”

  Kersey grinned. “Smart. I’ll say it again—I see why Penn likes you.”

  Heat threatened to rise in her cheeks, but she kept it at bay. “Do you think it’s worth trying to make this trade?”

  He looked at her intently. “Do you have the heart?”

  “I do.”

  He blew out a breath. “The author of this note knows that.”

  She fingered the parchment before shoving it back into her pocket. “Clearly.”

  “Which means you’ve been followed and your actions supervised,” he said. “But then you probably knew that too.”

  Actually, that hadn’t occurred to her, but of course that was the only way anyone would know. Her neck pricked with unease. How long had they been followed? And why hadn’t they tried to steal the heart from them when they’d stopped at The Falcon in the Cotswolds? Perhaps this person was afraid of Penn, and that was why they didn’t want him aware of tonight’s transaction.

  Tonight’s transaction.

  That phrase made it seem as though she’d made up her mind. And she supposed she had. She wanted that book, and if the heart really was a fake—as Penn was certain it was—trading it away wouldn’t matter. “How do we do this if I’m supposed to go alone?”

  Kersey crossed his arms over his chest. “I can hide in the trees—there’s a copse near where the rivers meet. Or I can disguise myself and go as your groom. They can’t object to you having a groom.”

  She was skeptical of his ability to fool someone who might be acquainted with him. “Disguise yourself how? What if this person—or people—knows you?”

  “I suspect they do,” he said without a shred of concern. Was he fearless or naïve? She doubted it was the latter. “I can make myself look different. Trust me.”

  It appeared she had no choice. “I am. And don’t let me down.” She narrowed her eyes at him and pressed her lips together, trying to look imperious.

  He bowed. “On my honor, of which I still have a bit, I will not.” He s
traightened. “I think it best if I don’t accompany you back to the house. Can you meet me here an hour before dusk? I’ll have a horse for you. I assume you ride?”

  “Yes.” Well enough that Penn could’ve taken her with him. But then she wouldn’t have been here to receive the missive. She made a mental note to ask the maid where it had come from.

  “Excellent. I’ll see you back here later. Until then, adieu.” He bowed again and took himself off, cutting through the trees away from the house.

  Why had he come here instead of going to the house? She wished she’d asked, but decided it didn’t matter. As she watched him go, all she could think was how he would react when he learned the real reason behind Rhys’s summons. As upset as Penn had been about the revelation of his father, Kersey’s reaction could be far worse. He’d mentioned “dark times.” She knew his mother had abandoned him, and his wife had died. This was going to be a blow, and though they’d just met, she rather liked him.

  She shook the dreary thoughts from her head as she turned back toward the house.

  It was possible she’d have the White Book in hand when Penn returned. He would be so thrilled. And if he was able to stop the vicar from revealing his sire, things could perhaps continue as they’d planned. They’d have the book, find the real heart—

  The smile starting to curve her lips faded. This wasn’t what she’d planned. She’d planned to protect her grandfather’s name and prove Penn wrong. If they found the real heart, her grandfather’s legacy would be tainted.

  Book and heart aside, what would become of her relationship with Penn? With their quest finished, would they part ways? What else could they do?

  She wasn’t free to marry. Not yet anyway. She’d have to have her husband declared legally dead, and she wasn’t sure what that entailed.

  Besides, she and Penn hadn’t discussed a future, and until they did, all this was useless thinking. Better to keep her focus on the book and the heart.

  As she neared the back of the house, the back of her mind asked, what of your heart?

  Chapter 13

  After arranging with Culley to take dinner in her room, Amelia had instructed her maid to inform the household that she planned to retire early—if the household even asked. She’d kept to herself all day, which hadn’t been difficult. With Penn gone and, more importantly, due to the reason for his absence, a pall of gloom had settled over the house.

  With about an hour until dusk, Amelia stole from the house and made her way to Penn’s lean-to. She’d brought Dyrnwyn with her, and the sword was even heavier than she remembered when she’d picked it up at Oxford. After a few yards, she had to drag it along the ground.

  Kersey waited with two horses. At least she thought it was Kersey. The man, dressed in an oversized costume of indeterminate age, hunched at the shoulders and wore a wide-brimmed hat that shaded his face.

  As she approached, he looked up, and she breathed a sigh of relief. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

  “Then I’ve done well.” He straightened to his full height. “I was just practicing my stoop.”

  “Very effective.”

  “It changes my height and body shape, while averting my face as well. I didn’t have time to obtain fake facial hair. A gray beard would’ve helped.”

  “You put a great deal of thought into this,” she said.

  “It’s an important endeavor, and I mean to be successful.” The determination in his tone was evident, and Amelia was glad she’d decided to trust him.

  “Should I ask where you obtained the horses?”

  “One is mine, of course, and the other I borrowed from an inn near town.” He cocked a brow at her. “Did you think I’d stolen it?”

  “No.” Maybe.

  His gaze dipped over her. “I didn’t realize you’d be in disguise as well.”

  She glanced down at her men’s costume—the one she’d worn when she’d met Penn. She’d brought it along on their journey to London, suspecting it might be useful. “It’s rather difficult to dash about looking for antiquities in a gown.”

  His gaze turned apologetic. “I’m afraid I brought a sidesaddle.”

  She silently cursed, but offered him a smile. “It’s my fault. I didn’t think to mention what I would be wearing. I’ll manage.”

  “And, ah, what are you carrying?”

  Unsure of what they might be facing, she’d decided to bring the sword, as well as her pistol, which was tucked into her waistband. “It’s a sword.”

  “That’s not just any sword,” he said darkly.

  “No, it isn’t. I suspect you recognize it.”

  “How did you get it?”

  “From Penn. I thought it prudent to bring it along, particularly if it…activates its power for you.” Just saying that made her want to shake her head. She still didn’t quite believe it, and if she were honest with herself, she’d brought it to see if it did in fact flame.

  “That was well considered of you,” he said with a nod. “I can attach it to your saddle.”

  “Shouldn’t it be on your saddle? And, er, it’s rather heavy.”

  He took it from her, lifting it with ease. “Not for me. I’ll put it on mine.” He moved around his horse and fastened it to his saddle. “You have the heart?” he asked.

  She patted her chest where she’d hastily stitched a pocket that afternoon. “Let us be on our way.” She placed her hand on the saddle, and he boosted her up. A few minutes later, they were on their way from Hollyhaven.

  They arrived at the junction of the Wye and Monnow Rivers with plenty of time to spare before dusk. The Monnow Bridge with its gatehouse loomed over the Monnow River, casting a shadow across the water from the setting sun.

  Kersey dismounted, then helped her do the same. “I suspect he won’t be alone.”

  “But I’m supposed to be. What if they see you and decide to forgo the meeting entirely?”

  “That’s a possibility, but I don’t think that will happen.” He adopted his hunch. “Whoever wrote that note wants the heart. What is more concerning is if there are a large number of them. If that happens, we should leave immediately.”

  Her pulse picked up speed, and she nodded as she worked to remain calm. How she wished Penn were here.

  The minutes stretched as the sun dipped lower over the horizon until it was nothing but a wash of color to the west. The temperature dropped, and the breeze picked up. Expecting someone to arrive at any moment, Amelia tensed. But no one came. Her tension turned to frustration.

  “It’s going to be dark soon,” she said urgently but keeping her voice low.

  “I have a lantern,” Kersey said. “I won’t light it quite yet.”

  “I don’t like this. What if they plan to accost us in the dark? Maybe we should go.”

  Before she could answer, she heard the cock of a pistol and a deep masculine voice that was eerily familiar. “You were supposed to come alone.”

  Amelia whipped around to see a man in a hood standing ten yards away. Two large, rough-looking men flanked him. How had the brigands crept up on them so quietly?

  “Surely you can’t fault me for bringing a groom.” She worried they would hear the fierce thundering of her heart. For a moment, it was all she could hear as apprehension seized her.

  “I suppose not. Do you have the heart?” That voice skipped across her flesh and made the hairs stand on end.

  “I do,” she said cautiously. “Do you have the book?”

  “I do. Come forward, away from your groom.”

  Amelia flicked a glance toward Kersey, who nodded slightly. She took a few tentative steps but stopped when she was still several yards away.

  “Closer, please,” the familiar voice urged.

  Who the devil was this? Why did she know him? Fear made her movements slow and unsteady. She took a deep breath and willed herself to relax. She could do this. For the book. For her grandfather. For Penn.

  When she was just two yards from the man, she stopped. �
�Show me the book before I come any closer.”

  The man pushed his hood back, and Amelia gasped as recognition slammed into her. “Thaddeus!”

  Her husband’s mouth spread into a lazy smile, reminding her of why he’d caught her eye in the first place. He was attractive, though not nearly as handsome as Penn. Where Penn made her heart skip with anticipation, seeing Thaddeus filled her with dread. He’d failed her in every way possible.

  “Good evening, Amelia. May I say, the years have been exceptionally kind to you.” His gaze traveled over her slowly, making her skin crawl.

  She couldn’t find any words to respond. How was he here? Where had he been? Why had he left? At last, she blurted, “Are you part of the Camelot group?”

  Thaddeus took a few steps toward her, his dark eyes narrowing. “You’ve learned quite a bit in my absence.”

  Anger finally surpassed her shock. “What should I have done, crawled into a hole and awaited your return?”

  “Oh, my dear Amelia, I never planned to return. Surely you must know that?” His condescension cloaked her like a moldy, bug-ridden blanket she longed to cast aside. Just as he’d done to her.

  “I’d hoped,” she said. “In fact, I’d rather hoped you were dead.”

  He clucked his tongue. “I suppose I deserve that.” He moved even closer, and Amelia took a step back. Her elbow connected with something, and she glanced over her shoulder to see that Kersey had crept up behind her. His proximity made her feel marginally better.

  “I can see I made a mistake,” Thaddeus continued. “You are lovelier than I remember. More spirited too.” He tipped his head to the side. “How did that happen?”

  “One might argue you didn’t take the time to know me.” That was certainly true. They’d been married less than a year before he’d disappeared.