The Crockett Chronicles- The Complete Collection

by Jennifer Lynn Cary

  She picked this place because at the time she knew of no other.

  Oh, why had she ever written to Matthew?

  As she dismounted, she noticed some movement in the trees across the way. She returned her foot to the stirrup and grabbed the pommel to pull herself back up.

  “Louise!”

  She released her breath and the pommel. Gathering her skirts, she ran toward the blond man standing in the glade. “Matthew!”

  He wrapped her in a bear hug and gave her a quick twirl. Setting her back on her feet, he held her at arm’s length. “You look very well, ma petite.”

  “So do you, Matthew. So do you.” Breathless, she grabbed his hand and led him to an outcropping rock where she could sit and catch her breath.

  * * *

  Antoine caught a glimpse out the window of a horse being ridden out of the gate. Normally he would not have thought anything about it, but something about the posture of the distant rider looked familiar. The rider used a sidesaddle, however, and he knew Louise’s opinion of sidesaddles.

  His curiosity got the better of him, though, and he wandered over to the stables.

  Inside, mucking a stall, the stable boy worked diligently.

  “Have you by chance seen Mademoiselle de Saix this afternoon, Daniel?”

  The poor lad jumped three hands high.

  “Monsieur, de Crocketagné. I did not hear you. What is it you need?”

  “Mademoiselle de Saix. Have you seen her?” Antoine regretted sounding so sharp. The boy had enough to do while the hunt was in progress.

  “Do you mean the lady you are always out riding with, Monsieur?” Daniel leaned on his shovel.

  “Oui, she is the one.”

  “She left just a little while ago. A bit put out she was about having to use the sidesaddle, though. I could not do anything else, since La Grand Mademoiselle used the other one for the hunt.”

  “Did she say where she was going?”

  “No, monsieur, she did not do a lot of talking. She seemed in quite a hurry, though you might be able to catch her, if you try.” He turned back to his work.

  “Merci. See how fast you can get Vent saddled. There is a franc in it for you.”

  The boy straightened, his eyes big and round. “Merci!” Daniel dropped the shovel and ran for the horse and equipment. He had the stallion ready in record time.

  Antoine flipped the coin to him and rode off.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Claude made himself comfortable among the brush. His horse waited, tethered close by. From his position, he could see all the comings and goings in the glade. He hoped he would be able to get this over soon and was thankful to see a young woman arrive. His question of whether she was the right one vanished as he watched Maury come out of the trees on the other side to greet her. He was sure she was the noble woman Mimi cared for—a cousin to the king or something like that.

  This little intrigue had better pay very well, with all these prominent players. He watched them sit on a rock and talk, cursing himself for being too far away to hear what was said.

  A beetle ran across his fingers. He swiped it away and shivered. Nasty things.

  Back in the glade, Maury patted the hand of the woman a few times. They laughed over something. Though he could not hear their words, the sound of their laughter carried to his hiding place.

  How long would this take? Maury had ridden for several days to reach this place just at the request of the woman. Claude settled in for a long spell.

  Surprisingly, Maury stood soon after. Holding out a hand to the woman, he assisted her to her feet, and they walked to her horse. She kissed the man on both cheeks. Maury helped her up into the saddle.

  Claude took that as his signal.

  He waited until she was all the way up in the saddle and Maury was walking away. At least he had figured out the start of a plan. After he had her, he could determine what else to do. He might even get a bit of a ransom out of it, put the blame on Monsieur. Sure, Maury had been decent to him, but these were hard times. A man had to look out for himself.

  Claude climbed into his saddle.

  * * *

  Antoine had no idea where to search for Louise, but instinct led him toward the glade. Why she would go there without him, he could not say. Then again, he had no clue why she had put him off about today. Or why she had decided to go for a ride.

  He covered the distance quickly and only slowed when he came near the glade. Perched atop the crest, he could see down into the valley.

  He found her.

  A man was helping her into the sidesaddle.

  They appeared friendly. She blew the man a kiss as she turned to ride in Antoine’s direction.

  A part of Antoine wanted to ride away, hide, do anything to keep her from seeing him.

  Instead he remained rooted.

  At first, the angle of the sidesaddle kept Antoine from Louise’s view. But he knew the exact second she saw him.

  Étoile halted. Louise’s face froze in a look of panic.

  Antoine stared back. His heart exploded like grape shot from a cannon.

  As he picked up his reins to turn, another horse pounded out of the brush, heading toward Louise. The rider leaned as he came near her. He grabbed at her reins, pulling her along.

  Louise tumbled headlong from the saddle.

  Almost as if time slowed, her hands rose to catch herself. He saw her skirt catch on the edge of the saddle and rip as she plunged forward. Her hat flew off. Her hair spilled out.

  He was helpless to stop her.

  Louise crumpled into a heap. She lay motionless.

  Antoine spurred his horse toward her.

  The man from the glade ran to her on foot. “After him, man!” the stranger yelled. “I will stay with her.”

  Antoine obeyed without question.

  The villain dropped Étoile’s reins and galloped for the woods.

  Antoine plunged in after him.

  Daylight dimmed in the thick forest. The treacherous floor caused Antoine to reduce his speed. He found no sign of the stranger. The search continued.

  Up ahead, the stranger’s horse stood alone.

  A twig snapped overhead.

  Antoine froze in his tracks. His gaze flicked upward.

  A large weight dropped on him.

  Antoine and the stranger fell from the stallion. The thump to the ground knocked the breath from Antoine. His lungs screamed at him for air.

  A flash of metal.

  Antoine caught the glint of a blade plunging toward him. He rolled to his side.

  The stranger raised his arm to strike.

  Antoine lunged for the hand holding the knife. The blade sliced back at him. My dirk, I need my dirk.

  Antoine jumped to his feet.

  The stranger did likewise, lunging and slashing.

  At the right moment, Antoine charged into the stranger, shoulder to the man’s stomach.

  The man flew over Antoine’s back.

  Antoine spun around.

  The stranger lay still amid the fallen leaves and growth.

  Keeping an eye on the prone figure, Antoine stooped and pulled his dirk from his boot. He edged closer to the fallen man. With the tip of his toe, he nudged the stranger over.

  The man had landed on his knife. The hilt protruded from his chest.

  Antoine gathered the horses. He tossed the dead man over the back of the villain’s horse, mounted his stallion, and returned to the glade.

  * * *

  Louise floated on her cloud again. She could see the storm ahead and the dark clouds gathering around her. Her rider would come, though. He would be there soon. She was not surprised to hear his horse.

  He called to her by name, over and over. With hand outstretched, he beckoned her.

  She stretched out her hand to him.

  Their fingers touched.

  He grabbed her hand firmly. “Louise!”

  His visor raised, and she saw his face.

  * * *<
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  Antoine led the horses back to the glade. The other man sat on the ground, Louise’s head resting on his lap. He had removed his jacket, rolling it up for a pillow under her head. In doing so, he revealed a piece of jewelry pinned to his vest. It was a gold, open four-petal Lily of France with the petals in a V shape, forming something like a Maltese cross. A descending dove pendant, suspended from a golden ring, hung from the bottom petal.

  Antoine had seen only one other like it. His jaw tightened. He knew the significance.

  The man stroked hair from Louise’s face. He spoke softly to her.

  Knots tightened throughout Antoine’s muscles at the thought of this traitor’s hands touching Louise. Yet if he attacked the man, he might hurt her more than she was already.

  “You caught him. What happened?” The stranger never looked up.

  “Fell on his knife.” That was more than the man needed to know. Nothing mattered until Louise was safe. “How is she?”

  “I do not think she has broken any bones, but she remains dazed. She mumbles, but I cannot understand her.

  “Antoine.” Louise mumbled more clearly this time.

  Antoine knelt next to her, taking her hand. “Louise, I am here.”

  “Antoine.” Still her eyes remained closed.

  “What is it, Louise?”

  “You have come,” she murmured and fell silent.

  Antoine met the gaze of the other man.

  “Know you of a place nearby where we can take her?”

  Antoine thought quickly. The closest place he could think of would be to Mimi’s family.

  “Oui.” He stood. “Let me secure the horses, first. She will have to be carried.” Tethering all but the dead man’s horse, he led the animal to the stranger and handed him the reins. “I will carry her and lead the way. You may bring him along.” Antoine took Louise from the man’s arms.

  The bitter gall choked him. Louise—his Louise—had been with another man. She lay so helpless in his arms. Yet he burned at her touch. No matter. He would be cursed if he allowed this interloper to carry her to safety. It was his name she called so, step aside, Monsieur.

  The stranger spoke no more, and that did not bother Antoine. There would be a lot of questions to answer later. Now, Louise needed help.

  They walked through the woods to the town and up to the modest home.

  Vivi played outside. When she saw them coming, she dropped her rag doll and ran inside.

  By the time they arrived, Robert held the door. Annette came from the back of the house, wiping her hands on her apron.

  Antoine stepped sideways to maneuver Louise through the doorway. “I am sorry to intrude, but Mademoiselle is in need of help.”

  “Do not worry. Bring her in here.” The kind mother of seven girls added another to her brood as she guided Antoine up the stairs to a small bedroom. He placed her on the bed and stepped back.

  Annette inspected the still form.

  Antoine backed up further. Moving to the doorway he turned his back while Annette undressed Louise. “We could only examine her so far.” Antoine’s face heated even as he spoke. “You might want to make sure the boning in her corset has not caused further complications.”

  “Wait outside, Monsieur. I know what I am doing.” Annette stood and met him at the door. Patting his arm, she steered him toward the stairs. “She will be very sore for several days, but my greatest concern is for her head. She needs to awake. Go pray. I will care for her.” She shooed him out to her husband.

  Antoine descended the stairs and followed Robert out the front door. He could hear the stranger trailing behind.

  Robert went to the horse. Grabbing a fistful of matted hair, he raised the face of the dead man. “It is Claude Bealieu.” He released the corpse, shaking his head. “I am not surprised. He is a bad man, that one. How did this happen?”

  “He rode out of the woods, straight for the horse of Mademoiselle de Saix. I saw him grab her reins. She fell. I went after him while this gentleman—”

  “Matthew Maury, monsieur.” The stranger bowed.

  Antoine’s breath stopped. A slow burn began to scorch in his belly but a hand on his heart held him in check. He must learn all the facts before saying the wrong thing. Focusing on Maury’s face, he continued the story. “Monsieur Maury remained with la mademoiselle. I chased the rider, Bealieu, into the woods and lost him. He jumped down on me from the trees and attacked with a knife. We fought. In the scuffle, he fell on his own knife.”

  “I see.” Robert nodded thoughtfully. “It might have been better to leave him in the woods for the animals. Transporting him in may bring about an investigation.”

  Antoine ignored the implication. “Where shall we put him?”

  Robert shrugged. “He has no family here. Perhaps Father Francois would know what would be best.”

  Antoine looked at Matthew and snorted. “Do not worry. I will handle the arrangements.” He led the horse down the street to the small chapel.

  What had happened to cause this nightmare? Antoine kicked a pebble out of the way. It bounced and thumped on the cobblestones. What had Louise been doing meeting with Matthew Maury? Was she a Huguenot spy after all? Could he have misjudged her so badly? His stomach tied into knots. She told him she had some secrets. He had never let himself believe they could be so devastating.

  Antoine entered the vestibule. The same priest who cared for the chapel in the town also ministered at the chateau. The gentle man was lighting candles when Antoine located him.

  “Father, I have a dead man outside. He fell on his knife while trying to attack me. I do not know where to take him.” It was best not to mention Louise or Maury, though he owed the stranger nothing.

  The priest replaced the wick and turned to Antoine. “Show me.”

  Antoine led the way.

  “Oui, I knew the poor soul. I am not surprised. There may even be a price on his head. Bring him around to the back. You can help me to clean him. I will pray over him, and then we can bury him across the way.”

  Antoine nodded. He led the horse to the back.

  It took both Father François and Antoine to lift Claude from his horse and carry him. The priest had cleared a table. They stretched the lifeless body across it.

  Antoine then stepped back.

  The priest gently washed the man and prayed for him.

  “He died trying to hurt a woman.” Antoine’s temper simmered just below the surface. He had little patience left.

  “So you say.” The priest continued his duty.

  “He tried to kill me.” Antoine watched him rinse and wring his cleaning rag.

  The basin water turned blood red.

  “You told me that too.”

  “Then why all this kindness, the gentleness? The man does not deserve it.”

  The priest stopped. His blue eyes pierced Antoine to his soul. “None of us do, my son. Yet God in His mercy decided to be kind to us anyway. Can I do any less?”

  Antoine hung his head. “I will be back in an hour to help you bury him.” He turned on his heel, leaving through the back door.

  Chapter Twenty

  Louise was awake. She was not sure she wanted to be, though.

  Her head hurt with any movement or sound. Each breath brought a wave of pain. Her ribs were bruised from having the wind knocked out of her in the fall.

  Those seemed to be the only physical injuries.

  The emotional one of seeing Antoine’s face before her fall hurt more than all the rest. He looked as though he had been betrayed. How could she ever explain? Where was Matthew?

  Madame Roché said that Antoine and another man brought her to their home. Could the other man have been Matthew?

  “There is someone here to see you, Mademoiselle.” Bibi peeked her head in the room. “Are you well enough?”

  Louise pulled her covering a bit higher. “Oui.”

  Expecting Antoine, she was surprised to see Matthew’s blond head with smiling face steal a look f
rom around the door.

  Louise tried to motion for him to come in, but everything just hurt too much. He understood, coming to her and sitting on a chair next to the bed.

  “So, ma petite. You are awake at last. You gave us quite a scare, you know.” Matthew’s tender words reminded her of the others involved.

  “I am sorry for frightening you all. It frightened me too.” She tried to smile but found that not to be a good idea either. “I worry for you, Matthew. I have kept your secret. I have not said anything to Antoine. He is a good man, but I am afraid he will feel the need to do his duty.”

  “Do not worry for me, small one. My Protector will care for me. I am not afraid of what mere man can do to my body.”

  “Have you spoken with Antoine?”

  “Not really. He has been very protective of you.” He stroked the back of her hand with his finger. “He also is dealing with what happened out in the woods.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your Antoine chased the man who tried to grab you. They fought in the woods. I understand Claude fell on his knife in the fight. Antoine knows he was within the law, but it is hard to deal with the fact that a man died.”

  The burden of her whim fell heavy on her heart. “All because I wanted to see you again.”

  Matthew stopped his gentle touch and grabbed her hand in his own. “Do not blame yourself, Louise. Claude made his own choices, as did I. Rest, and I will come back and see you again.” First giving a gentle squeeze, he released her hand and stood.

  “Matthew, keep yourself safe, please. I will understand if you must leave.”

  “I am only going in the other room. Now rest and I will see you again soon.” He bent over her, brushing hair from her forehead.

  Louise nodded.

  Matthew walked to the door, turned and waved, and then stepped out.

  * * *

  Antoine entered though the front door as Maury came down the stairs. The sight of the man stirred a tumult in his brain.