by Amy Mullen
She studied the room. It was rather large for a prison but only contained a pallet on the floor for sleeping, a chamber pot, and a small stool and table. The door was not wood but, instead, was made of metal bars. There was a small fireplace outside the room in the passageway, but no fire was lit.
Outside the bars she could see steps going up and steps going down. The room stank terribly. The stone floor was covered with rushes, but they had not been changed in a long time. She knew unspeakable filth could be hiding under the reeds, and she made a mental note to stay off of the floor if at all possible.
Her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps. She could see the light of a candle bob as someone came up toward her. She backed away from the bars and stood near the rear of the room. The steps were light, almost soundless. A woman appeared before the door with a candle in her hand and a basket. She lifted the tallow candle up to ignite a torch on the wall behind her and light quickly spread throughout her prison room.
"Lady Gemma," she said. Her voice was kind. She was tall with thick, dark hair that curled around her shoulders. Her face was plain, but it was not unpleasant. She had a shapely body and fine clothing. "Please, come and let me take off your gag."
She hesitated. She trusted no one, but the gag needed to be removed. Her jaw hurt, and she feared she was bleeding. She moved backward and allowed the woman to put her hands through the bars to untie the gag.
It took some doing, but as soon as it was off, Gemma put her hands up to her aching jaw and moved away from the door quickly. "Who are you?" she asked.
The lady looked her up and down for a moment. Gemma guessed she was near her in age or a year or two younger at most. She could be a wife, as there were three Bigod sons other than Phillip. Somehow, she seemed troubled but happy at the same time. It was an odd combination that made Gemma shudder.
"I'll be back to see you later. You should rest," she said as a boom of thunder sounded, and Gemma jumped. The woman pulled a skin of wine and a long loaf of bread from the basket and tried to pass them through the bars.
When Gemma made no move to take them from her, she dropped the bread on the floor among the rushes and set the wine down. "You should eat, dear. I assure you, 'tis not poisoned. My husband needed you out of the way, so you were brought here. No one will harm you."
She did not reply. The woman smiled weakly and went back down the steps from where she came.
When Gemma awoke, it was almost dusk. The rain had slowed, and the sun was now setting. She had paced the room for quite a while before giving in and lying down on the dirty pallet. It turned her stomach, but she was exhausted. The pregnancy was weighing on her more and more.
She heard sounds in the passageway. The footsteps must have been what woke her. Trembling, she stood quickly. She was still wet and now she was shivering. This time the person coming to the door was not the woman but instead a man. She could not see him clearly, but something made her bristle. He chuckled, and she placed the voice instantly.
"You!" she said. "Why have you brought me here?" She recognized him as the man who had dragged her through the tunnel.
The man sighed. "Do you not recognize me, dear sister?"
Sister. The word made the world stand still. Her brother Gavin stood before her. She had not seen him in years, but now she knew who he was, she recognized his face. He was a grown man now and for some reason, he spirited her away from their childhood home against her will.
"Gavin," she whispered, moving closer to him. "What have you done? Where have you been? We were so worried about you. Why are you staying with Hugh and not your family?"
"Aye, you have grown into a beautiful woman. My wife seems quite taken with you. She made me promise not to hurt you."
She flinched. The woman who had visited her was Helena and they were already married. "I fear I do not understand," she said.
"What is there to understand? You are in my way. I thought you would be a docile woman who would go into hysterics upon seeing Minna in the water. Instead, you ran to Henry for help."
Gemma's gasp was so loud it reverberated off the stone walls surrounding her. "You killed Minna? But why?"
"I didn't kill her, you fool. I had someone else do it. And then the smith. That one was more fun. I wish I could have been there to see it. You would be surprised what a man will do for a few coins."
"But why?" Her mind was reeling. Her brother was involved in Minna's death. He had not been missing at all. Her head spun in confusion.
Gavin shook his head. "Did you honestly think the Bigods were smart enough to do all of this? For what reason would they? They have been gracious in letting me stay here, but I must take credit."
"Why are you doing this? Why are you telling me this?"
He did not reply. He just stood where he was staring at her blankly. It hit her in that moment. He was not letting her out alive.
"Please, Gavin, why have you done this?" she said in a whimper. Her entire world was now completely shattered.
His foot started to tap. "Do you not hear well? I said I had to get you out of the way."
"To what end?" she said, fearing for all of those she loved.
"Someone will bring you food soon," he said as he left without warning, ignoring her question entirely.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gemma did not sleep well. The storm returned with a vengeance, assaulting the walls of the castle. A guard had brought her a dry kirtle when he delivered food. It was too big, but it was dry, thick, and warm. The soldier had also offered linen, which did not do much more than take the edge off of the chill in the night. She forced herself to eat, knowing the babe needed food.
The morning light was dim. The storm seemed to want to hang on. Dark clouds were looming, and Gemma knew the rains were not yet over. Helena came with fruit and wine but did not say anything to her. She lit a fire in the small fireplace in the passageway. She did not look at her directly, and she scurried away as soon as she was done with her task.
There was nothing to do but wait. The heat from the fire started to reach her, but it would not warm her as she had been warmed at home. She watched through the arrow loops as the storm rolled back in, and she wondered what was going on back at Blackstone. Did anyone even miss her? Surely Isabel and her father would think it strange she was gone. She had left Nicholas thinking she did not want anything to do with him, but she had lied. She loved him and now missed him terribly. She would give anything to see him storm into the room right now.
The realization Gavin had been behind the deaths of Minna and Smithy was hard for her to swallow. He could have even poisoned their father. So many bad things had happened, and her brother seemed to accept responsibility with glee. What could have driven him to this and why? Why did he not come home to marry as planned?
She peered outside again. The clouds were so thick she could no longer guess at the time of day. Footsteps once again sounded in the passageway, telling her it must be near dinner and more food was coming.
It was Gavin, and he had no food. She sat on the stool and did not rise.
"I want you to know if you do not tell me what I want to hear, I shall have the little brat harmed," he said to her without preamble or emotion.
Gemma jumped up and ran at him. "You would not dare harm Isabel! Do what you want with me, but do not harm her."
"Oh, I will do whatever I wish with you, dear sister. I told Phillip he could have you. The stupid sot could not wait though. He nearly ruined everything by attacking you on your wedding night. If he had just waited, he would be having his pleasure of you now, not rotting in Henry's prison."
Her visible shudder made Gavin throw back his head and laugh. "That was a wretched moment for you, was it not, Sis? I managed to knock Oliver before he could see what Phillip was up to. The idiot almost mucked it all up."
"You, you… you allowed Phillip to rape me?" she asked, feeling she was about to hyperventilate.
"Nay, I did not, but I certainly did not want to see h
im dragged away in chains with me being at his home. I had no choice but to knock out Oliver so Phillip would not be caught. He was, as you know, but I managed to warn him of what would happen if he mentioned me."
Gemma let it sink in for a moment. "So you have been behind this all along?"
"I was told by Henry I was a good knight but not a great one. He could not rightly allow me to inherit my father's land. 'Tis too important a position to leave to one as weak as me. He granted my request to marry Helena, but he was putting me on a small manor rather than granting me my family home. Can you imagine?" Gavin said, spittle flying from between his teeth. "That arrogant knave taking away my birthright with a wave of his hand. I killed for him! More men than I can count. They hound me in my dreams. The screaming never stops!"
"But you were on your way home. We were waiting for you," she said. Her brother did not seem sane, but she questioned him. She needed answers if nothing else.
"Aye, that was part of the plan. We took an alternative route and came here instead. My plans were already in motion, put in place, and carried out by my squire. He was to poison Father, leaving you alone and vulnerable so I could ride home a hero and regain Henry's respect. I could then again take my place as rightful heir. Then the screaming in my head could stop. It did not work out so well, as you had Henry summoned, who instantly sent de Reymes. You ruined it all! I cannot get Blackstone back with him still alive."
Stunned, she did not speak. She was too shocked by what she was hearing. Her brother seemed so bitter. She could not imagine feeling this way about her own family.
"And Blaise de Vere, our dear father, he would not die. No, he had to live. 'Twas not bad enough he ruined my life. He ruined my plans to take it back."
"Father loves you." She stepped back slowly. Her brother was obviously not well. His face had reddened dramatically as he spoke.
"Phillip assured me you were a helpless twit," he continued talking, obviously unable to stop. "I do not know how he could be so wrong. I told him he could have you, but I have no idea why he would want a spoiled brat like you. He is not too smart, that one. He honestly thought I would turn Blackstone over to him once he had you."
At this point, Gemma had enough. "Why do you dare speak of me and those I love this way? We are your family. What Henry said was in no way our fault. If he made that choice, you had to accept it, just as I had to accept marriage to Nicholas. I would never have hurt my family just to get around the king's orders."
"Why should I care about any of you? Do you not remember our childhood together?" he said and paused. "No? You know why? Because we never had one! Father sent me away as soon as he could. I meant nothing to him. I disappointed him somehow. You, you on the other hand," he said as he pointed at her, his finger shaking, "you were allowed to stay. You and Isabel."
"He sent you away so you would become a man, just as every other boy did at that age. He knew 'twas your only hope at a good life because you were not inclined to join the clergy in service of God. He did not send us because of the danger. 'Twas not a good time to foster us so he kept us home. We were girls. You were to become a man. 'Twas different for you. How can you hold that against him?"
His face contorted and he bellowed at her, "You do not know of what you speak, brat! He hated me and spoiled his daughters. I had every right to that land, and Henry took it from me. For all I know, Father had a hand in that as well."
"Your evil astounds me. I cannot believe we are related," she said with contempt. "I hope you rot with Phillip."
"Aye, mayhap I will," Gavin said, ready to leave, "but 'twill be after I rid Blackstone of your wretched husband and take back what was rightfully mine."
And he was gone.
****
At first, Nicholas did not panic. The servants had told him she was missing. She would not have been able to leave that fast. He thought she was hiding in the castle somewhere, avoiding him until she could pack up her sister and take off going west toward Wales. It was a long trek, and she never would have made it alone. It was a foolish idea, just she and Isabel traveling across England.
He had decided to wait her out. She would come out of hiding, and then he would talk her out of leaving. He knew he could force her to stay, but that was not what he wanted. Maybe she would stay if he could offer her peace. This was her home, after all. If she wished it, he should be the one to leave, not her.
Alone, he had not been doing well while sitting and waiting. He had sent two of his men out to trail her from a distance on the off chance she had truly taken off toward Wales. He could not put that past her. Isabel was still within the walls though, so unless she went alone, those men were trailing no one and they had not returned. Either she was still safely within the castle walls as he hoped, or they could not find her. He knew he could no longer sit around and wonder.
It had become apparent something was wrong by the time Isabel showed up to sit at the dais for supper that night and asked about her sister. Isabel had not seen her all day. It had been raining continuously. Isabel, bored out of her mind, had been searching out her sister's company. He sent someone to the stables only to discover Lady was still in her stall. He sounded the alarm immediately and told his men Gemma was missing. The grounds were searched again to no avail. There was no sign of her.
Nicholas himself had gone up to the solar to inspect her belongings. Some of her things had been rearranged, but nothing was missing. She would not have left without her sister, her horse, or any of her clothing. He had already searched all of the out buildings, the servant quarters, the attic, cellar, and each room in the solar looking for her, knowing she was not there, but he needed to look again anyway. He also searched each tower and had even searched the barracks for his wife.
His last stop was the nursery. Nothing seemed amiss there, but when he went to leave, something caught his eye. He was not sure, as he spent little time there, but something seemed out of place.
A tapestry on the far wall was slightly askew, and there was a wooden stool leaning up against the wall rather than standing straight up on all four legs near the table. He paused and then decided to investigate. He righted the stool and studied the corner. He put his fingers on the tapestry and pressed it against the wall. Everything seemed to be as it should be.
He kicked the stool into the wall in frustration, only to hear an echo behind it. Moving the heavy tapestry aside, he found a wood panel where it should have been stone. He pushed on the wood but nothing happened. Then he pressed his fingers against it and moved it to the side. It slid and opened up before him.
"Another passageway!" he said. He had no time to signal for someone to help him. He grabbed a candle from the table near the window and stepped into the tunnel. He followed it carefully until he came out near the orchard. Gemma had been through this tunnel, and she did not go through it alone. Someone had taken her. It would have been no trouble to move her from one tunnel to the other, leading them out into the woods.
Oliver was near the main gate when he saw Nicholas walking toward him. "Milord?" he said, "You have news of Gemma?"
"I fear so," he said. "I thought she was off on her horse again, and I have men out looking for her, but it appears she left against her will. They used the tunnel leading out to the woods."
"I thought her father sealed it long ago," de Toeni said, looking puzzled.
"He did not. I had it watched. Those guarding it did not do a good job, for someone has left with Gemma through that tunnel, and no one has reported anything to me or brought her back," he said as he realized he had bigger problems than he thought.
"What can I do, milord?" Oliver asked.
"I want to know who was regularly on guard near the tunnel. I fear our interloper was sitting among us all this time, wearing soldier garb. I should have known!"
After his discovery, search parties were sent out, and Nicholas drilled each and every man he could find within the walls. It did not matter if they were his men, Henry's men, or de Vere's men. T
hey all were suspect in his mind. One man was missing, at least if he could believe any of them. That one man was always stationed at the passageway, but no one ever remembered him in the hall to eat or at mass. He was only ever seen on duty.
Nicholas knew at last this was the person he had been trying to flush out, but he had no idea who the man was or what he had been trying to do.
****
He now sat upon his horse with a few of his men beside him. They were waiting to see if they could cross the River Lea, his destrier prancing and impatient. He knew where she was now, and he cursed himself for not realizing it sooner. He knew the Bigods were involved. He no longer thought them to be the problem, but they were aiding someone.
The rains from the storm had filled the river. The waters were raging, inky black, and angry. There was no way he could safely cross at this moment and would have to either find another way across or wait. Waiting was rarely an option for him when a plan was clear, so he beckoned for his men to come and he followed the river, looking for another crossing. He watched the skies as he went. Rain still fell, but it was light. The clouds were threatening though, and he feared the waters would never subside. He would have to find another way to cross. All Blackstone ships were en route to London, so traveling the Thames was not an option.
He came back, unable to find another passable spot, to return to Blackstone. He would swim the waters if he had to, but he would not leave her at the mercy of Hugh Bigod. Somehow, some way, he would get to her — even if he had to go alone.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gavin came back three more times before dark to torment Gemma. She was weary, feeling unwell, and extremely tired. It seemed just when she settled down to rest, he would reappear. When he brought her supper, he seemed even more aggravated than ever.
"Where is your husband?" he demanded as he shoved her food through the door and slammed it shut. "Tell me what I have to know to get into Blackstone. The bastard has blocked the passageway from the woods, and now, I do not have access."
