Connie Mason (25 page)

Falcon returned to his lodgings on the evening of his second day of fruitless searching and ordered supper in his room. Weary and despondent, he spread out the map and pored over it while he awaited his supper. There came a rap on his door. Thinking it was his meal, he called permission to enter. The door opened.

“Set the tray on the table,” Falcon said.

“Falcon!”

A small body hurtled forward, colliding with Falcon’s knees and nearly toppling him. Robbie’s little arms clung tightly, as if he were afraid Falcon would disappear should he let go. Falcon looked past Robbie at Becca, who stood on the threshold, wringing her hands.

Falcon lifted Robbie in his arms. The lad began to sob, wetting Falcon’s shirt front.

“Where is your mama, Robbie? Has something happened to her?”

“M-M-Mama went away,” Robbie stuttered between sobs.

Stunned, Falcon stared at Robbie. “She left?” He looked at Becca for confirmation. When she nodded, Falcon invited her in and closed the door. “Tell me what happened.”

“My lady returned to Mildenhall, sir. She left Robbie in my care because she feared Sir Osgood would hurt him. She said she would send for us as soon as she reclaimed the keep from Sir Osgood.”

Falcon cursed beneath his breath, mindful of the young lad clinging to his neck. He couldn’t imagine why Mariah would return to Mildenhall without apprising him of her intentions. Had their passionate encounter meant naught to her? Why hadn’t she confided in him? Did she think he would deny her request for help? Naught made sense to him.

“How did you find me?” Falcon asked.

“My lady mentioned where you were staying before she left, but said she didn’t want to burden you with her problems. I took the chance that you would still be here.”

“Burden me!” Falcon shouted, causing Becca to flinch. “Damnation! I cannot believe what I am hearing. You
should have come to me the moment Mariah left. What finally brought you here?”

“I do not like London,” Becca whispered. “I’m afraid to leave the inn for fear we’ll be accosted on the streets. Robbie cries nearly every day for his mother; I could think of naught to do but try to find you and beg your help. We both want to go home.”

“You were wise to come to me, Becca,” Falcon said. “I’ve been searching for Mariah and Robbie since the day she visited me in my rooms. Your lady explained that Osgood had invaded Mildenhall, but she left before I could offer my help. I didn’t know where to find her, because she didn’t tell me where she was staying.”

“You’ll help us, then?” Becca asked in a trembling voice.

“Help us, Falcon,” Robbie begged. “I miss Mama. What if Osgood hurts her?”

Falcon’s heart went out to the lad. “Of course I’ll help, Robbie. Did you doubt it? Where are you staying?”

“At the King’s Arms,” Becca replied.

“Damnation! That’s just around the corner! I spent two days looking for you while you were but a stone’s throw away. I’ll send Jamie to fetch your things as soon as he returns. Meanwhile, I’ll engage a room for you and Robbie here, where I can keep an eye on you until we leave for Mildenhall.”

“You’re going to take me home!” Robbie crowed. He sent a superior look at Becca. “See, Becca, I told you Falcon would help us.”

Becca dashed away a tear. “That you did, Robbie lad, but your mother said Sir Falcon’s wife wouldn’t approve.”

“My wife?” Falcon nearly strangled over the word. “Why would Mariah think I was wed when I said naught to her about having a wife?”

“I know not, sir. Are you saying you’re not wed?”

“That’s exactly what I am saying.”

“When can we leave, Falcon?” Robbie asked.

“Tomorrow, if at all possible, Robbie, my lad. It will take but a few hours to gather my men, and then we will leave London to reclaim Mildenhall for you and your mother.”

True to his word, Falcon and his party left London the following day, riding full tilt for Mildenhall. He prayed he wasn’t too late, vowing to rid Mildenhall of Osgood’s vile presence once and for all.

As Falcon neared Mildenhall, Mariah waited at the portcullis for her guardsmen to appear, pacing back and forth while Walter watched her.

“Marrying me is a wise choice, Mariah. I swear you won’t be sorry,” Walter said. “You have naught to fear from me as long as you remember your place.”

“Like your mother and Elizabeth have naught to fear from your father?” Mariah goaded. “You could have helped both of them had you shown some gumption. Instead, you stood by while your father abused them.”

Walter’s expression turned sour. “At least Mother knows her place, which is more than I can say for you. So did Elizabeth until you turned her against us.” His expression softened. “You’ll learn soon enough, Mariah. And when you do, you’ll realize I’m not the ogre you think me. All I need from you is a son.”

“Over my dead body,” Mariah muttered beneath her
breath. She knew exactly what would happen to Robbie once she bore Walter a son.

“What did you say?”

“I said naught.”

Walter’s reply was forestalled when Osgood appeared, prodding Edwina and Father Francis before him.

Edwina’s face drained of all color when she saw Mariah. She stopped in her tracks. “Mariah, what have you done?”

“Move,” Osgood snarled, giving Edwina a vicious shove. She stumbled, and then sprawled on the ground at Osgood’s feet. Father Francis helped her up.

“Hurt her and our agreement is off,” Mariah warned.

Edwina, leaning heavily on Father Francis, hobbled toward the gate, her gaze fixed on Mariah’s face.

“Raise the portcullis!” Osgood shouted.

The portcullis cranked open. “Go,” Osgood ordered; “both of you.”

Edwina and the priest walked through the gate. “What is this about?” Edwina whispered so only Mariah could hear. “Why did you return? Are the king’s troops on their way?”

“I know what I’m doing,” Mariah replied. “Father Francis, take Edwina to the village. Tell Mr. Maypole I sent you, that you’re both to be given rooms in his inn.”

“Mariah,” Edwina pleaded, “please tell me you’re not going to do anything foolish.”

“Don’t worry. Robbie is safe,” Mariah whispered. “He’s with Becca; they’re staying in London at the King’s Arms. It’s near Whitehall. Take care of him if I’m not able. Please go now; my work here isn’t finished.”

Mariah watched as the pair hurried down the path toward the village; then she turned to confront Osgood.
“Where are my guardsmen? Not all my terms have been met.”

Osgood muttered a curse and raised his arm. It must have been a signal, for immediately a line of men, possessing neither armor nor weapons, emerged from the keep and proceeded under guard to the portcullis.

“Never let it be said that Osgood Fitzhugh didn’t keep his word. As you can see, your guardsmen are unharmed.” He laughed. “They will be of little use to you without weapons or horses.”

“At least they are free to seek employment elsewhere,” Mariah maintained.

Each guardsman stopped before her to bow over her hand and renew his fealty as he walked through the portcullis.

“Sir Maynard,” she whispered as her captain of the guard paused before her, “meet me in the stables behind the inn at midnight tonight.”

The men moved on.

“Well, Mariah, I kept my part of the bargain. The rest is up to you. Walter will go with you to fetch Robbie.”

“Walter may call for me tomorrow at the inn,” Mariah replied with false bravado. “You’ve kept me waiting so long, ’tis too late to leave tonight.”

Osgood kept his rage well in hand, though Mariah could tell he was eager to vent it.

“What nonsense is this? Are you not a woman of your word?”

How easily lies slipped from her mouth. “It grows late; we will leave to fetch Robbie tomorrow and not before.”

“Is he not in the village?”

“Nay, he is not. Your men made a thorough search of
the village, so you must know he is not there. He is nowhere near Mildenhall.”

“Then you will abide the night here with us.”

“I will await Walter at the inn,” Mariah insisted.

Osgood scowled at her. “Walter will accompany you. I trust you not, Mariah.”

“Then we are even, Osgood. Walter may come if he wishes, but I doubt he will find room at the inn.”

“I’m not going to sleep in a stable, Father. I enjoy my comforts too much. Send one of our men to keep watch over Mariah until I fetch her in the morning.”

“Very well, but if she tricks us, I’ll retaliate in a way she won’t like. Sir Martin and the servants will suffer the consequences if she does not keep her word.”

A chill settled deep in Mariah’s gut. How in God’s name was she going to get out of this mess without harming those she cared about? She would set Father Francis to praying for deliverance from this impossible situation.

Spinning on her heel, Mariah set off for the village before Osgood could change his mind. Moments later, a mercenary, having received hasty orders from Osgood, jogged after her.

Dame Helen, the innkeeper’s wife, rushed forth to greet Mariah when she arrived at the inn. “My lady, you’ve returned. Are you all right?”

“I am well, Dame Helen.”

“Who is that?” Helen asked when Osgood’s mercenary placed himself between her and Mariah.

“Osgood sent one of his men to make sure I don’t flee. Did Edwina and Father Francis arrive?”

“Aye, they occupy our last two rooms.”

Mariah started toward the stairs.

“Where are you going, lady?” the mercenary asked.

“I need to speak to Edwina and Father Francis.”

“Nay, ’tis not allowed. Sir Osgood ordered me to stand guard outside the door until Walter arrives in the morning to fetch you. You are to confer with no one.”

“What harm can there be in talking to a priest and an old woman?” Mariah argued.

“I know not. I have my orders, lady, and dare not disobey them. Sir Osgood deals harshly with failure.”

Mariah had no choice but to climb the stairs, enter her room and fume in impotent rage as the door slammed behind her. After pacing the length of the room and back several times, Mariah opened the door and peered into the hall.

To her consternation, the guard prowled outside her door. “Is there something you wish, lady?”

“Naught from you,” she replied, closing the door and leaning against it. How was she to slip out to meet Sir Maynard with a guard watching her?

Later that evening, Dame Helen arrived with Mariah’s supper. “Are Edwina and Father Francis all right?” Mariah whispered.

“Aye. They tried to visit you, but your guard turned them away.”

“I’m to meet Sir Maynard in the stable at midnight, but I don’t know how I’m to accomplish it without alerting the guard.” She ran to the window, disappointed that no sturdy tree existed for her to climb down. Despondent, she sank onto the bed. “How will I ever get out of this? Naught Osgood could do will make me give up Robbie to him.”

“Don’t lose hope, my lady. Your guard was yawning when I passed him. Mayhap if I offer to send up a chair for him to sit on and feed him tea laced with soporific herbs, he will fall asleep so you can sneak out to meet Sir Maynard.”

Mariah clasped Dame Helen’s hands in hers. “Thank you, Dame Helen. Any help would be appreciated.”

Mariah ate her supper without really tasting it. Would her problems never end? She worried about Robbie and Becca, alone and friendless in London.

To make matters worse, her thoughts kept straying to Falcon. The man must be a total degenerate if he could make love to her so passionately just a few days after marrying Rosamond. Had he no conscience, no morals?

Was she any better than he for allowing a married man to make love to her?

Thrusting Falcon from her mind, Mariah worried about how Osgood would react when she refused to lead Walter to Robbie. Her remaining hope for rescue rested with Sir Maynard and her guardsmen. If she was able to meet with them tonight, she intended to send them to seek help from Edmond’s neighbors, men who had been friends with her husband. But would that help arrive in time to save her?

Mariah awakened from a light doze as the chapel bell tolled Matins. The hour of midnight had finally arrived. She rose from her chair and tiptoed to the door. Holding her breath, she opened the door and peeked out. If God was good to her, she’d find the guard sleeping.

To her utter delight, the guard was sprawled in a chair that Dame Helen had provided, a cup sitting on the floor
and his head resting against the wall. His mouth was open, emitting loud snores. Mariah stepped out into the hall, closed the door behind her and tiptoed past him. In a trice she was down the stairs and out the door, racing around to the stables.

The comforting scent of horses and hay greeted Mariah. There was no light, no sound, just utter silence and obsidian darkness.

“My lady,” someone whispered.

“Sir Maynard, is that you?”

“Aye, we’re here, my lady.”

“I don’t have much time, so listen carefully.”

Though she saw naught but shadows, Mariah felt the reassuring presence of her loyal men.

“Tell us what you wish us to do, my lady,” Maynard said. “We are too few to storm Mildenhall, and have no weapons, armor or horses.”

“We need help, and quickly. I want you to make your way with the greatest haste to the estates of Lord Edmond’s friends. I know Lord Branbury to the east of here and Lord Thornhill to the west would help if they were made aware of my predicament. Both estates lie but a short distance from Mildenhall. Beg the lords to lend you whatever you need in the way of weapons, armor and mounts. And most important, bring men to help reclaim Mildenhall for Edmond’s heir.”

“We are afoot, my lady,” Maynard reminded her.

“Take six horses from Master Maypole’s stables. Ride double if you must. Do not attempt to reclaim Mildenhall until you have sufficient weapons and help to succeed. Arrange to meet and coordinate your efforts the day after
tomorrow at the huge willow tree near the brook in the forest beyond the village.”

“What about you, my lady?” Sir Maynard asked. “Come with us.”

“Worry not about me. Reclaim Mildenhall for Robbie. If something happens to me, Edwina knows where to find him. She and Father Francis will see him restored to his rightful place at Mildenhall.”