Lonely is the Knight (Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance Book 3) (25 page)

“How bad is it?”

Henry’s face was grave. “The wall has fallen. Timothy had men loyal to him guarding the wall. During the night, they put up a makeshift bridge.” He wiped his brow, and she could see blood spattered across his tunic.

“We are overrun. All is lost.” He took her in his arms, kissing her as if it was the last time they would ever see each other.

Charlotte’s heart shattered.

“Lock yourself in the chamber. If I die, remember you are the lady of the castle. Lady Ravenskirk.”

“Don’t say such things. It’s going to be fine. Won’t the army be here soon?”

“They have not arrived, and I fear ’tis too late. When it’s over, only then unbar the door and come out. Demand to be taken to the king. They will not harm you. Not even Lord Hallsey would be so bold. My brothers will come to court to aid you. I am certain your sister’s husband’s will as well. You will not die.”

“Please don’t say such things. It’s taken me my whole life to find you. I can’t lose you now.”

“I will find you in the next life.” Henry turned to go. Charlotte grabbed him, afraid if he walked out the door she’d never see him again.

“Stay with me awhile?”

“Aye, my love.” He stroked her hair. “If I ever find the old woman in the wood again, in this life or the next, I will thank her. She was right about everything. While I would not call Timothy friend, the men who turned against me to fight with him were my men.”

Charlotte felt hope bloom in her heart. “But she also said
when you see nothing but darkness ahead, look to the east
. We have to believe the armies will reach us in time.”

Henry shook his head. “I think it’s the only thing she was wrong about. You have not been outside; you have not seen—so much death. I could not protect my people. My men. I will give my last breath to protect you.”

“You did everything possible to protect us all. I can’t believe it will end like this. Not after I’ve come so far.”

“I would give all that I have for one more day with you. I swear to you, Charlotte, I will wait for you in the next life. I will watch over you and find a way to send you a sign.”

He trailed kisses over her face. “For I know there is more to this life than we can see. And that gives me hope. I will love you even through death.”

Henry finished dressing. “I have tarried long enough. I cannot leave the men to fight without me.” He held her tight.

“Swear to me you will lock the door when I leave. Remember what I told you.”

Charlotte let the tears fall, unable to stop them. She couldn’t accept that she would have so little time with Henry. Came all this way, found out her sisters were here, and were on their way, only to have everything ripped away. She didn’t believe Henry. Every action Lord Hallsey had taken against him told her he would kill her—if he didn’t do something worse. She had to accept she might die without seeing her sisters again. But at least she knew they had made a life here. And she hoped with all her heart they had found happiness and love, as she had.

As Henry walked to the door, he paused. He crossed the room in three strides and pulled her close, raining kisses on her face.

“Now that you know what will happen, if you had the choice, would you have remained in the future?”

She wept as she tried to get the words out.

“Every choice I made has led me to you. I would make every single choice again even knowing today may be our last day on this earth. I love you with all my heart and soul.”

She looked her amazing husband in the eye. “Now go out there and kill as many of them as you can.”

Charlotte didn’t sleep at all that night. She remained at the window, only turning away to eat and drink when food was brought to her. The interior of the castle had not yet been breached. The men guarding her grew graver and graver every time she opened the door. She urged them to leave, to go out and help Henry. To fight. But the man shook his head.

“Nay, lady. I am charged with protecting you, and I will do so to the last breath.”

The fighting being over for the night brought the sounds of men dying to the chamber. Charlotte could hear women crying—and the smell. The smell was unbearable. She knew they were burning the dead so infection wouldn’t spread. It was a horrific scene out of a movie, only it wasn’t a movie. It was her life.

Charlotte must’ve fallen asleep, for when she woke it was dawn. And the sounds of battle filled the air. By the way the sun looked, she judged it to be midmorning when she heard a different sound. It sent her running to the window. In the distance she saw bright colors. And Charlotte started screaming. Jumping up and down. The door opened and the men rushed in.

“What is amiss, lady?”

The younger man had a hand on the hilt of his sword. “We heard you screaming.”

She pointed to the window. “Look! The army is here.”

Both men looked out the window, and she felt the change in the air. She’d never believed you could feel help, but she swore she could.

“Go. Find Henry and fight with him. The tide has turned and we will prevail.”

They hesitated. Charlotte pleaded, “I beseech you to go and fight with Henry. Do not let my husband die. Protect him. This is my order as your lady.”

Finally they gave her a stiff nod as they left the room. She barred the door behind them and waited. She washed and changed clothes and made a list in her head. There would be bandages, hot water, and herbs needed for the injured. Not to mention the aftermath and cleanup. But she wouldn’t complain. Because it would mean she were still alive.

Please keep Henry safe.

She could hear the change in the sounds of battle. And looking out the window, she was in awe of the number of men she saw.

The battle raged. Charlotte paced. Every once in a while she caught a glimpse of Henry. He seemed to be covered from head to toe in blood and muck, and she hoped he was unharmed. She felt helpless here in the tower but knew he would worry about her if she came down. And she didn’t want anything to distract him. He needed his full wits about him. To be completely focused on winning.

There was a pounding at the door. “Who’s there?”

“I am to tell you
Mellie says hello
.” The voice sounded puzzled as it relayed the message. But Charlotte grinned as she opened the door.

“Oh, it’s you.”

In front of her stood the piper. The same piper she had seen when she was with the history buffs and in London. The same man whose voice she’d heard when the man chasing her tried to kill her. She swore he’d saved her life.

“My lady, we have not met. I would remember.”

“My mistake. You look like someone I met in London.”

“I told your sister I would stay with you until the battle is over. My lord, Edward, sent me to watch over you.”

She handed him a cup of wine. “Tell me what you know.”

He sat down and told her everything that had happened since they’d received the message she and Henry needed help. She was grateful to the man, for he was a natural-born storyteller, and he almost allowed her to take her mind off what was happening outside the window.

They’d talked for several hours when she heard sounds of a fight outside the door. Charlotte had been so shocked to see the piper in the flesh that she had not barred the door behind him. Talk about a stupid mistake.

The door flew open and two men rushed in. The big one swung his sword at the piper’s head.

“Get down!”

The man dropped to the floor, and Charlotte grabbed the knife off the desk. She threw it at the man. It was pure luck she caught him in the gut.

There stood the man she hated almost as much as Hallsey. “You. You betrayed my husband.”

Timothy looked completely deranged. He was battered, bruised, and bleeding from several cuts. She wondered how he could still be alive. The man with him was scary looking and absolutely huge as he held his gut and cursed.

“Die, demon, die,” Timothy shouted as he raised a bow and arrow. Everything happened in slow motion. Charlotte watched as he pulled back his arm and the arrow took flight, and she stood still. Rooted to the spot, unable to move as the arrow came straight for her heart. As she watched, the piper pulled a knife from his boot and threw it, hitting the big, scary man in the throat. He went down with a gurgle. And somehow, the piper still managed to throw himself in front of her at the last moment. The arrow struck him in the heart. He fell to the floor and Charlotte screamed.

Timothy nocked another arrow and came toward her. Charlotte reached down and pulled the second knife from the piper’s boot. She didn’t know how she did it, but as Timothy got close to her, she lunged forward and thrust upward. He grabbed hold of her; she pulled out the knife and struck again. This time she nailed him in the eye. Her stomach heaved, and Charlotte tried not to throw up as he fell to the floor. She turned and knelt down by the piper.

“You saved my life. I am so sorry. It was my fault for not locking the door.”

He smiled at her. “You, lady, are a warrior in your own right. You saved me from losing my head. I will play for the Thornton women until the end of time.” He coughed and blood trickled out of his mouth. She could hear a rattle in his chest as he whispered, “I swear, I will warn them in times of danger. Throughout time.”

As he passed, Charlotte reached up and closed his eyes. She was blinded by tears, incredibly grateful he had given his own life to save her.

“I swear, I will live the rest of my days being happy and filled with hope.” She made a decision. She could tell the battle was at an end, and she needed Henry. Only he would understand what she had been through.

The next week had been difficult. The army routed Hallsey and his men. She found out later Lord Hallsey had been killed by an arrow. So many men lost their lives. From knights to peasants, death did not discriminate.

Charlotte met Henry’s brothers. She found them all good-looking and charming. Her only wish was to have met them for the first time under better circumstances.

When she met James and William, she could understand why her sisters had married them. They promised to take her back to Falconburg to see them both. She still couldn’t believe Melinda was pregnant and due in a week or two. And, of course, William wouldn’t bring Lucy to a battle. They were anxiously waiting for her. And Charlotte was looking forward to finally making the journey.

The new priest was doing well, and busy with the aftermath of the battle. Edward had been saddened by the loss of his favorite piper.

“I’d like to have a statue commissioned and put in the garden. He saved my life, and I would like to remember him always.”

Edward looked touched. “I thank you.”

“He said he would watch over the Thornton women for all time. Warn them of any impending danger.” She smiled. “I can’t be the only Thornton woman. Perhaps it is time for you and your brothers to marry?”

Henry burst out laughing. “Look at the horror upon his face.”

Edward struck him, and then they were rolling in the dirt like two small children. Robert and Christian called out helpful suggestions and insults.