Promised to the Crusader (14 page)

‘Yes, I wanted to die. I must leave here,’
Elaine said. ‘I will not marry anyone else. I would rather die.’

‘Bertrand has gone to Sweetbriars. He will send to Lord Zander’s uncle and ask for his help. Somehow, we must slip away and reach the manor this night.’

‘If Anne suspects…they would not let us go.’

‘Give me the drink she prepared for you,’ Marion said, ‘then lie down on your bed and pretend to sleep. I will empty the cup and then I shall tell everyone you are resting, but I shall come back here and hide in your room. As soon as they are at table this night, we shall leave together.’

‘My lord…’ Elgin faltered, staring at Zander as if he’d seen a ghost. ‘We thought you dead…my lady was near unto death for grief of you.’

‘Then she did not get my message telling her we had been betrayed and to remain here and trust no one until I came?’

The steward turned pale. ‘Lord Stornway came with news and my lady rode with him to the castle. It was there that she was taken ill and we heard you were slain by the Earl of Newark’s treachery, my lord.’

Zander cursed. ‘Methinks Newark had little
to do with any of this,’ he said. ‘I have been betrayed, but not by the man I thought my enemy.’

‘My lady is still a guest at Lord Stornway’s castle.’

‘Or his prisoner,’ Zander said. ‘How many men are within the castle? How many can I count on to ride with me to rescue her?’

‘There are thirty men-at-arms here, my lord, but there must be three times that many at the castle. You left sufficient force here to withstand a siege, but an attacking force would need to be much larger.’

‘I took fifteen men with me when I left to meet, as I supposed, with Newark,’ Zander said. ‘Five were killed when we were ambushed, four badly injured and five returned with me, the other able man remains to guard the wounded. It would be impossible for a force like ours to lay siege to Stornway Castle.’

‘Would your uncle send men to help you?’

‘Perhaps—and yet he might not wish to offend the King’s Marshal. I should need to convince him that Lord Stornway is a traitor to Richard.’

‘My lord…’ A servant had come up to them. ‘Forgive me, but a person hath arrived.’

‘Not now, sirrah,’ Zander said. ‘Can you not see that I am busy?’

‘But my lord…he says he comes from your lady.’

‘Elaine has sent…’ Zander turned at once, all attention now. ‘Pray, where is this man? Tell him to come forwards.’

‘I am here, sir,’ Bertrand said and stepped forwards. ‘You may remember that I was escorting your lady when you helped her once before?’

‘Yes, I recall you. I thought you Newark’s prisoner?’

‘And so I was—but Lord Stornway ordered the prisoners released.’

‘Do you come from him or my lady?’

‘I serve only my lady, sir.’ Bertrand raised his head. ‘I heard Lord Stornway speaking to the cardinal, my lord. He was arguing with him, persuading and threatening by turn.’

‘And what were they arguing about?’

‘The cardinal said he must have proof of your death before Lord Stornway could wed Lady Elaine—but the King’s Marshal said that your marriage was not a true one, that it was never consummated and could be annulled by the Church. The cardinal was reluctant, but in the end he took gold from Lord Stornway and agreed the wedding would take place before Christ’s Mass—as soon as he received word
from the bishop that the marriage was annulled.’

‘The devil!’ Zander glared at him. ‘For an annulment Elaine would need to consent.’

‘She could be made to seem as if she consented,’ Bertrand said. ‘Lady Anne is clever with drugs, my lord. For a while after you were reported dead my lady did not care whether she lived or died…they controlled her mind then and might again.’

‘What proof of this have you?’

‘None but what I have seen and heard.’

‘Yet I believe you.’ Zander’s hand clenched on his sword hilt. ‘We must get her away from that devil…but how?’

‘You could not take the castle by a frontal assault,’ Bertrand said. ‘The only way is if a few of us could enter the castle secretly and snatch her.’

‘Could you get us in without raising the alarm?’

‘If you were willing to accept a disguise,’ Bertrand said. ‘Every morning the side gates are opened to allow villagers to bring in food or come to their work. We could mingle with them, hiding our weapons, and make our way to Lady Elaine’s chamber.’

‘Your face is known.’

‘Aye. I shall drive the cart in which you and two of your best men will hide. If we are to succeed, we cannot risk a larger force.’

‘If we fail…you know it would mean certain death?’ Zander glanced about him. ‘Who will follow me?’

Every man present stepped forwards.

Zander smiled. ‘I thank you all. Sir Robert, Sir Henry, you will accompany me. The rest of you must stay here to protect the manor and wait for us to return.’

‘And if you do not, my lord?’

‘Then you must ask my uncle to avenge us and to free my lady.’

‘She drank the tisane you took her?’ Philip looked at his sister through narrowed eyes. ‘She almost died the last time—she will not be ill this time?’

‘I have given her just a small measure of the cure. It will make her sleepy, but she will not be harmed. Tomorrow I will give her a little more and she will feel tired, hazy in her mind, just as when she lay ill before—but in a few days she will do everything you tell her without question. The priest will not notice that she seems odd—even if he cares.’

‘I have paid him well enough, but there must
be witnesses to the marriage so that she cannot protest she was tricked.’

‘You worry too much, Philip. I do not know why you want this woman so much. She is beautiful and she has some land—but you might take her lands anyway.’

‘Yes, she is beautiful,’ he agreed. ‘I coveted her as soon as I saw that Zander wanted her.’

‘You hate him as much as I, do you not?’

‘More…’ Philip’s eyes went cold. ‘His father threatened me…he threatened to have me disgraced and exiled by the king.’

Anne inclined her head. ‘That is why you had him beaten to death,’ she said. ‘Because he threatened you?’

‘Because he knew…’ Philip’s mouth was hard. ‘He knew that I had murdered my uncle, as he lay sick in his bed. I did not know that he had witnessed my act until he accused me of murder.’

‘You murdered our uncle to become Lord Stornway and the King’s Marshal?’

Philip smiled queerly. ‘He was old and weak. I wanted the power that was his—and I did not wish to go to the Crusades with Richard. Such adventures are for fools like Zander de Bricasse. He was so proud to take the Cross—and look where it got him.’

‘He came back scarred but rich, richer than you,’ Anne said. ‘Why did you not keep his jewels while you had them? He trusted you with his fortune.’

‘He is a favourite of the king,’ Philip said. ‘Richard’s ransom has either been paid or will be paid soon. He will return to England and if Zander had lodged a complaint against me…’

‘So you plotted to make him believe that Newark was his enemy.’ Anne laughed. ‘You are so clever, Philip. I admire your ruthlessness—but you promised me Zander’s head. I still have nothing to prove he is dead.’

‘You complain too much,’ Philip said. ‘I tell you he was slain. If he lives—where is he? Why did he not send word to Elaine or to me?’

‘Perhaps he plays a deeper game than you think, Philip? Mayhap he no longer trusts you.’

‘I tell you he is dead,’ Philip replied. ‘Go up and give Elaine another of your foul potions—but take care you do not make her ill.’

‘What would you do to me if I did?’ Anne asked and shivered as she saw the truth in his eyes, though he gave no verbal answer.

Turning, she walked away, her head bent and deep in thought.

She had always known her brother’s devious nature—the streak of evil that he kept hidden
behind a charming smile. As a girl she’d come across him torturing a puppy. When she’d tried to rescue it, he had slapped her and made her cry. Afterwards, he’d given her a fairing and begged her pardon, but she’d learned not to cross him again.

She’d been fond of her uncle, who had brought them up when their father had died in battle. Anne had not loved many people in her life, but she’d cared for Sir Jonquil and for her Uncle John. She had been careful not to reveal her shock at her brother’s casual revelation. Because she had wanted Zander de Bricasse dead, and because she’d helped him subdue Elaine, he believed that she was completely on his side—but now she felt a strange revulsion. Her bitter disappointment that the only man she’d ever wanted to wed had been killed in combat with Lord Zander had made her strike a bargain with her brother—but she had not known then that he’d murdered their gentle uncle.

Anne was not sure how she felt, but one thing was certain. She must be very careful—once Philip had what he wanted, he would no longer need his sister.

‘We must go now,’ Marion urged. ‘You need take nothing with you, but we must leave before
Lady Anne comes to see if you are still sleeping.’

‘Yes…we must go,’ Elaine said, then stopped as she heard a noise outside their door. ‘Someone comes. I shall lie down and pretend to sleep. You must leave me and wait for me in the courtyard.’

‘But, my lady…’

Elaine put a finger to her lips and lay down on the bed, closing her eyes. A moment later the door opened and Lady Anne entered. She frowned as she saw Marion.

‘Is your lady well?’

‘She seems very sleepy,’ Marion answered. ‘She was awake a few moments ago, but seemed lethargic—as if she had no energy. I asked if she needed anything and she told me to let her sleep.’

‘I see…’ Anne’s eyes travelled round the chamber, but everything was as normal. ‘I shall let her sleep—and you must come, too. I would have you fetch Lord Stornway to my chamber. Tell him it is important.’

‘Yes, my lady. I shall go at once.’

Elaine heard them go out and close the door. She tensed lest Anne decided to lock the door, for Elaine had heard an odd note in her voice that made her think she might suspect something.
The door remained unlocked. Elaine waited a moment, then rose, took her cloak from the closet and pulled it on, bringing the hood up over her face. She went softly to the door and looked out. The stair was in darkness, but she could see lights in the hall below. Some were still at their supper.

Her heart beating wildly, Elaine crept down the worn stone steps to the bottom. If she could reach the side door to the courtyard without being seen…Her breath caught in her throat as she heard a man’s laughter, but no one called out or asked who she was or where she went. The corner of the hall where she stood lay in shadow for the torches were flickering low. She heard Lord Stornway’s voice saying that he had been summoned to his sister and dug her nails into her hand. Would he glance her way and see her?

Elaine was sick with fear, but there was no warning shout and no one ran to stop her as she softly lifted the latch and went out into the frosty night air. A moon was in the sky and it was light enough for her to see Marion waiting for her.

‘Thank God you are come,’ Marion said and caught her arm. ‘I thought Lady Anne suspected something. Pray God she will not tell
her brother. The night is too light and if they look for us there is nowhere to hide until we reach the woods.’

‘Lord Stornway was called away to her. I feared he would see me, but I stood in the shadows of a pillar and he did not.’

‘I did not summon him so she must have sent to him again,’ Marion said. ‘We must hurry, my lady. I am afraid she knows something.’

‘If we reach the woods there are places we can hide. We must try to get home before the morning, because once they know I’ve run away they will come after us.’

‘Why did you summon me at this hour?’ Philip asked when he walked into Anne’s chamber. ‘Is Elaine ill? Have your foul potions made her sick again?’

‘You blame me for her illness,’ Anne said. ‘I only did what you asked, Philip. You wanted her docile so that you could persuade her to wed you. I told you she would be difficult to persuade, but you would not listen to me.’

‘Damn you, Anne,’ he said and glared at her. ‘I do not want a lecture from you. Be careful or…’

‘Or what?’ Anne asked, looking at him defiantly. ‘You know that you need me, Philip.
She will never wed you if I do not make her subdued and easy to control. It might be years before you could have her.’

‘Damn you, you witch. The priest will do as he’s told or I’ll have him beaten. As for you—if you harm her…’ He advanced on her and Anne shivered. ‘Tell me she is well or I shall wring your scrawny neck.’

Anne smiled. ‘She is sleeping peacefully, brother dear. I gave her another small dose of poppy juice. Leave her to me and in a few days she will do whatever you wish.’

Philip nodded. ‘You will do as I want if you know what is good for you.’

‘When have I ever defied you?’ Anne went over to her window and glanced out. She was in time to see two figures wrapped in cloaks disappearing through the side gate of the courtyard. She turned and smiled at her brother. ‘Go and look at her if you will, but I dare say her woman is sitting with her.’

‘The sooner that wench marries and leaves us, the better,’ Philip muttered. ‘You may tell her that she is dismissed in the morning. I want no one to serve Elaine who is not under your control.’

‘Of course, Philip,’ Anne said sweetly. ‘I shall serve her myself—and one of my women
may care for her bodily needs. You may rest easily, brother. In a few days everything you ever wished for will be yours.’

‘It will be the worse for you if you do not keep your promise.’

He turned and strode from the room, shutting her door with a heavy snap.

‘I shall keep my promise to you, as you kept yours to me, brother,’ Anne said. She looked about her room, deciding what she would take with her. There were jewels enough of her own, but she knew where Philip kept some of his treasures. She would wait an hour or two until all was quiet and then she would go, using the same gate Elaine and her woman had used to escape. Once Philip knew they had gone, he would kill her, because he would know that she had lied to him.