Authors: Leslie Hachtel
“It seems it was indeed someone’s dearest wish. My luck their aim was not better, for the arrow struck home above my heart.”
John was shocked. “Who would do such as that?”
“I know not. I intend to seek out the truth. But first I must thank the one who found me.”
A lovely woman with pale blonde hair stepped forward. “I am the mistress here. My name is Tamara. I am the Countess of Westonbury. My man and I discovered you in the forest and had you brought here.” The lady’s smile was warm.
“I am forever in your debt, Lady Tamara. But, there was another. I saw her. Her beauty was beyond compare and her touch gentle. After she pulled out the arrow, that is. Not that you are not also very beautiful, my lady. And I know you tended me well. But I am sure there was someone else.”
“I suppose I appeared lovelier in your injured state. I was as gentle as I could be given the circumstances.”
“Lady Tamara, you are indeed fair, but the other has taken my heart.”
She spoke to him as if his mind wasn’t altogether right. “There was no other. We found and tended you. Perhaps you
had a vision. There is no reason to question it. Perhaps it was a memory of a woman you saw at court or in your travels. But there was only my maid and myself. You may accept my hospitality as long as you like, as you are most welcome here. But I can assure you, the woman of your dreams will not appear.”
“She was more like a vision of heaven. But, you are right, as much as I dislike making the admission, she was probably just a dream. I thank you for your hospitality, but I need to return home as quickly as possible. John can help me.”
“As you wish.”
Tamara left the room and John leaned in. “My lord, are you well enough to ride?”
“Yes, but John, they are lying. I did not imagine this other woman. I was in pain, true, but I was not out of my mind. She exists and for some reason they are denying her. I need to regain my strength and then seek her out.”
“Yes, my lord. Let us first see to your healing and find the one who dared attack you.” Then, of course, we can search out the lady of the forest. It should not be so difficult to find her when you are well. If she exists.”
“Do not doubt it, John. She lives. But your logic is clear. I will heal and then return to seek the woman. But remember this. My tenacity rivals the terrier cur and I will not cease until she is found.”
C
HAPTER
3
D
answorth Castle had
been built several hundred years ago and its excellent state of repair attested to the continued good fortune of the abiding earls.
The lookout, ever vigilant on the battlements, shouted down to the men training in the outer bailey. “Lord William approaches. Call out the household, and quickly inform Lady Leah her brother returns. Raise the portcullis. Our master returns!”
As William and John crossed the bridge, a cheer went up among the men. William smiled broadly and greeted them as he crossed into the inner bailey. Lady Leah stood with Richard Lovington, their trusted retainer, her excitement clear. She ran to William, practically yanking him from his horse in her exuberance and joy. The concern in her angelic face hurt him. Her heart was overlarge and he was sure it had nearly failed her when he did not return as expected from his outing. Richard stood quietly by, obviously relieved his lord was well and had returned.
“Easy, sweet sister,” he urged as she clutched at him. “I am still sore from the arrow’s mark.”
“Forgive me, dear William. I despaired of ever seeing you again. What happened? I have been beyond worry. Are you recovered? Does your wound still pain you overmuch?” Her cheeks were flushed and William nearly laughed out loud at her rush of questions.
“It only pains me when someone pokes at it. One question at a time, Leah. I shall tell you everything, although you may indeed doubt my sanity by the tale’s end. Come, get me some food, for I have missed your gracious and loving company and I am nearly starved.”
“Did they not feed you? I must protest!”
William took hold of her arm and drew her along beside him, up the stone steps and into the main hall. Leah immediately called out for food and wine to be brought and sat on the bench next to William, watching him impatiently as he drew of his gloves. He knew she was dying for the tale now that he was safe.
“Would you like a bath or a change of clothing before you dine? Your doublet is cut and your jerkin has most surely seen better days. And the blood stains—” She paled and William saw her distress.
“I will heal. And clothes can wait. First I should like to eat and—talk.” He hesitated. “Sweet Leah, am I mad? Do I go about seeing things? Have I ever dreamed a thing and believed it to be real?”
She remained quiet, looking down at her intertwined fingers.
The food was brought and William, pausing between bites of roasted meat and bread, told his sister what he remembered of his adventure. And of the woman he knew had actually saved him. The telling finished, Leah sighed. “How romantic, to have such a vision of a woman. So unlike the reality of Melissa.”
“Leah, please. You have always been the sensible one of us. Tell me truly. Do you think I conjured this woman or could I actually have encountered her? The thought of her—the memory, although brief, haunts me as nothing else in my life.”
“There are certain more pressing issues, brother. Who dispatched the arrow that might have ended your life and then abandoned you? That kind of treachery is unspeakable. That is the mystery that must be solved before we speak of the woman.”
“I have to wonder if Cedric is somehow behind this attack. He has made no secret of his lack of love for me.”
“But what could he gain?”
“Some are simply moved by vengeance.”
“You must seek answers. If he is the miscreant here, you must find out.”
“I will make proper inquiries. Whoever did this did not act alone. Others know who is responsible. If our half-brother had any part of this, I will know it. But for now, it is the woman who has possessed my soul. Do you not understand? Please, Leah. Not knowing is my bane. I need to be convinced if she is indeed real or a vision I created. Do you not see it torments me?”
“I cannot agree you are mad, William. And it is not like you to allow your imaginings to get hold of your mind. Perhaps you were fevered and as you fought those demons the vision appeared.”
“The lady of the castle and her maid deny she exists.”
“What precisely do you remember of her?”
“She was magnificent. Skin like ivory. Lips of reddest roses and thick black hair, dark as midnight.”
“Odd. There is something strangely familiar in your description, but just now it eludes me.”
“Press your memory, for I shall never be appeased until I am certain, and I fear I shall never be satisfied with another.”
“William, I cannot help but remind you that you are betrothed. What do you plan to tell Melissa when you go to seek your—phantom?”
“Leah, we both know how you feel about Melissa. She is not the most pleasant company, but I require an heir and her lands hold great attraction for me. Until now. I’ve been bewitched. And if my vision be the result of the wound or fever, I still cannot say. But I will not settle for another. Surely if I imagined the woman, it was a portent that she truly does draw breath somewhere and I have no choice but to seek her out.” He rose and began to pace.
“And then what? Give up your betrothal for a commoner? Keep the woman in the forest as your mistress?”
“Perhaps she is not of untitled stock,” he protested.
“A noblewoman living in the forest? That is certainly not likely. I must say your tale evokes a wisp of smoke that does not take shape. For now, William, you need to allow Hildy to tend your wound. And then a proper bath.” She, too, rose and called for the servants to make preparations for her brother’s comfort.
William stripped off his doublet and withstood Hildy’s ministering and clucking; he almost smiled as she reluctantly agreed that the wound was closing nicely. She was none too accepting of another’s handiwork in her area. Hildy had seen to the healings of the Redfields since well before William was born. She was crusty and disrespectful, but she had saved all of them too often to worry about bowing and scraping, as she put it.
Once she had finished checking his wound, William shooed her away so he could sink into the hot bath that awaited. He slid down into the welcoming water that rose to his chin as his thoughts drifted. The vision’s eyes appeared before him, her gaze direct and filled with concern. He imagined her rising from the stream like some mythical goddess from the Greek stories he had read as a child, her velvet black hair floating about her hips like a cloak, her skin sparkling with glistening drops. He wanted to reach out and sample the softness of her skin and inhale the depth of her sweet fragrance.
William made a fist and slammed it into the water, sending splashes all about the tub.
Damn her! Damn her for haunting his thoughts.
I know you exist, woman. I did not imagine you. And I shall seek you out and prove I am not mad, not subject to feverish visions. And when I do find you, I shall…make you mine and nevermore let you go
.
William had just finished pulling on his leather boots when a knock came on his chamber door. Leah burst into the room. “William, I have it! The woman. Your phantom woman. Who she brings to mind,” she continued, pacing back and forth with the speed of a yearling colt.
William said nothing, fearful if he interrupted his sister would lose the thread of her thoughts.
“When you described her, I was reminded of a tale I have heard of a great beauty who disappeared about a year ago.” She quieted, lost in thought. “I am surprised you do not remember.”
Finally, unable to keep silent another moment, William demanded, “For the sake of heaven, Leah, get to the point.”
“Of course, dear, but you had best sit down before I continue.” Her tone was suddenly filled with sympathy.
“Why?” His frustration was obvious.
“Because I believe you have indeed encountered a spirit. Or, more accurately, a ghost. It is not so unheard of, you know. There
are tales of ghosts appearing to the living, especially in times when the living are in danger.”
“Leah,” he said, measuring the words to maintain his calm, “the woman I saw was no ghost. She was flesh and blood and as warm and alive as you or I.”
“Dear brother, if it is as I believe, you encountered the form of the Lady Dariana, dead now for some time.”
“Ridiculous! I believe not in ghost stories,” he responded, more loudly than he had intended.
“The girl is said to have died near where you were discovered. It is even rumored she might have taken her own life rather than suffer the destiny of marriage to a Spaniard she had never met.”
“Leah, you know I listen not to the gossip of servants or traveling bards, and I have no belief in the superstitions so many ascribe to. I have asked for your help, not your repetition of nonsense.” William turned from his sister and reached for his doublet. “I doubt not that the dead king promised many unions in order to secure his position more firmly, but ‘tis dramatic at best to believe a lady of the realm would die rather than serve the crown. After all, what has love to do with marriage?”
“Listen to me!” Leah shook his arm.
William was taken aback, quite unused to hearing his sweet sister use such a tone. He stopped dressing and turned to face her.
“Let me tell you the story in its entirety and if you still choose to scoff at me when my tale is complete, then so be it. But at least allow me the respect to pay attention.”
William sank onto the edge of his broad four-poster bed, his mouth agape and his manner cowed. This was obviously very important to her and he would listen. “Forgive me, dear sister. Go on with the tale and I shall hear you out.”
“Thank you.” She sank into the chair facing the huge bed. “Lady Dariana was betrothed to a Spanish nobleman by Henry VII to further cement his relations with Spain and also, simply, because he could.”
“I know the history, so please spare me the lesson,” William said, trying to control his frustration. Leah sent him a murderous look adn he dropped his gaze to his lap.
“Dariana was a very headstrong girl and wished for a husband of her own choosing. Her father had indulged her, so she remained unmarried. She had no intention of having a stranger
foisted upon her as mate. When word came from Henry that she was to be bound to this unknown Spanish noble, she decided she would rather die than marry for any reason save love. But there is more. When I went to court for the new Henry’s coronation, I heard it was but a week before Dariana’s disappearance that the old Henry revoked the order for her betrothal to the Spanish nobleman. It seems the knave had offended the crown. The new king recognizes the Spaniard is a powerful ally and has thus entertained his relentless demands for recompense. As for Dariana, Henry may have had in mind to promise her to another, perhaps, but for the time being she had been freed from her obligation. But, alas, for her it was too late. He had no way of knowing his messenger would not arrive until after her demise. Some say she haunts the forest to remind all of the unfairness of Henry VII and his edicts. And the cruelty of using his subjects, caring naught for anything but his own gains. Naysayers, though, say she never killed herself at all, but rather took residence in another place. Some say she ran away to meet her lover or her death was but an accident. There are even claims of sightings of a beautiful woman with flowing black hair who walks the forest and then disappears like a puff of smoke.”
“How long ago did this occur?”
“It was before the new king came to the throne. A year, more or less. I am unsure. If she did find sanctuary rather than actually taking her life, perhaps this could be the woman of whom you speak. Truth be told, her body was never discovered. Then again, you could have encountered her spirit.”
“Leah, I think you have something! I love you. Now, all I must do is return to the forest and unearth the truth, so to speak.”