A Witch's Tale (39 page)

“Do
not worry we will make you appear inept, my lord. My men left two days ago,” Rohan
told him. “If the King’s guards breech the doors to the keep, none are inside
but old men, women, and children. They would believe we we’re never here.”

Gavin
glared at him. “You better ride hard, de Warren. When they get through the
doors; they ride for Edinburgh.”

Rohan
smiled thinly. “I can ask for no more than that. I know you don’t do it for
me.”

“Aye,
I do it for her,” Gavin said and his green eyes filled with regret. “I would
see her happy.”

Rohan
nodded and the two men regarded one another quietly for a moment before Rohan
slipped back to the keep. He surprised his wife by sneaking up on her while
Lady Vivienne beat her at the game they played once more.

He
drew her aside, whispering in her ear. “Be ready to leave at dawn, Wife. We
ride for the city before the siege on the keep commences.”

“How
do we pass by the guards?”

“Allow
me to worry of that,” Rohan said smoothly and held her to him tightly, tilting
her chin up to gaze deeply into her eyes. “I’ll not risk you or our child.”

Madeline
nodded and gazed at the barred doors in unease, expecting them to come crashing
open at any moment. Thoughts of what lay on the other side made her tense.
Robert would not leave anything to chance. The man he hired who dogged her
steps for years was not far behind, perhaps waiting in the city. She prayed
whatever plan Rohan had was successful.

****

Gavin
and his men rode into Strathmore’s camp at dusk. The Earl regarded him with a
smug look as he dismounted. The older man felt secure with the king’s guard around
him as Gavin approached, his green eyes snapping with outrage.

“Is
this any way to greet your bride, Lord Strathmore?” he asked and glared at him.
“My sister and a dozen old men, women, and children are hardly a threat to your
suit.”

Strathmore
strode forward and regarded the younger man with a gleam in his pale eyes.
“Your baron and his witch are within, Lord Rivenhahl. We have the matter well
in hand. His Majesty had his doubts you would feel compelled to pursue your
former lady. That is why we are here, that, and to collect my bride.”

“What
makes you think Rohan and his men are inside?” Gavin asked with a raised
eyebrow. “Have you inquired of it, or do you likely assume they be here?”

Strathmore
seethe under his questioning look. “We followed their trail here, Lord
Rivenhahl. It went no further.”

“The
rains have covered whatever trail existed, Lord Strathmore,” Gavin snapped. “I
would ask you allow me to intercede before you insult my sister this day. She
hides no fugitives within, I can assure you.”

“Lord
Lunley’s half sister is condemned to die by fire, de Mortaine,” Strathmore said
coolly. “The man is most eager to see her soul redeemed. If you can get Lady
Vivienne to open her doors so we may verify none are inside, I’d be much
appreciative.”

Gavin
longed to take his sword to the man, but flung Alastair a look instead. “Get
word to the keep I’m here. Tell Vivienne to open the doors. This has gone on
long enough.”

“What
if Lady Vivienne is held hostage by the outlaw Rohan, my lord? Should we not show
a bit of caution?” Alastair asked and glared at Lord Strathmore.

“Take
two of the guards with you,” Gavin ordered and gestured to two of the royal
guardsmen. “Ascertain whether the brigand is inside.”

Alastair
and the two guards mounted up and rode hard for the keep. Lord Strathmore
regarded him warily. “I do not need you to handle this matter, Lord Rivenhahl.
Lady Vivienne is my betrothed and under my protection now.”

“I
have orders from the king to arrest both de Warren and his wife, Lord
Strathmore,” Gavin said coldly. “I’m here only to see that duty met. I’ve no
say in the marriage.”

“A
pity about dear Blythe,” Strathmore said and shrugged. “Her servants assure me
your former mistress was the last to speak with her. I will want to question
the girl myself.”

“Worried
she’s not dead as you hope?” Gavin couldn’t help but ask. “Madeline is no
murderer, Lord Strathmore. She’s no damned witch either!”

“It
appears the baron de Valmont and his son went missing during the festival as
well. It seems the pair ran afoul after visiting my wife. Most coincidental,
wouldn’t you agree? No matter,” the older man said silkily. “The clergy await
her in London for questioning. We both know they will get to the bottom of
all.”

“I’m
here to see she makes it back there safely. Why is Lunley here?”

“He
wishes to make sure you do your duty, Rivenhahl. Your former relationship with
the witch is well known by all.”

“For
a man who cares so much for his sister’s immortal soul; I do not hear him plead
her case,” Gavin said, stalling for time, knowing Alastair and the guards were
likely ignored at the gates.

“He
is indisposed,” Strathmore allowed with a snicker. “Her curse upon him reared
its head this morn and the man’s unfit for company.”

“Don’t
tell me you would believe such nonsense, Strathmore?” Gavin asked in disgust.
“I saw no witchery in the girl.”

“Perhaps
you spent too much time abed to notice her spell upon you, Rivenhahl?” Gavin
stiffened as the man laughed insultingly. “What does Lady Jocelyn think of you
consorting with such foul creatures to ease your lust?”

“My
wife certainly doesn’t apply herself to it, so she has no opinion,” Gavin
snapped, still sensitive his new wife kicked him out of their rooms recently in
jealousy.

Strathmore
shrugged, his pale eyes squinting toward the keep. “We wait your man and then
we go in, Rivenhahl. I would see this matter concluded.”

“If
there is no threat, my sister would open the doors. It appears you have waited
for no reason.”

“We
shall see.”

Gavin
saw Alastair and the two guards speaking with Fergus and the old man opened the
gates. He turned to Strathmore, the smile he wore not reaching his gaze.
“There, you see, there is no threat here. It appears my sister thought the keep
under siege.”

They
watched as Alastair and the two guards stopped the cart at the gates. The old
woman got down and Alastair searched the cart. He waved her through and the
three waved back at those waiting in the valley.

“Let
us go greet my sister, my lord,” Gavin said with a menacingly look. “You can
explain to her why you nearly pillaged her home without cause.”

Strathmore
glared and gestured to his men to mount up, his suspicious gaze never wavering
from Gavin’s. “I would be careful if I were you, Lord Rivenhahl. The king might
believe you loyal, but we both know you took your time getting here.”

“Border
matters prevailed,” Gavin said with an unconcerned shrug. “Surely an outlaw and
a witch don’t merit me abandoning my lands without my securing the threats
before I do his duty.”

Gavin
mounted Cyrian and rode on ahead, his gaze following the cart that just topped
the hill. He mentally counted as it disappeared over the top and disappeared,
praying Rohan took his advice and rode hard for Edinburgh. One slip and the
royal detachment would be in hot pursuit.

He
rode through the gates of his former home, tossing his reins to a groom as he
slid down off his mount and went inside. His sister stood at the hearth with a
tense expression, Alastair at her side.

Lord
Strathmore and the royal guards came in, all separating to search the keep. The
older man came forward and smiled in pleasure to greet so lovely a bride, his
pale eyes sliding over her appreciatively.

“Lady
de Mortaine, the tales of your beauty did you no justice.”

“I
trust your journey was without event, my lord?” Vivienne asked him, inching
closer to her brother.

Strathmore
gazed at her warmly. “Our wedding will take place as soon as a clergyman can be
found, Lady Vivienne. I bid you go make ready.”

She
stiffened at her brother’s side. “Why the haste, my lord?”

“We
leave here for Edinburgh within the hour, my lady,” Strathmore said smoothly,
ignoring Gavin’s outraged expression. “I’d leave you a wife before I depart.”

She
will be a widow upon your return
, Gavin thought in fury.
Alastair fumed but could do nothing as the man sent a guard into the nearby
village for a clergy member. Vivienne was tearful as she made her way up to her
chamber.

“How
far do we go with this, my lord?” Alastair said coldly, his dark eyes following
Strathmore around the hall in hatred. “Must she marry the man?”

“We’ve
no choice in it, Alastair,” Gavin said in disgust as he watched Strathmore and
the guards drink to his marriage at the long tables.

“Rohan
and Madeline are safely away. Why do we allow this?”

“We
stall to give them time,” Gavin offered under his breath. “Trust me, the
thought of that man marrying my sister has little appeal. If I interfere, it
will be questioned. Let it go for now.”

“Let
it go?” Alastair demanded harshly. “You expect me to stand by and let that
bastard marry the woman I love and do nothing?”

“It
is the king’s decree, Alastair,” Gavin reminded him. “When Lord Strathmore and
his party fall prey to outlaws and cutthroats upon their return to London, it
would be better accepted the marriage has taken place when the king here’s of
it.”

“We’ve
given them merely a few hours head start.”

“Rohan
knows what he is doing,” Gavin replied and hoped that was the case as the guards
filed up the stairs to search the chambers above.

****

Madeline
peered up out of the hay pile and sat up. Rohan grinned and came out of the
hay, a grin on his face.

“You
enjoy this,” she accused as the old woman stopped the cart off to the side of
the road.

Rohan
jumped down and unhitched Goldwyn, pushing the cart off the road into the trees
where he hid it. He gave the old woman a few coins to stay hidden until after
the royal guard left for Edinburgh.

He
mounted up on Goldwyn and swung his wife up in front of him, his expression
tense, despite his words.

“While
I admit to a certain enjoyment in the hiding, we must ride very fast Madeline.
We’ve a day to get to Edinburgh and no time for many stops.”

“Can
we outrun them?”

He
gazed at the road back towards the keep and swung his mount about, kicking
Goldwyn into a full gallop. “We’re going to try, sweet witch.”

****

Burroughs
stood on the deck of the ship and eyed Sir Markham worriedly. “He should have
been here by now. Why does he delay?”

“He
will be here,” the man said and leveled the squire a reproachful gaze. “When
has Rohan ever failed?”

“Only
once,” Burroughs said, more to himself than the knight at his side. The ship
would sail at midnight. They had many hours to wait. The men aboard kept a vigilant
eye upon the docks, watching those that came and went, alert for signs of the
royal guard dispatched to find Rohan and Madeline.

Burroughs
watched the two felines chase one another across the deck and turned back, a
frown between his brows as he noticed the man who seemed to be waiting there,
watching the traffic up and down the docks.

“Did
you notice the man there?” Burroughs asked. Markham’s gaze followed his at the
rail to a nearby building where a man leaned against the wall, in no apparent
hurry to leave, just watching everything. “He was there last night. I think it
safe to say we’ve found the man Lunley hired.”

Sir
Markham went below decks to get some of the other knights and they left the
ship to deal with the man. As if he had a sixth sense he was discovered, he was
gone when they arrived where he stood. Burroughs lost sight of him in the
milling traffic.

Sir
Markham sent him a look of unease before him and the men returned.

“We
will watch for the man,” he said grimly.

“I
don’t like this,” Burroughs fretted and knew he’d not relax until Rohan and
Madeline were aboard.

“I
sent Sir Kildare to watch out for the man,” Sir Markham replied, his frown
fierce. “It will be hours yet before Rohan gets here. He said it would be dark
when he arrives.”

“He
cuts it close.”

“That
is our Rohan,” Sir Markham chuckled. “And if I know the man, he’ll have half
the royal guard on his tail.”

“Never
a dull moment,” Burroughs complained.

“Just
wait until we get to France, my young friend,” the man said with a laugh. “The
fun has only just begun.”

Burroughs
leaned upon the rail and remained diligent in watching the docks, troubled by
the mysterious man who waited below. He could only hope the man grew tired of
his post eventually and left before long.

****

Rohan
slowed his mount when they neared the gates of the city, mindful of the
detachment of royal guards in pursuit. He didn’t need to turn about to see the
dust in the distance. They were right behind him. He kicked Goldwyn into a
canter as he entered Edinburgh, conscious of the distance between the docks and
where they were, and that they sailed in under an hour.