Medieval Ever After (42 page)

Tate knew that Kenneth was reluctant to use Joselyn as an envoy to gaining Stephen’s release. But both men knew she was Stephen’s only chance, even if Kenneth was not ready to openly admit it. He was more concerned with protecting her for Stephen’s sake, while Tate, although protective, was willing to let her take the risk in order to save her husband. Both men were greatly torn. The closer they drew to the outskirts of Berwick, the more Kenneth’s fury turned to resignation. He was coming to accept the fact that Joselyn was, indeed, Stephen’s only hope.

The party to Berwick consisted of Tate, Kenneth, Joselyn and about fifty men-at-arms. As they drew to within a mile of the city, Tate cut to the northwest and made his way to the River Tweed about a mile to the west of the castle. Whiteadder Bridge lay before them, an expanse of wood across the gently flowing river. They could see the castle from where they stood, a massive bastion poised at river’s edge. Joselyn in particular gazed longingly at the castle, a place where she had known some of her worst and best memories. She must have stood there for quite some time because it took her a moment to realize that Tate was trying to get her attention.

He stood behind her, clearing his throat softly. Kenneth stood slightly behind Tate, still looking rather unhappy about the entire thing. The men-at-arms were gathering the horses and moving back through the summer grass to the trees that bordered the river, where they would hide until the venture was over. As the morning grew warmer and the insects from the river danced about, Joselyn faced Tate and Kenneth.

“Do not worry so,” she said, more for Kenneth than for Tate. “I shall ride to Berwick and demand to be given my husband. It should not take long.”

Tate hoped she was not truly so naïve. “We have discussed a course of action,” he reminded her. “It would be better if you do not show emotion where it pertains to Stephen. It could be used against you if they feel your loyalty is to him and not your kinsmen. You need to claim him as one would a possession.”

She thought on that a moment, her long-lashed eyes turning to behold the castle once more. She was quivering with anticipation, the desire to discover what had become of her husband causing her heart to thump painfully against her ribs. It was a struggle not to become emotional but she knew that Tate was right. She had to show as little emotion as possible. She had to be strong and firm if this plan was going to work.

“I would like to know where Kynan is,” she said as she turned back around, looking at Kenneth. “You said that you released him.”

Kenneth cocked a blond eyebrow. “We released him so that we could follow him and hopefully discover the rebel plans. It was a gamble that did not pay off, one that I will take full responsibility for.”

“Do you think he was part of the force that captured Berwick?”

“I would stake my life on it.”

Joselyn digested the information, increasingly eager to be on her way. She refused to believe that Stephen had been killed. She was convinced he was somewhere in the walls of Berwick and she would find him no matter what.

“Very well,” she said, moving for her small gray palfrey. Tate took her arm and lifted her up into the saddle as Kenneth fussed with the stirrups. “I will return as soon as I can and I swear to you that Stephen will be with me.”

Tate gazed at her, nodding his head after a moment. There was so much more to it than just her simple statement.
I swear to you that Stephen will be with me
. Since her initial breakdown at the news of her husband’s capture, he had seen a growth in courage fill the lady. She was not aggressive and bold like his wife, who was the bravest and strongest woman he knew, but she had a steely strength in her that he was coming to see. He had a feeling that, if cornered, the lady would come out swinging.

“Ride to the castle and demand entry as the daughter of Alexander Seton,” he went over their plan one last time. “Once inside, you will ask to be shown your husband. You will further insist to whoever is in charge that you demand the release of your husband, which is well within your rights.”

“But if they do not release him, what should…?”

He cut her off. They had been over this several times. “You will tell them that the king has agreed to release your father from captivity at Alnwick in exchange for Pembury. It is a fair trade, one that I doubt they will refuse. Your father is very important to young David Bruce, heir of Robert. If they have a chance to bargain for his release, they will do it.”

Joselyn listened seriously to his instructions. But when he was finished, she fixed him with an intense gaze. “You realize, of course, that if they refuse to release him, I will not leave him. I will stay in captivity with him.”

Tate nodded slowly. “I understand completely.”

Joselyn gave him a brave little smile, her gaze moving to Kenneth. “I will bring him back, Kenneth,” she said sincerely “You need not worry. All will be well.”

Kenneth didn’t like it when the focus was on him. He made his way over to her, unable to voice the fears roiling in his chest. For lack of anything comforting or confident to say, he cupped her head in his two massive hands, kissed her cheek, and walked away. There was resignation, sorrow and helplessness in the gesture, something that touched Joselyn deeply. She knew how worried he was. She and Tate watched him go before looking to each other.

“Go, now,” Tate encouraged her. “Stay calm and follow the plan we discussed. I am sure I will be seeing Stephen by supper.”

Joselyn forced a smile at him as she kicked the little palfrey, urging the animal to the road and across the bridge beyond. Tate watched her cross the bridge and continue along the road, heading for the massive fortress in the distance. The closer she drew to the structure, the more his anxiety grew. Behind him, Kenneth had turned around to watch as well.

Watch Joselyn ride straight into the jaws of the lion.

THE SAVAGE CURTAIN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Kynan had Stephen
on a makeshift bed in the solar of the keep. He was too injured to make his way up the steps, so after feeding Stephen a loaf of bread, old mutton and stale wine, he piled some old rushes against the wall and lay Stephen upon it. In less agony than he had been in days, Stephen fell into a heavy sleep.

Kynan sat in a chair and watched the man sleep, eventually rubbing his eyes wearily as he wondered what in the hell he was going to do. The rebel force that had reclaimed Berwick consisted of many clans under the command of the Earl of Moray, John Randolph. Although Randolph was not at Berwick, several of his burly generals were. It was those men that Kynan worried about. The same men had been at the siege of Berwick and had seen the atrocities perpetrated by the English, particularly with the young Seton boys. Pembury had been involved in that travesty. Kynan had been hearing rumblings for a few days that Moray’s generals wanted to hang Pembury in vengeance.

Kynan was not sure how he was going to prevent such a thing but he knew that he would do his best. Watching Pembury sleep, he thought on Joselyn’s words of how the man had overlooked all of the shameful things that had been heaped upon her. His love had been unconditional. Kynan wondered what kind of man could hang young boys but love a woman who had been seriously compromised. It was an odd paradox that he pondered, finally rising from his chair and hunting about for something to light the fire with. Even though it was mid-day outside and sunny, the room was cool. Finding no peat or charcoal, he opened the door with the intention of hunting for burning material when a faint female voice caught his attention.

It was coming from the bailey. He could hear it through the lancet window just to the left of the entry door. Curious, he opened the door, assaulted by the bright light and shielding his eyes from the sun. His heart leapt into his throat as he spied the source of the sound.

Joselyn stood in the bailey, clad in a pale traveling cloak, her luscious dark hair braided and draped over one shoulder. Holding the reins to a small gray palfrey, she was speaking to several large, dirty Scots, Moray’s men, and Kynan bolted from the keep, practically flying across the dusty bailey until he reached her. He had no idea why she was here or what she was saying to the guard, but it didn’t matter. Kynan didn’t want her around men such as this and he was terrified and angry as well as confused. As he came upon her, he reached out and grabbed her.

Joselyn screamed at the swiftness of the action, terrified until she saw who it was. Then her face lit up. “Kynan!” she exclaimed softly. “I am so glad to….”

Kynan didn’t let her speak further. He was yanking her away from Moray’s guard, pulling her with him towards the keep. His actions were indicative of an extremely angry man and Moray’s men looked both surprised and disappointed at her sudden removal.

“
Hoot
, mon!” one of the guards spoke to Kynan. “We saw her first!”

Kynan’s rage was boundless. “She’s me sister and if ye move against her, I shall kill ye!”

That seemed to calm the amorous guard. They knew Kynan MacKenzie and the man’s reputation. He fought alongside the McCulloch and everyone knew that anyone involved with the McCulloch was crazy and blood-thirsty. Moreover, he was Seton’s kin. That reason alone was enough to garner some respect, so they let him yank the lovely woman away without another word. When Kynan was sure they weren’t going to challenge him, he looked at Joselyn.

“You foolish wench,” he hissed. “What are ye doin’?”

Joselyn fright returned as she stumbled after him. “I have come to get my husband.”

“How did ye get in here?”

Joselyn tripped on her own feet and almost fell to her knees. “I rode here from Forestburn,” she replied, annoyance mingling with her fright. “I came to the gates and told the guards that I was Alexander Seton’s daughter. They let me in. Stop pulling!”

Kynan ignored her demand although his grip eased somewhat. “I cannot believe ye would chance yer life so foolishly,” he snarled.

Joselyn was trying to pull away from him angrily. “I came for my husband,” she insisted. “Where is he?”

Kynan came to an abrupt halt at the door to the keep, speaking through clenched teeth. “Ye were well away from here,” he growled. “Ye should have stayed away. It ’twas stupid of ye tae come back.”

She scowled, bordering on tears. “Where is Stephen?” she was starting to break down. “I am not leaving without him and I will kill you if you stand in my way. Do you hear me?”

She was yelling by the time she finished the sentence, so much for remaining unemotional. Kynan could see, in her expression as well as her words, that she was absolutely serious. With another growl, he yanked her inside the keep.

Once inside the cool, dank entry, he slammed the heavy oak door and turned to her, grasping her by the arms.

“Jo-Jo,” he was far less angry, far more concerned. “Ye shouldna have come back, lass. ’Tis far too dangerous fer ye tae be here.”

Joselyn was struggling against her tears. “Where is my husband?” she demanded again. “He belongs to me and I want him back.”

Kynan shook his head sadly. “Jo-Jo….”

“I will tear this place apart looking for him,” she snapped. “Tell me where he is or I will….”

Kynan shushed her before she could finish, turning her for the solar door. “He is going tae be angry with ye,” he stated the obvious.

Joselyn was unsettled and confused by Kynan’s rough appearance, upset by her own emotions, so much so that when Kynan thrust her into the small solar, she didn’t notice anything about it except that it was the room where she and Stephen had first met, the room where she had first spoken to Cade. It was dark in the room so she didn’t see her husband lying against the wall, partially blocked by the only table in the room. She turned to Kynan as the man followed her into the chamber, shut the door and bolted it.