A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) (29 page)

“Only a little from another healer.”

“
My mother had some notes on the importance of them in her journal. She said
that the four bodily humours of blood, phlegm, and yellow and black biles are made of the four elements of air, water, fire, and earth as well as four qualities,
hot, cold, dry, and wet. T
he combination of these determine a person’s temperament, whether it be sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, or melancholic.
I
thought perhaps a better ba
lance would change your visions.
”

Gunnell nodded. “I’ve tried different stones and charms, but none of them seem to have helped.”

“What of an herbal remedy of some sort? My mother’s journal mentioned a special herb, erbe yve, but I’ve never seen it.”

“It’s difficult to find and nearly impossible to grow in a garden. I’ve found it on occasion in the forest some distance from here, but it is too far for my children to walk, so I do not gather it often. Do you think it might help me?”

“According to my mother’s notes, it creates a better balance in the body. Mayhap it would give you more control over your powers.”

“Well, I’m not certain of it, but ’tis worth a try. The herb is said to reduce nervousness, so it might help. I would like to be able to direct my gift rather than have it direct me.” Her lips quivered. “I can’t continue to live like this.”

Alyna placed her hand over Gunnell’s in sympathy. She knew, in a different sort of way, what it was like to have no control over your life. She didn’t like the feeling either.

“If you’ll give me a description of the herb and directions to where you last found it, I’ll gather it on the morrow.”

Gunnell protested, but at last relented when Alyna refused to be swayed from her mission.

A journey into the woods sounded like a fine venture to undertake. If the herb helped Gunnell, it might someday help Nicholas as well and that made Alyna all the more determined to find it.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Lemon balm is said to be effective

as an elixir of youthfulness, though

poor judgment seems to follow this path.”

Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal

When Alyna arrived back at the keep, Enid advised her that her grandfather and Nicholas had gone to the kitchen. While Alyna appreciated her grandfather making the effort to get to know Nicholas, she worried her son might say or do something to alarm her grandfather. She had no desire to explain his second sight, at least not until she knew if they were going to live here for a time, so she hurried to the kitchen in pursuit.

“My lady.” The cook bobbed a curtsey as Alyna entered the large room that bustled with servants.

“Good day to you, Tellie. Have you seen Lord Blackwell and Nicholas?”

The cook smiled. “They were here and shared some bread.” She gestured to the work table in the center of the large room covered in crumbs. “I gave them some sweetened prunes to take with them on their walk.”

“Did everything seem...fine between them?” Alyna asked with a hitch of panic.

Tellie frowned, obviously confused by Alyna’s question. “Aye. They were having a grand time together.”

Alyna thanked her and went outside to find them. Nicholas’s gift surfaced at the oddest moments. He’d certainly made himself clear about Edward’s horse hurting him. She was grateful Royce hadn’t questioned her more on that. At least, not yet. She could only hope Nicholas wouldn’t reveal something to her grandfather.

She searched the outer bailey and caught sight of them watching the blacksmith pound a hot orange piece of metal. Nicholas watched from high atop Lord Blackwell’s shoulders. Before she could reach them, they moved on toward the portcullis, scattering chickens as they went. She didn’t know where they ventured, but followed as quickly as she could, anxious to get to Nicholas before he did or said something she couldn’t explain.

As she passed through the gate, she could see knights and soldiers gathered in the field below the village. With the excitement of the fires and her meeting with Gunnell, she’d nearly forgotten about the jousting practice.

At last, she was close enough to get her grandfather’s attention. “Going to watch the training?” she called out.

“Good day to you, Alyna. I thought Nicholas might enjoy it.” With a twinkle in his eye, he added, “At a safe distance, of course.”

From his tall perch, Nicholas nodded with enthusiasm. “
Let’s go see the j
oust, Mama!”

Alyna shielded her eyes from the sun and looked up at him. “Don’t you want to rest a bit, Nicholas? You need to be careful of your back.”

“Nay, Mama. I want to watch them joust.”

Lord Blackwell chuckled. “I’m afraid I’ve been bragging a bit about the jousting practice in an effort to lure him out here with me. Come, join us, Alyna.”

“Aye, Mama.”

Alyna looked up again at Nicholas, wishing she could keep him safely inside where nothing could hurt him.

“Please,” he added, giving her his best pitiful pleading look. “Come with us.”

How could she resist such an invitation? Hopefully she’d be able to divert her grandfather’s attention from anything unusual Nicholas might say. “Why, thank you, kind sirs. I’d be honored to join you.”

They walked companionably for a short distance before her grandfather broke the silence. “I hear Nicholas had a scare.”

“Aye. It gave me a fright as well, but he seems to be none the worse for the wear.” Quite the opposite. He was obviously thrilled with the view from his new perch, and his back seemed to bother him very little.

“I’m glad.”

“Things around here have been quite...” Alyna hesitated as she struggled to find the right word.

“Eventful?”

“Indeed,” she agreed with a chuckle.

Her grandfather lifted Nicholas down, and he ran ahead.

The little boy spotted a stick and seemed to find it suitable as a new sword. “Look, Mama!” The joy on his face at the simple discovery made Alyna laugh.

“Very nice,” she called back.

“I would like to thank you for all of your help last eve,” her grandfather said.

“I’m happy to help in any way I can.”

“I’ve noticed. Although a full day has not yet passed, the villagers whose homes were damaged have most of the possessions they lost replaced as well as plenty of food.” He stopped to face her. “They’ve all been quite
generous
in their praise of you. I can’t thank you enough for seeing to their needs.”

Alyna felt her face flush with both embarrassment and pleasure at his words. “As I said, I’m pleased to be of use.”

“You work far too hard, Alyna.”

“I only do what needs to be done.” She shrugged, for that was truly the way she felt.

“You’re a lot like her, you know.”

“Who?” Alyna searched his face. “My mother?” she asked, guessing the path of his thoughts.

“Aye,” he confirmed. “At times it pains me to watch you, you remind me of her so.”

Commiseration filled Alyna. She placed her hand on his arm. “I miss her, too. Every day.”

He nodded in agreement and patted her hand. After a few more steps, he stopped again. “I’m not sure how close you are to your father.” He paused as though waiting for her response.

Alyna sighed. “I’ve tried so hard for so long to please him.” She lifted her hands, palms up. “I feel as though I’ve never been able to earn his love.”

Blackwell put a hand on her shoulder. “Alyna, you shouldn’t have to earn anyone’s love. Love is something freely given, not a reward for hard work or good behavior.”

She pondered his words, realizing the wisdom of them. “I suppose Father’s lack of regard for me has changed my outlook on love.”

“Catherine was not overly pleased with me for the match I made for her, but I was certain I knew what was best. Your father had a small but strong holding and what I thought was a promising future. Before you were born, he became involved with barons who rumbled of their dissatisfaction with King Henry. I tried to warn him of the danger of such an association, but he wouldn’t listen. I fear that association continues to lead him to trouble.”

He rubbed his chin as he looked at the distant horizon. “After I confronted him about it, he made it difficult for me to see Catherine and nearly impossible to see you. Soon after her death, I left England on business for the king. I was gone much longer than I had anticipated. After Catherine’s death, I should’ve stayed and insisted on being part of your life, regardless of what your father wanted. I will always regret that, Alyna.”

Unsure of what to say, Alyna kept her gaze on the men in the field below them. “I was lost after Mother died, but I had Charles and Enid.” She turned to face him and could see the loneliness that lay just under the surface. “Whom did you have, Grandfather?”

“If I had no one, it was my own fault.” He sighed heavily. “Guilt and regret. Those have been my companions these many years.” After a pause, he asked, “Did she speak of me?”

“Always. I heard many stories, all spoken with love.” She was relieved to be able to tell him the truth. “While I know I cannot make up for the loss of my mother, I hope I can provide you with some measure of comfort during my stay here.”

“You already have, my dear,” he reassured her. “You and this little ray of sunshine you brought with you.” He gestured to Nicholas. “That is quite a task you’ve undertaken.”

“What do you mean?” Unease rippled through her.

“Alyna, Nicholas may be your son in many ways, but he is not of your own flesh and blood.”

She stared at him, uncertain how to respond.

“Although I’ve been out of the country, I have sources of information with whom I’ve kept in touch. None of those ever reported you marrying or you heavy with child. After much reflection on the matter, I added up the facts and confirmed them with Charles. You are a brave woman to raise a child who isn’t yours.”

“I have no intention of breaking my vow to raise Nicholas.” She felt it best to be clear about her plan.

“No one asked that of you.” He smiled as he watched Nicholas play.

“Please do not tell anyone of this. He is mine in every way that counts.” She thought of how Florence would treat Nicholas if she knew the truth and nearly shuddered.

Blackwell nodded. “I will leave the telling to you. Let me just say that by the looks of the boy, you’re doing a fine job of raising him. He is a good child.”

Both pride and relief filled her. “He makes it quite easy for me.” She wondered how much more her grandfather knew. Had Charles told him of Nicholas’s gift of second sight? She thought it unlikely, but would confirm it with Charles at the first opportunity.

“Mama! Mama!” Nicholas ran towards her, one hand behind his back.

“What is it?”

With a smile bright enough to compete with the sun, he presented her with a small purple flower.

“Why, thank you. It’s beautiful,” she said, as she took it from his hand and granted him a kiss.

His smile still in place, he skipped off, searching for another treasure.

“I hope you will stay here with me for a time, Alyna. You and the boy.”

“I think I would like that.” Alyna spun the flower between her fingers, trying to work up the courage to get answers to the questions she’d had since her arrival. “Why did you bring me here?”

“I do not want you to marry Tegmont. I knew of no other way to stop it.” He shook his head. “I’m not your legal guardian and have no say in your betrothal. I ask that you be patient with me. There are plans in place that will remove Tegmont from his title. I can tell you no more. Can you wait until the time comes when I can reveal additional details?”

“I can, but I worry, Grandfather.”

“Worry of what?”

“Of my father. Of what Tegmont has done or will do to him for the breaking of our marriage contract.” Alyna felt better for sharing her concern.