Hostage Bride (19 page)

‘The men are returned,’ Lilia said. She looked at Rosamunde, distress in her eyes. ‘Lord Mornay is not with them. I heard them say that he may be dead—killed by outlaws in Sherwood Forest.’

‘Killed?’ Rosamunde swayed, her heart catching with pain. ‘How can this be? Where are the men? I must speak with them immediately.’

‘In the hall, my lady,’ Lilia said and looked frightened. ‘Forgive me. I thought you would wish to know.’

‘The foolish girl, to come prattling to you,’ Elspeth said and frowned at her daughter. ‘You should rest, my lady. Mellors can bring the news when he knows more.’

‘No, I must hear it from the men immediately,’ Rosamunde said. She ran from the room where the preserves and cures were made and stored, and through a long, covered walkway to the great hall. The sound of uproar met her ears even before she entered as men cried out and pressed for details. As she entered the sound died
away to a whisper and then absolute silence as the men turned to look at her ‘Who brings the news?’ she asked clearly and two of the men stepped forward. ‘Where is my lord? If he was killed, who else was hurt?’

‘None, my lady,’ one of them answered her. ‘He rode alone into the forest to meet with outlaws. We were to have met at an appointed time but he did not come to the meeting. His instructions were to return home to guard you and the castle if he did not come.’

‘Did no one go to look for him?’ she asked, raising incredulous eyebrows.

‘We obeyed his orders, lady.’

‘How could you leave him to die alone?’ she cried accusingly. ‘We must send a detachment to look for him.’

‘I fear it may be too late,’ Mellors said. He looked to Sir Jonathan for instructions. ‘What say you, my lord?’

‘I think we must send volunteers to look for him,’ Jonathan said. ‘I would go myself, but Raphael charged me particularly with the care of his castle and his lady. Step forward, five men who are willing to return and search for their lord.’

Several men including Janquil stepped forward. Sir Jonathan called out the names of the chosen five. ‘Not you, Janquil. We need fighting men for this task. You may play your part if Raphael is wounded or ill.’

‘How long will it take to return and look for him?’ Rosamunde asked, her eyes dark with anxiety.

‘‘Tis but two days’ journey, my lady, but the men
may need several days to make a search. Had I been with him, I should not have left without making that search—but the men obeyed their orders and I cannot punish them for doing their duty,’ Jonathan said.

‘I too would not have them punished,’ she said, tears stinging her eyes. ‘It was my lord’s choice to go alone into the forest. He risked his own life but wished to protect the others.’

‘It was ever the same when we were fighting in the Holy Land,’ Jonathan said. ‘He saved my life and that of others more than once.’

‘So we must stay here as he bid us until we know whether…’ Rosamunde could not continue and, turning, fled from the hall.

She ran up the twisting stairs to her room, securing the latch from inside as the tears fell. She had hoped that he might return in time to spend Christ’s Mass with them, for it was but a week away, but now she was not certain that he would ever return. He must. He must, for she could not bear it if they never met again. Surely fate could not be so cruel? She had parted from Raphael in anger and now he might be dead or dying of his wounds.

If she were never to see him again, she did not think she would wish to live.

* * *

‘You must have courage, lady,’ Janquil said. He had found her wandering alone in the cloisters by the chapel and come up to her silently. ‘I feel my lord is alive. He
is a brave warrior. Even if he died he would not wish you to weep too long.’

‘You love him too,’ Rosamunde said. ‘I know you must be blaming yourself for not going back to search for him.’

‘The men would not disobey his orders and alone there was little I could do. His last words to me were to watch over you, my lady. I have done as he asked, but like you I grieve.’

‘Yes.’ Rosamunde lifted her head, forcing a smile.
Let him return for Christ’s Mass. Please, God, let him return to me.
‘These past three days have been almost unbearable. I do not know…’ She broke off as she saw Elspeth running towards them and her heart stood still. ‘There is news. Pray God he is alive.’ Hurrying to meet the other woman, Rosamunde’s throat was tight with fear. ‘What have you heard?’

‘All is well, my lady,’ Elspeth said and now Rosamunde could see that she was laughing. ‘It is wonderful news—my lord hath returned and he brings company. A friend from the Holy Land.’

Rosamunde was overwhelmed by such a wave of relief that she felt weak. Tears rushed to her eyes and she turned and fled towards the hall. Entering, she saw that the huge room was filled with men and the noise of their cheering and laughter made her hesitate. She saw Raphael in the midst of them but suddenly felt unsure, so she turned away and ran up the stairs to her own room. There she sank down on the edge of her bed, silent tears trickling down her cheeks.

Raphael was home but would he wish to see her? Or would he send her back to her father’s house? She had said such terrible things to him. She could not blame him if he did not wish to see her again.

* * *

‘Where is my lady?’ Raphael asked of his steward once the men had dispersed to their various tasks. ‘I would introduce her to my friend, the Earl of Loxley.’

‘I would think she might be in her chamber, my lord. Would you have me send for her?’

‘No, I shall go myself. Make sure that our guests have all they want, Mellors. We must dine well this night for it is a celebration!’ Raphael laughed.

‘We all thought you dead, my lord. The men will indeed wish to celebrate,’ Mellors said.

‘It was unfortunate that the men brought such news, but I was taken captive, and it was a day or so before my friend returned to the camp and told his men to set me free,’ he explained.

‘We must thank God that he did, my lord.’

Raphael nodded. He had indeed taken a great risk but his instincts had proven right and all was well. ‘Excuse me, Loxley,’ he said to his old comrade. ‘I must speak with the lady Rosamunde. I shall see you later.’

Raphael left the hall, put his foot on the bottom stair and then ran lightly up the deep stone steps of the tower. Why had Rosamunde not come to the hall to greet him? Was she still angry? Had she hoped that he would not return?

Pausing outside her door, he knocked. A voice that
was hardly more than a whisper bid him enter. He did so and saw her standing there, head up, proud and beautiful. Yet he sensed her uncertainty and saw the signs of tears on her face. His heart caught and he felt something; a deep need to comfort and protect swept through him.

‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘I said such terrible things to you before I left. Believe me, I have regretted that we parted in anger.’

‘It was
my
fault, not yours,’ Rosamunde answered and took an uncertain step towards him. She was trembling, her heart racing as she met his searching gaze. ‘I know that you were right regarding Sir Edmund’s punishment. You did what you had to do—and you are not unjust or cruel. I said harsh things to you and I beg you to forgive me.’

‘There is nothing to forgive, sweet lady. What you said struck me to the heart, because I would have shown mercy if it were possible. Even though he would have murdered us both without hesitation, it pained me to have Sir Edmund hanged. It should not have happened on such a day; our betrothal was meant to be a joyous occasion,’ Raphael said regretfully. ‘It was my only option as I was leaving that day on my business.’

‘You will forgive me?’ Rosamunde moved closer, looking up at him, tears hovering on her lashes. ‘When I thought you might not return…’ She choked and could not continue. ‘You will not send me away?’

‘No tears, Rosamunde,’ Raphael said and stroked her cheek with his fingers. ‘I am sorry that you were made
anxious by news that should never have reached you, but it could not be helped. I was missing and the men feared the worst.’

‘They should not have left you. Janquil begged them to return and look for you, but they said they must obey their orders,’ she said crossly.

He smiled. ‘They did as I wished them to do. Had they come in search of me, they might all have been killed. Half of Loxley’s men were for leaving me tied up in the woods. They thought I was an enemy, in league with men who have sworn to hang Robin. Had a band of armed men come tramping through the forest, I think they would have killed us all. Loxley tells me it is because the Shire Reeve of Nottingham has tried all manner of tricks to trap him—and the last two men to be captured by his men were tortured and executed before he could aid them.’

‘The men said you were captured by outlaws.’

‘Rob-in-Hood and his men
are
outlaws, but the Earl of Loxley is loyal to the King. He breaks the law in order to protect the poor from the outrages of Prince John’s tax collectors. I sought him out because we are of like mind in this—Richard must be brought home so that this tyrant and his henchmen no longer oppress the people. Their plight is terrible. The tax collectors often take all they have and they are left to starve. The King must return soon or England will be in flames. This situation cannot be allowed to continue,’ Raphael said passionately.

‘Yes, it is what all loyal Englishmen and women must
wish for,’ Rosamunde said. ‘Have you brought the earl to visit with you?’

‘He and two of his men escorted me here. We took longer because we called on other men of influence Robin knows whom we hoped would join us.’

‘You do not need to explain your actions to me. I am simply glad that you are safe home again,’ she murmured.

‘Is that truly how you feel? You do not hate me?’ he asked eagerly.

‘I could never hate you,’ Rosamunde replied, her cheeks slightly flushed now.

She wanted to tell him that her feelings for him were much stronger than mere liking. She had loved him since their very first meeting and, despite their quarrel, her feelings had grown stronger in his absence. She had feared she might never see him again and that had made her realise just how much he meant to her. Rosamunde knew now that she could bear anything other than to be forced to leave him.

‘Then we shall arrange the wedding as agreed?’ he said.

‘Yes.’ She caught her breath as he moved in closer. He reached out for her and she gave her lips sweetly, her body melding with his as he held her near and looked down at her. ‘It is my true and honest wish.’

‘I am glad of it, for I have already spoken to your father.’

‘You have seen my father?’ she exclaimed.

‘I called at your home on my way here, briefly, but
long enough to see that all is well. Beth has the house and furniture gleaming with polish, and her husband has acquired pigs, sheep and a cow, besides hens, ducks and geese. Next year the harvest will ensure that there is bread for all, but for the moment he has bought flour and supplies, which are well hidden from the tax collector.’ Raphael grinned.

‘My father received you?’ she gasped. ‘Was he well?’

‘He was in bed but able to see me and thanked me for sending Beth and Ferdie to care for him and the land. He is well pleased with the promise you made them, and assures me he has no objection to our marriage.’

‘How could Ferdie have done so much so soon?’ Her eyes narrowed in speculation. ‘You gave him money to buy stock, did you not?’

‘He has served me well and deserved it,’ Raphael said. ‘Had I not given him a start, their first year or so would have been hard indeed. As it is, they are thriving. He has been able to employ more men so that they can protect themselves against the tax collectors.’

‘Which means my father is cared for and has no financial worries,’ Rosamunde said with relief. ‘You have been more than generous, my lord.’

‘It would not do to have my wife’s father living in poverty,’ Raphael said, his expression giving nothing away. ‘Ferdie is a strong man and used to fighting. I do not think the tax collectors will rob him, as they did your father. It will not be long now before Richard is home and there is an end to this tyranny.’

‘It cannot come soon enough for the people. We have
had beggars at our door these past few days. Some of them were freemen who farmed their own strips and paid their dues to their lord in labour two days a week. They could not afford the new taxes the prince imposed and lost everything. One man told me that his wife and young son had died of a fever after being forced to the road in search of work. We gave him food, and a day’s work helping the thatcher, but many were too ill to work. We did what we could for them before they travelled on,’ Rosamunde told him.

‘We shall continue to give where we can,’ Raphael said. ‘But there is no justice in England and will be none until Richard is home again.’

‘I shall pray the King comes soon.’

Raphael bent his head, kissing her softly. ‘You must wash your face and then come down, Rosamunde. I would have you meet my friends and celebrate my return. In three days we must begin to celebrate Christ’s Mass—and for that we must bring in greenery and make a kissing bough.’

‘Yes, that would be wonderful. It is years since I celebrated in that way,’ she said excitedly.

‘The men deserve a feast and we shall give them one.’ He smiled and touched her cheek. ‘You will come down and join us?’

‘Yes, I shall come in a moment,’ she said.

She stood for a moment, staring at the door as he closed it behind him. She was happy to have him back and pleased that they had made up their quarrel, but nothing had changed.

Raphael still wished to marry her, but he needed a chatelaine for his castle and a mother for his sons. He perceived her as worthy to be his second wife, but he had said nothing to her of love.

It might be that he would never love her as he’d loved his first wife. Rosamunde would have to accept what he gave, because she knew now that she loved him too much to walk away.

T
he men were in merry mood that night, singing and stamping their feet in approval when Raphael introduced his friend the Earl of Loxley. Rosamunde was surprised at how simply the earl dressed, but Raphael explained that he had adopted the clothes and lifestyle of a peasant in order to live in the forest and visit Nottingham without being noticed.