Chapter Twenty-Five #4
“That was sweet of you to bring him a pony,” she said. “He has been pacing the floors endlessly all morning. This will give him something to do.”
Gart smiled at her, wrapping an enormous arm around her shoulders and pulling her against his torso.
“I could see this morning that he needed something to occupy his time,” he replied. “Without Orin and Brendt, there is no one for him to play with.”
Emberley nodded, watching Romney bounce around in the saddle as the pony trotted. “Have you sent your men for the other children yet?”
Gart nodded. “They left about an hour ago,” he told her. “They have strict instructions to ride hard to Trelystan, collect the children, and return as quickly as they can without causing the children undue stress.”
Emberley sighed. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “I miss my babies. It will be so good to have them in my arms again.”
“It will be good to have all five of you back in mine.”
They grinned at each other and Gart kissed her forehead. As they turned back to watch Romney, the boy kicked the pony a little too hard and the little beast bucked, sending Romney flying off onto his arse.
As Emberley flinched, Gart let her go and made his way over to the boy, who was picking himself off the dirt and rubbing his bum.
Kevin spurred his charger after the runaway pony, corralling the animal near the main gates of Bellham and leading him back over to the little boy with the bruised pride.
“Are you well?” Gart looked Romney over, brushing the dirt off the boy’s back. “No broken bones?”
Romney shook his head, looking rather sheepish. “I… I was not holding on tightly,” he told him. Any excuse was better than the truth that the horse had managed to throw him because he was inexperienced. “I will hold on tighter next time.”
Gart simply nodded, unwilling to damage the boy’s pride further, as Kevin brought the pony back around again.
As Gart instructed Romney how to mount the pony from a standing position, they began to hear dogs barking upon the wall.
Bellham Place had several dogs, in fact, some roaming around the grounds in packs while others were used by the sentries.
Three or four dogs stood at the closed front gates, barking through the iron grate.
Gart didn’t give any thought to the dogs as he helped Romney mount the pony again.
Even Kevin wasn’t paying any attention. Emberley strolled upon her son, watching him adjust himself in the saddle and commenting on his proud stance on horseback.
She suspected his pride needed some mending after the fall so she made a good attempt.
Romney made a second attempt to ride the pony, reining it in the direction of the open lawn area to the east of the garden. Gart took Emberley’s hand, pulling her out of the way as Romney tried to direct the stubborn little pony.
Emilie eventually joined them. As the four adults watched Romney take another try at riding horseback, a sentry from the gates came jogging over to their group. Gart heard the mail grating and turned just as the soldier was upon them.
“My lord,” he saluted Gart. “A party approaches the gates.”
“Who?” Gart asked.
“Papal standards, my lord,” the guard replied. “Blue, red and yellow.”
Gart stared at the man a moment before looking to Kevin. “Westminster?” he cocked his head, confused. “Those are his standards. Do we know any other papal standards that bear those colors?”
Kevin shook his head. “I do not know of any,” he replied. “Westminster is only four or five miles to the west. It must be them.”
Gart’s confusion was growing. “Why would they come here?”
Kevin sat straight in the saddle and reined his charger for the gates. “I shall find out their business.”
Gart watched the man trot away, still relatively unconcerned at the visitors. He took Emberley by the hand and directed her towards the manse.
“I am not entirely sure who this is or what they want, so it would be best if you and Emilie retreated to the house for now,” he told her, a kiss to the temple. “Lady Emilie, I shall inform your husband we have guests.”
The ladies were unconcerned, doing as they were told. “What about Rom?” Emberley asked.
Gart turned in Romney’s direction, emitting a piercing whistle between his teeth and waving the boy over when the child turned to look at him.
“I will collect him,” he told her. “Go inside now and prepare for visitors. I will be in shortly.”
Arm in arm, Emilie and Emberley headed for the manse. Gart watched them go before turning to make sure Romney was on his way. The boy was heading in his general direction even though the pony was trying its hardest not to cooperate.
Gart turned one last time to make sure Emberley and Emilie were near the manse, which they were.
They were just entering the door. Returning his attention to Romney as the child directed the stubborn pony towards him, he was startled when Kevin suddenly roared up next to him.
Dirt and rocks hit Gart in the legs as Kevin came to abrupt stop.
“It is Westminster,” he said, sounding breathless. “Get Emberley upstairs and lock her someplace safe, Gart. We have trouble.”
Gart’s brow furrowed with concern. “What kind of trouble?”
Kevin’s handsome face was deadly serious, an expression that Gart would never forget as long as he lived.
“Buckland is with him.”