Chapter 37 #2
Something was in the air. Kallen didn’t know what.
Reading auras couldn’t reveal the future.
She couldn’t even tell of a man’s loyalty to his master, though her father assumed she could.
She let him think so and had studied the gathered men with care.
She had no idea whether they would be loyal to the plot hatched that would put the Earl of Nowland on England’s throne.
Instead, she knew which of the men who had gathered were intelligent and which were curious. She could tell who was dependable and those who excelled at leadership. A few even showed signs of spirituality.
But whether they would honor a commitment to the planned conspiracy, Kallen couldn’t say. Her gut told her something had been afoot, though. An undercurrent ran through the room of gathered noblemen. She sensed it but couldn’t put her finger on its nature.
She wondered if these men simply used the Earl of Nowland in some way.
She was sure she would soon find out. For now, she must wait.
Continuing to fool her birth father and keeping him off-balance was her priority.
She determined to do whatever she could to see him and his rebellion fail.
She would not be disloyal to her king. Despite all the rumors that swirled about Edward, despite his foibles, he was England’s lawful ruler.
And she would do her best to see he stayed on his throne.
The sun rose higher in the sky. Kallen began to tire.
The past few days had been emotionally as well as physically draining, culminating in yesterday’s long ride to Sommerset.
The only good that had come from it was her time with Griffith.
It gave her such pleasure to know she was his wife.
Thoughts of their couplings caused her cheeks to heat.
Kallen rested a hand against her belly, wondering if she carried his babe even now. The thought brought her happiness.
“Christ’s wounds!”
The party slowed and then came to a stop. The earl jumped from his horse.
“This stupid beast has thrown a shoe,” he grumbled.
“My lord?” A soldier next to Kallen worked his way through the ranks, stroking his neatly trimmed black beard. “I suggest we stop. The noon sun is high in the sky. This rest will allow us a chance to water the horses. I’m sure Lady Kallen could use a brief respite, as well.”
Nowland agreed and called for a smithy to shoe his horse. “Be quick about it,” he instructed the stout man.
Men began to dismount in small pockets. Their laughter made Kallen think of Crispin’s men and the journey to Mangeron she had made with them.
“My lady?”
Kallen looked down and saw the same soldier who’d placated her father offering to help her from her horse. She allowed him to unseat her, enjoying being out of the saddle and able to stretch her legs. As she moved about, the man shadowed her. She realized she must be his responsibility.
She turned. “Sir? I am afraid nature calls. Might you help me find a private place away from the men?”
His eyes searched out his liege lord and came back to rest upon her. “All right. Follow me.”
The man led her some distance away, off the road and into the woods.
“Go behind this clump of trees,” he instructed. “Stay within the sound of my voice. Keep talking, else I’ll think you’ve run off.”
His dark, penetrating eyes stared into hers. “Do not be foolish, my lady.”
“I shan’t.”
Kallen walked to where he had indicated, carrying on a one-sided conversation.
“’Tis beautiful countryside here. I grew up in a nunnery and never left its property. I imagine I have seen more in two weeks than in a score of years.”
Kallen stepped into the grove and stopped dead in her tracks.
Griffith stood before her.
Griffith had almost twenty soldiers creeping through the woods, ready to attack Nowland’s men as they rested.
His lead scout had informed them of the respite they took, allowing them to quietly move into position for an attack.
Another thirty men approached from the other side under Philip’s leadership.
And then he heard her voice. Joy leaped in his heart. Kallen approached, talking about the countryside. She stepped into the clearing. Her eyes widened. A smile appeared on her lips even as she continued to talk.
“Sir? You can still hear me, I hope. I have found a perfect place. I’ll only be just a minute.”
She reached him and whispered, “Griffith! You must go.”
He heard the worry in her voice. He motioned for her to continue speaking, aware that her escort was nearby.
Kallen didn’t miss a beat, though. “I’ll tell you this. The nunnery was so boring. Prayers could last an eternity. Do you know how many times a nun must pray in a day? I fear I could never be so pious.”
Griffith rested his hands on her shoulders as she spoke. Kallen prattled on as several of his men circled around. He heard a grunt and a thud and knew Kallen’s guard had fallen.
She fell into his arms as he embraced her. Warmth flooded him, a sense of rightness in her being with him.