Chapter 16
Watching Henry ride away was harder than Elisande had anticipated. He left Sayer and Rolf and several soldiers, but the rest of his men rode with him and the king. Many of the king’s entourage stayed behind as well, which meant the manor was full to bursting.
Baldwin saw her standing in the courtyard as the gates closed behind the knights. “Are you well, my lady?”
“I am fine. I’d best go make sure the kitchen staff has everything they need to keep this many people fed.”
“We have gone through more food than planned, but thankfully, the king’s men brought much of their own. We should be fine.”
“It will keep me busy at least.”
The steward had known Elisande her whole life. He smiled at her with a knowing look. “My lady, have you come to care for His Lordship so quickly?”
She looked down at the ground beneath her feet. “Is it so obvious?”
“Truth be told, my lady, I am glad for it. From the first, he seemed a decent man. You deserve that. He has not treated a single person poorly to my hearing. I hope that includes you.”
She met Baldwin’s gaze, knowing he would never outright ask the question he was hinting around. “His lordship has been courteous in all things.”
“Good. You are a rare woman, my lady. It is only right he treat you well. It is about time someone did.”
She knew he was speaking of her brother. He had been a harsh master with all the servants and never uttered a kind word to anyone.
“Well, it is a new day for us all. I just … I just pray they return unharmed.”
“Trust me, my lady, we are all praying for that.”
“Thank you, Baldwin. I’ll be in the kitchens or out in the gardens if you need me.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Instead of going inside, she walked around the perimeter wall, heading for the kitchens and the gardens at the rear of the manor. With her gaze on the ground, she didn’t notice anyone until a hand gripped her arm.
“Eli,” Alger whispered, “come. We have to leave. Now.”
Shock coursed through Elisande as she took in Alger’s dirt-stained face and disheveled hair.
“Are you okay?”
“Eli, we must go now. We have no time. This is our only chance.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The king’s men are riding into a trap. Your brother and mine are going to cut them off at the pass and massacre them between the hills.”
“What?”
“Come. You want to warn them, don’t you?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I just want you to be happy, Eli. Come on. My horse is outside the hidden gate. We can slip away quietly.”
Elisande knew she should tell Rolf and Sayer, but Alger was already tugging her through the hidden garden gate only family had ever used. Something wasn’t right. Elisande felt it in her bones. Alger wasn’t going to help Henry, was he?
She took two steps through the gate, and rough, cruel hands grabbed her from behind.
“Did you really think I’d let that Norman have my land, my home, and my sister? Let him have everything while I am left with nothing?” Her brother’s angry voice mocked her. “You don’t know me at all, do you, Eli?”
Elisande jerked away from him as several of his men came into view. “Let me go. Save your own life and leave this place and never come back.”
He covered her mouth with his dirty hand before she could scream.
“Tie her hands, Alger. She doesn’t seem to want to go.”
Baron Goddard’s manor was all but deserted. The servants were in residence, but not a single knight, soldier, or family member was there to be found.
“Who can speak to what happened here? I am your king.” William’s voice boomed through the courtyard.
A man came forward with eyes downcast. “Your Majesty, begging your pardon, but no one tells us anything.”
“When did Baron Goddard leave?” William asked.
“A week ago? Maybe more, maybe less.”
“What about his son Alger?” Henry asked. “When did you see him last?”
“Master Alger? He just came and left this morning.”
Henry looked at the king. “Something seems off.”
“I’d say so.”
“There are fresh tracks leading away from the manor. Heavy horses. Mounted knights. They’re not a week old,” one of the king’s men said as he brought his horse to a halt in the courtyard.
“Who else just left?” William demanded. “Your life depends on your honesty.”
“Baron Auldwyn. He and his men have been eating us out of house and home. Arseholes, all of them. They came in and made this place their own. Told us they’d kill us all if we told anyone they were here.”
“Elisande’s brother,” Henry clarified for the king.
“When did they leave?” William continued.
“This morning, with Alger. He brought Baron Auldwyn a message, and they all upped and left. Didn’t tell us nothing.”
Henry looked at William. “Elisande is at the manor.”
“We go now.”
William wheeled his horse around, and Henry was right on his heels in a gallop.