Chapter Sixteen #3
He stood behind her, clearing his throat softly.
Kenneth stood slightly behind Tate, still looking rather unhappy about the entire thing.
The men-at-arms were gathering the horses and moving back through the summer grass to the trees that bordered the river, where they would hide until the venture was over.
As the morning grew warmer and the insects from the river danced about, Joselyn faced Tate and Kenneth.
“Do not worry so,” she said, more for Kenneth than for Tate. “I shall ride to Berwick and demand to be given my husband. It should not take long.”
Tate hoped she was not truly so na?ve. “We have discussed a course of action,” he reminded her.
“It would be better if you do not show emotion where it pertains to Stephen. It could be used against you if they feel your loyalty is to him and not your kinsmen. You need to claim him as one would a possession.”
She thought on that a moment, her long-lashed eyes turning to behold the castle once more.
She was quivering with anticipation, the desire to discover what had become of her husband causing her heart to thump painfully against her ribs.
It was a struggle not to become emotional but she knew that Tate was right.
She had to show as little emotion as possible.
She had to be strong and firm if this plan was going to work.
“I would like to know where Kynan is,” she said as she turned back around, looking at Kenneth. “You said that you released him.”
Kenneth cocked a blond eyebrow. “We released him so that we could follow him and hopefully discover the rebel plans. It was a gamble that did not pay off, one that I will take full responsibility for.”
“Do you think he was part of the force that captured Berwick?”
“I would stake my life on it.”
Joselyn digested the information, increasingly eager to be on her way. She refused to believe that Stephen had been killed. She was convinced he was somewhere in the walls of Berwick and she would find him no matter what.
“Very well,” she said, moving for her small gray palfrey. Tate took her arm and lifted her up into the saddle as Kenneth fussed with the stirrups. “I will return as soon as I can and I swear to you that Stephen will be with me.”
Tate gazed at her, nodding his head after a moment.
There was so much more to it than just her simple statement.
I swear to you that Stephen will be with me.
Since her initial breakdown at the news of her husband’s capture, he had seen a growth in courage fill the lady.
She was not aggressive and bold like his wife, who was the bravest and strongest woman he knew, but she had a steely strength in her that he was coming to see.
He had a feeling that, if cornered, the lady would come out swinging.
“Ride to the castle and demand entry as the daughter of Alexander Seton,” he went over their plan one last time. “Once inside, you will ask to be shown your husband. You will further insist to whoever is in charge that you demand the release of your husband, which is well within your rights.”
“But if they do not release him, what should…?”
He cut her off. They had been over this several times.
“You will tell them that the king has agreed to release your father from captivity at Alnwick in exchange for Pembury. It is a fair trade, one that I doubt they will refuse. Your father is very important to young David Bruce, heir of Robert. If they have a chance to bargain for his release, they will do it.”
Joselyn listened seriously to his instructions. But when he was finished, she fixed him with an intense gaze. “You realize, of course, that if they refuse to release him, I will not leave him. I will stay in captivity with him.”
Tate nodded slowly. “I understand completely.”
Joselyn gave him a brave little smile, her gaze moving to Kenneth. “I will bring him back, Kenneth,” she said sincerely “You need not worry. All will be well.”
Kenneth didn’t like it when the focus was on him.
He made his way over to her, unable to voice the fears roiling in his chest. For lack of anything comforting or confident to say, he cupped her head in his two massive hands, kissed her cheek, and walked away.
There was resignation, sorrow and helplessness in the gesture, something that touched Joselyn deeply.
She knew how worried he was. She and Tate watched him go before looking to each other.
“Go, now,” Tate encouraged her. “Stay calm and follow the plan we discussed. I am sure I will be seeing Stephen by supper.”
Joselyn forced a smile at him as she kicked the little palfrey, urging the animal to the road and across the bridge beyond.
Tate watched her cross the bridge and continue along the road, heading for the massive fortress in the distance.
The closer she drew to the structure, the more his anxiety grew.
Behind him, Kenneth had turned around to watch as well.
Watch Joselyn ride straight into the jaws of the lion.