Chapter Eighteen #3
Valdine took a deep breath. “We had hoped to dress her in peasant clothing and whisk her from the keep.”
“A valid scheme.”
Valdine nodded hesitantly. “We were planning to do it today. Lady Micheline has the clothes in her possession, but…”
“… finding an escort to take her to the monastery at Crosby has…”
“… been difficult.”
“How so?”
Valdine glanced about as her sister trembled. “The soldiers who remain are reluctant to go against their liege. I sincerely believed we would…”
“… have their support, but it would seem that out of loyalty to the House of de Cleveley, they are fearful of the consequences should…”
“… their aid to Baroness Bowland be discovered.”
Spencer glanced to the battlements, noting the positioning of sentries, old soldiers who had seen better days. Scratching under his hauberk, he sighed heavily.
“I see,” he said softly. “And you would have me assist you?”
Valdine almost collapsed. “Oh, my lord, we were fearful to ask. Other than a few peasant children and servants, we have no help…”
“ … at all. It has been terribly frustrating!”
“What on earth are they afraid of?”
“Of the curse of The Darkland. They are fearful that it…”
“… will turn against them if they defy Lord Edmund.”
Spencer sighed again, turning to glance at the structure behind him.
“So the fear of the evils of The Darkland has prevented anyone from going against the grain.” He returned his focus to the trembling women.
“Well, I for one do not fear The Darkland or her reputation. And if Lady Micheline needs a champion, then I am determined to help her.”
Valdine reached out, grasping his mailed hand. “Thank you, my lord. We truly feared we were at an end.”
Spencer was feeling the slightest bit of satisfaction that he would be bringing shame to Edmund by rescuing his wife from under his nose.
But more than that, he was determined to prevent the death of another young woman at the hands of a man who had no concept of the value of life.
Spencer was brave and strong, and he was not afraid to do what was right.
“You have come to the right man, ladies,” he said confidently. “I shall escort Lady Micheline to Crosby and take great pleasure in doing so. Now, it would seem we must solidify the plan. Do you think you can bring her down from the tower without incident?”
Valdine and Wanda nodded. “The plan is to take her through…”
“… the kitchens and out through the tunneled gate.”
“Where is the gate?”
“On the north side, by the kitchen yard,” Valdine replied.
Spencer tightened his gauntlets. “Bring her. I shall be waiting.”
Valdine and Wanda dashed away without another word. Spencer mounted his charger, passing a final glance at the towering structure of Anchorsholme and resisting the urge to smile.
Not another, you bastard. You will not take another!
*
Johanne entered the smelly solar, locating her brother by the lancet window. He seemed preoccupied, staring over the bailey, as she approached and rubbed against his leg.
“What did Spencer have to say?” she purred, grabbing his flaccid member through his hose.
Edmund pushed her hand away, still gazing over the bailey. “He came to tell me that le Vay is marrying Mara. And to escort Micheline to the wedding.”
Johanne would not be deterred. She lifted her skirt and straddled Edmund’s leg, bumping her Venus Mound against his thigh. “There was never any doubt that the old man would take to her,” she replied. “What did you tell him of Micheline?”
“That she threw herself from the tower.” He was thinking on pushing her away again but his physical reaction was difficult to ignore. “He did not believe me, I could tell. Now, why on earth would he be speaking to Valdine and Wanda?”
The change of subject captured Johanne’s attention and she stopped rubbing against him long enough to peer from the window, following his gaze. After a moment, she shrugged and returned to masturbating.
“I suppose they want to find out if Spencer knows anything about the conflict in Ireland.” She licked her brother’s ear. “On your desk, dear. I need you now.”
Edmund ignored her, watching curiously as Valdine and Wanda suddenly rushed away from Spencer. The knight mounted his horse and bolted from the inner bailey, leaving Edmund thoroughly puzzled by their behavior.
“Not now.” He moved away from his sister. “I want to see what Valdine and Wanda are up to. Something is not right; they were acting very strangely.”
“They always act strangely.” Johanne followed her brother as he quit the solar. “Where are we going?”
Edmund gestured to the door leading to the bailey. “Where they went.”
“And if they went nowhere?”
Edmund paused by the door, the dust from the bailey filling his nostrils.
“They are up to something, Johanne. And I must discover what it is. They had no valid reason to speak to Spencer, and suddenly they dash away from him as if he has sent them on an errand. Though I cannot imagine what that would be.”
Johanne pursed her lips irritably. “Something subversive, I am sure.”
“Do not mock me. The man stood in my solar not five minutes ago accusing me of killing my wife. There is no way of knowing what treachery he is up to. Enlisting Valdine and Wanda to help him, no less!”
Johanne was impatient. She did not believe her brother’s suspicions and was impatient for him to take her. Throwing up her hands, she agreed. “Fine. Let’s discover what they are all up to. And then I demand you pay attention to me.”
“Later.” He pulled her after him.