Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8
She could stand it no longer. Eleanor arose and left her room. For what seemed like eons she had sat contemplating a task that would suit Sir Hugh. But other than building a chapel nothing gave her enthusiasm. Clearly, he wanted her to do something else, otherwise he would not have suggested it. He just did not understand. Besides being a wonderful place of worship, the chapel could be a place where the young and old could come for comfort. Where the tired could rest and young could learn. Wouldn’t it be the perfect place to teach children, like Isobel, about their Savior? That would only be the beginning. Mayhap that is how she should present the need to Lord Thornwood—-all would benefit from the chapel.
Summer sunlight filled the courtyard, but Eleanor made her way down the cool, damp hallway. Instead of descending the stairs she continued in the opposite direction toward the shadowy corridor. She had been told never to tread this way when given her room, but she was determined to figure out why.
It seemed odd to build a hallway that had no destination. The passage had to lead somewhere. The musty odor intensified as she crept farther into the darkness; no feet had tread upon these stones for some time. She ran her hand along the moist wall as the light behind her faded. There seemed to be nothing here. A corridor to nowhere.
She was ready to turn around when her fingertips grazed wood instead of stone. Squinting her eyes to adjust to the dim light, she discovered it was a door. A large wooden door with ornamental carvings of which she had never seen before. She guessed this entry was not something carved in England, but in the Outremer, the Holy Land. But how had Hugh come to own such a door?
Mayhap his brother, Sir Julian, gave it to him when he returned from the Crusades. However, it was a well-known fact that the brothers did not always get along and Julian was not a man who cared about earthly possessions. Still, it seemed a possibility. Her fingertips felt for the latch, but discovered a heavy, iron lock instead—bolted and chained. Secrets lay behind this door. Secrets Sir Hugh did not want anyone to find.
But this would never stop Eleanor.
Mayhap if she knew what was behind this door she could reach Hugh on a more personal level—get him to find his faith again. For clearly he was lost. Never had she been in a keep that did not have a place of worship, a place for morning Mass and prayers. A shiver slid down her spine. Many here could be facing the fires of hell. Hugh could spend an eternity cut off from his Savior. She could not let that happen. The answers lay behind this door, she was sure of it. And she intended to find them.
Eleanor turned and made her way to the great hall. Without pausing, she headed for the bailey. A stream of sunlight spoke of a glorious day, a day of enlightenment. She stopped and scanned the courtyard and its residents. Sylvester had to be somewhere around here. Once again she was struck by how efficient everything was—not a man was idle and all was in order—and all seemed very dull. No one laughed, no one smiled, and no one conversed outside of their appointed duties. Boring, tedious, dreary. And on this sunny day! This all had to change. They needed song and dance and merriment. And spiritual guidance. Surely all tasks would be more productive if there was some joy and knowledge of the resurrection of Christ in this keep. Her thoughts dissipated when a peasant carrying Isobel rode pell-mell into the bailey.
“Where is Sir Theodore?” the peasant shouted without dismounting.
“In the practice field behind the keep,” answered a servant.
“Get him!” the peasant ordered.
The servant took off, and another came forward to take Isobel from the peasant’s mount.
Who was this man whose word none questioned? From his simple dress, he was a man who worked the fields or a huntsman that dwelled in the forest. Whoever he was, he’d better have a good reason why he had Isobel.
The girl came running with tears streaming down her face. Eleanor wrapped her arms around the child. “What happened? Why does this man have you?”
Isobel raised her head. “The bad men—they took Sir Hugh.”
Bad men. Took Sir Hugh. Eleanor knelt and brushed the wild blonde curls from Isobel’s face. “Weren’t the two of you working in the stables? Where were you?”
“We were hunting, my lady,” a deep rich voice answered.
Eleanor shielded her eyes from the noon sun and tried to focus on the man above her. ’Twas the peasant. She rose and threw back her shoulders. “Who are you?”
The man dismounted and bowed slightly. “Forgive me, my lady. I am Darrin Longbeard. I live in yonder forest.”
His name struck her as odd since the man had no beard at all, only a headful of tawny curls and ruddy cheeks. “You are one of Lord Thornwood’s huntsmen?”
He looked stunned by her remark. “Nay, my lady. I do not work for Hugh. I come and go as I please.”
Hugh. This man, this peasant, was on first name basis with Sir Hugh? How could this be?
“My lady, we can discuss all this later, but right now Hugh is at the mercy of a very unsavory group.” Darrin scanned the bailey. “Where is Theo? We need to go now.”
Eleanor’s stomach flipped. Hugh was in danger. “Then we must go.” She bent down and gently placed a hand on Isobel’s cheek. “Go find Cook, stay with her, and try not to vex her. I am going to go and help Sir Hugh.”
The child hesitated, but must have seen the determination in Eleanor’s eyes for Isobel nodded obediently and took off toward the kitchen.
Eleanor stood. “I’m going with you.”
Darrin backed up and raised one hand. “Nay, my lady. It is too dangerous. I know not what motivated the men. They may have taken Hugh for ransom or for some other nefarious reason.”
Nefarious. For a peasant he spoke most eloquently. A man of education? This was not the time to think of such thoughts. She walked right past him to the stables. “Nonetheless, I am going with you, and we are leaving now.” She entered the stable, scanned the horses, chose a suitable animal and readied the mount.
The look of shock on Darrin Longbeard’s face did not surprise her, but what he said afterward did. “Seems Hugh forgot about another skill you possess. Perhaps he was too busy gazing into your enchanting eyes or listening to your lovely voice.”
Heat flew up Eleanor’s neck and went straight to her cheeks. She had been a topic of discussion between Sir Hugh and this man. For what purpose? Eleanor shook the thought away. Hugh’s safety was important now. The rest could wait for later—when he was safe.
Darrin mounted his horse and turned toward a stable boy. “Tell Sir Theodore to follow our tracks.”
With that they took off, and Eleanor prayed that God would protect Hugh from evil.
“This is where they overtook us.” Darrin jumped down from his horse and surveyed the ground. “See the tracks?”
Eleanor analyzed the area on horseback. “Aye. But it is hard to tell which way they went. The tracks seem to go out in every direction.”
He rose and arched an eyebrow. “You are correct, my lady. They split up to confuse us.”
“Can you tell if one direction has more men?” she asked.
“Nay, my lady. The same amount of men went in all directions. Two to the north, two to the south, and likewise east and west.”
“How lucky for a group of thieves to travel with an odd number.”
Darrin shook his head. “Nay, not lucky. They knew what they were doing. This was not a random raid.”
The hair on the back of her neck rose and she met Darrin’s gaze. “Are you saying these men were waiting for Lord Thornwood?”
“Aye, my lady.” Darrin’s lips drew tight. “Which means I must have a spy among my men. For they were the only ones who knew what I planned to do this day.”
The ground began to shake as the rumble of horses’ hooves met their ears. Sir Theodore and a group of knights circled around them. “What have you found?” Theodore asked.
Darrin raised his arm, motioning around him. “They travel in pairs in all directions. We need to keep a sharp eye. I fear we are dealing with seasoned knights instead of a group of villains looking for a quick ransom.”
Darrin’s words surprised Eleanor. How could he know they were knights, unless he were one himself? Even stranger, Sir Theodore, the captain of Hugh’s men did not gainsay Darrin. She did not have time to ponder her thoughts as they quickly spilt up.
She followed Darrin and a few of Hugh’s men. They rode for a while, then Darrin would quickly dismount and examine the land again.
“Interesting. The tracks stop. Brushed away, as if they had disappeared. But the broken branches speak another story. They were met by another band of men.” He stood and grew quiet.
In the distance Eleanor heard water flowing. Darrin must have also, for he deftly mounted his horse and took off. At the water’s edge, Eleanor’s spirits sank further. The tracks were gone.
Darrin led his mount up and down along the river. “I cannot tell if they went upstream or down.”
“Would not down be easier?” Eleanor asked.
“Aye, but my gut says they went up. Yet I do not know; there are no signs.”
“Then we should split up even more so.”
“Aye, my lady, but I think you should return to the keep. One of Lord Thornwood’s men will take you back.” Darrin motioned to a knight and he moved his beast closer to Eleanor.
She wrapped the reins tightly around her hand. “Nay, I will not go until we have found Sir Hugh.”
“My lady, there will be fewer knights to watch you and Hugh would have my head if something happened to you.”
“I will have your head if we do not find Sir Hugh. Do I make myself clear, Master Longbeard?”
Darrin let out a lengthy slow sigh and mumbled under his breath.
Eleanor leaned forward. “I cannot hear you? What did you say?”
Darrin shot her a haughty look. “I said, God spare us from overbearing females.”
She opened her mouth to scold him, but then shut it quickly for what he said was probably true. But Sir Hugh’s life hung in the balance and she would not sit idly by.
The group separated. She went upstream with Darrin and one other knight. The rest continued downstream. As they struggled against the current, Eleanor offered up a simple prayer.
“Dear Lord, please return Hugh safely to us. For he is a good, faithful man. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
The moment Darrin and Isobel left, the renegades secured Hugh’s wrists with a tight rope and dropped a dark hood over his head. The men split up without communicating among themselves. By sound, Hugh was positive that he traveled with only one villain. The heavy hemp dug into Hugh’s wrist as he tried to wiggle his hands free of a strong knot, made by an expert.
“If you seek ransom, know that my holdings are small and there is not much in my coffers. I have ordered my men never to pay any ransom. So what you do is in vain. Release me and all will be forgotten. If not, you will bring the wrath of the de Maury family on your head.”
No answer came from the scoundrel. He just kept his rugged pace. They had not gone far when they were greeted by another group of men. Mayhap four or five from the sound of their horses’ whickers and dancing hooves. Again no words were exchanged among the villains.
The splashing of water met Hugh’s ears as they traveled on, and he knew they were at the stream which ran between Thornwood and Crosswind holdings. Could these men be Templars? ’Twould explain the lack of speech and the precise execution of this kidnapping. But what would they have to gain from abducting him? They were a far richer lot than most of the lords in England. Besides, his mother lived with them. If they wanted coin, they could have easily ransomed her.
Nay, these men played a different game.
They entered the river and went upstream, in the direction of Crosswind. Mayhap he had been wrong and they were Templars. When they exited the stream they seemed far beyond Crosswind. They began to travel in circles and Hugh finally gave up trying to figure out where they were. The air turned cool as the day waned. By the time they reached their destination, the birds had stopped singing and an owl’s hoot echoed in the distance.
One of the men dragged Hugh from his mount and tossed him into a warm hut. The sound of crackling embers greeted his ears and a smell of something else...incense. Hugh stiffened. Nag Champa, a familiar scent that Jane had often used.
The ropes that bound his hands were cut, the hood yanked off, and he expected to find one of Jane’s old lovers sitting before him. Nothing could have been further from the truth. A large, burly man who filled the small space with his commanding presence sat near the fire. His face held lines of worry, of a man who had seen too much.
He placed a mug on a modest, wooden table that separated them, then leaned back in his seat. “Welcome, Hugh de Maury. I trust your journey was not too stressful.” The man’s voice matched his stature—bold and strong, but also lacked a conviction it might once have had.
The incense tickled Hugh’s nose and he sneezed.
A mirthless chuckle escaped the husky man’s lips. “It’s Nag Champa and comes from the Far East...farther than I have ever been. They say it soothes the soul and relaxes a man’s thoughts. Others, it makes them sneeze.”
“I know what it is.” Hugh glared at the man.
The firelight danced off the man’s russet hair, giving him the look of the devil. “Bullheaded, like all de Maury’s.”
“Who are you and what do you want with me?”
The man looked up at the thatched roof and stretched out his long, massive legs. He inhaled deeply and let out an extended, cleansing breath before he turned his fierce gaze back to Hugh. “My name is Richard. Some call me, Richard Coeur de Lion.”
The king? Truly? Hugh wasn’t sure if the man jested or if he was truly delusional. Other than one missive, ordering Hugh to find a husband for Lady Eleanor, the king had never recognized him for anything. Most believed after the king’s release from captivity, he spent most of his time and energy mobilizing an army to march on King Phillip of France.
“Forgive me if I do not believe you. For if you were the king, you would have marched up to my keep and demanded entry, which I would have humbly granted.” Hugh rubbed his wrists trying to ease the aches within.
Again the man laughed. “Would I, now?” He leaned over the table. “Sometimes traveling in secret protects the king.”
“Or gets him caught,” Hugh said flippantly.
The man raised both brows, then slammed his fist on the table, sending a loud crack into the air. Hugh looked down at the new thin split across the tiny table.
“Speak not of my confinement,” the man roared. “I am no longer careless. I have learned to eat as the peasants do, and I have cut out the tongues of those who inadvertently utter my name.”
All of England had heard the rumors that the king had been caught by Duke Leopold of Austria when Richard ordered an extravagant supper at an inn while traveling in secret. Another rumor claimed he was caught when his manservant kept calling him, ‘sire.’ Apparently, according to this man, both were true.
“I mean no disrespect, but I will need more than your word for proof,” Hugh said.
“Ah, another thing I have always liked about the de Maury’s, you are a cautious lot.” The man reached into a leather pouch he wore around his waist and pulled out a ring and handed it to Hugh. It shimmered and glistened in the firelight. A dark oval stone surrounded by gold Aquitaine etchings. “Do you know what this is?”
“I believe it is an Aquitaine ring,” Hugh said dryly.
The so-call king’s face blazed red. “’Tis the ring of St. Valerie. I wore this when I became Duke of Aquitaine.”
It could be real, or it could be a fine copy meant to persuade the gullible. “I have heard of the ring and its importance. I find it hard to believe that Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine would allow it to leave Limoges.”
The man began to shake. Soon he would reach for his sword and end Hugh’s life. Nonetheless, Hugh held his ground, better to have a swift death than to burden the people at his keep with a heavy ransom.
“By God, if it were not for...I’d cut your eyes and tongue out,” the man shouted, rising to his feet. “Raymond!” he bellowed again. Not even a second later another villain entered the hut. “Bring my sword and then shed your robe.”
The villain left and returned with a gilded sword that carried the head of a lion. Then the man took off his robe, revealing the tunic of the royal guard of the Plantagenet’s.
“Do you still not believe me?” the king roared.
Hugh almost said ‘aye’, but wisely dropped to one knee, bowing his head. “Your Majesty. Forgive me.”
“I could have stolen all these too, you know.” Richard slammed the sword on the table. The wood cracked again, sending a quick trail of sawdust to the floor.
Without rising, Hugh lifted his head. “True. But if you had, the king would have to be dead. Besides, your men act like knights, not villains.”
The anger seeped away from Richard’s presence. He nodded slowly. “So it is my sword and my men that convinced you and not my royal manner?”
Hugh remained silent and lowered his head again.
For a moment naught but the crackling fire could be heard. Then the king gave out a boisterous laugh. “My word, you are so much like your brother. Mayhap a little wiser, for you remained silent where as your brother would have told me, ‘aye.’ Sit, man. You are giving me a neck ache kneeling so.”
Hugh took his seat and raised his gaze to his king. “Sire, I still do not understand why you travel in disguise and why you would seek me out in secret.”
With a wave of his hand, Richard dismissed the knight, but kept the sword near. “Even though these are my lands, I have many enemies. Many who are still loyal to my brother, John. Before I leave for France I must be certain England is secure, which brings us to the reason why you are here.”
A trail of sweat trickled down Hugh’s back as the king scrutinized him. He had believed King Richard was a bold and brash man who acted without much thought, charging to the Holy Land, bumbling about Europe until he was captured, and then amassing an army to fulfill a vendetta against King Phillip and Prince John. But now, Hugh wasn’t so sure.
“Where do your loyalties lie?” Richard asked.
“Your Majesty, you are my king.”
“Ah, a safe answer. Let me speak plainly. I trusted your brother to carry out my wishes. Instead, he disobeyed me. How do I know you will not do the same?”
Hugh held his king’s strong gaze. “In your absence, Prince John was regent. ’Twas he who ordered my brother to marry Lady Ariane. Julian and I obeyed the prince because we believed he carried out your wishes.”
Richard ran his hand along his sword, pausing every so often at the handle. “Julian de Maury lives this day because he has kept the barbarians away from our northern door and because he is the brother-in-law of Royce Canwell, whom I do trust!”
The room seemed to grow hotter, and the aroma from the incense caused Hugh’s gut to turn. “Your Majesty, I, too, trust Royce. My sister married a good man. A man Julian sent to her.”
“Aye, which was why I sought out your brother when I was in the Holy Land. But now...after this past year...I am not sure of many things.” Richard leaned back in his chair and briefly closed his eyes.
Shocked by the admission, Hugh began to have more respect for his king. He did not put on airs like Prince John. In fact, the brothers were completely different, in looks and in actions. King Richard was open and acted accordingly; Prince John was closed and slinked in the shadows. Would his manner change if he were king in truth? Hugh decided he did not care to find out.
“My king, I pledge my service to you and you alone.”
Richard’s eyelids flew open, he leaned forward. “You said your oath with such conviction. Why, when moments ago you were so cautious?”
“Your Majesty, I believe you are an honest man and do not play games like your brother. Except...” Eleanor’s face flooded Hugh’s mind.
“Go on,” the king encouraged.
Hugh still hesitated. He truly did not want to incur the Lion’s wrath. But the king’s eyes were expectant and mayhap there was a chance to change Richard’s mind. “I wonder why you choose to uphold Prince John’s order to find a husband for Lady Eleanor de Taine?”
Richard fidgeted in his seat. He cleared his throat and waved a hand. “That is my concern, not yours.”
Again Hugh paused before he spoke. “Forgive me again, Sire, but I am the one who must carry out your order. So it is my concern.”
The king placed his palms on the table and began to tap his fingertips. “You need not know the reason. Just do as I ask, which you have not. The lady has been in your custody for a while and not one suitor has entered your keep.”
The words stunned Hugh. If the king had that knowledge then he must have a spy at Thornwood. Why was Lady Eleanor so important to the king? “I have sent out the call, but none have answered and I fear none will.”
The king looked stunned. “Why do you think this? The decree has come from me. Surely, that is enough to bring forth worthy knights?”
Hugh’s mouth went dry. “Sire, I fear your word is not enough. The lady is without dowry.”
Richard began to run his fingers across his sword again. “Women have other attributes.”
“Aye, but Lady Eleanor...is serviceable and tends to speak her mind.” Serviceable! Did he really use that word to describe Eleanor? In his mind he could see her nodding in agreement.
The king’s fingers stilled. “Ah, you mean, she is not comely and she has a sharp tongue.”
Though the king’s words were an accurate assessment of Lady Eleanor, they did not sit well with Hugh. “She is not that uncomely.”
The king chuckled. “You defend her honor. Very well, she is somewhat comely. Mayhap I need to sweeten the pot.”
“I do not understand.”
Richard motioned for Hugh to come closer. “How about I give her some property?” he whispered.
Hugh sat back. Whose lands did he have in mind? What he suggested was a lord’s nightmare and could cause a civil war. “Your Majesty, I don’t think—”
“Fear not. I am not thinking of yours. Nor will I strip another. But it is well known that Lady Eleanor’s uncle, Lord Leonard de Taine, is old and hasn’t any heirs. I could declare that upon his death Lady Eleanor and her future husband will inherit the land.”
“Forgive me once again, but I think Lord Reginald de Orsey, Lady Eleanor’s cousin is the likely successor. I do not think he would be happy with your decision.”
Richard frowned. “I care not what Lord de Orsey thinks or wants. He was quite busy with my brother when I was gone.”
So Richard knew about Reginald’s antics with Prince John. That still did not mean de Orsey would accept Richard’s decree without a fight. “He may—”
“Do not gainsay me on this. If Lord de Orsey wants the lands, he can seek out Lady Eleanor’s hand, as I am sure others will.”
Indeed, with a prime holding behind the offer, men would be swarming to Thornwood like bees to a hive. Hugh saw all his summer and harvest plans wither before his eyes. There was so much to be done before winter.
Hugh sneezed again. He cleared his dry throat. “Sire, if that is your plan, why don’t you just pick a man for her? Surely you have someone in mind.”
Richard’s frown deepened and the room all but sizzled. “The task of finding the right man falls to you. Do not question me more on this. I have my reasons. I will write the decree this eve and send it forth. You will weigh and measure each suitor and find me a man who is loyal to the crown and worthy of Lady Eleanor’s hand.”
Hugh opened his mouth and then wisely shut it. Richard Coeur de Lion had spoken.