The Lord is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29
All was lost. The next day, Eleanor walked through the ruins of the great hall. The walls were charred black, not a stick of furniture or tapestries had survived the merciless flames. The same had been true of everything in the bailey; not a building had remained unscathed. Even with all helping into the early hours of the morn, little had survived. The kitchens were a mass of broken pottery and burnt baskets. The stable and pens were gone, and the few animals they could find were tied up with precious pieces of hemp that had not been destroyed by the blaze. Even the weapons in the armory were blackened. Bows were lost except for those carried by men that day.
A calm night with little wind had saved the sleeping chambers on the second floor. Thankfully, the steps were made of stone and so the walls. The price heavy; it would take Hugh a long time to repair. Eleanor’s heart twisted. Thornwood was his life. What would keep him drawing breath now?
She brushed her hands over the rough woolen tunic a servant woman had given her this morn to wear. Though Eleanor tried to refuse the generosity, the woman would not hear of it until Eleanor stripped off her own soiled clothes, bathed and donned the clean garment. The night had blurred the lines between noble and peasant; the only good thing that had come out of this catastrophe.
“You should not be in here. The timber still smolders. The flames could ignite in a moment.” Hugh stood in the hall doorway, still wearing his soot-covered tunic and breeches, his face creased with dirt and grime. Even with his hair matted and hands filthy, she still longed to be held by him once more.
Carefully, she lifted her skirts and stepped through the rubble. “I had to see. I had to know what was left.” Her throat clogged with tears when his shoulders slumped.
“I am sorry. We could not save your chapel. We tried...but the wooden structure went up like oil in a barrel.” He lowered his head. “I swear, I will build another.”
She rushed to his side and gently reached for his hand. “Work on fixing your keep first. God will understand about the chapel.”
He squeezed her fingers and then sadly smiled. “Your chapel...the structure burnt quickly, but amazingly Simon’s altar remained unscathed. As if God had placed his protective arms about it.”
“Mayhap he did. It is nothing short of a miracle,” she answered.
“A miracle is no one else besides Adam was killed.” Hugh let go of her hand and sent his gaze to the scorched rafters above them. “I don’t want you going about this keep until we can make sure everything is secure. I want you to remain with the others in the women’s tent we have constructed outside these walls. Theo will watch over you. I’d send you, my mother, and the others to Crosswind today, but the woods and roads may not be safe. I know not if Lord de Orsey is still about.”
The mention of Sir Reginald caused her stomach to clench. “There has been no word of Isobel?”
Hugh rolled his shoulders. “Nay. Darrin and Guy followed their tracks to the river and there it is uncertain which direction they took. If he finds nothing, then Julian and I will set out again, later.”
“I think you need to rest first. Surely there are others who can pick up the search?”
A tired laugh escaped his lips. “I cannot sleep knowing Isobel is in danger. Nay. I will find her and Lord de Orsey before I see another day.”
She reached up and placed her palm on his cheek. “I am so sorry. This is all my fault.” Hugh covered her hand with his and her heart leaped in her chest.
“Eleanor. Do not blame yourself for Sir Reginald’s twisted mind.”
“I would have wished he would have won the tourney if it meant saving Thornwood.”
Hugh stepped back and gazed around the hall before looking down at her. “What he did to Thornwood was planned. Losing the tourney, letting the horses out of the stable before setting it afire, the death of Adam and the capture of Isobel. All strategic. All planned.”
“But why would he come here to beg for my hand and then throw the tourney and destroy everything? It makes no sense.”
Again Hugh let his gaze shift around the room. “I am sure his motivation came from the other deserted camp Royce and I found yesterday. Whomever it was threw enough fear into Sir Reginald to make his men leave and him to throw the tournament.”
“Well, whoever that may be would have to be very powerful indeed.”
Hugh folded his arm gently around hers. “Come, let us leave this place.”
The warm, windy, morning sky, bright, blue and beautiful gave up no tale of what had transpired here hours ago. Regrettably, the smell of burnt wood and singed fabric lingered in the air, in the very clothes they wore. Charred, black stones and grey powder flakes covered the bailey floor. Peasants picked through the rubble, hoping to find something that had survived the destruction. A hollow ache grew in Eleanor’s chest as she saw the hurt and sorrow in their eyes. This was her fault.
“I’ve let them down.” Hugh hung his head and guided Eleanor down the soot covered steps. “I should have been more diligent. I underestimated Sir Reginald.”
“Nay. This is not your sin, but mine. I should have rejected the king’s offer and stayed with my uncle at Taine Manor.”
A soft smile filled his lips. “Truly, do you believe you could have gainsaid the king? Nay. You were a pawn in a game played poorly. I should have made quick order in finding you a husband, but...I did not. The destruction before you rests on my shoulders alone.”
She wanted to protest and ease his remorseful mind, when shouts came from outside the bailey. Hugh quickly took to the gate as Eleanor followed. A rider dressed in Lord de Orsey’s colors approached the keep at a good pace. Hugh called for his sword while others grabbed any weapon at hand. Sir Julian, Guy, Royce and even Simon came running from the makeshift tents.
“Go back inside the keep,” Hugh ordered Eleanor.
Before she could protest. The rider jumped from his horse and held out a shaking hand. A frightened lad, no doubt forced to carry the note to Thornwood and considered disposable. “A missive from Lord de Orsey.”
Hugh sheathed his sword, taking the parchment. The lad never raised his gaze from the ground. A hush filled the air as all waited to see what their lord would do.
Slowly Hugh raised his head and let his hand, holding the note fall to his side. “He wants a cart filled with gold, silver, jewels, metal and any other fine baubles that will bring a good price in exchange for Isobel.”
A fear so great filled Eleanor it squeezed the breath from her lungs. Any lord would laugh at such a proposal, choosing to let a peasant girl die instead. Hugh would need his precious coin to rebuild Thornwood. He would never give it to Sir Reginald to rescue a child.
Hugh turned to one of his servants. “Give Lord de Orsey’s man some food and drink.” He then turned to his brother. “If you can find a strong cart that has not been harmed by the fire, bring it here.”
Julian nodded. “Good choice.”
“Simon, take Lady Eleanor and return to the tents. I am sure Lord de Orsey is not far from here and may still make a challenge. Royce, round up a few servants with strong backs.”
Immediately, Royce called for servants and Simon offered Eleanor his hand. She folded her arms across her chest. “Nay. I am not leaving. I wish to help.”
Hugh frowned and Simon fidgeted.
“I don’t have time to worry about your safety. This is important,” Hugh huffed.
“I agree. Isobel is important. I can search through the rubble to see if there is anything of value.”
An odd look crossed his face. “Search through the rubble? There is nothing there.”
“We need to find something to secure Isobel’s release,” she said.
He turned without further comment and headed back to the great hall. She, Simon, and Royce, with a few servants, followed. Taking the stairs two at a time, Hugh did not stop until he stood outside Lady Jane’s chamber. He reached into his tunic and pulled out a chain that held a key around his neck.
“You have had that there all this time?” Eleanor could not hide the shock in her voice. “But I thought you threw the key back into the cesspool.”
Hugh smiled. “I have more than one key, my lady. One never knows when a situation will arise.”
A great loving warmth spread through Eleanor as Hugh opened the lock and started ordering the servants to take anything of great value from the room that had not been harmed by the fire. The servants made trip after trip and did not stop until the cart teemed with precious jewels, gold, silver, and gilded furniture.
When Hugh was satisfied, he called for Lord de Orsey’s servant. “Here’s the cart. You see that it is full. Tell your lord I will meet him at dusk at the designated spot.” Hugh then reached into the cart and pulled out a silver goblet. “Give this to Sir Reginald. Tell him I will come alone.”
The last sentence sent a shudder down Eleanor’s spine. He could not venture out alone. Sir Reginald would kill him before Hugh descended the cart. She aimed to tell him so the moment the lad left, but Sir Royce voiced her fears first.
“You are not meeting Lord de Orsey and his men alone. ’Tis madness. He’ll kill you and Isobel, regardless what he promised.”
Hugh headed to the gate with Royce, who protested all the way. Eleanor and Simon followed, agreeing. Once outside they met up with Sir Julian, Guy, and Darrin.
“He plans to go out alone,” Royce told the others, which produced more objections.
Hugh held up his hands. “Cease. I am not a fool. I’ll not hand over the loot until I know the girl is safely away.”
“We are thinking of your welfare, too,” Sir Julian said grimly. “We shall follow at a fair distance.”
Hugh shook his head and looked straight at Eleanor. “I’ll not jeopardize the girl’s safety. If I don’t make it back, give this keep to Theo and Lady Eleanor.”
Give this keep to Theo and Lady Eleanor. Indeed!
Her cries had no effect on any around. Simon and Royce literally dragged her to the women’s tent where Theo stood guard while Hugh, Julian and Darrin cooked up some irrational plan back at the keep.
She tried to leave the tent countless times, punching and shouting, only to be forced back by Theo and Simon.
At one point, Theo tossed her back in the tent, pointed a finger and bellowed, “Cease your racket, woman.” To which she begged all the more for her release, to find Hugh. Theo answered her pleas by throwing his hands in the air, stalking from the tent with a grunt.
Tears of frustration spilled from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks; her whole body shook uncontrollably. Eleanor sunk to the floor. “’Tis no use. Hugh will die. He needs my help.”
A pair of gentle arms wrapped around her. “Eleanor, I feel your fears also. I love my son as deeply as you. But the only one who can help right now is God. Let us say a prayer together.”
The clear, calm blue of Lady Catherine’s eyes quieted Eleanor. She sniffed and nodded, letting the older woman take control.
Dear Father in Heaven, we know You want the best for all of us and sometimes we do not always understand Your will. Please keep Hugh safe as he tries to free Isobel. Put Your protective arms around both of them and keep them out of harm’s way, swiftly returning them to their loved ones. We ask this in your Son’s name who died for our sins. Amen.
A peace swept over Eleanor and when she opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by all the de Maury women, Lady Catherine, Lady Ariane, Lady Grace and Lady Breanna. They all smiled and offered her words of comfort. A secure warmth lifted Eleanor’s spirits, for they treated her like a member of their loving family.