Connie Mason (37 page)

Raven’s muffled curses seemed to delight Waldo, for he threw back his head and laughed. “Think you Drake will look for you here?” he taunted. Then he squatted before her and pulled the gag from her mouth. “No one can hear you above the pounding surf. What think you of my cunning now, Raven of Chirk?”

Raven sucked in a ragged breath, gathered what little saliva she had in her mouth, and spit at Waldo. Livid with rage, he dashed the glob of spittle from his face and backhanded her. She rolled with the blow and scooted away from him. “You are the devil incarnate!”

“Aye, and well you know it.”

“Why? Why are you doing this?”

“Because I hate Drake, of course. I learned that the only way to hurt him was through you, and planned my revenge accordingly. The fire was a brilliant stroke, was it not?”

“ ’Twas the work of the devil.”

He rose and glared down at her. “Enjoy your solitude,
wife
. ’Tis all you will enjoy until death claims you.”

“Wait! Do not leave me like this. I am carrying Drake’s child. Would you kill an innocent babe to spite its parents?”

“A child!” he crowed gleefully. “Even better. Does Drake know?” Raven nodded. “I had not expected such a bonus. Revenge,” he said, gloating, “how sweet it is.”

Appalled, Raven stared at him. She had never known such evil existed in the world. She believed now more than ever that he had murdered Daria.

“Before you leave me to my ignominious death, tell me the truth,” Raven challenged. “Did you kill Daria?”

Waldo pondered her question a moment before answering. “Since it seems important that you know, and you will not live to tell anyone, I see no harm in telling you. Aye, I killed Daria.”

Raven lashed out in fury. “Monster! Why? What did she do to deserve death?”

“She knew too much. I could not trust her to keep her mouth shut.”

“About what? Naught could be that important.”

“You think not? Then let me tell you precisely why I killed Daria. My mother died shortly after I brought Daria to Eyre as my bride. Before Mother died she made a deathbed confession. She told Basil she had been carrying another man’s child when they wed. I was that child. ’Twas why her father insisted on a hasty marriage. He was told naught of Basil’s marriage to Leta. The old earl forced Basil to marry my mother while Basil still had a living wife.”

“You are not Basil’s son?” Raven gasped.

“Nay, and when he found out, he vowed to make Drake his legal heir. I could not let that happen.”

“So you killed him,” Raven guessed. “He did not die in a hunting accident.”

“I
arranged
for his death to keep from being disinherited. I paid the huntsman who accompanied Basil that day to kill him and make it look as though he were slain by a poacher. Unfortunately Daria heard me talking to the huntsman and put two and two together. ’Twas obvious I could not let her live.”

“What I see is a diabolical man with no conscience. You killed two people in order to keep your secret; then you tried to kill Drake so he would not discover his legitimate birth and take Eyre from you.”

“Aye. But there is more to it than that. I wanted
you
, Raven. It was always you. But your father betrothed you to Aric and Basil betrothed me to Daria before I could claim you.”

“Aric’s death must have made you very happy.”

He laughed. “Think you I left Aric’s death to chance? He died a hero’s death on the battlefield. In the heat of battle no one saw me deliver the killing blow.”

Raven recoiled in horror. “Sweet Virgin! You killed Aric!”

“Aye, I was determined to have you, Raven. I went through
hell to get you, waited years for a dispensation from the pope. Then you chose another. Now no one will have you. You wrote your death warrant the day you fornicated with the Black Knight.” He turned to leave.

“Nay! Do not leave me here to die.”

“Farewell, Raven. Losing you will hurt Drake more than any torture I could devise. Think on that while you are slowly dying of thirst and hunger.”

Then he was gone, plunging the cave into total darkness. Raven screamed once and began to sob.

Waldo made his way back to the castle. He rode past the barbican without being challenged, pleased with his night’s work. Everyone was fighting the fire, including the gatekeeper. The portcullis was raised, and he proceeded through to the inner bailey. He saw at a glance that the fires had been extinguished for the most part, and that the men were now combing the ashes for embers that could reignite. He smiled. The fire he’d started had served him well. He had created the diversion he needed, and Drake had lost at least three buildings to the blaze.

Waldo dismounted and led his horse into the stables. He quickly unsaddled the animal and rubbed him down. Then he crept back to the keep. The hall was deserted, and he went directly to his chamber to pack his meager belongings. Dawn was just breaking through the clouds when he returned to the hall. The newly returned servants paid him scant heed as they prepared food for the hungry horde who would soon converge upon them.

Waldo strode from the hall in search of Drake. He wanted to make sure Drake saw him leave alone, so that no suspicion fell upon him when Raven’s disappearance was discovered.

Drake saw Waldo approaching, noted that his clothing was neither soot-stained nor rumpled, and guessed that he
had remained safely in the keep while everyone else had lent a hand to extinguish the flames.

“Fare-thee-well, Drake,” Waldo said, gazing with satisfaction at the destruction he had wrought. “Should we meet again, it will be too soon for me.”

Drake harbored the same thought. “Where were you when we needed you? Did you not hear the fire bell?”

“Aye, I heard it, but why should I help someone I despise?”

“Lord Drake, there you are.”

The king, dressed for travel, joined them. “I am no longer needed here. ’Tis time my men and I left you in peace. The buildings can easily be rebuilt, and no lives were lost. Thank God the flames were contained in time.”

“I am most grateful for everything you have done for me, sire. Will you not linger long enough to break your fast with us?”

“Nay, I cannot, but your servants were kind enough to provide food for our sojourn today.”

“Whatever I have is yours, sire,” Drake said graciously.

“I, too, leave Windhurst this morn, sire,” Waldo informed him.

“Then I bid you good-bye,” Edward said, sending him off with a careless wave of his hand.

It was obvious to Drake that Edward held Waldo in contempt, which Drake understood and applauded.

“You are well rid of him,” Edward said as Waldo walked smartly toward the stables.

“I pray he never darkens my door again,” Drake said fervently.

The king and his contingent took their leave. Duff had already expressed his intention to leave today as well, and Drake could not fault him for wanting to be alone with his bride. Drake was grateful that for once Raven had obeyed him and remained in her chamber.

The fires had been thoroughly extinguished now, and
men were gathering in the hall to eat. Tomorrow he would summon workers from the village to rebuild the three buildings that had been lost to the flames. And later, after he had cleaned up and eaten, he intended to investigate the cause of the fire.

Before returning to the solar, Drake stopped at the well and washed away all traces of soot and ashes from his skin so as not to offend Raven with his stench. He entered the hall and went directly to the solar to tell her about the fire, and to reassure her that whatever was lost could be easily replaced.

The door to Raven’s chamber was ajar and he pushed it open, calling her name. He expected her to fly into his arms, and frowned when she did not.

“Raven, where are you, love?”

Thinking she had visited the garderobe, he decided to change his clothing, convinced she would return by the time he was dressed. When Raven failed to appear, he feared she might be ill. He hurried to the garderobe and found it empty. Tamping down his panic, Drake told himself there was nothing to worry about. Most likely he would find Raven in the bailey with the women, who were setting up a makeshift kitchen until a new one could be built.

A shiver of dread slid down Drake’s spine when he did not find Raven in the bailey. He immediately ordered men forth to comb the keep. Drake questioned Duff and Lady Willa when they appeared in the hall, but they had not seen Raven since the night before.

“Where is Waldo?” Duff asked. “I trust him not.”

“Nor do I,” Drake agreed. “Waldo left Windhurst early this morn. I spoke to him myself before he left. He was alone.”

One by one Drake’s men returned, each reporting negative results. Raven was not in the keep. Drake extended the search to the outer and inner baileys and all of the buildings therein. He did not order a search of the area outside the
castle walls, for he knew Raven would not venture beyond the walls alone.

“What do you think happened?” Duff asked worriedly when they met in the hall after the futile search.

“Waldo. It has to be,” Drake replied. He had thought this out thoroughly and there was no other answer.

“Did you not say Waldo was alone when he left?” Duff asked.

“Aye, but I cannot help wondering. He was not in the bailey helping to fight the fire. The hall was deserted; the fire had claimed everyone’s attention. I believe now that the the fire was deliberately set to create a diversion. Waldo is not above using devious methods to work his evil.”

“Aye,” Duff agreed. “Waldo was ever a sly fellow. There is a blackness in his soul. I have seen glimpses of what he is capable of and liked it not.” His brow furrowed. “Why would he abduct Raven? He would not . . . Nay, he would not hurt Raven, would he?”

Drake rose abruptly. His voice was harsh with fear. “What think you?”

“Waldo is corrupt and capable of great evil,” Duff said slowly.

Drake was through talking. It was time for action. As if reading his mind, Sir John appeared at his side.

“The men await your orders, Drake.”

“Choose six men to accompany me; we will leave within the hour. Waldo has several hours’ head start; we must ride hard to catch him.”

Sir John left immediately to do Drake’s bidding.

“I will come with you,” Duff offered.

“Nay, stay here with Lady Willa. Should Raven return to the keep, send word with a messenger.”

“You know not where to find Waldo,” Duff said worriedly.

“I can only assume he is headed for his estate near York,” Drake said.

“Waldo’s mind is devious. He will not go where you expect him to go.”

Drake’s hard features and thinned lips promised dire consequences for the man who dared to threaten his wife and unborn child. “I will find him.”

Waldo rode as if the devil were on his tail. Drake was not stupid. In time he would figure out who was responsible for Raven’s disappearance and come after him with blood in his eye. Fortunately time was on his side. He had several hours’ head start and hoped to confuse Drake by riding away from York, not toward it. Instead of riding north, he rode south, to Exeter, where he intended to book passage to Brittany or Bayeux. Once the king got wind of what he had done, Waldo gravely doubted he would be welcome in England.

Eight armed men, including Drake, Sir John, and Sir Richard, rode from Windhurst within the hour. They headed north, in the direction of York. They rode hard for two hours before Drake sawed on Zeus’s reins and leaped from the saddle. Transfixed by something no one else was aware of, he turned his face toward the south, listening, his ears attuned to voices only he could hear. Pulled by some unseen force, he stared toward the southern coast. He knew his men were confused by his strange behavior but he cared not; Raven’s life was at stake. Should he be wrong about Waldo’s destination, Raven could die.

“What is it, Drake?” Sir John asked as he reined in beside Drake.

“Waldo does not travel north,” Drake said with certainty.

“Think you he went to Londontown?” John wondered.

“Nay, not Londontown.”

“Where then?”

There was a roaring in his ears. He heard a voice. Granny Nola?
Seek your prey south
.

Drake went still, very still. “Drake, is aught amiss?” Sir John cried. “Are you ill?”

Drake seemed to come to himself. “Nay, not ill. Waldo rides south.”

“South? But . . .”

“Trust me, John.”

“Think you Waldo has Lady Raven with him?”

Drake sighed. “I know not.” The roaring began again. Then the voice. The answer was very clear, very distinct. “Nay, my lady is not with Waldo. But he knows where to find her.”

His expression would have frightened the devil as Drake remounted and spurred his destrier toward the southern coast.

Waldo stopped to rest his horse. He knew he was close to the coast, for he heard the sound of surf and smelled tangy, saltladen air. He smiled. He was nearly to Exeter. Soon he would be on a boat sailing to France, where no one could touch him. His one regret was that he had never lain with Raven. He could have taken her before leaving her in the cave, but time was against him. He wanted to be several hours south of Windhurst before Raven’s disappearance was discovered.

Exhilarated by his success, he gave a shout of laughter. The wind caught it and sent it echoing across the moors. How good it felt to defeat the Black Knight, the king’s darling. He had done his utmost to prevent Drake from learning he was the legitimate son and heir to Eyre and all its wealth, and had failed. Now he had deprived Drake of something he wanted badly. Something Drake would never have.

In time, when everyone had forgotten about him, he would return to York and take charge of his estate. His bailiff had been collecting his rents for years, and when he eventually returned, he would have all the coin he needed.

Waldo set his spurs to his destrier. Exeter and France awaited him. He entered a wooded area on the outskirts of
Exeter and found a well-trodden path leading through the forest toward the city. Soon, he thought, soon I will be safe from Drake and the king.

Certain that he had won, Waldo became incautious, forgetting that forests were often havens for thieves and all manner of ruffians. Thinking himself safe, he was taken by surprise when two men dropped down from the tree under which he was riding and pulled him from his mount. Before he could reach for his dagger, the pair of thieves were joined by another, and he found a blade pressed against his neck.