Darkest Knight (13 page)

“…at first I couldn’t live without my phone and checking in on social media. Even when I traveled I was always plugged in. Totally addicted. But now, I like the fact I live my life and everyone doesn’t have to know what I’m doing every moment of the day. And I don’t need to know what they’re doing every moment of the day either.”

Charlotte sat on a chair they’d pulled from the room and wiped her brow. She’d sent the kids down for clean water.

“There are people at Falconburg who have been there their entire lives. It certainly changes your perspective, doesn’t it?”

“You’re not kidding. I’m glad I have a good sense of direction. Imagine being here without the maps app on your phone.”

Charlotte burst out laughing. “We Merriweather sisters are known for one thing above all others… we’re all dreadful with directions.”

They both laughed. Anna peeked up at her new friend.

“Is this what it would be like to have a sister?”

Charlotte hugged her. “Absolutely. I want you to know, you are officially an honorary Merriweather. And the Merriweather sisters stick together. No matter what.”

Charlotte sat back and took a sip of wine. When their stomachs started to growl, she’d sent one of the girls down to bring up food and drink.

“Now you have three sisters, Anna.” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Look what you’ve done; you’ve made me cry.”

Anna half laughed, half sobbed as she too wiped her eyes. “When I go back to my own time, I’ll never forget you.”

Charlotte patted her arm. “Oh, sweetie. I hope you can get back. Though a part of me wishes you would stay. I think you’re good for John, and I can see how much you care for each other.”

“I do. A great deal.”

“Has the work reduced both of you to weeping?” John stood there, hands on his hips.

Anna winced. Please don’t let him have heard what she said.

“No. We were just talking about our families,” Anna said as she and Charlotte shared a look. Her heart skipped a beat. It was a look she had seen many times over the years, but never one she’d shared with anyone. It was a look between family that said,
I’m here, sis. I’ve got your back, no matter what.

Three days later, Anna stood in the courtyard saying goodbye to Charlotte.

“Thank you so much for all you’ve done. I won’t forget it.”

Charlotte whispered in her ear, “If it’s what you truly want, I hope you can go back. But if you can’t, know that you have sisters here who care about you.” She leaned back and waggled her eyebrows. “Not to mention that gorgeous hunk of a man who is totally smitten with you.”

Henry helped Charlotte onto the horse, and then pulled Anna into a hug. “Take care of my brother.”

“Thank you again for everything.”

There was a low stone wall nearby that would be the perfect vantage point for watching them leave. As Anna made her way over to the wall, she couldn’t help but overhear John talking to Henry.

“…I care not if she stays or goes back to her own time. Every moment she is by my side, I am responsible for her. Nay, Henry. I do not want her here.”

She pressed a fist against her mouth, trying to hold in the gasp. Why didn’t people realize how deeply words could cut? While she knew she shouldn’t have been listening to their conversation, she heard what John said to Henry. He didn’t want her here and didn’t care for her.

Somehow she managed to sit next to him on the wall as they watched Henry and Charlotte depart, the empty wagons rumbling in a line behind them. A large number of men had stayed behind and would remain until Edward’s men arrived. It seemed quiet after the busy comings and goings of the past week. Henry left Sara, two of the girls, and two boys to help out with whatever needed to be done. Thank goodness for Sara. The woman was a terrific cook.

Her voice stuck in her throat. Anna coughed. “I’m going to spend the afternoon pulling weeds in the garden. It’s a beautiful day and I want to finish before it rains again.”

“I will see you for supper.” He nodded absently as he made his way to the stables.

No. No he wouldn’t. Anna planned to be long gone by then.

It was time. Five weeks. In three more there would be no more money for her dad’s care. She was out of time. The economy was tough. By now, she’d certainly been fired from all three of her jobs. The full-time job would be the hardest loss. It paid the most and offered modest benefits. The two part-time jobs would sting. If she made it back, she would be faced with being unemployed and homeless.

By now Anna figured the landlord had sold her stuff. The guy managed the building for his father. In his twenties, he was more concerned with partying than doing anything for the tenants. She’d called numerous times to get the air conditioning fixed or have the place sprayed for roaches. And in Florida they grew to the size of toy cars. The guy always had an excuse. But let a tenant be late on the rent…the second time it happened, you found yourself evicted.

Yep, Anna was sure he’d sold her stuff. So if she did make it back, she would be broke and homeless, but at least she’d have her dad. Somehow she’d find more work and keep paying the fees. Maybe she could clean the facility or do other work there to keep him there until she found something. He was her father; she’d do anything for him.

How different might her life have been if she’d been able to stay in college? Get her degree and a better-paying job? Anna would never know.

To think she’d actually considered staying here with John.
 

In high school she’d had boyfriends but no one serious. There was one guy that summer. Then in college, it was only one semester and she hadn’t met anyone she really liked. The years passed, and with working three jobs she didn’t have time for friends, let alone boyfriends. Now at the ripe old age of twenty-three, she wondered if she would end up alone for the rest of her life.

She ripped up another handful of weeds and flung them to the side. So what if she was plain? She wasn’t ugly or hard to get along with. The mousy girl never got the Hollywood hunk…except in the movies. It had been ridiculous of her to think John would ever want her. When she made it back home, Anna would make an effort to find a guy who was right for her. Who didn’t care what she looked like on the outside. The inside was all they’d have when they were old and wrinkled.

Time to take control of her life. She was done waiting for John to decide when the right time was to take her back to the tower. He had no intention of taking her back. She would feel the same way, but couldn’t he have provided her with a horse or a man to accompany her?

Fine. He thought she was such a bother, she would go alone. He wouldn’t even notice. John and Robert were occupied with figuring how to get the king to pardon him. Not a soul would notice if she left.

Wiping dust and grass from her skirts, Anna felt a little better. Being in limbo took a lot of energy. Now she had a plan. She made her way through the hall, stopping by a small room that was really more of an alcove. Three of the boys had made a makeshift chamber with a pallet on the floor and a chair to throw clothes over.

The laundry was done, so she knew she would find something clean. With a peek over her shoulder to make sure no one was watching, Anna took a tunic and hose from one of the boys Henry left behind. He was just about her height. John and his brothers were all over six feet tall, so she’d be swimming in their hose.

She rolled the clothing and tucked it under her arm. Back in her chamber, she quickly washed and took the cloth covering the pillow. It would do as a makeshift bag. John had given her a small dagger to keep in her boot. Hopefully she’d only use it to eat. A quick look out the window to see the men and boys practicing swordplay in the lists. By now, preparations would be underway for tonight’s meal. It was the perfect time to go.

Hurt feelings bubbled up. No, she wouldn’t cry. This was for the best. Why stay where you weren’t wanted? Knowing he didn’t want her, didn’t care for her, would make it much easier to go back. In time she would forget him. He would become a distant a memory. Fading to a dream over the years…at least, that was what she kept telling herself.
 

With a peek down the hallway, Anna crossed to the chamber where John was sleeping. She’d liked sleeping curled up next to him on the journey here. In this day and age it was inappropriate, even though nothing had happened. She rummaged through a small trunk at the foot of the bed. Something clinked. She came up with a heavy bag. Opening it, she saw the gold within. She’d never even stolen a pack of gum. Anna felt horribly guilty, but she saw no other way. There were a lot of coins in the bag. A big handful should be plenty. The rest she put back. She had to have some way to purchase food and shelter on the way back to London. If it worked, if she could travel back through time, there was no way she could ever repay John.

If she found herself stuck in the past, it likely wouldn’t matter either, as she would be imprisoned in the tower for helping him escape in the first place. And then she would definitely need the money to pay for her accommodations. There wasn’t any paper to leave him a note, so she had to hope he would understand when he found the gold missing.

Anna stopped in the kitchens. “I know we’ll be eating in a few hours, but I missed dinner.”

One of the girls pointed to bread cooling on the stone. The rest were too busy going about their chores to pay her any attention. She packed up food for a week and took an empty ceramic jug. On her way out, she’d fill it with water from the well.

Outside, she passed the girl who’d helped her dress that morning.

“Tell John my head aches. I will eat in my room and go to bed early.”

“Shall I bring you a bit of ale and bread, mistress?”

“No. I just need to sleep and I’ll be right as rain on the morrow.”

“As you will.”

Anna bypassed the lists and made her way to the ruined chapel. She sat on a slab of stone and listened. John sounded happier and younger after spending time with his brothers. She could hear him jesting and cursing with the men as they hacked away at each other.

How she wished she’d had brothers and sisters. Not only for the company. But to know you weren’t alone in the world. That they could help take care of her dad if she couldn’t return. The thought of being stuck here for the rest of her life made Anna want to cry. And it made her cry to think of leaving. No, she had to believe Charlotte.
 

It took her a moment to realize she wasn’t hearing the sound of ringing steel or the men’s voices. Risking a peek around the doorway, she exhaled. All clear. She filled the bottle with water from the well and, keeping to the wall, made her way out of the gate.

The men Henry had brought were already inside. Over the past few days she’d noticed the man guarding the gate always fell asleep when he was supposed to be on duty. Seemed like eating made him sleepy. She wasn’t complaining; it made her task of leaving undetected much easier. She slipped out of the gates and ran across open ground, only slowing her pace slightly to make sure she was staying on the path. The last thing she needed was to end up stuck in a bog or to fall off a cliff and die before she made it back to London. She’d seriously considered stealing a horse, but not being confident in her abilities to care for the animal, she decided against it. The trip would take so much longer. She hoped she’d find someone with a wagon who would be going the same direction and she could catch a ride.

Anna knew others had difficulties with directions. She’d overheard people when she worked in the diner. Someone up above had seen fit to give her a strong sense of direction. If she’d been to a place once, she always remembered how to get back.

Coming to a small wood, she stopped inside the tree line, panting, doubled over, hands on her knees. Once she caught her breath, Anna sat down with her back against the rough bark.

She never got lost. So how had she ended up lost in the Tower of London? A snort escaped. “Secret passages don’t count. Not like you’d been in one before.

“Still, I should have found my way easily enough when I made it back outside.”