Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) (3 page)

Kate’s
eyes widened. “Madam spoke those very words this morn. She said to beware the
friend with the black heart. Richard must have killed my father for the
medallion.”

“Mayhap
so. I’ll have Manik come to ye. I loved Hawk like a son. He was such a sweet
lad. How I shall miss him. Will ye be all right?”

“Aye,
Lolly, I expected this news, and Madam’s visions confirmed my fears.”

“Did
she tell ye he was dead?”

“Aye,
she said there was evil afoot and many other things, but you know Madam. Lolly,
she’s leaving, retiring to her brother’s.”

“Serena’s
leaving? Oh, dear, I must go see her before she does and say farewell.”

As
Lolly left, Manik entered the chamber, looking sullen.

He
shook his head when she stood. “Nay, my lady, please sit. I must talk to ye
privately.”

Kate
couldn’t sit, knowing the news that he’d brought. “Manik, I’m glad you made it
home safely. Are you well?”

“Aye,
I’m well. I’m sorry, my lady, but your father is dead.”

Kate’s
head lightened, she sat on her bedding. “Papa is dead, I didn’t want to believe
…”

“My
lady, he asked me to give you this.” Manik handed her a wrapped cloth.

She
held it, looking at the floor. “How did he die?” Shock lodged its unemotional
bearing inside her, and she felt coldness in the pit of her stomach.

“Your
father gave me the item and told me to hide it. I went to put it with my
belongings, and when I returned, he was injured. He told me to go, but I didn’t
want to leave him, my lady, but he commanded me to.” His voice grew thick with
emotion.

“Who
killed him?” Kate looked at the cloth she held. She didn’t want to believe her
dear papa was gone. It seemed unreal, as though she’d dreamt it.

“I
know not, my lady, the heathens were coming and a battle ensued just outside
the tent. Lord Hawk told me to tell ye that he loved you then he yelled at me
to leave. He was a good man, the Hawk.”

Kate
knew how fond he’d been of her father. “Manik, you were brave. I’m sure Father
thought so, too. Now, tell me, what does Lord Richard have to do with this?”

“When
Lord Hawk returned from battle, I took his gear to clean it. The healer tended
his leg, and I saw Lord Richard and my lord talking, they became heated, but I
know not what they said. After Lord Richard left, Hawk ordered me to hide the
object. When I returned, he lay dying.”

“Did
you see Richard?”

“Nay.
Hawk fought to stay alert, but the sound of soldiers’ loud voices bore down on
us. He kept telling me to leave, so I lifted the edge of the tent to escape,
knowing there was little I could do for him. Before I slipped out, I saw a
large man enter the tent. I waited for the blow that would surely end my lord’s
life, but I admit my fear, and I quickly left the tent. Look at the object. My
lord said he wrote ye a note.”

Kate
unwrapped the cloth and found the medallion, it looked old, but lustrous. She
turned it over and back again.

“My
lord put the note inside, open it.”

Kate
turned it over, took the dagger he held out to her, and pressed the tiny clasp,
it clicked open. She removed the folded parchment and read it.

“
Beware
the friend with the black heart
. Where was Lord Richard when this
happened?” She didn’t trust Richard, not after hearing in her father’s words
that he’d wanted the medallion.

“I
know not, when I returned, Hawk was alone.” Manik’s face looked bleak.

“We’ll
have to keep this a secret until I can figure it out. Pray, don’t let on that I
have it. I sense evil afoot. I do not trust Richard.”

“I
shan’t tell a soul, my lady. I was unable to protect my lord. I’ll never be
able to …”

“’Tis
no fault of yours, Manik, don’t feel guilty. You’re back with us and that is
all that matters. My father wouldn’t have wanted you to hold yourself
accountable.”

“Thank
you, my lady, for such kindness.” Manik opened the door and left.

Kate
sat on the bed, staring at the medallion. She glanced at the note again,
recognizing her father’s writing. Why wouldn’t he tell her whom he referred to
outright? Until she could uncover its meaning, she would be wary.

*****

Kate
stood in stunned silence. Immediately upon his unexpected arrival, Richard de
Morris handed her a missive, which she read with furrowed brows.

Lady
Stanhope, I regrettably inform you that your father is presumed dead. His tent
was found burned to the ground and we could not locate his whereabouts. I will
be staying in Egypt for sometime and have given your guardianship to my vassal,
Lord Richard de Morris. On my return, I shall turn your father’s lands over to
your husband which the king has selected. His Highness has betrothed you to
Angus Barclay of Scotland, and your marriage will take place upon my return.

Condolences,

Lord
Aldwyn de Guylet

Apparently,
her betrothed wasn’t even knighted or titled and likely landless. The most
astounding news was that he lived in Scotland. Her worst fear had come true.
She was betrothed to a man not worthy of her rank, but the king had chosen him
so she had to have hope that he was prosperous. With shaking hands, she rolled
the missive, and handed it back to Lord Richard. She felt forlorn, but resisted
the tears building in her eyes. Would that she could flee the hall and retreat
to her room where she could sooth her restlessness by praying to the spirits.

“Lady
Kaitlin, I’m sorry for your grief.” Richard stood next to her, speaking gently.
“I cared for your father as much as you did. ‘Tis sorrow for us all.”

“Thank
ye, Lord Richard. I shall go to my chamber and pray for his soul.” Kate turned
to leave.

“Wait,
ah, I regret not coming to ye sooner. I’ve been home for several months, but
had business to attend and when the regent sent for me, I hadn’t known Hawk was
killed. This is dreadful. I should have stayed to protect him. Is there aught I
can do to make you feel better?” Richard folded his hands behind him and walked
beside her. “If I hadn’t gone to Henry’s court three months ago, I would have
been here to comfort ye.”

Kate
sensed that he wanted to say more, and that he’d feigned concern for her
father’s death. His eyes gave him away; they certainly didn’t seem
compassionate, only cold and unfeeling.

“I
do thank ye for concern, Lord Richard, but I really must retire. Please,
there’s no need to account for yourself. I’m sure you would have protected my
father were you there.” She almost blanched at the untruth of those words. Kate
needed to be alone, needed to think over what Richard had told her, but most of
all she needed the comfort of the Goddess.

“Be
ready to leave on the morrow.”

“Why
would I leave here?” She stopped at the steps.

“I’ve
been given guardianship by Aldwyn, and I will take ye to my home at once. You
won’t have to stay here alone … unprotected.”

“I
don’t wish to leave my home, Lord Richard. Surely, you will allow me to stay
until I wed, and then my husband will take over as lord here. Lord de Guylet
stated that the king selected my husband. I don’t wish to be bothersome or
cause you unnecessary hardship.”

“I
won’t allow it, child. You will reside with me until your overlord returns. I
have written to Aldwyn, telling him the king’s choice for your husband is
unacceptable. He shall agree and select another. Your father would not accept
such an arrangement, to a Scot of all men. The king is bias in his opinion of
this man and your overlord will right this as soon as he returns.”

Was
that supposed to make Kate feel better? She wasn’t sure why he was telling her
this, but she nodded.

“You
need to pack your belongings and be ready to leave in the morn. I’ll call Lolly
to assist ye.” He told her nurse to ready for Kate’s departure.

Kate’s
eyes rose, filling with unshed tears. She couldn’t go with him, could she? The
man was wretched and she didn’t trust him, but she couldn’t disobey his command
and would have to go. Until her overlord returned, she would be at his mercy.
She lowered her gaze, hiding her repugnance.

“I
wondered, Lady Kaitlin, did your father send ye any keepsakes?”

“Keepsakes?
Nay, my lord.”

“We
found many treasures in Egypt, there were riches, and I thought … nay?”

Kate
eyed him warily, trying to sense if he knew something more about her father’s
death than he’d let on. Richard turned his back and was about to walk away,
when curiosity got the better of her.

“Treasures,
Lord Richard?”

Richard
turned back, his face emotionless. “I thought mayhap he sent ye something
before he … died. I sent my wife gold necklaces and trinkets. Would ye like
one?”

“Oh?
Nay, Lord Richard.” Kate shook her head. “I want no reminders of that horrid
place. My father didn’t send me anything.”

“I
recall him showing me a golden medallion. He said that he would send it to ye.
It was beautiful with a spider etched on it. Did you not receive it?”

“Nay,
I did not,” she lied. She tried to sound calm, and lowered her eyes. Did he
believe her? She couldn’t tell. He remained unemotional, not even a blink to
show his interest.

“Well,
I shall give you a trinket. ‘Tis the least I can do, since Hawk didn’t send ye
anything. I’ll return for ye in the morning.” He smiled and turned to leave.

“Farewell,
Lord Richard.”

After
Richard strode from the hall, Kate ran up the stairs to her chamber. She swung
the door open and ran to the bed, sobbing uncontrollably for several minutes.
Her gentle, loving father was dead, killed in a war that had no bearing on
their lives. The news made Kate despise her country for its subterfuge.

She
erected her rope circle and sat inside it. Contentment came with prayers spoken
softly to the Goddess. Once again, the vision of the warrior came. If only that
vision was her betrothed, she would certainly be protected. His powerful aura
relieved her, though she didn’t understand why. The vision didn’t matter now.
She’d be sent to her unknown betrothed eventually, if Aldwyn couldn’t get the
king to change his mind. During the restless night, thoughts of her betrothed,
her father’s death, having to reside with Richard, and Madam’s forsooth, all
replayed inside her head. She had to have courage and face what was to come.
After a restless night, she readied for her journey.

The
next morning, Kate rode to her new home at Lord Richard’s keep. Deep sorrow
embedded itself inside her, making her feel detached. The zealous late-summer
day did little to warm her insides or her spirit. Richard had thirty soldiers
escorting her, who kept to themselves during the journey. She wasn’t thrilled
with the prospect of going to his home. Her father’s last words prevented her
from feeling safe surrounded by them, she did have to beware the friend with
the black heart—Richard. She tensed not knowing what to expect.

Richard’s
land lay just south of Londontown in the wooded forests of Surrey. They arrived
shortly after the noon hour. Smoke billowed from the manor’s chimney,
blackening the air above. No landscaping adorned the front of the manor. Large
plain bricks in four steps, led to the manor’s entrance. Richard stood on the
steps, receiving a report from his steward. He looked at her and smiled. She
knew a spurious smile when she saw one. She was a good judge of character—Lord
Richard didn’t possess such.

“Welcome
to my home, Lady Kaitlin. Come inside and take rest from your journey.”

His
sweet words made her stomach heave. She looked at Richard, a thin man with dark
hair, graying on the sides, which made him look as though he had wings. He
walked as if he was in pain, and she couldn’t venture a guess as to how old he
was. He was slight, though tall. She stepped past him, holding her satchel in a
death grip and entered the hall.

Her
father’s fief was much smaller, but cozy and cleaner. Kate wasn’t impressed by
the look of his home. Tables were covered in layers of grime, almost blackened
by soot. The tapestries on the walls were tattered, and so faded that the
designs could not be made out. She chanced a glance at the floors, and the
rushes cracked when she walked on them. Stale ale smelled rancid and she
suppressed a gag. Must she live here?

She
would have to write King Henry as soon as possible and beg him to intercede on
her behalf. Hopefully, he’d be able to sway the Regent into letting her stay
elsewhere. Even staying with her betrothed had to be better than this. Could
she get them to overturn Lord de Guylet’s command and choose another guardian?
She was completely appalled by the hall’s lack of cleanliness.

“Lady
Kaitlin, welcome,” a lady called from her seat at one of the tables. “I’m Lady
Hilda, Lord Richard’s wife. I understand my husband was a good friend of your
father’s. I’m sorry for your loss.”