The Dark Lady (24 page)

Peter realized she was not checking him for wounds and, curious, he walked toward her. He listened to her annoying voice and was thoroughly convinced now that it was a fake. “It’s all right. Nothing else is going to happen to you. There is nothing for you to fear anymore. I am here.”

Jackal snorted and pawed at the ground as Peter approached. “Easy boy,” he said gently.

Van crouched behind the quivering animal’s dangerous hind legs. Lady Vanessa, for a woman of large stature, still looked small behind the thick swishing tail of the massive destrier. Peter tried to pull Jackal from the stall, only causing him to rear.

Terrified his steed would hurt the woman who seemed ignorant of the danger she was in, he let the horse go. To his relief, Jackal calmed. With the horse quieted he could hear the woman speaking once again.

He took a step forward and glanced around Jackal’s wide backside. His bride held a steady hand out to a bleeding Joseph Pittman who crouched terrified in the corner of the stable. Peter bellowed out a command to detain Corey Ponsworth. Jackal lunged forward, the boy screamed, and Lady Vanessa remained crouched calmly.

“
Easy, boy. Did not mean to be so loud. Come, calm down now.”

The stallion’s breathing slowed and, in the hands of the man he loved and trusted, Jackal calmed once more.

“
Vanessa, when I get you out of there I am going to thrash you until you cannot sit straight.” Peter tried to sound angry, but worry shook his voice.

“
Do not listen to him. He is full of talk, but that is all. Your name is Joseph, correct?”

His forehead furrowed but he didn’t answer. Joseph gave a wide-eyed look to the lord of the castle and shrank farther back into the corner. Peter felt like an ogre and sighed.

“
Come now. Look at me, not at him, all right. He is actually a very nice man. He would do nothing to hurt me...or you. I will make sure no one bothers you. Come now. You can trust me.” Van pushed her hand closer to the trembling child. She extended her other hand and opened her arms invitingly.

“
Are you sure? You will help me? The dark lady will take care of me and protect me?” Joseph’s small voice trembled, but hope seemed to light his eyes.

Peter stepped around Jackal, laying a supporting hand on Vanessa’s shoulder, and placed himself in between her and the horse’s lethal hooves.

Joseph lay curled, nearly in the fetal position, blood pooling from two long whip marks across his arm and side. Vanessa had not gone to save a horse, although he was sure she would. Somehow she had heard Joseph cry out. “Joseph, come now. The dark lady will take care of you. You can trust her. We are not safe here behind an aggravated horse.”

Vanessa looked up surprised. It seemed as if she hadn’t even considered the danger.

Joseph rose and slowly came forward until he stood within the comfort of Vanessa’s outstretched arms. She remained as she was until he carefully wrapped his thin arms around her neck, then she closed her arms around him and stood.

She smiled sweetly at Peter, all the grief and squabbling forgotten. She allowed him to lead her out of the stable without argument. Joseph cried softly against her shoulder as they made their way to the castle. Peter’s heart swelled with pride and warmth as he listened to her coo nonsensical sounds to the boy to calm him. Peter wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close as he walked beside her.

In the massive kitchen, he took charge. Vanessa allowed it without question, which surprised him, and pleased him.

Vanessa sat on one of the kitchen benches, resting Joseph on her legs. Peter offered a dagger to Vanessa who took it with a thankful smile. As Peter commanded the servants to get hot water and clean linens she carefully began to cut away the dirty shirt. Joseph began to cry and fight and Peter turned quickly back to them.

“
Am I hurting you?” Vanessa’s gaze darted between Peter and the boy. Concern wrapped like a mist around Peter.

Joseph shook his head. “No.” His voice hiccupped with tears. “You are cutting my only shirt.”

Vanessa and Peter’s eyes met. The shock and sadness that he saw in the dark depths of her eyes tore at his soul. Peter walked forward, kneeling before them, enveloping the boy’s small knee with his massive hand.

“
You have only one shirt?” He looked up at Vanessa and shook his head. “My father passed on, not long ago and I have not had a chance to see to everything that needs taken care of around here. My men needed me on the field.”

She smiled, running her hand up his cheek. It rasped across a day’s worth of beard that he had not yet shaven off. He liked to keep it off in the heat of the summer, while in winter he would allow it to grow for the warmth of it.

Vanessa’s eyes sparkled gently. “Then it is good that I am here now.”

Peter took a deep breath and turned back to the boy. “Where have you been staying since the fire?”

“
In the stables. Your papa allowed me to stay in the castle. Then he got sick. Magdala said I had to go. Servants let me eat, but then have to hurry and go. Most nice to me, but some just say I in way.” His tears had stopped, but the red rimmed eyes still looked concerned.

Peter turned to Vanessa who was looking at him curiously. “Magdala was my father’s mistress after my mother...left.” He took a deep breath. She opened her mouth and he was afraid she was going to ask about his mother. He quickly turned back to Joseph and smiled. “Magdala is no longer here. You will have new clothes and you will no longer stay in the stables.” He tried to think of what to do with the boy when it was settled by his new bride.

“
Amy will take care of you. She made the clothes that I wear. She can make some for you as well. You will stay in the nursery for now, until you feel comfortable enough for your own room. Would you like that?”

“
To stay in the castle? Oh aye, very much.” He turned pleading eyes to Peter. “Is that all right if I stay, milord?”

“
Of course it is. You are more than welcome to stay in the castle. I am sure if my father had known what his mistress had done he would have put a stop to it.” He knew he would have. His father may not have had a great opinion of women but he was always good to children.

Van continued to cut away at the shirt then allowed Peter to wash the wounds and place a soothing salve on them. Once the boy was doctored, Peter gently placed him on his feet. Peter arose, pulling Van with him, immediately wrapping his arm around her narrow waist, drawing her close. Resting a comforting hand on the lad’s shoulder, he smiled at the small woman that approached. Amy was really quite a contrast to the man following protectively behind her.

Devon was at least a foot taller than the small blue-eyed, blonde girl. She looked almost like a child standing in front of the massive red headed warrior. Well, she would, if not for the well-endowed bosom that pushed at her plain servant’s shirt.

Joseph looked up questioningly at Vanessa. “It’s all right,” she said gently and caressed his head. “You can go with her. I trust Amy with my life. I am entrusting her to take care of you as well, but if you need me or just want to see me you can find me. I will see you in a couple of hours to make sure you like the nursery and the clothes Amy will make for you.”

Joseph leaned in close, standing on his toes to get even closer. Van leaned over, placing her face aside his. “What about the big man?” He whispered.

“
That is Devon. I trust him as well. He is important to Amy, just don’t tell anyone yet, all right. It has to be our little secret.” Her voice was a conspiratorial whisper that carried well throughout the kitchen.

Peter grinned as Joseph smiled widely with the knowledge that he knew something special, something no one else knew. He was too young to realize that all who looked at the two young people could see the beginnings of something sparking between them.

Vanessa rose and stood beside her husband, his arm never leaving the comfort of her back. They watched Amy take Joseph by the hand. Devon followed them to the staircase where he shook hands with the boy and made his way to the training field.

“
I am going to see to Ponsworth. I need to find out exactly what happened before I make a final decision on what is to be done.” Peter was taken aback by his own comments. He had surprised himself, never thinking he would explain himself to a woman. His actions were his and no one else counseled what he did.

Vanessa shook her head and grunted. “What difference does it make? He has to be punished for what he did. It is unacceptable to strike a helpless child with such force and malice.”

“
I have to question him. I have to know all the circumstances. What would you have me do, flog him with his own whip without an inquiry?” Peter shook his head with a laugh. “Aye, that you would, wouldn’t you? I have never met anyone so impetuous. Do it now and damn it all, is that it?” Peter thought he had known someone like that, but who he could not say. Someone he had known a long time ago.

“
Fine. If you are to question him, then at the very least you can allow me to accompany you, to make sure it is done correctly.” She started walking, as if he had already agreed.

“
Nay, you will stay here. Go into the castle and wait for me to get back. I will tell you what happens. Do not worry. I will take care of things, I promise.” He pulled her close, kissed her deeply and reveled in the response that was drawn from her, before walking away.

Van had not taken more than one step to follow him when a restraining hand pulled her to a stop. “Now is not the time, Amy.” Van said as she spun around. Her eyes widened in surprise, and joy.

Richard shook his head. “I am not Amy, but aye, now is not the time. Husbands do not like to be challenged by their wives.” She opened her mouth to object, but Richard just waved her words away. “Nay, listen to me. It is not wise for a woman to push her husband too far. You would be wiser to sit back and allow him to think you meek and controllable.”

“
Meek and controlled. That ought to throw him off.” She smiled devilishly. It might be just worth the effort to see the look on his face.

“
I think it would be best if we go watch the men train now. It would be best if we awaited your husband there.” He gestured in the direction that Devon had disappeared.

“
Watch the men?” Van looked questioningly at the wide chested man she had grown to love over the years. She decided he had obviously missed the beginning of the argument.

“
Yes, James Rothman, the stable boy?” Van just looked at him, nodding her head; she knew who he was referring to. He was a very quiet young man of perhaps thirteen. She had told him James that morning that she was to accompany Peter to see the men.

“
He came to me this morning to inform me of your intentions. It would be better if we just met Lord Grayweist at the field.”

Van knew it was not safe to spend time with Richard or any of the men, but she needed the comfort. She desperately wanted her old life back, but knowing that would never happen, she wanted the next best thing: to be close to those she cared about, even though they would not know who she truly was.

Richard smiled, but stared at her intently. “He will not be happy if you barge in on his questioning of that man.”

Happy? Happy indeed. Richard had no idea how unhappy he would be to see her on the field. He may prefer to have her burst in on him now. “Aye, right you be. It would be best to meet him there.” Her anger evaporated in the warming sun and she grinned deviously.

Richard’s green eyes narrowed suspiciously. She just grinned wider.

CHAPTER 11

Peter relentlessly pushed his domestic problems to the back of his mind as he stepped into the guard house at the front gate. He registered the dull click of the latch behind him, but did not turn as Grant pulled the door closed.

Corey lurched to his feet. “I demand to be let loose. I have been with your father for years and I have taken enough—”

“
Sit down.” Peter rammed a hand into Corey’s chest, shoving him back onto the bench. “I will tell you when you have taken enough.”

Corey grunted loudly in protest but kept himself planted firmly in his seat.

Peter ignored the disgust he felt for his horseman and forced himself to begin his questioning. “Tell me what happened.” He was in no mood to deal with this situation. Vanessa had him doubting his methods and it irritated him, mostly because he thought she might be right.

Corey shifted uncomfortably and looked up at the two big soldiers who stood stiffly to each side of him. “I was trying to get that damned horse of your wife’s to calm down.” He turned his focus back to Peter. “I was moving him to the bigger stall, as you instructed. He is a worthless beast and if you ask me—”

Peter raised his brows at the squirming man. “I did not ask.”

“
Aye, well. That devil of a creature is perfectly content to stand in the stall as if he is waiting for someone, yet if you go near him, he screams. I tried to open his gate. He bit me. I went for my whip and that insolent little child ran between me and that horse.” Corey went to stand, looked into Peter’s face, and sat quickly back down. He looked at the floor as he continued speaking. “I told him to get out of my way, milord, but that child is undisciplined. When I lightly touched him with my whip, he began to scream and upset all the horses.”