A Stormy Knight (21 page)

Gemma peeked out into the bailey through the door. She was looking to see where Nicholas had gone and if he was distracted enough so she
might
slip out.
He was
atop the south tower
that
overlooked the River Thames and the River Lea at the point, which was to her good fortune. That meant she could slip out through the main gatehouse and be gone before he could stop her. It would just take some sweet talking on her part.

Where to go was no problem, as s
he knew the area well.
As if all were normal, s
he would get her horse and convince his men to let her out. She would take one of them with her, or they would never open the gate, but she was sure she could lose him in the woods.
Nicholas
'
s
man was a stranger here
,
and she knew the lands well. As long as
he
stayed occupied, her plan would work. She w
ould
get some quiet time on horseback, gain new understanding and maybe something she had overlooked would come to her, and then they could look
toward
a solution and
,
finally
,
some peace.

Moving quickly, she threw
a sweet smile back at the man in charge of following her for her safety.
His name was
Matthew. He nodded and moved across the grass.
Glancing up
to
where Nicholas had been, she
saw he was still engaged in conv
ersation and did not notice her
.
Moving
toward
the stables, she calculated her plan in her mind.
She knew how to saddle her own horse, which was what she intended to do. Matthew stopped her.

"
Where are you going, milady? Is your husband aware of your activities?
"
he said politely but with a worried frown marring his young face.

"
Oh, he will not mind. You can come with me and keep me safe. You are such a strong, young man. There is no need to worry Nicholas. I only wish to go for a short ride,
"
she said.

Matthew shifted from foot to foot. He was dressed in his mail and was fully armed. She knew this would be to her advantage. She
searched
for signs he
might
be weakening.

"
But
,
milady
,
'
tis almost dark. Surely you can ride with your husband on the morrow?
"
He was already wavering
,
and she knew it.

"
I love this time of day.
'
Tis the best time for a ride. Surely I will be safe with you,
"
she said, as she deftly saddled her horse. The horse was prancing in her stall as if she too wanted to get out and find the answers.
"
We
'
ll not go far from the castle.
"

"
Wait then so I may mount my destrier.
'
Twill be but a moment,
"
he said in resignation as he
gave in
and marched through to the other side of the stables. Gemma held her breath as she watched him, hoping he was not leaving to alert Nicholas. Much to her relief, he was tending to his horse. She was almost home free.

They mounted and rode down along the outer curtain wall under the watchful eye of the men-at-arms atop the wall on patrol. They did not stop them. Gemma had hoped they would assume all was well because she was not alone. So far, that had worked, but she was getting nervous as they neared the gate.

Much to her relief, the gate opened so they could go. She crossed the drawbridge and pressed her horse into a trot Matthew could easily keep up with. She reminded herself he was in Nicholas
'
s
service, which meant he was an expert horseman.
Though s
he could not outrun hi
m,
she could out think him.

They went into the woods, which were not entirely dark thanks to the nearly full moon
that
hung low in the sky. She would not feel comfortable until she was alone.
T
he troubles were all within the castle walls
, she reasoned, not out in the fields
. If she could just be alone
,
she could think clearly.

As soon as they were out of sight of the castle, she heard a commotion behind her. Nicholas had been told of her nighttime ride. It was now or never. She urged
the horse into a gallop and
took off like a shot. She wove around the trees on a path only she knew, and she lost Matthew within a matter of minutes.
He called to her
, and
she
felt a twinge of guilt, but she could not stop now. An hour of freedom was worth it.

Her long hair whipped behind her
,
and she cursed herself for not braiding it before she took off. The kirtle she was wearing was long and exceptionally tight around her ribs, which was not the best outfit for riding, but she had not had time to plan. She came out into a field, washed in moonlight, and listened for the river.
Slowing, she
glanced
behind her.
Nothing
.

One of her favorite spots was where the River Lea was shallow enough to cross. It was the main route to get to Renoir Castle. There were times in the year crossing was not possible, but due to the lack of rain as of late, she knew it would be low, and she could get to her favorite spot on the other side of the river. She pressed her horse on and flew across the field, hoping against hope
Nicholas was not behind her.

When she reached the river, she saw what she was expecting.
The water was low enough so s
he could cross. She was still on her father
'
s land
,
and surely no one else would be out here. It was dark and she was alone, just as she had wished
. It was just
a few hundred feet more until she came upon the small clearing surrounded by willow and ash trees
where she loved to go as a child
.

She slowed substantially as she crossed the waters of the River Lea, and she stopped for a moment underneath the copse of trees on the other bank.
For a moment
,
she paused to enjoy
the beauty of her lands. It was quiet there, as if no harm could ever come. England was finally enjoying some
tranquility
,
and
she
wanted the same for herself
.

Gemma tracked back to the edge of the water and let her horse drink. It
was
good to be in the saddle again. She had always ridden astride like her father, simply because he taught her to do so. He said in troubled times it was the only way a person should ride. Riding side saddle meant a lady could fall off a horse if being pursued.

She
steered
Lady
toward
the hedgerow in order to continue but held tight.
Staying as still as she could
,
she listened
, but she heard nothing other than the typical night sounds to which she was accustomed.
Urging her horse on, she
broke into a full gallop once she was sure she was still alone. If something was out there, she did not want that something to catch her. She was terrified right down to her toes, but she pressed on.

Gemma urged Lady in the direction of the clearing when she was suddenly aware she was not alone. Five men on horseback come upon her, moving quickly. They surrounded her
,
and she had no choice but to stop. For a moment she hoped it was her own men that stopped her, but it was not so. These men were strangers, which meant she had just made a grave mistake.

"
What are you doing on my father
'
s land?
"
she demanded.

"
Lady Gemma,
"
said one of the men.
"
You are close to Bigod land. What are you doing out here?
"

"
I just wanted a ride,
"
she stated, trying to sound as brave as she could.
"
Now if you will let me pass, I shall ride home.
"

"
Nay, lady. You
'
ll come with us. I think mayhap the Bigod family would be pleased to see you came all this way just to pay them a visit.
"

"
I was doing no such thing. My husband is right behind me. You put your life in danger. Let me be,
"
she said, her voice faltering.

Before she could say another word
,
one of the biggest men grabbed her
,
plopped her in front of him on his horse
,
and galloped off, leaving the rest of them to follow, bringing her horse with them.

As they neared the castle, she could see the Bigod men-at-arms arms rushing the gate. A horn sounded, which meant Hugh Bigod would be notified something was amiss outside the castle gates.

"
Milord!
"
one of the men shouted as Gemma twisted to get away. She would run all the way back to Blackstone if she could get away, even if it took her three days.

"
Who do you have there? A thief from the woods?
"
a gruff voice volleyed off the rocks around her, magnifying the voice with a strange echo. It was Hugh Bigod, lord of Renoir Castle.

"'
Tis a wildcat, milord,
"
the man said. Another of the men-at-arms came to remove her from the horse. He pulled his sword and told her to stand still. He looped the reins of her horse loosely around a nearby post, waiting for their lord to give a command as to what to do with her.

She
gulped. She had not thought this idea of hers through.
"'
Tis Gemma de Vere. Let me return to my home
,
and you shall be left in peace.
"

She heard nothing more but saw men moving about. The gate did not lift. She stood where she was. Lady was almost within
arm
'
s reach
.
As she shook,
the full realization of how stupid this was hit her in the stomach. The hair on the back of her neck stood up
,
and she considered making a move
toward
her horse when Hugh spoke again.

"
Why are you on my land,
girl
? Have you not already cost us enough? Phillip is gone. You have no business here.
"

"
I only wish to go home,
"
she said as loudly and as confidently as she could.
"
I was out for some air when your brutes grabbed me and brought me here against my will.
"

"
Hold her there. I shall be right
out,
"
the voice hollered back.

Gemma waited
;
all the while she wanted to turn, jump on Lady, and ride like mad back to her home. She had been foolish to go out alone. She naively believed she would be safe on her father
'
s land if she was not gone long. Now,
Lord
Bigod was riding
toward
her. The gate had lifted
,
and he and about ten of his men came through, all on horseback. Hugh was a bulky man with spindly legs like his son.
His
hair was gray now, but stuck out in all directions just like Phillip
'
s had.

Hugh seemed more powerful than Phillip though, which made her again curse herself for doing something so foolish.

"
What say you,
"
he demanded as he pulled up in front of her.
"
Have you come to finish my family off? Why are you out at night? Poor Phillip may hang
,
and you have the fortitude to step foot on my land!
"

"
I was on my father
'
s land when these knaves blocked my path and tossed me about like a bag of grain,
"
Gemma said with more bravado than she was feeling.

Hugh snorted.
"
Girl, you are a fool, and so is your husband. Why has he let you ride alone? Or does he not want you now that my Phillip has had a taste of ye?
"