Beloved Abductor (5 page)

‘By all that is holy—Edmund!’ The man let out a delighted laugh. ‘I did not think to see you until the fair in July.’ The two men, who were much of a height, clasped each other’s shoulders. ‘How did you fare on your travels? It is good to see you.’

‘It is a long tale, and one best told over a cup of ale—and a meal. Can you provide shelter to two poor drenched travellers, Dickon?’

‘Two?’ Dickon’s eyes lifted to the huddled and bedraggled figure sitting upon the horse. ‘Good God! A lady?’ He cocked a curious glance at Edmund. ‘Here is a tale indeed! I don’t know what Nell will say. And, speaking of Nell ...’ They both turned as the pit-patter of feet sounded just inside the doorway.

‘Who is it?’ demanded a sharp voice. ‘I was about to retire for the night.’

Felicia lifted her head and peered at the woman standing on the threshold. She was tall, and her unbraided hair fell in long rippling waves.

‘It is Edmund.’ Dickon turned towards his sister. ‘Nell...’ he began, but he never finished.

Nell swooped on Edmund, holding out both her hands. ‘Edmund! We have missed you so! Come in! Come in!’ She grasped his hands tightly.

He raised her hands to his mouth, and kissed each one in turn. ‘How are you and the boy, Nell?’

Felicia gazed dully at them both and envy stirred inside her. Then she released her grip on the horse’s mane and slithered to the ground. Searing pain shot up her legs and back as her feet slid from beneath her and she collapsed on the wet cobbles.

Edmund whirled round and knelt beside her. ‘You should have waited for me to help you!’ he said, sounding exasperated. He ran a hand carefully over her lower limbs and she was shocked by the sweet agony his touch caused her. ‘I deem you have not broken any bones but this extra fall is bound to cause us more delay.’

‘I would not be in this condition if it were not for you!’ she whispered, near to tears.

‘You would rather I’d left you warming your cousin’s bed?’ he rasped.

Felicia flinched. ‘Remove your hands before I shout to the heavens that you are an abductor!’ she hissed.

‘Don’t be a fool! You need me right now, my fine lady!’

Determined to prove him wrong, she began to push herself up from the ground. She tossed him a grim little smile and took a step, only to whimper in agony. Immediately he slid his arms around her and swung her up against his chest. Suddenly she was aware of the other woman’s eyes upon her and the angry words she had been about to say died on her lips and she found herself clinging to him. ‘Dear Edmund, what would I do without you?’ she murmured against his neck. Aware of his startled look, she felt an unexpected bubble of laughter tickled her throat as a quiver went through him.

‘Who is she, Edmund?’ Nell’s voice held a touch of pique. ‘I know that you are set on helping the poor and needy but never have you brought a woman to us before!’

‘I shall explain later, Nell,’ he muttered. ‘Now may we come in out of the rain?’

She nodded. ‘But leave your cloak just inside the doorway; it is dripping wet.’

‘He will have a job taking it off, himself, Nell, for his arms are rather full!’ drawled Dickon, helping his friend off with his cloak and slanting Felicia a curious glance. She felt the colour rise in her cheeks and was relieved when he went over to the horse and led it away. Extremely conscious of her dishevelled state and the bruise and cut on her face as Nell’s cool eyes surveyed her, Felicia was tempted to bury her face against Edmund’s shoulder but pride kept her chin up and she returned the other woman’s regard haughtily.

‘Edmund, I can’t wait! Who is she and how did you meet her? She looks like a drowned cat!’ said Nell.

Felicia managed to bite back the words that sprang to her lips. As Edmund spoke in a slightly conciliatory voice she had to admire his resourcefulness. Except for the episode concerning the wolf and her falling from the horse the rest of what he said was untrue. She would not have thought he possessed so much imagination and she wondered what Nell would think of him if she knew the true story.

All the time Edmund was explaining, the pair of them were dripping water over the floor, and now Felicia decided enough was enough because she was tired, in pain and soaking wet. ‘I must apologise for dripping all over your, floor, Mistress Seisdon,’ she gushed. ‘Please, forgive me. I deem Edmund has given no thought to the mess we are causing. If you can direct me to a bedchamber I will be out of your way.’

Nell frowned. ‘I do not have a spare bedchamber for you. You will have to be content to share my bed. I must add that my son, Harry, also sleeps in a truckle bed in my chamber.’

Felicia was filled with dismay. What sleep with this woman who so obviously disapproved of her? ‘If you would prefer it, Mistress Seisdon. I could go to the lodging hall at the abbey. My father knew the abbot well, and I would not like to inconvenience you.’

‘No, you cannot go to the abbey,’ said Edmund hastily, scowling at her. ‘I have no intention of taking you out in the rain again after hours on horseback. Besides you’d have to sleep in a cell and the hard bed would do your back no good at all.’

‘Of course, in that case she will have to stay here,’ said Nell, sighing. ‘I’m sure we’ll manage somehow.’

Felicia felt Edmund’s arms tighten about her, and the look he gave her contained a hint of warning. ‘Then I accept your offer with gratitude,’ she said politely.

‘I shall take you up now and find you something to wear. It is unfortunate that your baggage-horse should have bolted when you were attacked by the outlaws,’ said Nell.

Felicia darted a glance at Edmund and saw a muscle twitch in his cheek. An imp of mischief caused her to say, ‘How many outlaws were there now, Edmund? Four or six? And you and my groom fought them off so bravely. It was a pity we had to leave Edgar behind to have his wounds tended.’ She bit back a scream as he pinched her side.

‘A very great pity! But that is enough of my courage!’ said Edmund through gritted teeth. ‘I shall carry you to the bedchamber and leave you in Nell’s capable hands.’ He smiled warmly at the other woman. ‘Lead the way, my dear.’

They left the candlelit hall at its rear, passing into a narrow passage and thence through a door that led outside. Felicia could smell the sweet damp odour of rain-sodden roses. A flight of wooden steps led upward at the back of the house and as Edmund carried her up their slippery treads, she had no choice but to cling to him, glad of the warmth that emanated from his body despite the dampness of their garments.

Nell opened a door into a vacant chamber. They passed through it and then through another door at the far end, where she stood aside for them to enter. There stood two beds. In the smaller lower one could clearly be seen the huddled shape of a sleeping child. ‘My son,’ she murmured, touching the curls that were all that showed above the bedcovers. ‘We must take care not to wake him.’ She turned worried brown eyes on Edmund. ‘He has had the fever, and still tires easily.’

‘Do not fret, Nell! He is a fine healthy boy.’ His voice was soothing. ‘I doubt he will have a relapse as Seisdon did, if that is what you fear.’

Nell thanked him and touched his arm lightly before going over to a large carved oak chest. Lifting the lid, she took out a night rail. ‘Do you wish me to help you to undress, Mistress Meriet?’ This time her smile did not quite reach her eyes.

‘I would appreciate it, Mistress Seisdon,’ answered Felicia, wishing she could have told her that she could manage perfectly well by herself.

Edmund carried his burden over to a carved chair that had a cushion to soften its hardness. ‘I shall come up later with some poppy syrup. It will help you to sleep, and ease the pain.’

‘I would prefer to manage without,’ said Felicia, trying not to wince as he settled her on the chair.

‘Don’t be foolish!’ For a moment his bulk hid her from the other woman’s gaze. ‘By the by, do not attempt to enlist Nell’s aid in escaping from me,’ he whispered.

His words surprised her. ‘That is so far from my thoughts that I am amazed you should consider it a possibility. It is obvious that her opinion of you is so inflated that she would not believe a word I said against you.’

‘Perhaps,’ he murmured.

‘Now will you remove your hands from my waist?’ she asked.

Unexpectedly his mouth tilted up attractively at the corners. ‘And what about you releasing me?’

He prised her fingers from about his neck but held them a moment before releasing them. She felt oddly breathless as she watched him exchange a few words with Nell before leaving the bedchamber. She could not understand this unsought warmth of feeling towards him, she thought. It was a foolishness, knowing he wished her ill. She accepted Nell’s assistance with a murmur of thanks, glad to be able to rest on the bed.

‘I shall bring you some food,’ said Nell in a low voice, gathering up the damp garments and leaving the room with a flurry of skirts.

Felicia closed her eyes and hoped she would be quick. Hunger gnawed at her innards and she was thirsty. Fortunately it was not long before Nell returned with a tray upon which was a bowl of soup, bread and a cup from which steam curled.

‘Edmund will not visit you again this evening,’ she said. ‘He has much to discuss with my brother, what with the uprising in the Severn valley and all.’

‘Uprising?’ Felicia glanced up swiftly over the rim of the cup. She took a sip of the still hot liquid that tasted of fruit and spices and was delicious.

‘Ah! You have not heard, either.’ Nell glanced at her sleeping son and toyed with a large ruby ring on her finger.

Felicia put the cup down on the tray and whispered, ‘Heard what? What is this about an uprising?’

‘The King’s son, the Lord Edward, has escaped the Montfort’s stronghold, and the men of Shrewsbury have been ordered to form themselves into constabularies by the Earl.’ Nell sighed. ‘You had best eat your soup, Mistress Meriet, it is cooling fast. That is the problem of serving food here. One has to bring it up the outside steps.’

‘Do you know where the Lord Edward is now?’ Felicia picked up the bread and dunked it into the soup. She began to eat hungrily, not put off by the coolness of the food.

‘If I knew that, I would know more than the whole force of the Earl de Montfort.’ Nell’s voice was tart. ‘One moment he is reported to have been seen here—the next, somewhere else. Perhaps it would be best if Edmund stayed here instead of chancing the road south.’

Felicia frowned. ‘And what does Master Edmund say to that?’

‘He gave no answer.’ Nell shrugged and rose to her feet. ‘But that does not mean that he will not stay.’ She smiled. ‘You may leave the tray on the stool beside the bed. I shall return for it later.’ She paused a moment, gazing down at Felicia. ‘Tell me, Mistress Meriet, how you came by that cut on your face? I thought you tumbled from the horse backwards.’ Felicia involuntarily touched her cheek, glad that the single candle in the room was not bright enough to show up her swollen lips.

‘I twisted, and a loose bramble scratched me,’ she murmured.

‘Oh, I see. I thought someone had hit you but when I suggested it to Edmund, he scowled so fiercely, I felt it was almost as if I were suggesting it was he! As if I would think such a thing! Edmund is the kindest of men if a mite quick-tempered at times.’ With these words, Nell turned and left the room.

Felicia had the strangest desire to laugh. Quick-tempered! Kind! Her thoughts sobered and she began to eat the rest of the food. So the Lord Edward had escaped. That must have been the reason for Earl Simon’s order to Philip to report to Worcester. Which meant it was unlikely that her cousin would spend much time in searching for her. What would Edmund do after hearing this latest news of the conflict? Despite Nell’s words, she did not think him a man who would shirk danger at a woman’s bidding, whatever his feelings towards her. Although, there was danger for the innocent at such times: conflict meant bands of wandering men making excuses to loot, rape, and burn.

Felicia felt a chill at her heart. Meriet was not so far from the reported uprising. Joan, her cousin, would still be at her manor. She was sixteen, fair of countenance and a virgin; Felicia could only pray that she would be safe.

She finished her repast and moved the tray on to the stool with painful difficulty before relaxing against the pillow. In the shadowy room there was no sound but the soft even breathing of the boy. Then she slipped over the borders into sleep so swiftly that she was unaware of Edmund coming into the bedchamber and gazing down at her and smoothing her hair with an unsteady hand.

Chapter Four

‘Good! You are awake at last!’

Felicia started and opened her eyes, slanting a sidelong glance in the direction of the owner of the youthful voice. A small boy sat cross-legged on top of the truckle bed, gazing at her out of large brown eyes. He was a small replica of his uncle, although Dickon did not have so many freckles. Neither did his hair curl so riotously about his ears.

‘I shall go and fetch Master Edmund,’ he said, not seeming put out at all by Felicia’s stare. ‘He told me to let him know when you woke.’

‘Stay a moment,’ Felicia said with a smile.

He uncurled his thin wiry body in its blue tunic, then looked at her enquiringly before springing off the bed. He stood straight, his feet firmly planted a little apart. ‘I must go now. Master Edmund said he would give me a penny if I did so.’

‘Wealth indeed! You must certainly go, then, but tell him I am very hungry and likely to faint away if I am not fed before long.’

He grinned as she had intended, and waved a grubby hand before going out of the bedchamber. There doesn’t seem much wrong with that young man! she thought, looking about her.

The walls were washed white and there was a tapestry depicting flowers and fruits in shades of yellow, red and green hanging on a far wall. She could not but admire the skilful needlework. Her gaze passed from that to the shutters which had been flung wide, letting in not only the warm morning sunshine but also the sounds of vendors proclaiming the goodness of their wares in the market square below.

The door opened, and Felicia’s eyes flew to it with unusual eagerness. Her disappointment was out of all proportion to what she knew it should be when Nell entered instead of Edmund, carrying a bowl of steaming water. Behind her came Harry, clutching a drying cloth. ‘I am sorry to cause you so much bother, Mistress Seisdon.’ Felicia’s voice was stiffly apologetic.

‘It is of no consequence.’ Nell placed the bowl on the stool next to the bed. ‘Harry, leave the cloth and go and fetch the tray.’ She watched her son leave the room before turning to face Felicia. ‘Do you feel any better? Would you like to sit up?’

‘I tried before, and it hurt but I must persist, I suppose.’ She smiled at Nell, slightly envious of her neat appearance. She wore a brown gown, which was fastened snugly at her waist by an embroidered linen girdle. Her gleaming auburn hair was plaited and coiled about her ears beneath a gossamer-fine veil. This was topped by a coif patterned with the same embroidered colours of brown and pink as the girdle.

‘Edmund says it is unlikely that you will be able to travel for several days.’ Nell passed Felicia a small square of linen which she had dampened. She walked with a smooth grace over to the window. ‘Have you known him long?’ Nell’s tone was casual.

‘Not as long as you, I deem,’ replied Felicia, wondering what question would come next.

‘I think that is likely true,’ Nell murmured. ‘Edmund and Dickon were taught by the monks, and Dickon often brought him home when they were youths.’ Her eyes softened in reminiscence. ‘There were few moments of laughter in our home after my mother died. Yet when Edmund, Dickon and Steven came, even Father found it hard not to be amused by their ploys and nonsensical talk.’ Her voice, which had been animated, suddenly took on a bitter note as she carried on talking. ‘Perhaps it was Mother dying so young that so changed my father. Money became more important than people.’ Nell sat on her son’s truckle bed and smoothed its coverlet with an unsteady hand. ‘I was fifteen when he wed me to Seisdon, who was the same age as my father. But he was very rich, you see, and that mattered more to Father than the fact that I cared for another, who returned my affections.’

Felicia rubbed her hands meticulously with the cloth, not looking at Nell. ‘This other ... ‘ she began. ‘Was he ...’

‘He was not poor. He had a good future ahead of him and an income from his father.’ She twisted her fingers in her lap. ‘He was as fair as an angel, exciting and unpredictable—and with a fierce temper. Father considered him not only too poor, but also dangerous. He had ideas that were strange to my father—and I admit I thought them somewhat odd. He thought that all men should be free to go where they wished and have a say in the ruling of the realm, regardless of their station. After I married Seisdon, he followed Earl Simon de Montfort, thinking he would bring about God’s kingdom here on earth.’ Nell let out a low laugh. ‘Of course, it never came!’ She fell silent.

‘It must have been difficult for you,’ murmured Felicia, folding the cloth carefully. She wondered if the ‘fair angel’ was Edmund, but did not like to ask. If he was, did it mean that Edmund and Nell would marry now that she was free to do so?

‘It was hard,’ murmured Nell. ‘Seisdon wanted me only for my beauty and to bear him sons. As it was, I was a sad disappointment to him for many years. I lost three babies before Harry was born. After he passed his fifth birthday, life became a little easier.’

There was a look upon her face that Felicia understood. She had often seen that fearful apprehension and uncertainty in Matilda’s eyes, and felt a sudden overwhelming sympathy for Nell. ‘I’m sorry you’ve been so unhappy,’ she murmured.

Nell shrugged. ‘I do not know why I tell you this. Perhaps it is because I have never had another woman to talk to. But my life has not been all gloom. Harry was, and is, my delight, and compensated for much unhappiness.’ Suddenly her face glowed. ‘He is a fine boy, do you not think?’

Felicia nodded. ‘He is—and clever, I should not wonder?’

‘That is true.’ Nell beamed at Felicia. ‘Dickon would teach Harry all concerning the wool trade when he is a little older.’ Her smile faded, and she plucked at the bedcover. ‘He is good and kind, my brother, but I have enough money for my needs, and more. I would choose a husband for myself now: one that would suit me.’ She gave Felicia a brittle smile. ‘I suppose you think me ungrateful to my brother?’

Felicia shook her head. ‘It is good that you can choose.’ She fell silent, feeling low spirited again.

Nell picked up the bowl and the drying cloth. ‘Edmund has gone to the herbarium at the abbey. He said to tell you that he will not be gone long, and to remember all that he told you.’ Her eyes were curious, but Felicia had no intention of enlightening her. She might be surprised at how un-angelic her fair lover was, if she knew the truth!

Nell gave a sudden exclamation. ‘Your breakfast! What is that child up to now, I wonder? You would not believe the mischief a boy of eight can get into when one is not watching.’ So saying, with a swish of skirts she swept out of the room.

Felicia stared unseeingly at the tapestry as the door closed. She found herself marvelling at the duplicity of men, and of one man in particular.

There came a tap on the door, and a few seconds later it opened. ‘I pray that you have not fainted away through lack of nourishment!’ said Edmund, an appreciative gleam in his eyes as his eyes ran over her.

Felicia’s lips twitched. ‘The boy told you. What is that you have in your hand?’

‘I have brought you some bruisewort. You might know it as comfrey. After you have eaten, you are to drink it all down, and pray it does its work swiftly.’ Edmund perched on the side of her bed and placed a tray across her knees. ‘How is the pain this morning?’

Felicia pulled a face. There was no doubting his attraction. He had changed his garments and now wore a white under-tunic of linen under a green surcote with wide sleeves. His tawny hair had been shorn and now curled neatly to just below his ears. He had also shaved. Was all this for Nell’s benefit?

‘The pain is a sore point, I see.’ When she made no comment, he asked, ‘Did you have much to say to Nell?’

‘I see no point in discussing my pain if you know all about it.’ She lifted a morsel of bread to her mouth and began to chew slowly before swallowing, aware of his eyes on her face. ‘As for Mistress Seisdon—she did most of the talking, not I.’

‘Good.’ His expression relaxed.

‘She seems to think much of you and hopes that you will stay here longer. If we do, she just might begin to suspect how it is between us. You cannot keep me a prisoner forever, you know.’ Her voice was derisive despite her racing heart.

He smiled sardonically, lifting a dark gold brow, thinking the blue of the under gown exactly matched the blue of her eyes. ‘To keep you for eternity was never my intention,’ he murmured, frowning as he touched her bare throat, revealed by the gown’s low neckline.

Felicia was suddenly unable to speak, experiencing a tingle of excitement as he caressed the column of her throat with the balls of his thumbs. He took her face between his hands and kissed her gently, but at some length. She gave a trembling sigh. He lifted his mouth from hers and gazed into her dazed eyes. A muscle moved in his throat, and then his lips twisted into a smile.

‘You are a witch, Mistress Meriet,’ he said in a strained voice. ‘Eternity! I never gave thought before to how I would like to spend it.’ He rose abruptly and strolled over to the window and gazed out.

There was a long silence, in which Felicia tried to gather the shreds of her pride and suppress the voice that kept speaking of his kindness and not his duplicity.

‘Did Nell tell you of the uprising?’ he asked, facing her once he had his body under control.

‘She did.’

‘It is probably the reason for your cousin being sent for by Earl Simon.’

‘I thought that might be so. What do you intend to do now?’ She picked up more bread, despite no longer feeling hungry she must keep up her strength. If the opportunity came, she would run as far away from him as she could.

He turned to face her. ‘I shall carry on with my original plan, with some differences.’

‘And what are they? Are you going to free me?’ Her hand trembled as she picked up the cup. All her nerves seemed to be stretched, awaiting his answer.

‘If the Earl is sending for aid, so will the Lord Edward. He will need men if he is to win this fight.’

‘You will go and join the Prince?’ Felicia’s voice could not hide her surprise. ‘Why? And what of me? Will you let me go?’

‘Where would you go if I did?’ He gave a tight-lipped smile. ‘You cannot run back to your cousin.’ He sat down on the chest.

‘So you still do not believe me innocent? He is the last person I would run to!’ She touched her cheek with a shaking hand. ‘I would go to Meriet, as I told you. I have not seen my home for over a year...not since Philip came with news of my father and brother’s deaths at Lewes.’ She stared angrily into the cup of ale, swirling it round violently.

‘I did not know you had lost menfolk!’ exclaimed Edmund in a startled voice.

‘What? The gossips never told you that?’ Her voice mocked him. She placed the cup on the tray with a thud and leaned back and shut her eyes. ‘I am weary and would like to rest.’

‘Not until you have taken your medicine.’ She heard the slight creak of the floor as he came towards her. ‘And why do you not tell the truth and say that you are weary of me and would be rid of my company?’

Her eyes flew open as the bed gave beneath his weight. ‘Because I am a lady, despite what you think,’ she said with dignity.

‘Are any of us what others think we are?’ He moved the tray and put it on the floor, handing her a small silver cup. ‘Now drink it all.’

‘You are very imperious!’ There was a sparkle in her eyes as she took it. ‘Does it taste vile?’

‘Don’t all the best medicines taste so?’ he said dryly, watching as she took a cautious sip before drinking all the potion down.

Their fingers brushed as she handed him back the cup and she felt a tingle shoot up her arm. She hid her hands beneath the coverlet as they began to tremble. ‘How-How is it that you know so much about potions and healing? You-You said that you were kin to Sir Gervaise—and that your mother lived at his manor. I would have thought that meant you would have been his steward.’

He hesitated. ‘No.’

‘No? Is that all you have to say? I need to know more about you in case Nell questions me further. Besides, time is going to hang heavily on my hands if I am to stay in bed for the rest of the day.’ She did not understand why she was now wanting to keep him with her.

He stared at her for what seemed an age and then stretched out his long legs. ‘My mother was a wise woman. Not only did she have a gift of healing, but she knew the names of most plants and their properties. She could read, and sought cures in learned books. Since boyhood I followed her about the manor, helping her by day and by night.’

‘What about your father?’ asked Felicia, fascinated by this encouraging start. She hoped he would continue.

Edmund absently traced the engraving on the small cup with the tip of a finger. ‘Sir Gervaise saw to my education. I went to the monks—to my uncle Walter, who is the abbot of a monastery in Worcestershire. After that I was sent to Oxford. I was there when the King stood before the assembled magnates at the Easter feast several years ago, and later that summer. It was said that the he should accept advice from a council of fifteen of his chief men. Some called these meetings parliaments.’ His eyes met Felicia’s. ‘Some of the changes called for did take place but so much fell apart when the barons themselves would not have their own actions dealt with. Justice, it seemed, was still to be only for the rich and powerful and not for the lesser orders, as I think was originally intended.’