Beloved Abductor (6 page)

‘I remember my father speaking of it,’ said Felicia eagerly. ‘The Lord Edward stood against the King at the time, alongside his uncle, the Montfort, and asked that the barons fulfil their oaths to support knights like my father. They were called bachelors, and helped to bring in some of the reforms.’

‘You listened well to your father,’ said Edmund, his expression thoughtful. ‘I did not expect that in a woman such as you.’

She flushed and tilted her chin. ‘I confess that I did not understand it all at the time. Anyway, my father came to believe that Earl Simon expected change too swiftly. The barons needed more time to adapt to the merchants and less powerful landowners having a say in the organisation of England.’

Edmund nodded. ‘Some of the problem, though, lay in the ill-feeling between the King and Earl Simon who despised King Henry because he would rather design fine buildings than make war.’

She nodded. ‘My brother believed there was more to it than that and the difficulty lay in the Earl wanting to be able to call the council in the King’s absence and act in his place.’

Edmund leaned closer to her and she was aware of his breath on her cheek and could smell the herbal soap he had used. ‘The Earl had vision, and roused men’s finer feelings and gave them hope,’ he murmured. ‘Dickon, Steven and I followed him for a season but then Dickon and I realised that he did not understand freedom as we saw it.’

Felicia pleated the coverlet with an unsteady hand. ‘True freedom is not gained so easily. My menfolk died fighting on the King’s side. It could be that the Prince will send word to my manor at Meriet for Sir William, my steward, also fought on the King’s side. He might have news.’ She paused, meeting his gaze. ‘Have you ever met the Prince?’

The corners of Edmund’s eyes crinkled. ‘What have I ever had to do with princes? But, having said that, I confess that I have seen the Lord Prince Edward—and heard that he cares for his friends and other men not so well born. In that lies my hope.’ He shrugged broad shoulders. ‘I think, if he is not killed first, he will possess more wisdom than his father if he ascends the throne. He and I are much of an age, and this country needs young blood.’ He frowned. ‘Your cousin fights for the Earl; that fact alone would now ally me to the Prince’s cause!’

‘I understand your reasoning.’ Felicia’s brown knitted. ‘You say that in the Lord Edward lies your hope. Is it that you seek justice from the Prince?’

He rose to his feet. ‘It is unlikely that I would seek it from Earl Simon while your cousin has his ear,’ he said derisively.

‘Of course not.’ Felicia moved uneasily in the bed, wincing. ‘I wish you good fortune. I would see Phillip defeated and brought to justice.’

‘I am glad we agree on that.’ He changed the subject, looking down at her with concern. ‘You are still in pain.’

Felicia grimaced. ‘Hopefully your potion will do its work. Did you give young Harry his penny?’

Edmund nodded. ‘Aye, I am fond of the lad. I deem he would like to follow me and seek out the Lord Edward, thinking it a great adventure!’

‘His mother would not approve of either of you going!’ blurted out Felicia. ‘She said …’

‘Said what? Tell me.’ He folded his arms across his chest and raised his eyebrows.

Felicia toyed with her fingers. ‘That she might be able to persuade you to stay here. But I do not think you a man to be so easily persuaded. I did not think you a man so easily scared of danger.’

‘Nell says many things but I do not intend to dally in Shrewsbury,’ he said roughly, ‘however pleasant you might think I would find it.’

Her head shot up. ‘Why should I think of your pleasure at all?’

‘Why indeed?’ He bent over her and brought his face close to her.

For a moment she thought he was about to kiss her and she hated herself for wanting him to do so. She felt his breath on her mouth and then he drew back abruptly. Determined not to show her disappointment, she stifled a yawn and eased herself down in the bed, pretending she could no longer keep her eyes open. ‘I would like to rest, if you do not mind leaving me,’ she murmured.

‘Of course. There is much I have to see to myself, besides dancing attendance on you, Mistress Meriet,’ he said tersely.

‘I do not doubt it,’ she said sleepily, knowing she needed to think of a sensible plan that would enable her to escape from him and make her way to Meriet.

Edmund shut the door and went swiftly across the bedchamber he shared with Dickon and out of the door at the other end. For a moment he stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the sunlit garden without seeing it. For a while, back there, he had been tempted to make love to her, believing her innocent and that she really did hate her cousin as much as he did. Slowly he began to walk down the stairs, his face creased in thought.

‘Edmund! How is Mistress Meriet?’

Edmund paused on the bottom step. ‘Still in pain, although she bears it bravely.’

‘She is a pretty maid, despite that cut on her face and the swollen mouth—her eyes are beautiful or so Nell says.’ Dickon’s brown ones twinkled.

‘Does she!’ Edmund gave him a resigned glance as they began to cross the garden.

‘Aye, she is jealous, I think—but honest with it.’ Dickon put out a hand, preventing Edmund from opening the door into the house. ‘Let us not go in yet. Do you not think you should tell me the truth about Mistress Meriet? Surely you cannot think I have fallen for the tale you told Nell? We have been friends too long for me not to know when you are concealing the truth!’

Edmund’s eyes narrowed and he would have shrugged off his friend’s hand. Then his mouth eased into a smile. ‘I never could hide much from you, could I? Let us talk, then, but not here where Nell might overhear. I think I would enjoy a stroll down by the river.’

‘So be it; I must go there anyway. Nell is missing Harry and thinks he might have gone fishing. I must teach that boy to swim, and then she will worry less.’

It was pleasantly cool beneath the trees on the bank.

‘Well?’ Dickon leaned against the trunk of a massive oak, watching Edmund’s face as he flipped a pebble into the water. ‘Since we left the house you have not spoken except to enquire the price of wool. Is this secluded enough for you, my friend?’ He folded his arms. ‘What is it that worries you?’

Edmund turned to him. ‘Mother is dead. She was murdered by Sir Philip Meriet and he is also responsible for the deaths of my father and half-brothers.’

‘God’s blood!’ Dickon’s expression was bleak. ‘Tell me all!’

Slowly, his face grim, Edmund began to tell Dickon all that had happened in the last three weeks. ‘I came back from Italy, as you know, three months ago—after you sent word that Master Seisdon had died. I planned to come here after sorting out my affairs in Chester and seen my mother and father.’ He drew breath. ‘I guessed there was something wrong before I reached the village. There were no workers in the fields, but as I approached, several peasants came running towards me. They paid no attention when I called, but I recognised one of them and shouted his name—we had fished the river when boys. He told me to flee, that the lord, lady and their sons were dead, and that the swine responsible were slaughtering and raping in the village. I lent him my horse and packhorse—he had small children—and said that, if things went well, I would see him again at the charcoal-burner’s hut in the forest.’ He paused and cleared his throat. ‘There were horses with trappings outside Mother’s house. I did not stop to think, but went in. He was raping…her!’ Edmund choked on the words, and took several deep breaths before continuing, ‘so I went for him, only to be seized from behind. I struggled and fought but there were three of them and I was hit over the head. When I regained consciousness, the house was on fire.’

‘By “he”—I presume you mean Philip Meriet?’ said Dickon, scowling.

Edmund nodded.

‘What relation is he to Mistress Meriet?’

‘Cousin!’ said Edmund. ‘I managed to escape with Mother and for two days I kept her alive, but, despite all my attempts, she died.’ His eyes were suspiciously bright and his voice was rough with emotion. ‘I was told by that same villager to whom I lent my horses that Meriet was going to have a celebration feast and was seeking helpers at the point of a blade. I seized my opportunity and became a serving-man. I was going to use poison at first—although that seemed too easy a death for him, but I just wanted to wipe him off the face of the earth. Then when I was in the buttery I heard about Mistress Meriet and that she was being brought to the feast, that Meriet was mad with love for her, that she was his mistress and had plotted with him to murder his wife, and that despite her being his cousin, he planned to marry her.’

‘God’s bones!’ Dickon stared at Edmund. ‘You believe that of her?’

Edmund hesitated and then, ignoring Dickon’s question, he continued. ‘I still had a key to the postern gate—or at least I knew where it was hidden. My half-brothers and I often used that way in and out of the castle, long after they built the sluice-gate for the mill and the water ran too shallow for boats. I drugged Philip’s wine, and hers —and I abducted her.’

Dickon looked shocked. ‘No wonder you did not wish to tell Nell the truth!’

‘I do not think she would approve, do you?’ said Edmund stiffly.

‘Neither do I approve—and I would have said in the past neither would you, Edmund!’

‘Seeing one’s mother suffer so terribly changes a man.’ Edmund’s jaw set rigidly as he returned his friend’s gaze.

‘What do you intend to do?’ Dickon placed a hand on Edmund’s shoulder. ‘Whatever your original plan, surely you still do not believe Mistress Meriet would have approved of her cousin’s behaviour and you will free her?’

‘I have not decided.’ Edmund ran a hand over his tawny hair. ‘Even when I first thought of abducting Mistress Meriet, my plans were confused. What I did depended up to a point on Philip Meriet’s reactions. Before I heard of the Lord Edward’s escape I thought to use her as a bargaining tool, thinking it unlikely that I would get justice from Earl Simon any other way. I am my father’s only living offspring and there is a possibility that I can lay claim to his manor, but it would be easier if Meriet had not taken by force what could be mine.’

‘De Vert manor in exchange for Mistress Meriet —was that your plan?’ asked Dickon, frowning.

Edmund nodded. He had no intention of telling his closest friend any more than he had already. He felt uncomfortable about his other notion for revenge now.

‘You should return Mistress Meriet to her home before you do anything more you might regret,’ said Dickon firmly. ‘You mentioned Nell. I am her brother, remember. And while she and I do not always see eye to eye, you must have guessed that she is looking in your direction for a husband now that Seisdon is dead.’ They began to walk.

‘I will not deny that it was the thought of marrying Nell that brought me home before all this happened,’ said Edmund, coming to a halt by the bridge and looking for Harry.

‘And now?’ Dickon gripped Edmund’s arm and stood in front of him. ‘I will not have you play fast and loose with Nell. She is fond of you, and already jealous of Mistress Meriet. If you would wed my sister, set Mistress Meriet free.’

Edmund stood unmoving. ‘What of Steven?’ he said abruptly. ‘You have never had word?’

‘Of his whereabouts? None since our parting in Oxford. God only knows how long ago that is now! Whether he still follows the Montfort I don’t know.’

‘If Nell were to accept me, I would still be second best.’

‘But you are the better man,’ insisted Dickon, his face brightening. ‘If it is justice and de Vert manor you want—let us seek it together. Forget your previous plan, Edmund, and together we shall go and find the Lord Edward. It will be like old times.’

‘You think so?’ Edmund sighed and changed the subject. ‘I deem I can see Harry. If he has been lucky, it will be fresh fish for supper.’

Dickon opened his mouth to press for a more satisfactory answer to his suggestion, but his friend had that set to his jaw that boded ill for any who pushed him too far. Suddenly Dickon decided that he must get better acquainted with Mistress Meriet. Perhaps then he would understand Edmund’s reluctance to give him a definite answer. *

‘It is kind of you to visit me, Master Mortimer,’ said Felicia, raising herself against the pillows a little more.

‘You will not think so when you see that I have brought you another dose of Edmund’s poison! If it does not kill you, it should cure you!’ Dickon twinkled at her and pulled a stool up to the bed. ‘He has gone to see a sick child, the daughter of a friend. Nell is busy in the buttery, and so I decided to take on this task. A pleasant one, I might add.’

Felicia’s cheeks dimpled. ‘That is most kind of you. I am not used to lying abed, and even when I was in my cousin’s ...’ She paused, uncertain how to continue, wondering if Edmund had told Master Mortimer more than he had told his sister.

‘Your cousin?’ prodded Dickon, stretching out his legs.

‘I... I have two cousins,’ said Felicia brightly, clasping her hands on the coverlet. ‘Joan ... and Philip,’ she went on hurriedly, sensing from the glint in Dickon’s eyes that he had heard of Philip. ‘Joan lives with me at Meriet. She is my mother’s sister’s daughter—but her parents are both dead. Father invited her to come to live with us before he died. She is like a sister to me, and I miss her greatly.’ She fell silent, realising she was getting on to dangerous ground again.