Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 02 (8 page)

“You will hold your tongue and listen to me,” Hamon ground out, with a sneer twisting his thin lips. “Do you understand?”

Lecie clawed at his hands. Her eyes flared in fear as she nodded. She stumbled back gasping for breath when Hamon released her.

“I see I have your full attention,” Hamon observed with a sense of satisfaction.

“What is it you want?” Lecie rasped, backing away from him. “My father has no coin saved.”

“It is not coin I am after,” Hamon began. “I am soon to be accused of thievery and you, my dear, will vow the charges laid against me are false.”

“Why would I do such a thing?” Lecie’s eyes searched for something to strike him with should he attack her again. “If the charges are true, you deserve to face justice for what you have done to my father.”

“That is where you are wrong.” Hamon’s eyes glittered as he observed her actions with a smirk. “I have no intention of swinging for taking my just due.”

“Your just due?” Angry now, Lecie stiffened. “My father has treated you fairly and you know it.”

“Aye, he treated me fair enough for a spell.” Hamon licked his lips as he ogled her heaving bosom. “That is, until I approached him to make an offer for you. Since then, I realized I was naught but a lowly servant in his eyes.”

“You are also mad if you thought for one moment I would ever accept you,” Lecie snapped.

“Mayhap I am tad on the mad side. I shall still have my way in the end.”

“Think what you will. I for one shall speak the truth of the matter when the sheriff arrives.”

“Not if you value the lad’s life.”

Fear had Lecie searching Hamon’s lifeless eyes for his intent. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Hamon replied casually. “The future of this content little family hinges on Clayton’s survival. The lad is still quite young, it would be a shame should some harm befall him before he came of age to claim his birthright.” Seeing he had Lecie’s full attention, he warmed to his subject. “He often journeys to the river’s edge with the mutt, does he not? How easy it would be for him to fall in and drown.”

“You would not dare harm him,” Lecie spoke in a fearful whisper. “Clayton has always been fond of you.”

“Aye, which will be of great benefit to me should it come to that,” Hamon agreed with a slight smile. “What do you think would become of the lasses were they no longer to have a roof over their pretty little heads? I would hate for them to be forced into pleasuring men for room and board at so early an age.” Leaning forward, his foul breath caressed Lecie’s face. “However, I would gladly volunteer to break them in should that time come.”

Lecie’s hand itched to slap his smug face, yet fear held her back. “How could you be so evil and cruel to even suggest such a thing?”

“You will soon discover I am capable of much more than suggestions.” Hamon suddenly seized Lecie’s upper arms eliciting a gasp of pain from her. “I suggest you do exactly as I say, lest my hand be forced to prove it.”

“Unhand me,” she whispered in response. “I shall do as you say.”

Instead of releasing her, Hamon dug his fingers into her soft flesh. “Know you this as well, should you warn your lover in any way the boy shall die.” Hamon laughed bitterly as he nodded. “Aye, I know where your mind ventured, love. You think me daft enough I have not thought my plan through? If I am seized this day or another Clayton will not live to see the next sunrise.”             

“Someone is in this with you.” Lecie struggled against him. “Gunilda.”

“You always were a quick thinker.” Hamon yanked her against his bony chest to run his tongue along her cheek. “It is also why you will banish Albin and his fellow knight from the inn upon their return.”

“How am I to do that?” Lecie managed as bile made its way up her throat. “His lordship is a powerful man and may make issue of having his knights barred from staying here.”

“I have no doubt you shall think of something.” Shoving her back on the bed, Hamon’s eyes slid to her exposed legs as her kirtle flew up. “We shall talk of
other
things once they are gone.”

Scrambling to her feet, Lecie boldly met his gaze. “Do I have your word no harm shall befall the children?”

“Do as I say and I give you my word.” Hamon reached out to caress her cheek with the back of his hand. “Treat me justly and I shall treat you well, love.”

Turning her face away, Lecie forced herself to nod.

* * *

Less than an hour later, Gunilda found Lecie sobbing softly in her father’s room. “Sheriff Richard is below asking for you, Lecie.”

Turning red, swollen eyes to Gunilda, she observed her smug air. “How could you, after all my family has done for you?” Rising from the bed, Lecie faced her. “My father took you in when you had nowhere else to go.”

“Your father is not long for this world.” Gunilda shrugged. “Grateful as I may be, I need to secure my future.”

“And you think Hamon is going to take care of you?” Lecie shook her head with a bitter laugh. “He thinks of only himself.”

“Mayhap,” Gunilda agreed. “At least when he is running the inn, I shall no longer have to toil.”

“He will never run the inn,” Lecie swore.

“Oh?” Gunilda seemed genuinely surprised. “When he told me that he spoke to you, I thought he told you everything.”

“Which is?”

“Why, he intends to marry you, of course.” Gunilda smiled, exposing several missing teeth. “It is the only way to ensure his guardianship over the boy.”

“We shall see about that.” Lecie lowered her voice when her father shifted in his fitful sleep. “I gave him my word I shall cover his thievery and send the knights from the inn.” Sweeping past Gunilda into the passageway, she added, “And that is all he shall ever get from me.”

Gunilda followed her out to call softly, “I would not be so sure of that, Lecie. Hamon always gets what he wants.”

Lecie felt sick to her stomach as she numbly made her way to the steps. Knowing Hamon would continue to use Clayton’s safety against her, she knew she would have no other choice than to accept him as her husband. 

She heard raised voices above the usual din of the crowd as she descended the steps to the common room. Pausing only long enough to take a breath, she ignored the sound of her heart breaking as she stepped into the midst of the turmoil.

Flanked by his four imposing sons, Sheriff Richard moved through the crowded tables to greet her. “I fear I have brought more trouble to your door this day, Lecie.”

“Shall we move to a quieter place, Sheriff?”

Extending his hand in the direction of the kitchen, the sheriff allowed her to precede him. She ignored the curious gazes cast her way by the villagers as she led the group to the narrow hallway in the back of the common room alongside the bar.

Noticeably quieter, she waited for the men to file in the passageway around her. Avoiding Albin’s concerned gaze, she clasped her hands to exude a calm she did not feel. “After these days past, I can scarce believe more trouble to be possible, Sheriff. What seems to be amiss?”

“First, I would ask after my old friend, as I have been lax on my visits to him. How is Edric faring of late?”

“I fear he does not have much time left to live,” Lecie replied softly. “He is in so much pain I almost feel his passing will be a blessing.”

“I am deeply sorry to hear it. If you permit, I would pay my respects before departing.”

“Of course, Sheriff.” Lecie slightly dipped her head. “He will be most pleased to see you.”

“Now then.” Clearing his throat, the sheriff gestured to Hamon where he stood confidently between Leofrick and Edmund. “Our visit here today has to do with the tapster here.”

“Hamon?” Lecie’s eyes settled for a moment on the loathsome man before returning to the sheriff. “Whatever could he have done to warrant such an imposing show of force?”

“He is a thief,” Albin spoke up from his place beside Talan. “We caught him stealing from the till not once, but twice.”

Stealing her nerve, Lecie acknowledged Albin. “You say you saw him stealing from the till, Sir Albin?”

“I do.” Obviously confused by her manner, Albin pinned her with his gaze. “I saw him with my own eyes yester eve and again today in the square.”

Her heart hammering, Lecie focused on the bridge of his nose as she quirked a brow. “Do you mean to say you saw him pocket coins instead of placing them in the till?”

“Aye, that is exactly what I mean.” Albin stepped closer to her. “Why are you acting this way, Lecie?”

“I do not know what you mean.”

“Are you saying you were aware of what Hamon was doing?”

“Of course, for it was I who told him to do it.” Averting her eyes from Albin’s look of stunned surprise, she faced the sheriff. “I asked Hamon to pocket charges in the event we were raided. Surely you can see the benefit of doing so, Sheriff?”

“Aye,” he agreed. “I can. With the festival bringing in strangers from the surrounding countryside, it is indeed sound judgment to do such a thing.”

“Then this all seems to be naught but a misunderstanding.” Turning to Hamon, Lecie smiled. “Please serve the sheriff and his sons whatever they would like for going to such trouble on our behalf.”

“Aye, I shall.” Hamon shot Albin a smug smile as he returned to the bar.

“Lecie,” Albin began.

“As for you, Sir Albin,” Lecie interrupted him. “You have accused a loyal worker of a grievous wrong which very well could have cost him a hand, if not his life. The only way I can see to make amends to him is to ask you and Sir Talan to withdraw from these premises. You are no longer welcome here.”

“That seems a bit much, do not you think?” Leofrick spoke from behind his father. “After all he was seeing to your welfare and no harm was done.”

Albin moved to where he could study Hamon behind the bar.

Obviously pleased by the outcome, Hamon filled cups of ale to overflowing with a self-satisfied smirk. 

Without taking his gaze from Hamon, Albin addressed Lecie loud enough for him to hear. “What has he threatened you with, lass?”

Lecie’s soft gasp of surprise caused Hamon to slosh ale onto the bar.

Regaining her composure, Lecie stiffened. “I am afraid I do not know what you are talking about, Sir Albin.”

“Do you not?” He questioned her softly, his gaze never leaving hers. “I think otherwise.”

In reply, Lecie turned to the sheriff. “Is it not my right to refuse these men room and board, Sheriff?”             

“Lecie, these men are knights of the realm here under order of King Henry,” the sheriff began. “Surely you would not put them out over so slight a misunderstanding?”

“Do you think Hamon would consider it slight if King Henry’s justice were to take his hand and means of living, Sheriff?”

“Mayhap not,” he hedged. “Still, these are Baron Erlegh’s men. They have been staying here these few years past.”

“And as of now, they are no longer welcome,” Lecie reiterated. “Knights or not, I will not have them falsely accuse a member of the staff.” As the sheriff was about to argue, she added, “Can I or can I not have them arrested for trespass if they refuse to leave?”

“Lecie.” Sheriff Richard seemed scandalized. “I know you have been overly taxed of late, yet you must think of what you are saying.”

“Are you refusing to do your duty as sworn to the king, Sheriff?” Lecie stood her ground.

The sheriff seemed unsure of what to do as Tugger bounded into the passageway with Clayton hard on his heels.

Jumping on Albin, the dog whined for attention as Clayton grabbed hold of his collar. “I did my best to stay in the kitchen like you instructed, Sir Albin. Tugger had other ideas.”

“No harm done.” Albin’s eyes narrowed on Lecie. “Besides, it looks to me like we are finished here.”

“Clayton.” Lecie’s eyes were wide with fear as she stepped around the sheriff to reach him. Turning him towards the steps, she clenched her hands when they began to shake uncontrollably. “It is past time for your bath. Go on up and I shall tuck you in after.”

“Do I really have to?” Clayton turned an imploring gaze upon her. “I am not at all that dirty.”

“Clayton,” Lecie snapped pointing to the steps. “Take Tugger above this instant. He can watch you bathe if you would like.”

Stung by her harsh tone, Clayton turned sad eyes on Albin. “Thank you for taking me to the festival today, Sir Albin. I truly enjoyed it.”

“It was my pleasure, lad.” Albin ruffled Clayton’s hair with a fond smile. “Best do as you are told.”

“Thank you too, Leofrick,” Clayton called as he led Tugger away. “The puppet show was ever so much fun.”

About to reconvene the conversation after Clayton obeyed, Lecie observed the twins hovering within earshot through the archway leading to the kitchen. “Osana and Sabina,” she snapped. “See to Clayton and go to bed.”

Sharing a perplexed look at Lecie’s unusual display of temper, the twins hastened up the steps after Clayton without a word.