Forbidden Legacy (8 page)

A wry smile touched his mouth. “My lady wife, I sincerely doubt either of us wishes to strengthen our marriage.”

Blast it, he was right.

S
eated at the table beside his wife, Stephan met the gazes of the four Templars who'd joined them, each warrior chosen for his specific skills. “Lady Katherine is the only one who knows the location of the secret entrance. Once we reach shore, she will lead us inside.”

Thomas raised a brow. “That answers why the lass sails with us.”

“I would think my being mistress of Avalon Castle would be reason enough,” Katherine said, her words clipped.

Stephan opened his mouth to reply; Thomas held up his hand. Stephan nodded.

“My lady,” Thomas explained, “'tis nae in Stephan's character to allow a woman, regardless of her station, to enter into a dangerous situation.”

Red crept up her cheeks and she faced her husband. “You didna share my reason for being here?”

“Nay,” he replied, unapologetic. Any discomfort his wife suffered was roused by her insistence on sailing to Avalon, something he'd made clear was unwanted. “'Twas unnecessary.”

Confusion darkened her eyes. “Why?”

“My men trust my decisions without question,” Stephan said.

“Aye,” Aiden said. “In battle to hesitate in following an order could mean your life, or the lives of others.”

Their expressions firm with resolve, the knights seated around the table nodded.

Katherine's blush deepened. “Forgive me; I should have considered such.”

“You are nae a warrior, but my wife,” Stephan said, pleased by her admission. “Your strength lies in the running of a household.”

“Mayhap,” she agreed, “but it doesna prohibit me from being knowledgeable elsewhere.”

Silence echoed within the cabin.

“You have sailed before, my lady?” Aiden asked, cutting through the tension.

Surprise flickered on her face. “How did you know?”

A wry smile touched the knight's mouth. “From the way you walk.”

“The way I walk?”

“Your steps take into account the rise and fall of the ship,” Aiden explained. “'Tis a characteristic of those familiar with time at sea.”

Stephan grimaced. Regardless of whether she'd told him she'd sailed with her father, he should have noticed the seafaring trait. Instead, frustrated at having her onboard, compounded by his upset at her finding a coin that had somehow slipped from a crate during loading, he'd overlooked the sign of her experience. God's blade, what else had he missed? “And your point, Aiden?” he said impatiently.

“Lady Katherine's experience at sea is fortuitous,” the Templar replied. “With knowledge of the coastline and tides surrounding Avalon, she can offer insight on navigating the local currents.”

“An excellent point,” Stephan grudgingly agreed. Too many years had passed for him to recall details of the local currents. “Except for where the cliffs hide the castle guard's view, they can spot ships on the wall walk from a great distance.”

Surprise widened Katherine's eyes. “You have been to Avalon?”

He didna explain he'd lived there as a child. Neither would he unearth a fact that would raise questions. The lass was like a dog with a bone when her interest was raised.

Nor were his recollections relevant. Memories of the castle and the surrounding waters were those of his youth. With erosion, flooding, and sand on the bottom often shifting during storms, the underwater landscape would have changed. But for the whirlpool located south of the island Avalon sat upon, which they would avoid.

Parchment crinkled as Stephan spread out the map of the area. “Where is the entrance to the tunnel?”

Katherine pointed to a notation warning of dangerous waters. “Here.”

Concern darkened Thomas's eyes. “'Tis located near the whirlpool?”

“Aye,” she replied. “The entrance is near the inlet where we must moor the ships to keep hidden.”

God's blade! Stephan's plans to give the treacherous waters wide berth faded. He scowled. “You are confident our ships can safely navigate to the tunnel's entrance?”

Another swath of red swept her cheeks.

Blast it, what now? “What is it?” Stephan pressed, aware from her reaction that he wouldna like the answer.

“'Tis that . . .” She scraped her lower lip with her teeth. “'Tis that I have traveled through the secret entry but once.”

A dull ache pounded in Stephan's head, threatening to worsen. “You have nay experience sailing near the whirlpool?”

Blue eyes narrowed. “Never did I claim to have sailed there.”

“A detail,” he stated, his voice crisp, “you omitted to mention to Robert Bruce; more, you allowed our sovereign to believe otherwise.”

Thomas glanced from Stephan to Katherine. “What has Scotland's king to do with this?”

In regard to his marriage and his wife being aboard his ship, every blasted thing. “'Tis nae important,” Stephan said, his voice tight, refusing to drag their fiasco of a wedding before his men. “With the near impenetrable defenses of the stronghold, and without a massive force, the secret passage is the only way to seize Avalon.”

Katherine exhaled a shaky breath, exposing her nervousness.

Stephan gave his bold wife credit for her control.

“I believe,” she said, meeting every man's gaze, “that we can keep a safe distance from the whirlpool's pull as we navigate to shore.”

“Believe?” Stephan demanded, ready to throttle the lass. “We must create a plan of attack on mere beliefs?” Still, this wasna the first time he and his men had faced the unknown. A churn of water hardly represented the threat of an attacking force. “Tell us what you know.”

In brief, she informed them of how the strong ocean currents interacted with the narrow channel near the secret tunnel's entry. “Due to the irregular depth of the bottom,” she explained, “the tide merges with the current, increasing the overall speed, which widens the area impacted by the strong flow.”

Rónán studied the map, lifted his gaze to hers. “In essence, during high tide there is a limited time to sail in or out before the waterway becomes too dangerous to navigate?”

“Correct. If we are near shore when the churn of water strengthens, we will be trapped until the tide begins to ebb and the water recedes to the point where the current willna drag us into the whirlpool.” Katherine eyed each man. “Between the sheer cliffs and the hazardous currents, anyone plotting a siege on Avalon would believe this an impossible route, the reason the entry was made in this location.”

Rónán sat back. “Wise planning.”

“Indeed. And another caution,” Katherine continued. “During a strong spring tide, waves can build to the height of many a ship's bow.”

Unsettled murmurs rumbled around the room.

“So the best plan of action,” Thomas said, “is to sail near the entry during low tide.”

“Aye,” she replied.

“How many hours do we have before the current grows too dangerous with the onset of high tide?” Stephan asked.

“A handful at most.”

Stephan tapped his thumb against the hilt of his dagger as he mulled the possibilities. “To allow maximum time for the assault, we must anchor out and row to shore before low tide occurs. If for any reason we are forced to withdraw, we will have time to escape before the waters have grown too dangerous to navigate and leave us trapped and an easy target for the English.”

Cailin glanced toward Stephan. “Before we make final plans, we must learn the local tide.”

“I agree,” Stephan said. “'Twill delay us a day, mayhap two, but 'tis imperative to our success.”

Thomas grunted. “If the English suspect our presence, the blasted Sassenach will barricade the inner entry.”

“Nay,” Katherine said. “They willna.”

“How can you be sure?” Stephan asked.

Pride shone in her eyes. “Because they dinna know a secret tunnel or concealed chamber exists below Avalon.”

“An advantage.” Stephan leaned back in his chair. “When was the last time you used the tunnel?”

“A fortnight ago. 'Tis how I escaped.”

“Escaped?” Cailin asked as the other men's brows rose in silent question.

A tremble rippled across her skin. “Aye,” she whispered, her voice unsteady, “we are sailing to my home.” Face pale, she stood. “I believe 'tis all the information I have that you will find useful at this time. If you will excuse me.” With hurried steps she left. A soft thud echoed in the cabin as she closed the door in her wake.

The men's eyes focused on him.

“Avalon Castle is Lady Katherine's home?” Thomas asked with surprise.

With a muttered curse, Stephan stared at the door, torn between going after her and staying. God's blade, as if he didna understand the demons she faced, a torment he'd struggled against at the age of seven. Alone and without the Knights Templar taking him in, he would have ended up a beggar on the streets.

Or died.

But she'd had the good fortune of a king as her godparent. However much Robert Bruce cared for Katherine, his sympathy didna erase the horrors she'd witnessed. They had shared similar tragedies; mayhap his presence could offer her solace. Disgust swept through Stephan. As if she would ever accept comfort from him.

Neither could he forget his vow. Duty came first. The dissolution of the Knights Templar may have ended a cohesive union of warriors of God, but it far from erased his oath.

Guilt slid through him. He glanced toward the door. Bedamned! Stephan faced his men. “The English murdered her family. They forced her to witness both of her parents slain.”

“God's sword,” Aiden hissed.

“The bastards,” Rónán spat, his Irish brogue ripe with fury.

“'Tis nae what anyone should witness, more so a lass,” Thomas said through clenched teeth. “'Tis surprising the Sassenach allowed her to live.”

“In other circumstances I believe they would have killed her,” Stephan said, his voice hard. “Young King Edward ordered the Earl of Preswick to seize the castle but spare the Earl of Dunsmore's daughter. In an effort to begin building a Scottish and English relationship, Preswick was then to press her into marriage.”

Thomas grunted. “King Edward II is a fool to believe Scotland could be quelled into submission simply by forcing his nobles to marry their enemies.”

“Aye,” Stephan agreed. “He isna the warrior his father was, nor, from what I have heard, is Edward of Caernarfon's heart in the claiming of Scotland, which bodes well for King Robert.”

“How was Lady Katherine able to escape her captors?” Cailin asked.

“She refused to wed the earl. Furious, Preswick ordered her locked within her chamber until she agreed. Once alone, she used a hidden passage from her chamber that led to the secret tunnel.”

Smiles touched the lips of his men.

“And explains why the lass is determined to hone her skills with a blade.” The approval in Thomas's eyes faded. “Whatever her reasons, Lady Katherine willna fight alongside us when we retake the castle.”

Surprise registered in Rónán's eyes. “But Lady Katherine believes she will-”

“My wife,” Stephan cut in, his tone firm, “will accompany us ashore, reveal the hidden entry, and then lead us through the tunnel to the hidden door beneath the castle. After she has explained how we may gain access, she will be escorted to the ship.”

Cailin blew out a rough breath. “The lass will be furious.”

“Mayhap,” Stephan said, “but 'tis a situation of her own making. Prior to our departure, I requested she draw us a map. She refused.” His gut churning, he glanced toward the door.

“What about the catacombs below the castle?” Thomas asked.

Stephan frowned. “What about them?”

“With the lass furious at nae being allowed to fight, I doubt she will reveal their location.”

“An issue I will deal with,” Stephan said, “if it arises.”

“Mayhap there is a map documenting the location of the catacombs within the castle,” Aiden said, “and we willna need her help.”

Stephan nodded. “I believe there is, as does the king. Mayhap hidden within an old ledger or Bible, but we canna count on such luck.”

Rónán frowned. “And if there is none?”

“I am familiar with the catacombs beneath King Solomon's temple,” Stephan explained. “Having reviewed notes of the various methods used to gain entry into the secret passageways, I am confident that, over time and with persistence, I can discover any hidden chambers beneath Avalon.”

“If there is a delay, where will we keep our cargo?” Aiden asked.

“If the tunnel isna large enough,” Stephan replied, “we will find a temporary location within the castle.”

Thomas thrummed his fingers on the table. “Where did you see the maps of Solomon's catacombs?”

“The Grand Master allowed me to examine those in his vault before I departed France.” Stephan glanced toward the door. He should see to Katherine, though God knew why, when she would do naught but ignore him. “We will continue on the morrow.”

“Aye,” his men replied in unison.

His mind turning to Katherine, his chair scraped as Stephan stood.

Thomas stepped before him as the others departed; the door closed, leaving them alone. “The lass still grieves.”

Hand on the smoothed top of his chair, Stephan nodded. “Naught about her returning to her home will be easy. However hard Katherine finds it, after a month or two has passed, 'twill be more difficult. She willna have restoring order to the castle to keep her mind occupied. Then she will have time to think, to remember, to relive the horrors.”