Chapter Twenty-One
Jacqueline took a moment to collect her thoughts, then told Terric all that had happened since her father had stolen her from Carisbrooke. She did not leave out any details, even explaining why Forwin had brought Nicholas to Nunney. She also told him the lie she had given about already being pregnant, only to find out later it was the truth.
Replete, Jordan stopped sucking and fell asleep. Jacqueline switched him to her shoulder and patted his back. She continued her tale. “With Forwin gone, and Nicholas on the loose, my father will find out how he was tricked.”
Terric was aghast at what Jacqueline had endured. If only he had stayed at Nunney long enough to have found out what was really happening, she would not be so vulnerable now. “I was a fool to leave you with those two.”
“Do not blame yourself. You did not know. You are here now, and you can still save me.”
“I will not abandon you like that again, I promise. Whatever it takes, I will do to keep you from your father’s clutches.”
“That, Sir Terric, is exactly what we had hoped you would say.” Having been momentarily forgotten, Beth broke into the conversation. She breezed past Terric and went to the entrance of the pavilion.
She pulled the flap back and signaled to someone, who obviously had been waiting for just that. Terric was not at all surprised when Edwin stepped inside. What he had not expected was a priest closely following his squire. Terric looked at Beth, who smiled sweetly.
“If you want to keep Jacqueline safe, marry her. Here and now,” she said.
Still holding their child, Jacqueline stood, watching for his reaction. Terric closed the space between her and himself. He went to her side, put his arm around her shoulders, and turned her to face the priest. “Well, Father, it looks as though you have a marriage to perform.”
With Beth and Edwin acting as witnesses, the ceremony became a very simple matter. Jacqueline’s mother had procured a special license so the banns could be overlooked. Beth had been given possession of it before she had left Carisbrooke with Sir Guy. Lady Elizabeth had known it would be put to use.
Once the priest pronounced them man and wife, Jacqueline kissed Terric. After their lips parted, she smiled lovingly into his eyes. His job now complete, the priest departed. Terric had to give him credit. He had not blinked an eye at the bride being dressed as a man.
A sense of euphoria wash over him. Jacqueline was his. “Now, wife, are there any other plans you have inside your pretty little head? Something I should know about?”
“Nothing too drastic, husband. We go home to Nunney. The longer we are absent, the more I worry.”
“Then we leave within the hour. I can finally claim you as my own. No man will take you from me again.” Seeing he had everyone’s attention, Terric continued. “Once we all are behind Nunney’s walls, we can breathe a little easier.”
* * * *
He had not anticipated on it taking so long. He had assumed it would be no great feat to gain the presence of the Earl of Salisbury. Who would have guessed the man traveled around so much?
After a month of just missing the earl, Nicholas finally arrived in time to try to gain an audience at Castle Rushen on the Isle of Man, one of the earl’s other holdings. After presenting himself as a traveling minstrel, he had gained entrance into the castle. To have speech with the earl proved to be no easy task. The man had no tolerance for those beneath him, and being styled the king of the Isle of Man did nothing to change the earl’s attitude. He let no one forget that title.
The evening of his arrival, Nicholas had performed in the banqueting hall in the state apartments. The hall was the largest room in the castle. It had an enormous fireplace that was necessary to keep such a huge room heated during the winter.
After what Nicholas had thought was a perfect performance, he tried to speak with the earl. He had approached the raised dais, but the earl had in no way acknowledged him. Feeling like a fool standing there, he had finally given up.
His time was running out, though. He would be permitted to stay at Rushen for only a few more days, then he would have to move on. The Earl of Salisbury was not a man one could annoy and not expect to suffer some kind of consequences.
As the final notes from his lute faded into nothingness, Nicholas accepted the goblet of wine one of the pageboys offered him. It was welcome after his performance to wet his dry throat and give him the confidence needed to confront the earl. He swallowed all the drink in two large gulps, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. It was time to face the dragon.
As before, the earl ignored him when he stood before the dais. Not wanting a repeat of the previous evening, Nicholas loudly cleared his throat. The earl glared at him. After executing an elaborate bow, which he hoped would impress the earl, he spoke. “My lord, I wonder if I can have a moment of your time.”
Saying the earl was perturbed by Nicholas’ impudence in addressing him personally was putting it mildly. He looked at Nicholas with complete revulsion.
“What could a lowly minstrel possibly have to say that I would deem of any importance?” With a negligent wave of his hand, he dismissed him. “Be gone, before I have you thrown into my dungeon.”
Nicholas felt a moment of hesitation. He had heard much about the earl’s dungeon during the short time he had been at Rushen. It was situated beneath the guardroom within the keep. Prisoners had to be lowered by ropes. Scarcely a ray of light penetrated the gloom in that miserable place.
Willing to take his chances, Nicholas persevered. “My lord, please do not belittle what I have to impart to you. It is of grave importance.”
The earl surged to his feet and leaned upon the trestle table to stare at him. “Have you no sense? I thought I made myself perfectly clear.”
Nicholas bowed submissively. “Aye, you did, my lord, but what I have to say will affect you greatly.” He lifted his head and found the earl intently staring at him. “I have information in regard to your daughter and her husband.”
The earl straightened, then motioned for Nicholas to follow. After leaving the hall, he pulled Nicholas into a dark corner outside in the bailey. A full moon high above provided limited illumination.
“Speak, minstrel, and if you are wasting my time, you will pay for disturbing me.”
He adamantly shook his head. “Nay, my lord. I would never trifle with you.”
“Then get on with it, man. My patience grows thin.”
“Your daughter’s husband, the Earl of Somerset, has died.” Even with the small amount of light, Nicholas was able to see the earl flinch.
“When did this happen?”
“A month ago, my lord.” Nicholas relaxed. It was quite obvious, judging by the earl’s reaction, he had not known that.
The earl narrowed his eyes and questioned him. “How much do you know of my relationship with Forwin? I have the feeling you were closely acquainted with the man.”
Nicholas let a knowing smile play upon his lips. “I know all, my lord, and other things you were never privy to.”
When he did not continue, the earl snorted. “You will be rewarded.” As he backed Nicholas farther into the corner, Nicholas couldn’t hide the flash of fear he knew must have crossed his face. The earl calmly said, “Tell me all. Do not leave out anything. If you decide to ever come back once I am done with you to seek more coin for what you know, it will only end with you being one of my guests. In my dungeon.”
The earl was shrewd, indeed. That thought had passed Nicholas’ mind more than once before meeting him. Being in his presence, Nicholas knew he would be risking his very life if he tried such a thing. “I will tell you all, my lord. I was wronged just as you were. To see you exact retribution on those who cheated you will please me to no end.”