Chapter Twenty-Four
Jacqueline felt sick as her father’s men dragged the unconscious Terric away. She also felt helpless, which was exactly how her father wanted her to feel.
Before returning to his encampment, the earl had one final thing to say. “You might be my daughter, but that will not stop me from taking Nunney down a stone at a time if I must. Or from making you pay the price for trying to take what I want.”
She stood at the wall long after the earl had gone. Sir Guy stayed by her side. “Time to return to the hall, lass. Standing out here will not be of any help to Terric.”
Jacqueline pried her stiff fingers from the wall and looked at Sir Guy. “There is no hope for us. I cannot save him.”
“There is always hope, Jacqueline. Do not give up the fight so easily. You are a fighter, girl. You cannot let him beat you. Now is the time to show that bastard he does not always get whatever he wants.”
She meekly shook her head. “I am not strong enough. Too much is at stake here. How could I live with myself if I retain Nunney at the cost of Terric’s life? I would look at these walls day in and day out and see his blood upon them. That is too much to ask of me.”
“Come down to the hall. I am sure Beth and Edwin are now awake. We have a day. The four of us should be able to put our heads together and come up with some way of getting Terric from the earl’s clutches.” Sir Guy took Jacqueline by the arm and led her from the wall. “Remember, you are not alone. We will prevail.”
* * * *
Surfacing to awareness, Terric groaned in pain. His head felt as if it were cracked in two. To make sure it really was still in one piece, he gingerly lifted it off the ground. It held together, much to his surprise.
After carefully rolling to his side, Terric tried to push himself into an upright position. The movement cost him greatly. Sweat poured down his face, and his world spun as dizziness overtook him. Closing his eyes seemed to help somewhat.
The picture of Jacqueline upon the castle walls rose to play behind his closed eyes. He had felt a moment of triumph, seeing that she was indeed safe, but he had seen the fear and helplessness she felt at facing the earl. Knowing it was he who engendered such feelings in her made Terric wish he could make this all disappear. She should not have to go through a situation like this. She already had been through enough hardship.
Around midday, one of the earl’s men brought food and water for Terric. He silently placed the tray he carried beside him, then just as quietly left. Terric grasped the jug of water with his bound hands, then greedily drank. Figuring this would be all he could expect in the way of nourishment for the day, he made sure he left half the bread for later. He did the same with the water.
Once he finished his simple meal, there was only one thing left to him—sit and wait to see what fate would deal him.
* * * *
“Can we come up with nothing?” she asked vehemently.
The hours of frustration wore Jacqueline down. Among the four of them, they had yet to come up with a feasible plan to free Terric. Many of the problems stemmed from the castle’s own defenses. The moat being their only real barrier for safety, it extended all the way to the castle walls, and that made it as much of an obstacle as a defense.
At first, the only response Jacqueline received to her question was silence. Then Edwin cleared his throat and hesitantly said, “I have…have an idea.”
Jacqueline immediately perked up. “What do you have in mind?”
“Well…what if I were to have someone lower me to the moat at the back of the castle. I could swim to the other side and sneak into the earl’s camp to free Terric. I doubt they would expect someone like me to attempt anything like that. I know how to keep myself from being seen. I learned that lesson well before Terric found me in London.” Having lived alone on some of that city’s meanest streets from a very early age and survived, attested to his skill.
Sir Guy seemed to take what Edwin suggested into serious consideration, but eventually he shook his head. “Nay, sorry, lad, but it is too risky.”
Edwin, who had been sitting by the hearth, shot to his feet and walked to the trestle table where Jacqueline, Beth, and Sir Guy sat. “It can work. I know it can. The earl does not have any of his men watching the back of the castle. I know, I looked. He thinks he has us where he wants us. He is too sure of himself.”
Beth, who had silently listened as the others spoke, said, “Sorry to say this, Sir Guy, but I have to agree with Edwin. The earl would never expect what Edwin plans.”
The older man threw up his hands in consternation. “I really have no right to stop you, Edwin, but I cannot help feel you do not know what kind of danger you will be putting yourself in.”
Edwin chuckled, but without humor. “No more dangerous than what I lived with every day in London as a child. It makes no difference to me. Terric saved my life. It is my turn to pay back the favor. I have to try. I owe him that much.”
Sir Guy nodded. “Fine, lad. We will give your plan a try tonight. Time is running out, and so far, you are our best hope.”
* * * *
Jacqueline moved stealthily, keeping to the shadows as she headed to the back of the castle. After reaching the stairs that would take her to the top of the walls, she took them two at a time. She carried a long coil of rope over one shoulder.
As Sir Guy and Edwin had discussed the squire’s plan to rescue Terric, she had been busily making her own. She decided she would take Edwin’s place. So as darkness began to fall, Jacqueline made her move. She would cross the moat on her own, much earlier than Edwin was to make his attempt.
Once she gained the top of the stairs, she worked quickly. She tied the rope through one of the notches in the wall, then threw the length of it over. She slipped her dagger free from its sheath that hung at her waist and then placed the blade between her lips. She took hold of the rope and swung her legs over the wall before she slowly moved to the moat below.
Jacqueline sucked in her breath as she entered the water. The coldness was a shock. Setting off with smooth, even strokes, she clamped her teeth together, preventing them from chattering. Once she reached the other side, she quickly scanned the edge of the moat for any movement. Luck seemed to be on her side. She appeared to be alone. She pulled herself up and onto dry ground, then shook the water from her hair. Stealthily, she began the task of sneaking into her father’s encampment.
* * * *
Sir Guy accompanied Edwin up to the wall. The sight of a rope already tied to the wall surprised him. Finding it hanging to the moat below sent a chill running down his spine.
He scanned the bank on the opposite side and found it deserted. Sir Guy swore under his breath and set off at a run. He took the steps down practically three at a time as he hurried to the hall. Edwin followed.
After throwing open the hall doors, both of them barreled through. Beth, who had been pacing before the hearth, let out a gasp of surprise as he searched every inch of the hall with his gaze. “What is wrong?”
“Where is she?” he asked.
“Who?”
“Jacqueline. Where is she?”
“Is she not with you? She is not in her chamber. I just came from there. Alice is the only one there, watching Jordan.”
He let out a bellow of rage and headed for the chambers above. Mindful of the sleeping babe, he quietly opened Jacqueline’s chamber door. Alice sat in a chair near the cradle, stitching. She looked up from her work as the door swung open. At Sir Guy’s signal for her to join him outside, she put aside her sewing and came to him.
“Where is your mistress?”
Not looking him in the face, Alice said quietly, “I know not. She just bid me to mind the little lord.”
He took the girl by the shoulders and gave her a little shake. “Do not play dumb with me, girl.” Alice whimpered. “You know where Jacqueline went and you are going to tell me.”
Alice whimpered once more. “She made me promise not to say. I will tell you, sir. She has gone to rescue her husband.”
Sir Guy briefly closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer, one to save him from headstrong women. “How long ago did she leave?”
“When it grew dark.” Alice cringed.
He released the servant girl, then returned to the hall to break the news to Beth and Edwin. Both stood near the stairs, waiting expectantly. He shook his head. “The fool of a lass has gone over the wall by herself. From the amount of time that has passed, I would say she is at this moment working her way into the camp.”
Silently, Beth walked to the trestle table and refilled her goblet of wine. She tossed it back in two large gulps. Sir Guy thought she had the way of it. They would all need some wine to fortify their spirits if they were to get through this night. He just hoped Jacqueline knew what she was doing.
* * * *
Nicholas savored the rich wine the earl provided to all who had been invited to his pavilion. They were celebrating the morrow’s victory. The earl planned to walk through Nunney’s gates and claim the castle as his own.
He had not spoken with the earl since their first meeting, but he expected he would soon. When he had received the invitation to join this impromptu celebration, it had said his attendance was mandatory. It was a command that had not really been necessary. It was not as if he would have turned it down.
Sipping his wine, Nicholas casually watched the earl conversing with the captain of his men. So far, his presence had not been acknowledged. There was nothing for it but to wait. As the evening progressed and still he had not been singled out by the earl, he wondered if he would be ignored, after all. After draining his fourth goblet of wine, he felt the pressing need to relieve himself. He slipped from the pavilion and found a secluded spot just behind it.
He loosened his hose before he did his business. Soon, he realized he was not alone. Two others were doing the same as he. Though he could not see them, he heard their conversation. What they said sent a chill running down his back.
“Did you see that minstrel in there? Acting as if he had every right to be among us,” said the first man.
“Aye, but the earl promised to reward him,” the second man replied.
“Oh, he is going to get his reward all right. The reward of meeting his maker.” Both men laughed.
As their laughter faded as they headed back into the pavilion, Nicholas stood frozen. He was unable to move. Panic had seized him in its steely grip and it would not let go.
He broke out in a cold sweat and slowly backed up. There was no question of his returning to the earl’s pavilion. He had to run before they realized he was gone.
Quickly as he could, he collected his belongings and then strapped them to his horse. Once more he had been cheated out of what was his due. He hoped the earl would get what he so richly deserved—his precious Nunney Castle barred against him.
* * * *
Jacqueline kept as low to the ground as she could and crawled around to the back of the pavilion inside her father’s camp. She had donned her darkest tunic and hose before leaving the castle. With only a quarter moon covered by heavy clouds, she was able to move around virtually unseen. Not that there was anyone roaming about the camp to see her. The earl was indeed sure of his victory. No guards were posted, and the sounds of revelry could be heard drifting from the opposite side of the encampment.
Even in the darkness, Jacqueline easily distinguished the earl’s pavilion midst the few others. His was the most lavishly adorned with his standard boldly before it. Hoping Terric was not being held in there, she decided to check the smaller pavilions at the very edge of camp. After reaching the first one, she used her dagger to cut a small slit in the canvas just big enough for her to peer through.
A meager light from a campfire on the other side of the pavilion filtered in through a small opening in the flap. At first, she only saw bundles of supplies spread haphazardly around the interior. Her gaze came to rest on the supine form of Terric. He lay off to one side, not too far from where she had made her peephole.
She used the tip of her dagger and cut a much larger slit in the canvas. She put her hand through it. Jacqueline stifled a scream as she was roughly yanked inside, ending up sprawled across Terric’s chest. Doing what seemed the most natural thing to do in such a position, she took his face in both her hands and kissed him thoroughly.
At first, Terric enthusiastically returned her kiss, but he soon turned his head to the side and pulled free from her embrace. With eyes blazing, he looked at her. “What the hell are you doing here?” he whispered.
Jacqueline chose to ignore his ire and broadly smiled. She spoke in equally hushed tones. “I have come to rescue you, of course.”
“Why did you not stay safely behind Nunney’s walls? How could you have acted so rashly?”
Her smile slowly faded. “You cannot have expected me to idly stand by and let the earl kill you.”
“If needs be, that is exactly what I wanted you to do.”
Jacqueline slid from Terric’s chest, then cut the strip of leather binding his hands before him. “Well, I could not live with myself if I had. It is because of me that you are here.”
Terric pulled her back into his arms and kissed her deeply once more. “I will not say I am not happy to see you, Jacqueline, but you have taken a huge risk. If anything happened to you…”
Gently caressing his cheek, she gave him a half smile. “I too. You are a part of me now. I have already suffered greatly from the loss of William. Do not make me go through that again with you. I could not survive it this time.”
“Then, lady wife, I suggest we get the hell out of here.”
Jacqueline squeezed Terric’s hand, then slipped out of the pavilion through the hole she had made. Once he joined her, she let him lead the way out of the encampment. She really had not thought of what would happen after she had freed him. All her attention had been focused on just finding him.
He took her by the hand and pulled her after him as he headed for the wooded area at the outskirts of the camp. The distance was great, but keeping to a crouched run, they reached it without being spotted. In the cover of the trees, they straightened and pushed through the thick brush.
“We need to find some place to hide. A thicket or some overgrown brush,” Terric said, gazing around. “There is no question of us returning to the castle now. Once I’m found missing, the alarm will be raised, and being anywhere near the castle walls would be pure folly.”
Fate seemed to be on their side. After walking for a quarter of an hour, what Terric had been searching for presented itself—a thicket surrounded by thorns. There was a small opening at the bottom. He squatting and peered through it. “It seems to be a rabbit run. There appears to be a clearing in the very center. It might just be big enough for you and I.”
He stood once more. The top of the thicket was taller than Terric’s six feet four inches, which was perfect. If anyone should walk by, she and Terric could remain undetected. The entrance would be a very tight squeeze, particularly for him, given the way it was now, but he must have thought of that. He motioned for her dagger, then went onto his knees and proceeded to push his way through, using the blade as he went. Once his feet disappeared, Jacqueline followed.
They did not escape the thorns completely unscathed. Both ended up with scratches. Terric suffered worse on his hands from having wielded the dagger. Jacqueline breathed a sigh of relief once she made it through. The clearing was a tight fit for the two of them, but as he pulled her into his arms, she found it mattered not.
Terric claimed her lips in a searing kiss. The feel of him on top of her felt like heaven. It was something she had not expected to experience ever again. She threaded her fingers through the hair at his nape. She was not ready yet to let him go, even though danger still lurked outside their hiding spot. He seemed to understand her desperation. He licked her bottom lip until she allowed him access to her mouth. The taste of him heightened her arousal. Moaning, Jacqueline lifted her hips to meet his, demanding more.
He broke contact with her lips, then rested his forehead against hers. He panted, as if he had run a long distance. Once he got his breathing back under control, he spoke. “I am just a man, Jacqueline. I cannot take much more of this. We…I need to keep my wits about me. You are just too distracting.”
Knowing Terric was right still did not make Jacqueline feel any better. Her body clamored for his. “When all of this is over, you better finish what you started here.”
Terric smiled. “Your wish is my command, my lady. You should try to sleep while you can.”
“What about you?”
“For whatever good it will do, I will keep watch. You rest.”
Jacqueline yawned. The lack of sleep the night before was starting to catch up with her. “Fine, I will do as you say, but wake me up after a few hours so you can rest as well.”
Terric moved to his back and pulled her to his side, holding her to his chest. It was not long before she relaxed and slipped into sleep.
* * * *
The morning was not going as he had expected. When the earl retired the night before, he knew he had won, but much had transpired during the darkness.
Firstly, his association with the minstrel had not been brought to an acceptable close. The sniveling man must have gotten wind of what was in store for him. The earl shook his head. He disliked loose ends such as Nicholas running about. Enemies tended to hold grudges, but the problem of the minstrel was minor compared with the other.
The earl sat in one of his camp chairs and cursed his daughter once more. He knew she was partly responsible for freeing her lover. He had once again underestimated her. In some small way, he felt a growing respect for Jacqueline.
The loss of William he still felt keenly, but not out of any feeling that one gets at the death of one’s child. Nay, he did not feel that way. What he felt was the loss of an heir. With William gone, all his holdings would now go to one of his cousins upon his death. If only his wife could have born twin sons instead of bearing a worthless daughter.
A scratch came on the outside of his pavilion, and the earl bid the person to enter. One of his men stepped inside. “Well? Have you found any trace of him yet?”
The man shook his head. “Nay. We have looked all around the perimeter of the camp. There is no sign of him.”
The earl leveled a steely gaze upon the man and said very slowly, “I suggest you further your search. Did it not occur to any of you to search farther than just the camp? Like in the forest next to it.” The man-at-arms mumbled something unintelligible. “For god sake, man, speak up!”
The man cleared his throat. “Most of the men are afraid to go in there.”
“I want that forest searched. Now!” the earl roared.
Bowing, the man-at-arms backed out of the pavilion. The earl ground his teeth in ire. He was surrounded by idiots. No wonder his best-laid plans were falling apart.
* * * *
The feel of bright sunshine beating on her, along with the birds singing to the dawning of a new day, brought Jacqueline out of her sleep. Blinking, she tried to get her bearings. Being wrapped in the arms of her still-sleeping husband helped her to recall all the events from the previous night.
Jacqueline turned her head to look at her husband. She smiled at the sight of him. Asleep, his face seemed softer. She extended her hand and softly brushed a finger across his lips. Terric opened his mouth and nipped it.
“I thought you were supposed to wake me.”
Terric stretched. “I did not have the heart to disturb you. I managed to get a few hours of rest.”
Jacqueline sat up and stretched the kinks out of her back. “Still, you should have.”
“Be that as it may, we had an uneventful rest. We should head to the castle. Though this was a good hiding spot at night, in the light of day it loses some of its merits. I think it would be prudent to leave.”
Jacqueline had to agree. She would not relish the idea of being trapped within these thorny confines, unable to flee quickly. She gladly followed Terric through the wicked barbs. She had managed to just safely get her head through the thorns when he slammed a hand down onto it and pushed her back in. He was totally clear of them and stood just outside the opening.
“Stay there!” he whispered harshly.
Before she could question why, he took off at a run, heading deeper into the woods. The sound of voices moving closer to her hiding spot caused her heart to jump into her throat. It was not long before a couple of men stood directly in front of the run where she lay. Jacqueline stiffened, afraid to move even slightly, not wanting to draw their attention. Her heart thudded in her ears so loudly she was sure it would give her away.
After what seemed an extraordinarily long time, the men moved off to carry their search elsewhere. She let her breath out in a loud gasp. She fought the urge to burst from her hiding place and search for Terric. Instead, she lay there for a few minutes longer, then pulled herself free.
In a quandary as to what she should do, Jacqueline fought a silent battle. She could either try to find Terric in the woods or her own way out of them. She had not really been able to see in which direction he had headed. If she tried to follow, she risked the chance of meeting the earl’s men as well.
Jacqueline hit her fist on her thigh and cursed. There really was only one option. She had to work her way to the castle without Terric.
* * * *
Edwin stretched his stiff back. He had been standing way too long. As the hours ticked by and no cry came of Jacqueline or Terric returning to the castle, he had climbed the stairs to the walls. Sleep would be an impossible task with those two still somewhere out there near the earl’s camp.
On the walls, watching the camp below, made him feel a little bit better. As long as no hue and cry rose, Jacqueline and Terric were safe. If it did occur, he was prepared to try something, anything, to help.
At some point during the night, Sir Guy had come to share his vigil. Worry lines were etched into the older man’s face. “Still no sign of them?” he calmly asked.
Edwin shook his head. “Nay, nothing. As long as there is no activity below, I take that for a good sign.”
“I agree. I should still wring the lass’ neck for pulling this stunt, though. I think she has aged me another twenty years this night.”
Beneath the gruffness, Edwin heard the deep concern Sir Guy had for Jacqueline. “She can take care of herself. She will find a way to set Terric free.”
Sir Guy grunted. “Aye, I know she will. I just wish she would not take such risks. She has a son to think about.”
They fell silent. Not long after, the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs at the far end of the wall brought them out of their silent reverie. Both of them turned as Beth stepped onto the walkway. Edwin couldn’t stop himself from staring hungrily at her.
Before Beth reached them, Sir Guy said, “I will leave you two alone.” He turned to Edwin. “Do not give up on her, lad. The time will come when she will be ready to accept you.” Edwin stared at him in shock. Sir Guy smiled and winked. “I might seem old to you, but I am not dead yet.” With that said, he left him and Beth alone.
Beth paused on the walkway as Sir Guy took the stairs down to the bailey. She looked questioningly at Edwin once they were alone. “Where is he off to?”
Edwin sheepishly answered, “He is giving us some privacy.”
Beth came to stand beside him and smiled. “Sir Guy is cannier than I thought.”
Even though dawn was closely approaching, the chill of the night still could be felt. Beth wrapped her arms around herself. Edwin noticed what she did, pulled her to stand in front of him, and took her in his arms. She allowed it.
They stood in that position, in silence, for a few minutes. Beth was the first to speak. “You are worried about him. Terric must mean a lot to you. Am I right?”
“Aye. He is like a brother to me. If not for Terric, I doubt I would be alive today. I owe him so much.”
*
Beth leaned farther back into his embrace and realized how much she missed this, being held tenderly by a man. “Everything will be all right, Edwin.”
Edwin kissed the top of her head. She fitted nicely under his chin. “I have told myself that very thing time and again.” He turned Beth in his arms so she faced him and stared at her. “I know right now I have nothing to offer you, but Terric has promised to knight me soon. Do you think, after I am knighted, you could consider me worthy of you?”
A wide range of emotions flitted across his face. She knew this cost him much. His feeling of uncertainty could be easily read in his eyes. She loved those green eyes. She would always love William, but Edwin had wormed his way, slowly albeit, into her heart.
Sending up a silent pray of forgiveness, if William watched over her, Beth smiled. “Aye, Edwin, I would happily accept you.” To show him how she felt about him, she went on tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips.
Edwin crushed Beth against his chest and greedily kissed her back, as if he poured his heart and soul into the kiss. She reciprocated in kind. As it continued, the dawn’s sunny rays reached the castle walls. The bright light washed over them.