Page 22 of Halloween Knight (A Knights Through Time Romance #17)
“She said she has a new dessert in honor of Samhain.”
Before he could ask, William held up a hand. “Nay, I do not know what. She says it is a surprise.”
As the men made camp, starting a fire, and setting the guard, William thought about Lucy, wondering what she was doing, how excited she would be when he gave her the ring he’d had a goldsmith make in London.
’Twas fashioned with a heavy gold band like the ring he gave her when they wed, but instead of an emerald, this one had a sapphire and a diamond in honor of the two sons she had given him.
Two of the men brought back rabbits for dinner, and as they were eating, one of the guards called out, “Riders approach.”
The sound of steel being drawn sliced through the sounds of the forest as his men formed a circle, waiting.
“My lord, Lord Blackford.” The rider cried out, the familiar voice ringing across the field. As he came into view, he and the horse worn out from the journey, William frowned.
“Timothy. Whatever are you doing here?” Anxiety crept up his back. “Is aught amiss?”
The man was part of Lucy’s guard. As he dismounted, he reached in his tunic and came out with a green ribbon, fluttering in the wind.
As William took the ribbon, he watched his hand reach out, touch the silk, but he had no recollection of doing so.
’Twas Lucy’s. He’d recognize her clumsy stitching, the L+W she put on her ribbons as a jest. Then she’d sing a ridiculous song about kissing in trees, making him laugh.
The ribbon was stained, the ends frayed. He crushed it in his hand, heart beating so fast William thought he might embarrass himself and swoon.
“Tell me,” he bellowed. “Where is my wife?”
Timothy, a pained expression etched upon his face, handed the reins of his horse to Rhys.
“Our lady said she needed to make a pilgrimage to St. John’s Well, to take the healing waters for her eyesight.” The man swallowed as William scowled.
“Her eyesight?” He thundered. “She has the sight of a hawk or that damnable raven she talks to.”
The young knight took a step back. “She told us that her eyesight was not what it once was and she must go to the well. Myself, Thomas, and four guards, along with her lady’s maid, traveled with her to Beverley Priory. She said not to worry, we would return to Blackford and be home before you.”
The man gulped. “But after she visited the well, they took her from the church.”
A calm settled over him, much like in battle as William listened to Timothy tell the tale of what had transpired, how they had been searching for her for a fortnight and during the search, found her ribbon, left on a tree limb for them to find.
All this time, William had been enjoying himself, traveling with his men, going to court, inspecting the fine horses at Silverwood.
His Lucy had gone to the well, for what he did not know, but ’twas not for her eyesight. Then she’d been kidnapped, but for what reason? No ransom note had reached him, all whilst he was blissfully unaware.
The sound of hooves thundering into the forest had his men on guard again when William held up a hand.
“’Tis Thomas and the rest of Lucy’s guard.”
William’s heart constricted as the men, along with his wife’s lady’s maid, rode into the camp, faces grim.
Before any of the men could speak, Margery jumped off the horse and ran to him, hand outstretched.
William gripped the emerald ring tightly, the very ring he had given her when he asked for her hand in marriage.
“We found my lady’s ring in a small room off the chapel.” She was weeping openly as she told him how she couldn’t find Lucy, and then how they’d found the ring.
“She left it for us to find.”
The captain of Lucy’s guard, Thomas, went down on one knee in front of William, his sword held out in his hands, his head bowed .
“I failed, my lady,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “They took her from under my nose. I should not have let her go.”
At that, William snorted. “Keep Lucy from doing something she has set her mind to? Not bloody likely.”
William took the sword from Thomas and put a hand on the man’s arm to pull him to his feet. The men watched as Thomas turned the color of a full moon.
He told William what had transpired. “I failed. I am not fit to be the captain of her guard. I humbly offer my life.”
Fury filled William, not at Thomas, for no one could stop his wife when she decided to do something. Nay, ’twas for the men who kidnapped her. For William vowed he would see each one dead.
“Timothy and Margery have told me the same tale.” He put a hand on Thomas’ shoulder. “’Twas not your fault.” But knowing there had to be consequences, William said, “I will think upon your punishment for letting your lady out of your sight.”
Thomas sagged. “Aye, my lord.”
William met the gaze of each man. “Eat. In the morn we ride.”
His captain placed a hand on William’s shoulder.
“We will find her. She won’t have gone far. She has a terrible sense of direction.” He attempted a reassuring smile, though his eyes betrayed his concern.
Determination surged through William’s veins as he nodded in agreement. They couldn’t afford to lose hope now. He would stop at nothing to bring her home safe.