“When I travel with you.”
Lyonene stopped her examination of the garments. “Nay, Kate, you do not go with me. I must go alone.”
“I go with you or I will cry to the castle your intentions.”
Lyonene’s eyes narrowed. “Do you threaten me?”
“Aye, I do.”
Lyonene couldn’t help her laugh. “Then I must retreat. We will leave early on the morrow. You are sure you wish to risk this?”
“Do not force me to think of your folly,” the girl said as she helped Lyonene undress and get into bed.
Lyonene’s last thought before sleep took her was that she was cursed with insolent maids. She sighed and gave a silent prayer of thanks for both Kate and Lucy.
Early the next morn, as Kate and Lyonene packed their clothes, Hodder entered the room. The thin man had never really befriended his new mistress, and the two rarely spoke.
“Yes, Hodder, what is it?”
“I have arranged suitable horses for the three of us. They wait outside the castle walls.”
Kate and Lyonene exchanged glances and then the countess turned back to her husband’s valet. “I do not know your meaning. I have asked for no horses.”
“Y
ou could not expect to look as an apprentice astride an animal like Loriage. There is not a robber within England who would not attack for such a horse. Do not stand and stare at me, we must go.”
“Hodder, how…”
“Suffice to say that there is naught that goes on at Malvoisin that I do not know of. You belong to my master and he bid me care for you and I will do so. Now finish with your garments. I have spread the word that you go to the village and will not return until dark. That will give us time before a hue and cry is raised.”
Too astonished to ask further questions, Lyonene obeyed him.
They did not change into their disguise until they were at the ferry that took them from the Isle of Malvoisin to the coast of England. Hodder kept his identity and said he took the two freemen to Lord Ranulf. Kate and Lyonene carefully hid their faces and passed, unrecognized by the ferryman.
They rode hard for all the day and most of the night. When they stopped, Lyonene wearily fell onto the blanket Hodder spread for her. The ground was warm but hard, and when she awoke, her body ached in several places.
It was near sunset when they reached Gethen Castle, but Lyonene, spurred by a nervous energy, was unaware of the long, exhausting journey she had just completed. As the pennants of the Black Lion came into view, she slowed her horse and every nerve in her body screamed for her to return to Malvoisin; she did not want to know if Amicia’s words were the truth.
Hodder sensed her fears. “We can return, my lady,” he said quietly.
“Nay. I must know.”
The camp was not heavily guarded. The knight who did see the three riders saw there was no threat and so did not challenge them. The Black Lion was famous throughout England, and many people came to stare at his camp, hoping for a glimpse of the earl or his Black Guard. Consequently, Hodder was able to lead the two women to a slight ridge very near the enormous black tent Lyonene knew so well.
Although the knight on watch thought little of the three strangers, there was another man who was most interested. He circled the camp and saw with satisfaction that the horses were indeed from Malvoisin. He studied the backs of the three people and grinned broadly when he saw a tawny strand of hair fall from under the too-large cap and then a small hand push it back in place. He fair ran back to his own tent, which he shared with many other of the garrison knights.
Lyonene was the first to see her. Amicia walked confidently to Ranulf’s tent, and Lyonene knew her heart must have stopped along with her breath. So the woman did not lie; she did indeed go to the camp.
“My lady, you must make yourself known. You cannot let that woman go to your husband’s tent.” Kate was indignant.
“Nay, I cannot present myself, for…” She stopped as she saw Ranulf come out of the tent. Her heart lurched at the sight of him, so tall, his dark hair even darker in the fading sunlight, every part of him reminding her of their moments together—such brief moments, she thought now.
Amicia came from behind Ranulf and took his arm, then turned to look up at him, one hand on his chest, caressing it.
The three people could no longer see Ranulf’s face as he turned toward the thin woman. Amicia was talking to him and he was listening earnestly. Her arms slid around his neck and she stood on her toes to press her lips to his.
Lyonene rose and turned back to the horses. “I have seen more than I cared to. We ride for home.”