Page 90 of The Darkland

“And if they went nowhere?”

Edmund paused by the door, the dust from the bailey filling his nostrils. “They are up to something, Johanne. And I must discover what it is. They had no valid reason to speak to Spencer, and suddenly they dash away from him as if he has sent them on an errand. Though I cannot imagine what that would be.”

Johanne pursed her lips irritably. “Something subversive, I am sure.”

“Do not mock me. The man stood in my solar not five minutes ago accusing me of killing my wife. There is no way of knowing what treachery he is up to. Enlisting Valdine and Wanda to help him, no less!”

Johanne was impatient. She did not believe her brother’s suspicions and was impatient for him to take her. Throwing up her hands, she agreed. “Fine. Let’s discover what they are all up to. And then I demand you pay attention to me.”

“Later.” He pulled her after him.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Micheline found thatthe garments worn by the serving wenches were hardly different from her own clothing. Coarse, simple, without flair. But her surcoats were clean, whereas the rags Valdine and Wanda had brought her were filthy and louse-ridden. But she put them on, willing to subject herself to such squalor if it would help in her escape.

There was no time frame for her break to freedom; day or night made no difference. When Valdine and Wanda deemed the conditions safe, they would escort Micheline through a secured route. But what had been most disheartening was the fact that no one seemed eager to help. Aye, everyone knew of Micheline’s predicament. But when the twins went about soliciting assistance, no one was willing to involve themselves in a risky situation. No one but the children, that is.

Robert, Fiona, Gilly and George. They had stolen the peasant clothing, and they pestered people to aid Micheline’s cause. Determined little buggers, they had gone so far as to steal one old soldier’s breeches in an attempt to force him to their will. But the ploy had only managed to get Robert a whipping, from his mother no less, who was helping in her own right by giving Valdine and Wanda food to take to the baroness.

Micheline could have very easily been discouraged by the fact that the servants who hated Edmund were likewise unwilling to go against him. But she wasn’t, for she could understand their fear of a man who held their lives in his demented hands. Still, she had Valdine and Wanda and four little peasants who were determined to aid her. And for that, she was grateful.

It was just prior to the nooning meal on the ninth day of her incarceration. Micheline was standing by the window, itching her bug bites, when the rusty latch was thrown. She rushed to the door to be met by the twins, more pleased than she had ever seen them.

“It is time!” Valdine announced.

Micheline’s stomach twisted in knots of excitement and terror. “Then you have managed to find me an escort to Crosby?”

Valdine and Wanda were grinning. “Better than…”

“…that, my lady. A very powerful knight…”

“…has come to your rescue.”

Micheline was puzzled. “A knight? I do not understand.”

“Sir Spencer de Shera, my lady,” Valdine said, pulling a scruffy scarf over Micheline’s head. “He is pledged to Lord Lionel le Vay of Quernmore.”

“Where Mara is?” Micheline stood still as the sisters’ fussed with the scarf. “Did Mara send him?”

The twins’ smiles faded. “Nay, my lady, Lord le Vay sent him.” Valdine passed a long glance at Wanda, who finished the sentence. “He came to announce the marriage of Lady Mara to Lord Lionel le Vay.”

Micheline’s eyes widened. “What?”

The twins hustled her to the landing just outside the door. Wanda closed the panel as Valdine began their reply. “We saw him ride in and…”

“…listened outside the door as he spoke with Edmund. ’Twould seem…”

“…that Edmund sent a missive to le Vay proposing a marriage with your sister. Of course,…”

“…Kirk does not know this. We would suspect that…”

“…Edmund is grateful for the convenience of the Irish uprising to put Kirk far, far away while…”

“…the marriage is carried out.”

Micheline was in shock. “Mara is to marry this… this le Vay? My God, she must be devastated!”

The tower was cold, musty, as Wanda took the lead, taking the ladies down the stairs.