Page 14 of To Love

Alden stood and did so.

They walked toward a tapestry, which Elara pulled aside, revealing a small wooden door beside a large trunk. “If the traitor discovers our meetings, he or she might well know of our suspicions. You cannot be seen coming or going from here. The door leads to another behind the alcove on the first floor of the east watchtower. It is locked.” She handed him a ring with two keys on it. “That will open it, and the other key will open a second door at the top of the hidden stairwell. Come after the meal, knock on this door, and I will open it.”

A secret passageway to the lady’s chamber, an escape route lest Castle Blackwood were attacked, was not at all a surprise. That he would be using said passageway to visit Lady Elara Wycliff each night was, however.

“Roland and Darien . . .” he said, realizing that keeping such a secret from the two of them was impossible.

“Cannot know of the traitor. I do not believe either of them to be our culprit, but cannot take that chance.”

“How?” he began, but she stopped him.

“By any means necessary.”

He thought quickly. It would be impossible for him to sneak away to Lady Elara’s chamber each day without notice. They would become suspicious very quickly. “I am with them, Darien especially, most evenings,” he said, thinking.

Alden’s eyes met hers.

A mischief in those deep brown eyes that he’d never seen before gave Alden his answer. His brows rose.

“Better for your men to believe us engaged in a clandestine assignation than reveal our true purpose. If such a cover becomes necessary.”

Aye, he was being tested for some past transgression. Alden was certain of it.

“I will attempt to avoid the excuse, if possible.”

“I trust you will, Master Alden. For now, listen. Watch. And we will get started in earnest tomorrow evening.”

She opened the door, dismissing him.

“Until tomorrow evening,” he said, inhaling her sweet scent one more time as he moved past her. Alden was not certain if he looked forward to, or dreaded, their next meeting.

Chapter

Seven

“Again,” Sir Eamon called to a young knight, perhaps the youngest at Blackwood. What he lacked in experience, the baron’s son brought to their order in a cunning mind and strong bow aim. Aside from their archery instructor and Darien, the young man’s skills with the bow were as impressive as Alden had ever seen.

As their swords clashed, so did Alden and Roland’s. Since the two friends had been placed on different instruction tracks, Alden had been more often training with Darien. Today, however, after their Strategies instruction was canceled, all were on the training field together.

“Good,” he heard Eamon yell before their instructor came into view.

“Balance and footwork, maintain your stance. Roland, anticipate. Very good.”

Roland was more skilled than he with the sword. Alden was stronger. Both played to their strengths. “You must anticipate him, Alden,” Eamon said, moving along.

“Tell me your next move,” Alden teased between strikes, “so I may anticipate it more easily.”

“I will do so if you simply lighten your blows,” he replied. “My arm is finished with this fight even if my mind is not.”

“Draw?” Alden asked.

“Draw,” Roland agreed.

Both men stopped even as the sound of swords clanging all around them continued. As Roland wiped sweat from his brow, Alden assessed the field. There were perhaps twenty men, along with their instructor. Farther along, closer to the inner bailey’s wall, was the archery field.

Since last eve, Alden’s mind had not stopped assessing every person he encountered. Pushing aside the thought of being alone with Lady Elara once again this evening, he concentrated instead on the possibility of a traitor among them. Wishing he could confide in Roland, Alden sheathed his sword.

“What do you know of Stirling?” he asked, continuing to watch the archers.