He halted, turned to her. “Obny is destroyed. The Welsh killed the villagers, sparing not even children or animals.” Nick flung an arm back toward the gates, saw Simone flinch, but he did not care. “See you those handful of serfs? They are all that remain. See you the blood that covers me? It belongs to Lord Handaar. The smell that haunts me is of burning flesh. Can you smell it, Simone? Could you smell it from Hartmoore?” he demanded. “Yea, I will retaliate. I will have my revenge, and well.”
Tears filled Simone’s emerald eyes once more, but behind them now lay a spark of fury. Nick waited for her to rail at him, for her to flee him, horrified by his blunt and callous description.
“Then let them reap what they have sown,” she said in a low voice. “You need but direct me, and I will do what I can, my lord.”
He had not expected this response, and for a moment, Nick was struck dumb, struggling with conflicting emotions. Tristan’s voice carried to him across the bailey, and Nick raised a hand and called out for but a moment longer. He directed his attention back to his wife.
“Assist Lady Haith and my mother with Lord Handaar’s care. She and my father were very close to Obny’s lord, and his condition will be difficult for her to accept.”
“Of course.”
He seized her arm and turned her toward the keep, continuing. “When we have readied the men, we will depart for the border.”
Simone slowed her pace, pulling him almost to a halt. “How long?”
“I know not—a day, mayhap.” He tugged her forward again until they stood near the entrance of the great hall. A steady stream of serfs and soldiers flowed in and out of the doorway like angered bees to a hive, and from the darkened interior, Haith’s strong voice could be heard, issuing orders.
“Do you recall us speaking of a Lady Evelyn while we were in London?”
Simone’s lips thinned almost imperceptibly, and she nodded.
“She is Lord Handaar’s only child, and I have sent word for her to come immediately. Would that you look after her should she arrive after I am away.”
If this news disturbed Simone, she hid it well. “As you wish, my lord.”
“Go,” he commanded, releasing her and backing away.
“Nicholas, wait,” she called, reaching out a hand to him.
He paused. “What is it, Simone?”
She glanced over her shoulder at the keep. “My…my father—there is something you should know—”
Nick felt his brows lower. “Do you wish to chat about your father’s unpalatable disposition while I have a man dying in yonder hall? I have no time for your reminiscing and riddles, Simone. In truth, I have grown quite weary of them. Is Armand gone from Hartmoore as I commanded?” At her hesitant nod, he continued. “Then do as I ask and torment me no more with the strange tales of your kin. Not just this day, but all days.”
Simone paled even further, and Nick could see her swallow. She said not another word, but turned and slipped into the doorway with a swish of her skirts.
Nick set off in a trot toward the soldiers’ quarters, his mind spinning with the tasks ahead of him even as his battered body called out for rest.
And Evelyn was coming.
Chapter 19
Simone’s heart felt as though it had simply stopped beating as she wove her way through the swirling throng of people in Hartmoore’s great hall. She could feel tiny pearls of sweat along her hairline and upper lip, but her skin was chilled beneath the light gown where Nicholas had touched her. Her breath came shallowly.
She is Lord Handaar’s only child, and I have sent word for her to come immediately.
Simone tried to smother the ominous words as she moved absently through the hall. She felt as though she walked in a vast sea, the sounds around her muffled.
I have no time for your reminiscing and riddles, Simone…torment me no more with the strange tales of your kin. Not just this day, but all days.
A very young soldier—barely more than a lad, really—collided with Simone in his haste to join the battle planning and did not so much as look back to inquire of her welfare. Simone moved on, her eyes skimming the frantic faces about her, not really hearing their shouts.
She is Lord Handaar’s only child…
There, near the monstrous hearth, she caught a glimpse of Nick’s mother and Lady Haith kneeling over a prone figure, several housemaids clustered around them. Simone slipped through the buffeting crowd slowly.
I have sent word for her to come immediately.
