He held out his hand to escort her from the room, but she hesitated. Slowly, Rosamund walked towards her husband’s body. Despite all that had happened between them, she wanted to look upon him one last time.
His face held the startled expression of a man who had not anticipated death. And although they had planned for it, neither had expected it to end this way. She reached down and touched his cold hand. ‘Farewell, Alan.’
Forgive me.
Her heart was heavy as she left him behind. Warrick waited for her near the door and gave her a dark cloak to wear. She couldn’t seem to gather her thoughts together, but followed him silently into the hall. Bennett and Godfrey accompanied them, and she tiptoed down the spiral steps. A sinking feeling caught her heart, and she feared that all their plans would come to naught.
Warrick moved silently among the sleeping men and women, leading her towards the heavy oak doors. Their horses were waiting, and she saw bundles of her belongings tied to the saddle. Warrick helped her onto the mare before mounting his own destrier.
Rosamund approached the main gates with Warrick following behind. She recognised the two men guarding their post and motioned for them to step aside. When they did not, she commanded, ‘Let us pass.’
Neither moved until Warrick repeated her order. ‘Lady Pevensham has commanded you to move.’
The soldier hesitated, but recognised that he could not possibly defend against a mounted warrior. He stepped aside, still keeping his spear raised. The other guard did the same, and Rosamund urged her horse faster into the darkness. She had no idea where Warrick intended for them to stay the night, but for now, she knew the necessity of fleeing Pevensham.
He had spoken of taking her to her father’s holdings, but she doubted if Harold de Beaufort would be a true ally, after all that had happened. She had not seen her father or spoken to him since her wedding day.
She knew she ought to be glad of this escape and grateful to Warrick. But it did feel as if her life had been shifted once again, giving her no control over what would happen now. Was it wrong to wish that she could make her own decisions instead of being forced to stay with her father? She didn’t know any more.
But for now, they would ride through the night and pray that Owen de Courcy would not find them.
* * *
When dawn rose above the edge of the horizon with the faint traces of gold, Warrick slowed their horses. He saw that Rosamund was so tired, she could barely hold on to her mare. Exhaustion weighed upon her, and he knew she needed rest.
Warrick could not resist the need to take care of her, but he was aware that this was hardly the time for a wedding between them. She had remained pensive, almost numb during their journey. He longed to comfort her, to hold her close and assure her that all would be well. And yet, he had been startled by her response when he’d mentioned Alan’s heir. She had visibly shuddered, as if the idea bothered her deeply.
He didn’t know what to think of that. A child would protect her and ensure that Owen would never inherit her lands or control her. Was this not what she had longed for?
He told himself that she was upset about all that had happened, particularly her husband’s death. In time, she would accept the new circumstances. But a part of him wondered if it washisbaby that she did not want. He pushed the thought away, unwilling to consider it.
They were near Kingsmere, holdings that belonged to his friend David. The fortress was not nearly as large as Pevensham, but it was a motte and bailey structure. A large stone wall with a single square tower encircled it for defence, and the village stood outside the walls. Warrick trusted David to grant them sanctuary until he could marry Rosamund.
Though he’d wanted to marry her before they left, he knew it was too much to ask. She was in shock from Alan’s unexpected death, and he didn’t want memories of their wedding tainted by sorrow. But neither could he bring her to her father’s estate until they were already wed, since Harold de Beaufort would do anything to prevent their union. He had decided to travel east, to Kingsmere, where they could be wed quietly.
He dismounted and gave orders to his men to make the necessary arrangements. Bennett and Godfrey rode towards the village, leaving him alone with Rosamund.
‘Where are we?’ she asked, dismounting from her mare. She winced as she walked towards him, holding her horse’s reins. Warrick took her hand in his and led his stallion alongside her mare.
‘This is Kingsmere,’ he said. ‘I have a friend who lives here. We will be safe for a time.’
She walked beside him with her mare, staring up at the fortress. Her hair had come free of its braid and hung about her shoulders in long waves. It occurred to him that, for the first time in their lives, they would belong to each other. There was still danger, but for a few days, they could be together.
‘Are you all right?’ he asked.
She braved a wry smile and admitted, ‘All I want right now is a pallet with a blanket and hours to sleep.’
Warrick stopped walking and let the reins drop. For a moment, he caressed her face, tracing the outline of her jaw. Then he leaned in and kissed her, trying to reassure her without words. He wanted her to know that he would take care of her and protect her from all harm.
She kissed him back, but her response was not as impassioned as he had hoped. There was a reluctant quality to her embrace, as if she were shy. He hungered for this woman, as he had for three years...but he was uncertain of the look in her eyes or the worry. No woman wanted to wed under these circumstances of danger and loss.
He had ordered his men to fetch a priest and to prepare for the wedding. And yet, he knew not if this was what she wanted.
‘I will take you inside and give you a place where you can rest.’ He tucked her hand in his. ‘But tonight, I want to wed you.’
As soon as he spoke the words, he amended, ‘That is, I think it would be best if we married quickly. For your protection.’
Her expression grew hesitant, but she said nothing. It wasn’t clear whether she would agree, but she did not refuse. Instead, she avoided looking at him.
