Kevin fought off a smirk as both boys appeared contrite, fearful and defiant at the same time. Orin even gave Gart aninnocent smile with his missing two front teeth but Gart didn’t believe him for a minute. Casting the boys a final intimidating glance, he took Lacy from Emberley, who mounted Gart’s black and white charger on her own since Gart had two sleeping toddlers on his shoulders. She took Lacy once she settled herself in the saddle and Gart handed Brendt up to her as well. Then he mounted, settling in behind her and wrapping a big arm around her as she held the sleeping babies.
Gart was feeling the sense of urgency now, struggling to shake off the alcohol. He had what he wanted and he would get them all clear of Dunster or die trying. He managed to pull an oilcloth from his saddlebags, one he usually used when it rained, and covered up Emberley and the sleeping children. Only Emberley’s head remained above the cloth. Properly covered and secure, Kevin and Gart spurred their chargers towards the southeast end of town where they would meet up with the rest of Gart’s men.
The die was now cast and there was no turning back. The moment Gart mounted Emberley and the children, he had chosen his path in life and it would not be an easy one. Whatever was to come, he was prepared to face it. He would lie, kill, cheat or steal if it meant keeping Emberley and the children safe. All that mattered was they were together, come what may. He wondered if Erik would have seen it the same way.
Swords at the ready and the men on high alert, they embarked into the dark and misty night, heading for the dangerous Welsh Marches.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
London
Bellham Place wasa stone and mortar fortified manse approximately two miles from the heart of London situated along the River Thames. It had been in the de Lohr family for almost a century as a place of residence when the de Lohrs visited London. Surrounded by a well-designed garden that included every thorny bush or vine in existence, the prickly foliage was more of a deterrent to invasion or thieves than the enormous walls themselves. Huge strains of bougainvillea, blooming in brilliant colors of pink and purple, grew all over the house. The thorns on the plants were more than an inch long, sharp like a dagger. All of the de Lohr offspring had met with a run-in on those plants at one time or another. They all had war wounds from having done battle with Bellham’s plants.
In spite of the prickly exterior, the interior was lush and comfortable. David had been in a sunny, upstairs study, reading a missive from his brother, when he heard the sounds of a charger in the yard. Rising from the desk, he peered outside into the courtyard to see Kevin de Lara on the approach. The missive ended up tossed back onto the desk as David made haste from the study. He was descending the stairs when a sweet female voice stopped him.
“David?” she called. “Sweetheart, where are you going?”
David paused on the bottom step as his wife, the Lady Emilie Hampton de Lohr, emerged from one of the upstairs bedrooms where she had been attempting to lull their two-year-old daughter, Christina, to sleep. Blond and beautiful, with big, brown eyes, Emilie smiled at her husband. David returned the gesture.
“I am stepping outside, love,” he told her. “Not to worry. I am not going anywhere.”
“I heard a horse,” Emilie was coming towards the stairs. “Who has arrived?”
David could see Kevin dismounting his steed through the window. “De Lara,” he told her. “I shall be outside if you need me.”
Emilie descended the stairs, coming upon her husband and winding her soft hand into his. David kissed her on the cheek.
“May I come with you?” she asked softly. “It is such a lovely day outside.”
David sighed agreeably. Emilie was the sweetest, most genuinely kind person he had ever met. She had such a soft manner about her, gentle and compassionate, without an ounce of disobedience or rancor in her personality. She was the most perfect person he knew and, consequently, he could never deny her anything, not even the slightest little question. He was a weakling and he knew it, but he didn’t much care. He adored her.
“Very well,” he kissed her hand, pulling her off the stairs with him. “I am anxious to hear what de Lara has to say.”
Emilie followed him to the enormous front door. “Why?”
David shrugged. “To see if he was able to locate Gart, first and foremost. My men are due to sail for France in ten days and I want Gart at the head of the command.”
Emilie shaded her eyes from the sun when David opened the door. “Gart would never disappoint you,” she said. “He is your best knight. You have said so yourself.”
David had no reason to dispute her statement, nor did he have any reason to be on his guard as de Lara approached him. He was looking forward to positive news in spite of the fact that he had sent Kevin to find Gart specifically to warn him of Buckland’s return to Dunster. He assumed all had happened as it should because his knights had never failed him. Kevin saluted David sharply.
“My lord,” he greeted, looking to Emilie and smiling at her. “Lady de Lohr, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
David looked the man over. He looked particularly exhausted, having been gone from London almost a month. He appeared as if he had been riding every day of his travels. It was a disheveled state that forged the first blooms of concern in David’s chest.
“You look weary and haggard, de Lara,” he commented. “Were you able to find Forbes?”
Kevin took a deep breath, nodding. “He was at Dunster Castle as you had suspected, my lord.”
The knight began to look uncomfortable, glancing at Emilie as if afraid to say anything more in her presence. David didn’t like the hesitation at all and his concern mounted.
“And?” he pushed de Lara. “What happened? Did you warn him of Buckland’s escort?”
Kevin took another deep breath, reasoning that he might as well tell his liege all of it. There was no point in holding back, for it would only enrage de Lohr. It wasn’t as if he had a choice in the face of a direct question.
“I arrived less than an hour before Buckland’s escort for Lady Emberley,” he told him. “Gart was there, as you had suspected,and I relayed your messages. But… well, there is a problem, my lord.”
David’s eyebrows lifted. “What problem?”
