But first, he had to get Berengaria out of her unlocked prison. He found opportunities to speak to her often while he helped her and Margaret cook and clean up. He’d asked her for more information about what had happened to her. She didn’t speak, but he was able to pull a few smiles from her. He was glad he could still make her smile, even if she didn’t remember him.
One night while he rested in a chair after the evening meal, he heard the sound of footsteps and men’s voices coming downstairs to the prison. He stood up and looked at his two friends and winked at them, easing the alarm in their eyes. Was it DeAvoy?
“My lord!” Harry called out and then appeared at the archway, “There are mercenaries at the gate. They insist you come out or they will kill everyone at Alnwick.”
Him? Was this a trap by Phillip to get him outside? Why would it matter where they were? “I will speak to them,” Nicholas said despite the fear on Margaret’s face, spreading to his mother. Simon remained quiet. Nicholas was sure he was praying. “Do not be afraid.”
He followed the guards outside and was surprised to see mercenaries and not Phillip. He gave the men a measured look. They appeared older, more experienced, and far more dangerous than any man on Alnwick’s side. They wore no uniform, but most wore a thick cloak and a long sword.
“Are you Lord Nicholas MacPherson, also known as William Stone, Earl of Rothbury?” one of the men called out.
Nicholas drew in a long breath. “I am.” Who were they and for which side did they fight? “Who wishes to know?”
“Lord Louis Pratt, Earl of Bamburgh, wishes to know,” called the man. “He also wants you to return with us to Edlingham.”
Return to Edlingham for what? “I am waiting here for Phillip DeAvoy, the governor.”
“My lord,” said the mercenary, “the governor is in Edlingham.”
DeAvoy was in Edlingham. So was Bamburgh. That meant Julianna was there, as well. But why did Bamburgh summon him?
“Whatever Bamburgh is paying you, I will double if you agree to fight for me and to keep the two women and a young brother with me safe.”
The man laughed. “That sounds fine with me.”
“Tell me,” Nicholas asked him. “Do you happen to know if there is a woman with Bamburgh or the governor?”
“How many do you want?” The mercenary eyed him. Then, when he saw that Nicholas was quite serious, he grew serious as well. “Aye, there is a woman. Long red hair flying behind her like a flag. A somber woman. Now, will you stand here all day asking questions, or are we leaving?”
She was there! She was with them!
“And a child?” he pushed. “Is there a child also?”
“No, no child. Now, let us go.”
No child. Where was Elias? Nicholas’ heart thrashed in his chest.
“I cannot go yet,” he explained. “I must get my mother and my sister.”
“Look, we want to get back. The sooner we get back to Lawson, the quicker we go home.”
Nicholas didn’t know who Lawson was and he didn’t care about anyone going home. “I will travel to Edlingham when we are ready. You can go on ahead of us and let your lord know I am coming, or you can wait. ’Tis your choice.”
He left them and went back to Margaret and Simon and told them what was going on.
“It could be a trap,” Margaret told him, unsure if they should go.
“You and Simon stay here with Berengaria—”
“My lord, no,” she pleaded. “After everything, do not leave me here in Alnwick. And will you leave your mother?”
No. No, he wouldn’t leave any of them. But how could he lead them into a trap?
“For now,” he said. “We must figure out a way to get Berengaria out of here.”
They tried everything, but when Nicholas promised to let her meet his son, Elias, she seemed to want to.
“I must hurry, Leigh. Elias has not had me for two years. He has trouble sleeping. Julianna has done much for him, but I want to be there.”
