She was shoved forcefully into the chair by the hearth, with no knowledge of having walked there. Mildred’s hand was cool on her hot cheek.
“What ails you, my lamb?” the older woman was asking anxiously. “Is it the babe?”
Rowena looked up with utter despair in her eyes. “I do not want him to die.”
“Ah,” Mildred said knowingly. She sat down on the stool beside Rowena and continued briskly. “And why should he? He left here anticipating and prepared for a trap. ’Twill not likely even come to a fight—at least not between the two of them. But I thought you would be more worried about Warrick realizing who you really are. Once he gets a good look at Gilbert, he will recognize him as one of his captors at Kirkburough, and he will make the connection. Does that no longer concern you?”
“Not for the same reason. I know now that he will not kill me—at least not for my properties,” she added with a smile that was more sickly than wry. “’Tis his rage I fear if he thinks I deceived him with my silence, which in truth I did. For that I could end up back in his dungeon.”
Mildred’s smile was even more sickly. “Sooner than you think, my sweet one.”
Rowena frowned. “How so?”
Mildred glanced behind her first to make sure they were still alone. “The Lady Beatrix has been throwing tantrums since she was informed she must wed into the Malduit family. She is utterly furious with Warrick, and if the man has taught his daughters aught, ’tis the satisfaction of revenge. She means to make her father sorry for giving her to a mere boy she does not deem worthy of her—and she means to do it through you.”
Rowena’s eyes widened. “Me? But—does she have authority, then, with Warrick gone?”
“Some, not all, but she is too clever to depend on that. I overheard her plotting last eventide with her sister, and ’tis clever indeed what she intends. She does not know what your crime against Warrick was to make you prisoner here, no one does, but ironically, she plans to say ’twas thievery, that Warrick told her so.”
Rowena closed her eyes against full understanding. “She is going to say I stole from her.”
“Aye, and her most valuable trinket, a pearl necklace given her by Warrick. Melisant will support her, to say that you were the last one seen outside their room ere it was found missing. Beatrix will then demand a search of the weaving room, as well as Warrick’s chamber, and whilst there, she will pull the necklace out of its supposed hiding place, confirming your guilt.”
“And she will not even have to insist I be put in the dungeon. ’Twill be done no matter what, until Warrick’s return, and he is like to believe her tale. So often he called me a little thief. He will be forced to punish me, severely—mayhap a whipping or—”
“Thatis not your worry, my lamb. What will be done to you ere he returns is how Beatrix hopes to hurt him.”
Rowena frowned. “But John Giffard—”
“Is not here. There is another jailer, a man not so nice who they say takes pleasure in abusing those given into his charge.”
Rowena paled. “I—I have met him.”
“That still is not all. Beatrix intends to suggest that you should be questioned to find out what else you might have stolen. Do you know how prisoners are questioned by this man?”
“Torture?”
“Aye. That little bitch hopes you will be so scarred and—and used that Warrick will not want you back in his bed, but more than that, that you will lose the babe you carry.Thatis how she thinks to hurt him, because she knows—all know—how much he wants a son, even a bastard.”
“I am going to be sick.”
“I do not blame you,” Mildred said sympathetically.
“Nay,reallysick.” And Rowena ran to the garderobe.
Mildred was waiting with a cool wet cloth when she emerged. Rowena accepted it gratefully, then asked, “How long do I have ere this trap is sprung on me?”
“Until Beatrix readies herself for the evening meal. That will be her excuse to want to wear the necklace—and find it missing. But you will be safely gone ere then. I have already prepared you a sack with food and clothing, some of yours but more servant’s garb also, which you will need to wear in order to leave. I hid the sack in the alehouse, and was just about to see what was keeping you so long—”
“I overslept.”
“Ah, then ’twas working, our plan?”
“Yourplan, but aye, it did seem to be—” Rowena laughed joylessly. “Not that it matters now.”
“Nay, this matter will right itself with Warrick’s return. And you need not go far. There is a woods a league east of here, big enough to hide a whole army. Stay near the edges, and I will send Warrick to find you once I make him understand why ’twas necessary that you go.”
“Can you not come with me instead, Mildred?”
