Chapter Fourteen
"Lianne, you can't do this! 'Tis madness!" Lady Anne stood opposite her kinswoman, hands on her hips.
"I must," Lianne said with conviction. "I've no choice. There's no one else I can trust."
"But to hazard the journey to Bedford on your own? Have you gone utterly daft?"
"Then what do you recommend I do?" Lianne demanded.
Lady Anne frowned, unable to think of an alternative.
"Blackwood is up to no good, I am sure of it," Lianne claimed. "I would swear upon my last breath he is responsible for Father's death. I will see him avenged." Resolve flashed in her jade-green eyes. "Bedford is the only one who can help us now. His own son, my betrothed, died at the hands of that wretched whoreson. If anyone understands how I feel, 'tis him."
"Lianne, I don't claim to understand what you're going through, but surely there is a better way," Anne insisted. "The forest is riddled with brigands and God knows what else. You may know your way around a sword, but you are still just one woman."
"I could disguise myself as a boy," Lianne suggested.
"And risk the consequences of being discovered? You know how they punish a woman for impersonating a man!"
"Then I guess the decision is out of my hands. I'm going, Anne, and that's final." But behind Lianne's fiery resolve lurked a deep sadness, a rising tide of despair. She was running out of time and running out of choices. What was left for her in England but taking the veil or becoming a burden upon the king? She could flee to France, but what for? Either way, she would lose everything she held dear.
A vision of Kendrick de Montclair's handsome face flashed across her mind. Oh, the dreams of love and passion that lived in those intense, hypnotic eyes. He was everything she wanted and couldn't have. He said he could not stay. He was from a land far away, one she had never heard of and could never know. "Take me with you," Lianne had implored.
"It cannot be done." The firmness in his voice belied the turmoil in his expression, which threatened to rend her heart in two. "If I return, it must be alone."
"But why?" she demanded. A thought streaked through her mind that struck dread into her heart. "You're promised to someone else, aren't you?"
His expression confirmed her suspicions. "I am sorry, Lianne… I never planned to fall in love with you."
"I know." She swallowed over the lump in her throat. "This love was doomed from the start, wasn't it?"
He nodded. "Aye… I guess it was."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Lianne moved closer to him, wishing she could understand, wishing that they had enough time to unravel all the mysteries that lurked behind those smoky green eyes. Would she ever truly know Kendrick de Montclair? Or would he always be the dark, mysterious lover who swept into her life long enough to steal her heart before disappearing as quickly as he arrived?
"If I really were a warlock, I'd make it so I could stay here with you," Kendrick said. "But alas, I am merely a man of humble origins, with no land or title. You are the daughter of one of England's wealthiest nobles. I am bound to the man who is your father's sworn enemy."
"But your heart is bound to me," Lianne whispered.
"Aye." His voice was barely audible. "It is… it always will be."
Memories of that day remained etched on her mind, hardening her resolve to get aid from Bedford. Blackwood took her father and her betrothed from her. She wouldn't let him take her pride, too.
"Very well," Lady Anne said stiffly. "Then I'm going with you."
Lianne's head jerked up. "What?"
"You heard me. I'm coming with you, and that's all I have to say."
Lianne started to argue, but thought the better of it. When it came to a contest of wills, her kinswoman might well have been the only person who surpassed her. Besides, it would be nice to have some company on the journey. "I guess arguing with you will accomplish nothing."
"You guessed right."
Lianne sighed. "I shall have the groom saddle up Treasure. He's a good mount. You'll like him."
"I'm sure." Anne set about the task of packing.
Lianne made sure to keep a dagger under her belt, the jeweled one her father had given her before he'd gone to France. Tears stung her eyes as she remembered the goodbye she'd have never guessed would be forever.
Don't worry, Father, she vowed. I will see your murder avenged. Blackwood will never triumph as long as I have breath in my body and the will to fight him.
With that, she hastened off to join Anne.
The dream left Lana feeling even more unsettled than the others. So this was what happened just before she and Gillian assumed Lianne and Anne's identities. But more striking to her was Lianne's memory of Kendrick. It was so real, so vivid. So familiar.
Brushing away an image of Clark, Lana forced herself to concentrate on the facts. So Lianne had called upon her father's closest ally for help. But did Blackwood know? Even if he didn't, she thought dispiritedly, he will if he ever gets that breviary.
After breakfast, Lana, Clark, and Gillian gathered to discuss Lana's latest vision. "Blackwood arrives today. Once we get rid of him, we'll see about contacting Bedford," Gillian decided. "If Blackwood does attempt an invasion, we'll need all the help we can get."
The thought made Lana shiver. She'd seen enough movies to know what kind of horrors happened during those sieges. "I sincerely hope it never comes to that."
"So do I, but we must be prepared for the worst."
"Do you have any idea where Bedford is?" Clark asked Gillian.
She shook her head. "No clue. I don't suppose Lianne sent you a memory of that?" she asked Lana.
"Nope," was Lana's reply. "Perhaps Isolde intends to guide us there."
"Then we'll see her after Blackwood leaves."
Later that morning found Lana standing on the battlements, gazing out at the forest as a party of travelers made their way over to the castle. The red-and-black heraldry alerted her that it was Blackwood and his men. She drew a deep shaky breath. Courage, she told herself. She had to play the role of Lady Lianne to perfection today.
She walked down to the Great Hall to greet their visitors. All too soon, a squire escorted them inside.
Lana frowned at the sight of several men approaching. "Just Blackwood. None of his armed men."
"My lady, you wound me," Blackwood said, feigning hurt. "Do you not trust me?"
"About as far as I can throw you," she said coolly. "Come in alone, or begone from here."
"As you wish." He dismissed his men.
Lana stood next to Gillian, thankful for her presence. Perhaps some of Gillian's boldness might rub off on her. Meanwhile, Clark stood across the hall, keeping a close eye on Blackwood.
"I am sorry for leaving you, my lady," Blackwood began. "I trust Sir Kendrick treated you well."
"He has been nothing but civil, my lord."
"I'm sure." An unnerving glint flickered in Blackwood's eyes. "So you'll not mind when I take him back to Blackwood with me. He is, after all, is in my service."
Lana shrugged, feigning indifference. "Do what you want. He is a good man… 'tis a shame he must serve a scoundrel like you."
"Kendrick takes his chivalric vows very seriously."
"He does indeed," Lana said quietly, willing herself not to look at Clark. "But let us get to the point of your visit. If you are here to ask my hand again, you're wasting your time. I'll sooner marry the devil himself than you."
"My dear Lianne, how flip you are about your life and the lives or your subjects," Blackwood said, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "I warn you. I'm left with no recourse but to take you and your kingdom by force."
"You will try to take my kingdom by force," Lana corrected pointedly.
"Think you that you can stop me?" Blackwood appeared almost amused. "I have one of the most powerful armies this side of the English Channel--far more powerful than your own, my lady. I have Kendrick de Montclair. His first loyalty is to me, no matter what friendship may exist between you.."
Lana held her head high, vowing to hide the way she was trembling inside. "Keep talking, Blackwood, if it makes you feel better. I'll not change my mind."
"Then I fear you have sealed your own fate." He turned to Clark. "Kendrick, you're coming with me. Say your goodbyes to the lady. I'll be waiting outside." With a final ominous glance at Lana, he left.
Clark walked over to her, his face as pale as hers felt. "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know," she murmured. She had forgotten that they would be separated again. How was she going to find strength without him? "We'll have to figure something out."
"I'll see what I can find out about Blackwood," he told her. "Don't worry, Lana… I won't let anything happen to you or to Gillian."
She trusted him. "I know."
He reached down, took her hands in both of his. There was no one else in the hall but Ralph and Gillian, and it did not matter if they knew. "Be strong," he said. "Don't be afraid. I will come back for you."
She swallowed, nodding. He lifted her hand, gently kissed her palm. "Until we meet again, my lady."
Her breath issued forth in a shaky sigh. "Fare thee well, Sir Kendrick."
The moment his eyes held hers seemed suspended in time, an eternity pushed into a second or two. Then he turned around and left the hall with Ralph in tow.
Lana felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. What was she going to do without him? How did he think he was going to save her? It was going to take a miracle to pull this one off.
She only hoped that God had a few extra to spare.
Blackwood Castle was just as it was the last time Clark had been there--dirty, smelly, and noisy. The place was badly in need of a lady, that was for sure. But no way in the world would that lady be Lana.
He managed to choke down his supper and fled the Great Hall as quickly as he could. Now that he was here, he might as well try to do something useful. If Blackwood indeed had the breviary, now was his chance to get it back.
He left his room and crept down the hall toward Blackwood's treasury. He cursed under his breath when he saw the torchlight shining through the crack beneath the door. Dimly, he heard voices. Ducking in the shadows, he used his amplified hearing to make out the conversation.
"We attack within the sennight," Blackwood was saying. "We go by night, when it will be easier to find cover in the darkness. Have you ordered my men to begin assembling the catapults and siege towers?"
"Aye, my lord. All should be ready within three days." Clark recognized that voice. Sir Hugh.
"Excellent. On the fourth day we march for Langdon. I have some inside knowledge of the castle. We'll talk strategy on the morrow."
"Very well. But what are we going to do about de Montclair? Think you we can trust him?"
"Does it matter?" Blackwood responded. "He might try to defend his lady love, but what can one man do against an army?"
"Clearly you haven't heard the stories of his prowess in battle."
"I have. But every man has a weakness. 'Tis only a matter of finding his."
"Methinks I know what it is… a certain raven-haired beauty," Hugh conjectured. "I still know not why you left him with her. Are you mad?"
Blackwood merely laughed. "Hugh, trust that I know what I am doing. One of your limited capacity should not try to understand what goes on inside my mind."
"Aye, my lord," Hugh agreed, apparently not picking up on Blackwood's insult. "But I still wouldn't trust him if I were you."
"Who says I do?"
Just then, the door opened. Clark held his breath as the two men left the room, breathing a sigh of relief when they walked the other way. Once they were gone, he slipped into the treasury to try to find that breviary. It wasn't until he searched it twice, using is X-ray vision, that he reluctantly acknowledged that Blackwood must've hidden it somewhere else.
The next logical place to search would be Blackwood's chamber, but he was probably on his way there now. It wasn't a good time. Perhaps on the morrow, when Blackwood was out.
Besides, he had more pressing matters to attend to. He had to warn Lana and Gillian. Thank God for his abilities. Hopefully, he could make it to Langdon and back before Blackwood realized he was gone.
Lana sat in the solar of Langdon keep, trying very hard to concentrate on her embroidery. But she kept seeing Clark's face, wondering what he was doing now. Wondering when she'd have the chance to see him again.
"Damn it!" she cursed, sucking on her finger after pricking it for the third time. This was useless. Sighing, she tossed the embroidery aside.
"Thinking about Clark?" Gillian asked, only briefly glancing up from her work.
"How can you be so calm at a time like this?" Lana wanted to know.
"Because I'll only waste energy by freaking out," Gillian answered logically. "Lana, you have to relax. He's a big boy. He can take care of himself."
"I know." But who's going to take care of me?
"At least we found a map to Bedford in Henry's treasury," Gillian reminded her.
"A lot of good that does us, without Clark," Lana muttered. "What are we supposed to do now? How are we supposed to contact him?"
"Pretty easily, considering he's standing right there." Gillian nodded toward the door of the solar.
Lana jumped up, scarcely believing her eyes. Then she was flying toward him, swept up in his strong arms. "Clark! What… how?"
"I sneaked out of Blackwood Castle," he answered, pulling back enough that he could look at her. "I had to warn you. I overheard Blackwood talking to his lackey, Sir Hugh. They're going to attack in four days."
Lana went pale. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. They're assembling siege machines as we speak. He has a huge army, Lana… I don't know what we're going to do against him."
"We'll do what we must," Gillian said. "We fight."
"But how?" Lana wanted to know. "Clark said Blackwood's army is superior. Isolde said he'll attack… and he'll succeed."
"We're changing history, remember?" Gillian pointed out. "We already have an edge, knowing about that secret passage. If worse comes to worst, we'll escape and flee to Bedford. I found a map," she informed Clark.
"That's great, Gillian. We'll have to study it later."
"Can't we summon Bedford for help?" Lana wanted to know.
Gillian shook her head. "No time. Besides, this is our fight. We owe it to Lianne and Kendrick—and ourselves—to make a stand against Blackwood."
"That's easy to say, but I don't want to die here!" Lana exclaimed.
"You think I do?" Gillian retorted. "But it's clear we're not going back home anytime soon, so we have to do what we can to stay alive."
"Gillian's right," Clark agreed. "Which reminds me, I'd better get back to Blackwood before he notices I'm gone."
"What?" Lana turned to Clark with round eyes. "You can't go back there!"
"I have to," Clark said, reluctantly. "Blackwood's beginning to suspect me. I can't afford to get on his bad side. Besides, if he does have the breviary, maybe I can get it back. I might also be able to find out more about his plan. He claims to have inside knowledge of the castle, probably provided by his spy."
Lana shook her head firmly. "It's too dangerous."
"You think it's any less dangerous to stay here?" he countered. "By betraying Blackwood, I not only put myself in danger but you as well. I can't do that."
"But I need you here," Lana insisted. "I can't be strong without you."
"Yes, you can. I know you have it in you." He reached up, cupped her face in his hand. "You can do it, Lana… for Lianne. For me."
She nodded, wishing she could believe in herself as much as he seemed to believe in her. "Take care of yourself, Clark. Don't do anything stupid, like get yourself killed, OK?"
"Promise." His lips turned up in a little smile, and for a moment she was sure he was going to kiss her. Then they both realized that Gillian was standing right there watching them.
"Oh, just kiss the girl already," she told Clark, a hint of a smirk across her face. "It's not like I was born yesterday."
So he did. It was a deep, stirring kiss that literally took Lana's breath away, left her clinging to his shoulders for fear her knees would give out. They stood there for a moment, swaying slightly, their foreheads touching and eyes closed. And then he was gone, striding down the hall on his way out of the keep.
Lana watched after him, her legs still feeling vaguely like jelly. Gillian walked up to her with a grin. "I guess saving your life is the ultimate aphrodisiac."
Lana turned to her with question marks in her eyes. "How long have you known about us?"
"Oh, please. Give me some credit." Gillian's eyes twinkled. "It was only a matter of time before you hooked up again."
Lana averted her eyes, her cheeks flushed. "It's scary, Gillian… what if it isn't real? What if we're just turning to each other because we're stuck in a strange place and don't know when or if we'll ever got home again?"
"Lana, not that I'm an expert or anything, but one thing I've found out about love is that if you think about it too much, you can talk yourself out of anything." She regarded her sympathetically. "Maybe you should stop thinking… and just start feeling."
But that's what scares me, she wanted to say. If she let him in, he could break her heart all over again.
She didn't know if she could handle it this time around.