The Loyal Heart Part 24

She froze, back stiff, eyes focused on the horizon. A swirl of emotions crossed her beautiful face. He wanted to take her in his arms and wipe away the worry lines on her brow, kiss her mouth into softness. He refused to believe that after the last two months, after the way she had responded to his embrace, that she would still choose Ethan Windale above him. Still, he held his breath when her eyes flickered to his.

"Aubrey?" Panic coursed through him. "Will you be alright with this?"

She turned her body to him. "Are you going to kill Ethan?"

"No." His heart plummeted into his gut. "You're not answering my question."

"Why not? Your master wants him dead." Her body was rigid and her eyes flashed with challenge.

She was testing him. In two long strides he was toe-to-toe with her. "Because I made a promise to you."

Her body swayed towards him but she pulled herself back. "How do I know you will keep that promise?"

One hint of Ethan Windale and it was as if the past two months had never happened. He felt sick. "Aubrey, I will never break a single promise that I have made to you. I would rather die than let you down."

She glanced up at him as if he had insulted her instead of renewed his pledge. Her lips quivered and her face twisted with pain. He wanted to hold her, to crush her against him and tell her everything would be alright, but he didn't dare. She glanced over the hills and fields of Windale and nodded, biting her lip to keep her tears from falling. His heart shattered at the sight.

She sucked in a deep breath, turning to him. "Yes, Crispin. I will be alright with this." She rested her left hand on his chest and stared at her ring. He was certain she could feel the hammering of his heart. He just wished he knew if it was from relief or disaster. "But," her forceful follow-up made his eyes snap to hers, "I am not going into this without a plan."

Chapter Nineteen.

Toby couldn't remember ever attending a faire so huge, so noisy, or so nerve-wracking. His heart raced as he flicked his gaze from one face to another, waiting for the one that would recognize them in spite of their disguises and sound the alarm. He wasn't cut out for the life of a highwayman and things had only gotten worse since Lady Aubrey's wedding and Jack's betrayal. It had become Ethan's mission to get them into as much trouble as possible. Toby had been dragged along on more heists and midnight raids than he had ever hoped to suffer through. The rabble that his master chose to surround himself with made him break out in hives, especially Roderick.

The boy had a heartless, hungry look in his eyes, even when he was laughing at Ethan's tasteless jokes. He walked close enough to step on Ethan's heels, pus.h.i.+ng Toby out of the place he'd held since he and Ethan were boys together. Heart sinking at the thought he sniffed and slowed his pace. It was just a phase. Ethan would get over it. He hoped.

"Toby, keep up!" Ethan called back to him.

He scurried to catch up. "This is a bad idea, my lord, a very bad idea."

"Toby, there are hundreds of people here. We blend in. What could go wrong?"

"Well, off the top of my head I can think of-"

"Don't think!" Ethan grabbed his sleeve and dragged him forward while Roderick sneered. "Come on. I have a prize to win!"

They hurried on through the booths and out towards the arena that had been constructed in the field spreading away from Derby. Ethan pulled the hood of his cloak closer over his head as he ducked through the crowd that had gathered to watch the jugglers who were performing before the compet.i.tion. Ethan wasn't interested in the jugglers. He was staring at the dais at the front of the arena.

The dais was wide enough and long enough for at least a dozen people. Buxton slouched in one of several chairs, a contingent of guards in blue and green positioned around him. Two of the chairs to his left and one on his right were occupied by n.o.bles. Toby blinked and a hint of a grin touched him. In the last chair on the right, near to the edge of the platform, sat Aubrey. She was dressed in black with touches of silver, Huntingdon's colors. Huntingdon stood over her shoulder. Aubrey was busy watching the entertainment and laughing. Toby sighed and dropped his shoulders with a distant smile. It was good to see her laugh.

"Look at her, Toby." Ethan grabbed his friend's arm. "Isn't she beautiful?"

"Yes, my lord." Aubrey turned in her chair and Crispin bent low so that she could speak into his ear. When he straightened Toby saw Aubrey hold up her hand and Crispin squeeze it before turning and walking off. "And isn't she married."

Ethan ignored him. "It's just an act."

Toby rolled his eyes. Ethan's obsession had long since become inappropriate. Two months had pa.s.sed and not once had Aubrey tried to contact them. Toby stole a sidelong glance at Ethan. Not a day went by when he didn't pray that some distraction would come along and make his master forget about Lady Aubrey, even if, G.o.d help him, it was another woman.

The jugglers finished their exhibition and the crowd erupted with applause. They took their bows and a few stray coins were thrown in their direction. On the dais Crispin returned to Aubrey's side with a goblet of something steaming. He whispered in her ear again and she nodded. When the commotion of the jugglers had died down and some of Buxton's guards began setting up targets at the far end of the field Ethan bobbed restlessly. As Buxton stood in his place and waved for silence it was all Toby could do to keep his master from revealing himself.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Buxton began in a voice that could cut gla.s.s. "Welcome once again to Derbys.h.i.+re's Harvest Faire. And now, the archery compet.i.tion!" The crowd cheered and whooped. Toby clapped along with them but kept his eyes on the dais and on Ethan. He frowned when Jack slipped up to Crispin's side and began a brief conversation. Aubrey turned in her chair to listen.

"Traitor," he muttered.

Ethan glanced to see what the fuss was about. Roderick saw Jack and growled. "Nothing we can do about it now." Ethan steadied the young man with a hand on his shoulder.

Toby sniffed again and shrugged. Buxton went on. "The prize for today's tournament is this lovely trinket." One of the n.o.blewomen on the dais held up a golden box with an enamel painting on the top. "The box, not the woman," he laughed. "We'll save her for later." The crowd laughed. "The entry fee is one pound, paid either by the archer or their sponsor. All proceeds will go to benefit King Richard for his safe return to England!" Another cheer went up from the crowd even though Buxton's obsequious grin told Toby exactly where all of the money would go. "And now, compet.i.tors, please gather at the back of the dais."

Ethan shot forward. Toby reached out and put a hand on his arm. "My lord, what are you doing?"

"Entering the archery contest." Ethan grinned and turned to go.

Toby caught him. "My lord, you know you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with an arrow if you were standing five feet away."

"A minor detail." Ethan shrugged, his grin widening. "The contestants get to stand near the dais."

Toby sighed. "My lord, please don't to this! It's a trap."

"Of course it's a trap, Toby. That's what makes it so fun!" He smiled, winked, and ran off towards the dais.

Toby heaved out a long-suffering sigh, cursing himself that something so silly as a smile and a wink could convince him to give Ethan whatever he wanted. Roderick hesitated before rus.h.i.+ng off in a different direction, blending into the crowd. Toby threw up his hands the moment he was alone. There was nothing to do but try to find Tom and see if they could prevent Ethan from doing himself harm.

"Come on. Stop him, Toby, stop him!" Aubrey whispered as she watched the interaction across the arena. She sighed in disappointment when Toby failed to hold onto Ethan and turned to face Crispin and Jack, a false smile on her face. "That's that then."

Jack glanced to Crispin who nodded, his face an expressionless mask. "You know the sign?"

She frowned. "The sign was my idea."

Her words were enough. He nodded to her and placed his hand over hers for a moment as it sat on the arm of her chair, then turned to Jack.

Jack blew out a breath. "We're right behind you, mate."

Aubrey gave him a genuine smile of thanks before the two men rushed off and disappeared at the end of the dais. Her smile vanished. With a hand on her chest she took a deep breath then stood to do what needed to be done.

"Lady Huntingdon?" She was stopped by the smooth drawl of the man in Plantagenet livery. She blinked and felt the blood rush to her face. "Buxton has told me of your rare beauty, but seeing it up close redefines the nature of beauty itself."

She opened her mouth and stammered. "Buxton said that? I, uh, I thank you?"

"Arthur Pennington." The man mistook her question and bowed as he introduced himself.

"Yes, I know, Crispin mentioned...." She looked for a way out. There was no time to waste socializing.

"I would be most pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Huntingdon." He reached for her free hand and brought it to his lips.

"Likewise, I'm sure." Her eyes darted around to find Ethan. He had disappeared into the crowd but had not emerged at the dais yet. "I'm very sorry to be rude, but I am ... needed elsewhere." She tried to step away.

He refused to release her hand. An unexpected wave of danger flared as she glanced up into his calculating eyes. "I am very sorry to see you go. Perhaps you would consent to dining with me tomorrow afternoon?"

"I...." Ethan stepped into the clearing at the edge of the dais and her heart fluttered into her throat. "Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you. Excuse me."

He let her go and she rushed down the steps and into the clearing, forgetting the meeting and her promise for the next day.

She took another deep breath and another sip of wine from the goblet she still carried, then threw her shoulders back and walked through the crowd. In a moment Ethan was right behind her. He grabbed her elbow as they pa.s.sed behind the busy dais.

"Did you miss me?" His voice, his breath against the back of her neck, made her s.h.i.+ver. For several reasons. He steered her towards a nearby tent.

"Ethan." She breathed and dropped the goblet at the tent's door as they ducked inside, turning to face him in the dim light. The charming grin on his face, the sunlight in his eyes, stirred mountains of old emotion. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come for you." He pulled her into his arms.

She was taken by surprise and before she could blink he was kissing her. It made her blood run hot and cold together. She pulled away as quickly as she could. "You shouldn't be here, Ethan." She raised the back of her hand to her mouth. Her heart needed to stop racing. She needed to focus.

"Of course not." He winked. "Aubrey, I've missed you so much." He tried to pull her into his arms. She held him at bay, arms trembling, glancing at the tent flap. "There's no one here but the two of us."

"Right now, maybe. But Ethan, you know this is a trap."

"Of course it is. It's my trap. Come away with me, Aubrey. Come away with me now. Everyone thinks I am going to try to enter the contest and to thumb my nose at Buxton. But it's Huntingdon I want to thumb my nose at."

He took her hand and turned to rush out of the tent, but she stayed planted. When his hand slipped out of hers he turned, the grin falling off his face as he glanced back at her. She turned away. She hadn't realized how hard this would be, or how guilty she would feel for doing the right thing.

"Come on, Aubrey. We haven't got much time."

"I can't go with you, Ethan." She had made this decision a week ago, months ago really, but her heart was reliving the death of her younger self all over again.

"What?" He blinked several times and crossed to her. "Aubrey." He tried to put his hands on her arms but she side-stepped him.

"I can't just run off with you, Ethan. That's not my life anymore."

"What are you talking about?"

She bit her lip and balled her hands into fists at her sides. "I ... I have responsibilities. To Windale. Crispin has given Windale Village to me to administrate. The people need me."

"I need you!" He grasped her arms hard enough to make her gasp. "You don't know what it's been like since you left. I haven't been able to eat or sleep or.... Just ask Toby, he'll tell you how it's been."

Her skin p.r.i.c.kled where he held her arms. She wished he would let go. He was beginning to hurt her. "And where were you, Ethan?" She remembered how infuriating he could be. "Where were you while I was left to defend myself and Madeline and Sister Bernadette alone?"

"I was fighting for England!"

"Yes, that's always been your excuse, hasn't it, 'fighting for England'." She struggled against his hold until she was able to wrest herself free. "I had to walk into that church all by myself, bleeding nearly to death." Her voice shook with emotion as she glared at him. "Where were you then?"

He ran a hand through his hair and let out a grunt of frustration. "The nuns had already escaped, if you remember. Huntingdon deceived you to get you to the altar. It was all a sick trap to marry you and to stop my intervention at the Council of n.o.bles."

Aubrey's blood ran cold. He was twisting the truth. Crispin had told her that Ethan never showed up at the Council, that his opposition had folded without him. The color drained from her face. "And where were you, Ethan?"

He paused and she could see in his eyes that he knew he was trapped. "I was here. I came to get you. And you turned your back on me." His eyes grew icy.

"Where were you before you came here? Where did you go when you left?" Her eyes were just as cold.

"In the morning I was...." He snapped his mouth shut and glared up at the roof of the tent. "I didn't know if you wanted me to come or not."

Fury bubbled up in Aubrey's gut. "And afterwards?"

"I ... I was distraught. I didn't know what to do with myself. I was a wreck knowing I'd lost you. Just ask Toby."

"Toby attempted to stop the wedding," Aubrey seethed. "If Toby had been there five minutes earlier he would have succeeded!" Whether that would have been a blessing or a disaster she had no idea now. Her whole world had just been turned on its head. "And the Council? This great political cause that you had worked so hard to champion?"

"I wasn't there," he admitted. "Look, Aubrey, I'm sorry for that, for all of it. But let me make it up to you, let me try."

Part of her wanted to punch him in the face. Part of her wanted to go back in time and erase everything and start over. But the truth stared her in the face. Crispin had been there for her at every step, whether she wanted him to be or not. Ethan had let her down over and over again. He hadn't even been able to follow through on his own cause after disappointing her. She glanced over Ethan's shoulder to see Crispin and Jack slip into the tent as they had planned. She wished to G.o.d that everything could have been different.

"You betrayed me, Ethan." She refused to let her eyes well with tears. "I loved you and you let me down. And I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

Aubrey nodded to Crispin. "Sorry that I've done the same thing."

Ethan was so taken off guard when Crispin and Jack grabbed him that he couldn't react fast enough to escape. Instead he shouted in anger and protest and strained against them.

"Ethan, stop!" Aubrey ordered him, holding out a hand.

"Stop? Stop what!"

"Stop struggling and listen to me for a change!" She was shaking and her eyes burned, but his safety depended on him shutting up and listening to her. "Your life is in danger if you don't listen to me."

He stopped struggling and glared at her. "And why should I listen to you, Lady Huntingdon?"

She squeezed her eyes shut as if he had delivered a blow. Crispin wrenched his arm. "Show some respect and listen to her. She's trying to save your life."

Aubrey gathered all of her courage and forced herself to open her eyes and act like she knew what she was doing. "Buxton wants you caught, Ethan, that's why he ordered me to come to the faire. He knew you would show if I was the bait. He wants to make an example out of you, to impress his n.o.bles and frighten the opposition."

"Tell me something I don't know!" He writhed in the grip of the two men who held him.

"If he doesn't have you by the end of the day he'll kill Jack instead."

Ethan stopped struggling for a moment. His face darkened. "How poetic for a traitor to kill a traitor."

"Oy!" Jack spoke up. "That's a bit rich comin' from you, mate."

Ethan struggled to turn on Jack, but with Crispin's iron grip on his one side he couldn't manage it. "The goal here is for n.o.body to get killed," Aubrey raised her voice. Her eyes flickered to Crispin, who was watching her with expressionless eyes. She found herself drawing her strength from his presence. "Listen. Crispin and Jack are going to present you to Buxton as a prize. He wants to make a sport out of you, to show the opposition that he holds the power. Then he plans to keep you in the dungeon until the end of the week when Prince John is here."

"Nice of him to introduce me to the prince," Ethan seethed.