There Your Heart Will Be Also Read online

  “Sir Henry, did you not tell me the patrols had showed nothing of importance?”

  “Aye.”

  “Then what is there to worry about? All I need is a little more time.”

  “Which is something you have very little of. Any day now the King could send another suitor, and—“

  “I know what could happen. But I wish I could explain to you what is happening. I wish I could help you to understand. I’m learning to care for this man. Would the King be upset if I took a husband without his permission?”

  “Aye, my lady. He would. You could be called out for treason! Your head could grace the top of a pole in the streets of London!”

  Sarra patted Sir Henry’s arm. “Everything will be fine. I’m not marrying the Scot, only—”

  As they continued to move across the crowded floor, he leaned in and whispered, “Only what? I fear you are dallying with things beyond your control. It is better to tell the truth now before this goes any farther. I can’t believe Charism agreed to this nonsense.”

  A sigh escaped her. “Sir Henry, all will be revealed soon enough. Then I will go back to being alone and you can go back to protecting me.”

  Sir Henry frowned as he escorted Sarra to her seat. When they were settled, the knight bowed, a grimace twisting his face as he said, “As you wish.”

  Sarra ignored the negative sounding comment. This was her birthday party after all. Even if Cedric believed she was a maid, she could still enjoy herself. Tapping her foot in time with the music, she found herself watching for Cedric’s return.

  ****

  Cedric watched from the middle of the room as Sir Henry left Sarra’s side. When he returned, Sarra sat staring at her empty hands. Not wishing to intrude upon her thoughts, Cedric waited a moment more before stepping forward.

  “Sorry I took so long. The serving maid was clear across the room and it wasn’t easy to get through the crowd.”

  “Oh, it’s all right. Thank you.”

  “Did ye enjoy your dance?” inquired Cedric.

  “Aye.”

  Sarra acting shifty, looking this way and that, like a person with something to hide. What could the two of them have spoken about, which would put the young maid into such an uneasy state? Perhaps the old knight was looking for a young wife. Logically, the knight would start inside the keep with the maids.

  Why did the thought of Sarra with another man upset him? Protection. Of course this was the answer. He wanted to protect her. Nothing more. She was young. Inexperienced. Someone needed to look out for her.

  As he sipped on his tankard of ale, Cedric fingered the gift in his sporran. The gift was to go to the mistress. This was to be his first opportunity to meet and woo the woman he was destined to marry. But it appeared his carefully thought-out plans were to be thwarted. The mistress would not be in attendance. Sarra, the maid, was stepping in for her. The wood rolled around in his hand as he realized he only had the one gift.

  And what of Sarra’s birthday? Would he give the gift to her to pass along to the mistress? Or would he give it to Sarra alone? He wondered if he should mention his gift at all or just wait. The decision was made for Cedric when the villagers began to form a line in front of Sarra.

  Each villager brought something. The wool maker brought a homemade woolen scarf, the linen maker a linen handkerchief, the soap maker brought soap that smelled of roses, the blacksmith brought a small engraved dagger, and the leather worker brought a sheath for the small dagger.

  Everyone brought forth a small but personal gift and Sarra ooohed and ahhhed over each one. She truly seemed to love each item presented to her. The giver left with a sense their gift had been thought of as a great treasure. Sarra thanked everyone on behalf of the mistress and herself as well.

  When the line ended, she was surrounded by favors. The crowd went back to the dance floor or the food table, and Cedric and Sarra were once again alone.

  “Look at all these gifts Cedric! It will take me a week to sort through it all and put it in its place.”

  Cedric could tell she was pleased but overwhelmed. “Maybe the mistress will give ye extra time to place them for her.”

  “Maybe,” Sarra replied with a wry look.

  “I hate to do this, Sarra, but there is one more gift.”

  “Oh no, not another. Who could possibly be left? I believe half of England has already given me, I mean, the mistress a favor.”

  “Me,” he said shyly.

  “Oh.”

  Cedric got down in front of her, opened his sporran, and pulled out a piece of wood which had been hand-carved into a running horse. The horse’s mane fanned behind it as if flowing in the moving wind.

  Tears slid down Sarra’s face.

  “It’s for ye. I’ll have to make something for the mistress later. Ye don’t think me giving ye a gift will cause a problem, do ye?”

  Shaking her head vigorously, Sarra stared at Cedric. She lunged forward and threw her arms around his neck.

  The unexpectedness of the affectionate gesture almost sent him sprawling to the ground. One hand beneath him on the ground and an arm around her back, he reveled in the feel of their bodies together.

  “Thank you. It is the most elegant and thoughtful gift I have ever received. Magnificent. How did you do this?” After a moment of hesitation, she added, “You did carve this, right?”

  Pushing her back from him slightly, so he could see her more clearly, he said “Aye, I made it.”

  With deference, Sarra slipped the horse into her drawstring pouch before leading him back to the dance floor. Cedric spent the rest of the evening holding Sarra in his arms. The tune of the music didn’t matter, fast or slow, they followed their hearts only as they moved across the dance floor.

  Chapter Fourteen

  At the close of the party, Cedric offered to escort Sarra to her quarters. Accepting the offer, they walked hand in hand up the stairs and down the hallway. Peals of laughter could be heard as the party continued behind them.

  Beneath veiled eyes, Sarra studied Cedric. The night had been magical, filled with dancing, food, gifts, and new feelings of love.

  Sarra found she didn’t want the night to end. There had to be something she could do to prolong this time. The two of them might never have another chance to share in this way. Tomorrow would certainly bring questions. All Cedric had to do was think about the things he’d witnessed at the party. If he sat and thought about it long enough, surely he would realize she was the mistress. Then what?

  Like a bolt of lightning, Sarra thought of something they could do to extend the evening, even if just for a few more seconds. Grabbing his hand, she said, “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

  Sarra led Cedric to the library off the main hall, hidden by a tiny alcove. The doors opened to a room with the smell of lingering smoke, aged books, and a hint of lilac and rose. The walls were lined with bookcases that housed books and various trinkets.

  But for all the published documents on the shelves, one book was in a prominent place, resting on a type of podium wedged against a wall. This was where Sarra led him. She lit a candle in a holder and walked with it toward the book, careful not to spill any wax on the handwritten pages.

  “I want to show you something.”

  Cedric leaned over, trying not to block the light with his huge frame. He made out a few words. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He read the first verse in the Gospel according to John and then stared at Sarra. “This is in English?”

  “Aye,” she said trying to refrain from grinning so broadly. He seemed to be generally surprised he could read a Bible on his own.

  “Where did ye get this?”

  “My fa…, I mean the mistress’ father, Thomas of Greenbriar, was in the city when he was a young man, and he was approached by a figure in ragged clothing. He handed Thomas a book bound in leather, glanced over his shoulder, and limped off down the street. Thomas hid the item in hi
s cloak at the exact moment a group of uniformed men raced by. Later when the lord of Greenbriar was able, he opened the book and discovered it was an English Bible. He knew many in English churches had forbidden the word of God to be written in the common man’s tongue. They claimed it was for the consumption of the clergy only, but a few ‘rebels’ had denied the idea, and translated the Bible into English anyway.

  “The man who had given him the Bible was later discovered floating in the Thames River. Thomas said he worried himself into near fits until he was safely at home and able to store the book in a safe place. Only when he became older and realized to hide the book away was almost as bad as forbidding it in the first place, did he make this podium and place it in this room.”

  “The laird must have been a brave man.”

  “Oh, he was brave. But more than anything, he knew to whom he belonged. He knew no matter what, God would see him through.”

  “Would ye mind if I came back and read some more of this later?”

  “Well, I shall have to ask the mistress, but I’m sure she won’t mind.”

  “Generous, is she?”

  “She can be.”

  Cedric seemed a little embarrassed. After a moment he said, “I have had a wonderful time with ye this evening.”

  “And I have had a wonderful time with you as well.” Cedric seemed hesitant to make the first step or say the first word which would end their time together, and Sarra was making no moves to do so either.

  Sarra spoke first, ending the awkwardness between them. “I guess I should go and check on the mistress.”

  Without a word, they left the library, closing the doors behind them. Sarra led Cedric to her quarters.

  As they walked, she wondered how the night would end. Would it be a goodnight kiss on the hand? Would it be a goodnight kiss on the cheek? Would it be a goodnight kiss on the lips? Sarra hoped for the latter but would accept anything Cedric was willing to bestow upon her.

  They approached Sarra’s door and a feeling of trepidation descended. Yet another lie she was going to tell. If he happened to peek inside there would no doubt be questions about the opulence of her surroundings; the excuse could be because of the room’s proximity to the mistress. And what if he remembered their first encounter? The day they first met, Sarra had left and walked to the village instead of the keep. She sank her teeth into her lower lip.

  So caught up in her musings, she barely noticed Cedric. His head descended toward her waiting form. Sarra arched for him, but before their lips could meet, the shrill sound of an alarm bell rang out.

  Cedric straightened up. “What was that?”

  “The alarm,” said Sarra, concern lacing her tone.

  Before Sarra finished her statement, she was wiggling free from Cedric’s embrace, grasping her skirts, and flying down the hallway. A group of breathless knights rushed into the keep’s entrance as she skidded to a halt in the main hall.

  Sir Henry raised a hand to silence the growing crowd. He stood in wait for Sarra. When she no longer moved, he asked, “Gavin, what is your report?”

  Gavin’s arm was in a sling, but otherwise he was in the full gear of a Greenbriar knight. In a breathless voice and with as much composure as possible, he responded, “There is around twenty to thirty men outside the walls, my lady. They seem to be gathering our sheep and herding them away.”

  Although she’d not spoken her concern out loud, Sarra had wondered if the celebration would distract the knights from their regular patrols. The raiders must have discovered the festivities and decided to exploit it to their advantage.

  Chancing a look under veiled eyes at Cedric, Sarra couldn’t help but wonder if the raiding party was somehow related to his presence? Surely this man she was coming to feel for more and more couldn’t be plotting to take her keep?

  Sarra shook her head, dislodging the ridiculous notion.

  Though Sir Henry was in charge of the knights, he always sought Sarra’s guidance before making a decision on how to act. But how could he consult her now? Cedric stood nearby. To speak with her with any level of importance would reveal her identity.

  Sarra’s twisted her hands within the folds of her gown. Sir Henry was trapped. If he approached her now it would mean certain exposure.

  Not only was exposure a concern but also the raiders had to be considered. There would be consequences either way. Sarra realized if the raid wasn’t stopped some of her own people might die. But on the other hand, if the raid continued many more would perish from lack of food, among other things.

  A smile plastered on her face, Sarra pretended everything was fine. If questioned she would say her need for information was purely to be able to share with the mistress. Aye, that was it!

  Those thoughts clear in her mind, Sarra pulled Sir Henry aside to confer with him in private. “Sir Henry, what are your leanings?”

  “My lady, you know we must fight. If we don’t then we shall continue to be raided.”

  “Aye, I agree. Lead them as you see fit. Make sure to say nothing about my involvement in your decision.”

  “But my lady, surely this has gone on long enough. We are talking about the safety of your people.”

  “I leave you in complete control.”

  Sir Henry nodded. His look of dissatisfaction wasn’t lost on Sarra as she stepped aside and pretended to fret like a maid as the orders were given.

  “Men, assemble in front of the keep. We have a duty to protect our families and to stop the raiders.”

  The crowd of young soldiers encouraged one another before heading out to fight. While Sarra watched the camaraderie of the young and inexperienced, Cedric appeared at her elbow. He had disappeared sometime during the exchange, changing his kilt and tunic and retrieving his sword.

  “Sarra, I am going to assist them.”

  “But—“

  “Nay. I must. I must show fealty to yer mistress.”

  Sarra wanted to protest. Was it safe for Cedric to accompany the men? Of course the large Scot could take care of himself, but what if this raid was of his doing? What if the entire plot had been instigated by him? But what could be said? I’m the mistress. Stay put and my men will take care of the situation?

  Nay, that would never work. To reveal her identity now would only complicate matters more. Realizing her options were limited, Sarra nodded her head. The only way was to put trust in God to protect him along with the other men.

  Once the men were out of the keep, Sarra collapsed into a heap upon the floor. The nearby maids rushed to her aid. “Are ye well, my lady?”

  “Aye, I am all right. I just need to rest a bit. Will you help me up? I must make my way to the battlements.”

  “Nay, my lady. Ye must stay inside and stay safe.”

  “I am going to the battlements,” she said emphatically. Sarra may have been pretending to be a maid but she was the mistress and would do as she pleased.

  Sarra grasped handfuls of her skirt and rushed out into the front yard. While heading to the battlements surrounding the castle walls, darkness blanketed her. The air was thick with fog and she grabbed a torch to help light the way. The sounds of nature were drowned out by the birthday well-wishers who hurried to their homes. Did they know the gravity of the situation? Oh, the pleasure of living without certain knowledge!

  Worry pushing her forward, Sarra wondered what she expected to see? Probably nothing. But as the mistress, sitting around and waiting didn’t suit either. There had to be something she could do to protect her keep and the people.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sir Henry led the contingent of knights outside the walls and Cedric followed quietly behind.

  Before they snuck up on the unsuspecting raiders, Cedric spoke to Sir Henry, making a request that the men remove any armor which might make noise. He knew the mistress might not approve, but he was sure the element of surprise would come at a greater advantage than armor. Sir Henry wasn’t easily convinced but after several minutes of explanation he reluc
tantly agreed.

  As they approached, Cedric’s eyes adjusted to the darkness and he could see the raiders. Their kilts swayed as the wind began to kick up. The Gaelic words floated back to him in their hiding position.

  That sounded like Duncan and his men. What were they doing here? Cedric hadn’t sent for them yet. They were going to ruin everything! This was not the time. If they came now before he’d even met the mistress, would his plan work? That little weasel, Barney, was always in too big of a hurry. The next time he saw him, he would have his head.

  There had to be a way to keep Sir Henry from finding out the truth.

  Think, think.

  Turning, Cedric whispered to Sir Henry to keep the men still, quiet, and hidden, as he alone approached the raiders.

  Sir Henry voiced his refusal. “I think not. This is not your keep to protect.”

  “True. But ye kind folks have allowed me to stay in yer keep and I would like to repay the favor. Do ye not hear the voices?”

  Silent for a moment they listened. The sound of Gaelic voices floating back on the wind reached them.

  “Ye must trust me. I will be able to infiltrate the group without anyone being the wiser.” Still Cedric could sense the knight’s hesitation. “This way if anyone gets hurt, it won’t be ye men.” With those added words, the man reluctantly agreed to allow Cedric to continue forward.

  As Cedric headed out into the field, he muttered to himself. This was ridiculous. If Barney had just done as he was told and waited until called, then none of this would be happening. The men would have pretended to take the animals and then Cedric would have ridden to the rescue, securing a place in the mistress’ heart. The plan had been so simple.

  Under his breath he considered all the ways he would punish Barney and Duncan. Even if Barney had said it was time to come, Duncan should have known better. He’d asked for a specific amount of time before the plan was to go in action.

  Cedric approached the raiders and blended in with the group. He listened attentively to the conversation going on around him. Where was Duncan anyway? Cedric needed to find him and stop this foolishness before the plot was discovered and they all hung!