Chapter Fifteen

R ichard, along with those who had ridden with him from Oxford, entered the great hall of Devizes Castle amidst the sound of applause from those in attendance. Empress Matilda sat on a raised dais and beckoned him toward her with a wave of her hand. As he made his way forward, he nodded to Reynard and Elysande Norwood. Standing next to them were Blake Kennarde and Kingsley Goodee. ’Twas pleasing to all be reunited again, and Richard was gladdened to see that everyone who left with the Empress that chilly night appeared well. He dropped to one knee when he approached the Empress, as did those behind him.

“Welcome back, Lord Grancourt,” the Empress declared as she clapped her hands. “Welcome back to you all, especially my ladies in waiting. How I have missed your company.”

“I am your most humble servant, my Empress,” Richard said after he was bid to rise. The Empress held out her hand and Richard stepped forward to kiss the ring set on her finger.

“I see that you have all fared well since I last set eyes upon you. Tell me, how did Stephen take the news that I had escaped his clutches yet again?” the Empress said with a sly grin of satisfaction.

“Although I was not taken into his confidence, he appeared as disappointed as you could imagine, Empress,” Richard answered.

“And he accepted Oxford’s surrender as we anticipated?”

“Aye, and without over taxing us with his demands. In fact, he readily gave the place up once he knew you were no longer within. I expected him to have been announced at the gates far earlier than the messenger appeared, however. That, too, played into our plans by allowing you the necessary time to reach Devizes. Nothing untoward happened along the way?” Richard asked once he delivered all the information to impart to the Empress.

“Other than the blinding cold you mean?” Empress Matilda inquired.

“Aye. Besides the weather. We already knew that would become a challenge.”

The Empress nodded. “Nay. Other than the frigid cold, we managed well enough. But I have other news to impart. My brother Earl Robert is here at Devizes. He was on the way to Oxford to attack Stephen’s men and secure my release, but when he learned of my escape, he diverted his plans and made haste to reach us here. He has brought my oldest son Henry with him.”

Richard widened his eyes. Henry would be England’s future king if all went according to the plans of the Empress. “You must have been overjoyed to be reunited with your son… and your brother, of course.”

“Aye. I am most pleased. But tell me what happened to the woman whom you took prisoner the night of my escape. I do not see her with your party, which leads me to think she did not journey here with you. Or did you leave her in my dungeon?” The Empress took hold of a golden chalice and took a drink whilst waiting for Richard’s reply.

“The woman’s return to Stephen was the only stipulation he made to Oxford’s surrender,” Richard answered as he envisioned the last moment he saw the lady.

One of the Empress’s brows rose in disbelief. “She must be highly important to him and his cause,” she said, looking thoughtful.

“She serves that cause only because he holds her son and home in ransom to her obedience. I will fill you in on the particulars of Lady de Maris’s predicament when we are allowed more privacy.”

“De Maris? As in the lady from Meregate?” the Empress inquired.

“Aye. One and the same.”

The Empress shuddered. “I am aware of what happened to the lady’s husband. Beheading… such a nasty way to get one’s point across. ’Tis suitable only for those who commit treason. If I recall, Lord Leofric died whilst proclaiming his loyalty to me—the words still hanging on his lips with his last breath.”

Now it was Richard’s turn to be surprised by the Empress’s words. Annora had never gotten so far as to tell how her husband had perished, only that the deed occurred during a siege of the castle. “I believe the lady feels the same anger over the cruel death of her husband, my Empress.”

“I understand she can wield a sword with efficiency. Much like Wymar and Theobald’s wives. Mayhap she would be willing to help my cause if we could free her son from Stephen’s grasp. I can never have enough knights loyal to my cause,” Empress Matilda mused aloud.

Richard made every attempt to hide the pleasure he felt at the Empress’s words. This was exactly what he had been praying might happen in order for Annora to be free. Before he could reply, the Empress continued with a wave of her hand.

“We shall talk later, you and I, after you have rested from your journey.” The Empress rose whilst her court bowed and curtseyed until she left the room. Her ladies followed her including Elysande. Conversations erupted whilst Reynard, Blake, and Kingsley came to Richard.

Richard grabbed Reynard in a fierce embrace. “I am glad to see you, brother,” he said affectionately to the younger man who he considered to be as much a sibling of his as was Beatrix.

“I thought you’d never arrive… at least before Elysande and I left for Blackmore.”

Richard gaze fell to the younger man. “Clearly, you all made it without any further problems.”

Blake chuckled, before thumping Richard upon the back. “Aye! The ice held, praise be to God.”

Kingsley shivered. “I swear I can still hear the river cracking whilst I slumber. Most unpleasant.”

Oswin gave the man a shove. “At least you were not left behind to starve to death.”

Blake’s brow rose. “I see the fair Beatrix is not far from your side. Did you finally win the lady over?”

Oswin shrugged. “We still have much to discuss.”

Kingsley gave Oswin a playful shove. “I am certain you have a better agenda than just talking the fair lady to death.”

Richard stepped forward. “This is my sister you are discussing. Have a care for her name.”

Kingsley threw up his hands in a motion of surrender. “I meant no disrespect toward your sister.

A brief smirk flitted across Richard’s face. “Beatrix is the least of my worries.”

Blake’s eyes went wide. “Then you have given Oswin your blessing for a match between them?”

“Aye, I have if she will have him, that is,” Richard answered, and the men began to congratulate Oswin as if he had already wed the lady.

Reynard clapped his hands in glee. “Well, I for one can vouch for the pleasantness of wedded bliss. Now we just need to find ladies for the rest of you who remain unattached.”

Oswin gave Richard a wink and placed his hand on Richard’s shoulder. “This one may have already found his match… that is, if he can find her again.”

Reynard laughed. “Found and lost her so quickly, Richard? I would have thought you would fare better with a lady you favored.”

Richard cursed beneath his breath. “I have no time to dally with a woman currently. I am more concerned as to where the Empress’s campaign goes from this point forward.”

Blake rolled his eyes. “That is our Richard. Always more concerned with the matter at hand than the delicate situation of a woman’s heart.”

“Nothing delicate about this lady,” Oswin added with a grin. “Why, she is as fierce a warrior as Ceridwen and Ingrid.”

Kingsley let out a whistle. “That good? Then Richard has indeed met his match. If only we could be as lucky.”

Richard motioned for the men to follow as he began to leave the hall. “Lady de Maris has her own problems she must come to terms with. If the Empress will allow me a company of knights, we may be able to eventually free her son and liberate her estate from the usurper’s men who now control it.”

Reynard cursed. “If Stephen has a large number of troops encamped at her home, you may find that you need an entire army if you plan to go against them. Besides, I highly doubt you’ll be given enough forces to lay siege to the place.”

Richard mumbled another curse. Reynard’s words hit far closer to the truth than Richard would like to admit. He had no idea how many men were holding Annora’s home in Stephen’s name. If there were only a small enough contingent, laying siege to the castle might be possible. Of course, even if it could be captured, keeping it in the Empress’s name might be an entirely different matter once Stephen learned it had fallen to his enemy.

Richard ran his hand over the back of his neck in frustration at what the future might hold. “Let us discuss our next moves or objectives in my bedchamber. A closed door without the curiosity of those at court will be welcomed.”

The men followed Richard up to his room where they were able to speak freely about simpler times and what they could foresee for their future. But Richard’s mind drifted to a lady with tawny hair and green eyes, and he could only ponder when, or if, he might see her again. Until then, his duties were to the Empress and wherever she might go next.