Beyond a Doubt - By Felicia Rogers Page 0,19
must return to London and he has been kind enough to provide escort.”
Cedric sent him a worried glance. His look expressed many concerns. When the night of visiting ended, Cedric pulled him aside. “Bryce, what are ye doin’?”
“I’m helpin’ a lady.”
“Goin’ to London seems important to her.”
“Aye, it is.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“What? What do ye mean, ye don’t know?”
“I haven’t asked her.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because maybe I don’t want to know the answer.”
“But—“
“Cedric, please. As Duncan asked ye in the letter, could ye provide recommendation to me for the royal court? I don’t plan on drawin’ attention to myself but on the off chance—“
“My recommendation won’t help ye much.”
“But surely—“
“My time was spent under young King Edward. He followed his father’s footsteps in regard to religion, but I’m afraid the new monarch, Mary, doesn’t feel the same. The woman’s goal is to revenge the treatment of her mother. She blames the Protestant church for all her ills. Nay, I’m afraid anything I would send might only make matters worse for ye.”
All these things Cedric mentioned made Bryce more worried than ever about Lucy’s plans. The lass seemed to be walking into a hornet's nest of activity.
And if the symbol she had drawn earlier meant anything personal, then she was in just as much danger as he.
Cedric continued to talk about ways to avoid attention. Bryce listened. There was nothing to do but continue onward and pray for the best.
Chapter Twenty
Lucy could have stayed at Greenbriar forever and been happy. The family atmosphere and the love exhibited reminded her of better days. Although preparing to leave was difficult, it was necessary.
Bryce and Lucy gathered and packed their items. Household servants secured their meager belongings onto the two waiting horses. Lucy used a stirrup to propel herself atop the saddle.
She held her head erect as she bid farewell to the household while waiting for Bryce. When he walked through the door the shock almost shifted her to the ground.
Standing tall, his old trews had been replaced by brown breeches which hugged snugly to his large frame. A rich blue brocade jacket covered his white tunic. Bryce's hair, which normally lay in an unruly mass, was combed and tied with a ribbon at the nape of his neck. His gaze caught hers. He pointed his toe forward and leaned at the waist in a low bow.
“Do I look the part of a proper gent?”
“Aye,” Lucy whispered, struggling to breathe.
Bryce nodded and swung up on Emissary. Waving, the two of them left Greenbriar.
Carlisle was no more than a day’s ride from the English household. Once they reached the city, Bryce would turn her over to another’s care. At the thought of his departure, her heart beat rapidly.
“How was yer rest?” he asked.
The unexpected words startled her, leaving her speechless.
“I mean, how were ye treated at Greenbriar?”
“Exceptionally, sir.”
Lucy saw him raise his brow, seemingly surprised at her term of unfamiliarity. She turned away.
On they rode until Carlisle Castle appeared in the distance. The rock fortress sat upon a small hill. The main keep towered above the walls. The castle sat near the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall and had recently been fortified with artillery by Henry VIII. Lucy knew this place was the site of numerous battles, most of which had sent Bryce’s own people farther north.
Lucy tugged hard on the reins and the horse stopped.
“Is something wrong, lass?”
Lucy shook her head, kicking the horse into motion. Her anger at Bryce threatened to boil over. Didn’t he know anything? Why must she tell him what ailed her? Couldn’t he sense the worry she held for him upon entering the English-occupied city? Or the fear she felt at his coming abandonment? Was he so keen to dispose of her that he felt no regret upon seeing the city looming ahead?
As they neared the gates, a soldier covered in armor stepped forward. Bryce dismounted, leading his horse to the waiting individual. In calm tones, attempting to cover his Scottish burr, Lucy heard Bryce explain the reason for their visit. The man pondered the unusual request. With a glance in Lucy’s direction, he ordered the bars raised, and they gained entrance beyond the castle walls.
What Bryce hoped to gain here, Lucy didn’t know. Lucy had never visited Carlisle and knew no one who lived here. Perhaps she could persuade Bryce that leaving her here was a bad idea. Maybe he would change his mind and take her on to London himself.
Lucy was roused from her thoughts as she heard Bryce talk to