Song of the Heart - Alexa Aston

Prologue

August 1327—Stanbury

Garrett Stanbridge, Earl of Montayne, left the training yard and made his way toward the keep. The summer day had been sweltering and he was drenched in sweat from sparring with his men throughout the long afternoon. He wanted a cold bath and colder tankard of ale, not necessarily in that order. Racing up the staircase that led to the keep, he pushed open the heavy door and entered, the cool washing over him. He spied Annie, his daughter’s nurse, carrying Lyssa down the stairs and went to them.

Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to Lyssa’s brow.

“How are you, my sweet girl?” he asked and she smiled, reaching her chubby arms toward him.

“I am much too dirty to hold you, Lyssa. Once I’ve cleaned up, you may sit on my knee and I’ll tell you a story or two.” He turned to Annie. “Would you have water sent up for a cool bath if Lady Lynnette has not already done so?”

“Yes, my lord.”

He left and hurried up the stairs to the solar, ready to tell his wife about his day. It surprised him that she was not already waiting there for him. Usually, Lynnette made a special effort to be present when he returned to the keep each day. Though very shy—and very young when they’d wed—she tried her best to please him in small ways. He was hoping she would soon have good news for him. He’d noticed her belly seemed slightly rounded two nights ago when he’d made love to her and prayed that she was with child again. They’d lost their firstborn, a son, last June, shortly after Lyssa’s birth. While Garrett doted on his daughter, he knew he needed sons to keep Stanbury strong.

He set aside his sword and stripped off his clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor. Several servants brought in buckets of water and poured them into the copper tub. Once they left, he eased into it and lathered well before rinsing and drying off. Feeling refreshed as he dressed again, Garrett wondered what might be keeping Lynnette. Mayhap she had gotten distracted in her garden, which she loved to tend. More likely, she and Edith, his mother, sat in the great hall and played with Lyssa, encouraging her as she toddled about. The girl was just learning to walk, despite being almost sixteen months old. Richard had begun moving upright at nine months, delighting his parents with every step. Still, Garrett understood why Lyssa lagged behind her brother’s progress. Her mother was reluctant to put her down. Ever since the fever took Richard from them, Lynnette clung to their remaining child. It was only thanks to his mother’s encouragement that Lynnette had finally begun allowing Lyssa to explore more on her own two feet.

His belly grumbled noisily and Garrett returned downstairs. The great hall was filled with people ready to partake in the evening meal. He moved toward the dais and greeted his mother with a kiss to her cheek.

“Where is Lynnette?” he asked, beginning to be concerned.

“I haven’t seen her in several hours. Do you think she’s lost track of the time?”

“It’s not like her to do so,” he replied as he gazed across the great hall, hoping to spy her in conversation with someone.

They took their places as servants brought them trenchers and cups of wine. Garrett ate, uneasiness filling him. Lynnette was predictable, doing the same tasks every day. To miss greeting him in the solar and helping with his bath was surprising. To miss the evening meal was unthinkable.

“I’m going to look for her,” he told his mother, leaving most of his food untouched.

Leaving the dais, he spoke to several servants. None had seen the countess for hours. Garrett returned to the solar and found it empty. He wandered the corridors, calling her name, even opening various doors to no avail. Finally, he went to Lyssa’s bedchamber, where Annie rocked the girl to sleep.

Quietly, he asked, “When was the last time you saw Lady Lynnette?”

“She decided to go riding after the midday meal,” the servant replied. “She wishes to gain more confidence upon a horse.”

Garrett turned abruptly and headed for the stables. Concern filled him. Lynnette was a poor rider, too timid to manage a horse who knew when its rider was unsure. It had aggravated him when she arrived as his bride. He’d given her lessons but none seemed to take. She tried sporadically to master the skill but had never kept with it for