Page 39 of The Guardian's Witch

“Laura and the children were coming today. Perhaps they’re already at the lodge,” she answered, still looking at the forest trail.

“Well, I hope you find her.” He gave her back her package. “I’ll leave you here to your marketing.” He brought her hand up to his lips and brushed it with a kiss. A tilt of his head that could have been perceived as a courtly nod and he was gone.

She watched a steady stream of people trickle down the forest path. They were the last of the border farmers and were headed toward the castle. The soldiers moved off the road to help a wagon that was mired in soft ground. She took advantage of the diversion. Staying as inconspicuous as possible she moved up the trail, a salmon going upstream, and veered onto the secluded path to the lodge.

* * *

Alex, his men and the rest of his farmers swarmed down the road toward the castle. Gareth and Wesley’s men were positioned in front with Alex and his men in back. “Lord Alex, where do you want to house these people?”

“Those with family in the village can stay with them. Make certain they have enough food. There may still be room at other houses. Perhaps Lady Lisbeth can help us—she knows the people better. I’m thankful there aren’t too many stragglers. Put the men to work at the pen. We need to make more room for the additional stock.”

The whispers began at the front of the line and quickly reached Alex’s ears. Banners. Was someone attacking his castle in his absence? He raced to where Gareth and the others waited.

The sun caught the sandstone walls of the castle and turned them a rosy pink. But the sun didn’t cause the excitement. Glen Kirk castle flew standards at every point.

He turned to Gareth. “Whose standards fly on our turrets?”

“M’lord, they’re gold and magenta. I assume they’re yours.”

“I’ve never seen them,” he said under his breath. The silks waved gently in the cool breeze and added to the grace of the castle.

“It was a day like this when I put Lord and Lady Reynolds to rest. Their gold-and-black standards were at half-mast.”

“It was a terrible tragedy. I heard about their accident while I was in Wales.”

“I should have stayed with them and sent someone else. If I had they would still be alive today. If I had only been with them.”

Alex remained quiet and let him speak.

“We were in Scotland visiting Laura and Jamie. My lieutenant, Ralf, came from Glen Kirk to tell us of an attack on one of our border farms. Lord Wesley dispatched me and a few men to bring back a report. He and the women would leave as soon as they were packed. We put Ralf in charge of escorting the family home.” Gareth’s voice cracked with emotion.

Alex patiently waited. Many soldiers had regrets over actions they had taken. They clung to a man. He knew it was best to not hold those thoughts close.

The old soldier let out a deep sigh. “My patrol returned to the bailey as Wesley’s rider raced in with the news. We mounted up and rode out. When we arrived all that needed to be done was take care of Lady Lisbeth.” Gareth turned to Alex, a pained expression on his face. “I never gave Lord Wesley my report.”

“Very well, Gareth,” Alex said softly. “Report.”

Gareth looked at Alex with appreciation in his eyes. He straightened and saluted. “M’lord, there was no attack. When we reached the farm the man had no idea what we were talking about. We checked the other farms in the area, but they too knew nothing about an attack.”

“What of Ralf? Did you question him?”

“We couldn’t, m’lord. He was driving the carriage. He was crushed beneath it when it tumbled down the gorge.

“You think the attack was a fabrication?”

Gareth’s body roiled with tension. “Yes, a fabrication, and the accident contrived I’m certain. When we left Jamie and Laura, the trail was clear. We rushed to the accident. By the time we got to the carriage Jamie was already there and had things in order.”

“You were close to Wesley.” Alex put his hand on his shoulder.

Gareth smiled sadly. “Yes, m’lord—since childhood.”

“The castle went into mourning,” Alex said in solemn voice.

“We were indeed in mourning but everyone worried about Lisbeth. She wasn’t the same.”

“That’s understandable.”

“Jamie and I dug the graves. Laura and Lisbeth stood by in silence.” Gareth sighed.

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