Page 62 of The Sword and the Damsel

“Lady Alais?” he said as she approached. Relief washed over her.

“Yes, I am Lady Alais, daughter of Martin de Vere, Baron of Winchelsea, and now wife of Sir Victor of Guestling, Lady Helisende’s nephew.”

The guard bowed. “My name is Luke. I guarded your door when you were a guest of my lady’s last year. You look as if you are in some distress.”

“I am. I was attacked and separated from my husband. I escaped and am seeking refuge with Lady Helisende until my husband can be found.”

Luke nodded. “Come with me. The countess will want to see you.”

She followed him into the familiar castle that she had sworn she would never enter again after her imprisonment last year. The countess had treated her and her mother and sister well enough during their stay, and Alais was now married to Victor, which changed things. Still, she couldn’t help feeling like a fly landing on a spider’s sticky web.

Leading her through the grand entrance hall, Luke deposited her in a small receiving room. “I’ll notify her ladyship of your presence and return,” he said, leaving her to ponder her situation. Whatever Lady Helisende did couldn’t be worse than being in Robert’s clutches, could it?

Several minutes later, Luke came to collect her. “Her ladyship is eating breakfast. She wishes for you to join her.”

Alais nodded and followed. Walking down these halls brought back unpleasant memories, but she stuffed them away. There was no room for weakness before the countess. Squaring her shoulders, she walked into the enormous dining hall with as much dignity as she could summon.

Dressed in a severe gown of deep blue with rich gold embroidery at the cuffs and neckline, Lady Helisende looked her up and down with a predatory smile. Streaks of white shone in her golden hair. “What have we here? I thought I had seen the last of you, but here you are, a damsel in distress. Have a seat. Eat. Then tell me what brings you to my doorstep.”

Alais sat down at the grand table to the side of Lady Helisende where a place had been set for her. The room was filled with empty trestle tables, and every sound echoed in the cavernous hall. Several small braziers had been placed around the table, but despite their meager heat, Alais couldn’t help but shiver.

She looked down at the silver plate she’d been given, filled with fruit and pastries. Though she was famished, she didn’t dare eat before answering her host.

“I married your nephew, Victor, three days ago,” Alais began.

“So I heard. I knew you two would make a good match.”

Alais let that pass without comment. When she was last at the castle, the countess had been relentless with her hinting about a nephew who needed a wife. “Two days ago, Victor’s cousin, Robert, kidnapped me. He said he was going to kill Victor and marry me. I escaped last night and found my way to you this morning. I beg you to send me back to Lord Giles at Guestling.”

“Now, now. Let’s not be hasty. It’s rather providential that you’re here. Surely my castle can offer better protection than that sandcastle at Guestling.”

Lady Helisende took a bite of a crunchy pasty.

Of course, Alais wasn’t going to escape so easily. She stifled an inward sigh as she waited to hear what the countess had in mind.

“I’m rather regretting letting go of Victor. The Watch hasn’t been nearly so disciplined since he left. Perhaps, I can come to an arrangement with your brother-in-law in exchange for your safe return.”

It was as she suspected. By coming here, she’d become a pawn in the countess’ game. Still, it was better than being imprisoned at Robert’s house.

“As for Robert, he’s stirred up mischief for the last time in Hastings. This isn’t the first time he’s given me trouble, though he’s never gone so far. I’ll see to it that he leaves Hastings for good. Thank God he’s no relation of mine. Victor’s mother was my sister, you see. And Lord Giles’s sister was Robert’s mother. Lord Giles has been a good and loyal retainer, and I have put up with much from Robert for his sake, but that is at an end. James,” Lady Helisende said, gesturing to a servant. “Send the Watch to Sir Robert’s house. If he is there, apprehend him, andbring him here. If he is not, set a guard. If he returns, I want to know.”

“Yes, my lady,” said James as he bowed and hurried out.

“And as for you,” Lady Helisende said, turning back to Alais, “you may as well get comfortable because you’ll be here for a nice long stay.”

Alais swallowed hard. She had done what she could to escape Robert’s clutches, but escaping the countess would require someone else to come to her rescue. All she could do was pray for Victor’s safety and hope that she hadn’t created too much of a political storm for Daniel.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Victor arrived atthe countess’ castle looking decidedly the worse for wear. His shirt was missing a sleeve. His injured shoulder was bound. His fine cotte was slashed open in several places. But Victor didn’t care. He had no time to make himself presentable. Alais was alone on the streets of Hastings with Robert’s thugs chasing after her.

He hurried up to one of the guards at the gate. “Luke, isn’t it? I must see her ladyship at once. Is she within?”

“My-my lord, what happened to—”

“No time. I must see my aunt immediately.”

Luke bowed and stepped aside. “Of course, Sir Victor. I must warn you she is entertaining a guest.”

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