Page 88 of Stay with Me

Sybil guided him to the bed, but he needed no prodding, not with the pounding in his head. When he reached the edge, he flopped down, heedless of his garments or boots. As his head connected with the pillow and his eyes closed, he had one final thought ere sleep claimed him.

He had the plague.

~ 34 ~

Sybil unlaced Nicholas’s bootsand slipped them off. He’d been more tired than he’d let on.

She reached for the weapons belt at his waist to divest him of the bulky item, but as her fingers brushed against his hips, she drew back, suddenly all too aware of his body.

The smallest touches awakened desires in her that needed to remain dormant. At least for now.

She took a step away from the bed.

Even though she’d slept off and on during the journey, she was still tired and guessed her body was giving her the message that she needed to have that second dose of holy water to live.

While Nicholas slumbered, maybe she’d ride to Chesterfield Park. Could she make it there and back without trouble? And without any roads or signs to lead the way?

Mentally, she tried to calculate the distance. When riding with Ralph, she’d decided Devil’s Bend was near modern-day Elham. She didn’t know for sure, but she guessed she had about ten or twelve miles to reach Chesterfield Park near Canterbury. She might be able to span the distance in three hours. In total, she’d be gone six to eight hours.

She had to at least give it a go, had nothing to lose if she went but everything to lose if she didn’t.

She changed back into her jeans and jacket and donned a cloak to hide her hair and face, hoping that if anyone saw her, they’d assume she was a man and not a woman out riding alone.She wished for paper and pen to leave Nicholas a note so he wouldn’t fret about her when he awoke.

Instead, she found Father Fritz in one of the cottages, asleep on a stool amidst the sick resting on pallets. She woke him and explained her plans and was thankful when he didn’t offer any resistance. She did her best to tend to the horse, then she hoisted herself into the saddle and started off, riding as hard as she could through the woodland.

As she made her way into the outskirts of Canterbury and the landmarks became more familiar, she kept off the main roads. Although part of her missed the ease of having a car to quickly reach her destination, another part of her relished riding out in the open where she could see firsthand the beauty and wildness of the land yet untouched by modern development.

When the sun reached its height and the warmth of the summer day made her want to shed the cloak, she finally arrived at the gates of Chesterfield Park. Even though the manor was smaller than the one that belonged to Harrison, it had the same three-story center structure with the high tower on the east. The addition of the outbuildings and gardens made the surrounding area look like a small village.

The biggest difference was the outer stone wall. It was larger and built to defend the estate from an attack. The front gate, too, was imposing and impenetrable... and well-guarded, for as soon as she guided her horse toward the gate, an arrow ripped through the air and hit the ground directly in front of her.

“Don’t come any closer.” A soldier on the battlement had his bow and an arrow aimed at her. “Or the next arrow won’t miss the mark.”

“I need to speak with Marian Durham.” She didn’t attempt to disguise her voice, guessing Marian would be more likely to admit her if she knew the truth about who she was. Marian would surely remember her from just a year ago, wouldn’t she?

“No one’s allowed in.”

“Tell her Sybil Huxham is here. If she knows, she’ll want to see me.”

“Lord Durham’s orders.” The man’s voice was unyielding, as was his bow. She had the feeling if she nudged her horse any closer, he’d carry through on his threat to shoot her.

“I’ll stay out here and speak to her from a distance. I won’t get anywhere near her.”

“That’s right. You won’t be getting near because you’ll be leaving now.”

She tensed. The guard was only doing his duty, but she couldn’t let this be a failed mission. She had to speak with Marian. Or Arthur. “Tell Arthur he has a visitor. A friend of Harrison Burlington.”

The guard let loose his arrow, and Sybil had no choice but to spur her horse away. She rode into the woodland until she was out of sight and safe from danger. Then she halted and turned back around.

Lord Durham was clearly worried about the plague and was taking every precaution to protect his household. Regardless, she had to find a different way to speak with Marian or Arthur.

Maybe if she waited in the woods until one of them came outside, then she could reveal herself and shout out to them. If only they knew she was here in the past, they’d definitely want to speak with her and discover what had happened.

Staying out of sight, Sybil circled the estate as best she could. But other than a few servants going about their daily work, she saw no one who resembled Marian or Arthur. As the afternoon began to pass into evening, her body sagged with fatigue, as though someone had cracked open a valve, giving her a slow leak that was draining the life from her body.

Finally, she guided the horse back the way she’d come and started toward the Weald. She couldn’t delay any longer, had toride while it was still light and while she still had the energy to stay in the saddle. But she resolved that she would venture into Canterbury the next morning and beg for holy water at the gates of St. Sepulchre.

Night had fallen by the time she reached Devil’s Bend. The village was silent and dark, as if everyone had either left or died. Even Father Fritz’s cottage was unlit. Hopefully the priest had given Nicholas the message regarding her plans so he hadn’t needlessly worried.

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