“I’ve written a letter for the queen, Gilda,” Chetwynd said. “I was going to have Ingram deliver it, but perhaps you would be a better person to give it to her. That way Ingram won’t be implicated in our flight. But I want you to wait until our absence has been noticed. Hopefully, that will be long enough to give us a good lead on anyone who might pursue us. If too many people leave at one time, we will surely attract attention and raise suspicion. Ingram and Jerome, like Marianna, are staying behind.”
Chetwynd placed the missive in her hand. “This letter explains that I have joined Isabel on the mission the queen requested she undertake. The queen promised to send guards along with Isabel, but since one of the kidnappers was spotted in her party, I distrust her intent.”
Marianna gasped when she heard this news, but Gilda remained calm. “I agree you must get away,” Gilda said. “I can use the excuse of being cloistered with a group of nuns as a reason for not delivering the letter right away. I will explain that the nuns are praying for the queen’s safe return to her rightful position at court. I think she’ll like that.”
Looking from one to the other, Chetwynd gave Marianna and Gilda approving nods. “You are both resourceful. I suspect the queen will have met her match in the two of you.”
Managing a little laugh, Isabel wiped her eyes, and the other two women smiled, clearly pleased by Chetwynd’s praise.
Isabel stood up to embrace Gilda. “Take good care of Marianna,” she whispered. She had come to respect Gilda, and she knew in her heart that the competent nun would not only keep her safe but also give her moral support.
“I always wanted a sister, Isabel, and I’m sorry to be saying goodbye to you so soon. But I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again before too long. No doubt the circumstances will be happier. If you ever need a sanctuary, you’ll always have one here.”
Marianna clung to Isabel for a minute as they prepared to part. It occurred to Isabel that only a few days ago Marianna had to leave her with the outlaws, and she regretted leaving her maid behind again.
“We’ll be together again soon, Marianna,” Isabel promised.
“I hear the bells for chapel. We’d better be going,” Chetwynd said, gently taking Isabel’s arm.
As she followed Chetwynd from the room, Isabel glanced back and was comforted by the sight of Gilda and Marianna standing together arm in arm.
Outside, the walkway was crowded with people headed to chapel for vespers. Chetwynd and Isabel walked in the same direction, but at the last minute they turned away toward the stables.
Jerome intercepted them. He was frowning, and Chetwynd was sure he was going to object to being left behind. Instead he said, “I spoke with Ingram. I’ll distract the stable guard while you mount your horses. They are ready for you.”
Chetwynd nodded and was about to speak with his squire when Jerome turned toward Isabel. “Godspeed, my lady,” he whispered.
She reached out to touch his shoulder. “Thank you,” she mouthed.
As they rode away from the stables, Isabel pulled the hood of her cloak around her face. They kept their horses at a slow pace so as not to attract attention. However, once out of sight of Saint Ives, they increased their speed. Earlier in the day they had raced playfully on their way to the bath, but this time they were fugitives. Both of them were aware of the difference.
When they were far enough away so that it was safe to slow the horses, Chetwynd said, “Jerome is not happy with me for leaving him behind. You have won his affection.”
“I’ve come to care for him, as well. Perhaps sharing danger brings people close.” She thought about the time she had spent with the young squire and how he had spoken about Chetwynd. “I wouldn’t worry, my lord, Jerome holds you in high regard.”
“It’s good to know I have two men that I can trust to watch out for you if need be.”
Isabel frowned at the reminder of the danger facing them. “Will those we left behind be safe, my lord?”
“Yes, I’m sure they will. The queen is in no position to alienate anyone. She needs all the help she can obtain.”
Isabel nodded, and silence fell between them as they concentrated on the trail. Since Chetwynd was used to leading and Isabel to following, they settled easily into the pattern that had been established on their long journey from Narbonne.
The trail, one that Chetwynd had followed many times, was a fairly easy one until they reached the mountains. The familiar route gave Chetwynd an opportunity to ponder the decision he had made after their interview with Judith. As a soldier, he often had to react quickly to a dangerous situation and trust that his action was the correct one.
From the moment the queen invited Isabel to a private meeting, he suspected Judith would try to manipulate Isabel in some way. In reviewing the exchange, he didn’t believe he had overreacted to the queen’s request that Isabel deliver a message to Justin. At the very least, her purpose was to separate him from Isabel. The worst possibility was that Judith posed a threat to his wife. In view of this latter possibility, he believed he had made the right decision.
During the interview, he had a chance to compare the two women. The queen was a skilled tactician, but Isabel had been quick to see beyond her gracious manner and concerned expressions of interest. He grinned when he recalled how his wife had imitated the affected smile Judith beamed at everyone.
Although Isabel hadn’t trusted him as he had asked, he could hardly fault her for that. From the beginning he had been less than honest.
Unlike Judith, Isabel never used her feminine wiles to influence him. In fact, he had found her to be stubborn, argu- mentative, and more than willing
