“No,” I replied hastily. “I assure you. I have no intention of stealing.” I’d only planned to take the chalice to heal my brother. That wasn’t the same as stealing out of greed, was it?
“Then why did you open the chest?” She glanced at the unlatched lock along with the telltale coins scattered on the floor.
“It was already ajar.” Surely God would forgive me for my lie. After all, I was doing this for Charles and my father, not for myself.
“I see you are a thief and a liar,” Lady Glynnis retorted. “I suspected as much.”
I shook my head but before I could find another excuse, something to extract me from my guilt, she turned to the knights. “Lock her in chains and throw her in the dungeons.”
Panic churned inside like a wagon wheel spinning in mud. “No, my lady. You are mistaken.”
“The only mistake I’ve made is not discovering and exposing your thievery to his lordship sooner.” She motioned the knights to seize me.
Had she purposefully laid a trap for me? Was that why Lord Pitt’s chambers were deserted and the doors unlocked?
I groaned inwardly at my foolishness. I should have known my search was too easy. I should have suspected Lady Glynnis would be looking for a way to punish me for drawing Aldric’s attention during the feast away from her favored ladies. Throwing me into a dungeon would ensure I was out of the way—perhaps even permanently if Lord Pitt was angry enough.
I took a step further into the closet. I needed a way to remove myself from the pit I’d dug for myself.
“I demand to see Sir Aldric,” I addressed the knights. Aldric had protected me and made certain others treated me with respect and kindness. He would be my ally now—at least I hoped he would. “I insist you take me to your commander.”
“He’s away, my lady,” said the tall knight closest to me.
“It’s of no consequence one way or the other,” Lady Glynnis said. “There’s nothing he can do to help you.”
“Should we wait for his return?” the tall knight asked. “She is his prisoner.”
Lady Glynnis glared at him. “If you refuse to obey me and lock this thief and imposter away, I shall report you to my husband directly and make sure you are severely punished.”
Since coming to live at Tolleymuth, I’d heard enough tales from the other women to know that while Lord Pitt was fair, he was strict with his men and held them to the highest standard. He certainly wouldn’t tolerate any form of disrespect, especially to his wife.
As if concluding the same, the knights moved forward, their swords clanking against their chain mail. The tall knight again hesitated before taking hold of my arm. “I’m sorry, my lady.”
I considered resisting. Cecil had taught me how to fight with my fists. While I wasn’t as proficient with my hands as I was with the sword, I was lithe and nimble compared to these men. I’d likely be able to get away from them.
But where would I go if I escaped? Lady Glynnis would only demand that the knights search the grounds until they found me. Then they’d throw me in the dungeons anyway and perhaps lock Izzy with me.
If I went with them now, I’d prevent Izzy from suffering the same fate. At least I prayed she would remain safe.
The tall knight tugged me forward, and I allowed him to pull me out of the treasury into the solar. “Should we take her to the tower?”
Lady Glynnis shook her head, her eyes now glittering with self-satisfaction. “I told you to take her to the dungeons. She broke into Lord Pitt’s treasury and attempted to steal from him. After his kindness and trust, she has betrayed him and deserves to suffer as the prisoner she is.”
The knight nodded his acquiescence. One of the others took my opposite arm, wedging me between them while the third knight moved ahead to lead the way.
As they ushered me out of Lord Pitt’s chambers, my thoughts whirred in every direction. One clamored louder than the rest: I’d failed to find the Holy Chalice and now likely had lost my chance to finish searching for it. Even if Lord Pitt showed mercy and didn’t make me languish in the dungeons, he would no longer allow me to roam around the castle unsupervised. He’d keep me under close surveillance for the duration of my captivity.
A heavy burden fell upon my heart. I’d failed my brother. More than that, I’d failed my father. I dreaded the news I would have to send him, that I hadn’t been able to do the one thing he’d specifically sent me to do. I’d hoped to earn more of his love, but now I’d likely lost what little that remained.
I didn’t resist the knights as they led me down long hallways and winding stairwells. When the first knight finally unlocked and opened a thick door, the damp waft of cool musty air that greeted me told me we’d reached the dungeons.
After lighting a torch, the knights guided me down many steps that went deep into the earth. The darkness and dankness circled around me, making me shiver and wish I’d brought my cloak.
At the bottom, we turned into a low-ceilinged tunnel made of stone. Along either side were cave-like rooms barred shut with iron grates. As far as I could tell, they were empty of other prisoners.
We stopped in front of the first grated door. The leading knight inserted a key and wrenched the door open, its hinges squealing loudly as if the door hadn’t been used in a while.
By the torchlight, I could see the curving walls containing iron rings used to further secure more dangerous criminals. Old hay was strewn in loose piles across the dirt floor, and strands of broken webs hung from the ceiling. Other than a flat pallet, a triple-legged stool, and a tin chamber pot, the cell was devoid of any furnishings.
I walked inside of my own accord and stopped in the center to gather my bearings. The knights closed and locked the grate, and I watched them as if in a dream.
As the knights retreated toward the stairway, the tall one lingered, peering at me with anxious eyes. “Is there anything I can get you, my lady?”
“When Sir Aldric returns, will you take him word of my predicament?”
“He’s gone hunting and will be away for several days.”
For a moment, I considered the possibility that later I could pick my cell lock with one of my hairpins and make my escape from Lord Pitt. But my situation was far different from when Izzy and I had tried to escape during the ride to Tolleymuth.
Now I was hemmed in on all sides by the thick castle walls. I would have too many obstacles and guards to overcome. By myself, I might be able to accomplish it. But if I attempted such an escape with Izzy, I’d only endanger her further. And I certainly couldn’t leave her behind.
For now, I had to bide my time in the dungeons. I expelled a defeated breath but just as quickly lifted my chin. “Then will you see that no harm befalls Lady Isabelle?”
“Very well, my lady.” He bowed his head. “I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you.”
He hurried after the other knights, their footsteps pounding the stairs as they ascended, taking the light with them and leaving me in utter blackness. And despair.
Chapter
13
The braying of the hounds welcomed our horses through the gatehouse. The dogs were likely complaining they hadn’t been allowed to accompany us, believing like everyone else that we’d gone hunting. Rather, our riding expedition over the past few days had taken us near the border so we could spy on the clandestine dealings the Marcher barons continued to have with the Welsh.
We’d returned with a half a dozen hare and several quail, which weren’t nearly enough to account for the length we’d been away. Nevertheless, the game would provide a cover if anyone asked of our whereabouts.
The past few July days had been hot. Grit filled every crevice of my face, and my tongue was parched. I would relish a cool splash and drink from the well.
But even as I nudged my horse into the inner bailey toward the well, the downturned gazes of several of the knights by the barracks set my nerves on edge. If they were avoiding making eye contact, then something was amiss.
Immediately I veered toward the men, studying their faces and attempting to read their expressions. Anxiety and wariness were clearly written there.