Page 19 of Bold Angel
Near the workings that brought up the drawbridge, he caught her about the waist to steady her as one of the great hounds raced past, and moth wings fluttered in her stomach.
Blessed Mary, it was dangerous these feelings he stirred. She knew the kind of man he was, knew he’d been a part of what had happened to her sister, and yet…
It was time she was away and now she knew how to go about it. With Braxston and his men back in residence, the castle guard was more relaxed. No one seemed aware of the restrictions Lord Ral had set upon her, and tomorrow she had heard him say that he would go hunting.
Her plan was simple: She would clothe herself for riding, have one of the pages saddle the small gray palfry she had spotted in the stable, mention she must needs go into the village and that she would soon return.
Instead she would take the two silver candlesticks she had recognized as plunder from Ivesham Hall and one of the heavy jeweled goblets that had also belonged to her father, and simply ride away. She would head for Willingham, the closest town, sell the booty she had taken—retrieved, she corrected—and go on from there.
A year and a day. That was the time she would need.For a serf to become a freeman took a year and a day without capture. Surely for a woman, property of the lord just as a serf was, the rule would be the same.
What she would do with her freedom remained uncertain, but the possibilities seemed endless. In the towns, there were ale houses and inns, on the roads, there were traveling bands of players, troubadours, and merchants. Surely someone would have need of a helping hand.
Caryn smiled, her heart speeding up at the thought. Imagine all she could learn, the adventures she might experience. Oh, the places she would see, the wonders of the world beyond the castle walls. On the morrow, she would be ready.
By the morrow’s eve, Caryn vowed she would be free.
Chapter Five
Ral shoved open the door to the entry and strode inside, Caesar, his brown speckled hawk, still perched on his shoulder. A blustery wind blew in behind him and clouds blocked the sun, yet he had enjoyed the day with his men.
“Fair hunting, my lord?” Richard approached as he strode through the hall, a man of loyalty and intelligence Ral felt lucky to have in his service. “You’ve returned far sooner than we had expected.”
“Game was plentiful.” Ral stroked the huge brown bird. He was training the big male hawk, an oddity among its kind, since females were usually the larger of the species and more suited to hunting. “We’ll sup on hare stew and enjoy roast boar on the morrow.”
“And the bird? His training goes well?”
Ral ran a leather-gloved hand along its sleek back. Bringing the hawk into the hall among the noisy hum of people was part of the young bird’s learning.
“Caesar is the finest hunter I’ve ever owned. Such swiftness and beauty. ’Tis a pleasure to watch him work.”
“I would like to see that, my lord.”
“Would you? ’Tis a promise then. When next we hunt, you will join us.”
Richard beamed for a moment then frowned. He was atall man, lean but firm of muscle, with a pleasant smile and warm hazel eyes. “There is much to do here, my lord. It leaves little time for sport.”
Ral nodded. “’Tis true, but soon you will have helping hands. You forget I take a bride.”
“Lady Caryn? Surely you do not mean for her to run the hall?”
“I am in need of a chatelain. At present, you do that work plus your own. I should think you would be grateful.”
Richard smoothed his features. “Yes, my lord. Of course. I am sorry, I did not mean to give offense.”
“None is taken, my friend.” Ral glanced around the hall. “Where is our lady?”
“In her chamber, I think. I have been busy with the books. I have not seen her since this morning.”
Ral frowned. “In her chamber? Not likely. The girl is not one to be caged for long.” It occurred to him that in a way she was much like the bird perched on his shoulder. In the beginning, the creature had chafed for its freedom. Ral had slowly brought the hawk in hand and with the girl he would do the same.
Ignoring the chatter in the hall, the men who whacked each other on the back and spoke loudly of the day’s hunting glory, Ral climbed the stairs. He searched the little maid’s quarters, found them empty as he had expected, and went in search of Marta. He found her in the passageway outside the door to the solar.
“Where is your lady? I would have a word with her.”
Marta suddenly looked uneasy. “I-I have not seen her, my lord. She is most likely prowling the castle. She gets restless and bored. Even as a child, she often wandered about.”
“She is forbidden to leave the keep. Surely she would not disobey me again.”
