Page 62 of The Silent Songbird

Eva is the cousin of the king of England.

Westley and Aldred walked around the North Meadow where the Harvest Festival would take place. Sellers would come from miles around with their booths and wares, and they would need plenty of room.

Horses’ hooves sounded on the road just beyond a stand of trees. When they came into view, the horsemen spotted Westley and Aldred and proceeded toward them.

They wore the colors of the Earl of Shiveley.

Westley stepped forward.

“What village is this?” the horseman in the lead asked.

“Glynval. Ranulf le Wyse is the lord here, and I am his son. Is there some way I might help you?”

“We are searching for a maiden with red hair, seventeen years old, very tall. She is thought to have left Berkhamsted Castle on foot almost two weeks ago. Have you seen her?”

Westley squinted and cocked his head to one side.God, please let Aldred stay quiet.He didn’t dare glance Aldred’s way.

Westley shook his head. “May I ask who is looking for her? Berkhamsted Castle is one of King Richard’s royal residences, is it not?”

“King Richard himself is searching for her, as is the Earl of Shiveley.” Raising himself up in his saddle as if trying to look imperious, he said, “Lord Shiveley is concerned for her safety. It is very important that she be found safe and well, so if you were to find her, Lord Shiveley would reward you well for escorting her back to Berkhamsted Castle. King Richard has also promised to add his own reward for her safe return.”

“It would be enough for me to see a maiden of the realm safely home,” Westley said with a bow.

“What did you say your name was?”

“Westley le Wyse of Glynval.”

“Are you certain this maiden is not taking refuge in your village? She was probably traveling with another woman, fifteen years older than the red-haired maiden.”

“It is a small village. My father and I would notice if someone new came here.”

“Very well.”

“Is she Lord Shiveley’s betrothed?”

The guard placed his hand on his sword hilt, shifting in his saddle. Finally, he said slowly and deliberately, “Yes. She is.”

Westley’s gut twisted. “I shall not detain you any longer.” He stepped away from them.

The guard nodded and turned his horse around. The men rode away.

“Why did you not tell them?” Aldred asked. “They must have meant Eva and Mildred.”

Westley looked him in the eye. “I believe Eva may be in danger from these men, and I don’t want you repeating any of this to anyone, Aldred. May I depend upon you?”

“Of course. You are our lord, even if you do not allow us to call you that. And you can depend on the rest of Glynval.”

“Perhaps not all of Glynval.” Westley rubbed his jaw. “I don’t want you to say anything to anyone else. Let these men move on to the next village. With God’s good favor, perhaps they won’t come back through here.”

It was a shaky hope at best, but it was the only hope Eva had.

The man said she was Lord Shiveley’s betrothed. Had she lied to him again?

Chapter Nineteen

Evangeline was always in the castle now. She even sleptin the same small room with Lady le Wyse’s closest maidservant above Lord and Lady le Wyse’s own bedchamber.

As she was sweeping the hearth in the library, a voice behind her said, “Eva?”