Page 84 of The Silent Songbird

He looked up and saw Evangeline. He immediately bowed his head and sank to one knee.

“Frederick.” Evangeline prayed no one else saw him do this.

The steward and Lord le Wyse strode toward them, the lord’s expression harsh and angry. Evangeline’s heart sank. What would Lord le Wyse say when he learned that the king wanted her to marry the Earl of Shiveley? Or did he already know? Would he send her back with the stable master to prevent trouble from assailing his village?

“Lord le Wyse,” Reeve Folsham said when they were all assembled. “This is Frederick, the stable master of Berkhamsted Castle. He has a message for us.”

“Greetings, Lord le Wyse. Forgive me for interrupting your festival, but I came here to ask for your help, and also to warn you. Over a fortnight ago, the Earl of Shiveley accompanied King Richard on a visit to Berkhamsted. He planned to marry the king’s ward, Evangeline.” He glanced uncomfortably at her. “When she ran away with her companion, Muriel, whom you know as Mildred, the king and Lord Shiveley searched for them. Then a few days ago Murielreturned to the castle. Lord Shiveley tried to force her to tell where Evangeline was hiding. She told him Evangeline was dead but he did not believe her—and he threw her in the dungeon. He’s been torturing her ever since.”

“What?” Evangeline’s hands clenched into fists. “Does the king know of this?”

“No. I tried to get word to the king, but the earl intercepted the message. I left before he could capture me and came here.”

Evangeline’s vision flitted and her face tingled as if she was about to faint. She held on to Westley’s arm.

Frederick went on. “I believe the Earl of Shiveley planned to marry Evangeline, the granddaughter of King Edward, hoping he might someday claim the throne. And I have more bad news.” He paused a moment. “I saw two of Shiveley’s men. I’m afraid they may have followed me here. They were at the back of the crowd watching Evangeline sing.”

Westley tightened his arm around her.

“Where are these men now?” Lord le Wyse asked.

“They left as soon as Evangeline finished singing.”

“Reeve Folsham. Take some men and see if you can overtake them and capture them. But if you don’t see them within five minutes, come back. We’re going to need you.”

“Yes, my lord.” Reeve Folsham left quickly.

“Is Muriel all right?” Evangeline asked. “What has he done to her?”

“She was not seriously injured when I left.” Pain filled Frederick’s eyes. “But they are increasing their abuse of her. Lord Shiveley would do anything to find out where you are.”

“We must do something.” Evangeline looked desperately to Lord le Wyse as she squeezed Westley’s arm.

Lord le Wyse gave her a quick nod, then turned back toFrederick. “Why do you believe he wishes to take the throne from King Richard?” He fixed the man with a hard gaze from his one eye.

“He has been talking to the king’s knights, offering them more money and lands if they will promise loyalty to him. He has a lot of men out searching for Evangeline. Lord le Wyse, England and your king need your help.”

O God, don’t let him hurt Muriel.Fury ignited into a full burn inside her. Energy surged through her limbs. Evangeline’s gaze moved to Lord le Wyse, then to Westley and the steward.

“Father.” Westley’s jaw was rigid. “We must save Muriel, and we must warn the king. And we cannot allow Shiveley’s men to take Evangeline.”

Lord le Wyse’s jaw twitched, his one eye fixed on his son with a fierce look. Finally, he said, “We will send word to my family and allies in the north.”

“But it will take days to get word to them, then several more days for them to reach us.”

“Then we must round up as many men as we can and go ourselves to rescue the king and Muriel.” Evangeline had not planned to speak, but the words flew out of her mouth anyway.

They all stared at her.

Frederick spoke first. “I would be terribly grateful if you did, Lord le Wyse.”

“How many of Lord Shiveley’s men are at Berkhamsted Castle?” Lord le Wyse asked.

“Only about twenty when I left.”

“Twenty armed men trained to fight against however many of my men—mostly farmers—I can convince to go with me.”

Evangeline seemed to lose all the breath from her lungs.