Page 79 of A Knight’s Vengeance

Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth saw Mildred stiffen.

“’Tis… well, a surprise.”

“I do not like surprises,” he growled. “Not from you. I warn you, do not think to deceive me.”

Misgiving shivered through Elizabeth. She must divert his suspicions, now, before he ordered one of his men to taste the potion and ruined the chance to escape.

Tossing aside the cloth, she planted her hands on her hips and matched his defiant stance. “How could we trick you, with the guards keeping watch? If you must know, Mildred has been most kind. She brewed a special herbal tonic for you and your men. She planned to present it to you when finished, but, of course, you have spoiled that now.”

“’Tis medicine?” he asked with the faintest hint of a smile.

“Of a sort.” Elizabeth smothered an uneasy giggle. “It eases many ailments, including headaches, stomach pains, and”—she arched an eyebrow—“wind.”

“Ah.” He grinned. “’Tis good she made some, since we will be eating your cooking.”

Dominic and the other guards chortled, and Elizabeth snapped her jaw shut. Let them laugh. Moments from now, they would be snoring into their salted pork while she and Mildred ran to freedom.

The rogue had the gall to chuckle, too. “Dominic, have the ladies take the food to the great hall.”

“With pleasure, milord.”

Mildred caught Elizabeth’s gaze and tipped her head toward the steaming pot behind them. They had yet to put the potion into the ale.

With brisk strides, Elizabeth walked around in front of the chopping block. Her ploy worked. Dominic’s gaze followed her and not Mildred, who hurried to the wooden cask and began filling pitchers with ale.

Elizabeth pointed to the serving table. “Dominic, would you and the guards help us with the platters? They are heavy.”

The knight’s cheeky grin faded. “Must I?”

Pasting a smile on her lips, Elizabeth looked at him and the other men, who also looked disgruntled. “Please.”

“Do not look at me so,” Dominic grumbled. “I will summon the serving wenches.”

“Lord de Lanceau assigned them other duties today.”

With a sigh, Dominic nodded. “Very well. I will help. Yet, if I do not quench my thirst this instant, I will not reach the hall.” Leaning past her, he grabbed one of the frothing pitchers Mildred had just set on the serving table, poured a mug, and downed the ale in one swallow.

Elizabeth gasped. The matron shot her a fierce look, then resumed her task, pretending that naught out of the ordinary had happened. Covering her open mouth with her hand, Elizabeth pretended her outburst was a big yawn. The distrustful guards looked away.

Dominic burped and slammed down the empty mug. “Much better. Now, if you will come with me, milord is waiting.”

Gnawing her lip, Elizabeth looked at Mildred. Worry shadowed the matron’s eyes, but as she came to Elizabeth’s side, she smiled. Scooping up two pitchers, Elizabeth followed Dominic out of the kitchens, aware of Mildred behind her and the tread of the guards in the rear bearing the platters.

She entered the crowded hall and her mouth went dry. Men, women, and children awaiting their food and drink looked up at her. Elena waved and a little boy, sitting on the bench beside her, thumped his fists on the tabletop.

Sweat chilled Elizabeth’s brow. Fear whined in her stomach. If all went as planned, she and Mildred would escape.

If it did not… If aught went wrong… Her throat constricted into a painful knot, and she tightened her hold on the ale jugs.

She looked at Dominic. He shooed a pair of dogs out of his way, then walked toward the dais where Geoffrey sat polishing his eating dagger on a table linen. Dominic showed no signs of succumbing to the potion. Under her breath, she prayed the potent brew would not begin working until all the meals were served.

Stopping at a table near the dais, Elizabeth set down the ale pitchers.

Crockery shattered behind her.

She whirled around.

Dominic fell to his knees. The platter lay broken, the salt pork strewn across the rushes. Snapping, barking mongrels converged on the food. Dominic groaned, a sound so horrible, she went numb with fear. He doubled over, clutching his stomach. “Milord,” he choked out. “Ale… poisoned.”