The Silent Songbird (Hagenheim #7)(67)
“I am safe now.” She drew closer to him, and he put his arms around her. “And you are safe, and that’s all that matters.”
He kissed her temple.
Suddenly everything quieted around them. The woman who had led her onto the stage to sing now stood on the stage again.
“After hearing the five singers from each of the five villages who are participating in this festival, the judges have come to a decision. The winner of the singing contest is . . . Eva of Glynval.”
The woman locked eyes with Evangeline and motioned for her to come up on the stage. The crowd parted for her as she made her way through. She kept hold of Westley’s hand. He helped her up the steps but left her to go onstage without him.
Lady le Wyse presented her with a basket full of wares from the sellers at the festival, which included a scarf, candles, flowers, and several other items. Evangeline hugged her, and Lady le Wyse kissed her cheek.
Sabina stood on the ground below her, scowling up at her with a contemptuous curl of her lip, hate glaring out from under her lowered brows.
Evangeline smiled anyway, pretending not to see her as Lady le Wyse said, “You were wonderful. I’m very proud of you.”
As Evangeline made her way back down the steps, Reeve Folsham approached Westley from behind with a grave look on his face. He leaned down and whispered near Westley’s ear. Westley’s smile disappeared, and she decided not to tell him just now that she had seen Sabina in the crowd.
Evangeline hurried toward them. Had John Underhill escaped? “What is it? What has happened?”
Reeve Folsham bowed to her. “Come and you will see.”
Westley’s blue eyes seemed serious. He asked someone to take her basket to the house for her, and they both followed the reeve out of the crowd.
They walked across the courtyard at the manor house to where a man stood watering his horse from a bucket. It was Frederick, the stable master, the man Muriel had said she was in love with.
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 Muriel returned 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 to Frederick. “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.”