“Nicholas,” she said sternly. “The House of York is about to end. You know as well as I that Richard should not be king. There are no more descendants. York is over. Henry has promised to marry Elizabeth and combine the Houses. The white and red rose together. Step aside and let him do it.”
“If Richard hears you speaking like this, he could have you hanged for treason.”
She looked up at him. Hers was a face he knew and loved since he was a child. The only person he could trust—until Kestrel came along.
“Are you going to tell him?” she asked him.
“Never. Just do not trust anyone else. Not even Elizabeth. She spends much time with Richard.”
“I know, Nicky.”
“Mayhap Kestrel.”
“You are falling in love with her, that is why you are so angry.”
He didn’t deny it but turned away, not willing to let anyone see the pain in his eyes. He’d wanted something with her. He’d wanted to be her family and give her everything she needed. Scarborough Castle was his. He wanted to share it with her.
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
“Out of all the women in the two different centuries, Elia. Two! The woman sent to me is a Lancaster!”
“Maybe it means something, Nicky,” she said, going to him and putting her hand on his arm. “Maybe the good Lord does not want all this hatred in your heart. The Yorks and the Lancasters are going to join in the new king and queen. Let them be joined in your household as well.”
Could he? Everything he’d fought for her? He could.
“Do not think too long, Nicky,” Elia warned. “Kes has been through much in the last pair of weeks. Do not add to her woes. And dry off,” she added before turning to leave the room.
He decided to take her advice and changed into dry clothes. He also didn’t want to add to Kestrel’s troubles. Mayhap he should try to speak with her again. Letting her leave couldn’t be the right thing to do.
But when he looked for her, he found her gone. No one in the castle had seen her or knew where she’d gone. Nicholas controlled the panic rising up in him, but he knew his control wouldn’t last long. It was foolish of her to leave the castle, especially on a stormy night. Where would she go?
He found the horse she’d ridden was gone from the stable. She wasn’t the best rider and she didn’t know which way to go, save to Old Walter’s.
He saddled his horse and took off toward Walter’s. It was the only place she knew. She had to have gone there. He didn’t know what he would say to her, he didn’t know what he would do about her being a Lancaster, but he wanted her to come back.
By the time he reached the old merchant’s house, he was drenched again, for the rain continued to fall.
The place appeared deserted, but Nicholas knew better. Besides, he saw her horse in the stable.
Kestrel was here. Finding her was the easy part he found out soon enough. Seeing her was another matter entirely. She refused.
“Tell her I’m not leaving until she sees me,” Nicholas told Walter, then watched him shuffle off into the corridor, leaving Nicholas at the door.
He returned a few minutes later shaking his head. “She says she doesn’t want to see or speak to you tonight. She will see how she feels tomorrow. My lord,” the merchant said gently. “She was very agitated when she came in. Perhaps giving her time is a good idea.”
Nicholas knew he had no choice. He wasn’t about to force his way upon her. He nodded. “Very well. I will see her tomorrow then.”
He breathed. He had to remember to do it. Walter smiled at him. He didn’t smile back.
“Good eve, my lord.”
Nicholas nodded again and then left. He returned to the castle but after an hour pacing in his room then another hour pacing in his solar, he rode back to Old Walter’s and slept in the stable with his horse. At least if she tried to leave Scarborough in the morning, he would hear her.
And then what? He went to sleep asking himself what would he do. Stop her? Watch her go? He hated himself for becoming so attached to Kestrel Lancaster.
He dreamed of riding through the forest.
“Pick up your hood, Nicky,” Elia said beside him on her horse. He was on one too. “Listen to your mother.”