“And then can we get disgustingly drunk?”
“I shall buy you your own winery.”
Fergus grinned. “For my own winery, I would abduct the Queen herself.” He sobered, his manner serious for the first time since his arrival. Things like abductions, raids and sieges didn’t bother him in the least; he’d done worse. But the true motive behind the request plagued him. “Are you sure, Garren? This isn’t just some manner of infatuation, is it?”
Garren shook his head. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?” he muttered to himself. He focused on his friend. “No, this is not an infatuation. I want this woman to be my wife becauseI love her and her family is not going to stop me. How much clearer can I make this?”
Fergus didn’t have an overly suspicious mind, nor was he a deep thinker. He more often than not simply accepted what was said.
“If that is your desire, my friend, then I shall ride to Framlingham today for your ladylove.” He scratched his head. “You do have a plan, don’t you? What do I do with her once I have her?”
“You worry about getting her out of the castle. When you do, ride for Yaxley Nene Abbey and deliver her to Sister Mary Felicitas. Beyond that, there is nothing you need concern yourself over. I shall pay you, handsomely.”
“I am not worried over the money,” Fergus said. “I would do this for nothing at all, simply because we are friends. But there is one thing that concerns me.”
“What’s that?”
“If her family is as protective as you say, then you are going to need help keeping her. Even if I manage to get her out of Framlingham, I am willing to wager that the hounds will track us and follow.”
“That is why you are taking her to the abbey.”
“But she can’t stay there forever, and neither can you. Eventually, you are going to leave with, I suspect, her family in pursuit. What then?”
“That part of my plan is a little less clear. I shall know more when I return to Chepstow and discuss options with my liege.”
“What for?”
“The Marshal controls several bastions along the Marches. I shall request transfer to one of the remote ones, easily defended. I shall keep her there with me until her family grows weary and returns home. The Marches are a long way from Norfolk and, donot forget, her father serves the Earl of Norfolk. He cannot be gone overlong on a siege using the earl’s resources.”
“Unless the earl gives his blessing and sends more reinforcements to aid him. Then, you will have a battle that will basically pit the Earl of Norfolk against the Marshal of England over a reason that has absolutely nothing to do with either of them. Do you want to risk that now when tensions are already so high between Richard and John’s supporters?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then I would suggest that you take her someplace remote, with no soldiers, no connections whatsoever. Just the two of you. Wait until the situation cools. As it stands now, running to a fortified castle is basically inviting her family to follow and bring on a full-scale war. It is a tease.”
Garren thought on his words carefully; Fergus may have been flighty and scatter brained at times, but he had the heart and soul of a true warrior. In battle, the man was invaluable, which was why an undertaking of abduction didn’t faze him in the least. He would have battled through fire if Garren asked him to.
“I appreciate your point of view,” Garren said after a moment. “But the de Rosa’s are powerful. It will be imperative that Derica and I have ample protection against their onslaught, which I have no doubt will come. My hope and inclination is that, after a time, the de Rosas will tire of any siege they may undertake and give up. Furthermore, with Derica and I married, the Church will undoubtedly support our position. Were the de Rosas able to retrieve her, however remote, the fact remains that she would still be a married woman.”
Fergus shrugged. “Anything is possible. But if you are trying to avoid being tracked and thereby avoid the entire siege scenario, then surely keeping a low profile is best.”
“I cannot disagree.”
“Do you want a battle, Garren?”
“To teach those bastards a lesson, perhaps. But that would certainly not be in Derica’s best interest.”
“Nor yours. People tend to die in battle.”
The men fell silent a moment, pondering the immediate future. “Your family is from Wales, Fergus?” Garren ventured.
“Aye.”
“Then if I were to maintain a low profile, as you suggest, perhaps….”
Fergus was already thinking ahead of him. “A half a day’s ride from the village where I was born lies an abandoned castle,” he said, excitement in his tone. “When I was a lad, it was fairly intact but neglected. Story has it that Rhys, a Prince of Dyfed, built Cilgarren Castle for his new bride, but that he abandoned it shortly after her death. So there it sits, massive and unused. My father could direct you to this castle. It would be a perfect hiding place for you.”
“You’re sure? An entire fortress completely unused?”