Page 41 of Peregrine's Call
“I’m used to that.”
Chapter 17
Robin was concerned about Octavianleaving, but as the hours passed uneventfully, she began to relax. She went to supper after being again dressed in the fur-lined, vivid red gown that still made her nervous to wear.
The mealtime was much the same as the nights before, though Robin excused herself a bit earlier. She went to the chapel again, just to maintain “Lady Robin’s” habits. While there however, she prayed fervently for Tav’s safe return and then for their quick departure from this place, with or without Lord Pierce. After leaving the drafty chapel and stepping back into the keep, she was halted by a footman.
“Oh, my lady, Lord Pierce wishes you to come to his chambers.”
“Is there bad news?” she asked, thinking that some rider must have come with a message about the war.
“I heard nothing of that.” The servant paused. “It’s not wise to keep the lord waiting, you know.”
She climbed the stairs to the upper floor. It wasn’t strange for Pierce to ask her to join him in his room, since many nobles’ bedchambers also functioned as receiving rooms, places to entertain or take counsel. However, it was rather odd to ask her there so late in the evening. Once the serving boy poured wine and brought out a tray of little sweet dried fruits, Pierce dismissed him, saying that no one was to enter unless Pierce called.
Now alone with him, Robin felt a little queasy.
“You asked me here, my lord,” she began. “For what purpose?”
Pierce handed her a glass of wine. “Simply to enjoy the company of a most intriguing guest. I’ve been rather isolated here since I arrived.” The last words came out with a bitterness that took her aback.
“I thought you chose to come here.”
“Hardly a choice.” He spread his arms out wide. “Does this ruin look like a place any man wants to be?”
She said, “Many people would be grateful to avoid the turmoil wracking the country. If you wanted to, you could make Willesden into a haven for those fleeing the anarchy and violence of the war.” That was what the de Vere family tried to do at Cleobury. That was what Alric’s comrades Sir Luc and Sir Rafe attempted to do as well at each of the castles they were charged with defending. They took their positions very seriously, and she felt a surge of pride at knowing them.
But Pierce curled his lip in distaste at the suggestion. “I don’t want to wait out this war as if it were a summer storm. What you call turmoil I see as opportunity. And to take advantage, I must be in the thick of it.”
“Then why not go to London?” she asked.
“If I could, I would already be there, my lady.” Pierce took a long drink of his wine, and strolled toward the fireplace, leaning on the mantel as he looked into the flames. “But as I told you before, I’m stuck here.”
Robin watched him, seeing the frustration on his face. “You’re a lord. Can you not leave Willesden in the hands of your seneschal for a while? Or do you feel the need to oversee the fortification personally?”
“That does sound more noble, doesn’t it?” He gazed moodily into the fire. “Lady Robin, are you a witch? I find myself saying things out loud that I never meant to reveal.”
“If you wish to tell me something, you can. I know how to keep a secret.” In fact, Robin felt a stirring of compassion for the man standing in front of her.
“I have so many secrets to keep,” he said quietly.
“That’s your gift, is it not?” Robin asked. “That’s what you’re doing at this moment. You say you’ll give the king information, but only if he helps you out of the trouble you created for yourself.”
Pierce looked back over his shoulder, a little smile on his face. “So he told you.”
She realized too late she wasn’t supposed to know that. She tried to mend her words. “Octavian did tell me a little, after you gave me that cryptic message while riding. Is it true?” she asked. “About you knowing a secret?”
“Very true, my lady Robin. I do not claim to be a good man. But Idohave information that the king would like to know. And all I require is safe passage away from here. Then I’ll hand over what I know.”
Robin said, “You have horses in your stable. Take one and ride to the king yourself.”
“If it were that simple, my dear, do you think I would not have done it by now?” Pierce walked over to her and touched her cheek with one finger. He surveyed her, his eyes warm with approval. Then he leaned down.
Robin stiffened, prepared to push him away.
But Pierce just grazed her cheek with his mouth, then whispered in her ear, “Everything I do is observed by my enemies. Every conversation in my hall, every letter I write. That’s why I had to outrun the grooms to give you my message earlier. They’re everywhere…watching and listening.”
“What about now?” she asked quietly, thinking of this interaction being watched by unfriendly, judging eyes.
