Page 52 of Peregrine's Call
Tav gave a snort at the idea of Pierce having a heart at all.
“—agents of my enemies will kill me.”
“So what do you suggest?” Tav asked. “You think that the three of us can succeed at an escape?”
“Three?” Pierce asked blankly. “I only need you, Sir Octavian. As a soldier to protect me on the way to London or wherever Stephen is at the moment, and then to get me an audience with the king.”
“I’m not going anywhere without Robin,” Tav said flatly. “So if it’s an escape you’re hoping for, it will be three.”
Pierce said, “Very well, but don’t think I’ll tolerate a woman’s whining on the road. Nor slow to her pace.”
Tav almost laughed out loud. He didn’t bother to explain that Robin’s presence was likely the only thing that would keep the men alive once they were in the depths of the Ardenwood.
“I’ll make a plan to get out,” Tav muttered. “I’ll need to know where the guards are posted and when the guard changes. And which men are actually agents of your enemies, as you claim.”
Pierce ground out, “All I know is that Myfanwy turned many of my men with promises and payment in coin. But I was so desperate after the attack on Malvern that I couldn’t afford to cut men loose without knowing for certain. I’d be living here alone, with no force at all.”
“You’d probably be better off.”
“Too late now,” Pierce admitted. “I made my move, and I am paying for it. But my opponents underestimate me if they think it’s my last move. You and I will escape here and then I’ll show them.”
“We’ll escape with Robin,” Tav reminded him.
“Lady Robin…” Pierce said suddenly. “Who is she, really?”
Tav wasn’t going to fall into that trap. “You mean is that her true name? I’m sure it is, but I’ve no idea who her parents are, or exactly where she was born.” Which was true enough.
“So the woman was a stranger to you when you met her? And you believe her story?”
Tav shrugged. “Believe me, I was certainly not expecting to see her in the middle of the forest. As for her story, I’ve heard less believable ones. A man doesn’t travel from the Holy Land to here without hearing some incredible tales.”
Chapter 21
Later that day, Octavian foundRobin in the great hall and suggested a walk along the battlements, the one place they could be reasonably assured that no one would be able to listen in to their discussion.
The weather wasn’t conducive. The sky was a low, solid grey, and the wind whipped up from the west every few moments. Still, Robin wrapped a borrowed cloak around her body and followed Tav up the stone stairs to the top of the walls.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked.
“No.”
“Neither did I.”
“I’m sorry,” he said automatically.
A fleeting smile crossed her face. “I’m not.”
The simple phrase was enough to make him feel better. At least Robin didn’t regret what happened between them. Not yet.
He turned to the more immediate problem. “I spoke with him, and he’s agreed to do as I say to get him out. Buthowdo we do that?”
Robin looked over the castle courtyard, busy with activity as men worked on the walls and servants carried out daily tasks.
She chewed on her lower lip, obviously working out possible choices. “We need to leave Willesden, and we’re not permitted to ride out like ordinary travelers. So what options are left to us?”
“Pierce had no suggestions,” Tav noted sourly.
“You’re a knight in the service of the king,” she said. “Can’t you just…”
