Read Online Lindsay Townsend by Mistress Angel - Free Book Online Page B

at her insistence on speed. Amice
promises me her apprentice will deliver my message to Bedelia, so my daughter
and sister are now safe at Tom’s and out of harm’s reach of the wretched
Martinton clan. We ourselves are way ahead of any pursuit or news from her
in-laws. What else does she fear?
    “That will be a blessing,” Amice murmured
and she hid her face behind the flask. She had been a little subdued since her
rude encounter with the carpenter, which was scarcely surprising.
    Isabella slid off his horse and went
straight to her friend. She touched Amice’s stirrup. “I am so sorry for this, for
the trouble I am causing.”
    “No,” said Amice at once, more forcefully,
speaking for Stephen, too. “A pig of a carpenter is not your fault, Issa. Your
pigs of in-laws are not your fault.”
    “Believe her.” Stephen said quietly.
    Isabella turned and stumbled toward the
trees, muttering about needing to make water. Amice lowered the flask. “If you
hurt her, master armorer, I shall have your hide. That is one reason I have
come on this venture. Just so we understand each other.”
    Stephen smiled at her vehemence. “She has
loyal friends.”
    “Isabella tended me during the pestilence.
Everyone else, including my ‘prentice, fled in fear. Issa kept coming. Hers is
a quiet courage.” Amice gave a quick grin, her eyes very bright. “A little
fever laid me out but we did not know that until later. It could have been the
plague.”
    “Pity she did not pass it to her relations,”
Stephen growled, and Amice laughed out loud. “I like you, master armorer! Help
us get Matthew for her and I will love you forever.”
    “I will do that gladly,” Stephen said. And
if I can bring the smiles back to my Mistress Angel’s face I shall do that,
too.
    ****
    As Stephen foretold, they reached the
village of Newington a good hour before sunset. Spotting the church tower, he
suggested that Isabella and Amice stay back in a small wood until he had
scouted about the place. “I shall visit the forge, discover the news,” he said.
“I will say my wife has a little boy and ask if there are any children
hereabouts who might be his playmates.”
    “That is fine,” Amice agreed, eyes
gleaming.
    Isabella also thought it good but could not
help adding, “You will be quick? And take care?”
    “Both, Mistress Angel,” came back his
cheerful reply and then he cantered off.
    Isabella fretted in the wood while the
horses browsed the hawthorn bushes and Amice scoured beneath the trees for
orchids. Hope warred with despair in her so that when she heard a lively horse
galloping toward them she rushed from cover, too anxious to be prudent and wait
to see who was coming.
    ****
    “A hearty welcome!” Stephen reined in, leaned
down and lifted her onto his saddle before him. He kissed her for the joy of
seeing her again. He kissed her again so she would keep him in mind when they
had her child safe. He kissed her a third time because he had great news. “I
have learned of and seen the house we want, my dear, and a small boy in a blue
tunic is playing with whip and top outside it even now.”
    Isabella paled and tried to scramble off
his mount. Guessing her intent, Stephen coiled an arm about her narrow waist.
    “No lass, we shall be quicker on horseback.”
He could feel her trembling, heard her hiccup of surprise and tension. “Come,”
he went on gently, “Let us ride and rescue your son.”

Chapter 6
     
    Their ride was over in moments. Isabella
felt as if the crown of her head were exploding and light flooding through her.
She saw the small, brave figure playing in the street ahead of them and feared
for an instant that it was a dream. So often I have woken from this lovely
hope and found the nightmare goes on.
    She started as someone—no, Stephen—lifted
her from the horse and set her gently on the ground. She felt a breeze tug at
her collar and watched it ruffle the soft baby curls of the small, fair-haired
boy who played on