The Faithful Heart by Merry Farmer

leaked,”
he glowered. “I’ve had no fewer than five lords approach me to
complain about it already and I haven’t even begun to contemplate
methods of raising the money yet.”
    “Well does anyone have any good
suggestions?”
    “No,” he sighed. “They’re more concerned with
telling me I don’t have a right to take what’s theirs.”
    “Surely they want to see King Richard freed.”
Crispin sent her a dark look that might have been intended as a
grin. “You’re going to have to call a council of nobles, you know,”
she went on.
    Crispin sighed. “I know. But whether they’ll
support-”
    “Sir Crispin!” a booming voice called across
the hall.
    Madeline’s heart trembled into her knees. She
knew the voice. It came from the only man who frightened her more
than Crispin.
    “Matlock.” Crispin nodded as her father
strode across the hall towards them. The castle’s servants and even
the nobles rushed out of his way. Crispin stood straighter, pale
skin contrasting with his black tunic. “I had not heard that you
had arrived at the castle.”
    “I came just now.” Her father wasn’t as tall
as Crispin, but he carried himself with so much majesty that he
seemed larger than life. He always had. “And not a moment too
soon.” He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.
    “I take it you’ve heard about the king’s
ransom.” Crispin faced the issue head-on.
    “I have. What do you plan to do about
it?”
    “I plan to raise the money.”
    The air between the two men bristled. Aubrey
glanced between them, her face flushed and eyes bright. Madeline
could only stare at her father, frozen in fear.
    “How?” he challenged Crispin. “I doubt even
Buxton hoarded a sum like that. How much do you plan to wring from
the rest of us?”
    “I don’t know yet, Lord Stephen.” Crispin
showed no intimidation and then added, “I would appreciate your
counsel on the matter,” before her father could try to cow him.
    “I’m sure you would,” Matlock seethed.
Madeline knew the look in his eyes too well. He had no patience for
anyone or anything that did not bow to his authority.
    “There is a banquet tonight,” Crispin changed
the subject. “Your attendance would be most welcome.”
    Matlock met his eyes and held them, a battle
of wills. Finally he nodded and turned to go.
    Madeline was halfway through letting out a
sigh of relief when his glance fell on her. All color drained from
her face as the light of recognition dawned in his eyes.
    “What are you doing here?” Those eyes held no
welcome, no love.
    “Father.” Her voice was half a wisp of sound.
“I… I….”
    “I specifically wrote that you were not to
leave the Abbey of St. Mary’s for any reason.”
    Madeline cowered as he stepped towards her,
lowering her head in a flinch as if he would strike her. She opened
her mouth but no words came out.
    “Is this your doing?” Matlock rounded on
Aubrey.
    Aubrey wavered but managed to pull herself up
to say, “Madeline escaped of her own free will.”
    “Escaped? You will go back at once!” Matlock
ordered, pointing a finger at her.
    “But… I….” She withered as if his finger was
a dagger stabbing her.
    “You will see to it that she is returned to
the convent at once,” he directed his demand at Aubrey then spun on
his heel and marched away.
    Madeline watched him, eyes wide, stomach
swimming with sick knots.
    Aubrey huffed. “Not even a hello! He didn’t
even call you by name! Some father he is!”
    “Maybe it’s best if I just go,” Madeline’s
voice shook as all energy left her.
    “I’ll leave you to this,” Crispin muttered
before nodding at his wife and Madeline and fleeing the scene.
    Aubrey crossed her arms and shook her head at
him before turning back to Madeline. “You are not going anywhere.”
Her command was as sure as Matlock’s had been.
    “Aubrey, it’s not a good idea to cross him.
You don’t know what he’s like.” She could hardly raise her voice
above a