Retreat, p.7
Retreat, page 7
part #2 of Stormers Series
Kade sat back in the chair and allowed Carl to do most of the talking. His own thoughts scrambled between Hadley, her brother, Cester’s upcoming proposal, and his possible promotion to a job he didn’t really want.
Added to that were the bandits just waiting for them all to depart. He still wasn’t sure why Cester was even speaking about proposing to Meg with the possibility of attack; it was confounding. The more he considered it, the more questions he came up with, all of which made him less than focused on the task at hand.
“And you’re sure they don’t know what the real princess looks like?” Carl asked.
The earl wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and gave Carl a sour look. “I told you; they haven’t seen the princess before, most commoners haven’t.”
Kade raised an eyebrow. That was a good point. Most hadn’t. So how was it Cester had known instantly Hadley wasn’t the princess?
He sighed. Another question he’d have to investigate. As Carl peppered the earl with more questions, Kade’s thoughts turned back to Meg.
He’d known this day would come. And he should feel a measure of relief. After looking after her for two years, she’d no longer have to follow him all over Azetaria. She’d settle down with the family they all loved, while he would no longer have to risk his life. It was a good solution. He should be happy.
Carl kicked his shin. “Am I boring you, cuz?”
Kade shook himself. “We’re done here anyway.”
Carl shrugged. “Looks that way. I could use a drink.”
The earl rose to his feet. “I’ll join you. I think it’s quite safe.”
Carl coughed a laugh. “You think it’s safe? You really think you know better than the best Stormer Captain in all of Azetaria?”
The earl’s jaw slackened, and the colour drained from his face. “Surely with night falling, I can leave my cabin; the girl is roaming about freely.”
Kade narrowed his eyes and fought to keep the growl from his voice. “The girl is called Hadley, and she can’t be left alone because of you.”
Carl folded his arms over his chest. “It wouldn’t do for the bandits you led here to see her roaming around without an escort. Don’t worry, we’ll bring you meals, and let you have privy breaks.”
The earl’s chest puffed out. “Then I’m a prisoner here.”
Kade kept his voice steely as he spoke. “It could be a whole lot worse.”
The earl turned his nose up slightly. “I don’t see how.”
Kade’s anger sparked to life as he thought of the earl’s own man lying in the forest. “You could be dead like most of your guards.”
The earl slumped back in his chair, his complexion pasty, his voice flat as he replied. “It was a fool’s errand trying to bring her home. I tried to tell his majesty, but he refused to listen.”
Cade pulled a face and leaned a little closer. “What’d you do wrong to get such a bum assignment anyway?”
Kade fought a smile as the earl’s smugness vanished. “I made an error in judgement with my wife’s lady in waiting.”
Carl snorted with laughter. “Do tell.”
Kade frowned across at his cousin. He wasn’t interested in the sordid details. “That’s not important.”
Carl waved his hand in front of his face, an eager look on his face. “What happened?”
The earl lifted a hairy eyebrow and his lips twisted into a repugnant smile, and Kade got to his feet before the earl could speak any further.
“Lock him in when you finish; I’m going to check on Hadley,” Kade said.
Carl gave him a distracted smile and turned his attention back to the earl. “You were saying?”
Kade hurried to pull on his coat, shutting the door as the earl began to resume his story.
The snow fell around him, blocking out the sun with darkening clouds as he stepped on to the walkway. Most of the day was gone, and Kade was glad they’d soon sit down to eat; then after dinner, they could begin to plan in earnest.
Lost in his thoughts, he stomped back to the main building, trying to sort through the multiple problems he needed to find solutions to.
He paused at the foot of the stairs, his hand on the railing and found himself unwilling to enter the hall quite so soon. Kade plonked down on the bottom step, not bothering about the snow as it seeped into his backside and placed his head in his hands.
Why was he so confused? He had a job to do just like always. But now Hadley was again a part of that job, and if something happened to her…
Kade exhaled loudly, listening to the sounds of the dogs baying in the enclosure. He should probably retrieve Luna so he could guard Hadley come night time.
Retrieval. That’s what he was good at. That’s what Hadley wanted from him. Nothing more. His skill set, his abilities. Not him.
Kade pulled himself to standing, his cousin’s voice making him jump at his lack of awareness. “Why you moping around out here?”
Kade turned to find Carl smirking at him. “Cester throw you out? No wait, that was after the last party.”
He grinned despite himself. “Selective memory. You were the one who tried to smuggle a girl inside.””
Carl’s eyes narrowed. “That would have worked if you and Brute had kept your bloody mouths shut. Anyway, you missed the best story.”
Kade scowled and headed inside before Carl could fill him in on what he’d purposely missed.
By the time he’d found Hadley and Meg, Carl had taken the hint and moved on to another subject he was even less inclined to discuss.
As dinner preparations were made with Kade and Carl working in the kitchen with Martha and Ma Hamlin, Carl took every opportunity to talk about how he was planning on getting Hadley alone.
Kade’s jaw began to ache as he tried not to listen and poured all his anger into chopping carrots and peeling potatoes for the stew.
By the time everything was ready, and the stew set to simmering, Kade was one word away from losing his cool. “I’m going to check on the newbies.”
Carl nodded. “Right, I’ll just be hanging around here.”
Kade froze in the doorway, his eyes flicking to where Martha and Ma Hamlin were discussing the menu. “Hanging around where exactly?”
Carl placed the knife back in its holder and waved his goodbyes. As soon as they were outside the kitchens, Carl’s grin appeared. “Want to make a bet?”
Kade eyed him warily. “Not really.”
Carl nodded slowly, a smug expression creeping over his face. “Probably for the best; you’d never stand a chance anyway.”
Kade’s fists curled at his side as he glared at his cousin. “Why don’t you join me? We can do a weapons check before dinner.”
Carl shook his head. “Na, I’ve got to go lay the groundwork for tomorrow night.”
Kade felt his shoulders growing more tense with every word out of Carl’s mouth. “Don’t get too excited; you need to stay on guard remember, this party is mostly for show.”
Carl shrugged his shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. I just need a few minutes to sweep her off her feet.”
Kade’s blood began to heat in his veins, and he stepped away, out of punching range of Carl.
Carl’s voice trailing after him as he stalked away. “You don’t want to bet on who she dances with first, cuz? Five Amarian coins says it’s me.”
Kade only walked faster. Anything to get away from the taunt in Carl’s tone and the knowledge it most likely would be his cousin dancing with Hadley.
The next evening dawned quickly. Despite the strange tension between her and Kade, Hadley felt a tingling excitement growing. “I’ve never been to a party like this.”
Meg turned, a smile on her face. “I hadn’t before I came here either. I think that’s part of the reason they do it. I’m not sure where the Hamlin’s lived before the famine, but I get the feeling parties were a regular thing for them.”
Hadley sat on the bed, her eyes on the dress Meg had chosen to wear. A deep crimson that looked striking against her dusky skin tone. The snow still fell outside, and as she looked out the window, she caught the movement of two Stormers moving towards the entrance.
“They lock the gates so everyone can relax?”
Meg nodded. “It means there is only one way inside so it’s easier to defend. You probably didn’t notice them on your way in because they’re hidden by trees, but the entire retreat is fenced.”
Hadley chewed on the idea as Meg began sorting through the dresses Ma Hamlin had brought to her new room earlier. The guilt was still present, with each kind act, with each gentle word, Hadley grew into an uncomfortable knot at the ongoing deception.
Her brow knotted. “I still don’t understand why I can move about freely but the earl is confined to his quarters.”
Meg ran her hand over the three dresses that had been brought for her to choose from. “Well, you didn’t place Cester’s family in danger with your cowardice and lies. The earl can’t be trusted. Cester didn’t say it, but I rather suspect they think he might try to kidnap you himself and try to leave the retreat.”
Hadley’s eyes widened a little. No wonder they were keeping him away from her. “But don’t Cester’s family think this is all a little odd?”
Meg only shrugged. “Cester told them the earl wasn’t to be disturbed, and that the Stormers would take care of his needs, that was good enough, I suppose.”
How bizarre.
Hadley exhaled and ran her fingertips over an embellished neckline, more beautiful than even the wedding dress she’d worn for an hour in Jack’s Tavern. “Where did they get them all from?”
Meg held up a yellow dress, with balloon sleeves and a lace bodice, before she scrunched up her face. “Some of these are decades old, but the quality is astonishing, I think Ma Hamlin said some were her late sister’s. Kathleen was her name, I believe; she must have been petite like you.”
Hadley nodded, her eyes on a pale blue gown. “Oh, that’s so pretty.”
Meg beamed at her. “It is. Stand up. Let’s try it on.”
Hadley did as asked, and in minutes she stood before Meg, the satin fabric soft under her fingertips, the neckline sweeping into a scoop, cinched in at the waist, with an A-line skirt that flared out delightfully as she offered Meg a twirl. Mum would have loved this so much. It’s just like one the dresses she used to mend.
Meg clasped her hand around Hadley’s arm, and her eyes filled with moisture. “It’s been so long since I had a friend to get dressed up with.”
Hadley swallowed, her own tears blinding her for a moment. “Most of my friends got sick.”
Meg blinked rapidly, her smile wavering slightly. “Mine too. I don’t think I’ll understand why some were taken while others lived.”
For a moment they stared at each other, understanding and common grief uniting them. Hadley’s throat grew thick as all the tears she’d pushed down deep began to bubble over.
Before she could say she needed one, Meg drew her into a hug. “I know. You miss them. I do too. Just because you loved someone it doesn’t mean those feelings just die when they do.”
Hadley’s sob was quashed against Meg as she hugged her tighter. “It’s good to talk about it. I know Kade and Carl hate doing that, but there’s nothing wrong with remembering who we’ve loved.”
At her words, all the resolve to hide away disappeared and she allowed herself to release the wealth of tears than she’d been holding back. Meg let her cry a steady stream, until all that was left were gasping sobs. When Meg pulled back, her own eyes were red rimmed. “Feel better?”
Hadley gave her a wobbly smile. “A bit.”
Meg’s returning smile was kind as she pulled away and offered Hadley a hanky. “Good. Because if you keep crying your face is going to be all puffy, and you’ll ruin the effect of how gorgeous you look.”
Hadley laughed as Meg reached for the two glasses of apple cider she’d pilfered from the kitchens. She placed one in Hadley’s hand and raised her own. “Here’s to love and life. And to new friends.”
As their glasses clinked, and they each took a sip of the delicious drink, Meg’s face turned serious. “We should promise to make each day count, Hadley. We never know what’s coming next.”
Hadley sipped her drink, and felt the warmth settle into her stomach, helping to ease the still raw wounds of her scabbed heart. “I promise.”
Meg gave her a one-armed hug as she clutched her drink. “I’ll be right back. I just need to go see if I can find some shoes for you. Don’t drink too much of that,” she winked.
Hadley sighed quietly as Meg shut the bedroom door behind her. She eased back down onto the bed, taking sips of her drink as she smoothed the remnants of grief still holding her captive.
Meg’s kindness and her words about the Dawson family’s own loss caused her to drink until the ache in her middle began to subside.
Chapter Five
Lanterns had been hung in the hall and a table filled with food. Fire burned brightly in the large hearth and from candles in wall sconces that sent flickering shadows off the flooring of the small hall.
Stormers laughed amongst themselves, accepting glasses of a fruity beverage Ma Hamlin had poured into a giant bowl. Brute danced a lively jig with Cester’s Aunt Lucile to the old piano that Cester’s cousin Todd was playing.
Everything was set for what should be a night filled with entertainment, excellent food and drink, but Kade wasn’t thinking about any of that. His mind was fractured as he ran over the possible places the bandits might attack. In his mind, he ran through Hadley’s location, Meg’s location, and how he could keep them as far away from possible danger without giving the game away entirely.
Kade adjusted the neckline of his uniform, one that he hardly ever wore, and was irritated to find it was a little tight across the chest and back. Completely impractical if he needed to fight, completely ridiculous that Cester still made them wear the old-fashioned garments.
When he’d dressed, Carl had ribbed him about getting fat, but it wasn’t that. He’d bulked out a little over the last year, the shirt sleeves were inching up. One wrong move, and he knew it would tear.
Cester was already looking more nervous than Kade had ever seen him. He was watching the entrance like a hawk, waiting for Meg to arrive with Hadley. Surely he isn’t intending to propose tonight of all nights?
Carl, unfortunately, was also watching the door with less honourable intentions and was likely to pounce on Hadley the moment she stepped inside.
His flirtatious cousin had already warned off the rest of the Stormers, not that they’d listened. This was their night too, and Hadley was one of only two girls they could dance with.
There wasn’t much he could do to deter Carl from his pursuit, short of telling him to back off, which would lead to way too many questions. He’d have to hope Carl would settle on just a dance in a public setting and forget all about Hadley once they left.
His toes tapping in his freshly shined boots, Kade spotted Cester stalking towards him. “The gates are locked?”
Kade nodded. “They are, and the dogs are loose.”
Cester smiled slightly. “Good. I wanted to run something by you.”
Kade took a sip of his drink and waited, his eyes darting to the door almost as much as Cester’s were. “Go ahead.”
Cester scratched his trimmed beard. “I think you should take another Stormer with you, possibly two if you can get them to agree.”
Kade raised an eyebrow. Pleased by the suggestion. “Once the bandits are taken care of, you mean?”
Cester nodded and tugged at his own shirt collar, the dark blue uniform snug against his muscled torso. “I was thinking Brute, possibly Carl.”
Kade flinched. From Cester’s point of view it made sense. Carl was experienced like Brute, but if Carl went and Hadley was there, well, he didn’t want to think on that for too long.
He shook his head. “Not Carl, and Brute will never go unless he knows she’s not royalty.”
He didn’t bother to add Brute Kincaid would possibly go if he knew he was helping to find the stolen boys.
Cester nodded slowly, his response stolen when his gaze moved to the doorway, and his jaw slackened slightly.
His eyes following Cester’s, Kade covered a smile as Meg entered, wearing a blood red dress, her hair for once tidy, piled on top of her head leaving her looking almost elegant.
He winked at her as she made her way towards them, her eyes locked on Cester’s as he openly gaped at her. “You look ravishing.”
Meg’s cheeks dimpled as she returned Cester’s smile. Her eyes moving to Kade, and a different kind of smile met him. One that made him recall the times she’d played matchmaker before the sickness had decimated half their town. “You should probably get to Hadley before our cousin sees her. I think she may have drunk a little too much cider while we were getting ready.”
Kade’s eyes narrowed as the implications added to the possible problems he’d have to contain. Movement from among the Stormers as every eye shifted to the entrance let him know just how much of a stir Hadley was causing.
She swept into the room, and every nerve in his body reacted. His breath seized in his chest as he forced his legs to move towards her before someone else did. Keep it together. No big deal. Just a dress.
His heart stammering, his palms growing clammy, he near collided with her in his haste. The slightest hint of peach cider on her breath gave him more cause to worry. He slid a sharp scowl towards Carl who was striding in her direction, a confident grin on his freshly shaven face.
Hadley’s uncertain expression grew as he reached her. Her eyes seemed to widen, a flush of heat trailed over her cheekbones. “You look…uh, nice in your uniform.”
Kade cocked his head at her, and the statement he’d not expected threw him off entirely. His words were stilted as a frown worked its way over his face. “You look….”
