A Hero's Heart (Noble Heart Book 7) Read online

  “That girl is your cousin, William. A distant cousin. Her name is Juliet Hawthorne. Her brother’s name is Peter. Peter has been injured and Juliet is upset about that.”

  “Cousins? I have cousins? I don’t believe I’ve ever met any of my cousins before.” William looked intrigued at the idea.

  “Oh, I believe there are a few more in our family tree, William, but they all live far away.”

  William turned to Noble. “She certainly liked Hero.”

  “Yes, I saw that. Hero seemed to like her, too.” Noble knelt down and scratched the pup behind his ears. “Good dog, Hero,” he said. The dog looked up into his face and woofed softly.

  “What do we do now, Father?” William asked. “Thomas went with some of the knights to look for the trail to the highwaymen’s hideout. Or at least they think that that must be what it is. It will be a while yet before he is back. May I go after them? Thomas and I were hoping to ride together.”

  “William, we have discussed this already. You will not go out riding until we have captured the highwaymen. There will be time for it afterwards, I am sure. We will wait here until Peter is able to travel back to Caernarfon, so you and Thomas will most likely be able to spend several days together.”

  “Well, then may Noble and I go out for a while? It does not appear that he has any duties until the captains come back and it will be a while yet before Master Locke has supper prepared.”

  King Stephen laughed. “You see, William? I told you when duty calls it is not always an exciting adventure! Now you are bored. Well, if it is agreeable to Noble, you may go out together, but do not go far from the inn.”

  William looked at his friend with hope in his eyes. Noble laughed. “Come, William. I believe I saw Warrior grazing with a couple old friends out in the pasture. Let us take Valiant out to join them for a while.” They crossed the courtyard to the stable with Hero running ahead of them.

  The horses belonging to Master Locke were nearby. Warrior was with them, and now all three horses looked up with interest as they came out of the inn. There were other horses further away in the pasture—horses that belonged to the knights who still remained at the inn. The king’s steed and Valiant were still in the stable. They had barely come back out leading Valiant when the two old farm horses pricked up their ears and came trotting toward them. It had been well over a year since they had seen Sir Noble and his mighty steed Valiant but they had not forgotten them. “Brownie! Lacey!” Noble called to them. “Hello, you beautiful animals!”

  “Beautiful?” William questioned. “They are very nice, I am sure, but I would hardly describe them as beautiful, Noble! Warrior and Valiant are beautiful. These are just old farm horses.”

  “Ahh! Do not be so quick to judge, my friend! Brownie and Lacey have beautiful hearts. They are dependable, devoted and hardy. They have given faithful service all their lives. They were certainly brave in the face of danger. Yes, you are beautiful creatures, are you not, my friends?” He stroked their noses and patted their necks, and in return Brownie nuzzled his shoulder and Lacey nibbled at his ear.

  Valiant tolerated the “old folks” imposing upon his master. He, too, greeted the farm horses as old friends with a soft nicker and a toss of his head. Warrior was not to be outdone. He horned his way in between the other animals, but instead of lavishing his affection on Noble, he went after his own master. William laughed as his horse nearly shoved him off his feet in his enthusiasm.

  “I’m going to run back to the stable and get a brush,” Noble said. “Valiant could stand to be groomed. If you like, I’ll brush Warrior for you, too, when I am done,” he offered.

  “I’ll brush my own horse, thank you very much!” the prince said.

  “Yes, Your Highness!” Noble said with a laugh and a bow. He turned and trotted back to the stable.

  The light was dim inside. It took a few minutes for Noble to locate the brush. Finally after looking in each of the empty stalls, kicking aside some straw and digging through a pile of old harnesses, bridles and bits, he saw it on a shelf next to the door. “Right where it is supposed to be, I’ll wager!” he muttered.

  He went back out into the sunlight. William and the horses had moved further back in the pasture, closer to the forest on the other side than the inn. Hero was barking loudly at something. He did not think much of it until he saw a man standing nearby talking with the young prince. The dog did not seem to be happy about it.

  Noble did not recognize the fellow. He was not one of the other knights, of that he was sure. He did not remember seeing him among the townsmen who had gathered in the inn the other night. He could not see him well from this distance, of course, but suddenly Noble was on alert. Who was this person?

  Noble started to hurry. It was not far across the pasture, but the stranger happened to look up before he was halfway across. He stared at Noble for a moment, and then with a few more words to William and a wave, he loped off toward the trees. Hero followed him.

  “William!” Noble called. The boy looked up and started toward his friend. The horses trailed behind him. Hero stopped at the sound of his master’s voice but continued to stare into the trees where the man had disappeared. Finally he, too, turned and followed William.

  “What is it, Noble?” the prince asked as he drew near. He looked bewildered at the urgent tone of Noble’s voice and the strange look on his face.

  “Who was that man you were talking to?” Noble asked.

  William shrugged. “I don’t know. He said he was a friend of Master Locke. He came out of the trees when you went back to the stable.”

  “What did he want?”

  “I don’t know.” William shrugged again. “He asked me some questions, that’s all.”

  “Come, William! You must do better than that! What questions?”

  “Well, he asked who the horses belonged to. I think he meant Valiant and Warrior. He seemed very interested in them.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Oh, don’t worry, Noble. I didn’t directly answer his question and I did not tell him who we were. I just said they belonged to some people who were staying at the inn. He did ask me my name but I changed the subject as quickly as I could. I simply said I had come out to take a look at the horses—which is the truth, as you know!”

  “Yes, good job, William. Did he give you his name?”

  “No, but it was rather strange, Noble. He asked me if I had seen a red-haired girl with a lot of freckles on her face. I almost slipped up and said, ‘Oh, you must mean Juliet!’ For some reason I thought it best not to tell him she is in the inn.”

  Noble stared at him. Master Locke had said that the strangers in the inn the other night had asked the same question. He did not voice his concern to William now, but simply said to him, “I’m glad you did not, William.”

  William went on, “Instead I said—just to throw him off, of course—‘The only girl I know like that is my cousin and she lives in England!’ I still think it is amazing that I have cousins, don’t you, Noble? I couldn’t help bragging on it a bit!”

  Noble groaned within himself, but did not let William see how dismayed he was. Why had there been two inquiries now about Juliet’s whereabouts? What could these men want with her? William’s remark about his cousin may have been harmless—or maybe not. He now said urgently, “Come, William! We must go speak to Miss Hawthorne immediately!”

  “Why, Noble? Who was that fellow? Do you think you know? What did he want?”

  “I am not sure of anything, yet, William, but I have my suspicions. Let us take Warrior and Valiant back to the stable. If that man had his eye on them he may be back.”

  “Why, Noble? Do you think he would steal them? Who was he, Noble?” the prince repeated as they led the horses back across the meadow. “Who do you suspect he is?”

  Noble stopped and looked William squarely in the eye. “I think he was one of the highwaymen, William. I think you were speaking to one of the highwaymen, and if I had not happen
ed to come out of the stable just when I did, it is hard telling what he might have done! I suspect we have had a narrow escape, Your Highness—praise God! Now come—we must speak with Juliet.”

  ___________

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  ___________

  A Bigger Target

  The horses were not happy about being put back into the dark stable on such a beautiful summer’s day. They snatched at a few last tender bits of grass as they left the pasture and reluctantly followed their masters inside. There was no lock on the stable door. They would have to set a guard.

  The king was at a table in a corner of the common room speaking with the few knights who remained in the inn. He looked up as William and Noble came in. “Back so soon?” he asked with a smile on his face.

  “Father, Noble is concerned about something,” William said.

  “What is it, Sir Noble?” the king asked.

  Noble quickly explained the encounter the prince had had with the stranger in the pasture. “I think the fellow was up to no good,” he finally concluded. “Perhaps he saw the horses and was planning to steal them before he saw there was someone with them. Then he struck up a friendly conversation to try to extract information from His Highness.”

  “I hate to think what he might have done if you had not returned from the stable just then, Sir Noble, or if this man had not been alone,” the king said with a frown.

  “My thoughts exactly,” Noble replied.

  “Why are they asking about Juliet Hawthorne, I wonder?”

  “I don’t know, but I think we need to ask her about it. First, though, we need to set a guard on the stable and also out in the pasture with the other knights’ horses. We cannot risk losing our horses to thieves, Sire, if he comes back with some of his friends.”

  The king quickly turned to some of the knights who were sitting nearby and directed them to stand guard on the horses. Then he turned back to Noble and William and said, “Come with me.” Hero looked up from the hearth where he was nosing around and followed them.

  They knocked at the girl’s door. Juliet opened it and said, “Stephen! Come in!”

  ‘How is Peter?” the king asked as they entered the room. “Has he opened his eyes again?”

  She shook her head. “His sleep is not as deep as it was before, though. He stirs every now and then and moans a bit. The fever is still high, but for some reason I have more hope now that he will recover.”

  “That is good. I, too, have every hope that he will recover and we will all be on our way to Caernarfon soon.” The king paused. “Juliet, I have something I must ask you. There have been several men last night and today who have come to the inn asking if anyone has seen a red-haired girl. We believe they are asking about you. In fact one of them even implied that you were from England. Do you know anyone in this area? Is there any reason someone should be asking for you?”

  Juliet looked troubled. “We do not know a soul outside of England. The only people we have even talked to here are you and Master Locke—and of course, the terrible men who robbed us and did this to Peter.” Suddenly she looked frightened. “D-do you think it was them? But why would they be asking about me? They took everything we had! What more could they want?”

  “I’m not sure,” the king said thoughtfully. “Tell me, Juliet—was there anything in the things they stole that would connect you with me?”

  “Why, no, of course not!” She stopped suddenly. “Oh! Oh, perhaps there is something! There was a letter in my bag that I had written to you. I was going to have it delivered once we got to Caernarfon. It was meant to introduce ourselves and to ask for an audience with you.”

  “So we must assume they have read it and know that you are my cousin. If they are looking for treasure, they may think they have found it in you. That you might be worth a king’s ransom should you disappear!”

  “What?! You think they might try to kidnap me?” Her fear had returned and she twisted her hands now in nervous agitation.

  “I do not know but I cannot imagine why else they would be looking for you.” The king said gently, “Do not be afraid, my dear. You are not alone now. They cannot touch you while my men and I are here.”

  “Uh, Father—there is something else you should know.” William had a guilty look on his face.

  “What is it, William?” His father looked at him sharply.

  “I am not sure if it means anything,” William said slowly, “but I mentioned to the man I talked to out in the pasture that I have a cousin from England who has red hair and a freckled face. I am sorry, Juliet. I happen to like your freckles very much!” He looked embarrassed. “He probably realized that Juliet is indeed in the inn, and what I thought was a clever answer to his questions just confirmed it. And now I am wondering…” He hesitated.

  “You are wondering if he may have figured it out and realized that you are the prince,” Noble finished for him.

  “Yes. And if that is the case, would that not make me more of a target than Juliet? I am, after all, the king’s son.”

  King Stephen sighed. “Yes, my son, you are a target now, as well. I hope you see now why we do not let it be known when you are traveling around the countryside!”

  William brightened. “Well, that should make you feel better, Juliet! You do not have to worry about being a target now for I am a bigger one!”

  Juliet smiled for the first time. The king sighed again and shook his head. “William, William, William! That is like telling someone ‘you don’t have to worry about being a fool for I am a bigger one!’ ”

  Noble burst out laughing. William grinned sheepishly. Even Hero started to bark. He didn’t understand why everyone was suddenly smiling and laughing but it was good to see them all happy again! He started to race around the room, barking loudly.

  “Shh! Shh! Quiet, Hero!” Noble suddenly cried in alarm. He looked at the sleeping man in the bed, fearful that his dog would disturb him. It was too late! Hero had jumped onto the bed and in his excitement began to lick Peter’s face!

  “No, Hero!” Noble and William both leaped for the dog at the same time. They ran into each other and fell backwards while Hero jumped off the bed, ran another lap around the room and then leaped back onto the mattress and began to lick the sleeping man all over again!

  Noble was horrified! He jumped up and grabbed at Hero. The dog tried to wiggle out of his grasp, still barking wildly, but somehow Noble managed to hold onto him. “No, Hero!” he repeated. “Stop it!” Hero just looked up at his master with a big doggie-grin and began licking him all over his face!

  A quiet laugh came from the bed. Peter was awake and watching the scene with a little smile on his face! “What is his name?” he whispered. “We had a dog like that when we were children. Do you remember, Juliet?”

  His sister was smiling and crying at the same time. “Peter! You’re awake! Yes, I remember. Her name was—what else—Freckles!”

  “I am so sorry for my dog’s behavior! I do not know what got into him!” Noble apologized. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No, he woke me up!” Peter’s voice was weak, but he seemed to be wide awake now. “Juliet, are you alright? Why are you crying?”

  “Yes, I am fine now that you’re awake! And I am crying out of happiness, silly goose!” Juliet swiped away at the tears and bent down to hug her brother. She placed her hand on his forehead. “You still have a fever, but it is much better. I hope this means you are truly on the road to recovery now!”

  “I seem to remember hearing you all talk about someone looking for you, Juliet, and that you are a target of some sort—or was I dreaming that?”

  The king spoke up. “No, you weren’t dreaming, Peter, but don’t worry about that right now. Juliet is safe with us and we won’t let anyone harm her.” He paused and then asked, “Do you remember who I am?”

  Peter nodded slowly. “Yes, you are our cousin Stephen. The king. Or did I dream that? I was having nightmares for so long I cannot remember what is true and
what is not.”

  The king smiled. “Oh, so now I am a nightmare?” William snickered. “Yes, you are correct, Peter. I am your cousin. We have come to bring you and Juliet back to Caernarfon with us once we have dealt with this band of highwaymen. For now I do not want you to be concerned about that. You must just concentrate on getting well.”

  The young man nodded again. “But who are these others?” He waved his hand at Noble and William.

  “This is William, my son—and also your cousin.” The king put his arm around his son’s shoulder. “And this is Sir Noble. He was here when you and Juliet arrived at the inn and then brought me word of what had happened. He is one of my most trusted men.”

  “Thank you—all of you. It helps a great deal to know that there is someone who cares.” He looked at Hero who was still in Noble’s arms. “And who is our furry friend?”

  “This is Hero,” Noble said. “He has been in a great deal of trouble these days, I’m afraid.”

  Juliet took the dog from him and buried her face in Hero’s fur. “Trouble? No, I do not believe that. He has indeed been a hero to me. He reminds me of Freckles, and I think that is why he brought me such comfort when I needed it.”

  “Just wait until he steals one of your shoes and buries it in the garden!” William piped up. He looked out of the corner of his eye at his father.

  The king smiled. “Well, we will leave you two for a while and allow you to talk together—or sleep, if you prefer! Juliet, I will speak to Master Locke about getting you your own rooms upstairs. You really need to get some decent sleep in a bed, too, now that Peter is doing better.”

  The Hawthornes heaped heartfelt thanks upon them all over again as they left the room. “I really like them!” William exclaimed as the door closed behind them. “I think it will be a wonderful thing to have cousins living close to us in Caernarfon! Perhaps when Peter is better we can do some things together. Noble, would you take us hunting with you? And perhaps we can get him a horse—a good horse like Warrior—and go riding together! And Mother, I am sure, will appreciate having Juliet nearby. They can have tea together and do girl things.”