Enemy of My Enemy
By Carm Nicosi
Copyright © 2012 by Carm Nicosi
This work is a novel. Any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
Chapter 1
Avery cautiously moved toward the postern gate, grateful for the full moon to light the way. Yet, at the same time, he was concerned that the light increased the risk of being found out, by the lookouts. When he was within a few feet of the door, it opened to allow him entrance. The brazen Lady pulled him against her, as she used her body, to push the door closed. He tolerated the long, intimate kiss she gave him, before turning to pull her toward the living quarters, and her bedchamber.
Peggy was really, just a stupid slut, but she could be entertaining in bed. Unfortunately, he was not really interested in her charms anymore. Still, a few years past, she had no qualms about betraying Lord Eric, her estranged husband, to Avery.
Many years ago, Avery's sire had raided some of Lord Eric's properties, starting a half-hearted war between the families. Although, Lady Peggy had a daughter with Eric, the lady felt no genuine loyalty to her husband. At one and eight, Peggy had been half Eric's age, when they wed. She had slipped Avery into her husband's stronghold for a tryst, as well as telling him all she overheard of Eric's plans. Unfortunately, that came to an end, when Eric found out that Peg had been unfaithful. Eric was away for nearly six months. When he returned to discover Peggy with child, he knew the babe was not his. So Peggy was sent to one of her husband's remote Castles, until the child was born. After that, she was banished, with the babe, to her dower property.
The girl Hannah, was obviously Avery's child, though he would never claim her. He had enough bastards to deal with. Not long ago, Avery had paid a goodly sum, to a low born man, to marry a maid who claimed Avery, had sired her babe. Still, Hannah gave him an excuse to seek out her mother. Two years past, Lady Peggy had gained valuable information about Eric's plans, during a visit with her oldest daughter, Esme. That information had allowed Avery to ambush Lord Eric, and release him from his earthly existence.
Unfortunately, Esme's half-brother became Lord, then. That warmonger turned the series of skirmishes between the families, into an all out war. Lord Brant set about avenging his father's death, by attacking Shandley Keep. Avery's father was mortally wounded in the keep's defense, and died from his injuries, several days later. Although they did ultimately prevail at holding the fief, the vigorous defense took a huge toll on his family’s resources. The keep was a prime property. It was very important, as it consisted of several tenants paying money rents, as well as orchards that produced most of the fruits and wines, for all of Avery's holdings. There was also grazing for a large herd of cows that were needed to make dried meats for army rations, and hides for the tanner to produce belts, saddles, and the like. They had no choice but to defend it, at all costs, Avery thought.
Avery absently ran his hand over Peggy's stomach, and breasts, as she worked to untie the laces on his chausses. While at the same time, he recalled how he had petitioned for peace with Brant. The blackguard had demanded one of Avery's properties, as a good will gesture. Brant claimed that Avery's father had started the war, by stealing from Brant's family lands. His demands were unacceptable to Avery, as it would leave him with less than three quarters, of his father's original holdings. Brant had already taken enough of Avery's lands, he would not be getting more, without a fight.
Peggy had freed him from his chausses, so he pushed her down on to the bed. Twas important that the Lady was happy with him right now, to gain her cooperation. He let his mind wander to thoughts of Isabel, with her glorious chestnut hair falling loosely to her waist. He pictured her greenish-hazel eyes, flashing with fury, as she spit in the Duke's face. The image stirred his desire to barely controllable levels. Then, he did what he had to do, to keep Peggy happy so she would help him.
Afterward, Avery held her in his arms, and lied to her about how much he wished he could see her openly. He reminded her, that if Peggy's stepson knew about them, Brant would see that their relationship did not continue.
"You know he captured another one of my Castles, recently. Unfortunately, he has attacked with such a large force, that I am always on defense, so there has been no chance to kill the blackguard," Avery lamented.
"Twould be wonderful if he were dead, so we did not have to sneak around anymore," Peggy said.
"Mon cheri, I have a plan that would put me on offense, but it would require your help. Mayhap, you would object, as it involves your daughter," Avery said.
"I am for anything that would let us be together. I love you, and want to shout it to the world," Peggy assured him. "First, I was trapped wed to Eric, as he would not agree to set our marriage aside. Then, if Brant knew about us, he would never let me see my daughter. If either one of them found out about us, they might have sent me back to that dreadful castle, where I was sent to have our Hannah. That place is nothing more than a comfortable prison."
"You know Brant only allows you to see Esme a few weeks every year. Furthermore, she will only inherit about a fifth of her father's holdings. With him dead, you could see her all the time, and she would inherit all of her father's holdings," Avery reminded Peggy, to make his case.
"Aye, with him gone, I could live with my very rich daughter, all the time," Peggy agreed.
"Peggy, what I was thinking, is that I would be able to draw him out, without a large force, if he were trying to pay a ransom, for his sister. Tell me, if you do not like the idea. You see, if you have her come here for one of the few visits he allows, I could take the girl. You trust me, do you not? You know I would not let any harm come to your child, right? I would never want to see you hurt, mon cheri," Avery pleaded, reassuringly.
"Well, of course I trust you. I just wonder if you are sure you can finish him off. If he survived, and knew I helped you, I might never see Esme, again. If anything went wrong..." Peggy's voice trailed off.
"Nay, mon cheri, it would be set up, just like the ambush on their father. Forces he believes are on his side, will meet him en route to pay her ransom. When my group approaches, they will join me against him. The fact that he has been double-crossed, will be his last revelation. As soon as he is no more, I will return Esme to you. I assure you, at no time, will the girl be in any danger. If I thought there was any risk to your daughter, I would find another way," he said, as earnestly as he could.
All he really cared about, was getting rid of Brant. However, Avery knew it would be best, to try to keep the girl safe for a while, to allay suspicion.
"Aye, then I will help you," Peggy said. "I will beg for her to be allowed to visit, and let you know, as soon as I know, when she will arrive. You had better make sure nothing happens to her, and that Brant is dead, though."
To keep the Lady happy, and believing she was about to get everything she desired, he began to kiss her. Avery rained caresses over Peggy until he judged, she was once again ready. Then once more, he indulged himself in fantasizing about the Lady Isabel, whom he could not have. Even if their fathers had not been cousins, he would need the Lady for a strategic alliance, if he failed to kill his enemy by treachery.
Lady Isabel sat near the hearth in the hall, perusing the flickering flames. She would be ten and seven, in just slightly more than a fortnight. Isabel had spent a good portion of her life right here, in the residential structure of Kellanhym Castle, her father's stronghold. The main floor consisted of the large hall, a small sitting room, and her father's study. Several high back chairs and benches, allowed for seating in front of the large hearth, where there was almost always, a roaring fire going. Even in the warmer months, the hearth was used for some portion of the cooking.